CONTENTS.

PSALM CXI. 2.

LECTURE I. Page 1.

The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all

them that have pleasure therein.

Object, design, and importance of geological science. Requisites and
method of the study. Harmony of all science with the announce-
ments of Revelation. Truth. Evidence. The world. The SUPREME
BEING. Authority of Scripture.

LECTURE II. Page 38.

Blessed of the Lord be his

DEUTERONOMY XXXIII. 13, 15, 16.

land; for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the

deep that coucheth beneath,- -and for the chief things of the

ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting

hills, and for the precious things of the earth and the ful-

ness thereof.

Change in the material universe, constant, but according to law. De-
scription of facts in relation to the crust of the earth. Internal con-
dition. Pyrogenous rocks. Stratified formations. Remains of
creatures which once had life.

LECTURE III. Page 76.

ROMANS XI. 36. Of HIM, and through HIM, and to HIM, are

all things: to whom be glory for ever.

Recital of opinions which are by many assumed to be asserted or
implied in the Scriptures, but which are contrary to geological
doctrines. I. The recent creation of the world. II. A previous
universal chaos over the earth. III. The creation of the heavenly
bodies after that of the earth. IV. The derivation of all vegetables
and animals from one centre of creation. V. That the inferior animals
were not subject to death till the fall of man.

GENESIS VI. 17. And behold I, even I, do bring a flood of waters

upon the earth, to destroy all flesh wherein is the breath of life

from under heaven: and every thing that is in the earth shall die.

Continuation of apparent discrepancies between geological doctrines
and the testimony of Scripture, as generally understood. VI. Concerning
the Deluge. The reason for that judicial infliction, in the righteous
government of God. The testimony of history and tradition. Com-
mon ascription of geological phænomena to the Deluge:——

erroneous.-

LECTURE V. Page 123.

-

2 PETER II. 5. God spared not the old world, bringing the

flood upon the world of the ungodly.

Continuation. More accurate and discriminating inquiry. Investiga-

tion of the masses of rolled stony fragments which have been

attributed to the diluvial action. Those masses found to be of dif-

ferent character and age. Effect of the investigation upon the con-

victions of the most eminent geologists. Evidence from phænomena

in Auvergne and Languedoc. The quantity of water requisite for a

deluge geographically universal. The effect of such an addition to

the bulk of the earth. The reception of animals in the ark. Other

difficulties.

LECTURE VI.

PART I. Page 165.

1 THESSALONIANS v. 21. Prove all things: hold fast that which

is good.

Examination of various methods which have been proposed for the

removal of the difficulties and alleged contradictions, between Geology

and the Scriptures. I. Denial of any difficulty, by shutting the eyes

to the evidence of geological facts, and representing the inquiry as

impious.

PART II. Page 198.

II. Sacrificing the Mosaic records, as unintelligible, or as being the
language of mythic poetry. III. Regarding the Mosaic six days as
designed to represent indefinite periods. IV. Attributing stratifica-
tion and other geological phænomena to the interval between the
Adamic creation and the Deluge, and the action of the diluvial waters.

PSALM XII. 6. The words of the Lord are pure words; as

silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.

sense.

The certain and infallible truth of all that is taught in the Holy Scrip-
tures, when taken in its own genuine sense. Our duty to elicit that
Induction and examination of the forms of language used in
Scripture to convey to man a knowledge of the Nature and Perfections
of GOD. The gracious condescension and benefit of this method, for
the religious instruction of mankind. This character of the scriptural
style displayed in the descriptions of natural objects. General rule of
interpretation hence derived. Superiority of the christian dispensation.

PART II. Page 278.

Application of the principle established, to the interpretation of the nar-
rative concerning the Creation. The independent position of the first
sentence. The subsequent description refers to a limited region of
the earth. The series of operations. The human creation. Death,
before the fall of man.- -The same principle applied to the fact of
the Deluge, which is shewn to have been universal as to the extent of
the human population, but not geographically universal.-Concluding
vindication of the principle, and its applications, as irrefutable, and
absolutely necessary for maintaining the honour of the word of God.

LECTURE VIII. Page 322.

ECCLESIASTES XII. 13. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole

matter; Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the

whole of man.

Religion the perfection of our nature. The duty of scientific studies,

especially in a course of education. Exhortations to personal efforts

for improvement. Peculiar claims of Geology. The proper accom-

paniments of scientific pursuits. Advantage to the comforts of life.

Moral uses. Responsibility to the just and holy GOD. Interest and

urgency of these considerations. The rational claims and attractions

of religion.

SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES.

A, referred to at pages 12 and 298.

On the question respecting Death; and on Geological Study in

general

B, referring to pages 63 and 64.

On the number of species in the earlier Fossiliferous Rocks.-

Death of Dr. William Smith.......

361

......

375

On Dr. George Young's Scriptural Geology......

E, referred to at pages 81 and 239.

On the Evidence of a very High Antiquity of the Earth.......................... 391

F, referred to at page 277.

Sentiments of John George Rosenmüller, Bishop Bird Sumner, and

Mr. Conybeare, on the initial portion of the book of Genesis...... 420

F F, referred to at page 284.

Extracts from Wiseman and Hitchcock, on the reference of the

Mosaic Records to Geological Truths

G, referred to at page 289.

On the Duty of these Investigations; and in Vindication of Dr.

Buckland......

423

425

.........

ON THE RELATION

BETWEEN

THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

AND SOME PARTS OF

GEOLOGICAL SCIENCE.

LECTURE I.

PSALM CXI. 2. The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.

GEOLOGY SO seeks out the works of the Most LECT. I.

Geology.

High. It has claims upon the regard of all objects of cultivated and pious minds. It leads us to study that which God has made our earthly abode, in its present state, filled with monuments of past conditions, and presages, I venture to think, of the future. It leads us into some acquaintance with a magnificent part of the counsel of Jehovah's will, according to which HE worketh all things; the machine of dependent beings and subordinate causes, by which the Supreme Cause accomplishes his purposes of wisdom and righteousness. We see those causes to be the same in their nature, and similar in their mode of

B