It may be believed without an incon-



..LCLL/cy entered i

condition of heavenly blis
very inaccurate mode of sj
But what then (it mayb
intermediate state, in whici
jfrom the time of his death
final resurrection? This
which it is much more nj
than easy to answer decisr
the third place) we know (
important point, that whate
may be, it is not^ as far
teaches us, a state of trial,-
in which we can work out o
or in which anything can
further or to hinder it. Thi
and this life, are the only pi
appointed for the discipline, ;
preparation, at ififl*^ -^^ '



L. n.] THE INTERMEDIATE STATE. 47

of purification of souls by suffering, thence
called Purgatory : from which they might
be delivered through the prayers of sur-
vivors.* This superstition, as it became
a source of profit, was encouraged and
sanctioned by those who ought to have
taught the people better. It is manifestly
a presumptuous addition to the christian
Faith ; for not only is there no ground for
any such doctrine in Holy Scripture, but
on the contrary, the Scriptures afford us
in many places the most convincing proofs
that this life is the whole of our state of
probation, — that sentence will be pro-
nounced on every man, according to his
life here on earth, — " his deeds done in
the fiesh ;" — " and that nothing can take
place after his death that can at all affect
his future condition.
