_First_, I shall clearly evince, that there is not in all the New Testament, one single text, which either in the letter, or the spirit proves, or has the least tendency, or design to prove, that the _immortality_ of the soul, or its perpetual duration after the death of the body, was not an _universal_, _commonly_ received opinion in, and thro’ every age of the world from _Adam_ to Christ. _Secondly_, That this doctrine or belief of a future state, was not _designedly secreted_, or _industriously hidden_ from the eyes of the people of God by _Moses_, neither by the types and figures of the law, nor by any other part of his writings. From whence I shall occasionally shew, that the true _ground_ and _method_ of Christian redemption to eternal life, preached by the apostles, began with _Adam_, was the religion of _Adam_, and all his descendants. And also, that the writings of _Moses_, and the patriarchal faith, give the very same full proof of the immortality of the soul, or a future state, as the gospel doth.
Need I not observe, that the whole merits of the debate, betwixt Bishop _Warburton_ on the one side, and the whole Christian church of all ages, on the other side, lie wholly in these particulars, which, if they can be made good, the whole costly fabric of the Doctor’s _projected defence of Christianity_, (as he calls it) built at the expence of such immense treasures of learning, fetched from all quarters of the antient and modern world, must have the fate which always happens to castles built in the air.
This learned writer, to shew, that the immortality of the soul, or its perpetual duration in a future state, was entirely unknown in all the former dispensations of God, until the coming of Christ, begins with this passage of St. _Paul_. “God hath saved us according to his own purpose, and his grace which was given us in Christ Jesus, before the world began. But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light, thro’ the gospel.”
On which words he thus proceeds: ♦“We are told, that God, before the world began, had decreed to restore mankind to that lost inheritance of eternal life, which they should forfeit by the disobedience of our first parents. It is added, that this secret purpose, was now at last made manifest by the appearing of Christ, who hath abolished death, and brought life, and immortality to light by the gospel. The apostle mentions two periods, one, when it was originally formed in the secret counsels of God, the other, when it was published and revealed. The opposition between these two states, seems necessarily to imply, that during the interval, it remained a secret. If the apostle may be allowed to be his own interpreter, it will be easy to establish this exposition by a parallel passage in the epistle to _Titus_. _In hope of eternal life_, which God, that cannot lie, promised _before the world began, but hath in due time manifested his word through preaching_. Agreeably to this, the author of the epistle to the _Hebrews_, assures us, that the _great salvation of the gospel_, that is, the _promise of eternal life, first began to be spoken by the Lord_. But how could he be the first who taught this doctrine, if _Moses_ and the prophets had taught it long before? Or how did he begin to speak of that, which so many others had been commissioned to teach before? Sometimes we are told, that life and immortality are brought to light, sometimes that it was made manifest, sometimes that it first began to be spoken by Jesus Christ. The bringing to light, and making manifest, are equivalent to the beginning first to teach. And if so, the publication ascribed to Jesus Christ, must have been the first and original publication, and not merely the illustrating or giving new splendor to a doctrine, by the addition of one, or more circumstances unknown before. However, an eminent writer (meaning your Lordship) assures us, that Jesus Christ did not give the first notice of this doctrine. All that I need remark upon it, is, that this assurance seems directly to contradict the word of inspiration.
♦ no endquote in text; unsure of placement
Your Lordship has also said, that the antient revelations _afforded a good proof of a future state_. This writer makes great shew of triumph over this most true assertion, and is continually bringing it forth as a proof of your inconsistency, both with yourself and the apostles.