The general session conteining an apologie of the most comfortable doctrine concerning the ende of this world, and seconde comming of Christ, written by Thomas Rogers. The first part, wherein for the comfort of the godlie is proued not onely that God wil, but also that he doth iudge this world.

CHAP. 7. (Book 7)

Against the fauorers of Hymeneus, and Philetus, who saide that the resur∣rection is alredie past. (Book 7)

AS had S. Paul in his time Hymeneus and Philetus: so haue we in our time such as fauor Hymeneus and Philetus, namelie the Familie of Loue, who denie the iudgement to come, and saie the re∣surrection is past. Yet so I woulde not write of them, did not both Christopher Vitel, and also H. N. himselfe auouch the same.

For saith Vitel,a 1.1 The Lord hath accom∣plished according to his promises through the spirite of Christ,b 1.2 in him (namely H.N.) al that he hath spoken through the mouth of his ser∣uants the Prophets. And, in this daie are al Prophecies fulfilled, saith H.N. himselfe.b 1.3.

In which two places, although ex∣presse mention bee not made either of the iudgement, or comming of Christ: yet in that they saie, Al Prophecies are fulfilled, and that the Lord hath accomplished al that he hath spoken through the mouth of his ser∣uants the Prophets, they do comprehend the iudgement, and comming of Christ,

so wel as anie thing els.* 1.4 For the Prophets haue foretolde thereof.* 1.5 As the Prophet Isaiahc 1.6; the Prophet Ezekield 1.7, the Pro∣phet Daniele 1.8* 1.9, and others.* 1.10 If therefore whatsoeuer the Lorde hath spoken by his seruantes the Prophets,* 1.11 be fulfilled; and the Lord hath fore-tolde by his ser∣uants y^e Prophets of à general resurrecti∣on,* 1.12 iudgement and seconde comming of Christ:* 1.13 Then is the resurrection,* 1.14 iudge∣ment, and seconde comming of Christe, come and past already, euen by the verie words of the arch-pillers of the Familie.

Yet would I not thinke that so wret∣chedlie theie do erre, had I not read, that one of the Familie gaue-out that Christe was already come. For one of the Familie, being asked before manie witnesses, touching Christ his comming vnto iudgement, did an∣swere plainlie that he was alreadie comef 1.15.

Neither yet should I so conceiue of thē, did I not finde, that not onelie H.N. him∣selfe wasg 1.16, but also the Lords deade are al∣readie raised-againeh 1.17.

Which opinion theie woulde neuer stand-in,* 1.18 or defend, if theie did thinke a∣nie other resurrection to be, than onelie à rising from sinne; à casting-of of the olde man; and à putting-on of the newe.

But as Hymeneus and Philetus were de∣ceaued, for y^t theie deuided not the word of God arighti 1.19: so the Familie of Loue do so perilouslie erre, because theie vnder stand not the worde of God aright. For did theie so, theie would confesse, and be∣leeue not à single, but à double; not à spiritual onelie, but à corporal resurrec∣tion also: wherof the one which is spiri∣tual, must go before the other, that is cor∣poral. Wherefore to auoide the error of the aboue mentioned,* 1.20 we are to beare in minde y^t there is à twofold resurrection, of the dead; one spiritual, of the mind; the other corporal of the bodie.

When I saie there is à spiritual resur∣rection:* 1.21 I meane, not that the Soule or Spirite can die, and be raised vp-againe. For the soule is immortal. But the spiri∣tual resurrection is, when à man who was dead in sinne, through the preaching of the Gospel, is reclamed frō the death of vngodlines, vnto life, that is vnto faith, and knowledge of Christ, wherebie he is made à new creature. According as Irenae∣us doth saiek 1.22, Agnitio Dei renouat homi∣nem, that is, the knowledge of God maketh à new-man.

For,* 1.23 as there is à double death, to wit à

spiritual and à corporal: so is there á dou∣ble resurrection. He is spiritualie dead, though he seeme healthful in bodie, who is à blasphemer,* 1.24 à traitor, an adulterer, an vserer, à murtherer &c. For he is as à dead man in the sight of God. Euen as we count him, who either hath done some horrible fact worthie death against the lawes of man, or else is condemned to die, but for à dead man: because he stand∣eth at y^e mercie of the magistrate either to be saued, or cast-awaie, as our phrase is.

He therefore who by the preaching of the Gospel is sorie for his sinnes,* 1.25 and beleeueth that through the bloode of Christ al his offences are washed, and wypt-awaie; and through the virtue of his faith, doth so fight against his wic∣ked affections, that he is become à newe man, that is, of à blasphemer, à continu∣al praiser of God; of rebellions, obedient; of incontinent, pure and chast; of an v∣serer, à free lender, yea à liberal giuer; of à murtherer, à careful preseruer of mē, &c. this man, I saie, through the power of the holie Ghost is raised from the death of sinne,* 1.26 and risen with Christ.

Which spiritual resurrection, as euen∣nowe I saide, must goe-before the cor∣poral

resurrection. For vnlesse we arise spiritualie by Faith vnto newnes of life, let vs not looke to rise-againe corporalie vnto eternal life. For our Sauior doth doth saiel 1.27, Theie shal come-foorth that haue done good vnto the resurrection of life: but theie that haue done euil vnto the resur∣rection of condemnation.

So then,* 1.28 if anie man desire to liue e∣ternaly in the sight of God, and to be à partaker of the felicitie to come, let him first arise from sinne; beleeue that his offences are pardoned through the death of Christ; and spende the time he hath in this worlde, godlie, righteouslie, and soberliem 1.29, and assuredlie he shalbe rai∣sed at the second resurrection vnto eter∣nal lifen 1.30.

The corporal death is when as the soule doth forsake the bodie;* 1.31 and the bodie re∣turneth vnto duste, where out it was ta∣ken. Which bodie we Christians doe be∣leeueo 1.32, shal rise-againe at the daie of iudgement. But the fauorers of Hyme∣neus & Philetus wil not be so perswaded to thinke. And therefore, because theie vnderstande not the Scriptures aright, theie holde that there is onelie à spiri∣tual resurrection. But the Scripture

doth so wel speake of à corporal, as of à spiritual.

For, as it is writtenp 1.33, ye which were dead in sinnes, and in the vncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened-together with him; which is the spiritual: so is it wtit∣tenq 1.34, The dead shalbe raised-vp incoruptible, and we shalbe changed. For this corruptible, must put on incorruption, & this mortal must put on immortalitie, which is the corporal resurrectiō. And as it is writtēr 1.35, If ye be ri∣sen with Christ, seeke those things which are aboue, which is y^e spiritual: So is it wtitten, s 1.36I am sure that my redeemer liueth, & he shal stand the last on the earth.* 1.37 And though after my skin wormes destroie this bodie: yet shal I see God in my flesh.* 1.38 Whome I my selfe shal see, and mine eies shal beholde, & none other for me, though my reines be consumed within me; which are the corporal. Which diffe∣rence theie marke not; and therfore they goe-astraie, and haue made shipwracke as concerning faitht 1.39.

Notes

• a 1.1

  C. Vitel in his Libel leafe F. 1.
• b 1.2

  line 3.
• b 1.3

  H.N in his Euang. Chap. 36. sent. 13.
• * 1.4

  20.
• * 1.5

  21.
• c 1.6

  Isai. 26, 19.
• d 1.7

  Ezek. 37, 4.
• e 1.8

  Dan. 2, 44.
• * 1.9

  Dan. 7, 13.
• * 1.10

  5.
• * 1.11

  6.
• * 1.12

  14.
• * 1.13

  Dan. 12, 2.
• * 1.14

  3.
• f 1.15

  Answere vnto the Libel of C. Vitel, leafe l. 17, line 12.
• g 1.16

  H.N. in his Euang. Chap. 1. H.N. in his 2. E∣pist. Chap. 2. sent. 1.
• h 1.17

  H. N. in his Euang. Chap. 35. sem. 8.
• * 1.18

  H. N. in his pre∣face before his instruction of the vpright Faith sent. 1.
• i 1.19

  2. Tim. 2, 15.
• * 1.20

  Twofolde re∣surrection.
• * 1.21

  Spiritual resur∣rection what.
• k 1.22

  Irenaeus lib. 5. aduersus haereses Vlentini. &c.
• * 1.23

  A double death, and a double re∣surrection.
• * 1.24

  Spiritual death what.
• * 1.25

  Who spiritualie risen.
• * 1.26

  Spiritual resur∣rection before the corporal.
• l 1.27

  Iohn. 5. 29.
• * 1.28

  None arise cor∣poralie vnto sal∣uation, who haue not risen spiritualie from sinne.
• m 1.29

  Tit. 2, 12.
• n 1.30

  Reue. 20, 6.
• * 1.31

  Corporal death what.
• o 1.32

  As appereth by the Creede, Apostolical, Nicene, Athanasian.
• p 1.33

  Coloss. 2, 13.
• q 1.34

  1. Cor. 15. 52. 53.
• r 1.35

  Coloss. 3, 1.
• s 1.36

  Iob. 19, 25.
• * 1.37

  26.
• * 1.38

  27.
• t 1.39

  1. Tim. 1, 19.