body of Christ is, we may conjecture in part by what the apostle relates to Agrippa: At mid-day, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me; which was no other but the light of the face of Christ that struck him with blindness. One ray of this reflecting upon the first martyr St. Stephen in his sufferings, gave an angelical glory to his countenance. And St. John tells us, when he appears, we shall be like him. He alludes to the rising of the sun, but with this difference, when the sun appears in the morning, the stars are made invisible; but the bodies of the saints shall be clothed with a sun-like lustre, and shine in the midst of Christ's glory. Omnipotence alone that subdues all things, can raise and refine them from their dross unto such an admirable brightness. The angels will be surprised with wonder to see millions of stars spring out of the dust. The Lord Jesus Christ will be admired in all them that believe. Their bodies shall be raised to a glorious immortality. In this the general resurrection is different from that which was particular, as of Lazarus. By the one death was overcome and put to flight, only for some time; for his second life was no more exempt from death than his first: but by the other, death shall be swallowed up in victory, and lose its force for ever. |