On the unlimited range of view which is opened to the human faculties throughout the immensity of space and duration, 46. Object of scientific investigation, 127. Objects on which the faculties of celestial intelligences will be Extent of the general conflagration, 131. Sciences which will be prosecuted in a future state, 143. Arithmetic, its objects-utility of numbers and their combina tions-illustrations from Scripture, 143. Mathematical sciences, their utility-angels recognise the prin. : ciples of these sciences-the Creator has laid the foundation of these sciences in his works, 147. Astronomy, its objects—presents an immense field of contem- Natural Philosophy,—its objects and discoveries, 156 Anatomy and Physiology, their objects-wonders of the human frame-resurrection-body, &c. 161. History-contains a record of the ways of Providence-our ᏢᎪᎡᎢ III. ON THE AIDS WHICH THE DISCOVERIES OF SCIENCE AFFORD FOR ENABLING US TO FORM A CONCEPTION OF THE PER- Example from Cochrane's Travels, 268. Misery resulting from the association of malignant characters, Mr. Shepherd's Letter to Lord Byron, 273. His Lordship's reply-his last sentiments in reference to reii- Buonaparte's opinion of the morality of the New Testament, THE PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE. PART I. PROOFS OF A FUTURE STATE. INTRODUCTION. THE sketches contained in Parts II, and III, o. this work, being chiefly intended to illustrate the connexion of science with the scenes of a future world, and the aids which its discoveries afford, for enabling us to form some conception of the perpetual improvement of its inhabitants in knowledge and felicity-I shall endeavour, in this First Part, to exhibit a condensed view of some of those evidences which prove the immortality of the soul, and the eternal destination of man, This is an inquiry far more interesting and important, to every individual of mankind, than any other which comes within the range of the human mind. Next to the being of a God, the doctrine of the immortality of man lies at the foundation of all religion, and of all the animating prospects which can cheer us in this land of our pilgrimage. Remove from the mind the belief of a future existence, and the hope of immortality, and religion becomes a shadow, life a dream, and the approach of death a scene of darkness and despair. Upon this short question, "Is man immortal, or is he not?" depends all that is valuable in science, in morals, and in theology, and all that is most interesting to man as a social being, and as a rational and accountable intelligence. If he is destined to an eternal existence, an immense importance must attach to all his present affections, actions, and pursuits; and it must be a matter of infinite moment, that they be directed in such a channel, as will tend to carry him 2 forward, in safety, to the felicities of a future world. But if his whole existence be circumscribed within the circle of a few fleeting years, man appears an enigma, an inexplica ble phenomenon in the universe, human life a mystery, the world a scene of confusion, virtue a mere phantom, the Creator a capricious being, and his plans and arrangements an inextricable maze. There is too much reason to believe, that the indifference to religion, which so generally prevails, especially among those who are raised a little above the vulgar throng, and the unhallowed propensities and vicious practices to which it gives rise are owing, in a considerable degree, to the want of a full conviction of the reality of a future existence, or to some doubts which hover about the mind, in relation to this important point. There is no man, however insensible to the obligations of religion, that can fully satisfy his own mind, or the minds of others, that the idea of a future world is a mere chimera. On the contrary, the possibility, and even the probability, of the truth of man's eternal destiny, will, at certain seasons, force themselves upon the minds even of the most careless and profane. Yet, it is amazing to consider, with what ease and indifference multitudes of this description can glide down the stream of time, under the awful uncertainty whether it will land them in the shades of annihilation, the realms of bliss, or the regions of endless woe.— "Between us and these three periods or states," says a celebrated French writer, "no barrier is interposed but life, the most brittle thing in all nature; and the happiness of heaven being certainly not designed for those who doubt whether they have an immortal part to enjoy it, such persons have nothing left, but the miserable chance of annihilation, or of hell. There is not any reflection which can have more reality than this, as there is none which has greater terror. Let us set the bravest face on our condition, and play the heroes as artfully as we can, yet see here the issue which attends the goodliest life upon earth! It is in vain for men to turn aside their thoughts from this eternity which awaits them, as if they were able to destroy it, by denying it a place in their imagination. It subsists in spite of them; it advances unobserved; and death, which is to draw the curtain from it, will, in a short time, infallibly reduce them to the dreadful necessity of being for ever nothing, or for ever miserable." To treat a subject, so interesting and momentous, with |