When men arrogantly abandon their guide, and wilfully shut their eyes on the light
of heaven, it is wisely ordained that their errors shall multiply at every step, until
their extravagance confutes itself, and the mischief of their principles works its own
antidote. ROBERT HALL.

SECOND EDITION.

EDINBURGH:

FRASER & CO. 54, NORTH BRIDGE:

SMITH, ELDER, & CO. AND H. WASHBOURNE, LONDON':

AND W. CURRY, JUN. & CO. DUBLIN.

EDINBURGH:
Printed by ANDREW SHORTREDE, Thistle Lane.

BOSTON MEDICAL LIBRARY

IN THE

FRANCIS A. COUNTWAY
LIBRARY OF MEDICINE

PREFACE,

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

EXAMINATION OF MR COMBE'S HYPOTHESIS, THAT THE WORLD IS CONSTI-

TUTED ON THE PRINCIPLE OF SLOW AND PROGRESSIVE IMPROVEMENT

-GENERAL VIEW OF THE SUBJECT.

Mr Combe's analogies in support of his Hypothesis-Analogies tending

to prove the opposite of Mr Combe's doctrine-Evidence derived from

History, and from Ancient Monuments, respecting the Condition of the

Human Race in the Earliest Ages - Progress of Civilization over the

World-Progress of Civilization in Britain, and the Causes which have

given rise to the Improvement of its Inhabitants. Conclusion of the

Argument.

CHAPTER III.

-

CHAPTER II.

MR COMBE'S OPPOSITION TO THE DOCTRINE OF DIVINES, RESPECTING THE

ORIGINAL PERFECTION, AND SUBSEQUENT DEGENERACY, OF THE

HUMAN RACE.

Statement of the Doctrine of Divines-Mr Combe's Theory-Question,

which of these accords best with the Evidence― Recent Origin of Man---

State of man in Heathen Ages-Ruin of all the Ancient Empires,

THE REMEDY FOR EXISTING EVILS.

Page vii

CHAPTER IV.

-

First Propagation of Christianity, and its Effects Moral and other

Improvements derived from Christianity-On the Efficacy of Preaching

as a Means of Improvement,

EXAMINATION OF MR COMBE'S VIEWS RESPECTING THE NATURAL LAWS.

I. General view of the subject Views of the French Philosophers

respecting the Natural Laws-Dr Spurzheim's views-Mr Combe's views

General Objection to the foregoing views - Bishop Butler's notion of

a Divine Government - Bishop Butler's views quite opposite to Mr

Combe's-Intuitive Knowledge-Case of the Bee-Paradoxical statement

of the Benefits of Ignorance-New view of the Condition of Man-

Transgression and Evil necessary-Infinite extent of the Natural Laws——

Limited nature of the Human Faculties-How far the Natural Laws can

be obeyed-Who are most likely to obey the Natural Laws.

II. On the principles stated by Mr Combe as affording a Key to

the Divine Government- Superior Authority of the Moral Law-Cases

in which Physical Laws may be disobeyed-Superiority of the Moral

Law.

III. Considerations shewing that a Revealed Law was necessary-

Conscience absolute and individual-Means of fixing the Rule of Right—
All human Systems of Laws imperfect-Revelation necessary.

IV. Perfection and Invariableness of the Revealed Law-Morality of

Old Testament compared with that of the New-Particular precepts of

the Jewish Law Laws of Benevolence-Law of Marriage-Faculties

having reference to our Duties to God-The Revealed Law of our Duties

to God-True Means of Improvement.

Page 86

CHAPTER V.

ON THE CONSTITUTION OF THE HUMAN FACULTIES, CONSIDERED IN

RELATION TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OBJECTS.

Main defect of Mr Combe's System-His omission of a Future State——

Present condition of Man-Phrenology assumed to be true-Scheme of

he Faculties Propensities - Sentiments Scheme of the Intellectual

Faculties-Position and grouping of the Cerebral Organs-General remarks

on the system.

-

CHAPTER VI.

ON MR COMBE'S PRINCIPLE OF THE SUPREMACY OF THE MORAL

SENTIMENTS AND INTELLECT, AND ON CONSCIENCE.

Bishop Butler's view respecting Conscience - Mr Combe's view

Supremacy of Moral Sentiments-Examination of Mr Combe's view of

Supremacy-The Moral Faculties insufficient of themselves-Distinction

between the Animal and Moral powers-Relative Dignity and Harmony

of the Faculties-Office of the Intellect Informing Moral Judgment

Moral effect of various Powers-Conscience, as explained by Dr Chalmers

-Conscience premonitive, approving, or condemning - Illustration of

the working of Conscience - Offences arising from the Higher Sentiments

-All are conscious of Sin.

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181

CHAPTER VII.

ON THE SCRIPTURE DOCTRINE OF HUMAN DEPRAVITY.

Theological view of Human Depravity-Phrenological view of the Fall

and its consequences- Proofs of degeneracy-Means of Improvement

— Probable Results of a Knowledge of the Natural Laws — Probable

Abuses of the Natural Laws-The Natural Laws no Safeguards to

Virtue-Phrenology affords no means of regenerating the World-True

Remedy for Human Depravity,

Page 214

CHAPTER VIII.

OBJECTION TO THE PARADISAICAL STATE OF OUR FIRST PARENTS

CONSIDERED.

Mr Combe's Objections to the Paradisaical State Unphilosophical

Nature of Mr Combe's Objections-Hypothetical Answers to Mr Combe's

Objections,

CHAPTER IX.

ON DEATH.

I. Objection to the Doctrine that Death was brought upon Man as the

punishment of Sin, considered — Mr Combe's view of Death — Theological

view of Death-Mr Combe transgresses the limits of Philosophical Inquiry

Reason affords no light as to the Primitive State of Man-Special

Objections hypothetically answered-Mr Combe's views only apply to our

Present Condition-Diseases, &c. attributed to Infringement of the Natural

Laws The Natural Laws will never be perfectly obeyed-Mr Combe's

views of Death - Natural feelings of Man on the Prospect of Death.

II. On the omission of a Future State-Omission of a Future State

inexcusable-Phrenological Argument for a Future State Natural An-

ticipations Partial views of Mr Combe-Natural Feelings coincide with

Revelation— Mr Combe's System offers no Argument against Suicide,

CHAPTER X.

ON THE PAINS OF PARTURITION.

Scripture views of the Pains of Parturition - Mr Combe's Views

answered,

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