This is equally as easy to God, as the uniting them together at first.

Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? Acts xxvi. 8.

Will the same body rise which we now inhabit ?—Will there be no alteration in it?

Our bodies will be the same, but they will experience such a change as will take away from them all tendency to decay, and adapt them for that eternal state of existence, for which we are hereafter destined.

The bodies of the saints will be fitted to bear an exceeding and eternal weight of glory; and those of the wicked to endure unspeakable and everlasting torment.

It is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body. 1 Cor. XV. 44.

We shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump. 1 Cor. xv. 51, 52.

This corruptible must put on incorruption; and this mortal must put on immortality. 1 Cor. xv. 53.

Who shall change our vile body that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body. Phil. iii. 21.

The dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. I Thess. iv. 16, 17.

We shall rise with the same tempers and tastes which we had at the time of our death.

The proofs of a general resurrection are many. The prosperity of the wicked and the sufferings of the righteous in the present life afford a strong presumption of it. The angels who sinned were punished for God, who is just and holy, cannot permit sin to pass with impunity; and rewards have been promised, and punishments threatened to mankind in general; it follows, therefore, that as there cannot be equal retribution here, there must be a resurrection, "in which every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." 2 Cor. v. 10. Nor is there any thing in the fact itself which should render it improbable.

Except a corn of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone; but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit. John xii. 24.

Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened, except it die. 1 Cor. xv. 36.

The dust out of which Adam was made was as far from being flesh, as any dust now.

The doctrine of a resurrection is taught both in the Old and New Testament.

[Abraham] accounted that God was able to raise [Isaac] up, even from the dead: from whence also he received him in a figure. Heb. xi. 19.

I know that my Redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. Job xix. 25, 26.

I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness. Ps. xvii. 15.

God will redeem my soul from the power of the grave; for he shall receive me. Ps. xlix. 15.

Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Isa. xxvi. 19.

Many that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake. Dan. xii. 2.

O grave, I will be thy destruction. Hos. xiii. 14.

The Sadducees denied a resurrection : but the Pharisees, and other Jews, firmly believed it. Matt. xxii. 23. Mark xii. 18. Acts xxiii. 8. 1 Cor. xv. 12.

Now, that the dead are raised, even Moses showed at the bush, when he calleth the Lord, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. For he is not a God of the dead, but of the living. Matt. xxii. 31. Luke xx. 37, 38. Jacob had been dead two hundred years, when Moses thus spake.

The Son of man shall sit upon the throne of his glory, and before him shall be gathered all nations. Matt. xxv. 31, 32. Thou shalt be recompensed at the resurrection of the just. Luke xiv. 14.

Marvel not at this; for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the grave shall hear his voice, and shall come forth. John v. 28, 29.

That of all which [the Father] hath given me, I should lose nothing; but should raise it up again. John vi. 39.

I know [my brother] shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. John xi. 24.

They preached through Jesus the resurrection of the dead. Acts iv. 2.

[Paul at Athens] preached unto them Jesus and the resurrection. Acts xvii. 18.

God, who quickeneth the dead. Rom. iv. 17.

If we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection. Rom. vi. 5.

He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your
Imortal bodies. Rom. viii. 11.

God will also raise us up by his own power. 1 Cor. vi. 14.
We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed. 1 Cor. xv.

13. 21. 42. 51.

He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. 2 Cor. iv. 14. But I would not have you ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, &c. We which are alive shall not prevent them which are asleep. 1 Thess. iv. 13-16.

Enoch prophesied, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints, to execute judgment upon all, &c. Jude 14.

Who will be raised on this awful day?

All men who have ever lived-every individual of the race of Adam, both the holy and the wicked.

Before him shall be gathered all nations. Matt. xxv. 32.

There shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust. Acts xxiv. 15.

We shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Christ. Rom.

xiv. 10.

Even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor. xv. 22.

We must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ. 2 Cor. v. 10.

I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God. Rev. xx. 12. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it. Rev. xx. 13. Our resurrection will be effected by virtue of the resurrection of Christ.

I am the resurrection and the life. John xi. 25.

By man came also the resurrection of the dead. 1 Cor. xv. 21. As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor. xv. 22.

That we should not trust in ourselves, but in God, which raiseth the dead. 2 Cor. i. 9.

There are several instances of the dead being raised, recorded in Scripture. The translation of Enoch and Elijah has already been alluded to.

The widow of Sarepta, or Zarephath's child, raised by Elijah. 1 Kings xvii. 22.

The Shunammite's son, raised by Elisha. 2 Kings iv. 35.

The dead man who touched the bones of Elisha. 2 Kings xiii.

21.

Jairus's daughter, raised by our Saviour. Mark v. 42.

The widow of Nain's son, raised by our Saviour. Luke vii. 12. Lazarus, raised by our Saviour. John xi. 43.

Tabitha, or Dorcas, raised by Peter. Acts ix. 40.

Eutychus, raised by Paul. Acts xx. 9. 12.

The bodies of many of the saints arose at Christ's crucifixion, and appeared in the holy city. Matt. xxvii. 52, 53.

What will be the portion of the righteous?

They will be raised to everlasting happiness, and become the fellow citizens of angels and saints in heaven. In thy presence is fulness of joy, and at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore. Ps. xvi. 11.

Some shall awake to everlasting life.-And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness, as the stars for ever and ever. Dan. xii. 2, 3.

Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun, in the kingdom of their Father. Matt. xiii. 43.

He shall set the sheep on his right hand. Matt. xxv. 33.

The righteous [shall go away] into life eternal. Matt. xxv. 46. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life. John iii. 36. They shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life. John v. 29.

a

If so be that we suffer with Christ, that we may be also glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. viii. 17, 18. Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him. 1 Cor. ii. 9.

For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 1 Cor. xiii. 12.

He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. Gal. vi. 8.

Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 2 Tim. iv. 8.

For so an entrance shall be administered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus I Christ. 2 Pet. i. 11.

Therefore are they before the throne of God, and serve him day and night in his temple; and he that sitteth on the throne shall dwell among them. They shall hunger no more; neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb, which is in the midst of the throne, shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of water; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes. Rev. vii. 15-17.

And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away. Rev. xxi. 4.

Will all the godly be equally glorified?

There is reason to think not; but that their blessedness will be apportioned to their different degrees of zeal and holiness. The lowest degree of bliss in heaven will, however, be such, as far to exceed any conceptions we can possibly form.

Then he shall reward every man according to his works. Matt. xvi. 27.

The servant whose pound gained ten pounds was made ruler over ten cities; while he whose pound gained five pounds was made ruler over five cities. Luke xix. 16--19.

In my Father's house are many mansions. John xiv. 2. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differeth from another star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. 1 Cor. xv. 41, 42.

What will be the portion of the wicked?

They will be consigned to everlasting shame and punishment, and will have their dwelling appointed them with devils; by whom, by one another, and by their own consciences, they will be incessantly tormented, so as to have no rest day nor night.*

He shall burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. Matt. iii. 12. Luke iii. 17.

Fear him, which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matt. x. 28.

These shall go away into everlasting punishment. Matt. xxv. 46.

Fear him which hath power to cast into hell. Luke xii. 5.

The lord of that servant will cut him in sunder, and appoint him his portion with unbelievers. Luke xii. 46.

There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Luke xiii. 28. Father Abraham,-send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. Luke xvi. 24.

(See the whole parable of Dives and Lazarus, verses 19-31.)

He that believeth not the Son, the wrath of God abideth on him. John iii. 36.

And shall come forth; they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. John v. 29.

God will render unto them that obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil. Rom. ii. 8, 9. He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption. Gal, vi. 8.

Them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our

"This, it must be owned," says Archbishop Secker, "is not explicitly mentioned in the Creed. And God had rather that we should be moved to obey him by love and hope of his favour than by fear of his anger. But both motives are implied in this article. For though life in Scripture more especially means happiness; yet its original sense is only continuance in being, whether happy or miserable: and as the wicked are raised, and judged, in order to suffer what they have deserved, so they must live afterwards for the same purpose."-Lectures on the Catechism, p. 155.

The everlasting punishment of the wicked is also a part of the Scripture See Dan. xii. 2. doctrine respecting "the resurrection of the body." "Many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt." See also John v. 29, &c.