The philosophy of a future state. By Thomas Dick.

Front matter

. voC^ #

PRINCETON, N. J.

Presented O

Preface

The reasonings and illustrations contained in the following pages, are intended to direct the intelli¬ gent Christian in some of those trains of thought which he ought to prosecute, when looking forward to the scene of his future destination. The author wras induced to engage in the discussion of this sub¬ ject, from a consideration, that many vague and erroneous conceptions are still entertained among Christians, in regard to the nature of heavenly feli¬ city, and the employments of a future world. In elucidating the train of thought which is here prose¬ cuted, he has brought forward, without hesitation, the discoveries of modern science, particularly those which relate to the scenery of the heavens ; con¬ vinced, that all the manifestations of himself which the Creator has permitted us to contemplate, are intended to throw light on the plan of his moral government, in relation both to our present and our future destiny. He has carefully avoided every thing that might appear like vague or extravagant conjecture ; and he trusts, that the opinions he has broached, and the conclusions'he has deduced, will generally be found accordant with the analogies of Nature, and the dictates of Revelation. He is aware, that he has many prejudices to encounter, arising from the vague and indefinite manner in which such subjects have been hitherto treated, and from the want of those expansive views of the Divine opera-

1* 5

VI lions which the professors of Christianity should endeavour to attain; but he feels confident, that those who are best qualified to appreciate his senti¬ ments, will treat with candour an attempt to eluci¬ date a subject hitherto overlooked, and in which every individual of the human race is rested.

It was originally intended to publish what is con¬ tained in Parts II. and III. without any disserta¬ tion on the evidences of a future state as deduced from the light of nature — taking the immortality of man for granted on the authority of Revelation. But, on second thought, it was judged expedient, for the sake of general readers, to exhibit a con¬ densed view of those arguments, which even the light of reason can produce in favour of the immor¬ tality of man. In this department of the volume, the Author has brought forward several arguments which, he is not aware, have been taken notice of by ethical writers, when treating on this subject. He has endeavoured to illustrate these and the other arguments here adduced, in minute detail, and in a popular manner, so as to be level to the compre¬ hension of every reader; and he trusts, that the force of the whole combined, will be found to amount to as high a degree of moral demonstration as can be expected in relation to objects which are not cognizable by the eye of sense.

The greater portion of what is contained in Part III. having been written above eight years ago, several apparent repetitions of facts alluded to in the preceding Parts, may perhaps be noticed by the critical reader; but, in general, it will be found, that where the same facts are repeated, they are

Vll either exhibited in a new aspect, or brought forward to elucidate another subject.

The practical reflections and remarks embodied in the last Part of this work, will not, the Author is persuaded, be considered by any of his readers, as either unnecessary, or unappropriate to the sub¬ jects treated of in the preceding parts of this volume. It is of the utmost importance that every individual be convinced, that he cannot be supposed a candi¬ date for a blessed immortality, unless the train of his affections, and the general tenor of his conduct, in some measure correspond to the tempers and dis¬ positions, and the moral purity which prevail in the heavenly state.

The favourable reception which the public have given to the volumes he has formerly published, in¬ duces the Author to indulge the hope, that the pre¬ sent volume may not be altogether unworthy of their attention. That it may tend to convince the scep¬ tical of the reality of an immortal existence — to ex¬ pand the believer’s conceptions of the attributes of the Divinity, and of the glory of “ that inheritance which is reserved in heaven” for the faithful — and to excite in the mind of every reader, an ardent de¬ sire to cultivate those dispositions and virtues which will prepare him for the enjoyment of celes¬ tial bliss — is the Author’s most sincere and ardent wish, as it was the great object he had in view when engaged in its composition.

.

Contents

Introduction. — Importance of the question which relates to the reality of a future world — folly of the indifference which prevails in relation to this point, 13 — 18.

Part I

CHAPTER I. — PROOFS OF a future state from the light of nature. Section I. — On the universal belief which the doctrine of Immortality has obtained in all ages , 19,

Opinions of the Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Scythians, &c. — Doc¬ trines of Zoroaster, 20. Of Socrates, 21. Allusions of the ancient Poets, 22. Opinions of the inhabitants of the Society and the Friendly Islands, of the New Zealanders, the Samoiedans , the lialmuc Tartars, the Birmans, the Japanese, the Africans, the American Indians, Sec. 23 — 26. Force of the argument in favour of Immortality derived from these opinions, 26 — 29.

Section II. — On the desire of future existence implanted in the hmman

mind, 29.

This fact illustrated by various examples, 29, 30. Desire of posthu¬ mous fame, 31. Desire of immortality most ardent in cultivated minds, 32. Force of the argument derived from these facts, 33. Fears and ap¬ prehensions in regard to futurity, 34. Doctrine of immortality renders the Creator’s conduct consistent with itself, 35.

Section III. — On. the intellectual faculties of man, and the strong desire of knowledge implanted in the human mind, 36.

Desire of knowledge natural to every rational being, 36. Reasons why it is not more ardent, 37 — 39. Sublimity and energy of the intel¬ lectual faculties, 39 — 42. Memory, its utility, 43. Instances of the im¬ provement of which it is susceptible, 44. Argument in favour of a fu¬ ture state founded on these considerations, 45 — 48.

Section IV. — On the perpetual progress of the mind towards perfection, 52

No limits to the excursions of the intellect, 49. Extract from Addi¬ son, Ibid.

Section V. — On the unlimited range of view which is opened to the human faculties throughout the immensity of space and duration, 49. Immensity of the universe, 52. Intention of the Deity in directing the human mind in the path of discovery, 53. Desires excited by the boundless views which the universe unfolds, 54. Inquiries suggested respecting other worlds, 54, 55. Man endowed with capacities for ac¬ quiring an indefinite extent of knowledge respecting the wonders of creation, 57. Limited nature of his present knowledge, 61. Universe intended to display the Divine perfections, and to afford gratification to intellectual beings, 58. The desires of the human soul will not be dis¬ appointed, 59. Conclusion from these premises, GO.

Section VI. — On the moral powers of man, 60

Sublimity of these powers exemplified — Regulus, Phoeion, Cyrus, Scipio, Aristides, 61 — 63. Paul, Howard, Sharpe, & c. 63 — 65. Argument founded on the moral faculties, 65, 66. A system of benevolence going on throughout the universe, in the agency of intelligent beings, 67. 68.

X

CONTENTS

Summary of the arguments derived from the moral and intellectual pow¬ ers, 08, 09.

Section VII. On the apprehensions and forebodings of the mind when under the influence of remorse, ?i.

Examples of remorse— Belshazzar, Tiberius, Antiochus, Charles IX. Richard 111. Bessus, Hobbes, &e. 72—75. Conclusion deduced from such facts, 70.

Section VIII. — On the disordered state of the moral world , when contrasted with the regalar and systematic order of the material , 77.

Harmony and order of nature— in the heavens- -the earth— the ani¬ mal system, &c. 77—79. Disorders in the moral world— Ravages of Alexander, Alaric, Tamerlane, Jenghiz Kan, &c. 79— 80. Of the Goths, Vandals, Huns, &c. 81. Scenes of carnage and devastation, 82. .Pre¬ sent state of the moral and political world, in Asia, Africa, Europe, and America, 82—86. Argument founded on these disorders, b6— 88.

Section IX.— On the unequal distribution of rewards and punishments in the present state, 88.

Examples of unequal distribution of rewards, &c. 89. The Waldenses, Trench Protestants, in the reign of Louis XIV. Persecutions in England and Netherlands, Irish Massacre, Ali Pacha, &c. 90—92. Force of the argument derived from this source, 93- -95. Moral percep¬ tions implanted in man, 95.

Section X.— On the absurdity of supposing that the thinking principle in man will ever be annihilated, 97.

Changes in the material system, but no instance of annihilation, 97. Transformations of insects, 99. Considerations which prove the dura¬ tion of mind, 100. Conclusions from this subject, 100.

Section XI. — On the gloomy considerations and absurd consequences in¬ volved in the denial of a future stale.

The denial of a future state involves in impenetrable mystery the nature of man and the end of his existence — the scenes of nature— the moral government of God — the sufferings to which man is subjected — the attributes of the Creator — and damps the mind in its researches alter truth, 102—108. Argument for a future state founded on such considerations, 109 — 111.

Summary of arguments, 111. Their force when combined, 112. Prin¬ ciples of Atheism do not necessarily exclude the possibility of a future state, 113. Impression which the arguments adduced ought to make on every mind, 114— 116. Why the Author has set aside tile argument founded on the immateriality of the soul, 116—118.

Chap. II. — Proofs Of A Future State From Divine Revelation, 119

A future state revealed to the Jews, 120—122. Why it is not more frequently adverted to in the Old Testament, 119. Proofs from the writings of the New Testament, 123, 125. Resurrection — qualities of the resurrection-body, 127, 128.

Practical influence which the doctrine of a future stale ought to have upon our affections and conduct , 128.

Part II. On The Connection Of Science With A Future State

Prejudices which exist in relation to this subject, 136—139. Object of scientific investigation, 139. Objects on which the faculties of celestial

CONTENTS

XI intelligences will be employed, 142. Inquiry into the extent of the gene¬ ral conflagration, 143. Explanation of scriptural allusions to this sub¬ ject, 144 — 147. Permanency and perpetuity of the material universe, 148, 149. Figments of poets in regard to this subject, 150. Predicted changes in the system of nature, 150. General relations of the uni¬ verse, 154 — 157

Sciences which will be prosecuted in a future state, 1G7. — Arithmetic, its objects — utility of numbers and their combinations — illustrations from Scripture, 157 — Nil. Mathematical sciences, their utility — angels recog¬ nise tile principles of these sciences — the Creator has laid the founda¬ tion of these sciences in his works, 101 — 165. Astronomy, its objects — presents an immense field of contemplation, 165 — 167. The heavens constitute the principal part of the Divine empire — illustrations from Scripture, 167, 168. Limited extent of our present knowledge on this subject, 168. Communications of superior beings in relation io the uni¬ verse, 169. This subject can never be exhausted, 170. Natural Philoso¬ phy, 172.— its objects and discoveries, 172, — unveils the divine attri¬ butes, 173. Abundant scope for its prosecution in the future world, 174. Chemistry, 176. Anatomy and Physiology, their objects — wonders of the human frame — resurrection-body, &c. 176 — 179. History — contains a record of the ways of Providence — our ignorance of many important facts in history — history of angels and other intelligences, 179 — 182. Connection of the different branches of science, 182.

Locality of heaven, 183. Different opinions which may be formed on this point, 184. Sciences applicable in every supposed case, 183. Arts and sciences which will not be cultivated, 186. Intellectual energy of the inhabitants of heaven, ibid. Sublimity of the mental powers in seve¬ ral human beings, Pascal, Martianus Capclla, Crichton, Oassendi, Horrox, Grotius. Newton, Baraticr, 187 — 199. Our knowledge in heaven will not be diminished, 190. Distinctions, in point of knowledge, among the inhabitants of heaven, “ degrees of glory, ”193. General remarks, 194. Objection obviated, 195.

Part III. On The Aids Which The Discoveries Of Science Afford For Enabling

DS TO FORM A CONCEPTION OF THE PERPETUAL IMOROVEMENT OF THE

CELESTIAL INHABITANTS IN KNOWLEDGE AND FELICITY, 198.

Vague and distorted conceptions in regard to the employments of hea¬ ven, 198. Whether the subject of human redemption will occupy the whole attention of redeemed men, 200. Its mysteries — analysis of its leading facts, 201 — 204. Glorified humanity of Christ, 204. Objects of contemplation in heaven, 205. Planetary and starry systems, 206 — 208. Number of worlds in the visible universe, 209. Analysis of the objects and scenes which the universe presents, 224. Material structures, ibid. Infinite diversity of scenery, 211 — may be produced from a few general laws, 212. Variety in the animal, vegetable, and mineral kingdoms — and in the solar system, 213, 214. Organized and intelligent beings— gradation of intellect — powers of the highest order of intelligences, 214 — 216. Perfections of angels, 217, 218. Vehicles of celestial beings — material vehicles of angels, &c., 219 — 221. Variety of senses, 221. Lead¬ ing transactions in the history of other worlds, their moral economy, &c. 223 — 225 — will unfold the moral character of Deity, 226. Illustra¬ tions from Scripture, 226. The Redeemer — Lectures on the moral his¬ tory of other worlds — Examples in reference to two different worlds, 230—236. Extract from Dr. Watts, 236.

XU

CONTENTS.

Worlds belonging to the solar system— their peculiarities — changes— diversity of scenery, &c. 239 — 242. Universe extends far beyond the li¬ mits of human vision, 242, 243. The empire of the Almighty boundless to the view of finite beings— new creations, 244. Throne of God, 245. Capital of the Universe, 245. Astronomical observations which illus¬ trate this subject, 247. Nothing less than the most sublime concep¬ tions of the extent of the universe, comport with the idea of an infi¬ nite being, 248. Preceding views corroborated by Revelation, 249 — open an interesting train of thought in relation to the Deity, and the scenes of futurity, 250. Subjects of study in the heavenly world, 252 — 255. One constituent part of the misery of the wicked in the future world, 255. Their moral state in that world, 25G. Sources of misery, 257. Bound¬ less nature of Divine love, ibid. Summary of topics illustrated, 258. Value of the human soul, 259. Importance of man’s eternal destiny, and the folly of overlooking it, 200.

Part IV

ON THE MORAL QUALIFICATIONS REQUISITE TO THE ENJOYMENT OF THE FELICITY OF THE FUTURE WORLD, 262.

Fallacious views in relation to this point, 262. Requisites in order to the enjoyment of happiness, 263. Infatuation of the bulk of mankind in reference to their eternal interests, 264. Foundation of future feli¬ city, 265. Love to God, its foundation, reasonableness, and properties, 266, 267. Love to man, its foundation and obligation, 268, 269. Love to angels, 269. Necessity of this affection as a qualification for heaven, 270. Humility , its reasonableness, and conformity to the condition of man, 271 — forms a trait in the character of angels, 272 — 276. Folly of pride, 277. Active beneficence, 278. Ministry of angels, 279. Effects of malignity, 281. Society of heaven, 282 — 284. Examples of malignity — Antiochus Epiphanes, 285 — 287, the Turks, 288, the Norman barons and chevaliers, 290. Examples of depravity — Buonaparte. 291 — 293, — Lord Byron, 294. Examples from Cochrane’s Travels, 295. Effects of malignity, 298, &c. — General conclusion, 299.

Appendix

Mr. Shepherd’s Letter to Lord Byron, 301. His Lordship’s reply — his last sentiments in reference to religion and eternity, 303. Buonaparte’s opinion of the morality of the New Testament, &c. 304

THE

PHILOSOPHY

OF

A FUTURE STATE.

Introduction

The sketches contained in Parts II. and III. of 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 know¬ ledge 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 pros-

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14 THE PHILOSOPHY OE A FUTURE STATE.

pects 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 sha¬ dow, 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 sci¬ ence, in morals, and in theology, — and all that is most in¬ teresting 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 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 inexplicable phenomenon in the universe, human life a mystery, the world a scene of confusion, virtue a mere phantom, the Creator a capri¬ cious being, and his plans and arrangements an inextrica¬ ble 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 insen¬ sible 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 indif¬ ference 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

INTRODUCTION.

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 ieality 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 1 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 levity or indifference — to exert all the energies of the soul in the pursuit of objects, which a few years at most will snatch for ever from their embrace, — and never to spend one serious hour in reflecting on what may possibly suc¬ ceed the present scene of existence, or in endeavouring to find some light, to clear up the doubts that may hang over this important inquiry, and to treat with derision and scorn those who would direct them in this serious investigation — is not only foolish and preposterous, but the height of infa¬ tuation and of madness. It is contrary to every principle on which reasonable men act, in relation to the affairs of the present world. To retain the profits of a lucrative business, or to prevent the loss of fortune, or of honour, a man will sometimes strain every nerve, stretch every fa¬ culty, deprive himself of sleep, submit to numerous priva¬ tions, encounter the raging elements, and brave the dan¬ gers of the ocean. Nay, he will often be overwhelmed with despondency at the slightest inconveniences, and will pass whole weeks and months in sullenness and chagrin, for an imaginary affront, or for the loss of a few dollars, while, at the same time, he remains perfectly indifferent, and without the least emotion, in regard to the unknown scenes of the eternal world, and the danger of endless misery to which he is exposed. Such a conduct, and such dispositions, which are too frequently realized in the case of thousands who occasionally mingle in our religious as¬ semblies, are obviously inconsistent with the dictates of prudence and of common sense, and with every thing that ought to characterize a rational and an accountable creature.

When we look back into the inexplorable abyss of that eternity which is already past, when we look forward to the immeasurable extent, and the unfathomable depths of eternity to come, — when we behold Time, and all its cir¬ cling years, appearing only like a point on the surface of that vast and boundless ocean ; when we consider the im¬ mense spaces of the universe with which we are surround¬ ed, and the innumerable worlds which lie dispersed in every direction throughoutthe immeasurable tractsof crea¬ tion ; when we consider, that our existence, as thinking beings, may run parallel with interminable ages ; and that, in the revolutions of eternity, we may exist in regions of space immeasurably distant from our present habitation, associate with other orders of intelligent beings, and pass through new scenes and changes in distant worlds, — and, when we consider that our relation to time may be dis¬ solved, and our connexion with eternity commence, within the space of a few months or years, or even before the sun shall have described another circuit around the earth no inquiry can appear so momentous and interesting, as that which leads to the determination of our future and eternal destiny, and of those realities which await us be¬ yond the tomb. To remain insensible to the importance of such an inquiry, and unaffected at the prospect of the result to which it may lead, — while we are feelingly alive to all the paltry concerns and little ills of life, — would argue the most unaccountable stupidity, inconsistency and infatuation.

The man whose heart pants after substantial know¬ ledge and felicity, whose affections centre on the Author of his existence, and who delights to contemplate his cha¬ racter and perfections, will enter with pleasure on every investigation, which has a tendency to throw a light on the scene of his future destination. He will weigh with impartiality, every consideration, and will seize with de-

INTRODUCTION.

light, upon every argument, by which a full conviction of his immortal destiny may be indelibly riveted upon his mind ; and he will endeavour to cheer his soul amidst the sorrows of mortality, with the consideration, that, “ when the earthly house of his tabernacle is dissolved, he has a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.”

In illustrating the evidences of a future state, I shall, in the first place , state some of those proofs which Rea¬ son, or the light of nature, furnishes, of man’s eternal destination — and, secondly , those which are derived from the system of Revelation.

2*

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Chapter I. Proofs Of A Future State From The Light Of Nature

The evidences of a future state which the light of rea¬ son affords, though not so clear and decisive as those which are derived from Divine Revelation, are worthy of the se¬ rious consideration of every one in whose mind the least doubt remains on this important subject. The conviction they are calculated to produce, when attentively weighed, is sufficient to leave every one without excuse who trifles with the concerns of his future destiny, and overlooks his relation to the eternal world. Though the Deity is invisi¬ ble to mortal eyes, yet his existence and perfections are clearly demonstrated by his visible operations, and he has not left himself without a witness to his beneficence, in any age, “ in his giving rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, and filling our hearts with food and gladness.” In like manner, though the realities of a future world are not pre¬ sented directly to the eye of sense, yet the faculties with which man is endowed, when properly exercised on all the physical and moral scenes which the universe displays, are sufficient to evince the high degree of probability, if not absolute certainty, that his duration and his sphere of ac¬ tion are not confined to the narrow limits of the present world, but have a relation to a future and an immortal ex¬ istence. — In illustrating this topic, I shall waive the consi¬ deration of several of those metaphysical arguments which have been adduced by Philosophers and Divines, founded on the immateriality of the human soul, and confine myself chiefly to those popular considerations, which are level to every capacity, and, perhaps, more convincing than the subtle and refined disquisitions of metaphysical minds.

Section I

On the Universal Belief which the doctr ine of immortality has obtained in all ages.

It forms a presumptive proof of the immortality of man, that this doctrine has obtained universal belief among all nations, and in every period of time.

That the thinking principle in man is of an immortal nature, was believed by the ancient Egyptians, the Per¬ sians, the Phenicians, the Scythians, the Celts, the Druids, the Assyrians, — by the wisest and the most celebrated cha¬ racters among the Greeks and Romans, and by almost every other ancient nation and tribe whose records have reached our times. The notions, indeed, which many of them en¬ tertained of the scenes of futurity were very obscure and imperfect, but they all embraced the idea, that death is not the destruction of the rational soul, but only its introduction to a new and unknown state of existence. The ancient Scythians believed that death was only a change of habi¬ tation ; and the Magian sect, which prevailed in Babylo¬ nia, Media, Assyria, and Persia, admitted the doctrine of eternal rewards and punishments. The doctrines taught by the second Zoroaster, who lived in the times of Darius, were, “ that there is one Supreme Being, independent and self existent from all eternity ; that under him there are two angels, one the angel of light, who is the author of all good ; and the other the angel of darkness, who is the author of all evil : that they are in a perpetual struggle with each other ; that where the angel of light prevails, there good reigns; and that where the angel of darkness Drevails, there evil takes place; that this struggle shall continue to the end of the world : that then there shall be a general resurrection and a day of judgment, wherein all shall receive a just retribution according to their works. After which, the angel of darkness and his disciples shall go into a world of their own, where they shall suffer, in everlasting darkness the punishment of their evil deeds ; and the angel of light and his disciples shall also go into a world of their own, where they shall receive, in ever¬ lasting light, the reward due to their good deeds ; that after this they shall remain separated for ever, and light and darkness be no more mixed to all eternity.”* The remains of this sect, which are scattered over Persia and India, still

* Rullin’s Ancient History, Vol. 2.

hold the same doctrines, without any variation, even at this day.

It is well known, that Plato, Socrates, and other Greek Philosophers, held the doctrine of the soul’s immortality. In his admirable dialogue, entitled, “ The Phcedon.” Plato represents Socrates, a little before his death, encompassed with a circle of Philosophers, and discoursing with them on the arguments which prove the eternal destiny of man. “When the dead,” says he, “are arrived at the rendez¬ vous of departed souls, whither their angel conducts them, they are all judged. Those who have passed their lives in a manner neither entirely criminal, nor absolutely inno¬ cent, are sent into a place where they suffer pains propor¬ tioned to their faults, till, being purged and cleansed of their guilt, and afterwards restored to liberty, they receive the reward of the good actions they have done in the body. Those who are judged to be incurable, on account of the greatness of their crimes, the fatal Destiny that passes judgment upon them, hurls them into Tartarus, from whence they never depart. Those who are found guilty of crimes, great indeed, but worthy of pardon, who have com¬ mitted violences, in the transports of rage, against their father or mother, or have killed some one in a like emotion, and afterwards repented — suffer the same punishment with the last, but for a time only, till, by prayers and supplica¬ tions, they have obtained pardon from those they have in¬ jured. But those who have passed through life with pecu¬ liar sanctity of manners, are received on high into a pure region, where they live without their bodies to all eternity, in a series of joys and delights which cannot be described.” From such considerations Socrates concludes, “If the soul be immortal, it requires to be cultivated with attention, not only for what we call the time of life, but for that which is to follow, I mean eternity ; and the least neglect in this point may be attended with endless consequences. If death were the final dissolution of being, the wicked would be great gainers by it, by being delivered at once from their bodies, their souls, and their vices; but as the soul is im¬ mortal, it has no other means of being freed from its evils, nor any safety for it, but in becoming very good and very wise ; for it carries nothing with it, but its good or bad deeds, its virtues raid vices, which are commonly the con¬ sequences of the education it has received, and the causes of eternal happiness or misery.” Having held such dis¬ courses with his friends, he kept silent for some time, and then drank off the whole of the poisonous draught, which had been put into his hand, with amazing tranquillity, and an inexpressible serenity of aspect, as one who was about to exchange a short and wretched life, for a blessed and eternal existence.