The Practical Believer, Chapter 11
CHAP. XI. Of the Resurrection of the Body, and the Life everlasting.
The Contents.
The Resurrection not meerly of our Spirits from sin, but of our Bodies from the Grave. This to be brought about by the Almighty Power of God. The Perfections of Glorified Bodies, viz. Immortality, Spirituality, and Glory. The Bodies of the Wicked Immortal. And exquisitely sensible. Some Inferences from the Resurrection of our Bodies. Good Souls carried straight-way into a Place of Bliss. Of Eternal Life, wherin there is Full and unmixed Happiness. Of the satisfaction of their Senses. Their clear and distinct Knowledge. Perfect Holiness. And without Reluctance. Blissful Companions. Perfection of Love and Kindness. Honour, and Eminence of Place. All these to be injoy'd in the Highest Heavens, without satiety, or weariness. For evermore. Of the miseries of the Damned, in Tormenting Passions. The worm of Conscience. Fire and Flames. Disgrace. Under all which, no favour of God. No company, but of Tormenting Devils, and damned Spirits. None to condole, when they cannot relieve. No rest and sleep, for Recruit of Spirits. No end of their miseries. The Use of this.
Quest. WHat is the Eleventh Article of the Creed?
Answ. I believe the Resurrection of the Body.
Quest. May not the Resurrection be interpreted, only of a Spiritual Resurrection from sin?
Answ. So some taught of old, as St. Paul testifies, saying the Resurrection is passed already, i. e. when Men rose from a State of sin, to the fear of God; and these, says he, get credit, and overthrow the Faith of some, 2 Tim. 2. 18. But the Resurrection we expect, is a Resurrection of the Body. Our Bodies, after we have laid them down by Death, shall at the Day of Judgment, be quickned, and raised up again. Then, all that are in the Graves shall hear Christ's voice, and come forth, they that have done good, to the Resurrection of Life, and they that have done evil, to the Resurrection of Damnation, Joh. 5. 28, 29. This mortal Body must put on immortality, and this corruptible must put on Incorruption, that so all that being revived, which Death destroyed, Death may be swallowed up in Victory, 1 Cor. 15. 53, 54.
Quest. The Resurrection of a Body which had been crumbled into Dust, seemed an incredible thing when it was preach'd at first: When the Philosophers heard of a Resurrection, some mocked, Act. 17. 32. What can make it credible, or fit to be Believed?
Answ. The Omnipotent Power of God, when that is ingaged for it. For no one can think it impossible, for God to raise up a Body out of dust, that at first made it out of dust, yea, that raised all things out of nothing. Ye err, saith our Saviour to the Sadduces, about the Resurrection, not knowing the Power of God, Mat. 22. 29. And this Power, he has given us a sensible proof of; by raising up Christ. If Christ be preached, that he rose from the dead, how say some among you, that there is no Resurrection of the Dead; i. e. in regard his Rising is such an irrefragable instance, and example of it? 1 Cor. 15. 12.
Quest. Shall the Bodies of the Saints, be raised up by the Power of the Holy Ghost?
Answ. Yes; he that now makes them his Temples, by displaying in them his Holiness, shall at last display in them his Omnipotence, breathing into their scatter'd dust the Breath of Life, as at first he breathed Life into all things. If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the Dead, dwell in you, he shall at last also quicken your mortal Bodies, as he quickned his, Rom. 8. 11.
Quest. The Rising of the Saints, will no doubt be very Glorious. But what Perfections shall their Bodies receive at the Resurrection?
Answ. First, Immortality. Nothing after that shall ever be able to pain, decay, or annoy them; they shall not be liable to suffer, nor to dye any more. This corruptible must put on incorruption; and this mortal must put on immortality, 1 Cor. 15. 53. They cannot dye any more, Luke 20. 36.
Secondly, Spirituality; it is sown a Natural Body, it is raised a Spiritual Body, 1 Cor. 15. 44. Whereby is not meant, that it shall be a Spirit in Substance; but that it shall have those Perfections of Spirits, wherein they excel Bodies. As, 1. being above the gross Pleasures of Sense, such as Eating, Drinking, and carnal Injoyments. In the Resurrection, they neither Marry, nor are given in Marriage, but are as the Angels, Mat. 22. 30. And Meats for the Belly, and the Belly for Meats, but God shall shortly destroy both it, and them, viz. in the Resurrection, when men shall live without them, 1 Cor. 6. 13. 2dly. Vigor and Activity, such as may answer and keep pace with the vehement Transports, and quick Emotions of Glorified Souls, and be capable to support their Joys, bear their Raptures, and express their Activities. And 3dly, Agility, or Spriteliness in their motions, moveing towards all Points, upwards †1 Thess. 4. 17.into the Air and Clouds, as St. Paul notes of the Saints in their new Bodies; as well as downwards: And to Places at any distance, with the quickness of Spirits; whence they are able in a moment to appear, or disappear as the Soul pleases, as our Saviour's Body did after his Resurrestion, and †Phil. 3. 21our raised Bodies must be like his, being in this respect also equal to the Angels, Luke 20. 36.
Quest. Shall they receive any more Perfections?
Answ. Yes, Thirdly, not only a perfect Beauty, instead of any Mishape or Deformity, but also a marvellous Brightness, or Glory. It is sown in Dishonour, but it is raised in Glory, 1 Cor, 15. 43. The Righteous shall shine forth as the Sun, in the Kingdom of the Father, Mat. 13. 43. Christ shall change our vile Body, that it may be like unto his Glorious Body, Phil. 3. 21. And that was full of glittering Splendor. Whilst he conversed with his Disciples, after his Resurrection here on Earth, he laid it aside, because fleshly eyes were not able to behold it, as appeared by its Striking Saul blind, Acts 9. 3, 9. But in Heaven he shines with a dazeling Lustre. Thus he appeared from thence, to Stephen, Acts 7. 55. and to Paul, who describes the light of his Presence to have been above the brightness of the Sun, Acts 26. 13. And his head, and his hairs were white like Wooll, yea, as white as Snow, his Eyes as a Flame of Fire, his Feet like fine Brass burning in a Furnace, and his Countenance as the Sun, shining in its strength, in that Vision St. John had of him in the Revelations, Rev. 1. 13, 14, 15, 16.
Quest. This will be a most happy Resurrection of the Just: But what kind of Bodies shall the Wicked have? shall theirs be immortal too?
Answ. Yes; but to their cost, and for no other end, but that they may be immortally punished. For when they always fry in Eternal Fire, they shall never be consumed by it.
Quest. And shall their raised Bodies be sensible of Torment?
Answ. Yes; far more than their Bodies are now; and they shall always have the smartest, and most terrible things in Nature to Torment them, viz. Eternal Fire. Depart from me ye Cursed into everlasting Fire, Mat. 25. 41. There they shall be tormented in the Flames, and not have so much, as a drop of Water, to cool their parched Tongue, Luke 16. 23, 24.
Quest. If it be thus extream violent, it will soon consume them, or, as extremity of pain sometimes causes dictraction, so over-power their Souls, that they shall not be able to mind, or attend to it?
Answ. No; as their sense of pains shall be most exquisite, and insensible, so shall their Bodies be indissoluble, and their sense insuperable. As an Almighty Vengeance shall ever inflict the most tormenting strokes upon them: so at the same time, an Almighty Power shall continue their strength to bear, and an exquisite sense or feeling, to be most piercingly affected with them.
Quest. Must not this Belief of the Resurrection of the Body, comfort us upon the death of Friends, when we lay their Bodies in the Graves?
Answ. Yes; because those Bodies are not perished, but only faln asleep, and shall be infinitely more perfect, and glorious, and full of strength, when they awake out of it. I would not have you ignorant, Brethren, concerning them that are asleep, that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope. For if we believe, that Jesus dyed, and rose again: even so them also, that sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him, 1 Thess. 4. 13, 14.
Quest. And ought it not to arm us against the fear of our own death too?
Answ. Yes; for since, when our earthly House of this Tabernacle is dissolved, we have a Building of God, Eternal in the Heavens: in this we groan earnestly, desiring to be cloath'd upon, with our House which is from Heaven, 2 Cor. 5. 1, 2.
Quest. What is the Twelfth, and last Article of the Creed?
Answ. I Believe the Life Everlasting.
Quest. When good mens Souls leave their Bodies, what becomes of them?
Answ. They are carried into a place of Bliss and Refreshment, which Christ, in his discourse to the Penitent Thief, called †Luke 23. 43.Paradise; and in the Parable of Dives and Lazarus, *Luke 16. 22.Abrahams Bosom. And the care of conducting them thither, as Christ noted in the account of Lazarus, is committed to some good Angels. For some of these, as ministring Spirits, always attend the deathbeds of God's Saints, and receive the departed Soul into their care; to guard it from all frights and molestations of envious Fiends, as it passes thro' the Regions of the Air, which are the †Eph 2. 2.Principality or Territory of the Powers of Darkness; and to guide it in all that long passage, of new and unknown ways, which lead to the Blessed Receptacles of departed Spirits. Whereas the Souls of the Wicked, when they are thrust out of their Bodies, are left naked and defenceless, to be seiz'd by those greedy and implacable Furies, and hurried away upon the award of their most just Judge, in extream anguish and despair, to their most wretched Prisons.
Quest. But at the Resurrection, I see both Good and Bad shall return to their Bodies again. And shall that Life last for ever?
Answ. Yes; for after once they are reunited, their Souls and Bodies shall never part any more; but the good shall continue in everlasting pleasure, and the wicked in everlasting pain.
Quest. What happiness is there, in that Eternal Life of the Righteous?
Answ. All possible happiness their hearts can wish, or their Nature is capable of. They shall see and enjoy God, who will give himself to them: and that implies every thing that is Beatifying, all the Blessedness we can imagine, and infinitely more, being contain'd in God, and communicated together with him.
Quest. And shall this Blessedness never be imbitter'd to them, with any care, or fear, or grief, or crosses, as all the happyness of this present Life is?
Answ. No; They shall neither hunger, nor thirst any more, Rev. 7. 16. God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes, and there shall be no more Death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor Pain, for all those former things are passed away, Rev. 21. 4.
Quest. Shall all their Senses be gratified with the most delightful, and agreeable enjoyments?
Answ. Yes; such as the Scripture is wont to set off by Feasts, and Banquets, and Marriage-Entertainments; by melodious Songs, and joyful Hallelujahs; by transporting sights of all the Beauty, the Glory, and Magnificence of the Heavenly Court; the Majesty of God's Throne, and the Splendor of all the Heavenly Host that do surround it. Indeed, their exalted and refined Senses, are above the gross delights of Eating, and Drinking, and giving in Marriage. But such as these the Scripture uses, because our present state places so much in them. And whatsoever delight, and satisfaction, they may express to our present Capacities; that, and abundance more, shall the enjoyments of that life yield to our glorified and improved Bodies.
Quest. 'Tis a great heappiness, to have clear, and distinct knowledge of things, and not to be distracted with doubts, or posed with difficulties. Shall the Righteous in that Eternal Life, have such clear and advanced understandings?
Answ. Yes; they shall get rid of all darkness, and doubtfulness of mind, and know every thing they desire, without study, or pains. Now we see as in a Glass, darkly, but then face to face: Now we know in part, but then shall we know, even as also we are known, 1 Cor. 13. 12.
Quest. 'Tis a singular Point of Bliss, to be perfect in Holiness, which is one of the most Blissful Attributes of God himself. Shall they also be such perfectly Holy Persons?
Answ. Yes; they shall excel in every Virtue, and Grace, wherein Christ himself doth: for when he appears, we shall be like him, 1 Joh. 3. 2. And those they shall enjoy, free of all those weaknesses and defects, whereby their Virtues are obscur'd, and lessen'd in this World. For in new Jerusalem, the Spirits of just men are made perfect, Heb. 12. 23.
Quest. And shall they exercise all this Holiness without trouble and reluctance, which makes the practice of it painful here on Earth?
Answ. Yes; for they shall neither have any inward Lusts to oppose it, nor outward Temptations to draw them from it. They hear no advice, nor see any example, but of what is good. Their inclinations are all rectified, and become Holiness to the Lord. Their Nature is perfect in good, and duty is become their delight, so that in conforming entirely to the will of God, they do in the highest measure gratifie their own wills too.
Quest. And with this height of knowledge, and of Holiness, shall they also be inwardly pleased in their own minds, and think themselves happy; without which, no man is happy?
Answ. Yes; they must needs be infinitely pleased in every thing they have, and in every thing they do, for whatsoever comes to them, is pure happiness; and whatsoever proceeds from them, is full of Wisdom and Goodness, without the least word, or action, to repent of. Their State is all Joy, and Peace: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord, Mat. 25. 21. It is not bid to enter into them, being infinitely more than they can hold; but they into it, as into a vast Ocean of Bliss, whereof they shall always drink to the full, but never empty or exhaust it.
Quest. Indeed, such compleat Knowledge, and perfect Holiness, must needs give them cause of greatest satisfaction from themselves. But what sort of Company must they keep? will they be equally happy in that too?
Answ. Yes; unimaginably happy. For they will live always in the presence of God, who will ineffably Communicate himself to them; and of Jesus Christ, who will infinitely rejoyce to see how happy he has made them; and of the Holy Ghost, who will eternally Congratulate the reward of his own Graces in them; and converse with Angels, Apostles, and Glorified Saints, and all their Godly dear Friends, whom they valued as their own Souls, and whom they clave so fast to in their hearts, that they could have followed them into the other World, when they were taken from them.
Quest. And all this God-like Society, are every way fitted to be the most happy, and delightful Companions?
Answ. Yes; to be the most Blissful, that possibly can be thought of. For they are all light, and quickness in their understandings; and all love, and tenderness in their Affections; and most sweet, and obliging in their carriage, being perfectly free from all Anger, Crossness, Scorn, or Contempt, and every thing that may give offence. They all look pleased, and inviting in their countenances; and are exquisitely wise, useful, and entertaining in all their Discourses; and all agree in the same Opinions, and speak the same things, and pursue the same ends, and are pleased in the same Objects, and have no strife among them, but who shall love highest, and oblige most, and be most like to God, and agreeable to each other for evermore.
Quest. You say there shall be no strife, but who shall love most. Indeed, a state of love, which is not cooled by any unkindnesses, nor crossed by Disappointments, nor made unfortunate by the Follies, or Sufferings of those we dearly love, is absolutely the most agreeable, pleasant, and satisfactory Employment in the World. And amidst all these Companions, shall the Righteous be Perfect in this Love?
Answ. Yes, most Perfect. For God is Love, and he that dwells in God, dwells in Love, 1 Joh. 4. 16.
Quest. Will all that blessed Company entirely love us?
Answ. Yes, as they do their own Souls; they were full of Love, while they lived here; loving even their Enemies, after Christ's Precept, and Example; but especially the servants of God, in whom they discern'd his Image. But in Heaven they shall love us in Perfection, and be full Ripe and Compleat in this, as they are in all other Graces.
Quest. And shall we entirely Love all them?
Answ. Yes; they shall all be so absolute in all amiable excellencies, and continually discover such a boundless Love for us, and our Natures will be so wholly framed for Love and Kindness; that we cannot chuse but love them, and that with the greatest fervour, and intenseness of Affection. And this will be all Pleasure, and no Pain, because they are incapable of doing any thing, that may either shame, or disgust us. God is all in all in them, and therefore they can do nothing, but what we, who entirely love God and them, may perfectly delight in.
Quest. If we shall have such entire Love for all the Saints in Bliss, we shall, as all true Friends do, partake in all their Joys, and all their Happiness will be ours?
Answ. It will be so; for Love of Happy Persons, multiplies Happiness, as oft as it multiplies Objects. Because, when we entirely love them, we esteem and are pleased with all their Happiness, as with our own. And this way, every Saint will be as full, as if they had a Monopoly of Bliss, and draw all the Happiness of Heaven to themselves.
Quest. But amidst all these inward excellencies, and happy Company, and Blissful intercourse of kindness, shall they live in Honour, and be eminent in Place?
Answ. Yes, as Kings and Princes. They shall †Rev. 3. 21.Sit on Thrones, and wear *1 Pet. 5. 4.Crowns and Scepters, and be †1 Jo. 3. 1Sons of God, and Brethren, and *Rom. 8. 17.Joint-heirs with Christ, they shall †Rev. 21. 7.inherit all things, and not only have the Priviledge to stand about Christs Throne, but what would surpass belief, if Truth it self had not assured us of it, sit down with him thereon. To him that overcometh, will I grant to sit with me in my Throne; even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his Throne, Rev. 3. 21. And besides this glory of their State, and eminence in Place; their Bodies, as I observed, shall be cloathed with the most Radiant Light, and surpass even the Sun it self in Brightness.
Quest. In what place must they live, to wear these Glories, and Feast on all this immense Happiness?
Answ. In the Heaven of Heavens, a Place scituate on High, † far above all visible * Eph. 4. 10.things, unspeakably vast in extent, and magnificent in structure, and illustrious in Glory, the Presence Chamber of the great God, and King; where he lives incircled with Lustre, and †1 Tim. 6. 16.Light inaccessible, which no mortal Eye can approach unto, for no Man, (as he told Moses,) can see my Face and live, Exod. 33. 20. Here shall all Righteous Persons, with their immortal Eyes, ever see God, and shine in his Glory, and feast on all the forecited joys, and fulness of Pleasure, which is at his Right hand for evermore, Psal. 16. 11.
Quest. But if this happy enjoyment last long, will they not grow weary of it in the end; since humane Appetites are wont to love change, and loath the best things, if held constant to them?
Answ. No; as the enjoyments are, so is the desire and relish of them, always the same. The Goods are pure, having no ungrateful mixtures to be discover'd, and tasted by time: and the Appetite and Relish perfect, subject to no ebbs or flows, no weariness or alterations. So that we shall still desire, as well as enjoy these pleasant things, and find an inexpressible sweetness, and satisfaction in them.
Quest. And to Crown all, and render us secure in this Blessed State, shall the happiness of it be no fading transitory Thing, as all worldly pleasure is, but everlasting?
Answ. Yes; it will be always in its Spring, and look fresh, and flourish, thro' Eternal Ages. The Pleasures at God's Right Hand, are for evermore, Ps. 16. 11. the weight of Glory is Eternal, 2 Cor. 4. 17. the Kingdom cannot be moved, Heb. 12. 28. the Crown is incorruptible, 1 Cor. 9. 25. that fadeth not away, 1 Pet. 5. 4. 'Tis not a limited happiness, held only for a term of years, or Ages, but an Eternal Life, 1 John. 5. 11.
Quest. This is such a perfection of Bliss, as is enough to make all Righteous men impatient of living here, and long to dye, as †Phil. 1. 21, 23.St. Paul did, thereby to be possess'd of it?
Answ. It is so, indeed, if it contain'd no more than I have described. But when they come to enjoy it, they will find infinitely more than I have said, yea, than any Tongue can express, or heart imagine and apprehend. For Eye hath not seen, nor Ear heard, neither hath it enter'd into the heart of man, to conceive the Things God has prepared for those that love him, 1 Cor. 2. 9.
Quest. I perceive, how Blissful the Eternal Life of the Righteous is. But the Wicked too shall be raised to an Eternal State, and what shall their Life be?
Answ. The most perfect misery, both of Body and Soul, whence in Scripture, when by Life is meant, not only the continuance in being, but the happiness of it, their state is call'd everlasting death, 2 Thes. 1. 8, 9. Rev. 2. 11.
Quest. What sorrow and torment shall the Wicked for ever endure in their Souls?
Answ. The torment of all vexatious Passions, being continually wracked with Envy, Anger, Fruitless Cares, and Boundless Fears, utter despair of all relief, and yet extream desires of it. And the Sting of Conscience, which shall pierce them thro' with bitter remorse, and gnaw perpetually like a Worm, upon their Hearts and Vitals, their Worm dieth not, Mark 9. 44.
Quest. Indeed, all these mention'd Passions, when at the heighth, are so many Furies, especially distracting and amazing Fears, and Horrors. And shall wretched Souls be wholly seized by these?
Answ. Yes; as much as we may imagine they can possibly, who are surrounded on every side with the most mischievous and spiteful Enemies, and are left among them in the Dark, which, were it possible, would magnify their Fears by fancy, and make them infinite. To express which utter uncomfortableness, and insecurity, they are said to be cast into utter Darkness, Mat. 22. 13. and reserved unto Blackness of Darkness for ever, 2 Pet. 2. 17.
Quest. What is implyed in the Worm of Conscience?
Answ. Bitter, and cutting remorse, for their own wretched folly, which has call'd down upon them those intolerable miseries, and utter and horrid despair, of ever removing or abating them.
Quest. Is this Sting of Conscience so extreamly tormenting to mens Souls, that it should be compared to a Worm, preying upon their vitals?
Answ. Yes; for they who feel it, and such only can tell the smart of it, think it more exquisite and insupportable, than the pangs of death it self. And therefore they run greedily after Death, and seek by any means to make away themselves, in hopes thereby to get quit of it. The Spirit of a man will sustain all other his infirmities, but a wounded Spirit who can bear? Prov. 18. 14. And if 'tis so intolerable here, where they have only some beginnings, and small fore-tastes of it: what must it be, when horror is at the heighth, and despair and anguish is consummate, and the rage of all infernal Spirits is let loose, to represent at full the most formidable Phantasms, and imprint Anguish, and all sorts of Agonies and painful Horrors, with the utmost activity of Furious and powerful Spirits, as it will be in the next World.
Quest. But whilst their forlorn Souls are racked with all these horrible pangs, what shall become of their Bodies?
Answ. They shall Frye in Flames, as I said, and endure all the Torment, which men can feel in the hottest Fire. They shall be cast into a Furnace of Fire, Mat. 13. 42. and have their part in the Lake, which burneth with Fire and Brimstone, which is the second death, Rev. 21. 8.
Quest. This must needs cause excessive pain. But shall they not have something to mitigate, and make it easier?
Answ. No; not so much as a drop of water to cool their Tongue, when 'tis parched and tormented in the Flame, Luke 16. 24. Nor, that poor relief of those, who are extream weary, and sore, to shift sides, or change their posture. Bind him hand and foot, that he cannot stir, says our Lord, when he Condemns the Sinner to this Lake of Fire, Mat. 22. 13.
Quest. And shall desperate shame, and disgrace, be added to all this?
Answ. Yes; For they are all as vile and hateful, to God, and all good men, yea, and to themselves too, as they can be made; and it is purely their own wilful and wretched Folly, and desperate wickedness, which has brought them to it.
Quest. But will not God, the hope and comfort of all that are in utter distress, look upon them, and shew them countenance, in this wretched state?
Answ. No; they shall never see his face, nor receive the least glimpse of favour from his Countenance. He will say to them, depart from me ye Cursed, Mat. 25. 41. And they shall be punished with everlasting destruction, from the Presence of the Lord, 2 Thes. 1. 9. He will not look upon them, but in wrath and fury, and never think of them in mercy any more.
Quest. But when God deserts them, shall they be quite forsaken? or, will they not be allowed some Company in this distress?
Answ. Yes; but that shall be the Company of Devils, and tormenting Spirits, who thirst more after Blood, than ever the most starved Appetite did after food: and who have no other way, to ease their own pains, but by the satisfaction of augmenting theirs. Go into everlasting Fire, prepared for the Devil, and his Angels, Mat. 25. 41.
Quest. But amidst all this horrid Crew, that take such pleasure to despite them, shall there be none to help them, when they are unable to help themselves, at least to pity, and condole with them?
Answ, No, there are none, but Partners in destruction, who are all too full of their own miseries, to attend theirs. And all these in Nature are perfect Furies, that have no love and tenderness for others. For Hell is no place for pity and kindness: since he that dwells in Love, dwells in God, as St. John says, 1 Joh. 4. 16. So that there they shall have no Friend, either to help, or hearten, or sympathize with them. But all about them shall spitefully vex and reproach them, and add more to their burden, which is already heavier, by far, than they can bear.
Quest. But there is one thing still, that, in the extreamest Torments, gives some ease and recruit of Spirits, tho' it cannot give a full deliverance, and that is Rest and Sleep. And shall not miserable wretches have some rest from these Torments?
Answ. No; for the smoke of their Torment ascendeth up for ever and ever, and they have no rest, day nor night, Rev. 14. 11.
Quest. But if this Torment, be thus without all intermission, and thus violent, sure it will not last long, but they will c…e in good time to an end of it?
Answ. No, it shall never end. Their Bodies, as I noted, shall be made indissoluble, and immortal, only that their pains may be immortal. Their worm dieth not, and their Fire never shall be quenched, Mark 9. 43, 44.
Quest. Good God! how intolerable, and irremediable is this State? will not every man, that believes he shall unavoidably suffer all this for persisting wicked, take any pains, and endure any hardships in Religion, and the amendment of his Life, to prevent it?
Answ. Yes; most certainly, and this is the wise use we are to make of it. Knowing the Terrors of the Lord, in executing the Wicked after the last Judgment, we perswade men to live well here, without which there is no avoiding them, 2 Cor. 5. 11.
Quest. And since the happiness of the Righteous, is so infinitely lasting, and large; must not the belief of that, make us contemn all the short pleasures of Sin, which would bereave us of it; and think all the sufferings of Virtue, nothing in comparison of the reward, that doth attend it?
Answ. Yes; for since the sufferings of this present Time, are not worthy to be compared with the Glory that shall be revealed in us: neither Death, nor Life, nor Things present, nor Things to come, nor any other Creature, …all be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord, Rom. 8. 18, 38, 39.
FINIS.