CHAP. XXXI.

Of the State of man after death, and of the Resurrection of the dead.

HE bodies of men after death return to

TH

dust, and see corruption, a but their souls (which neither die nor sleep) having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them, the souls of the righteous being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies : c and the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torment, and utter darkness reserved for the judgment of the great day: d besides these two places of souls separated from their bodies the scripture acknowledgeth none.

a Gen. iii, 19. 43, Eccl. xii, 7. 6, 8. Phil. i, 23

Luke xvi, 23, 24.

iii, 19.

b Luke xxiii, Acts xiii, 36. c Heb. xii, 23. II Cor. v, 1, Acts iii, 21. Eph. iv, 10. Acts i, 25. Jude v, 6. I Pet.

II.

d

At the last day such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed, e and all the dead shall be raised up with the self same bodies, and none other, although with different qualities which shall be united again to their souls forever. f

e I Thess. iv, 17. I Cor. xv, 51, 52. ƒJob xix, 26, 27. I Cor. xv, 42, 43, 44.

III.

The bodies of the unjust shall by the power of Christ be raised to dishonour; the bodies of the just by his spirit unto honour, and be made conformable unto his own glorious body.g g Acts xxiv, 15. John v, 28, 29. I Cor xv, 42. Phil. iii, 21.

G

CHAP. XXXII.

Of the last Judgment.

OD hath appointed a day wherein he will judge the world in righteousness by Jesus Christ, a to whom all power and judgment is given of the Father; b in which day not only the apostate angels shall be judged, e but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth, shall appear before the tribunal of Christ to give an account of their thoughts, words and deeds, and to receive according to what they have done in the body, whether it be good or evil. d

a Acts xvii, 31. 6 John v, 22, 27. c I Cor. vi, 3. Jude v, 6. II Pet. ii, 4. d II Cor. v, 10. Eccl. xii, 14. Rom. ii, 16, and xiv, 10, 12. Mat. xii, 36, 37.

II.

The end of God's appointing this day, is for the manifestation of the glory of his mercy in the eternal salvation of the elect. and of his justice in the damnation of the reprob te, who are wicked and disobedient; for then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and receive that fulness of joy and glory, with everlasting reward in the presence of the Lord; but the wicked who know not God and obey not the gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power. e

e Mat xxv, 31 to end. Rom. ii, 5 6. and ix, 22. 23. Mat. xxv, 21. Acts iii, 19. Il Thess. i, 7 to 10.

III.

As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall be a judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the greater consolation of the godly in their adversity; f so will he have that day unknown to men that they may shake off all carnal security, and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will come, and may be ever prepared to say, come Lord Jesus come quickly. Amen. g fII Pet. iii, 11, 14. I Cor. v, 10, 11. I[ Thess. i. 5, 6, 7. Luke xxi, 27, 28. Rom viii, 23, 24, 25. g Mat. xxiv, 36, 42, 43, 44. Mark xiii, 35, 36, 37. Luke xii, 35, 36. Rev. xxii, 20.

FINIS.

Heads of Agreement,

Assented to by the united Ministers, formerly called PRESBYTERIAN and CONGREGATIONAL.

AND ALSO,

ARTICLES,

FOR THE ADMINISTRATION OF

CHURCH DISCIPLINE,

Unanimously agreed upon, and consented to, by the Elders and Messengers of the Churches in the Colony of Connecticut, in New England, Assembled by delegation at Saybrook, September 9th, 1708.

Phil. iii. 5. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded; and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.

Eph. iv. 3. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

NEW-LONDON, (CON.) PRINTED—1710. BRIDGEPORT, RE-PRINTED BY LOCKWOOD & BACKUS, 1810.