The Pattern of Wholesome Words, Chapter 26
CHAP. XXVI. Of the Resurrection.
Ioh. 5.28.29.
Maruell not at this: for the houre shall come, in the which all that are in the graues, shall heare his voice:
And they shall come forth that hauehave done good, vntounto the resurrection of life; but they that hauehave done euill, vntounto the resurrection of condemnation.
HItherto of the principles that concerne the third estate of man.
The fourth estate of man is the estate of glory; and in this we are to consider the three degrees of it:
1. The Resurrection of the the body.
2. The last Iudgement.
3. The glory of Heauen.
The principles concerning the resurrection are these:
First, that the bodies of dead men shall rise out of the dust of the earth, and their owne soules shall enter into them againe, Iob 19.23.26. For I am sure that my Redeemer liueth, and hee shall stand the last on the earth.
And though after my skin wormes destroy this body, yet shall I see God in my flesh.
Esa. 26.19. Thy dead men shall liue; euen with my body shall they rise: Awake and sing ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of hearbes, and the earth shall cast out the dead, &c.
Ioh. 5.28. Maruell not at this, for the houre shall come, in the which all that are in the graues, shall heare his voice.
1. Cor. 15.16. For if the dead be not raised, then is Christ not raised, &c. in the whole chapter.
Secondly, yt the bodies of all men shall be raised, Ioh. 5.28. as before. Small and great; the earth, sea, fier, beasts, fowles, aire, &c. shall deliuer vp their dead, Reuel. 20.12.13. And I saw the dead, both great and small, stand before God; and the bookes were opened, and another book was opened, which is the booke of life, and the dead were iudged of those things which were written in the bookes, according to their workes.
And the sea gaue vp her dead which were in her, and death and hell deliuered vp the dead which were in them, and they were iudged eueryevery man according to their works. Iust and vniust shall rise, Act. 24.15. And hauehave hope toward God, that the resurrection of the dead, which they themselues looke for also, shall bee both of iust, and vniust. Though the vniust shall not rise in the same manner, nor by the same power, that is, by the vertue of Christs resurrection, Dan. 12.2. And many of them that sleepe in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to euerlasting life, and some to shame and perpetuall contempt.
Quest. It may bee obiected, that Daniel saith many shall rise, not all.
Answ. Hee may speake so, because wee shall not all die; but those that are aliue at Christs comming, shall bee changed in stead of death and resurrection, 1. Thes. 4.15. For this say we vntounto you by the word of the Lord, that we which liue, and are remaining in the comming of the Lord, shall not preuent them which sleepe, &c. 1. Cor. 15.53.
Thirdly, that the same bodies, which men carry about with them in this world shall rise againe, Iob 19.26.27. And though after my skin wormes destroy this body, yet shall I see God in my flesh.
Whom I my selfe shall see, and mine eyes shall behold, and none other for me, though my raines are consumed within me.
Psalm. 34.20. He keepeth all his bones, not one of them is broken.
This very corruptible must put on incorruption, 1. Cor. 15. 53. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortall must put on immortality, &c.
The reasons are, 1. because eueryevery man shall receiue in his body, what hee hath done, either good or euill, 2. Cor. 5.10. For wee must all appeare before the iudgement seat of Christ, that eueryevery man may receiue the things which are done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether good or euill.
2. Because else it were absurd that any other body should bee crowned, but that which suffered: or punished, but that which sinned.
Fourthly, that this resurrection shall bee at the ende of the world, euen the last day of the world, Ioh. 6.44. No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me, draw him: and I will raise him vp at the last day.
And therefore we must distinguish betweene particular resurrections, and the generall or vniuersall. Particular resurrections hauehave been past in some cases miraculously, as at the time of Christs death: but the principle speakes of the vniuersall resurrection.
The vses may be for
Information.
Instruction.
Consolation.
Terrour.
First, for information, and so we should striue to informe our selues in three things:
1. The certainty of it, that it shall surely be.
2. The manner of it, since it must needs be.
3. The glory of the life in Christ, that can effect this.
For the first, we may find many waies to affect our harts with a full assurance that our dead bodies shall rise againe: many things tend hereunto, some probable, some infallible, some shew it that it may bee, others that it shall be.
That it is not impossible, other workes in nature shew: as first, the Phoenix, a bird in Arabia, of which it is written, that waxing old, with the stickes of Frankincense and Cassia, with which shee filled her nest, shee makes a fier, and being put in the fier, and burned to ashes, by and by after the dew of heauen lights vponupon her, she comes forth aliue. Secondly, we know that many little birds, which for the winter-time lie out of the way in deepe marshes, or such like places; yet in spring time come out aliue againe. Thirdly, we see that trees, and plants in winter loose all their ornaments, and being dead to see to, yet reuiue againe. Fourthly, thus doth the seed also which the husband-man throwes into the ground, 1. Cor. 15.36. O foole, that which thou sowest is not quickened except it die. Fifthly and lastly, night and day, sleepe and waking, shewes vsus thus much: the day dies into the night, and yet reuiues to the world with all his glory.
Yea in man himselfe there is grounds of singular probability: For,
First his deliuerances, from dangers and distresses, are (as it were) lesser resurrections, and the terme is giuen to it. The houses in which the Iewes were captiues, were as so many graues; and their returne, as a rising from the dead, Ezech. 37.12. 2. Cor. 1.10.
Secondly, he hath had an experience of the first resurrection in his soule already, and how can he doubt the rising of his body? Rom. 6. Ioh. 5.25.28. Reu. 20.6.
Thirdly, diuers particular men hauehave appeared raised from the dead; as Lazarus, Ioh. 13.43. the Saints that appeared out of the graues after Christs death, Mat. 27.52.53.
Fourthly, God shewed this in a vision to Ezechiel, when he saw a field full of dry bones, receiuing at Gods commandement flesh, and nerues, and life, Ezech. 37.
But wee hauehave more then probabilities, we hauehave certaine arguments for it, as
First, the word of God assuring it, 1. Thes. 4.15. as was proued before, to whom all things are possible, Luk. 1.37. For with God shall nothing bee vnpossible, Luk. 18.27. The things which are vnpossible with men, are possible with God. Rom. 4.21.
Secondly, the Sonne of God vndertaking to effect it, Iohn 6. 39. And this is the Fathers will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath giuen me, I should loose nothing, but should raise it vp againe at the last day, &c.
Thirdly, the resurrection of Christ to assure it, who rose as our surety, 1. Thes. 4.14.
Fourthly, the Sacrament of Baptizme sealeth both the resurrection of soule and body.
Fifthly and lastly, the Apostle proues at large the necessity of the resurrection, by many arguments: shewing in effect, that all religion is ouerturned, if the resurrection bee not beleeued, 1. Cor. 15.12.
Thus that it shall be: How it shall be, followes.
The manner of the resurrection will be thus:
First, when the last day of the world is come, Christ on a sudden, in the same visible forme he went to heauen, will come in the clouds with his Angels, and thousands of the soules of his Saints, Iude 14. 1. Thes. 4.15.
Secondly, the trumpet of God shall then sound, the voice of the Arch-angell shall then bee heard: Christ shall command,What these things meane is vnknowne. exhort, and call vponupon the dead to rise and come away to iudgement, 1. Thes. 4.16.17. so as the very dead shall heare this shout and voice of Christ, Ioh. 5.29. Matth. 24.31.
Thirdly, immediately the spirit of Christ will bring the soules of all the godly, and they shall enter into their bodies; and then they that hauehave slept in the dust of the earth, shall bee raised to life.
Fourthly, the bodies of the wicked shall then bee raised also by the power of God, by a way vnknowne.
Fifthly, men, that shal then be aliue, shal hauehave a chāge on a sudden in stead of death, and resurrection, 1. Cor. 15. 1. Thes. 4.15. 16.
Sixthly, the Angels shall then gather the Elect, and chase in the reprobates from the foure winds of heauen, and present them before Christ, Matth. 24.31. Thus of the manner.
Thirdly, this may informe vsus concerning the glorious life of the Sonne of God, who doth not onelyonly liue himselfe; but giues life to millions of men by his spirit, Ioh. 5.21. and raised dead bodies so miraculously.
Thus of the vses for information.
From the doctrine of the resurrection wee should learne diuers things.
First, it should teach vsus not to mourne immoderatly for the dead, since when Christ comes againe, he will bring them with him; and the earth and seas shall make a true account of their dead in the day of Christ, 1. Thes. 4.13.14.
Secondly, it should teach vsus to hauehave the very body in honor, and not to transgresse against it, seeing it is redeemed by Christ, and shall be raised to immortality at the last day.
Now men sin against the body:
1. When (according to the traditions of men, and through wil-worship) they withhold from the body due sustenance, Col. 2.23.
2. When men pollute their bodies, that should be prepared to immortality, with filthinesse; such as is whoredome, drunkennesse, sodomitry, and such like abominations, 1. Cor. 6.13.14.
3. When the bodies of the Saints are not carefully and with meet honour buried, or their burying places vnciuilly dis-regarded.
Thirdly, the consideration of this great worke of the resurrection of mens bodies, should teach vsus to trust God in lesser matters, and beleeue his promises, though there bee neuer so great vnlikelihood of the accomplishment, in respect of outward meanes and appearance. Rom. 4.17.18.
Fourthly, we should especially be careful to get the assurāce, that our bodies shall hauehave a glorious resurrection, Act. 24.15. And that we may be so assured:
1. Wee must pray God to giuegive vsus his holy spirit, as the pledge of it. For then if the spirit of Christ be in vsus, the same spirit that raised Christ, will raise vp our naturall bodies at the last day, Rom. 8.11.
2. Wee must bee sure of the first resurrection, that the body be dead in respect of sinne, and the soule raised vp to a liuely care of newnesse of life:Rise first in soule. they that hauehave their part in the first resurrection, shall neuer taste of the second death, Rom. 6. Reuel. 20.6.
3. In particular, we must bee sure to get faith in Iesus Christ, who is the resurrection, and the life, and in whom whosoeuer beleeueth, he shal not die for euer, Ioh. 11.25.
Fifthly, we should resolue to liue, like such as beleeue a glorious Resurrection, and to this end
1. We should be stedfast, and vnmoueable in all conditions of life, 1. Cor. 15.58.
2. Wee should liue, as men deuoted wholy to the seruice of Iesus Christ, whose we are both in life and death, Rom. 14.7.8.
3. We should striue to abound in the worke of the Lord, 1. Cor. 15.58. rousing vp our selues to the care of well doing, 1. Cor. 15. 34. studying to keepe a conscience void of offence toward God and man, Acts 24.16.
4. Our minds should run on that time, and our conuersation should bee in heauen, Philip. 3.20.
Thus much of the vses for instruction.
Thirdly, the doctrine of the resurrection hath singular comfort in it, and Christians are charged to comfort themselues, and one another with these things, 1. Thes. 4.18. And Dauid did reioyce, and was glad at heart for this reason, Psalm. 16.9. For that is the time of the refreshing of all Christians, Acts 3.19. And so the godly hauehave been wont to comfort themselues against diuers maladies, as
1. Against the paines and tortures of the body; so did Iob, Iob, 19.25.26.27. For I am sure, that my Redeemer liueth, and he shal stand the last on earth.
And though after my skin, wormes destroy this body; yet shall I see God in my flesh.
Whom I my selfe shall see, and mine eies shal behold, and none other for me, though my reines are consumed within me.
And so did the godly mentioned, Heb. 11.35. The women receiued their dead raised to life; other also were racked, and would not bee deliuered, that they might receiue a better resurrection.
2. Against the troubles and generall miseries of this life, and so Gods people are comforted, Dan. 12.1.2. And at that time shall Michael stand vp, the great Prince which standeth for the children of thy people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as was neuer since there began to be a nation vntounto the same time; and at that time thy people shall be deliuered, euerie one that shall bee found written in the booke.
And many of them that sleepe in the dust of the earth, shall awake, some to euerlasting life, and some to shame and perpetuall contempt.
Isaiah 26.19. Thy dead men shall liue; euen with my body shall they rise: Awake, and sing ye that dwell in dust; for thy dew is, as the dew of hearbs, and the earth shal cast out the dead.
3. Against death it selfe, and so the Apostle triumphs, 1. Cor. 15.55.56.57. O Death where is thy sting! O graue, where is thy victorie!
The sting of death is sinne: and the strength of sinne is the Law.
But thankes be vntounto God, which hath giuen vsus victorie through our Lord Iesus Christ.
Obiect. Now if any aske, What in the doctrine of the resurrection should comfort vsus in those cases?
Solut. I answere: The consideration of the maruelous glory of our bodies, in which they should rise, should fill vsus with sweet refreshings, Phil. 3.21. Who shall change our vile bodie, that it may be fashioned like vntounto his glorious bodie, according to the working, wherby he is able to subdue al things vntounto himselfe. For sixe things shal befall our bodies at that day:
1. Immortalitie: so as they can neuer die againe, 1. Cor. 15.42.43.44.53.
2. Incorruptiblenesse: they shall neuer be inclined to putrefaction, or any corruption.
3. Spiritualnesse: our bodies shall bee raised spirituall bodies; they shall be like spirits, as it were, and that in diuers respects:
1. Because they shall be possessed fully by the Spirit of God, so as they shall be both gouerned by the Spirit, and be subiect to the Spirit wholly.
2. Because they shal liue as the Angels in heauen do, without meate or raiment, or any other bodily helpes or sustenance.
3. Because they shall be for nimblenesse, as it were spirits; they shall bee able with incredible swiftnesse, to passe into all the parts of the world, earth, or aire, &c. for they shall meete Christ in the aire, 1. Thessal. 4.17.
4. Power: for of bodies full of weakenesse, and subiect to many calamities and distresses, and paines, they shall bee raised in power; that is, strong, able, and impassible.
5. Perfection: for they shall be freed from deformitie, vnhandsomnesse, maimes, lamenesse, &c. and become most faire and comely; neither infancie, nor old age hindring them, but shall appeare in full age and beautie.
6. Shining and splendor, as the Sunne or Starres in the Firmament: the bodie being clothed with a celestiall glory and diuine light, 1. Cor. 15.40. Dan. 12.3. And they that bee wise, shall shine as the brightnesse of the Firmament; and they that turne many to righteousnesse, shal shine as the Starres for euer and euer.
Matth. 13 43. Then shall the iust men shine as the Sun in the Kingdome of their Father: Hee that hath eares to heare, let him heare, &c.
And as we may comfort our selues by the meditation of these distinct glories in our bodies then, so it may adde vntounto our comfort, and the establishment of it, if we consider three things more; to wit, first, the certaintie of all this, that it shall come. Secondly, the shortnesse of the time thither. Thirdly, the condition of the body till then.
For the first, wee should not doubt of it, because we are borne againe to this hope, wee are children of the resurrection now, and so called, Luke 20.36. And besides, Christ hath a charge to loose nothing; no, not of the bodies of the Saints, Ioh. 6.39. And this is the Fathers will, which hath sent me, that of all which he hath giuen mee, I should loose nothing, but should raise it vp againe at the last day.
And he came to this end, to dissolue the workes of the diuell, which is sinne, and death by sin, 1. Iohn. 3.8. Christ also is the first fruit of ye dead, 1. Cor. 15.20. And further we hauehave felt of the power of Christ in raising our soules alreadie: he that by his word made all things, can by the same voice bring backe our bodies againe.
Ob. That the bodies resolued to dust and ashes, should rise, is against cōmon sense and reason.
Solut. It is aboue reason, but not against it. Can men of ashes make glasse, and cannot God of dust make againe the body?
Ob. But the bodies dead are often mingled with the bodies of beasts or other creatures.
Sol. The Goldsmith by his art can seuer mettals, and extract one mettall out of another, and cannot God distinguish these dusts, &c?
Ob. Flesh and blood cannot come into the Kingdome of heauen. 1. Cor. 15.50.
Sol. By flesh and blood is not meant the body simply, but as it is clothed with sin and infirmity, which shall be done away in the resurrection.
Ob. The condition of man and beast is one, Eccles. 3.19. For the condition of the children of men, and the condition of beasts are euen as one condition vntounto them: As the one dieth, so dieth the other: for they hauehave all one breath, and there is no excellencie of man aboue the beast; for all is vanitie.
Sol. First, they are like in dying, not in the estate after death. Secondly, it may be said, those words are the obiection of the Epicure, not the opinion of Salomon.
… second, it may adde to our comfort, that the Lord is at hand, Phil. 4.5. and that it is but a little season thither to, Reuel. 6.11.
… third, the present condition of our bodies euen in the graue should comfort vsus: for
1. The couenant of God is of force euen with them, as they lie in the dust of the earth, Mat. 22. 31.32.
2. The vnion with Christ holds still, Col. 1.18.
3. They are not dead, but a sleepe in Iesus, 1. Thes. 4.13.
… fourth, wo vntounto wicked men, euen because of the resurrection: they shal sleep for a while in their bodies, but when they wake, they must be had away to execution. They that hauehave done euill shall rise vntounto shame, and contempt, and condemnation: their bodies shall rise in dishonor, deformitie, passible, tormented with eternall and vnutterable tortures, liuing in darkenesse without light, (liuing, I say for euer, onelyonly to feele the paines of eternal dying) shut vp in prison, and denied the comfort of the meanest creatures; it were well for them, if they did neuer rise, Reuel. 20.14.15. Dan. 12.2. Iohn, 5.29.