ferred upon the good after the resurrection. This eternal life is called such by way of eminence; it being life indeed: not a simple union of soul and body; for that the wicked will have; but a positive, eternal, felicitous existence. Our bodies shall be raised incorruptible, spiritualized, fashioned like unto Christ's glorious body. Our souls shall be exalted to perfection, in their faculties; and we shall know God and see Him as we are seen. Our wills and affections shall be perfectly holy, and delivered from the slavery of sin. And to this shall be added, a state of freedom from all pain, sorrow, fear; and an unspeakable joy, complacence, happiness, and peace, in the fruition and presence of God. LIFE-and this life shall last for ever; indeed, it could not be perfect happiness, if it were not everlasting. There "shall be no more death ;" and our "inheritance shall be undefiled, incorruptible, and that fadeth not away," in the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath brought this glorious life and immortality to light. THIS IS This belief is necessary (as to its eternal torments) to deter us from sin, and incite us to repentance; create in us an awe and fear of a jealous God, and to teach us the value of our redemption through Christ's precious blood, which has delivered us from such wrath to come: all which is done away with, if we 12 believe the torments to be either small or short.It is necessary (as to its eternal happiness) to stir us up to an earnest desire of God's glorious kingdom; to teach us not to value too much the things of this world; to cheer us under our troubles here, with the hope of a blessed and glorious reward hereafter. Recapitulation. I believe, that after the resurrection and judgment, the wicked shall go into everlasting torments; the justice of God not ceasing to inflict, and the persons of the wicked always subsisting to endure them: and that the just shall go into everlasting happiness, freed entirely from death, and sin, and sorrow; and shall enjoy eternal perfect happiness with God, and the lamb for evermore.— And "I believe the Life Everlasting" END OF PART III. |