THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTES:

or, a view of the

EVIDENCES, DOCTRINES, MORALS, AND INSTITUTIONS

of

CHRISTIANITY

BY RICHARD WATSON

A NEW EDITION, CAREFULLY REVISED;

with

a complete index of scriptural texts, an index of greek terms, and a copious analytical index,

BY THOMAS O. SUMMERS

Nashville, Tenn.:

PUBLISHED BY E. STEVENSON & F. A. OWEN, AGENTS,

for the methodist episcopal church, south

1857

EDITORIAL NOTE

The editor of this edition of Watson’s Institutes does not consider it necessary to say any thing in recommendation of this great work, its character as a theological text-book of the highest grade having long since been established.

Of the present edition it may not be improper to state that it has been brought out with the greatest possible care.

Numerous errors, found in previous editions, have been corrected in this: the quotations from Scripture have been verified and corrected, at the cost of no small labor, as Mr. Watson appears to have quoted from memory, rarely noting the place, and frequently failing to give the ipsissima verba—a matter sometimes of considerable consequence to the argument.

The breathings and accents of Greek words, omitted in previous editions, have been supplied in this.

One or two incongruous sentences which escaped the notice of the author have been, with due advisement, eliminated; and an occasional note, the reasons of which will be obvious to the student, has been inserted.

Every Scripture quotation is referred to in the Index of Scripture Texts; and every paragraph of the work has been carefully analyzed and noted in the Analytical Index, which will be found exceedingly serviceable, not only in directing to any passage which may be sought for in the book, but also in its review, or in the examination of students.

This edition is brought out in one volume, for the convenience of those for whom it has been specially prepared. The type, though not very large, is clear and legible, being leaded, in double columns.

The Editor.

Nashville, Tenn., October 11, 1856.

CONTENTS

Editorial Note

PART FIRST

EVIDENCES OF THE DIVINE AUTHORITY OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES

Chapter I. —Man a moral agent

II. —The rule which determines the quality of moral actions must be presumed to be matter of revelation from God

III. —Further presumption of a direct revelation from the weakness and corruption of human reason, and the want of authority in merely human opinions

IV. —Further proofs of the weakness and uncertainty of human reason

V. —The origin of those truths which are found in the writings and religious systems of the heathen

VI. —The necessity of revelation—State of religious knowledge among the heathen

VII. —The necessity of revelation—State of morals among the heathen

VIII. —The necessity of revelation—Religions of the heathen

IX. —The evidences necessary to authenticate a revelation—External evidence

X. —The evidences necessary to authenticate a revelation—Internal evidence—Collateral evidence

XI. —The use and limitation of reason ...