SECT. II1.1 PROOF' OP A SEPARATE STATE. 503 privileges and blessings of the gospel of the Messiah; in that perfect mannet, in which we do, since the Messiah is actually come, and has fulfilled these promises, and by his death, or " offering himself, as the same apostle expresses it, for ever perfected them that are sanctified ;" $eb. x. 14. But all this does, by no means, preclude their existence and happiness, in a separate 'state, as spirits made perfect ; that is, in a perfect freedom from all sin and sorrow; though it is probable this very state of comparative perfection might have several degrees of joy added to it at the ascension of Christ, and will have many more at the resurrection' from the dead. VIII. 2 Pet. i. 1J, 14. ." I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up, by putting you in remembrance ; knowing that, shortly, I must put off this my tabernacle." Here it is evident, that the person, who thinks it meet to stir up christians to their duty, has a ta- bernacle belonging to him, and which he must shortly put off. The soul, or thinking principle of the apostle Peter, which is here supposed to be himself, is so plainly distinguished from the tabernacle of the body, in which he dwelt for a season, and which he must put off shortly, that it most evidently implies, an existence of this think- ing soul verydistinct from the body, and which will exist when the body is laid aside. Surely the conscious being, And its tabernacle or.dwelling-place, are two very distinct things, and the conscious being exists when he puts off bis present dwelling. After all these arguments from scripture, may I be permitted to mention one, which is derived partly from reason, and partly from the sacred records, which seen to carry some weight with it? The doctrine. of rewards and' punishments, in a sepa- rate state of souls, bath been one of the very chief prin- ciples.or'motives, whereby, virtue and religion have been maintained in this sinful world throughout all formerages . end nations, and under the several dispensations of God among amen, till the resurrection of the body was fully "re- vealed : Now it is scarce to be supposed, that such á doctrine which God, . in the course of his providence, bath made use of as a chief principle and.motive of reli- gion and virtue through all the world which had any true virtue, and, in all ages before .christianity, . should be a;
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