A Little Cabinet, Section 51
There is a firſt and a ſecond Reſurrection.
1. THe firſt Reſurrection, as moſt do affirm, is a Reſurrection from the death of ſin, to the Life of Righteouſneſs: this is a Revocation from a ſtate of death to a ſtate of Life.
2. There is a reſurrection of the ſame body that man had in this life, Iob 19. 26. The form of this reſurrection conſiſteth in the re-union of body and ſoul, and reſtoring of the de…d to Life, and in the ſuddain change of thoſe that remain upon the earth at his coming, &c. This reſurrection is either of the godly or of the wicked. There is a Reſurrection to Life, and another to condemnation, John 5. 29.
1. Of the godly, they ſhall be firſt raiſed, and then freed; not only from corruption, and bodily defects, but ſhall be crowned alſo with Glory, 1 Theſſ. 4. 16. For the Lord himſelf ſhall deſcend from heaven with a ſhout, with the voice of the Arch-Angel, and with the trump of God, and the dead in Chriſt ſhall riſe firſt: Agreeable to this Text is that in Rev. 20. 4, 5. I ſaw the ſouls of them that were beheaded for the witneſs of Jeſus, and for the word of God, which had not worſhipped the beaſt nor his Image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and raigned with Chriſt a thouſand years. Ver. 5. But the reſt of the dead lived not again, untill the thouſand years were finiſhed, this is the firſt reſurrection, bleſſed and holy is he that hath part in the firſt reſurrection, on ſuch the ſecond Death hath no power: the Apoſtle Paul ſpeaks to the ſame thing: 1 Cor. 15. 23. But every man in his own order, Chriſt the firſt fruits, afterwards they that are Chriſts at his Coming. 1 Theſſ. 4. 14. For if we believe that Jeſus dyed and roſe again, even ſo them alſo which ſleep in Jeſus, will God bring with him, 1 Cor. 15. 42, 43, 44. It is ſown in corruption, it is rayſed in incorruption; it is ſown in diſhonour, it is raiſed in Glory; it is ſown in weakneſs, it is raiſed in power; it is ſown a natural body, it is raiſed a ſpiritual body; ver. 49. As we have born the Image of the earthly, we ſhall alſo bear the Image of the Heavenly Adam. The bodies of the Elect being thus firſt raiſed, they ſhall have moſt excellent and ſupernatural qualities. I will inſtance in four.
1. As before they ſhall be raiſed in power, whereby they ſhall be freed from all wants and weakneſs, and enabled to continue without the uſe of meat and drink, ſleep and other former helps.
2. They ſhall be raiſed as before in incorruption, whereby they ſhall never be ſubject to any manner of imperfection, blemiſh, ſickneſs, or death.
3. In Glory, whereby their bodies ſhall ſhine as bright as the Sun in the firmament: Three glimpſes of which Glory were ſeen; firſt, in Moſes face: ſecondly in the transfiguration: thirdly in Stephens countenance.
Three inſtances and aſſurances of the Glorification of our bodies at that glorious day, ſee Exod. 34. 27. Mat. 17. 2, 3, 4. Acts 6. 15.
4. In agility, whereby our bodies ſhall be like Angels, free from theſe ſhakles of clay, and ſo move from heaven to earth, and from earth to heaven, even as ſwiftly as can our very thoughts: they ſhall, ſaith the Prophet, renew their ſtrength, they ſhall mount up with wings as Aeagles, they ſhall run and not be weary, they ſhal walk and not faint. Now if any ask how long it ſhall be after this firſt reſurrection, before the reſt of the dead ſhall riſe? then I anſwer, we find it recorded Rev. 20. 5. But the reſt of the dead lived not untill the thouſand years were finiſhed: I dare not expound this text for want of Light.
Now as we read of a firſt and ſecond reſurrection, ſo we read of a firſt and laſt Judgement, or of a particular and general Judgement. Viz. Every man in particular appears before the Judgement after the hour of his death, Heb. 9▪ 27. But fully and generally upon all men after the ſecond coming of Chriſt, Act. 17. 31. The death of every one ſeverally goeth immediately before the particular Judgement; ſo the general reſurrection of all goeth before the final judgement which ſhall be at the laſt day, but there ſhall be a great diſtance of time between the reſurrection of the Elect and the reprobate. So there ſhall be a great difference between the reſurrection of the one and of the other, &c. Viz.
1. The Elect ſhall be raiſed as members of the body of Chriſt, by vertue derived from his reſurrection; the reprobate as malefactors, ſhall be brought forth of the priſon of the grave, by vertue of the Juſtice of God.
2. The Elect ſhall come forth to everlaſting life, which is called the reſurrection of life: The reprobate to ſhame and perpetual contempt, called the reſurrection of Condemnation.
3. The bodies of the Elect ſhall be ſpiritual, that is, glorious, powerful, nimble, Phil. 3. 21. But the bodies of the Reprobates ſhall be full of uncomelineſs and horror, and lyable to extream torment.