ESSAIi' TOWARD THE [SECT. V. been before proved, by many scriptures cited for that purpose. Here, let itbe observed, that I am not concerned in that question, whether human souls, separated from.their bodies, have any, other corporeal vehicle to which they are united, or by which they act, during the intermedi- ate statebetween death and the resurrection? All thàt. I propose to maintain here is, that that period or inter- val is not a state of sleep, that is, utter unconsciousness and inactivity : And whether they be united to a vehicle, or no, I call it still the separate state, because it is a state of the soul's separation from this body, which is -united to it in the present life. SECTION V. More Objections answered. Since this boOk was written, I have met with several other objections against the doctrine here maintained ; and, as I think, they may all have a sufficient answer given to them, and the truth be defended against the -force of them, I thought it very proper to lead the reader into a plain and easy solution of them. Objection VII. Is not long life represented often in "scripture, and especially in the Old Testament, as a bless- ing to man ? And is not death set before us as a curse, or punishment? But can either of these representations be just or true, if souls exist in a separate state ? Are they not then brought into a state of liberty by death, -end freed from all the inconveniences of this flesh and -blood ? By this means death ceases to be a punishment, and long life to be a blessing. Answer. It is according as the characters of men are either good or bad, and, according as good men know more or less of a separate state of rewards or punish- ments, so along life, or early death, are to be esteem- ed blessings or calamities in a greater or a less degree. Long life was represented as a blessing to good men, in as much as it gave them opportunity to enjoy more of the blessings of this life, and to, do more service for God
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