Truths Victory Over Error, Chapter 32 – Chapter 33
CAAP. XXXII. Of the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead.
Question I.
ARE the Souls of the Righteous, being made perfect in holiness, received into the highest Heavens where they behold the Face of GOD in Light and Glory?
Yes. Acts 3. 21. Ephes. 4. 10.
Well then, do not the Greeks, Arminians, Anabaptists, and Papists err, who maintain, that the Souls of the Righteous are not presently after death, admitted to enjoy happiness, which consists in seeing of GOD; but are put into some Mansion, though it be not a Heavenly one; yet a place above Hell, where they enjoy, even until the Resurrection, some Heavenly Delight, and Recreation, without seeing of GOD?
Yes.
Do not likewise the Socinians err, who affirm, That the Souls of the Righteous after death, until the Resurrection, are extinguished, and put out, to speak so?
Yes.
By what reasons are they confuted?
(1) Because, the Souls of the Righteous after Death are with Christ in Heaven, and enjoy that blessed Vision; Phil. 1. 23. Acts 3. 21. Ephes. 4. 10. (2) Because, the Spirits of Iust Men after Death return to GOD, and are received by GOD; Eccles. 12. 7. Acts 7. 59. Note, that Solomon onelyonly speaketh of the people of GOD. Yet some understand it of the Souls both of Believers and unbelievers, which are both sentenced by GOD, as supream Iudge, immediately when a man dieth, every man to his place, the Souls of Believers to Heaven, of unbelievers to hell. (3) Because, the Saints departed, together with the Angels, are said to sing perpetually Praises and Thanksgiving before His Throne; Rev. 4. 6, 9, 10, 11. Rev. 5. 8, 9, 10. Rev. 7. 9, 10. (4) Because, Christ promised, that the Thief should be with him in Paradise, that same very day he died; Luke 23. 43. Paul also calls it the third Heaven; 2 cor. 12. 2. 4. (5) Because, the Spirits of just men, are said to be made perfect in holiness and glory, and placed in the Heavenly Ierusalem with the Angels; Heb. 12. 22. 23. (6) Because, the Apostle sayes, that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved we have a building of GOD, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens; 2 Cor. 5. 1, 2. (7) Because, the same Apostle sayes, therefore we are alwayes confident, knowing that whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord; 2 Cor. 5. 6, 8. (8) Because, the souls of the righteous after death are comforted, and carried into Abrahams bosom; Luke 16. 22. 25.
Quest. II.
ARE the souls of the wicked cast into hell, where they remain in torments, and utter darkness reserved to the judgement of the great day?
Yes. Luke 16. 23, 24. Acts 1. 25. Iude 6, 7. verses. 1 Peter 3. 19.
Well then, do not the Greeks, and others err, who maintain, that the souls of the wicked are not adjudged to hells torments, till after the resurrection?
Yes.
Do not likewise the Socinians err, who maintain, that the souls of the wicked shall never be tormented in hell?
Yes.
By what reasons are they confuted?
(1) Because, the particular judgement of every single man, follows immediately his departure out of this life; Heb. 9 27. (2) Because, the soul of the rich Glutton, after it departed from his body, was tormented in the flames of Hell; Luke 16. 22. 23. (3) Because, the souls of wicked men departed go to their own place, that is to hell; Acts 1. 25. (4) Because, the souls of wicked men, are no less punished in hell, than the Apostate Angels; Iude verses 6, 7. (5) Because, the Spirits of those who in the time of Noah were disobedient are said to be in prison; 1 Peter 3. 19. This prison is Hell; Matth. 5. 26, 27.
Quest. III.
DOTH the Scripture acknowledge any other place than heaven and hell for souls departed from their bodies?
No.
Well then, do not the Papists err, who besides these two places, have devised other four.
First, a place called Limbus patrum, in which the Faithful, who died before Christs passion, have been shut up, as in a dark prison, under ground; and being without torment, and for the time wanting happiness, have been keeped closs there until Christs Resurrection and ascension into heaven.
Secondly, a place called Limbus infantum, in which Infants which die without Baptism, suffer the eternal punishment, not of Sense, but of Loss.
The third is a most pleasant Meadow, in which as in a Royal prison, the Souls that are in it, want happiness, yet suffer no punishment of Sense, except what ariseth from the delay of happiness, but only of Loss.
This place seems to be the Elisian Fields, taken out of the sixth book of Virgils Aeneiods.
The fourth place is called Purgatory, which is a middle place between heaven and hell, in which are the Saints, who have departed from this life, without making satisfaction by temporal punishments, for their venial sins, yet have gone thither for the guilt of their punishment, the fault whereof is pardoned in this life: that when they have satisfied and are well purged from every spot and blemish, they may be admitted to that blessed Vision in seeing GOD for ever.
Do not (I say) the Papists err, who besides heaven and hell maintain other four places, for souls departed?
Yes.
By what reasons do you confute Limbus patrum?
(1) Because, the Souls of the Faithful that departed before Christs passion, were made Inhabitants of the same Heavenly Ierusalem, with the Angels; Heb. 12. 22, 23. (2) Because, the Spirits and Souls of the Faithful that died before Christ suffered, returned to GOD who gave them; Eccl. 3. 21. (3) Because, the vertue of Christs sacrifice did no less extend it self to Believers under the Old Testament, than to Believers under the New; Rev. 13. 8. (4) From the example of Enoch, and of Moses, and Elias, which two before the passion of Christ, were seen upon the mount with him; Gen. 5. 24. 2 Kings 2. 11. Luke 9. 30, 31. Heb. 11. 5.
By what reasons confute you Limbus Infantum?
(1) Because, the Covenant belongs to the Children of Believers though not baptised; in which Covenant, glory and life eternal are promised; Acts 2: 39. (2) Because, Christ said, that the Kingdom of Heaven belonged to little children, though not baptised; Matth. 19. 14. (3) Because, the Infants of the Israelites dying before the eight day, were not shut up in Limbus Infantum, as the Adversaries themselves confess. But the Nature and Essence of Baptism under the New Testament, and the Nature and Essence of Circumcision under the Old, are the same; Col. 2. 11, 12. (4) All the Arguments which are brought against the absolute necessity of Baptism, do clearly overturn this fiction of Limbus Infantum.
Thirdly, There is no such place, as a most pleasant meadow, in which, as in a Senatorian prison, the Souls that are in it want Felicity; yet suffer no punishment of Sense. This was made evident in the First Question. Lastly, there is no such place as Purgatory. (1) Because, there is no such thing as Venial sin, as it is explained by the Popish-church, upon which false Foundation, is built this fancy of Purgatory; Rom. 6. 23. (2) Because, temporal punishments do not extend themselves beyond this life; Rom. 8. 18. 2 Cor. 4. 17, 18. 1 Peter 5. 10. For in this life onelyonly, the Godly receive their evil things, as the Wicked receive their good things; Luke 16. 25. (3) Because, after the fault is pardoned, there remains no punishment to be undergone; Ezek. 18. 22. Psalm 32. 1, 2. Micah 7. 19. Rom. 8. 1, 33. (4) Because, the Thief upon the Cross, that was converted, did not suffer afterwards any punishment in Purgatory; Luke 23. 43. Neither could his death, and confession upon the Cross, be accounted a perfect satisfaction (as the Adversaries affirm) because he did acknowledge, he had received the due reward of his deeds; Luke 23. 41. He that suffers as a Murderer, or as a Thief, or as an evi doer, his punishment cannot be accounted a satisfaction; 1 Peter 4. 15. (5) Because, they that die in the Lord, rest from all their labours; Rev. 14. 13. (6) Because, Christs satisfaction for the sins of Believers, is most full, compleat, and perfect, and doth not need our imperfect satisfactions, whether for the Fault or the Punishment; Isaiah 53. chapter; Titus 2. 14. 1 Iohn 1: 7: Heb: 10: 14: Col. 1: 20, 21, 22. Neither by our sufferings in Purgatory, is Christs satisfaction applyed to us. First, because our sufferings there cannot be an instrument for applying Christs Merits to us. For on GODS part, we have the Word, Sacraments, and the Spirit as means, for applying his merits to us. On our part we have Faith. Was it ever heard of in the Word of GOD, that the Lord made use of exquisite torments for applying his Grace? To apply Mercy by the executing of Justice: Is forgiving debt, applyed by exacting the debt? Shall pardon be applyed to by the punishing of us?
Quest. IV.
WIll such as are found alive, at the last day not die but be changed?
Yes. 1 Thess. 4. 17. 1 Cor. 15. 51, 52.
Well then, do not the Papists err, who maintain, that such as are found alive at the last day shall die?
Yes.
By what reasons are they confuted?
(1) Because, Christ is ordained of GOD to be Judge of Quick and Dead; which distinction would be needless, if all truely Died; Act 10. 42. (2) Because, the Apostle says (as was cited) we shal not all sleep but be changed: which place of Scripture is not to be read, we shall all therefore sleep, as the Papists say, putting in the Greek particle oun, for ou, therefore for not. Because this illative particle oun, cannot agree sufficiently with the Apostles Preface, Behold, I shew you a mystery: This Mysterie is not death it self, but a change in place of death, which is a great Mystery indeed. (3) As the Resurrection of many of the bodies of the Saints, was a preamble of the great Resurrection of our bodies; (Mat. 27. 52.) So the translating of Enoch, that he might not see death, seems to be a preamble of this change in place of death Heb. 11. 9.
Quest. V.
SHal the Dead be raised up, with the self same bodies and none other, although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their Souls for ever?
Yes. Iob 19. 26, 27. 1 Cor. 15. 42, 43, 44.
Well then, do not the Socinians, Arminians, Anabaptists, Photinians, and Marcionites err, who maintain, that the same individual body, is not raised up, which we carried about with us here, and laid down in the dust, but another body made of Air, or of some matter more subtile than Air, altogether void of flesh and blood, made a-new by Christ?
Yes.
Do not likewise many of the Quakers err, who maintain also, That the same individual body is not raised again, but that there is a change thereof in substance, as well as in quality?
Yes.
By what reasons are they confuted?
(1) Because, it is evident from Scripture, Phil. 3. 21. that there shall be a transforming of those vile bodies at the Resurrection, to be fashioned after the glorious body of Christ; and so not the forming and making of a new one, which is hard to conceive, if the same individual body should not be raised, and if this change here spoken of, be as well in substance, as in quality. (2) Because, the Apostle sayes, He that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies (and therefore not bodies made of Air) by his Spirit, that dwelleth in you; Rom. 8. 11. (3) The same Apostle sayes, For this corruption must put on incorruption, and this mortality must put on immortality; 1 Cor. 15. 53. (4) Because, the Iustice of GOD requires, that the same individual bodies shal receive rewards, or punishments, which have done good or evil, while life remained; 2 Cor. 5. 10. Rom. 2. 6. Eph. 6. 8. (5) Because, the body of Christ, who is the efficient cause of our Resurrection, (1 Cor. 15. 4, 12, 13, 16.) rose again that same individual body; Luke 24. 39, 40.
Quest. VI.
SHal the bodies of the unjust by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonour?
Yes. Acts 24. 15. Iohn 5. 28. 29. Phil. 3. 21.
Well then, do not the Socinians err, who maintain, there shall be no resurrection of the unjust?
Yes.
By what reasons are they confuted?
(1) Because, the Apostle sayes, We must all appear before the Judgment-seat of Christ, that every man may receive the things done in the body; 2 Cor. 5. 10. (2) Because, the hour cometh, in the which, all that are in their graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life: and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation: Iohn 5. 28, 29. (3) Because, the Apostle sayes, being accused before Tertullus, there shall be a Resurrection of the dead, both of the Just and Unjust; Acts 24. 15. (4) Because, according to the Enochs Prophesy, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his Saints, to execute Judgement upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them; Iude verses 14, 15. (5) Because, many of them that sleep in the dust of the Earth, shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame, and everlasting contempt; Daniel 12. 2.
CHAP. XXXIII. Of the Last IUDGEMENT.
Question.
SHal the wicked who know not GOD, and obey not the Gospel of Iesus Christ, be casten into everlasting torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power?
Yes. Matth. 25. 31, to the end; Rom. 9. 22, 23. Acts 3. 19. 2 Thes. 1. 7, 8, 9.
Well then, do not the Socinians err, who defining eternal death to be the extinguishing of the Body and Soul, maintain, that the wicked are to suffer no torment in hell; and that their whole punishment will be to be deprived of Eternity, or anihilated, that is, both Soul and Body turned into NOTHING?
Yes.
Do not likewise the Origenists, and some Anabaptists err, who think, that not only the wicked, but the Devils themselves, after many torments in hell, shall be received by GOD into favour, and be made blessed and happy?
Yes.
By what reasons are they confuted?
(1) Because, the Apostle affirms, almost in so many words, that which we have asserted; 2 Thes. 1. 7, 8, 9, 10. (2) Because, Life Eternal, and Death Eternal, are in Scripture opposed to one another in the same sense; Mat. 25. 46. But Life Eternal in Scripture, is not taken for being simply Eternal, but for being Eternally happy, or to be in a blessed Eternal state and condition; Psalm 133. 3. Therefore, Eternal death must be taken in Scripture not for anihilation, or being turned into Nothing; but for an Eternal wretched and miserable state and condition. (3) Because, the Scripture saves, but the children of the kingdom shall be casten into utter darkness, there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth; Matth. 8. 12, 13. (4) Because, the Scripture affirms expresly, that the wicked are tormented in hell; Luke 16. 24. Next, there are some degrees of torments there, but there are no degrees in non esse, that is, in not to be. (5) Because, Abraham saves expresly, there can no man pass from the place of torment, to the place of bless and happiness; Luke 16. 26. (6) Because, the torments of the wicked are called a Worm that dieth not; a fire that cannot be extinguished. (7) Because, the Scripture sayes, that the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever; Rev. 14: 11. Rev. 19. 3. (8) Because, the wicked will be carried into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his angels; Matth. 25. 46. And the same wicked, are to rise again to shame, and everlasting contempt; Daniel 12. 2. And to suffer the vengeance of Everlasting fire; Iude verse 7. And now only is the accepted time, and now is the day of Salvation; 2 Cor. 6. 2.
FINIS.
End of the text · David Dickson, Truths Victory Over Error (1684)