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Heathen philosopher had no aid frefti the light of revelation . Accordingly , we find it a favourite speculation of the Oriental philosophers , and of the "Wise Men" of Greece and Rome . Indeed it is probable , that the doctrine of Immateriality owed its early
origin to the natural and proud desire of a future state , so inherent in man , and was the onl y theory on which , with their limited physical and metaphysical knowledge , they could found its belief . To enumerate or examine
the several opinions of the Heathen philosophers on immortality and causation , is inconsistent with our limits ; and we will take the liberty of referring our readers to a very interesting work on that subject , by Mr . Scott , Aberdeen Professor of Moral
Philosophy . The philosophical inquirer also is familiar with the " intellectual system" of the learned and laborious ( Judworth , who , in his refutation of Atheism , has amply explored the labyrinths of ancient metaphysics . Neither shall we here enter into the controversies concerning- the belief of the ancients in a future state , or the
singular silence of the Old Testament on the subject . Both have occupied a distinguished rank in British literature , and engaged the learning and research of many celebrated names . Suffice it to observe , in processuy with respect to the hope and theories of the Heathens , that the faint and anxious
expectation indulged by some few , and the bold denial of all possibility of futurity by others , constitute an unanswerable argument for the necessity or rather for the utility of revelation : and as to the question of the Jewish Scriptures , which engaged the pens of Warburton and Middlcton . the
very fact of the controversy is a plain proof that the doctrine of a future state and the immateriality of the human mind was not revealed ; or , at all events , most imperfectly , and could not have been a principal object of the old covenant : arid , indeed , the existence of the sect of the Sadducccs
would of itself have afforded a strong proof . It was reserved for the glorious distinction of Christianity to bring ''p . arK * immortality to light , " and Uirist became "the first-fruits of them which slept . " It was this glorious and invaluable privilege which Paul Preached to the men of Athens , that
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' stumbling-block" to the Greeks . This was his defence before FeBx : C ( After the way which they call heresy , so worship I the God of my fathers \ and have hope towards God that the . re shall be a resurrection both of the just and the unjust ; and herein do I exercise myself to have always a conscience void of offence towards God
and men . ' S-o also befofe King Agrippa : " And now 1 stand and an judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers , for which hope's sake , King Agrippa , I am accused of the Jews . Why should
it be thought a thing incredible with you that God should raise the dead ?*' Now to every reflecting and critical reader of the New Testament , it is notorious that the very few particulars communicated as to a future state
indeed it may almost be asserted , that the bare promise and the title to it , constitute the whole revelation . On some future occasion we shall enlarge on this interesting topic . The scantiness of the divine communication has
been often lamented , even by Christians themselves , and , we believe , is 3 , cause of great anxiety with many very pious believers ; but this limited knowledge appears to us perfectly consistent with the economy of the Divine government , and the silence of the sacred
writers on this subject , a very remarkable testimony of their integrity . We shall , however , at present , only observe , that these metaphysical obliquities , now under censure , are in themselves a fair proof how little the liiriited power of the human mind can
comprehend on such a subject ; and , consequently , that unless man was differently endowed than by his present constitution , such particulars could not be the objects of revelation , because he could not have comprehended them . Our future existence ,
calculated for immortal duration , can be conceived by no analogical knowledge of our present mortal senses ; for if man ' s understanding could comprehend the secrets and powers of Divine Omnipotency , it would of necessity be
equal to it : sufficient that we are assured of our mental identity ; and as to the mode of our resuming thtttwhat could the knowledge of it add to the sense or influence of our moral responsibility , or to our grateful anticipation of future happiness ? W *
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Review . —Recent C&ntir&frerfy on Materialism . 17 )
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Citation
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Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1822, page 171, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2510/page/43/
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