Thus it is, that _David_, by these gentlemen is made a preacher against a future state; not considering that such infidelity would have been worse in _David_ than it possibly can be in any modern infidel. But the truth is, the holy prophet in all passages of this kind, is only calling upon God for the continuance and full manifestation of the blessings of _that_ temporal theocracy, which could only be given by God, or received by man whilst he was on this side death. And the _darkness_, _silence_, or _insensibility_ affirmed of death, has no relation to a _total end_ of life and sensibility, but solely to an end of all _enjoyment_, of the blessings promised by the divine theocracy. _David_, as _son_ of _Abraham_, _Isaac_ and _Jacob_, had their faith and piety, and such his psalms are full of heavenly devotion, and flaming with divine love. But _David_, as a _son_ of the covenant made with _Moses_, was also an heir of the temporal blessings of the theocracy; and in this capacity, had a right to say, _Why do the wicked prosper? Wilt thou shew thy wonders in the grave?_ That is, canst thou give thy promised temporal blessings, when death has taken away all possibility of receiving them? But if it could be supposed, that _David_ by the foregoing expressions, meant to give up the promises of eternal redemption made to all his forefathers, and called the world to look for no more but what they could get in this vale of misery; what excuse can be made for the Christian church, which from first to last, has made such heathenish songs a part of the gospel service? For in this case, these psalms may be justly esteemed prophane, as having a more direct tendency to beget and fix infidelity in the hearts of men, than the hymns of the Heathen poets. I must yet add a word, upon the Doctor’s most theological account of man’s first ability to speak articulate words.