The Works of Daniel Waterland (Volume 6); To Which Is Prefixed a Review of the Author's Life and Writings (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1823. Excerpt: ... revelation 9. Notwithstanding which, he professes a zeal for morality, and places (as he says) "the whole of reli"gion in doing good'." Believe it that can, while he is labouring to destroy the best, the only complete system of morality that ever yet appeared; and to vilify that book which so truly places "the whole of religion in "doing good." But he may safely cry up morality (especially his lame morality) when he has left it no sanctions, or none sufficient to support it. After sapping it in its vitals, he may well afford it his compliments; which may perhaps be of some service to himself, but will be of none to morality. Virtue cannot live like the chameleon (as they say) upon air. Though a man says a thousand fine things of it, yet if he takes away the proper rewards or penalties which should keep it alive in the world, he strikes it all down at once, and destroys it utterly. This then is a principal article, as to which we have just reason to require very particular satisfaction. By this criterion, by this test, let this gentleman's friendship and good-will to virtue be tried. To me it seems that he really undermines the true and proper sanctions on which alone virtue can subsist. For let it be observed, that the doctrine of the resurrection has no place at all in his scheme: but he leaves all mankind to moulder for ever in their graves. Next, as to the state of the soul after death, he expresses himself so sparingly and so uncertainly, that one can scarce know what to make of it. In his fourth chapter, he declares fully against future penalties, excepting such only as shall be for the amendment of the sinner: which, in effect, is declaring against alls, because after death there is no more probation. But if he admits any probation beyond the grave, ...