Anonymous on Article IV: Of the Resurrection of Christ

with Fleth and Bones, and all Things pertaining to human Nature. 1st, He did really and truly arise from the dead, or come alive out of the Tomb, in which he was laid. This is a plain Matter of Fact, and appears credible and worthy of Belief, by the Probability of it, and the undoubted Testimonies or credible Witnesses it depends up- on. The Probability is obvious and great; for as he was God, equal with the Father, it was impossible that Death should detain him in its Power; and as he had the Power to lay down his Life, and to take it up again, he would without doubt employ the same Power to reassume that Life which he had laid down; and as he voluntari- ly died for the Sins of the World, would as voluntarily live again fr the Justification of Sinners : So that considering his Divinity, and the Authority he, was invested with, it was likely enough, that as he submitted to dye, he would return from the Grave at his own Time. | |

‘The

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Thirty Nine Ax TIicLEs.

The Testimonies of Persons fit to be credited assure us, that this Artic. IV. was done ; that he did truly arise again the ‘Third 45 These Wit

nesses were some of them Enemies, and some his Friends; but all agree that the same Jesus, which was dead, was alive again. © Some * of the Watch that were appointed to guard the Sepulchre, came into the City, and shewed unto the chief Priests all Things that

« were done“: How an Angel of the Lord descended from Hea-

ven, rolled the Stone from the Sepulchre, and that Jesus was risen.

These Men could not be supposed to report any Thing in Favour of

him, being authoriz’d to guard his Body, that it might not be stole away. And yet though they were employed by his Enemies, and

were no Friends to him themselves, they told the Chief Priests what they had seen, and how that the same Body, which they had guard-

ed, was come to Life again. For when they had told the Priests what they saw, the Priests gave them Money to turn their Story;

and desired them to say, that © his Disciples came by Night, and

„ stole him away while we slept”. As if Men that were a-sleep could tell what was become of him. This is the Testimony of E-

nemies, which mult be looked upon to be found and good, as having

no Design to promote, no Interest to serve, and no Advantage to make by it.

And after such an honest Confession of his Enemies, the Testi- mony of his Friends may be admitted, as firm and good : For the

Disciples unanimously declared, and maintained to their Death , that the same Jesus, which was crucified, dead, and buried, did arise

with his Body from the Dead. The Holy Women attested it to be

true, who attended his Cross, and waited at his Sepulchre : The Seven Disciples that conversed with him after he was risen , that

handled and searched his Wounds , that did eat and drink with him,

published his Resurre&ion as most certain : And above Five hundred

at once unanimously own’d, that they saw him ; that they knew it was he himself, and that there could be no Mistake in it. When therefore Enemies and Friends agree in the Relation, when

Men and Women attest the same Thing, when above Five hundred

at once are satisfied by their own 4

es, that it is the very same Je- sus that was dead, that was then alive before them; we might en-

tertain the Report as certain, rely upon it as true, and credit it as un-

deniable ; for there could be no Mistake in such Evidence, made up

of such different Persons, and agreeing in the same Thing. To this 1 may add the Declaration of Angels, if we will admit them as com- petent Witnesses amongst mortal Men. He is not here, he is risen, as he said; Come, and see the place where the Lord lay.

adh, When he arose, he took again his Body with Flesh and Bones ; his rational Spirit returned to the same Body it was in be- fore, and aRed in the same Flesh, and with the same Bones: His Re- surrection was in a manner peculiar to his Body; for his Soul lived in the separate State, when that hung dead upon the Cross, and was laid dead in the Tomb, and no Part was truly dead, but the Body.

In order to raise this up, or to give it a proper Resurrection, it was

necessary that this dead Part should live again, by a Reunion of the

Ratio-

Matth. 24. 5.

“An EXPOSITION uf the

Artic. IV.

Vane

Luk. 24. 39.

Luk. 24. 41, 42, 43+

Rational Soul unto it ; that his Flesh and Bones should be filled with Life, and become as lively as they were before, when he hung a- live upon the Cross; and according to the Evidence of the Disciples already mentioned, they found the Scars, where the Nails and Spears had pierced it, and were fully satisfied, that it was no Appearance

or Shadow, but a Real and True pang the very same which was

dead, and was then alive. For when some of them were affrighted at the Suddenness of his Appearance, and thought they had seen a

Spirit ; He condescends to be examined, and removes their Fears, and

their Doubts concerning him. Behold my hands, and my feet, that it is Imy self ;, handle me, and see; for a Spirit hath not Flesh and

Bones, as ye see me have.

principal Part of his Body in the Tomb ; but brought it out entire,

with all Things that pertain to the Perfection of human Nature; all that properly belongs to the Body; without which the Resurrection nad been imperfect. For whatsoever is defective in any necessary Part, is not perfect in its Kind, or entire as it ought to be. That

therefore his Resurrection might be proper and entire, wanting no- thing, he left nothing in the Tomb, that was properly belonging to

the Body; but assumed the whole System of Nature, and brought

the same Body out of the Tomb that was carried thither. And this

the Evidence of his Disciples confirm’d; for they found it upon Ex-

amination to be the same Body, and saw that he did eat and drink with them, as he did before his Passion; for when they believed not, for Joy at the Surprize they were in, he gave them this Satisfa-

ction concerning the Reality of his Body. And when they yet be-

lieved not for joy, and wondered, he said unto them, Have ye here any meat ? and they gave him a piece of a broiled fish, and of an honey- comb, and he took it, and did eat before them, Which did plainly shew that his Body was perfect, and his Resurrection entire. 5

II. With this Body thus raised to Life, he ascended into Heaven, and there sitteth or remaineth ; or he carried this very Body into

Heaven with him, and continueth there in the same Body.

1/t, With this Body, Flesh, and Bones, he ascended into Heaven ; for it was the self same Body that was seen, handled, and known by the Disciples, that was taken up into Heaven; the very fame Body

that did eat and drink in their Presence ; which appeared to them

often after his Resurrection, and was sufficiently prov’d to have all

Things in it, pertaining to the Perfection of human Nature. 4 Cloud received it out of their Sight, after it was removed from the

Earth through the Sky into Heaven. Tis therefore Part of our

Faith, that the Body of Jesus, in which he rose from the dead, is

exalted into Heaven. 5 V I know it is objected by some, © that Flesh and Blood cannot in-

„ herit the Kingdom of Heaven; and that Corruption cannot inhe-

« rit Incorruptionꝰ . This is true; but then we must consider, that

this is spoken of Flesh and Blood, which 1s corruptible, and subject to the Law of Death: For that cannot enter into the Kingdom of

Heaven,

3. This his Resurrection was compleat, he did not leave any

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Thirty Nine ARTICLES.

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Heaven, and cannot last for ever. But, I hope, those that make this Objection, will not say, that our Saviour’s Body, after its Re- surrection, was a corruptible Body; for it had passed through the Dominions of Death, and came refined from the Grave. His mor-

tal Part became immortal, his corruptible Part incorruptible : And

tho? it was still Flesh and Bones, it was spiritualized and changed, tem-

pered and prepared for another Region ; and then it might ascend, and sit, and remain above. 5

Artic. IV. yd

Our Saviour’s Body therefore was a Glorious Body, but a Body

still, Flesh and Bones still, but not fo gross and heavy as ours, which

are mortal ; but an incorruptible Body, qualified for a better Region, such as could abide the Purity of the Celestial Air, and live for ever in perfect Happiness and Glory. It was Fleth and Bones immortali-

zed, made capable of remaining in Being, and of continuing entire

without any other Alterations. The Angels assure us that this is

true, when they said to the Disciples, Je men of Galilee, why stand ye Caving up into heaven? This same Jesus, that is taken up from you int9 coy © 2h so come, in like manner as ye hade seen him go

e was seen to go with the same Fleih and Bones,

into Heaven.

Act. 1. 11,

which he had before he was crucified, which he arose with from the

Grave, which they had handled, and knew to be an entire Body: And with this self-same Body he shall return to judge the World.

2. With this same Body he sitteth, remaineth, or continueth in

Heaven: It is a Body in that Place which we call Heaven, and in that Place it shall remain, till the Time appointed. So that we ma not expect his bodily Presence upon Earth, till that time be expi-

red : For it is to remain above, and shall remain above, till he shall return with it to take an Account of the World. In this Interval

he sitteth at the Right Hand of God, and shall so remain till the last

Day. Whom the heavens must receive until the times of Restitution

| of nf things q which God bath spoken by the mouth of all bis boly

rophets, since the world began.

III. This Body is thus to remain, till he comes to judge all Men at the last Day. For the Father hath appointed a Time in which « he will judge the World in Righteousness, and the People with his « Truth”. And this Jesus in his Body shall come to judge the World : He shall judge all Men according to their Works ; and their eternal Doom shall be allotted to them according to their Works, 1st, This Jesus, in his Body, shall so come to judge the World:

The Father hath appointed him to ascend the Tribunal, authoriz d him

to be the Judge, and in his Name to summon and judge the World. And

we can expect no other. He told the Fews, That the Father judgeth

no Man, but hath committed all Judgment to the Son, and hath gi- ven him Authority to execute Judgment: And in Consideration of this, he adds, e en ye see the Son of man sitting on the right

band of power , and coming in the clouds of heaven. And who can

be more able to examine and judge the World, or more proper? As

he is God, he knqws all Things, and can bring to light the hidden E Works

Act. 3. at.

—

• rr | MAY 2 ta, 1 2 LR ane 3 26 An EXPOSITION of the Artic. IV. Works of Darkness ; and as he is the Son of Man, he can be fa-

9E

AQS 17. 31.

2 Cor. 3. IO,

Ads 10. 42.

miliar and favourable, as there shall be Cause, can deal with Men as Men, reward the Righteous in Love, and punish the Wicked in his

Wreth. We are therefore assured, that he hath all Power given him

in Heaven and Earth, hath the Keys of Hell and Death: All that are

in their Graves shall come forth, and appear before him; for God hath authoriz’d him for it. He hath appointed a day, in which he will judge

the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained ; whereof he bath given assurance tinto all men, in that he hath raised him from the deacd. 8 5

2. He shall judge all Men; so his Commission expresseth it, and his Authority enables him; and not one can be excused from ap-

pearing before him: We must all appear before the Judgment Seat of

Christ, High and Low, Princes and People, Rich and Poor, all of them are subject to him, under his Government and Laws, and ac- countable to his Justice ; and all must and shall give an account of

their own Works, how secret, hidden, or bad soever ; and shall be

dealt with in a just and righteous Way : If they have done good, they shall have the Praise, and the Reward of it ; but if they have been wicked, they shall bear the Shame and the Punishment. As no SlanJers, nor Calumnies shall prejudice the Vertuous, no Priva

nor Power shall skreen the vicious: As fly as they are, they shall then be brought to light ; and as powerful as they seem to be, they shall be forced to hear and bear their Doom. For he cometh to judge

all, and all shall appear, The Earth shall yield up her dead, the Sea

shall surrender her dead, and all must come forth, they that have « done good, to the Resurrection of Life, and they that have done

evil, to the Resurre&ion of Damnation. We must all appear be-

fore the judgment. seat of Christ, that every one may receive the things done ” his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. 3

3. Their eternal Doom shall be allotted to them by him according

to their Works : As he is Judge, his Sentence must determine their State; and as he is Just, what he resolves upon shall be righteous, and agreeable to the Nature of their Actions. If they have any Title to his Mercy through his own Blood, it shall be admitted ; and he

will most willingly bless those for whom he died: But if they have

been impenitent and disobedient, and have sinned away the Season for Mercy, and died in their Sins, he will condemn them in Righ- teousness. And what he pronounces must stand for good, and shall

remain in Force to all Eternity; no Favour shall reverse it, no

Power can make it void. The Father hath put all Judgment into his Hands, and what he pronounces is ratified for ever, and shall remain unalterable to all Eternity. Those whom he blesseth are blessed, and those whom he curseth are cursed for evermore. The Devils find it so to their Amazement ; and evil Men will experience it in their eternal Torment. I is he that is ordained of God to judge the quick and the dead. |

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Thirty Nine ARTICLES.

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It will be proper to conlider, what ye have done, to make ready Artic. IV.

for Judgment, and to expect no Favour at his Hands, but as ye are qualified for it by Obedience to his Gospel.

1/t, What have ye done? How have ye lived? In what Prepara-

_

es

tion are ye to appear before this Lord? For as certain as he ascended

into Heaven with his Body, he will come again in the Air to call you to an Account. That very Jesus, that rose again from the dead, will raise up all that are dead, and you too when dead, and will re.

| store their Bodies to them again, and to you also ; and will make

you answer for all that ye have done before him : And let it be ne- ver so bad, never so shameful and abominable, out it must come ; for he will manifest it, and charge it home upon you, insomuch that ye cannot deny it, or escape his Censure. What therefore have ye done? What must ye answer for 2 What will be laid to your Charge? Ye must needs know what ye have done amiss : Yemust needs be ac- quainted with your own Privacies and Retirements ; and Conscience will hide nothing from you. What then have ye done ? Are ye ina meet Condition to appear before him ? In a proper Temper to stand before his Throne 2 If ye are, it will be your Praise, and eternal Comfort: For if our hearts condemn us not, then haue we confidence

Towards God. But if ye are in no Condition to stand before this

Judge; if your Sins call for Vengeance, and your Consciences ac-

cuse you, and ye have the Dread and Terror of Guilt and Punish-

ment upon you : What will ye do? For come he will; he may be here on the sudden, or may take you away suddenly : And what

execute judgement upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly a.

mon gst them, of all the ungodly deeds, which they have ungodly com-

will ye do then? For something must be done, if ye intend to be safe. Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints, to

Jude 4.

mitted, and of all the bard speeches , which ungodly sinners have spo-

ken against bim. What will ye do then > But, | 2. Make ready for Judgment ; hasten with all Speed , and delay

no longer; for he may be here, before ye are aware. © Cease to do

« Evil, learn to do Good“: Repent of Sin, mourn over your Guilt, amend your Lives, and pray to him for Pardon and Peace, for Grace to help, and his Spirit to assist you; that ye may recover your selves

with Joy, and not with Grief. Be as speedy in this as if ye heard the Trumpet sound, saw him in the Clouds, and expected every Mo- ment to be called for. For thus it may happen, When Men shall

« say, Peace, Peace, Destruction shall come upon them, as Travail cometh upon a Woman, and they shall not escape“ . And if ye will venture it, and be wicked, the Lord will come at an Hour when ye are not aware, and will cut you asunder, and give you

our Portion with Unbelievers. Be resolute in this. Stabliss your

earts, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

3. Expect no Favour at his Hands, till ye are qualified for it, ac- cording to his Gospel : He hath no Commission to grant you Mercy,

but upon those Terms; will not pardon, but as ye are penitent ; or

save, but as ye are Believers ; or bless, but as ye are Obedient and E 2 | Faith-

from the Errors of your Ways, and may give up your Accounts

Jam. 3. 8.

Ct lM GO CAE

28 An EXPOSITION of the © Artic. IV. Faithful, ’ Do not then flatter your (elves in Sin ,in Expe&arion of [ his Compassion ; for though he is your Saviour, he must be just ;

though he 1s the Son of Man, he must judge righteously : And if ye have not repented nor reformed, ye shall perish in your Sins. The

2 Thess. 1. 7. Lord Fesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in

flaming fire, taking vengeance of those that know not God, and obey- not the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. es

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Thirty Nine ARTICLES.