An Argument ON THE EXISTENCE, ATTRIBUTES, AND PERSONAL BY WILLIAM COOKE, D.D. THIRD EDITION OF "THEIOTES," REVISED AND ENLARGED. LONDON: HAMILTON, ADAMS, & CO., PATERNOSTER ROW. PREFACE TO THE THIRD EDITION. Two large editions of this work having been sold, and the demand for a third having become urgent, the author has revised the work throughout, and brought it abreast with the most recent discoveries of science. The revival of the ancient error of evolutionism has also received more special and extended notice. The Author's aim, in the First and Second Books of this volume, is to adduce evidence from Nature on the existence and perfections of God, and to show its harmony with the more luminous teachings of Revelation. If there be a God, the universe is his work; and if his work, it will both attest his being, and unfold some of his attributes. If the Bible be Divinely inspired, its declarations and revelations respecting God will harmonize with his works; and, therefore, both should be consulted by those who are anxious to know the truth. In the Third Book of this volume, the Author's aim is to adduce evidence on the Holy Trinity, showing that this doctrine, derived from Revelation, is in harmony with the decisions of Reason, and not, as Dr. Channing has irreverently termed it, "an outrage on 277113 our rational nature," "contradicting and degrading our reason." For if God has revealed the mode of his existence as including a trinal personal distinction, it is true; and if true, it is in harmony with right reason. The Author has attempted to show this harmony. Though the superficial and the profane may dismiss the importunities of Reason with a light and scoffing air, the sober-minded and the solid thinker cannot do So. The sincere inquirer loves truth wherever he may find it, and will not, either timidly or negligently, avert his eye from its light. While he deems the phenomena and the laws of Nature worthy of his diligent study, he will feel that the existence and perfections of the great Author of Nature, and the moral relations and destinies of humanity involved therein, require from him a calm, impartial, and patient investigation, so that his mind may enjoy the repose of enlightened conviction and conscious integrity. Our humble office is to aid his inquiries. We greatly honour the productions of others who have preceded us in this work; but the labours of the past may not wholly supersede the endeavours of the present, as ours, assuredly, will not dispense with the labours of others in the future. The current of evidence must flow onward with the stream of time, keeping pace with the progress of science and the development of mind, else would faith languish for want of being replenished with the rational element, truth lose much of its freshness and power, and infidelity boast that our |