On this fubject of preventing perfecution, I fhall only add, that if those who are set apart to instruct others, instead of entertaining them with what neither teachers nor hearers understand, and (what is still worse) ftirring up the latter to diflike and hate one another for difference in opinions, would preach the true gospel of Jefus Chrift, which is " peace on earth, and good-will to men;" and alfo enforce this excellent doctrine their own examples, and recommend all other virtues by the fame means, we should undoubtedly foon experience a great alteration in the world. It could then be no longer justly said, "that the leaders of the "people cause them to err." Neither is it probable we should then fee any more treatises published "of the caufes of the contempt "of the clergy:" on the contrary, they would be treated with that respect and reverence, which are due to public benefactors. Indeed it behoves us all to confider, that the best and most solid title to esteem and respect from mankind, is the doing them real and fubftantial fervice. And what fervice can be more real and fubftantial, than perfuading men to lay afide malice and envy, hatred and perfecution, and to be peaceable, gentle, and loving to one another?

ESSAY

ESSAY VI.

OF

Everlasting Punishments.

317

INTRODUCTION.

BEING fully perfuaded that the horrible

opinions commonly taught and entertained concerning God, especially his punishing the works of his own hands with EVERLASTING TORMENTS, are as falfe and pernicious as fhocking and dreadful, I fhall without any scruple endeavour to fhew the falfity of them; and still the more readily, as I can with the utmost fincerity declare, that in this attempt nothing can be farther from my intention than to encourage licentioufness or wickedness; my views being only to recommend and promote more rational and amiable ideas of the Deity than men too generally entertain, and to remove thofe unreasonable, and

therefore,

therefore, we may well hope, groundless fears, which greatly imbitter their lives.

It appears to me, that he who firmly believes thefe opinions are untrue, and nevertheless stands by unconcernedly and fees his fellow-creatures deceived and terrified, and hears his Creator libelled and blafphemed by the doctrine of ETERNAL PUNISHMENTS, hath as little concern for the honour of God as for the peace of mankind.

ap

THAT fuch punishments could answer no falutary purpose, and would be abfolutely incompatible with wisdom and goodness, hath, it is prefumed, been already made pear; and if fo, then we may affure ourfelves they will not be inflicted; and fome perfons may think nothing more need be faid on the fubject: but as this is a matter of great concernment to mankind, and much zeal hath been exerted, and many arguments made use of, to evince the reality of these punishments, I fhall here mention feveral of the most confiderable, and hope to fhew, that they neither do, nor poffibly can prove the point afferted. Indeed the doctrine itself is so unlikely to be true, and every argument pretended to be drawn from reason in favour of it fo extremely weak, (and what is ftill beyond all the reft) it fo directly contradicts

In the Effay of Religious Cruelty.

dicts the ESSENTIAL ATTRIBUTES of the Divine Nature, that were it not to "vindi"cate the ways of God to man," and fet mens minds at ease from fuch terrible apprehenfions, one might be afhamed to beftow any pains in difproving it.

THE

SECTION I

HE opinion that our Creator condemns multitudes of his creatures to eternal mifery, hath been invented or propagated by different perfons for different purposes. Some have pretended, that he punishes men in this manner for not believing the unintelligible and irrational creeds, and not practising the infignificant, ridiculous, and many times abominable ceremonies, which knaves have invented to cheat fools. Others have supposed, that the belief of finners and unbelievers being punished everlastingly was the most effectual means to deter men from being wicked, and have therefore inculcated this bad opinion with a good defign.

SOME of the principal arguments ufually urged in fupport of this doctrine are,

FIRST, "That becaufe fin is infinite in refpect of the object against whom it is "committed,

3

"committed, which is God, therefore it "deferves an infinite punishment"." And that the fupreme Being having established certain laws and ordinances for men to keep and perform, and made known certain facts and doctrines which he hath commanded them to believe, the justice and glory of God require he should punish those who act contrary to these laws and ordinances, or do not believe these facts and doctrines, that is to fay, finners and unbelievers, with eternal misery; and more especially as to the keeping and performing the former, and faith in the latter, he hath annexed eternal happinefs, which, as well as eternal mifery, being fet before men, who are at liberty to chuse, they have therefore nothing to complain of.

SECONDLY, In confirmation of this doctrine it is faid, that very great men, divines especially, have believed and taught it.

THIRDLY, That the fcriptures plainly denounce these punishments.

FOURTHLY,

An opinion fomewhat of this nature prevails in the empire of Japan. Almoft all crimes are there punished with death the reafon affigned for fuch an unjust and cruel procedure is, that disobedience to fo great an emperor as him of Japan is an enormous crime. The defign, fays my author, is not to reclaim offenders, but to revenge the prince. De l'Esprit des Loix, tom. I. 1. vi. ch. 13.