PREFACE. THE reasonings and illustrations contained in the following pages are intended to direct the intelligent Christian in some of those trains of thought which he ought to prosecute, when looking forward to the scene of his future destination. The Author was induced to engage in the discussion of this subject, from a consideration, that many vague and erroneous conceptions are still entertained among Christians in regard to the nature of heavenly felicity, and the employments of the future world. In elucidating the train of thought which is here prosecuted, he has brought forward, without hesitation, the discoveries of modern science, particularly those which relate to the scenery of the heavens; convinced, that all the manifestations of himself which the Creator has per mitted us to contemplate, are intended to throw light on the plan of his moral government in relation both to our present and our future destiny. He has carefully avoided every thing that might appear like vague or extravagant con jecture; and he trusts that the opinions he has broached, and the conclusions he has deduced, will generally be found accordant with the analogies of Nature and the dictates of Revelation. He is aware, that he has many prejudices to encounter, arising from the vague and indefinite manner in which such subjects have been hitherto treated, and from the want of those expansive views of the Divine operations which the professors of Christianity should endeavour to attain; but he feels confident that those who are best qualified to appreciate his sentiments, will treat with candour an attempt to elucidate a subject hitherto overlooked, and in which every individual in the human race is deeply in terested. It was originally intended to publish what is contained in Parts II. and III. without any dissertation on the evidences of a future state as deduced from the light of nature-taking the immortality of man for granted on the authority of Revelation. But, on second thought, it was judged expedient, for the sake of general readers, to exhibit a condensed view of those arguments which even the light of reason can produce in favour of the immortality of man. In this department of the volume, the Author has brought forward several arguments which he is not aware have been taken notice of by ethical writers, when treating on this subject. He has endeavoured to illustrate these and the other arguments here adduced, in minute detail, and in a popular manner, so as to be level to the comprehension of every reader; and he trusts, that the force of the whole combined, will be found to amount to as high a degree of moral demonstration as can be expected in relation to objects which are not cogni zable by the eye of sense. The greater portion of what is contained in Part III. having been written above eight years ago, several apparent repetitions of facts alluded to in the preceding Parts may perhaps be noticed by the critical reader; but, in general it will be found, that where the same facts are repeated, they are either exhibited in a new aspect, or brought forward to elucidate another subject. The practical reflections and remarks imbodied in the last Part of this work, will not, the Author is persuaded, be considered by any of his readers, as either unnecessary, or unappropriate to the subjects treated of in the preceding parts of this volume. It is of the utmost importance that every individual be convinced, that he cannot be supposed a candidate for a blessed immortality, unless the train of his affections, and the general tenor of his conduct, in some measure correspond to the tempers and dispositions, and the moral purity which rrevail in the heavenly state. The favourable reception which the public have given to the volumes he has formerly published, induces the Author to indulge the hope, that the present volume may not be altogether unworthy of their attention. That it may tend to convince the skeptical of the reality of an immortal existence-to expand the believer's conceptions of the attributes of the Divinity, and the glory of "that inheritance which is reserved in heaven" for the faithful-and to excite in the mind of every reader an ardent desire to cultivate those dispositions and virtues which will prepare him for the enjoyment of celestial bliss-is the Author's most sincere and ardent wish, as it was the great object he had in view when engaged in its composition. CONTENTS. INTRODUCTION. Importance of the question which relates to the reality of a Future World - folly 弊 SECTION V. On the unlimited Range of View which is opened to the human faculties through out the immensity of space and duration On the apprehensions and forebodings of the mind when under the influence of SECTION VIII. On the disordered state of the Morai World, when contrasted with the regular and systematic order of the Material SECTION IX. On the equal distribution of Rewards and Punishments in the present state SECTION X. On the absurdity of supposing that the Thinking Principle in man will ever be annihilated SECTION XI. On the gloomy considerations and absurd consequences involved in the Denial of a Future State CHAPTER II. 25 29 33 36 40 44 46 PROOFS OF A FUTURE STATE FROM DIVINE REVELATION. Practical influence which the doctrine of a Future State ought to have upon our Affections and Conduct 53 57 PART II. ON THE CONNEXION OF SCIENCE WITH A FUTURE STATE. Object of Scientific Investigation Objects on which the faculties of celestial intelligences will be employed Extent of the general conflagration Sciences which will be prosecuted in a future state Arithmetic, its objects - utility of numbers and their combinations from Scripture 60 illustrations 8 8882 8 61 62 63 68 Mathematical sciences, their utility angels recognise the principles of these sci- Anatomy and Physiology, their objects wonders of the human frame resurrection-body, &c. History contains a record of the ways of Providence — our ignorance of many important facts in history history of angels and other intelligences 70 71 74 76 77 PART III. ON THE AIDS WHICH THE DISCOVERIES OF SCIENCE AFFORD FOR ENABLING US TO FORM A CONCEPTION OF THE PERPETUAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE CELESTIAL INHABITANTS IN KNOWLEDGE AND FELICITY. Vague and distorted Conceptions in regard to the Employments of Heaven ON THE MORAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUISITE TO THE ENJOYMENT OF THE FELICITY OF THE FUTURE WORLD. Examples of Depravity-Buonaparte Lord Byron Example from Cochrane's Travels Misery resulting from the association of malignant characters 109 121 122 122 122, 123 124 |