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letters. He may as reasonably infer from this, that there can be no such thing; as we can, that separate spirits do not perceive, converse, act and enjoy, in a much more perfect manner than we do, because we cannot tell how, and in what way this can be done.

When the spirits of the just are separated from the body, the world, which to us is invisible, opens to their view. They find themselves unconfined, surrounded with the most pleasing objects, and the best company, enjoying the serene, bright light of heavenly day, where there is no darkness, no sin, or sorrow. They are set at liberty, to range without restraint in the regions of bliss, while their views, exercises and enjoyments are high, and increased to a degree, far beyond our concep tion. They are, in this respect, like a bird, liberated from a cage, in which it has been long confined, and now flies, and sports unconfined in the open light and air. Or like one who has been long shut up in a dark, uncomfortable prison, and is now set at liberty; enjoys the pleasing light of day, is surrounded by his friends, and has all the enjoyments and comforts of life.

And by going to heaven, they do not get out of the sight and knowledge of this world, and the important affairs which Jesus Christ is carrying on here. We are told in divine revelation, that the angels of heaven are all attention to the things which concern the work of redemption; and that they are all actively engaged in promoting this design among men, and ministering to them who shall be heirs of salvation. And that there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth. There must therefore be in heaven, where the spirits of the just are, with the angels, a very particular knowledge of the events which take place in this world; and a much more clear and certain knowledge of the state of the church of Christ, and the conversion of sinners, than any have while in the body. The spirits of departed saints have the interest of Christ, and his church in this world, as much at heart, as they had when in the body, and much more; and therefore must be greatly attentive to it, and know all the events which are in favour of it. They do not go into some dark corner of the universe, out of sight of heaven, of Christ, his church, and this

world; but when they leave the body, they rise into light, and take a station, in which they are under advantages to see all these things, and all worlds, being all attention to them, and having a perfect discerning, without the least cloud or darkness; seeing and enjoying the glory of the Redeemer, and the prosperity and success of the work of redemption among men. And their happiness must increase, as the cause of Christ advances on earth, and the power and kingdom of Satan sinks and is destroyed; and as the powers of their minds, and their knowledge are enlarged.

They are delivered from all sin and pain, upon passing into the invisible world, and are therefore perfectly happy; but at the day of judgment, when they shall be reunited to their bodies, fitted for a heavenly state, their happiness will be increased, which therefore they are expecting with desire and joy.

The spirits of those who die in their sins pass into a state of darkness, despair, and tormenting wickedness; and all hope, comfort and enjoyment, being taken from them, they must be totally lost and overwhelmed in misery; yet looking forward to a resurrection and judgment to come, with aversion and dread, as involving a great increase of their sufferings, which can have no end. These are the spirits in prison, of which the apostle Peter speaks, who are reserved to the general judgment, when each one shall receive according to what he has done in the body.

THE GENERAL RESURRECTION.

III. THE general resurrection will put an end to the separate state. When the bodies of all who shall have died from the beginning of the world, to that time, will be raised, and come forth, in union with the souls which had been separated from them by death. This will take place when Jesus Christ shall come to judg ment. This is frequently spoken of in the scriptures, and expressly asserted, in more places than it is needful to mention here, for those who read the Bible. Our Saviour says, "The hour is coming, in the which, all

that are in the graves, shall hear his voice, and shall come forth, they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation."* When the apostle John had a vision of the general judgment, the general resurrection is connected with it." And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: And they were judged every man according to their works."t The apostle Paul treats particularly of the resurrection of the bodies of the redeemed, as an important and essential doctrine of christianity. 1 Cor. xv.

We depend entirely upon divine revelation, for the notice and knowledge of this doctrine of a future resuṛrection; as it could not be known by any other means. But when we find it revealed, it does not appear contrary to reason; but is agreeable to the dictates of it; and in no respect incredible, if the account the scripture gives of it be properly considered and understood. There were, indeed, some professing christians in the apostles' days, as there have been since, who denied this doctrine. This was the occasion of St. Paul's writing so particularly and lengthy upon it, in the chapter just now quoted. This doctrine was thought incredible, impossible and ridiculous, by the heathen philosophers, and others, in the days of Christ and his apostles. And this same incredulity has been transmitted down to this day, among those, who pay little or no regard to the Bible. They say, it is impossible, that all the same bodies which have died, should be ever recovered and raised again. It is not thought necessary to state their objections, and answer them here, as this has been done over and over again, by many able writers. It will be sufficient to observe, that the remark which Christ made upon the Sadducees, who denied this doctrine, as impossible, is applicable to them, viz. That they do greatly err, because they do not believe, or understand the scriptures; nor the power of God. When they can tell, in what identity consists, and what is necessary in order to constitute the resurrection body the • John v. 28, 29. † Rev. xx. 12, 13,

same, with that to which the soul was united in this life; and what omnipotence, and infinite knowledge and wis dom can do, and cannot do, with respect to this; and can prove that the Bible is not a revelation from God; then let them undertake to prove, that the doctrine of a general resurrection of the same bodies which have died, or shall die, to the end of the world, is impossible or incredible.

The resurrection bodies of the redeemed will be beautiful and glorious, far beyond our present conception They will be like the glorified body of the Redeemer; every way fitted for a state of immortality, constant activity, and perfect happiness, as the eternal monuments of the power, wisdom and goodness of Christ. They will have no defect, but be perfectly suited to accommodate and furnish the holy soul, to all that activity, work and enjoyment, which are implied in a state of perfect happiness. This is called in scripture, a spiritual body; which some have thought to be a contradiction. It is indeed beyond our comprehension. But where is the inconsistence or impropriety, in calling that a spiritual body, which is so much unlike any body which we know, or of which we can have any adequate idea, that it is perfectly suited to promote the perceptions, activity and enjoyment of a holy mind, and answer every desirable end, with respect to all external objects ?

The bodies of those who died in their sins will be an awful contrast to those of the redeemed. "They will rise To shame and everlasting contempt."* They will be every way suited to the souls which are wholly sinful, and enemies to God, prepared for condemnation, despair and endless destruction.

THE GENERAL JUDGMENT.

IV. THAT there will be a General Judgment, when all moral agents, angels and men, good and bad, shall give an account of themselves, of their moral character and conduct, to God their Judge, and receive of him,

* Dan. xii. 2

and be treated by him, according to what they are, and as their moral conduct has been, while in a state of trial, is expressly and abundantly asserted in the scriptures. And this appears reasonable, desirable and important, to all who have any proper conceptions of moral government, and are friends to it.

The precise time, when the day of judgment shall commence, is fixed, and Jesus Christ the Redeemer is appointed to be the Judge of all. This he command. ed the apostles to publish, in preaching his gospel to the world, as Peter declares. "And he commanded us to

preach unto the people, and testify, that it is He which was ordained of God, to be the Judge of quick and dead."* The apostle Paul, therefore, kept this in view, in his preaching and letters. In his discourse to the assembly at Athens he introduces this as an important article. "And the times of this ignorance God winked at: But now commandeth all men, every where, to repent: Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that Man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."+ And when he spoke before Felix, concerning the faith in Christ, "he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and a judgment to come." And he often brought this into view in his letters. He says, "We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. So then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God." "Therefore, judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. For we must all appear before the judg ment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad." "I charge thee, there fore, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead, at his appearing, and kingdom."

Acts x. 42.

§ Rom. xiv. 10, 11, 12.

† Acts xvii. 31, 39.
1 Cor. iv. 5. 2 Cor. v. 10.

+ Acts xxiv. 25.

2 Tim, iv.F

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