214 CONCLUSION. 



A.. The examples are often before us. -The seed 

 lias capacities of further advancement, that is, of 

 shooting up into a tree, when it apparently dies in 

 the earth ; and the consequence is, the death is only 

 apparent. The tree actually succeeds. The worm 

 has capacities of further advancement, of advancing 

 from the earth to the air ; and the consequence is, it 

 leaves its shroud, and soars upwards from a state of 

 seeming insensibility, to enjoy the more beautiful ex- 

 istence of a butterfly. Prior to experience, neither 

 of these events would have been anticipated. We 

 see a butterfly in a maggot no more distinctly than 

 we see an immortal spirit in mortal man. 



T. But in so important a case might we not have 

 expected some further evidence ? 



A. That evidence we enjoy in the Revelation 

 by Jesus Christ, who has brought life and immortality 

 to light. 



T. And what has Christ Jesus taught us respect- 

 ing a future life ? 



A. That it shall be a state of recompense accord- 

 ing to our characters. He has told us that the pres- 

 ent life is a state intended to* prepare us by the 

 knowledge of God we here acquire, the holy dispo- 

 sitions here formed in our souls, and the practice of 

 piety and virtue, for a state of heavenly felicity ; and 

 that if w r e love wickedness, neglect our minds, and 

 hearts, and abuse the talents which God has given us, 

 the consequence will be misery hereafter. 



T. Do you see any thing in the present course 

 of Divine Providence in this life, to correspond to this 



