The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

2. That these objects may be effectual, our Saviour hath clearly revealed them, and given us convincing evidence, and assurance of their reality. The Heathens had only some glimmerings, and suspicions of a future state: They were under doubts concerning the Nature of the Soul, whether mortal, or incorruptible, wavering between the assent and denial; and inclining to this, or that part, as Sense persuaded them to believe themselves only as Brutes, or Reason to acknowledge themselves Men.¹ Socrates before his Judges speaks as one that desired Immortality; and in his last Discourses to his Friends he endeavours to persuade them, but could not conquer his own doubts, nor assure himself. All his discourses end in Conjectures and uncertain guesses.² Besides, the Hell which they fancied, was made up of such ridiculous and senseless terrors, that could only affect Children, who were not arrived to the perfect use of Reason. And their apprehensions of Happiness in the next Life, were so extravagant, that what the Philosopher said in general of Hope, that 'tis the Dream of waking Men, is more justly applicable to the Hope of the Heathens, in respect of the future reward. For as the illusions of a Dream have many times a real Subject, but environed with so many fantastic Imaginations, as spoils all the proportions of it; so their Opinion had a foundation in Truth, but was mixed with many Errors inconsistent with perfect felicity. And as the pleasure of a Dream is slight and vanishing, so the uncertain ⟨p. 391⟩expectation of felicity did but lightly touch their Spirits. Briefly, they had no true Knowledge, nor firm Belief of Eternal Blessedness in the Vision of God, nor of the endless Torments in Hell; and wanting those great Principles from whence the Rules and Power to live in a holy manner are derived, they fell short of that Purity which is a necessary qualification to prepare Men for Heaven. They were in a confused labyrinth, without true Light, or Guide, entangled with miserable Errors, and stumbled every step whilst they sought after Happiness. But the Lord Christ hath instructed the World concerning those invisible future Recompenses. He hath expressly threatened what-ever is to be feared by Man, as a rational or sensible Creature, the Worm that never dies, and the Fire that shall never be quenched, in case of Disobedience;