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Untitled Article
of th ^ iJoctririe the interru ption of numan consciousness by death . But however such passages may oppose the notion of an intermediate state between death and the resurrection , thev make nothing against the doctrine I am contending for , viz . that the resurrection takes place at the death of the individual .
The majority of Christians believe in the doctrine of two future states and two judgments ; one immediately after death , which respects the soul ; another at the resurrection , when soul and body will be re-united . On account of the difficulties and absurdities attending this opinion , learned aud
thinking men have rather adopted the notion of the interruption of
human consciousness ; some maintaining the sleep of the soul ; others , as the materialists , denying the doctrine of a soul altogether . I think there is a middle path , which I
have endeavoured to point out * and which is agreeable to the common feelings and hopes of human nature , and also to the genius * of the gospel of Christ .
The materialist contends that
of a future life on divine revelation . For my part , I cannot see any advantage that materialism has m this respect : every
sincere and rational Christian estimates the gospel as the best gift of God toman ; but he does not consider it as coining to extinguish other lights , but to give a perfection to vtrhat we already knew , and tosirpply what Was deficient . And / 'perh&ps , life arid immdrtali ty \ ikte not absolutely brought
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to light , but enlightened by the gospel ; as some translate the word A future state has been the doc trine of all ages . We cannot trace it back to its origin ; it is coeval with religion . Almost all mankind harve believed that there was a something that survived the stroke of death : it remained for Christian philosophers to teach the gloomy doctrine that the whole man is
dissipated at death * Does not the doctrine I am op . posing tend to weaken the hope * oi the righteous ? How many have in the full prospect of death re . joiced in the hope of immediate happiness ; but , alas ! they are all deceived / The survivors havesung
( Why should we mourn departing friends Or shake at death's alarms ? 'Tis hilt the voice that Jesus sends , To call them to his arms . ' * But they have been deceived , also , if this doctrine be true . Will not the good man ^ hbpes be damped
in the prdspeet of death , if he believe that he shall be wholly dissipated ? Notwithstanding his ' confidenc * e in the power and promises of God , still , methinks , gloomy doubts must arise , and a dreadful fear of Annihilation occupy Mi mind . On the Contrary , the wicked will see the evil day removed to a
further distance , and will hope it may never commence . Are not these the obvious consequence ° « a general reception of this doctrine ? Not that its advocates intend , or are aware of any taa consequences : they are actuated assuic
by the purest motives ; ( as 1 them I am in opposing themJj many of them have , no doubt , uke the great , the amiable , and piou * Priestley ^ died in full bopc w future life of happiness and bhss .
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600 Against Materialism * Letter III .
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Oct. 2, 1811, page 600, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2421/page/24/
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