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Allans

PART III.

ON THE AIDS WHICH THE DISCOVERIES OF SCIENCE AFFORD
FOR ENABLING US TO FORM A CONCEPTION OF THE PER-
PETUAL IMPROVEMENT OF THE CELESTIAL INHABITANTS IN

KNOWLEDGE AND FELICITY, 181.

Vague and distorted conceptions in regard to the employments of heaven, 181.

PART IV.

ON THE MORAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUISITE TO THE ENJOY-
MENT OF THE FELICITY OF THE FUTURE WORLD, 239.

Examples of depravity-Buonaparte, 265.

Lord Byron, 267

Example from Cochrane's Travels, 268.

Misery resulting from the association of malignant characters; 269.

General conclusion, 272.

APPENDIX.

Mr. Shepherd's Letter to Lord Byron, 273.

His Lordship's reply-his last sentiments in reference to reiigion and eternity, 274.

Buonaparte's opinion of the morality of the New Testament, &c. 276.

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

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