XXxii. ' PROLEGOMENA. 



vantage of the hope in heaven. If the mind of 

 the reader is not analytical enough to seize this 

 argument in its full force, he may use another 

 to dispel from his mind the deceptive securities 

 that private judgment is apt to conjure up ; 

 namely, that this doctrine, like all the other pro- 

 found mysteries of our religion, forms an integral 

 part of Christianity, the whole of which must rise 

 or fall together ; the rejection of it, therefore, if 

 that could he rejected which is proved to such a 

 metaphysical certainty, would leave a chasm in 

 human expectancy, and cause a rupture of social 

 and religious associations, that would of itself 

 cause a hell upon earth. So that there is no 

 alternative : to be happy, one must believe the 

 doctrine of heaven and hell, and make up one's 

 mind to obtain the former. That the final 

 punishment is actual fire, is also a doctrine of the 

 Church. St, Augustine, speaking of the fire of 

 Purgatory, says, eodem igne crematur animus 

 injturgatorio quo damnatus in infero. Neither 

 is this belief inconsistent with the fact that fire, 

 under some form, is the great elementary agent 

 of Nature, as appears in comets, lightning, 

 volcanos, and all the direful visitations of 

 Providence. The etymology of hell is doubtful, 

 and is too fearfully expressive of its horrors to be 

 dwelt on. I shall pass it over, and go on to the 

 enquiry from Avhich we have digressed, Avhether 



