Examines ancient philosophy and the afterlife, and attempts to refute some theories on those topics put forth by other authors.

Preface by William Warburton.

That the philosophers did not invariably profess their belief of a future state; and the inconstancy of profession shewn to be a proof that they did not really believe it --The state of future happiness, which Mr. Jackson give us as believed by the philosophers -- That Mr. Jackson, in his first piece, gives the re-union of the soul with God, as the only notion of future happiness and entertained by the old philosophers. His account of it examined and refuted. That this re-union, and the state of happiness in Heaven, were conceived by the Ancients to be very different and distinct things -- That the philosophers did not believe a future state of punishment -- That the stoics did not believe a future state. Some account of the doctrine, concerning providence, the general renovation, and the refusion of the human soul -- Some remarks on the passages alledged by Mr. Jackson, to prove that the philosophers believed a future state -- That the philosophers believed the soul to be of the very same nature and substance with God himself. That this notion of the soul was inconsistent with the belief of a future state. These two points proved on the authority of the primitive writers of the Christian Church -- Of Spinozism of the old philosophers -- That the doctrine of another life was delivered in the mysteries in the most fabulous and gross manner -- That the refinements of the philosophers on the common notion of a future state, went much farther than the learned writer imagines -- Mr. Jackson's notion of the double doctrine examined -- Mr. Warburton's account of the double doctrine cleared from the misrepresentations of Dr. Sykes, and confirmed by fresh authorities -- The question with Dr. Sykes fairly stated, and the instances produced in the first edition cleared from his exceptions -- The other instances alledged in the first edition vindicated from the exceptions of Dr. Sykes -- Some remarks on Dr. Sykes's own account of the double doctrine.