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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 very
distinct 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
former
ages
.
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;