Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) by William Bates (Available from Amazon or free here) - Commence Sermon I 'God is' by reading up to the paragraph starting 'Thirdly. The third argument is drawn from the consent of nations.'
My summary
Today we begin a new batch of sermons given to us from William Bates.
The initial sermon we start is on the existence of God.
Firstly, this week, Bates shows us that 'God is' with an argument drawn from the visible world. God must exist because of the:
(i) being of the world and its parts;
(ii) consent of the parts in the world;
(iii) operations of natural agents.
Secondly Bates shows us that 'God is' with an argument drawn from the natural conscience. God must exist because the natural conscience:
(i) is the lifeguard which secures from fears;
(ii) is guilty.
What grabbed me
I think I'm going to enjoy Bates. He writes clearly and to the point.
Today I think he made an astute observation about the awakening of the conscience to God's existence immediately prior to death: 'It is worthy of our serious thoughts that these terrors of conscience are most dreadful when the sinner approaches death; the sense of guilt which before was smothered, is then revived; conscience like a sleeping lion awakes and destroys at once ; experience tells us many sinners who have lived in a senseless, die in a desperate manner; and from whence doth this proceed but from the presages of a future judgment! conscience anticipates the vengeance of God ; then the alarms are increased, and the storm is more violent ; for the soul being sensible of its immortal nature, extends its fears to eternity, and trembles at him who lives for ever, and can punish for ever.'
The conscience can awaken the hardest of hearts in the moments before death.
Next week's reading
Conclude Sermon I 'God is'.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
No comments:
Post a Comment