Page:A Compendium of the Chief Doctrines of the True Christian Religion.djvu/111

Rh fully prepared for heaven, nor fully prepared for hell, but stands as it were in the mid-way between both.

The good and virtuous, or they in whom the love of good predominates over the love of evil, are then, by means of instruction suited to the capacity and peculiar disposition of each, by degrees delivered from the various imperfections, infirmities, and errors, which adhered to them in their natural state; and are thus prepared by the Lord for an actual entrance into some of the heavenly societies, wherein they enjoy, in common with angels, all the happiness of which their love and faith have rendered them susceptible. But the wicked, or they in whom the love of evil predominates over the love of good, are gradually divested of the real or apparent good and truth, which they may possess; and, after being reduced both internally and externally to a full conformity to those principles of evil, which they had adopted in the world, they are consigned, or rather voluntarily betake themselves, to such of the infernal societies as make one with their life, and with them experience all the misery, which is inseparable from their ruling love, and their delight in evil. This instruction of the good, and vastation of the evil, after death, is understood by the Lord's words in the Gospel, where he saith, "Unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not, shall be taken away even that which he hath" Matt. xxv. 29.

The doctrine of an intermediate state and place being with difficulty received by those, who have heretofore imagined, that man, the moment after his death, is either elevated into heaven, or cast down into hell, it may be proper to refer to a few passages in the Sacred Scriptures, wherein that doctrine is plainly taught.