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sure and pain , become Indispensably necessary ; and these effects can only arise from contending or opposite causes , one of which necessarily identifies itself with , what we call evil . Mr . E . asks , How can we be sure of enjoying ( unalloyed ) happiness or perfection in heaven itself ? For when there , we shall still be created beings , and as finite then as we are now , consequently as liable to miscalculation , failure and error . " Now , so far from being sure of unchangeable happiness in a future state , my hypothesis proves that it is only on the ground of our being sure that no such inactive
stagnant happiness can exist , that we can expect any happiness there at all ; since the happiness of all created beings necessarily supposes change , transition , fluctuation , pursuit , hope and fear , grounded of course upon contending or opposite causes , one of which must be evil , as two opposite and contending causes cannot both be of the same nature or principle .
Mr . E . overstrains the conclusion to be drawn from my hypothesis , in supposing that it implies , that we shall remain ' * as finite therC as now , and : as liable to miscalculation , failure and error , " as we are at present ; for though in heaven we shall assuredly remain < c created beings and finite , " and still " liable to miscalculation ,
failure and error , " since both our existence and our happiness will be then , as they are now , inseparably and necessarily connected with these facts
and liabilities ; but the hypothesis by rko ineans implies , that we shall be so liable to these things as now , nor so finite then as now , but the very contrary , inasmuch as it shews , that our mental powers will be
astonishingly enlarged beyond what ** eye hath seen or ear heard , or hath entered into the heart of man to conceive ;" and in the measure in which they are so enlarged , an ^ l in pro portio n a 3 we are enabled to perceive the consequences of our own conduct , and to secure the intended effects of our own
designs , in that very proportion our happiness must increase . We have , indeed , a full example and illustration of this fact in the present life , since the wise and calculating avoid much more evil than the igjioraut and unthinking : and could we now ascertain the exabt proportion in which
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that iiaerease of knowledge would take place , the same rule would , I doubt not , shew us the exact increase of our happiness ; and which may there * fore be so far beyond our present conceptions , as to appear absolutely
infinite , inasmuch as it defies our utmost calculation ; but Infinite \ X never can be for the reasons before assigned . With respect to " unmixed
happiness being promised to the righteous in the gospel , " I would only observe , that it is impossible that any word ia any language can be of such extensive and unlimited meaning , as to
comprise the promise of infinite happiness , either in degree or duration , (? and unmixed happiness can be no less than infinite , ) since as language cannot exceed idea , and seldom , indeed , eomes up to it ; and as we have no idea whatever of infinity , all expressions in allusion to future bliss , as
well as to future punishment , must have a relative or limited meaning ; and can really mean no more thau this—a longer time or higher degree than we can calculate : and that this
is the case in the original languages of the Scriptures , I have often noticed ; and , hence , have frequently found an advantage in argument with the assertors of endless torment , when they
have urged that the Greek aawv ^ implies endless duration , because it is used in reference to feture happiness ; and particularly that , in M att , xxv . 46 , cziuviov is used even in the same verse , in reference to happiness as well as to punishment ; a » d , therein
fore , must have a like meaning both cases , supposing , of course , that I should readily admit its endless meaning as to future happiness : but I have replied that this word in neither case signifies endless or infinite ,
either in duration , degree or nature , hut only what its primitive signification : imports , age-lasting or limited , or an indefinitely long period : ond this is in perfect unison with the third as well as fourth inferences I have
drawn from the hypothesis ' , \ ™ fbrnaer of which denies the capacity of any creature to possess the at tribute of inuaortality , and requires renewals of existence in a future state , to pr ° ; long it to m < infinite period ;; ^ which faith in the . goodness of Jj& Almighty teaches t | s to rely up * n . JN °
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53 © Mr . Hinton on his Hypothesis ef Moral JEeit .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Sept. 2, 1823, page 530, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1788/page/34/
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