This two-volume book by the philosopher and theologian William Paley, published in 1794, was considered so important that it was required reading for Cambridge students (including Charles Darwin) well into the nineteenth century. This classic work of apologetics is divided into three parts in which Paley discusses the historical evidence for Christianity and the miracles of Jesus Christ. He begins volume 1 with the proposition that the original witnesses to Christ's miracles should be believed, because they spent their entire lives in constant danger for what they witnessed. Paley takes on Hume's argument that no miracle can be proved regardless of the amount of evidence with the observation that if one believes in God, then miracles should be expected. Paley's intellectual defence of Christianity was one of the most popular of the day, and his work is considered a direct forerunner of the contemporary theory of intelligent design.

This two-volume book by the philosopher and theologian William Paley, published in 1794, was considered so important that it was required reading for Cambridge students (including Charles Darwin) well into the nineteenth century. This classic work of apologetics is divided into three parts in which Paley discusses the historical evidence for Christianity and the miracles of Jesus Christ. In the second volume, Paley addresses popular objections to the truth of Christianity, the character of Jesus Christ, the candour of the New Testament writers, the differences between Islam and Christianity, the Jewish rejection of Christ, and how the faith spread throughout the world. Paley's intellectual defence of Christianity was one of the most popular of the day, and his work is considered a direct forerunner to the contemporary theory of intelligent design.

William Paley (1743-1805) argues for the existence of God as the intelligent creator of the world in this, his last book, published in 1802. He builds on early modern natural theology including the works of John Ray, William Derham, and Bernard Nieuwentyt, and most of his examples are taken from medicine and natural history. Paley uses analogy and metaphors, including a particularly well-written version of the 'watchmaker analogy', to prove that the world is designed and sustained by God. This sixth edition also contains a detailed bibliography, appendices on Paley's courses, and background notes on key figures. It was an influential best-seller throughout the nineteenth century, read by theologians and scientists alike, and reprinted in cheap editions for the middle classes. It inspired many nineteenth-century works on natural theology, including the Bridgewater Treatises (which also appear in this series), and is a landmark of Western thought.

A major philosophical mind in his day, William Paley (1743-1805) wrote in a lucid style that made complex ideas more accessible to a wide readership. This work, first published in 1785, was based on the lectures he gave on moral philosophy at Christ's College, Cambridge. Cited in parliamentary debates and remaining on the syllabus at Cambridge into the twentieth century, it stands as one of the most influential texts to emerge from the Enlightenment period in Britain. An orthodox theologian, grounding his utilitarian ethics in strong religious faith, Paley held notably progressive views on issues of toleration and the slave trade. His perspicuity prompted one contemporary to remark that the book 'presents a subject which has always been considered as harsh and difficult, in the most agreeable and intelligible form ... we sit down to be informed of our duty, and are surprised to meet with amusement'.

The detailed records of the proceedings of the manorial court of Wakefield provide a unique insight into medieval life and commerce, the many legal disputes arising, and the mechanisms for resolving them. The manor court met every three weeks, as well as holding additional courts, or 'tourns', at various locations around the West Riding of Yorkshire. Recognising the historical significance of these court records, in 1901 the Yorkshire Archaeological Society began publishing them as part of its Record Series, continuing intermittently until 1945 and ultimately producing five volumes that span the years 1274-1331. Edited with an introduction and notes by William Paley Baildon (1859-1924), Volume 1 contains the Latin text of the earliest extant court roll, for the year 1274-5, followed by an English translation. Also included are the surviving rolls (in English) for the years up to 1297.

The detailed records of the proceedings of the manorial court of Wakefield provide a unique insight into medieval life and commerce, the many legal disputes arising, and the mechanisms for resolving them. The manor court met every three weeks, as well as holding additional courts, or 'tourns', at various locations around the West Riding of Yorkshire. Recognising the historical significance of these court records, in 1901 the Yorkshire Archaeological Society began publishing them as part of its Record Series, continuing intermittently until 1945 and ultimately producing five volumes that span the years 1274-1331. Edited by William Paley Baildon (1859-1924) and published in 1906, Volume 2 contains the court rolls for the years 1297-1309. The editor's introduction provides an explanation of the workings of the court and the content of the rolls, the texts of which are in English.

"Revered Wisdom: Christianity" offers an abridged edition of William Paley's seminal work, "A View of the Evidence of Christianity", which was required reading at Cambridge University until the twentieth century. A classic in the world of theological debate, the book argues, in lucid prose, the genuine nature of the intellectual credentials of Christianity. Although today William Paley is a controversial figure, as many of his assertions laid the foundation for the Intelligent Design movement, there is no doubt of the influence and importance of his work.

This classic work by William Paley was one of the most popular books in England and America in the early nineteenth century. Its significance lies in the fact that it marks an important point at which eighteenth century "whiggism" began to be transformed into nineteenth century "liberalism." First published in 1785, Paley's "Principles of Moral and Political Philosophy" was originally based on his Cambridge lectures of 1766-1776. It was designed for instructional purposes and was almost immediately adopted as a required text for all undergraduates at Cambridge. The great popularity of Paley's "Principles" is perhaps due in part to the author's remarkable gift for clear exposition. Even today, this work is very readable and easily comprehended. But the popularity of the book also reflected the fact that Paley expressed some of the leading scientific, theological, and ethical ideas of his time and place. In this respect, Paley's great classic provides valuable insight into the Anglo-American mind of the early nineteenth century and helps us better understand the thinking processes and evolving concepts of liberty and virtue that were displacing the old "whiggism" of the preceding century. As editor D. L. Le Mahieu states, "To Paley, the undeniable demands of self interest coincided rather than conflicted with the needs of society." Paley believed that "it was the utility of any moral rule alone which determined obligation." In his political theory, Paley rejected social contract theory and substituted instead a natural history of civil society. His opposition to electoral reform, and, later, the French Revolution, "became part of a larger ideological discourse that helped the British elites withstand the revolutionary currents of the 1790s."D. L. Le Mahieu is Hotchkiss Presidential Professor at Lake Forest College in Illinois. He is also the author of "The Mind of William Paley: A Philosopher and His Age" (1976) and " A Culture for Democracy " (1988).Click here for a pdf file of a brochure with additional information about this title.