CLip. XVIII. ANTIENT METAPHYSICS. 247 



and the other elements of which they are compofcil. Now that way 

 of perifliing, by diflolution, ean only apply to body, which has parts, 

 but not to mind, which, being an immaterial fubftance, does not 

 confift of parts, and confequently cannot perifli by diffolution *. 



And thus I think it proved, from incontravcrtiblc philofophical 

 principles, that our intcllcdual mind does not perifh with our 

 bodies. What the cafe is of our ctlier two minds, it is not my bufi- 

 nefs here to inquire ; though I incline to be of opinion, that, 

 as even thefe minds are immaterial fubftances, and move body 

 in fuch a way as no material fubftance can move it, that is, not by 

 external impulfe but by internal operations, they do not pcrifh any 

 more than the intelledtual mind : But, as they cannot exift by them- 

 felves, any more than adl by themfelves, like the intcllcdual mind, 

 they are transferred to other bodies, upon which they operate, and 

 are not annihilated j for 1 cannot conceive thaf any of the works 

 of God can be annihilated. 



The belief in a life after this has been prevalent in all nations, not 

 only civilized, fuch as the Greeks and Romans, but uncivilized ; and 

 at this day it is the belief of the moft barbarous nations : So that one 

 fhould think it proceeded from inftind. But if it be the belief of fuch 

 nations, how can any man of good fenfe among us, (fuppofe him not 

 to be a believer in the Chriftian revelation), believe that a wife and 

 a good God fliould dcftine the nobleft animal upon this earth to be 

 miferable here for a few years and then to be annihilated. A man, 

 who thinks fo, does not know what he is, nor what his life is, 

 when he reftrids it to a few years in this world. 



But it will be alked, what is man to do in this future life ? Is he to 

 be made happy, or as miferable or more miferable than he is at prefcnt? 



And 

 * Upon this fubjcft I have enlarged hi Chap. I, of tliis volume. 



