n this, above, nn. 71-91 and nn. 101-128); and by another law no one is
taught directly from heaven but by means of the Word and by doctrine and
preaching from it; there are besides all the laws on permission which are
also laws of divine providence. On these see above, n. 258.

274.* _A doubt may be raised against divine providence in that it has not
been known before that a man lives as a human being after death and that
this has not been disclosed before._ It has been unknown because with
those who do not shun evils as sins the belief lies hidden that man does
not live after death. It is of no moment therefore to them whether one
says that man lives after death or will rise again on the day of the last
judgment. If belief in resurrection happens to visit one, he tells
himself, "I shall fare no worse than others; if I go to hell I shall have
the company of many and also if I pass to heaven." Yet all in whom there
is any religion have an implanted recognition that they will live as
human beings after death. Only those infatuated with their own
intelligence think that they survive as souls but not as human beings.

* So numbered in the Latin original.

It may be seen from the following that anyone in whom is any religion has
an implanted recognition that he lives after death as a human being:

1. Who thinks otherwise when he is dying?
2. What eulogizer, mourning the dead, does not exalt them to heaven and
place them among the angels conversing with them and sharing their joy?
Some men are deified.
3. Who among the common people does not believe that when he dies, if he
has lived well he will enter a heavenly paradise, be arrayed in white,
and enjoy eternal life?
4. What priest does not speak so to the dying? And when he speaks so he
believes it, provided he does not think of the last judgment at the time.
5. Who does not believe that his little ones are in heaven and that after
death he will see his wife, whom he has loved? Who thinks that they are
spectres, still less souls or minds hovering in the universe?
6. Who contradicts when something is said about the lot or state of those
who have passed from time into eternal life? I have told many what the
state or lot of various persons is and have never heard anyone protest
that their lot is not yet determined but will be at the time of the
judgment.
7. When one sees angels in paintings or statuary does he not recognize
them as such? Who thinks then that they are bodil