resurrection both of the just and unjust; but abundant evidence of
1. There is no evidence, that the resurrection there spoken of, is the resurrection both of the just and unjust; but abundant evidence of the contrary. The resurrection of the wicked is seldom mentioned in the New Testament, and rarely included in the meaning of the word; it being esteemed not worthy to be called a rising to life, being only for a great increase of the misery and darkness of eternal death: and therefore by the resurrection is most commonly meant a rising to life and happiness; as may be observed in Matt. 22:30; Luke 20:35, 36; John 6:39, 40, 54; Phil. 3:11 and other places. The saints are called the children of the resurrection, as Dr. Taylor observes in his Note on Rom. 8:11. And 'tis exceeding evident, that 'tis the resurrection to life and happiness, the Apostle is speaking of in this 1 Cor. 15:21, 22. It appears by each of the three foregoing verses. (v. 18), "Then they which are fallen asleep in Christ" (i.e. the saints) "are perished." (v. 19), "If in this life only we" (Christians and apostles) "have hope in Christ" (and have no resurrection and eternal life to hope for) "we are of all men most miserable." (v. 20), "But now is Christ risen from the dead, and is become the first fruits of them that slept." He is the forerunner and first fruits only with respect to them that are his; who are to follow him, and partake with him in the glory and happiness of his resurrection: but he is not the first fruits of them who shall come forth to the resurrection of damnation. It also appears by the verse immediately following. (v. 23), "But every man in his own order; Christ the first fruits, and afterwards, they that are Christ's at his coming." The same is plain by what is said in vv. 29, 30, 31, and 32; and by all that is said from the 35th verse to the end of the chapter, for twenty-three verses together: it there expressly appears, that the Apostle is speaking only of a rising to glory, with a glorious body, as the little grain that is sown, being quickened, rises a beautiful flourishing plant. He there speaks of the different degrees of glory among them that shall rise, and compares it to the different degrees of glory among the celestial luminaries. The resurrection which he