War in Heaven

The Fifth Proposed Caution to the Reader Motives for this Writing Causes of Difference of Opinion King James' Version of the Bible Copyists Rules of Construction Peculiar Style of Sacred Writers — Dangers of being Deceived.

HAVING, in the Preface, explained the fearful circumstances under which the peculiar view of the human soul, which is considered in the following pages, was first conceived and impressed on my own mind, and referred to the Scripture, on reading which that suggestion was first made, I proceed to submit the same to the grave consideration of my fellowprisoners.

It appears that four different theories as to the human soul, mind, or spirit, have been presented to the world; and the object of this writing is to propound a fifth.

These will be severally noticed in the order in which they are here stated, to-wit:

1. That the soul is but the rational thinking power of man, and although superior to that of other animals, had no previous existence, but is procreated as is the body, and perishes with it.

2. That at the beginning of the world God created the souls of all men, which, however, are not united to the body till the individuals for whom they are destined are begotten or born into the world.

3. That the soul is created at the moment when the body is produced for its habitation.

4. That the soul and body are alike, and together propagated by the parents, neither having had any previous existence.

The theory herein proposed is, that the souls of all men existed before the creation of this world; that they are of the fallen angels, who were engaged in rebellion under Satan in heaven, and were by Michael and his hoste "cast out into the earth;" and that when the body destined for each is prepared, the spirit is sent to occupy it merely as a

tenement.

And now, fellow-man, let me beg you not to fly off in a tangent, throw away the book, and pronounce the writer a maniac or a fool. Admit that he is both, if you wish, but remember that although his notion may be new to you, and strike your mind as but the fancy dream of a disordered imagination, the subject is one of the first import to yourself. If you are yet in your sins, and my view be correct, your condition is truly a fearful one. You are not only a fallen angel, but you are a devil, just from Tartarus, and on but a brief respite. Jesus Christ has called you here, and by his Holy Spirit has met you, and is, while you read, offering you free and full pardon, and inviting you to accept. it and return with Him to the blessed realms of glory. And He is at the same time warning you that if you reject the salvation which He has, at the cost of His own blood, purchased and so proffers, you will, ere long, be taken from this, your prison house, and, under strong guard, conducted back to the place of your late confinement, and there kept in safe and close custody, "in chains under darkness," until the great and final Judgment, and that you will then be taken with Satan and all his faithful followers, and safely conducted to the place of eternal punishment (and which is compared to a lake perpetually burning with fire and brimstone), there to remain with him and them forever.

And if you are a Christian, the subject is by no means a trifling one to you. If you have determined to live for Christ, and, if possible, make safe your retreat to heaven, yet the obligations you are under to love and serve Him, depend greatly on the service He has rendered you To

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War in Heaven: A Disquisition, Biblical and Rational, Concerning Angels ...