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    ftf an unknown period > Wfefc without horror Can think of entering a region of unexplored darkness , where imagination conjectures every thing dreadful ; or of plungingintoan unfathomed abyss , from which he knows not when

    iior how he shall emerge ? It is Unreasonable to suppose that any thing of great moment is left to be determined by the mere sound of ^ vords , or to be made out and < leperid for its support € > n there

    criticisms on words . If the question on future punishment be ever decided to general satisfaction , it must be by resting the decision on great 4 eading principles , in which both parties are agreed : I mean the advocates for destru c-

    tian , and the advocates for restoration . I apprehend there are tfuch principles , that they have a direct bearmg on the subject , and that the following are of this description :

    1 . The infinite gwodness of God . As all Christians admit that God » infinitely good , it must follow that nothing can proceed from Him but what proceeds from goodness ; that all he does ,

    whemet in judgment or mercy , is done itt goodness , and tfoat under his government every thing is regulated in infinite goodness . ; 2 . That the resurrection , and

    ftitune life on tiie ground of it , tare blessings flowing from the love of Ood to mankind , and « om-* hiftiicated to the world by Jesus Christ , the messenger of divine ifcfctfCy and grace . 5 . That hereaftet the wicked

    ^^ 91 % ^ judged and 'punished ac' Cfeffting to their crimes , consequently , that the punishment of <* fcV individual Will b « propor-

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    tioned to the crimes * f thmt inii . viduaL ~'~ ' ' ¦ r- " 'Tr . ; : ¦ ¦ /¦ f ¦; ; - . > : . GK 4 . That in the futi * r « punish * nrient of the wicked there wUlKt

    nothing like plare rl ^ veftge , ^ the infliction of suffering for the gratifying of rfefcenfful feelings in the Almighty ; but that the erxj of punishnoent ^ iW be the good of the moral syistetn . : 5 . That a time will come when

    there will be no more death s but life and happiness will be univer sal and eternal . . In these principles , I sup post , your correspondents will agre * , however much they may differ in Iheir applicatidii , and the

    conclusions they nvak * from theiu , By these principles , which are perfectly reasonable , 4 ind clearly scriptural , it is presumed ^ tbc controversy about future punish * ment must be decided ; for tins weH-itffofmed Christian cannot

    acquiesce in any thing that appears not consistent with them , and it is in vain to look for attu tibfactory decision on any other ground . To say the scriptur e *

    must decide the point , is to express an important fact . But how are the scriptures to decide it ? They contain no declarations so explicit and definite as U > settle it without reasoning and inference :

    and different persons reason differently on the same words of scripture . It must be by sufch principles , clearly contained in scripture , as compel the ass ^ nt'of

    both parties , that the decision to be obtained . It is importan t to inquire which of them reasons more consistently with the leading principles both admit ? " All our itiformation respecting a future life tnuit be derived from

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    756 Question respecting Future Punishment .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Dec. 2, 1814, page 766, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2447/page/38/