PRINCETON, N. J. No. Case^ No. Shelf, 'gcti No. Book, 'Vbc .loliii :>1. liiebs Donation. X ,_i>C--t— '- AN ESSxW ON THE IDENTITY AND GENERAL RESURRECTION OF THE HUMAN BODY: a IN WHICH THE EVli:rEN"CES IN FAVOUR OF THESE IMPORTANT SUBJECTS ARE CONSIDERED, IN Eelatian fact}) to P!)il00ap6i) auH g^cctpture. — '"T" £Y SAMUEL DREW, AUTHOU OF AN ESSAY ON THE IMMATERIALITY AND IMMORTALITY OF THE HUMAN SOUL. " Why should it be thought with you a thing incredible that GOD should raise the dead V ' St. Paul, i^ti xxvi. ». BROOKLY^^: PRINTED BY THOMAS KIRK, FOR THE PUBLISHER. 1811- ADDRESS TO THE READER. Wi HEN a Book on an abstruse and important subject is offered to the world, the situation of its Autiior, if in humble life, rarely fails to excite attention. Under these circumstances, it is much easier for him to awaken curiosity, than to gratify it. But it is always in his power to satisfy the reasonable inquiries of those, who feel solicitous to know something of the person who thus pub- licly introduces himself to their notice. Cariosity is natural to the mind of man ; and^ when confined within proper limits, it has a bene- ficial tendency. It seeks, indeed, for gratification from various quarters ; but it is not very fastidious whence or liovv it is obtained: It gerierally fixes upon extremes ; upon the great, and upon the lit- tle ; — ^and, as it respects authors, upon the giants, and upon the dwarfs in literary pretensions. On these accounts, it is not necessarily a flattering com- pliment to become an object of its pursuit. iv ADDRESS TO THE READER. The life and studies of the learned author, ■whom a liberal education — uninterrupted leisure — • and acknowledged abilities, have raised to the chair of science, and invested with a degree of authority to impart instruction, are subjects well deserving the attention of the biographer. But curiosity frequently wishes to know something also con- cerning those, who, in humble life, have been brought up in no school but that of nature ; and who, in opposition to difliculties and discou- ragements, come forward and offer to the v/orld, the fruits of their labour in the field of literature. It is a region in which they seem to be intruders, and where they professedly ujidertake investiga- tions, which thtir confined means of knowledge, and unpromising powfcrs, appear inadequate to perform. Metaphysical researches are so far removed from manual labour and humble life, that many have expressed their surprize that they should ever have t)een united. Hence, as it respects myself, the question has repeatedly been asked, — "What circumstances led to so unlikely an association ?" The replies which this question naturally produced, induced several of my friends, in whose judgments I feel a strong confidence, and to whose' g^^od offices 1 stand indebted, to communicate their opr- nions, that it would afford some gratification to a great number of those, whose names are affixed to ADDRESS TO THE READER.' v this work, if I would trace those incidents of my life, which gradually led to such an unlocked for event. When their wishes were first expressed, I slirunk back from the suggestion, not only through an ap- prehension that I should incur the charge of vani- ty ; but, especially; as on a review of my life, I saw nothing remarkable which was worthy of record. On this ground, I declined to comply widi their de- sires. The renewed solicitations of these friends, soq^iy however, assumed the shape and tone of a re- quest. And, consistently with that debt of grati- tude which I owed them, I found it impossible to withhold a compliance without subjecting myself to the charge of being influenced by a passion nearly allied to that vanity, the imputation of which I dreaded to incur. This circumstance inclined me to alter my prior resolution. In thus submitting to their importunities, T artl furnlbhed with an opportunity of apologizing for those imperfections, which, without doubt are in- cluded in my work ; and of placing the disinterest- edness and generosity of my Subscribers in a con- spicuous light, by briefly declaring to the world on whom it has been bestowed. The little narrative may probably afford some encouragement to ^ others ; who, poor and unknown, may at this mo- ment be struggling v/ith adversity, and attempting vi ADDRESS TO THE READER. to emerge from obscurity. It will add another exam- ple to mdn}^ which may be adduced, and thereby assure them, that in this comparatively happy coun- try, poverty and the want of education, are no ob- stacles to patronage and support. On one account I gladly embrace the occasit-n which is now afford- ed me. It is that of recording the obligations whicli I owe to a man of eminent character and abilities, who is now no more, but whose memory I hope, 1 shall never cease to respect and revere. By this plain statement, I feel a hope that I shall secure myself from the censures of the can- did and liberal minded ; they will enter into my views, and place a proper estimate on my motives. With ihe envious and the malevolent, I cannot expect the same success. For I no more flatter myself with the thought that I can escape their detraction, than with the expectation that I can cure them of those passions, which must give greater pain to such as cherish them, than it is in their power to inflict on others. My narrative which follows, is little more than the simple monotony of humble life. But on these ac- counts, " Let not ambition mock their useful toil, " Tiieir liumble joys and destiny obscure, " Nor grandeur hear with a disdainful smile, « The short and simple annals of the poor." , ADDRESS TO THE READER. Vu I was born in the parish of St. Austell, in the county of Cornwall, on the third day of March, 1765. My father, who was a labouring tnan, sup- ported his fa»uily, which consisted of a wife and fout children, in creditable poverty, by dint of applica- tion, industry, and frugality. But though neither of my parents was ignorant of the importance of education, such were their circumstances that it was not in their power to afford me any, except that acquired at a little reading- school, in which I merely learned the knowledge of my letters. ^c\e my education ended, for to a writing- school I never was promoted. At the age of seven, I was obliged to go to work, and for my labour, my parents received two pence per day. The next year I had the misfortune to lose my mother, and many a time since — This throbbing breast has heav'd the heartfelt sigh, And breath'd afflictions where her ashes lie. Soon after this, my father removed into another neighbourhood ; and at the age of ten years and a half, I was bound an apprentice to a shoemaker, in the parish of St. Blazey. Prior to this time I acquired some knowledge of writing, but it amounted to Jittle more than merely to^ know how to make the letters of the alphabet, and to write my name. And this knowledge, scan- ty as it was, I nearly lost during my apprentice- vUi ADDRESS TO THE ,READER. ship ; but towards the latter years of the term, I nude some progress in my reading. This 1 attri- bute ch'cfly to the opportunity which I then had of perusing the Weekly Entertainer, published by Messrs. Goadby and Co. of Sherborne. In these miscellanies, such narratives as were affecting, and 3uch anecdotes as were pointed, were the principal objects which attracted my notice. And among these, nothing excited my attention, so much as the adventures, vicissitudes, and disasters, to which the A^e^ican war gave rise. On quitting my master, I procured employment in the vicinity of Plymouth. Here, the necessity of earning my own livelihood engrossed all my at- tention : so that the same cause which removed me from perusing the Weekly Miscellany, nearly quenched all my desires after further knowledge. After labouring in this neighbourhood about four years, I returned to St. Austell, to which place I was attracted by the advance of wages. In this town it was my lot to conduct the shoemaking bu- siness for a man who is now in America : he was an eccentric character, but by no means destitute of understanding. lijs original occupation was that of a saddler, and through his own application he had obtained some knowledge of bookbinding. To these employments he superadded the manufacture of shoes, and in one shop carried on these three trades together. ADDRESS TO THE READER. ix In this situation, I found myself surrounded by books of various descriptions, and felt my taste for the acquirement of information return with re- newed vigour, and increase in proportion to the means of indulgence, which were now placed fully within my reach. But here some new difficulties occurred, with which I found it painful to grapple. My knowledge of the import of words was as con- tracted, as my ideas were scanty ; so that I found it necessary to keep a dictionary continually by my side whilst I was reading, to which I was compel- led constantly to refer. This was a tedious process. But in a little time the difficulty wore away, and my horizon of knowledge became enlarged. Among other books which were brought to be bound, it happened that Mr. Locke's Essay on the Human Understanding made its appearance. This was a work of which I had never heard. I occasion- ally opened the volumes, and read a few pages, but rather with amazement than satisfaction ; and from, that moment began to reflect on the intellectual powers of man. In doing this, I could not but draw a contrast between my own mental condition and that of others. This awakened me from my stu- per, and induced me to form a resolution to aban- don the grovelling views which I had been accus- tomed to entertain of things, and to quit the prac- tices of my old associates. B X ADDRESS TO THE READER. Soon after this, I engaged in business for my- self, when the pressure of trade, and pecuniary em- barrassments, retarded my progress in mental ac- quirements, but stimulated my endeavours to emerge from ignorance. By unremitting industry, I at length surmounted such obstacles as were of a pecuniary nature : this enabled me to procure as- sistance in my labours, and afforded me the com- mon relaxation which others enjoyed. This was the only leisure at which I aimed. In this situa- tion, I felt an internal vigour prompting me to ex- ertions, Iiut 1 was unable to determine what direc- tion I should take. The sciences lay before me. I discovered charms in each, but I was unable to embrace them all, and hesitated in making a selec- lion. I had learned that ' " One science only would one genius fit, " So vast is art, so narrow human wit.'* At first I felt such an attachment to astronomy, that I resolved to confine my views to the study of that science ; but I soon found m.ysclf too defective in arithmetic to make any proficienc)'. Modern his- tory was my next object ; but I quickly discovered that more books and time were necessary tlian I could possibly either afford or spare, and on this account history was abandoned. In the region of metaphysics I saw neither of the above impedi- ments. It nevertheless appeared to be a thornr ADDRESS TO THE READER. xi path, but I determined to enter, and accordingly began to tread it. During several years, all my leisure hours were devoted to reading : but I do not recollect that it ever interrupted my business, though it frequently broke in upon my rest. On my labour depended my livelihood. Literary pursuits were only my amusement. Common prudence had taught me the lesson which the following sentences so happily con- vey. " Secure to yourself a livelihood indepen- dently of literary successes, and put into this lottery only the overplus of time. Woe to him who .de- pends wholly on his pen ; nothing is more casual. The man who makes shoes is sure of his wagf s, the man who writes a book is never sure of any thing." Marmontd. Nothing, however, amidst the various subjects which engrossed my thoughts could be more remote from my views and intentions than that of commen- cing author. But this improbable event was occa-- sioned by the following incident. When Mr. Tho- mas Payne published his " Age of Reason," it un- happily made too many converts. Among these was a young gentleman of good natural talents which had been improved by a liberal education, who frequently visited my shop, lie enquired one xii ADDRESS TO THE READER. day, whether I had ever seen this pamphlet ? and on finding that I had not, he put it into my hands on condition that I should read it through, and finally give him my opinion on the doctrines which it in- culcated. This 1 promised to do ; and occasion- ally wrote down such remarks as occurred during my reading of the work, and such as I could recol- lect to have made in the numerous conversations with him to which this incident gave rise. The young man is now in internity. But I am happy to state, that, prior to his illness, he acknowledged that the de-sign which he had in view in putting the ''^ Age of Reason" into my hands, was to proselyte me to its principles ; but that having failed in pro- ducing that effect, he had been induced first to suspect their validity, and then to abandon them al- together. These ** Remarks on the Age of Rea- son," I revised as well as I was able, and after- wards, v/ith some additions, published them to the world in 1799. This was done with a design that the *' Remarks might produce in others, effects simi- lar to those which had already resulted from them." It was this pamphlet which first excited the no- tice of my greatly respected and much lamented friend, the late Rev. John Whitaker, who, from principles of benevolence, rather than a discovery of merit, was pleased lo recommend it to the notice ADDRESS TO THE READER. xiii of the Antijacobin Review. In this literary jour- nal, the reviewers permitted the laudableness of the attempt to outweigh the imperfections of the per- formance, and spoke of it in terms which have made me their debtor. I shall be happy if the pre- sent work pass with safety, through the ordeal of liberal and candid criticism. In the two following years, I published three or four pamphlets, but these being on local and con- troversial subjects, disappeared with the occasions which gave them birth. In 1802, I published '* An Essay on the Immateriality and Immortality of the Human Soul," the occasions of which I have briefly hinted in the following preface. The ap- probation with which it has been countenanced has in some measure stimulated me to undertake and accomplish the present work. And probably the manner in which this will be received, will not be without its influence on my future labours. On a perusal of this plain and unvarnished tale, it must be obvious to all, that I stand indebted to Mr. Whitaker for my literary existence, by his publicly avowing himself my friend, at a moment when recommendation, or a want of it, must have finally determined my fate. I was then in a critical situation, insomuch that a single dash of his pen xiv ADDRESS TO THE READER. might have doomed me to perpetual silence and ob. scurity, and made me feel an aversion from those studies in which before I had so ardently deli<2,hced. . Such are the incidents on which the destinies of life depend ! Fortunately my probationary pam- phlet fell into the hands of a gentleman, whose ex- alted rank in the literary world, raised him above popular prejudices, and enabled him to silence the language of contempt, where it could not otherwise influence public opinion. He is now placed be- yond the reach of censure and applause, and I re- joice in having an opportunity of expressing my gratitude, by offering this tribute to his memory without fearing to incur the imputation of flatter}-. Next to Mr. Whitaker, I feel myself much in. debted to several gentleman, who have rendered me some assistance by giving me free access to their libraries. Those to whom I allude, have treated me with a degree of respect to which the merits of my works can bear only an inadequate proportion, i acknowledge the obligations which their kindness have laid me under, and should feel much pleasure in mentioning their names, but I do not know that it would be agreeable, and without being assured of this, it is a liberty which 1 dare not take. To many of those from whom I have receiv- ed tokens of approbation I am personally unknown, ADDRESS TO THE READER. xv their acts of kindness arc therefore enhanced by the manner in which they have been communicated. I do not know that they estimate their favours so highly, but I should reproach myself with ingra- titude, were I to omit this tribute of acknowledg- ment. It has been a hackneyed topic with authors to cen- sure the ingratitude of the age in which they live. I do not pretend to estimate either the propriety or the impropriety of the charge as it respects others, but experience has taught me a different lesson, I have found more reason to be grateful for sup- port than to complain of the want of it ; and I shall be extremely glad to find that I have given to my numerous Subscribers no occasion to wish that they had withholden what they have now bestowed. To those Ladies and Gentleman, whqge names honour and recommend my work, I hold myself under peculiar obligations, for enabling me to send this volume into the world. It gives me sensible pleasure to behold in the list of my subscribers the names of a considerable number of persons who pa- tronized my former production. I hope this will afford them equal, if not superior satisfaction. For the patronage which they have afforded me, I hope they will have the goodness to accept my xvi ADDRESS TO THE READER. most sincere thanks. It is not in my power td make them any other requital, than that which the perusal of the book will afford. May God accom- pany it with his blessing, and grant that all who read it may have their parts in the Resurrection of the just ! SAMUEL DREW, St. Austell, Marchj 20, 1809. CONTENTS, CHAPTER I. On the State of Man before the Introduction of Mo' tal E'oiL Page Sect. I. — General View of the Subject - - . 1 Sect. II. — On the Immutability of God - - 5 Sect. III. — That the Human Body must have been originally Immortal.^ proved from the primeval State of Man^ and the Immutability of God consi- dered together - - -- - - 11 Sect. IV.— -On the primitive and elementary State of Matter^ and the nature of simple and compound- ed Bodies -- - -- - - 18 Sect. V. — Arguments tending to prove^ That the Immortality of the Body of Adam^ -was secured by the Eficacy of the Tree of Life, notwithstand- ing the natural Tendency of the Parts to Disso- lution --.__-. -2^ CHAPTER II. On the Introduction of Moral Evil, its Influences on the Human Body, and the removal of the Tree of. Life ------ _ - 43 CHAPTER III. On the Annihilation of Moral Evil, considered sepa- rately, and in connexion with its Causes, Effects, and Consequences, The Result highly favourable to the Resurrection of the Human Body from the Grave, XXX CONTENTS. Page Sect. I'—^If Moral Evil shall be annihilated^ the Re- surrection of the Human Body must be presumed to be a necessary Effect ----- 55 Sect. II. — Arguments tending to prove^ That the An- nihilation of Moral Evil, can only be effected by a vicarious Sacrifice ------ 85 Sect. Ill — On the Effects xvhich -will result from the Destruction of Death, when considered wider the Idea of a Person - - - - - 97 Sect. IV. — 071 the Effects which way be expected to result from the Annihilation of Death, when con- sidered as having only a relative Existence. Pro- bation confined to the present State - - - 108 Sect. V. — On the Difference between the natural Ef- fects a7id moral Consequences of moral Evil ; with arguments tending to prove, that the former must cease, and the latter continue for ever - -125 CHAPTER IV. On Idetitity in GtneraU Sect. I. — On the Evidences of Identity - - - 133 Sect. Vi.'-^On our distinct Ideas of Identity, found- ed upon the Diversity of its Nature - - 141 Sect. m. — General Observations on the Identity of the Human Body - - - - - -148 Sect. IV. — The Identity of the Human Body more immediately considered. 156 CHAPTER V. On hhc Analogy between Vegetation, and the Pesttr- rection of the Human Body. Beet. I. — That the Doctrine of the PesurrectioJi has fezuer DiffciJties than the Doctrine qf Vege- tation - -- - - - --in Sect. II. — Tiiat all Objections, usually advanced against the doctrine of tlic Resurrection maij be tuhanccd against the Doctrine of Vegetation - 179 CONTENTS. XXXl. Page Sect. III.— TAa^ tht Analogy betxueen Vegetation and the Resurrection of the Body is not destroyed by the Inequalities of Time, during which the Bo- dies of (Afferent Men repose in the Gra-oe - - 189 Sect. IV. — Arguments to pro^e. That the Resur- rection of the Body can no more take place ih.me- 'diately, than Seed-time and Harvest can be blended together 203 Sect. V. — In which it is proved, That St. Paul, when illustrating the Doctrine of the Resurrection by the Process of Vegetation, speaks the language of Philosophy and Reason - - - ,^ 200 CHAPTER VI. Arguments tending to prove. That the Identity of the Human Body must consist in some Germ, or Staynen, which re?7iaifis Immoveable. Sect, I. — In which it is argued. That the Identity of our future Bodies cannot consist in all the numeri- cal Particles, nor in the Majority of them, which occasionally adhered to the Vital Mass, in any giv- en Portion of the present Life - _ - - 218 Sect. n. — Arguments tending to prove. That the Sameness of our future Bodies must be constituted by some Germ, or Stamen ; and that we now poS" sess all the Evidence of a Resurrection, which we can rationally expect in the present State - - 2Z7 Sect. III. — The Objections against the Idea of a Germ as coiistituting the Identity of the nody hereafter, no Argument against its certainty. Several Objec- tions considered. Several Changes of our Bodies highly probable - - . - - - . 245 Sect. rV. — Probable Arguments, That the Changes through xuhich our Bodies have already passed, are a Groundxvork of our future Expectations, and ensure upon' Principles of Analogy, the Resurrec- tion of the Human Body - - - » - 265 XXXll CONTENTS. Page Sect. V. — Arguments to provcy That Gravitation 77iust be inapplicable to our future Bodies in ano- ther Worldy and that the Loss of Gravitation xvill make a considerable Distinction between these Bo- dies xvhich xve noxv have^ and those zvhich shall be hereafter * - . - . - - 283 Sect. VI. — Arguments to prove^ That though our fu- ture Bodies must be foryned of parts ^ the Peculia- rity of their situation xvill place them beyond the reach of Dissolutio7i, Reflections on our present and future Condition ----- 301 Sect. VII. — ; — On the Origin of bodily Identity. Ar- guments to prove^ That the Identity of the Body can have no Existence prior to the formal Existence of the Body. That Abortions are perfectly recon- cileable xvith the Theory xvhich has been advaJiced 315 Sect. VIII. — Summartj of that direct Evidence by xvhich xve are assured^ that the Identity of the JIuman Body^ must consist in some radical Prin- ciple, or Germ, zvhich can neither expire ?ier change -- 334 CHAPTER VII. l^hat the Resurrection of the Human Body^ is Pos- sible., Probable, and certain, proved both from Phi- losophy and Scripture. Sect. I. — That the resurrectiofi of the Human Bo- dy is Possible, proved from the Nature of in- finite Poxvcr, and the unobstrucfmg Nature of Matter - * - - - - - 347 Sect. II. — That the Resurrection of the Human Bo- dy is highly Probable, from a Train of presump- tive and analogical Evidence - - - - q^ss Sect. III. — That the Resurrection of the Human Body is Certain, proved from the Principles of Phi- losophy, the Justice of God, and compounded Na- ture of Man - - - - - 574> Sect. TV .—-ObservatioJis on several Passages of the Fifteenth Chapter of the First Book of Corijithi- ans, in xvhich Philosophy and Authority, are com- bined and considered together - . ► 404 jj j U i tw«jii »r-«ij«w>'gi"»<;BP«^l^«^^^<»^wi»pw»wii » i»i « t : AN ESSAY ON THE IDENTITY AND GENERAL RESURRECTION OF THE ^ HUMAN BODY. CHAPTER I. ON THE STATE OF MAN BEFORE THE INTRO- DUCTION OF MORAL EVIL. SECTION 1. General Fiew of the Subject, XJlS no being can be infinite but God, no doubt can be entertained that all finite intelligences had a beginning ; and those which had a beginning, must owe their origin to another. This remark is ap- propriate to man, and is not confined to any de- tached light in which we may view him, but is equally applicable both to his body and his soul. But though both matter and spirit must have had a beginning, it will not thence follow that they must have had an end. They may 2 IDENTITY AND RESURRECTION [Chap. I. chani^c thtir modes of being, and their relations to each other, in all the variety of forms which is with- in the reach of possibility, and yet remain at the same distance from the real absence of being as tliey were when God first called them into exis- tence. That a spirit, though created, cannot die, is plainly demonstrated to us by the deathless state of angelic natures, and by the immortality of the human soul. And we phinlv discover in these two instances, that beginning of existence does not include an end. We also discover in all the modes which any given portion of matter is capable of assuming, that it is always at an infinite distaRce from a perfect non- entity. Something and nothing are extremes which never can meet together ; and the distance which lies between them, no approaches can possibly fill Tip : and therefore the real absence of being which is a nonentity, must always be at an equal distance from all given substances to which the^se possible modes of existence are ascribed. rhc combinations wl)ich the particles of matter form with one another, are indeed, continually dis- solving ; new unions arc constantly taking place in regular succession to each otlier : and the modifi- cations of mattv\;r, seem to undergo perpetual cliangcs. But wc can trace wo more analogy be- tween the real absence of matter and a world, be- cause a world and an atom must be at an equal distance from the real absence of ajl that is mate- rial. If therefore, neither the infinite divisibility of matter, nor the various modes whiqji it undergoes Sect. I.] OF THE HUMAN BODY. C and is capable of undergoing, can reach the inter- nal constitution of matter, or otherwise affect it, than by altering its configuration, while its essence remains untouched, and while its substance is en- tire, we may safely infer, unless God should alter the laws of nature, that matter itself will be as perpetual as spirit ; and that it must continue for ever, und;r such forms and in such modes, as God in his infinite wisdom shall think proper. That man is formed of matter and spirit, will admit of very little doubt. While in union with each other, these substances partake of one com- mon life, and are cemented together by tits v/hich are at once permanent and unknown. That the spiritual part of man shall never die, is to be inferred from the properties of the human soul.* The soul therefore, from its superior natore, must be capable of subsisting without the aid of the body, in *a distinct and separate state. And that the body, when separated from its union with the soul, must cease to act, we are convinced of by the most unquestionable proof. In that state of separation, all compact seems to be dissolved ; die spirit retires into anoiher region, to mix with beinsjs whose natures are analogous to its own ; while the body is consigned over, and apparently for ever, to durkne-is and corruption. The compact being thus dissolved, all union en- * See iy\y Essay on the Immatenality and Imn-jortality cf the Human Soul. 8vo. 1803, 3ncl edit. 4 IDENTITY AND RESURRECTION [Chap. I. tirely broken off between the spiritual and material parts uf man, and even the constituent parts of the body ceasiuiJ^ to adhere to each other, and the particles of which it was composed incorporating with othex particles of matter, it becomes a question of the most serious importance, whether this body shall rise again or not ? To inquire into this fundamental article of our belief; — to know what evidence we have in favour of this doctrine ; — what the nature of that evidence ought to be, which we might rationally expect on such a subject ; — how far difficulties should be per- mitted to operate against conviction, and to lay an embargo on belief; — to know whether Revelation is our exclusive guide, or whether God has furnished us with strong intimations of a future resurrection from other sources : — to know what these sources are, whence we derive our evidence, and how far the proofs may be deemed conclusive which may be adduced in favour of this important point, — are questions which I propose to discuss in the follow- ing sheets, and which will occasionally become the subjects of investigation. As weadmit that man must have had a beginning, and as his material part is the subject of our present inquiry, it is necessary that we first turn our thoughts to his original state. It is in that state alone that we can view him detached from these extraneous circumstances which now involve the evidences which I am about to examine ; and whicli lie scattered over that pathless desert w liich I shall attempt to explore. In order that the mind may be Sect. II.] OF THE HUMAN BODY. 5 detached from its local views and partial percep- tions of man, we must take a survey of creation, since we can only infer his primary state, and the real nature of his original condition, from the re- lation in which he then stood to his Maker. And therefore to those attributes of God, which we con- spicuously discern in all his conduct and actions towards his creatures, and particularly in that which applies to man, we most necessarily appeak SECTION II. On the Immutability ofGod» That the human body cannot have been eternal, is a truth which will admit of no doubt, and can re- quire no proof ; it must therefore owe its origin to a superior cause, and that cause must be God. That God from his nature and attributes, must profess all possible perfection, it will be needless to prove, because it is a truth which it is useless to deny. And if all possible i:>erfections are possessed by him, immutability must be included among the essential attributes of his nature. Without entering into any formal proof of this truth I shall assume it as an admitted point, be- cause those by whom it is denied, are under the necessity of undeifying his nature, and ultimately denying his existence. The existence of God is a 6 IDENTITY AND REBUUUliCTION [Chap. I. ground-work which I presume no intelligent mind will hesitate to grant me, and irom those who re- fuse me this point, I shall take the liberty to appeal. If then, the existence of the divine nature be admitted, the existence of all possible perfections are inseparable from the divine essence ; and, in conjunction with each other, thc}' are truths which must stand or fall together. To admit the divine nature, is to admit the divine attributes; and to admit the divine attributes is to admit the divine perfec- tions ; and the instant we attempt to separate them, we involve ourselves in palpable contradictions. Taking therefore the infinite perfections of God as an admitted point, I contend, that these perfec- tions must include immutability as an essential property of his nature. For could we imagine that God possesses all possible perfections, and yet suppose immutability not to be included in the list of these perfections, we must suppose him capable of changes which are incompatible with those attri- butes and perfections which we ascribe to him. A being who sees reason to counteract to-day, wliat was accomplished yesterday, must be wiser now than he was then. And the action of to- day, plain, ly tells us that the action of yesterday must have been erroneous, though it then. appeared right and just. But if the knoulcdge of the eternal God, be greater nov/ than it was then, it is a certain fact that his knowcldge was not perfect yesterday, aiid it is highly probable tiiat it is yet in a state of* im.perfection. A knowledge which can admit of in- Sect. II.] OF THE HUMAN BODY. f crease in any stage of progression, cannot in those stages be perfect ; and consequently cannot be in- finite ; and that which is not infinite can neither apply to God, nor belong to his nature. But as God must be infinite in all his perfections, and as perfect knowledge must be included in those perfec- tions, no increase or diminution of his knowledge can possibly be admitted. And therefore, perfectly acquainted as he must be with past, present,' and future, with all contingencies, and all possible circumstances, no changes can take place in him, his immutability therefore necessarily arises from the nature of his other perfections, and the nature of his existence. That apparent changes, are however perfectly oonsistent with absolute immutability, must be ad- mitted, because apparent changes are perfectly con- sistent with God. Immutability may seem to change in its actions towards changeable creatures, while in itself it remains perfect, unaltered and entire. We are furnished with evidences on this poipt from our constant observations of the heavenly bodies ; since we behold in them an apparent and a relative change through every succeeding day. But the stations which the fixed stars hold in the regions of space, are permanent and immutable, notwithstanding the perpetual revolutions which they seem to undergo. And were the orb which we in- habit as fixed as they, all would appear as they really are ; and the varions revolutions v/hich de^- f IDENTITY AND RESURRECTION. [Chap, I. cribe our days, our moiiihs, and years, we should then inquire after in vain. The changes which we perceive, reside net in them but in us. The stars are fixed, while the earth is perpetually revolving ; and it is the in- accuracy of popular observations which induces us to transfer the changes we perceive from ourr stilyes to them, and to charge upon the fixed stars, that change of place which belongs to the globe which we inhabit, and which in them has no exist- ence. In like manner, it is perhaps not impious to transfer the analogy, to the immutability of God, and the mutability of ourselves, we can then with safety " assert eternal providence, and justify the ways of God to man." That 'there is in God an immutable hatred to vice must be unquestionable, vice being the reverse of his nature; and that there must be in him an immutable attachment to holiness, it being conge- nial to his essence, must be admitted on the same ground. And as God is thus immutable in him- self, so long as his rational creatures hold their res- pective stations, in which his goodness had previous- ly placed them, so long are his perfections bound to protect them from every evil ; and consequently to preserve them from dissolution and decay. But when his creatures change their stations through the mutability of their natures, they change their relation to God ; and a change in their condition must be the neccbsary result of their departure from him. Sect. 11.] OF THE HUMAN BODY. S> But this change arises not from any mutability in God, but from the immutability of his nature; for, as the perfections of God were bound to protect and preserve those who were dependent upon him, so, by the same immutability of his nature, God was bound to withdraw his protection from them, when they departed from that station in which his good- ness had placed them, and engaged to protect them. As God manifests his love to all who are found in the way of holiness, and manifests his hatred to all who are found in the way of vice, it is evident that a continuance in the way of holiness is necessary to the continuance of his favour: and we can no more con- ceive that these cases can be reversed while the nature of God remains immutable, than we can conceive the same thing to be and not to be in the same instant. If God directs his love to A. and to the inhabi- tants of A. and his hatred to B. and to the inhabi- tants of B. we have the case precisely laid down before us ; and we see with exactness the true situ- ations of the respective inhabitants both of A. and B. But if the inhabitants of A. should retire from their station, and depart to B. it is evident that they would go from love to hatred, and yet be under the same God, who was, and is, and ever shall be, unchangeable in all his ways. And hence we may clearly discover, that apparent changeableness, and real immutability, are perfectly compatible with one another as they refer to God. But as they aifect man, the conduct of God is really changed towards him, notwithstanding God is in himself eternal and unchangeable, in all his ways. D 10 IDENTITY AND RESURRECTION [Chap. I. - Nor are these reasonings confined exclusively to a moral view of man. They will apply with equal force -to all his bodily as well as mental powers. For as the human body formed a conspicuous part of creation, and as the life of man was guaranteed to him, on condition of his abstinence from moral evil, the perpetuity of the human body must have been in- eluded under this guarantee, and its dissolution on this ground must have been for ever unknown. The promise of life was suspended upon hum.an obedi- ence ; and it extended no further. For as perpetuity cf life was the reward of obedience, so death was in part the punishment of disobedience ; and as man by his departure from obedience, forfeited his claim to perpetuity of life, so by his disobedience he sub- jected himself to that dissolution of body, which was included in the punishment annexed to immoral action. Thus may we see In one view, the origin of the dissolution of our bodies, while we contemplate the immutability of God. We see our dissolution ori- ginating in ourselves, while the immutability of God stands detacl:ed from every charge ; we see l:is im- mutability engaged to prtect rectitude, but nothing more ; 'we see man departing from it, and thereby sinking into that dissolution, which, abstractedly from this circumstance, could never have existed. If God, under the existence of present circum- stances, were to perpetuate our bodies, he must de- part fi'om those rules of invariable rectitude, which ttre ah.vayt> inseparable from his ways; and his im- mutability, under the various changes of man, would Sect. III.] OF THE HUMAN BODY. 1 1 appear in a very questionable light. He must in this case change with his changeable creatures, and immutability will then no more attach to him than it does now to us. The conduct of God must in this case appear dependent upon the actions of man ; controlled by caprice, and subjected to those di- rections which the wayward sallies of our passions would impose. But the conduct of God is fixed upon principles of a more permanent nature. The irregularities which are visible both in the moral and the natural world, are attributable to other causes ; while the immutability of God stands unimpeached. It is because we have retired from that station in which his goodness had placed us, and in which his immu- tability had engaged to protect us, that our bodies die. And the evils of which we complain, do not overtake us because God is changeable, but because God is immutable in all his ways, and because we are changeable. SECTION III. That the Human Body must have been originally Immortal, proved from the prinieval State of Man, and the Immutability of God considered together. F20M those general views, which, in the preced- ing section, we have taken of the immutability of God, and of those changes with v/hich it is compat- 18 IDENTITY AND RESURRECTION [C'nap. I. able, kt us now turn our attention to the sanne at- tribute, and consider it in connection with man in his primeval state ; and the evidence in favour of primative immortality, will perhaps appear in a con- spicuous light. And, therefore, without inquiring into the motives or caus€ whix;h induced God to cre- ate the world, I shall fix on the fact itself, and only presume that creation did take place.. For whatever the cause or motives were, certain it is, that such cause and motives did exist, and hence Almighty Power and goodness called the universe into being. That a design to create man did exist in God at the time of creation, is demonstrated by fact ; and therefore a design to destroy the human body could not thon have had a being. For if we suppose that a design to destroy the human body, did exist in God at the moment in which he created it, we must suppose him to have been actuated by two opposite designs, the one to create, and the other to destroy the thing created. But in thus supposing, we place the designs of God, not only in a state of hostility to each other, but in a state of hostility to his attri- butcs ; and we make a principle of immutability to produce designs, which, in the same moment, are destructive to each other. But since these suppositions are contrary to the divine perfec- tions, and perfectly incompatible with the immuta- bility of his nature, we nriust conclude, that those suppositions which are irreconcileable with the na- ture of God, are at once inapplicable to him, and false in fact. Hence then the conclusion appears to be inevitable, that no de&ign to destroy the hu- Sect. III.] OF THE HUMy\N BODY. JS man body, could, at the moment of creation, have existed in God ; and while we retain our idea of his immutability, we are precluded from admitting the possibility of any such subsequent design from taking place. For since, under our present consid- eration, man is presumed to sustain the same rela- tive situation to God, which he sustained in the moment of his creation, no cause of a design to de- stroy him could originate with him. And as God must be immutable in his nature, as has been prov- ed in the preceding section, we are forbidden to sup- pose that any such design could possibly originate with him. And hence it follows, that as no design to destroy the human body, could, under actual and existing facts, have originated either with man or God, so no such design could possibly have exist- ed ; and, therefore the human body must have been exempt from dissolution and decay. Indeed, while we admit God to be the creator of man, we must view him as an infinite being, and consequently as one that is immutable ; and while we consider him thus as an immutable being, it will be impossible for us to admit the possibility, either of dissolution or death. For a man, standing precisely in the same situation in which he stood, when God first called him into existence, must have sustained the same relation to his maker ; to suppose that he can be both created and destroyed, and vet uniformly in both cases sustain the same relation to the cause of both ; while u'e admit, at the same time, the cause of both to be absolutely immutable, will 14 IDENTITY AND RESURRECTION [Chap I. amount to something more than a simple contradic- tion. A being which continues the same after it is cre- ated that it was when called into existence, can in- clude no more cause of its dissolution, the moment after, than it did in the moment of its creation. The same reasonings which will hold good to day, will, upon the same principle, hold equally good to-mor- row ; they will be equally available the day follow- ing, and we may extend our observations through the whole progress of duration. If, therefore, the human body can possibly be destroyed, during any period of existence subsequently to creation, with- out containing within itself any cause of that destruction, it is evident that this cause must be lodsred in some other source. But since no other source can possibly be found but God, if the destruction of the human body were possible, we inust, under these considerations, either attribute to bim the destruction of the human body upon the game identical principle which gave birth to crea- tion, or we must suppose the Almighty to be actu- ated by contradictory designs But as we can no more conceive it possible that the Almighty can be actuated by contradictory designs, than we can conceive that destruction and creation can arise from the same principle, (which is making two opposite effects to result from the same cause,) the destruction of the human body, under present circumstances, cannot possibly be imputed to God. And since the supposition, in cither case, involves a plain and positive contradiction, the result is in- Sect. III.] OF THE HUMAN BODY. 15 cvitable, namely, thai the human body must ncces» sarily have been immortal. The same moral causes which exist when the body is d;-stroyed, must have been in existence when it was created ; because God is necessarily immutable, and the creature is presumed to have undergone no change. If, therefore, under these given circum- stances, the body could have been dissolved, we must presume, either that creation and dissolution are the same thing, or that two opposite effects have resulted from the same cause. To suppose the former we are forbidden by fact, and to suppose the latter is a contradiction. The final result must therefore be, that the human body must have been immortal. And hence also, since this theory and present fact are at variance with each other, the dissolution which the human body undergoes, must be attributed to some otiier cause; a cause distinct from any which has hitherto been explored; a cause v/hich could not have existed when man was first called into being ; a cause which did not then reside in man, and which could not at any period whatsoever reside in God. What the precise state of Adam's body was, pre- viously to his fall, is a question, which has employed the pens of many writers, and has been productive of a multitude of conjectures. And, indeed, in cases where we are left without decisive evidence, conjecture and probability must become our only guides. With some, the body of Adam has been supposed iummous, with others transparent, and with others 16 IDENTITY AND RESURRECTION [Chap. I. again Uglily aej'kil and spiritual. And these con- jectures seem to have been adopted purely to ac- count for that immortality, which has been so uni- formly attributed to it. The various arguments "which have been adduced in favour of these differ- ent theories, it would be useless to detail. Every opinion will have its abettors, and every argument its proselytes ; error v/ill have its advocates as well as truth. But on this point the book of God is silent ; and from this circumstance we feel an assurance, that it is a case in which philosophy can afford us little or no assistance, conjecture must be the only founda- tion on which these opinions rest. The principal facts which we learn from the sacred records on this subject, are, that God J armed the material part of man out of the dust of the earthy and then breathed into his nostrils the breath of life^ and man became a living soul. But why the body of Adam should be supposed hu/iiaous, transparent^ or aeri- aly are conjectures, the probability of which I have yet to learn. Indeed, I can have no conception how a body, which is aerial, can include within it those solid parts which we denominate bones, from which class the rib was taken, out of which woman was after- wards formed. Neither can I have any conception how transparency can become a property of parti- cles, which are in themselves opaque, and disposed as they are in a substance so multiform and complex as the body of man. Nor can I discover, admitting his l;ody to have been transparent, what advantages Sect. III.] OF THE HUMAN BODY. IF would have accrued from such a property. A body- that is transparent can be no further removed, in consequence of that transparency, from dissolution, than if it were opaque, like those which we now possess ; so that the very end for which the conjec- ture is introduced must be defeated, because no connection can be traced between the premises and conclusion. For if the body of Adam were as vola- tile even as light itself, still the union of its compo- nent parts would stand upon the same principle upon which ours now rest. And certain it ig, that the volatile particles which we have supposed, would require the power of adhesion to preserve the con- nection between them, as much so as if we were to suppose them to be more nearly related to those of our own. Whether, therefore, we suppose the body of Adam to be volatile or grosSy to be trans- parent or opaque, to be luminous or dark, as the same power must be alike necessary in each case to make the different particles adhere, we shall still be obliged to claim the assistance of some qua- lity to establish that adhesion of the parts which is necessary to ensure perpetuity. This, therefore, must be a quality, which neither transparency nor opacity can possess, and which can reside in no external appearance whatsoever. The immortality of Adam's body, must, therefore, have depended upon other causes than caft be derived from a mere com- bination of particles, in what form soever we sup- pose them to be modified. U IDENTITY AND RESURRECTION [Chap, I. SECTION IV. On the primitive and elementary State of Matter^ and the Nature oj simple and compounded Bodies. It has frequently been asserted, that all compound- ed bodies have within themselves an internal ten- dency to dissolution and decay ; and hence it has been inferred, that the body of Adam must have been destitute of that natural immortality which we have attributed to it in its primeval state. Gf the abstract fact, little or no doubt can be entertained ; but even this fact can only be admitted under cer- tain limitations, for in the original state of matter things could not have been so. In the original chaotic state of matter, before the elements were fixed in their distinct abodes, every, particle of matter must have been destitute of any common or particular centre ; and it is certain, under these considerations, whatever might have been the peculiar modification of any given particles, that they could have contained within them no in- ternal tendency to depart from those stations which had been assigned them ; or even to separate from one another. And as all matter must in itself be stationary and inert, and as all external impulse must necessarily be removed By the supposition, it is certain that all bodies composed of these simple materials, must have remained for ever equally re- moved from mutation and decay, Sfect. IV.] OF THE HUMAN BODY. 19 That the real internal essence of matter, whatever that essence may be, must remain the same under every possible modification, few, if any, will at- tempt either to deny or doubt ; because it is front this unknown essence, that those essential proper- ties resiilt which are kno\vn ; while, from these known essential properties, we are enabled to fornl distinct perceptions of those different substances, which are presented to our view. Now, since all divisions of any given substance, must imply the previous existence of that substance ; and as those elements into which matter is now divided, were originally drawn from matter, it is evident that there has been a period in which matter must have exist- ed, abstractedly from those elements which now engross the material world. And consequently air, earth, water, and fire, could not have been co- eval with matter itself. It is, therefore, in this state only that we can view matter, detached from all internal tendencies and extraneous impulses ; and iV is here alone, that we can viiew this substance in its' real and most simple state. The elements into which all matter is now di- vided, may probably be considered as its simple state ; and w^ may readily conceive, when the con- stituent particles of any given body are resolved into those primitive elements, out of which they were first taken, that then these particles are reduced to their primitive abodes. In our common modes of language, and in the present structure of the world, this sentiment is undoubtedly just ;• but even 20 IDENTITY AND RESURRECTION [Chap. 1. this elementary condliion of matter, must, for rea- sons already assigned, be one remove from its pri- mary state. For as the elements of ihis world can be nothing more than divisions of matter, and as all substances must exist before they can be divided, so the state of matter undivided into elements, must be more simple than the elements themseives now are, how simple soever they may appear. In this original state of things, before the ele- ments were formed, they could not possibly have had any mode of existence distinct from one ano- ther ; and consequently the particles which now compose these elements, could have had no distinct pomts to which they could severally tend. All must have resorted to one common home, and not a single atom could have had any tendency to seek any new abode. In this original state, while ail the elements were mixed in their pregnant causes, every pariicie of matter, as to its nature, its ten- dency, and its properties, must have been alike. And in this state, whatever combinations any at^ms might have assumed, no tendency could have re- sided within them, to remove them.from that station in which they had been previously fixed. As the different elements had no distinct exist- ence, so they could not possibly have operated, to recall those atoms to distinct regions : and as all matter must be in itself inert, and resting on its commor^ centre, no tendency to remove could reside within the particles themselves. A*nd consequcn ly '^ill bodies which are removed from external impulse Sect. IV.] OF THE HUMAN BODY. 21 and internal tendency to motion, whatever their in- ternal constitution may be, must continue for ever. That all matter, in its most simple state, must have been capable of divisibility, is demonstrated by fact, because it was afterwards divided into those elements which now exist. We are, therefore led to conclude, that whether we presume matter to have been modified into a human form, or into a combination, either more or less complex, an union of divisible particles in either case appears necessary, without including a necessity of dissolution, any more than was included in it in a purely chaotic state. For as in each of these cases, a combination of parts appears inseparable from matter, so each given portion of matter must have been formed of similar materials, possessing similar inertness, though somewhat diiferently combined : and so likewise in all these cases, tliey must have been alike destitute of all tendency to dissolution and decay. 'i^i^-^.^KiSQ particles which we have presumed to have been modified into a human form, must have retained their respective stations ; and continuing under these circumstances, the modification itself must have continued for ever. For as the stability of the modification, depends entirely upon the sta- bility of those particles, on which that modification depends for its own existence, so the stabilit)'^ of the particles must communicate stability to the modifi- cation, and therefore the particles remaining un^ changed, the modification itself must continue for ever. That God was jible, out of this oj Iginal state of n IDENTITY AND RESURRECTION [Chap. I, matter, before the elements had obtaimed their sepa* rate state of existence, to form a human body, had he been so disposed, no man Can seriously doubt, who will admit him to be possessed of infinite power. It is from this vast mass of materials that Gcjd has actually made what are commonly termed the elements themselves ; out of these also he has made the world, and the material part of man. And surely vvc cannot doubt that the same power and wisdom which formed the elementary pai*- ticks of matter, the world, and iifian, could, from the same materials, have formed man with- out the intervention of those elements, which, sepa- rarely con^^idered, did not originally exist. And if God, m this primary state of matter, had modified any j^iven number or quantity of particles into a hu- man body, it is certain under the circumstances given, that the particles thus modified,, could havd had no tendency i