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Untitled Article
to say in commendation df an argument whidi appears to « s highly excellent and admirable . T We ^ doubti , indeed , whiter there exist in any other work a statement of the evidence in fevow of a iuture state , as derived from the light of nature , which can be comfjared with it for intrinsic force , or for elegance and beauty of illustration .
Shall we say , then , that it supersedes the necessity of any other ? Shall we receive it not only as an auxiliary , but as a substitute , for the word of eternal life ? God forbid . On a careful examination , at the same time that we admire its ingenuity , we shall not fail to discover several material deficiencies . In the first place , even though we were to grant that the argument is complete and conclusive in itself , it is so to those only who ar& capable of comprehending it . The prospect of a future life , the support
amidst the trials and duties , the consolation under the heaviest afflictions , of ¦ the present state , which are derived , not from the admitted probability , but from the assured expectation , of a world to come , —are fc&ey the exclusive privilege of a favoured few ? Are they not equally important to the grk&t mass of mankind ; to the poor and uneducated , as well as to the en % lftened philosopher ? Of the multitudes who now bless God for the discoveries of the gospel , how many are there ( we do not say who could
originate such a train of argument and reflection as Mr . Jevons , for then the path would be a narrow one indeed , but ) who are competent to follow and appreciate it when traced by others ? Whatever , therefore , may become of persons accustomed to deep thought , who are able to accompany to Us remote conclusion a series of refined philosophical speculations , —the great
majority of those who are interested in its truth , whose hopes are to be raised , whose views are to be extended , whose conduct is to be guided , by the assured prospect of greater things to come , have good reason to be thankful that they have evidence for these prospects more level to their capacities , adapted to the humblest intellects , provided only that they be serious , candid , and well-disposed .
In the second place , ( still admitting the collusiveness of the argument as far as it professes to extend , ) we doubt its practical efficacy upon mankind in general . We want a future state not only of existence , but of retribution . We want something to operate not on the hopes only , but on the fears of men . Far be it from us to advocate those notions of vindictive justice upon which many of the most erroneous notions of modern orthodoxy have been foundedi We believe that all punishment , both here and hereafter , is destined to be
remedial ; and that it both does and will consist for the most part in the evil consequences which naturally and necessarily flow from it to the sinner himself . But something else is wanted as a check upon sinful desires , which comes more home to the imaginations of the generality of _ mankind ; An habitual sense of dependence upon God , and subjection to his law , —rof siny considered as a violation of that law , and consequently as the object of the Divine displeasure , —a fearful looking for of judgment , —the awful obscurity
thrown over the retributive scenes of a future state by the indefinite *» but sufficientl y intelligible language of Scripture;— these are topics on which the Christian preacher finds it his duty to dilate ; and for these the opponent of revelation will find , we conceive , no adequate substitute . But , after all , highly as we estimate the ability displayed in the statement of this argunient , ajid its intrinsic importance , when rightl y combined wkh other consideration ** , still we can by no means admit that it is conclusive ^ vhen taken by itself * For what dbes it really amount to ? Merely to this * that thebeliefof a future *« jate < id > con $ iMM vnth those vifmt which reason
Untitled Article
Rev&w + ' ^ eiWtfe Systematic Meralty . 899
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1827, page 899, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct1803/page/43/
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