The Resurrection of the Flesh
epistle, they should confirm charity towards him, in renewing with him their old friendship. Behold how we do not contemn the authority of the church, but we deny it to be in the will and authority of one. We confess this power therefore to be on earth among the godly. But even as the multitude of believers, gathered together in Christ, have only the right of excommunication; so have they also of reconciling and admitting: and that, which is so performed by them, we believe also to be done and confirmed in heaven. However, note that in this third means is contained the forgiveness of public sins only. And as concerning the two former means, the church has belonging unto it the forgiveness of all sins in general. Here only that absolution takes place, which pertains to public crimes; which, through evil example, has offended and done harm to them, to whom the knowledge thereof has come. Wherefore, with all the heart and voice let us give thanks unto God, who has granted unto us so great a benefit upon the earth, and has laid up greater for us in heaven: as afterward we shall see.
The Resurrection of the Flesh Look more hereof in the third part.
How these articles should be knit together, by a more fit method, I cannot perceive. Sin (as it is known) has been the only and whole cause of man's death: and that we have remission of sins through Christ, it was showed a little before. Now then remains this one thing; to wit, that by him we shall be delivered from death, and released from the tyranny thereof, so soon as ever we have access unto Christ by faith: since then shall perish in it the continual jurisdiction, which it obtains against us. For seeing the natural power hereof is such, as what it has once seized upon, it firmly holds:
therefore the philosophers write, that it must not be granted, that from such a privation men can return to their ancient habit. In which matter certainly they are not deceived, if you should but consider the power of nature. But we, who are endowed with faith, do so taste of death; as we know that there is an end and limit appointed to the working thereof; we being confirmed through the promise of Christ himself, who in the sixth of John says; that He will lose none of them which his father has given him, but will raise them up at the latter day.
But if so be you object, that he will raise up not only them that be godly, but also the unbelievers: and shall therefore the faith in Christ
(as touching the resurrection) profit anything? I answer, that the confidence in Christ shall nothing at all profit unto the mere and absolute resurrection; seeing that degree, both the godly and the wicked shall obtain: but the resurrection unto felicity, unto life eternal, and unto heavenly blessedness, is only granted unto them, which by faith are united unto Christ. However, I think it not meet to pass over this; (to wit) that whereas the wicked shall rise again, they obtain not that, by the power of their own nature, but by Christ. For, seeing we confess that by the death of that one first man, we were all made subject unto death; it is reason also we should grant, that how many soever be made partakers of this second life, should also obtain the same by that one man Christ, who first was raised up. Wherefore the wicked, whether they will or no, shall feel in themselves the power of Christ: but that which these shall obtain to their great harm, just men shall receive to their great benefit. This is the doctrine of Paul to the Corinthians, when he says; As by one man came death, so by one man came the resurrection of the dead. And as by Adam all men die, so by Christ all shall be made alive: but everyone in his own order. The first fruits is Christ, then they which
be of Christ. And in the last and most unhappy state shall they be, which be strangers from Christ.
And as there shall be a difference in the state and condition; so shall there be also in the place. For the saints then raised up, shall together with the godly, which then perhaps shall remain alive, be caught up, to meet with that high King our Lord JESUS CHRIST in the air; Who undoubtedly (as we have already confessed) shall come to judge the quick and the dead: as we have expressly showed in the article of the last judgment. Wherefore Christ will show forth his power generally towards all, as well good as bad; not only in the judgment itself, but in the resurrection also. He therefore is the first that has risen, and we shall follow him at the time appointed. The church is a body quickened by the spirit of GOD, the which increases by degrees; no otherwise than a living body is naturally formed, by little and little. For of the power of forming, which is in the seed, first someone member is formed, and brought forth in the lump; whether the same be the heart, or any other member, it forces not: it suffices, that sense and moving be given to any one of them. The same spirit afterward goes forward by little and little, to frame other members.
And even this happens in the holy body of believers, wherein the spirit of GOD has raised up Christ, the very head of them all.
Afterward, the same spirit, by the same power, whereby it raised up Christ in all us, who are the dear members of his body, will bring forth the same effects of resurrection: as we read in the first chapter to the Ephesians, and as we have declared in that article, wherein we treated of the resurrection of Christ.
But how great consolation that blessed hope brings to the godly, let even they themselves judge, who in great joy celebrate with such pomp and ambition the day of their birth; or else that day, wherein they were promoted to some degree of honour. And thus they
celebrate, with joyful memory, the beginnings of so great miseries and calamities, as this life is subject to; and as are incident to principalities and worldly honours. This is the true birth of the saints of Christ, this is the true triumph, this is that heavenly entertainment of them. Then shall be opened unto us the wounds, or rather the gates of glory. Here ought all our hope to revive, if at any time (as oftentimes it does happen) we appear to be negligent, and to go slowly forward in the way of the Lord; by reason of the burden of our flesh, which oppresses us. In this way ought our minds to be strengthened, to endure the troubles, which seem to be hard and difficult unto the body, unto nature, and unto the senses. In this way ought we to be confirmed to the mortifying of our senses and concupiscences; seeing we know from Paul, that we, which have been partakers of the death of Christ, shall also be partakers of his resurrection. For then we shall be delivered from the labours, miseries, sorrows, and torments of this life: and we shall have a body so much more excellent, as a heavenly and spiritual body excels an earthly and fleshy body.
And certainly, I speak not this, as though we should not recover so much flesh, blood, and bones, as shall be sufficient unto the constitution of a body: but we believe it will be a much more excellent body; because Heavenly and Spiritual betoken names of nature. The which titles and prerogatives, Paul, in the first epistle to the Corinthians, gave unto bodies renewed by the resurrection. And Christ in Matthew, when he was tempted of the Sadducees, promised that we should be like unto the angels: that in heaven there shall be no use of matrimony. For seeing that death shall have no dominion, there shall be no need also of generation; which is granted unto us for supplying the number of such, as death takes daily away. The same is affirmed concerning hunger, thirst, and all that evil band of troubles. Whosoever therefore goes forward unto so noble and