The Works of Dr. John Tillotson, Late Archbishop of Canterbury, Volume 8

OF THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SOUL, AS DISCOVERED BY NATURE AND BY REVELATION.

But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.—2 Tim. i. 10.

HAVING in my three former discourses shewed what arguments natural reason doth furnish us with, for the immortality of our souls; I come now to the second thing I propounded, which is to shew what assurance the world had de facto, of this great principle of religion, the soul’s immortality, before the revelation of the gospel.

Before our Saviour’s coming into the world, there were but two different religions; that of the heathens, and that of the Jews. The religion of the heathens was natural religion, corrupted and degenerated into idolatry: the religion of the Jews was revealed and instituted by God; but did suppose natural religion, and was superadded to it. Therefore I shall consider the heathens and the Jews distinctly. And, First, Shew what assurance the heathens had of this principle, of the soul’s immortality.