The anti-universalists, or history of the fallen angels of the scriptures...

Preface

No subject that has been agitated since man was created, can be said to have engaged the attention of all people, as that of religion, whether among Pagan or Christian nations. That il is thus, is, however, perfectly natural ; because it claims to involve the interests of man, relative to both time and eternity, as universally allowed. In all ages, and under all circumstances, religion, whether handed down from father to son by tradition, or from God by inspiration, as in the case of the Holy Scriptures, has ever presented to notice two beings, who are shown as opposed to each other in their natures and pursuits. These two beings are known, or spoken of, by the terms Jehovah, and Satan ; the good and the evil being, in Jewish and Christian countries ; while in other parts of the earth, are equally acknowledged, if not thus named — differing only as languages differ, but conveying the same ideas.

Jehovah is represented as being infinitely good, and as having innumerable hosts of spiritual beings, or angels of a supernatural character, who act in his universal providence, among the works of his hands ; not only in this, but in all worlds, as agents, exerting a benign and protecting influence : — while the other, namely, Satan, is also shown as having under his supervision hosts of spirits, or angels, of a supernatural character, but of malevolent natures, who act in the way of both moral and physical ruin, so far as in their power in opposition to God.

These two beings are acknowledged by all religions, in all countries, and in all ages, under various names, ideas and attributes ; and were likely to have thus remained in opposition to each other, a while longer — even to the end of the world — had not the Universalist sect of religion arisen, who it seems are determined that one of these beings shall exist no longer — putting their veto upon the judgment of all past ages, and inspiration to boot

This most important of all subjects, namely, religion, has both by tradition from remotest antiquity, and from the Bible, ever presented its eanctions, as existing or taking place in another world, ox lV ' PREFACE.

after death; and has qualified those sanctions, in dooming the bad, who pass out of this life having that character, to a state of unutterable wo : while on the contrary, the good, sustaining that character when they change worlds, enter into a state of rapturous and ceaseless happiness— a trait of jurisprudence in the government of God, seemingly well suited to restrain over acts and injurious behaviour among his subjects, so far as threatened coercion can have such an effect ; and likewise to encourage the practice of virtue.

But there has arisen, out of the great sea of religious opinions, m these latter days, a sect, namely, the Universalists, who deny not only the being of this one Satan, and his coadjutors or associate evil spirits ;' but the ivhole of the penal sanctions of this great subject, religion, as being inflicted, or as existing after this life, notwithstanding the Scriptures seem to be against them — the text of which they acknowledge — whose influence we will not deny is very great, and pervades all ranks of people, all communions of Christians, far more than is commonly supposed, and is exerted against the doctrines of the orthodox sects, and as we believe the Bible itself. The object of this work therefore is to examine the Bible in relation to the claims of either side to the truth. We have from childhood heard of the existence of a devil, or Satan, from books, the Bible, in prayers, sermons, and conversation on the subject of religion, as if there could be no doubt of it— and also of evil spirits, and yet we have never met with any attempt to examine this trait of theology, as we have the rest, the being of a God, the existence of a. hell, a day of judgment, &c. : we have therefore undertaken to give our opinion of this belief— the being of Satan and evil spirits.

In traversing the subject, we of necessity have been compelled to <3ip into many curious things connected with our main one, yet we have aimed so to manage it as not to debate disputed topics with any of the -orthodox orders, endeavoring to maintain all the great and leading features of their faith ; while we combat only with the doctrines of Universalists ; who, in our opinion, pervert the whole design of the Scriptures by their dogmas. The course we have pursued in this work has been to avoid prolixity, aiming to furnish ready and short arguments against Universalist sentiments, for the use of the rising generation, and such as scarcely know what to believe, having not much considered the matter ; believing we have done what we can in this work to counteract the influence of those principles, we hope for support and patronage, therefore

PREFACE. V.

We do not hesitate to express a belief that we have advanced much curious matter on many curious subjects, worthy the reader's attention, which are doubtless calculated to induce thought and elicit conversation, and lead men to read the Bible, which, in reality, contains more useful and wonderful information, than all the books of mankind put together.

The nature of the subjects, upon which we have treated in this work, are of necessity, such as are denominted the terrible; but on this account, we hope it will not be rejected, while we remember that it is written by St. Paul: (2d Cor. v. 11,) "Knowing the TERROR of the Lord, we persuade men" With this view, therefore, namely, to persuade men to read the Bible, and the more earnestly to examine it, to arouse the attention of men to the subjects we have treated upon, and to check — according to our ability, Universalist opinions, in their overflow of the land, — we set it afloat on the sea of public opinion, asking the favor of a wide dispersion of the work, and of its being thoroughly read and compared with the Scriptures — having with respect to these objects, the good wishes, at least, of

THE AUTHOR.

Index To Part First

Genesis, third chapter, examined in relation to the original meaning of the word Serpent; and inquiry as to what kind of animal it was which Satan made use of to beguile the first woman— was it a Snake, or was it the Orang outang ? with a full account of the latter kind of animal

Arguments and traditions, which, in the estimation of many, go to support the ideathat a Snake was the animal of the text of Moses, by which Eve was deceived ; with a full account of several specimens of this kind of animal, a repti!e r as known to the ancients 26

The manner in which serpents moved over the ground before the curse, according to a certain ancient author ; with a full account of the serpent- worship of the ancients ; and of the capture and size of one of the largest description, by the Egyptians. • . . . . 81

Strictures on Mr. Balfour's opinions against the existence of any animal whatever, as used by Satan, in the beguiling of the first woman ; with other subjects 47

Strictures on Mr. Balfour's opinions, respecting orthodox Christians havmg derived many opinions from the ancient Persians, or the writings of Zoroaster ; with other subjects 51

Origin of Satan, and cause of sin ; with many other curious matters : „ of theirs* creative acts of God ; whether matter is eternal or not; with proof, of the necessary and unbeglnning existence of God ; whether mmd is produced from organization ; whether God was active prmmuto his first creative act; and whether mind or matter was first created; the heaven of the angels; its location; where, &e. ; have any other worlds of the universe sinned besides this on which we dwell T

' * 60

Condition of the first spirits ; proofs that they were made in a great variety of orders ; cause of the being of Satan, &c M

F l th K r " XamiRati0RS of the same subjects; with enquiries whe her the angeh of the Scriptures were men or spirits; the latter of which, by some Universalis, is denied, Pl

Supposed voyages of the angels, or spirits, out from 'their heaven into the ocean of space, before anything else was created; *a*urt of mmd; of free agency ; strictures on Universalis!*' opinions retpeeting free ageney ; with many other curious matte™,. .......... 164

INDEX. Vll.

Proofs of tho fall of the angels; refutation of several propositions of Balfour, which accuses the orthodox sects of deriving their peculiar opinions from the writings of Zoroaster, the Persian ; of the sin of Eve ; with strictures on the Universalis! opinion , that all the deoU there was which misled Eve was her lusts ; with other curious matters, 124

Fall of the angels ; and cause of Satan's being, still further examined ; God revealed to the angels ; his reasons for creating free agents, though he foreknew that some would sin, 138

Mode of the trial or probation of the angels, long before the world was made ? and an account of those who fell in that trial ; the argument which was carried on between Michael and Lucifer, (both good angels at that time,) constituting what is called in Scripture a war in heaven ; and by what means this war was ended ; their first discovery of creation, &c <, 144

Respecting Lucifer, son of the morning ; who and what ho was, as spoken of by Isaiah the prophet ; whether the king of Babylon or Satan the fallen angel, 187

What became of the wicked angels after their fall ; is there a located hell or not in another world ; and is there yet to come a day of particular and general judgment 1 with further proofs of the existence of a devil and evil spirits ; with strictures on the Universalist opinion, that the ruining the Jews by the Romans was the day of judgment spoken of in the New Testament ; with other curious matters, 171

The famous text, by which Universalists think they prove that the worst hell there is in existence is in this life, examined ; and is found Psalms, lxxxvi. 13 ; with other interesting subjects, • • . 205

Respecting whether other worlds may have been destroyed in ages past, by fire, as this is to be ; with proofs of such occurrences, according to the arehivea of astronomy, • • . « 215

Index To Part Second

Account of the operation of Satan, with the heads of our race — Adam and Eve ; with further evidence of the real existence of Satan and evil spirits, — with strictures on the Universalist belief, that the lusts of human nature — its diseases — the idols of the heathen, &c, are all the devils there are in existence; with other curious matters, about the fall of our first parents 227

What would have been the condition of Eve, if when she had broken the law about the forbidden tree, and offered its fruit to Adam, if he had not received it ; and what would have been the condition of «ur race, under such a view of the subject, . ., . 24S

Vlll. INDEX.

Further proofs of the being of Satan, and of his real identity, as shown from the book of Job, and other Scriptures ; with further strictures about the lusts of Eve, before she had sinned — according to Universalists ; and other curious matters . . . . . . 249

Further evidence still, of the real existence of Satan, and evil angels — shown from the text of the New Testament — his operation against the Saviour, and possession of many people — and of their being cast out of them, &cj with strictures on the Universalist belief, that the carnal mind is one of the devils of human nature, &c. 264

Further accounts of the being of Satan ; with proofs that the world is to be destroyed by fire, &c 279

The subject of rewards and punishments — whether awarded in this life, or in another ; a guilty conscience purgatory — as held by Universalists — examined ; the deaths of St. Paul and Voltaire contrasted ; of a day of judgment to come, &c. ; with strictures on Universalist opinions, about the penal fire of the New Testament ; with other subjects, &c 287

An enquiry, how Satan, and evil spirits were worshiped in ancient times — with proofs that they were worshiped, — and even in modern times SIS

An enquiry as to the original cause of diseases and death ; are they of God or of Satan ? with other curious matters, 326

On the subjects of evil spirits — the opinions of the Jews on this subject — of Simon Magus, and the Gnostics ; evil spirits cast out of many who were possessed ; of the wonderful consequences which followed «-. ». . . . 334

Miscellaneous strictures and remarks on the subjects of Universalist doctrines and opinions > 362

On the subject of the forms or shapes of good and evil spirits, and of the human soul when disembodied ; with conjectures how evil spirits get the possession of human beings, » . . . . 404

Attributes of Satan, and evil spirits * 414

Evidence of Polycarp, the Martyr, against Universalists, in relation to a hell after death > 417

Proofs of the immortality of the human soul, or that it does not die or sleep, from death till the resurrection—as held by some Universalists, 418

TO THE SUBSCRIBER.

C£^* Although the Index does not particularise all we have alla« ded to in the allusions of the Prospectus, yet we have treated on all the promised subjects, and many more.

HISTORY OP THE FALLEN ANGELS, &C.