A Catechism, Chapter 33
CHAP 33. Of the Death and Resurrection of the body, and the last judgement.
Q WHat is to be believed concerning death?
A. It is now appointed of God, that Adam and all his children must die aHeb. 9 27. Psal. 89. 48., except Enoch bHeb. 11. 5.and Elias c2. Kings 2. 11▪, and such as shall be found alive at the comming of Christ to judgement d1 Cor. 15. 51, 52..
Q Why hath God so appointed?
A. Because of sinne eGen. 2. 17. & 3. 29. Rom. 5. 12. 1 Cor. 15. 21, 22., for if sinne had not entered into the world, there had never been death.
Q. But why should believers die, seeing Christ hath suffered death for them, and so hath taken away all punishment of sinne?
A. They die not now in way of punishment for their sinne properly, but for other ends and repects.
Q. For what ends doe they die?
A. That they may be freed from all the evils of this life fIsai 57. 1. Revel. 14. 13., and be brought to rest and glory with Christ gPhil. 1. 23. Isai 57. 2. Iohn 14. 3..
Q. What is the state of the godly immediately upon their death?
A. Their bodies doe sleep in the grave, as in the bed of spices hIsai 57. 2. Rev. 14. 13., and their soules which are immortall are made glorious in the presence of God in Heaven iEccl. 12. 7. Phil. 1. 23. 2 Cor. 5. 1, 8. Luke 23. 34. Acts 7. 59..
Q And what is the state of the wicked upon their death?
A. Their bodies lie rotting in the grave, through the heavy curse of God kGen. 3. 12. Psal. 49. 14.; and their soules are tormented in hell, in unspeakable woe and misery lLuke 16. 23..
Q. Shall the bodies of men lie for ever in the grave, and never be united to their soules again?
A. Not so, for there will be a resurrection of the just and unjust mActs 24. 15., and all that are in the graves shall come forth nIohn 5. 28, 29..
Q. In what manner shall the bodies of the Saints arise?
A. For substance the same bodies that they were at death o1 Cor. 15. 53. Iob 19. 26, 27.; but for quality greatly changed pPhil. 2. 21., insomuch that they shall be raised incorruptible, glorious, powerfull, and spirituall q1 Cor. 15. 42, 43, 44..
Q. VVhat great matter is it for godly men to rise again, seeing wicked men shall rise also?
A. They shall not rise by vertue of any union with Christ as their head, as the godly shall rRom. 8. 11. 2 Cor. 4. 14. 1 Thes. 4. 14.; but onelyonly by the power of Christ, as their Judge sIohn 5. 28..
Q. VVherein else doth the resurrection of the godly and wicked differ?
A. The wicked shall not rise in such a glorious and excellent manner, nor unto the same end with the godly, but to the resurrection of damnation, Iohn 5. 29.
Q. What followeth after the Resurrection?
A. The eternall judgement, Heb. 6. 2. & 9. 27.
Q. When will the day of judgement be?
A. It is certainly appointed and decreed of God when it shall be tActs 17. 31.; but it is not known to us that we might alwaies live in watchfulnesseuMark 13 32, 33.
Q. Who must be judge at that day?
A. Jesus Christ is appointed of God to be the Judge of quick and dead. Acts 10. 42. & 17. 31. Iohn 5. 22, 27. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 2 Cor. 5. 10.
Q. Who must be judged?
A. All the world, both living and dead; and this of all things done in this life, whether they be good or evil. Acts 17, 31. 2 Cor. 5. 10. 2 Tim. 4. 1. 1 Pet. 4. 5.
Q. In what manner will be come?
A. He will come suddenly w2 Pet. 3. 10. 1 Thes. 5, 2, 3., visibly xActs 1. 11. Luke 21. 27. Rev. 1. 7., and in wonderfull Majesty and glory yLuke 21. 27. Tit. 2. 13, in flaming fire z2 Thes. 1. 8. 2 Pet. 3. 10, 12., with the voyce of the Archangell a1 Thess. 4. 16., and thousand thousands of Angels b2 Thess. 1. 7. Iude 14. Mat. 25. 31..
Q. What sentence will he give?
A. To them upon his right hand he will say, come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the Kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the would. Matth. 25. 34.
Q. And what will be his sentence upon the wicked at his left hand?
A. To them upon his left hand he will say, Goe ye cursed into everlasting fire, prepared for the Divel and his Angels, Matth. 25. 41.
Q. What shall follow the pronouncing of the sentence?
A. The sentence pronounced shall presently be put in execution, so that every man shall receive according to his works. Matth. 25. 46. 2 Cor. 5. 10. Mat. 16. 27.
Q. What shall the wicked receive?
A. They shall be punished with everlasting perdition from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power c2 Thes. 1. 9., with the divell and his Angels dMat. 25. 41., in the lake that burneth with Fire and Brimstone, which is the second death eRev. 21. 1. Mark 9. 43, 44.,
Q. And what shall the godly receive?
A. They shall have redemption and deliverance from all kind of evil fLuke 21. 28. Eph. 4. 30. Rom. 8. 23..
Q. And what good shall they enjoy?
A. Wonderfull gPsal. 31. 19., unspeakable and unconceivable h1 Cor. 2. 2. 2 Cor. 12. 4., and everlasting i2 Cor. 4. 17. Mat. 25. 46. 1 Pet. 1. 4.happinesse and glory in the highest heavens k2 Cor. 5. 1. Iohn 14. 2, 3. Heb. 11. 10., in the presence of God l1 Thes 4. 17., in whose presence is fulnesse of joy, and at whose right hand are pleasures for evermore mPsal. 16. 11..