The Resurrection of the Dead and Eternal Judgment, Title page – Dedication

The Resurrection of the Dead and Eternal Judgment · Title page – Dedication

THE Resurrection of the Dead, AND Eternall Judgement: OR, The truth of the Resurrection of the Bodies, both of Good and Bad at the last day: Asserted, and proved by, Gods Word.

Also, the manner and order of their coming forth of their Graves; as also, with what Bodies they do arise.

Together, with a Discourse of the last Judgement, and the finall Conclusion of the whole World.

By John Bunyan, a Servant of the Lord's Christ.

1 Cor. 15. 51, 52.

Behold I shew you a Mystery, we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an Eye, at the last Trump; (for the Trump shall sound, and the Dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.)

John 5. 28, 29.

Marvel not at this, for the houre is coming, in which all that are …n their Graves, shall hear his Voyce, and shall come forth; they that have done good, to the Resurrection of life, and they that have done evill, to the Resurrection of damnation.

London, Printed for Francis Smith, at the Elephant and Castle, without Temple-Barre.

Courteous Reader,

THough this be a small Treatise, yet it doth present thee with things of the greatest, and most weighty concernment, even with a Discourse of Life and Death to Eternity: opening, and clearing, by the Scriptures of God, that the time is at hand, when, there shall be a Resurrection of the Dead, both of the just and unjust; even of the Bodies of both, from the Graves where they are, or shall be, at the approach of that day.

Thou hast also in these few lines, the order and manner of the rising of these two sorts of People, wherein is shewed thee with what Body they shall then rise; as also their states and condition at this day, with great clearness.

For here thou shalt see the truth, and manner of the terrible Judgement, the opening of the Books, the examining of Witnesses, with a finall conclusion upon good and bad. Which, I hope will be profitable to thy Soul that shall read it. For if thou art godly, then here is that which will through Gods blessing, incourage thee to go on in the faith of the truth of the Gospel; but if thou art ungodly, then here thou mayst meet with conviction: yea, and that of what will be without fail, thy end, at the end of the World: whether thou continue in thy sins, or repent. If thou continue in them, blackness, and darkness, and everlasting destruction; but if thou repent and believe the Gospel, then light and life, and joy, and comfort, and glory, and happiness, and that to Eternity.

Wherefore let me here beg these things at thy hand.

First, That thou take heed of that spirit of mockery, that saith, 2 Pet. 3. 4, 5. Where is the promise of his coming?

Secondly, Take heed that thy heart be not overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and so that day come upon thee unawares. Luke 21. 34, 35.

Thirdly, But be diligent in making thy Calling and Election sure; that thou in the day, of which thou shalt read more in this Book, be not found without that glorious Righteousness that will then stand thee instead, and present thee before his glorious presence, with exceeding joy; to him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus, World without end, Amen.

John Bunyan.

p. 1OF THE Resurrection of the Dead, and Eternal Judgement

But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call Heresie, so worship I the God of my Father, believing all things that are written in the Law and the Prophets, and have hope towards God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a Resurrection of the Dead, both of the just, and unjust, Acts▪ 24. 14, 15.

MY Discourse upon this Text, will chiefly concern the Resurrection of the Dead: wherefore to that I shall immediately apply my self not medling with what else is couched in the words.

p. 2You see here, that Paul, being upon his Arraignment, accused of many things, by some that were violent for his blood; and being licenced to speak for himself by the then Heathen Magistrate; he doth in few words tell them, that as touching the Crimes wherewith they charged him, he was utterly faultless, onelyonly this he confessed, that after that way which they call Heresie, so he worshipped the God of his Fathers; believing all things that are written in the Law and the Prophets, and that he had the same hope towards God, which they themselves did allow, that there should be a Resurrection of the dead, both of the just▪ and unjust.

Whence note by the way, That an hypocritical people, will persecute the power of those truths in others, which themselves in words profess. I have hopes towards God, and that such a hope which themselves do allow, and yet I am this day, and that for this very thing persecuted by them.

But to come to my purpose, there shall be a Resurrection of the dead &c. By these words, the Apostle sheweth us what was the substance of his Doctrine, to wit, that there should be a Resurrection of the dead; and by these words also, what was the great argument with his Soul, to carry him through these temptations, afflictions, reproaches, and necessities he met p. 3with in this World, even the Doctrine of a Resurrection. I have hope towards God, saith he, and there is my mind fixed, for there shall be a Resurrection of the dead, both of the just, and unjust. The reason why I cannot do what these Jews would have me; also why I cannot live as do the Gentiles, it is, because I have in my Soul, the faith of the Resurrection. This is the Doctrine I say, which maketh me fear to offend, and that is, as an undergirder to my Soul, whereby I am kept from destruction and confusion, under all the storms and tempests I here go through. In a word, this is it that hath more awe upon my Conscience, then all the Laws of men, with all the penalties they inflict. Vers. 17. And herein do I exercise my self to have alwayes a Conscience void of offence, both towards God and towards men.

Now here, seeing this Doctrine of the Resurrection of the dead▪ hath that power, both to bear up and to awe; both to incourage and to keep within compass, the Spirit and Body of the People of God: It will be requisite, and profitable for us, to inquire into the true me…ning and nature of this word, the Resurrection of the dead.

And for the better compassing of this matter, I shall briefly inquire.

First, what this place is meant by the dead.

p. 4Secondly, What is meant by the Resurrection.

Thirdly, Why the Apostle doth here speak of the Resurrection of the dead, as of a thing yet to come, there shall be a Resurrection of the dead, both of the just, and unjust.

For the first, The dead in Scripture, go under a five-fold Consideration, as,

1. Such as die a natural death, or as when a man ceaseth to be any more in this World, as David, whom Peter tells us, is both dead and buried, and his Sepulchre remaineth with us to this day. Acts 2. 29.

2. There is a People that are reckoned dead in trespasses and sins, as those are, who never yet were translated from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God. Such I say, who yet never felt the power of the Word and Spirit of God, to raise them from that state, to walk with him in the Regeneration: making a life out of Christ, and his present benefits. Ephes. 2. 1, 2. John 5. 25.

3. There is a death seizeth men often after some measure of light received from God, and some profession of the Gospel of Christ. These, for the certainty of their damnation, are said to be dead, dead; twise dead, and plucked up by the roots. Jude 12.

4. There is in Scripture mention made of a death to sin, and the lusts of the flesh; this p. 5death is the beginning of true life and happiness, and is a certain fore-runner of a share in Christ, and with him in another World, Rom. 6. 6, 7, 8. 2 Tim. 2. 11.

5. Lastly, there is also in the Word, a relation of eternal death. This is the death that those are in, and swallowed up of, that go out of this World Godless, Christless, and Graceless; dying in sin, and so under the curse of the dreadful God, who I say, because they have missed of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Saviour in this day of Grace: are fallen into the gulf and jaws of eternal death and misery, in the fire that never shall be quenched. Mark 9. 43, 44. Luk 16. 23, 24, 25, 26.

Now then, seeing there is death, or to be dead, taken under so many Considerations in the Scripture; it is evident, that to be dead in Christ, the Text is not meant of them all: I then must distinguish, and inquire which of these deaths it is, that here the Apostle did look for a Resurrection from.

First then, it cannot be meant a Resurrection from eternal death, for from that there is no Redemption. Psal. 49. 38.

Secondly, Neither is it a Resurrection from that double death; for they that are in that, are past recovery also.

Thirdly, And so for those that are dead to sin, it is non-sence, to say there shall, or can be a Resurrection from that: for that it self is a Resurrection. Colos. 2. 12, 13. 20. which Resurrection also, the Apostle had then passed through. And also all the Brethren, as he saith, You hath he quickned, who were dead in trespasses and sins; and again, if ye then be risen with Christ▪ and again, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who raised him from the dead. Col. 3. 1.

Lastly, The dead therefore in this Scripture, must be understood of those that have departed this life, that have Body and Soul seperated each from the other; and so the Resurrection, a Resurrection of the Body out of the Grave; as Daniel saith, many that sleep in the dust of the Earth shall arise; and again, the hour is coming, when all that are in their Graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth, &c. Dan. 12. 2. John 5. 28.

The Resurrection of the Just then, is the rising of the Bodies of the Just, and the Resurrection of the unjust, the rising of their Bodies at the last Judgement. This also is the meaning of that saying of Paul, to Agrippa, I stand, saith he, and am Judged, for the hope of the promise made unto our Fathers, which promise at first began to be fulfilled in the Resurrection of the Body of Christ, Acts 13. 32, 33. and hat its accomplishment, when the dead, small and great, are raised out of their Graves: wherefore, p. 7though Paul saith in the 13th of the Acts, it is already fulfilled: yet here he saith, he hopes it shall come. Which promise, saith he, our twelve Tribes instantly serving God day and might, hope to come, as God told Daniel, saying, go thy Way, for thou shalt stand in thy lot at the end of the dayes. Dan. 12, 13.

Christ is already risen, and therefore so far the promise is fulfilled, but his Saints are yet in their Graves, and therefore that part of the fulfilling of it, is yet to come, as he saith, Why should it be an incredible thing with you, that God should raise the dead. Acts 26. 6, 7, 8.

Again, That it is the Resurrection of the dead Bodies of both Saints and sinners that is here inserted, it is further evident, because the Apostle saith, it is the Resurrection, that the very Pharises themselves allowed. I have hope towards God, saith he, which themselves also allow, then what that hope is, he in the next words sheweth, namely, That there shall be a Resurrection of the Dead, &c. Now we know, that the Pharises did not allow of a Resurrection from a state of Nature, to a state of Grace, which is the same with the new birth; but did confidently allow and teach, that they were the Children of Abraham, according to the flesh. Yea, when any of them began to adhere, or incline to Christ's Doctrine in some things, yet the Doctrine of the new Birth, or of p. 8being raised from a state of Nature, to a state of Grace, they would very much stick at; though in the mean time, they utterly were against the Doctrine of the Sadduces, which denyed the Resurrection of the Body, John 31. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. John 8. 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. Acts 23. 6, 7, 8.

Further, the Resurrection here spoken of, must needs be the Resurrection of the Body, because it is called, a Resurrection of the Dead, both of the just, and unjust, that is, of both Saints and sinners, according to the saying of Christ, The hour is coming, when all that are in their Graves shall hear his Voyce, and shall come forth, they that have done good, to the Resurrection of life; and they that have done evill, to the Resurrection of damnation. Joh. 5. 28, 29.

Again, the Resurrection here mentioned, is a Resurrection to come, not already injoyed, either by Saints or sinners, there shall be a Resurrection of the Dead, both of the just, and unjust. Now I say, the Resurrection here being yet deferred by the just, and counted also the Resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust: It must needs be the same Resurrection that is spoken of by Jobe, who saith, So man lyeth down, and riseth not again, till the Heavens be no more, they shall not awake, nor be raised out of their sleep, Job. 14. 12.

p. 9Having thus in few words opened this Scripture unto you, I shall in the next place, for the further satisfaction of those that are yet wavering, and for the refreshment of those that are strong and stedfast: lay down before you, several undeniable Scripture demonstrations, of the Resurrection of the Dead, both of the just, and unjust.

I shall first begin with the Resurrection of the Just.

The Just must arise, because Christ is risen from the dead. Christ is the head of the Just, and they are the members of his Body; and because of this union, therefore the Just must arise. This is the Apostles own Argument, If Christ, saith he, be preached, that he rose from the dead, how say some among you, that there is no Resurrection of the dead; but if there be no Resurrection of the dead, then is not Christ risen. 1 Cor. 15. 12, 13. Now I say, the Reason why the Apostle thus argueth the Resurrection from the dead, by the Resurrection of Christ. It is, because the Saints (of whose Resurrection he here chiefly discourseth, are in their Bodies, as well as in their Soul, the members of Christ; know you not, saith he, that your Bodies are the members of Christ, 1 Cor. 6. 15. A very weighty Argument; for if a good man be a member of Christ, then he must either be raised out of his Grave, or else sin and death must have p. 10power over a member of Christ. I say again, if if this Body be not raised, then also Christ is not a compleat Conquerour over his enemies; for as much as death and the Grave, hath still power over his members. The last Enemy that shall be destroyed, is Death. Now though Christ in his own person, hath a compleat Conquest over Death, &c. yet Death hath still power over the Bodies of all that are in their Graves: now I say, Christ being considered with relation to his members, then he hath not yet a compleat Conquest over death, neither will he, until they every one be brought forth of their Graves; for then, and not till then, shall that saying be every way fulfilled: Death is swallowed up of Victory, 1 Cor. 15. 26. and 53, 54.

Secondly, As there must be a Resurrection of the Just, because Christ is their Head, and they his members: so also, because the Body of the Saints, as well as their Soul, is the purchase of Christs blood. Ye are bought with a price, saith Paul: wherefore glorifie God in your Body, and in your Spirit, which are Gods. 1 Cor. 6. 20. Christ will not lose the purchase of his blood, O Death, saith Christ, I will have them; O Grave, I will make thee let them go, I will ransom them from the power of the Grave, I will redeem them from death. (I have bought them, and they shall be mine) O Death, I will be thy plague, O p. 11Grave, I will be thy destruction, Hos. 13, 14. Job 18. 13, 14. Revel. 1. 18. I say, though the power of the Grave be invincible, and death be the King of terrours, yet he who hath the Keys of Hell and of Death, at his Girdle, to him belongeth the issues from death. He that is our God, is the God of Salvation, and to God the Lord, belongeth the issues from death. Psal. 68. 20. and we the price of his blood, shall be delivered.

Thirdly, As the Body is the member of Christ, and the price of his blood: so it is the Temple of the Holy Ghost, which is in us. What, know you not that your Body is the Temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you? and you are not your own. The Body is no such rediculous thing in the account of Christ, as it was in the account of the Saduces. The Body is not for fornication, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the Body, and that no onelyonly in this World, but that which is to come: wherefore he saith, God hath both raised up the Lord Jesus, and will raise us up also by his power. 1 Cor. 6. 13, 14. 19. that is, as he hath raised up the Body of Christ: so will he raise up ours also by Christ.

Fourthly, The Bodies of the Just must arise again, because of that Similitude, that must be betwixt the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Bodies of the Saints. When he shall appear, we shall be like him. 1 John 3. 2. Now we have p. 12it abundantly manifest in Scripture, that the Body of the Lord Jesus, was raised out of the Grave, caught up into Heaven, and that it ever remaineth in the holiest of all, a glorified Body, Luk 24. 3, 4, 5 6, 7, 8. 35. 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42. John 20. 24, 25, 26, 27. Acts 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11. Acts 2. 31. Acts 17. 30, 31, 32. Mar. 16. 6, 7, 19. Heb. 7. 24, 25, 26. eb. 8. 2, 3. Heb. 10. 12.

Now I say, it would be very strange to me, if Christ should be raised, ascended, and glorified in that Body; and yet that his People should be with him, no otherwise then in their Spirits; especially, seeing that he in his Resurrection, is said to be but the first begotten from the dead, and the first fruits of them that sleep, Col. 1. 18. 1 Cor. 15. 23. for we know, that a first begotten, doth imply more Sons, and that first-fruits do foreshew an after Crop: wherefore we conclude, that as in Adam all die, so in Christ shall all be made alive, but every man in his own order: Christ the first fruits, and afterwards them that are his at …is coming. 1 Cor. 15. 22, 23.

And hence it is, that the Scripture saith, He shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to his glorious Body. And hence it is again, that the day of Christ is said to be the day of the manifestation of the Sons of God, and of the redemption of our body; for then shall the Saints p. 13of God not onelyonly be, but appear as their Saviour, being delivered from their Graves, as he is from his, and glorified in their Bodies, as he is in his. Phil. 3. 20, 21. Rom. 8. 21, 22, 23.

Fifthly, There must be a Resurrection of the Body of the Saints, because the Body, as well as the mind, hath been a deep sharer in the afflictions that we meet with for the Gospel sake. Yea, the body is oft-times the greater sufferer, in all the Calamities, that for Christs sake we here undergo; it is the body that feels the stocks, the whip, hunger and cold, the fire and rack, and a thousand calamities: it is the body in which we have the dying marks of the Lord Jesus: that the life of Jesus, also might be made manifest in our mortall slesh. Gal. 6. 17. 2 Cor. 4. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14. God is so just a God, and so merciful to his People, that though the bodies of his Saints should, through the malice of the enemy, be never so dishonourably tortured, killed and sown in the Grave: yet he will (as further will be shewed anon) raise it again in incorruption, glory and honour: as he saith also in another place, that we who have continued with Christ in his temptations; that have for his sake underwent the reproach and malice of the World; to you, saith Christ, I appoint a Kingdom as my Father hath appointed unto me. Luk. 22. 28, 29. If we suffer with him, we shall reign with him, & he that hateth p. 14his life in this World, shall keep it to life eternall, 2 Tim. 2. 12. John 12. 29. all this is to be injoyed, especially at the Resurrection of the Just.

But sixthly, There must be a Resurrection of the Just, otherwise, there will be the greatest disappointment on all sides that ever was, since man had a being on the Earth.

A disappointment I say,

First, Of the Will of God; for this is the will of the Father that sent me,saith Christ, that of all that he hath given me, I should lose nothing, (not a dust) but should raise it up again at the last day. John 6. 39.

Secondly, A disappointment of the Power of God; for he that hath raised up the Lord Jesus, doth also intend to raise us up by his Power, even our Bodies, as Paul saith, the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body, and God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise us up by his Power. 1 Cor. 6. 13, 14.

Thirdly, If there should be no Resurrection of the Just, Christ also would be wonderfully disappointed of the fruits of all his sufferings. As I told you before, his People are the price of his Blood, and the members of his Body, and he is now at the right hand of God (far above all Principalities and Powers, and every name that is named) expecting till his enemies p. 15be made his Footstool, and brought under Heb. 1. 13. the foot of the weakest Saint, which will not be, untill the last enemy Death is destroyed. We know that he said, when he went away, that he would come again, and fetch all his People to himself, even up into Heaven, that where he is, there we may be also. Joh. 12. 26. Joh. 14. 1, 2, 3. Joh. 17. 24. But I say, how will he be disappointed, if when he comes, the Grave and Death should prevent and hinder him, and with its bars, keep down those, whom he hath ransomed with his blood, from the power thereof.

Fourthly, If the Bodies of the Just arise from the dead, then they also will be disappointed. 'Tis true, the Saints departed, have far more fellowship, and Communion with God and the Lord Jesus, then we have, or are not yet capable of having, Luke 23. 43. They being in Paradise, and we in this World; but yet, I say for all that, they are, though there, very much longing for the day of the Lords vengeance, which will be the day in which they will, and must arise from the dead. This I say, is the time that they long for, when they cry under the Altar, How long O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood, on them that dwell on the Earth? When they died, they Heb. 11. 35. died, in hope to obtain a better Resurrection, and now they p. 16are gone, they long till that day be come, Rev. 6. 10, 11. Till the day come, I say, when the dead, even all the enemies of Christ, shall be judged; for then will he give reward to his Servants the Prophets, and to his Saints, and to … that fear his name, small and great. Revel. 11. 1. 8.

Fifthly, If the Just arise not, great disappointment also will be to the Saints yet alive in this World: for, notwithstanding they have already received the first-fruits of the Spirit, yet the wait, not onelyonly for more of that, but also for the Resurrection, Redemption, and changing of this vile body, Rom. 8. 20, 21, 22, 23. Phil. 3. 20, 21. For our Conversation is in Heaven, saith Paul, from whence we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body. But now I say, if the body riseth not, then how can it be made like to the glorious Body of Christ Jesus: yea, what a sad disappointment, infatuation, and delusion, are those poor Creatures under, that look, and that by Scripture warrant, for such a thing? They look for good, but behold evill; they expect to be delivered in their whole man from every enemy; but lo, both death and the Grave, their great enemies, do swallow them up for ever; But Beloved, be not deceived, Psal. 9. 10. T…e needy shall not always be forgotten, the expect…tion p. 17of the poor shall not perish for ever, saith Christ, he that seeth the Son, and believeth on him that sent him, hath everlasting life, and I will raise him up at the last day, John 6. 40.

Sixthly, If the Just arise not out of their Graves, then also is every Grace of God in our Souls defeated; for though the spirit of devotion can put forth a feigned shew of holiness, with the denyal of the Resurrection, yet every Grace of God in the Elect, doth prompt them forward to live as becomes the Gospel, by pointing at this day, as

First, 'Tis this that faith looks at, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we believed, and therefore speak, knowing that he that hath raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise us up also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 2 Cor. 4 13, 14.

Secondly, Hope looks at this, We saith P…ul, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we our selves groan within our selves, waiting for the ad…ption, to wit, the redemption of our Body, that is, we expect this by hope: but hope which is seen, is not hope, for what a man seeth, or hath in present possession, why doth he yet hope for it. Rom. 8. 23, 24, 25.

Thirdly, The Grace of self-denyal also wo…keth by this Doctrine, If after the manner of men, I have fought with Beasts at Ephesus; what advantageth it me, if the Dead rise not? As p. 18who should say; wherefore do I deny my self of those mercies and priviledges, that the men of this World injoy? why do not I also, as well as they, shun persecution for the Cross of Christ? If the dead rise not, what shall I be the better for all my trouble that here I met with for the Gospel of Christ? 1 Cor. 15. 32.

Fourthly, Both Zeal and patience, with all other the Graces of the Spirit of God in our hearts, are much, yea chiefly, incouraged, animated, and supported by this Doctrine, as James saith, Be patient therefore my Brethren, unto the coming of the Lord, (for then shall the dead be raised. 1 Thes. 4. 16, 17.) Behold, the Husbandman waiteth for the precious fruits of the Earth, and hath long patience, till he receive both the early and latter Rayn; be ye also patient, stablish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord draws nigh. Jam. 5. 7, 8.

Seventhly, The Doctrine of the Resurrection of the Just, must needs be a certain truth of God, if we consider the devilish, and satanical errours and absurdities that must unavoidably follow the denyal thereof, as

First, He that holdeth no Resurrection of our Body, he denyeth the Resurrection of the Body of Christ: this is the Spirits own Doctrine; For if the Dead rise not, then is not Christ risen, 1 Cor. 15, 16. He that denyeth the Resurrection of the members, denyeth the Resurrection p. 19of the Head; for seeing the Resurrection of the Saints is proved by the Resurrection of Christ, he that doth deny the Resurrection of the Saints, must needs deny the Resurrection of Christ, that proves it.

Now this errour, as it is in it self destructive to all Christian Religion: so it, like an Adder, carrieth within its bowels, many other alike devilish and filthy, as

1. He that denyeth the Resurrection of the Saints, he concludeth, that to preach deliverance from sin and death, it is vain preaching; for how can he be freed of sin, that is swallowed up for ever of Death, & the Grave? as he most certainly is, that is always contained therin as Paul saith, if Christ be not risen, (whose Resurrection is the ground of ours) then our preaching is vain, and your faith is also vain; then we preach fables, and you receive them for truth. 1 Cor. 15. 14.

2. This errour, casteth the Lie in the face of God, of Christ, and the Scriptures, ye, and we also, saith Paul, are found false Witnesses of God, because we have testified of God, that he raised Christ up, if so be that the dead rise not. 1 Cor. 15. 15. Mark, before he said, Christ in his Resurrection, doth prove our Resurrection; but now he saith, that our Resurrection will prove the truth of his, and indeed, both are true; for p. 20as by Christs rising, ours is affirmed: so by ours, his is demonstrated: o…

3. The denyal of the Resurrection, it also damneth all those that have departed this World in the faith of this Doctrine. If Christ be not raised (as if he is not, we rise not) then is not onelyonly your faith vain, and ye are yet in your sins that are alive; but then they also that are fallen asleep in Christ, are perished. 1 Cor. 15. 17, 18.

4 He that denyeth the Resurrection of the Just, he concludeth, that the Christian is of all men, the most miserable. Mark the words, If in this life onelyonly, we have hope in Christ, we are of all men the most miserable. 1 Cor. 15. 19. First of all, men the most miserable, because we let go present injoyments of those that will never come if the dea… rise not? of all men most miserable, because our faith, our hope, our joy and peace, are all but a lie, if the dead rise not. But you will say, he that giveth up himself to God shall have comfort in this life. Ah, but if the dead rise not, all our comfort that now we think we have from God, will then be found presumption and madness, because we believe, that God hath so loved us, as to have us in his day, in Body and Soul to Heaven: which will be nothing so, if the dead rise not. If in this … onelyonly, we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. Poor Christian, thou p. 21that lookest for the blessed hope of the Resurrection of the Body, at the glorious appearing of the great God, and our Saviour Jesus Christ: how wilt thou be deceived, if the Dead rise not? but now is Christ risen and become he first fruits of them that sleep; for since by man came death, by man came also the Resurrection from the dead. 1 Cor. 15. 20, 21.

5. But again, he that … the Resurrection of the dead, he setteth open a …udgate to all manner of impiety, he cutteth …he throat of a truly holy life, and layeth the Reins upon the neck of the most outragi…us …ust…, For if the dead rise not, let us eat and drink▪ that is, do anything, though never so diabolical and hellish, let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die; and there is an end of us, we shall not arise again, to receive either evill or good. 1 Cor. 15. 32.

6. To deny this Resurrection, nay if a man do but say, it is past either with him or any Christian: his so saying tendeth directly to the dest…uction and overthrow of the faith of them that hear him; and is so far from being according to the Doctrine of God, that it eateth out good and wholsome Doctrine, even as Cankers eat the face and flesh of a man: how ill favouredly do they look, that have their nose and lips eat off with the Canker? even so badly doth the Doctrine of no Resurrection of p. 22the dead, look in the eyes of God, Christ, Saints and Scripture. 2 Tim. 2. 18.

Lastly, I conclude then, that to deny the Resurrection of the Bodies of the Just, it argueth,

First, Great ignorance of God, ignorant of his power to raise, ignorant of his promise to raise, ignorant of his faithfulness to raise; and that both to himself, Son, and Saints, as I shewed before: therefore saith Paul to those that were thus deluded, Awake to Righteousness, and sin not, for some have not the knowledge of God▪ I speak this to your shame, 1 Cor. 18. 32, 33, 34. as if he had said, Do you profess Christianity? and do you question the Resurrection of the Body? Do you not know, that the Resurrection of the Body, and glory to follow, is the very quintessence of the Gospel of Jesus Christ? Are you ignorant of the Resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and do you question the power and faithfulness of God, both to his Son and his Saints, because you say, there shall be no Resurrection of the Dead? you are ignorant of God; of what he can do, of what he will do, and of what he will by doing, glorifie himself.

Secondly, As it argueth very great ignorance of Gods power, faithfulness, &c. so it argueth gross ignorance of the Tenor and cur…ant of the Scriptures; for as touching the p. 23Dead, that they are raised, have ye not read in the Book of Moses (saith Christ) how that God said unto him in the Bush, I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the Dead, but of the Living: ye do therefore greatly erre, Mark 12. 26, 27.

To be the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, it is to be understood of his being their God, under a new Covenant-Consideration, as he saith, I will be their God, and they shall be my People. Heb. 8. 10, 11. John 8. 44. 1 John 38. 9, 10. Hos. 6. 2. Col. 3. 4. Ephes. 1. 4. Now thus he is not the God of the Dead, that is, of those that perish, whether they be Angels or men.

Now, I say, they that are the Children of God, as Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they are counted the Living under a threefold Consideration.

1. In their Lord and Head, and thus all the Elect may be said to live; for they are from Eternity chosen in him, who also is their life, though possibly many of them yet unconverted. I say, yet Christ is their life, by the eternal purpose of God.

2. The Children of the new Covenant, do live both in their spirits in glory, by open vision, and here by Faith Gal. 2. 20. and the p. 24continu…l Communication of Grace from Christ into their Souls.

3. They live also with respect to their rising again; for God calleth those things that are not, as though they were, Rom. 4. 17. to be born, dead, buried, risen and ascended, are all present with God, he liveth not by time, as we do, a thousand years to him, are but as the day that is past, 2 Pet. 3. 8. Heb. 4. 13. Isa. 46. 9, 10. Rom. 8. 29, 30, 31, 32, 33. And again, one day is as a thousand years. Eternity, which is God himself, admitteth of no first, second, and third, all things are naked and bare before him, and present with him, all (his) live unto him. There shall be a Resurrection of the Dead, both of the Just, and unjust.

A Resurrection, of what? of that which is sown, or of that which was never sown; if of that which is sown, then it must be either of that nature that was sown, or else of the corruption that cleaveth to it; but it is the nature, and not the corruption that cleaveth unto it that riseth again. And verily, the very terme Resurrection, is a forcible Argument, to prove the Dead shall come forth of their Graves; for the holy Ghost hath alwayes spoke more properly, then to say, There shall be a Resurrection of the Dead, both of the Just and unjust, when yet neither the good, nor the bad shall come p. 25forth of their Graves, but rather something else to delude the World withall.

Having thus in few words, shewed you the truth of the Resurrection of the Dead, I now come to the manner of their rising.