The Works

The Works by William Paley. This volume collects Paley’s sermons, including the Sermons on Several Subjects and the Sermons on Public Occasions, together with additional discourses such as Advice to the Young Clergy of Carlisle, and essays on church government, order, and the proper use of scriptural language. The collection addresses a wide range of theological and moral topics: seriousness in religion, the love of God, devotion, the doctrine of conversion, the efficacy of Christ’s death, spiritual influence, and the responsibilities of clergy. Paley argues for a practical Christianity that blends private piety with public duty, emphasizing self-government, benevolence, and adherence to virtue. He also discusses the duties of preaching, the distinction of church orders, and the proper governance of ecclesiastical bodies, always aiming to promote virtue, public utility, and the salvation of souls. The Works thus presents a sustained examination of Christian faith in thought and life, from pulpit instruction to ecclesiastical policy, within the Anglican tradition.