The object of the writer of the following pages is to place his views, respecting the doctrine of a future state of retribution, before the public, and to preserve his arguments on that subject, that when the time shall come, as he believes it will, when people in general will number the tenet of future punishment among those corruptions of Christianity, which will then be abandoned, it may be known that the writer disbelieved it in his day, and also that the arguments with which he opposed it may then be known.

Universalists now take a pleasure in looking back and tracing, from Origen down to our time, the progress of the doctrine which embraces the salvation of all men; and so they will doubtless continue to do in future ages.

Some may query whether a proper regard to the opinions and feelings of honest, faithful and affectionate brethren, who believe in the doctrine of future retribution, but yet earnestly contend for final restoration, would not incline the writer to be silent on the subject, and not to come out with this publication. To this inquiry, it is replied, that such brethren, with their many commendable qualities, are warmly cherished in the affections of the writer's heart, nor are they the less

regarded because they do not adopt his opinions. And he feels confident that such brethren will entertain no suspicions of his want of respect for them. They will not fail to consider that the views of the writer, on the subject of retribution, are not so wide from theirs, as theirs are from the views of those authors whom they quote as authority in support of future retribution. They would doubtless sooner embrace the opinion of no future sin and misery, than defend the doctrine maintained by that good man, exemplary Christian, and faithful minister, Elhanan Winchester, who supposed that the wicked, in the life to come, will suffer for ages and ages, inconceivable torment in literal fire and brimstone. Such torment is now denied by our doctors, who maintain endless punishment, and rejected also by those who believe in a state of discipline hereafter which shall end in an entire reformation. Such brethren will also cordially respond to the assurance that the writer of the following work will never withhold a sincere fellowship from a faithful brother, because he disagrees with him on the doctrine of divine retribution.

It is very possible that some, who have a strong desire that nothing should be done, which should

tend, in the least, to endanger the harmony and cordial fellowship of Universalists, may think that prudence would at least plead for a delay, and suggest the propriety of deferring this publication to some future time, when it might give less offence. Such may be assured that their good wishes for the harmony and fellowship of our order, are duly respected; but they cannot be ignorant of the fact that the doctrine of a future state of punishment has been disbelieved, by ministering brethren of our order, for many years, and that much has been published with a view to disprove that doctrine; and, moreover, that now said doctrine is generally disbelieved by Universalists of our connexion; and yet much harmony prevails, and our fellowship remains, and is warmly cherished between brethren whose opinions disagree on the subject of this doctrine. The writer would further remark, that both age and infirmity admonish him that what he feels it his duty to do, he ought not to delay; and he cannot believe that any of his brethren can feel, in the least, wounded because their aged brother should finish his labors in accordance with the dictates of his own understanding. It is a happy circumstance, that in the denomination of Univer

salists, no one feels bound to defend and support the particular opinions of another, any further than he is himself convinced of their truth and importance. Our platform of faith is general, and allows individuals an extensive latitude to think freely, investigate minutely, and to adopt what particular views best comport with the honest convictions of the mind, and fearlessly to avow and defend the same.

As the writer of the following pages has, from the commencement of his studies and ministry, asserted, enjoyed, and improved his right to think freely, and to embrace or reject the opinions of others, as the force of evidence appeared to direct, so he wishes to continue to do, the little remainder of his days of labor. And he would assure his brethren, that he has always felt it his duty to accord the same right to others; and this he hopes to continue to do in future.

Feeling an unabated desire for the advancement of divine truth, and the pure religion of the Saviour, he cannot willingly withhold from contributing, what he humbly hopes, may have a tendency to this desired end.

March 20th, 1834.

THE AUTHOR.

DOCTRINE

OF

FUTURE RETRIBUTION.

CHAPTER I.

RETRIBUTION CONSIDERED IN CONNEXION WITH THE MORAL NATURE OF MAN.

PROPOSITION. By a careful and studied reference to the moral constitution of man, and the laws by which the human mind is governed, it is ascertained that true religion has no need of a belief in a future state of rewards and punishments for its establishment and prosperity among men.

of the question

THE moral tendency of doctrine, hav- Examination ing now extensively engaged the attention of theorists, is fast advancing its desirable. interest in the minds of people generally; and divines of different denominations are, therefore, desirous of recommending their respective tenets to the consideration and acceptance of the public, by inducing a belief that they are justly entitled to a preference above all others, on account of their evident tendency to moral virtue.

This state of things ought not to be considered