A compend of the controversies of religion wherin the trueth is confirmed, and errour convinced, by authoritie of Scripture, witnessing of antiquitie, and confession of partie. Most necessary for all, in this backe-slyding age. By W.G. minister of God's word.

§. 4. That the Soules of the Godlie, af∣ter Death, goe immediatelie to Glorie, and to no mid place of torment.

1. Authoritie of Scripture.

ISai. 57.1. The Righteous is ta∣ken away from the evill to come: hee shall enter into peace.

Note then, That there is no middle estate, nor place spoken of, but that im∣mediatelie is subjoyned vnto the righ∣teous man's departure out of this life, his present entrie in-to peace; and there∣fore in-to no torment.

Luke 16.25. And Abraham sayde to him, Sonne, remember that thou didst receiue good things in thy lyfe-tyme, and Lazarus lyke-wyse evill; but now hee is comforted, and thou art tormented.

Remarke therefore, That wee haue on∣lie two places mentionate in Scripture, whither soules goe immediatelie after death, to wit, a place of Comfort, which is Heaven, to the godlie; and a place of Torment, which is Hell, to the Wicked.

Luke 23.43. And Iesus saide vnto him, Verelie, I say vnto thee, this day thou shalt bee vvith mee, in Paradise.

Loe then, immediatlie after death the Heavenlie Paradise is promised to the pe∣nitent thiefe: and so is it al-so given to all other penitent sinners.

2. Cor. 5.1. For vve know that if our earthlie house of this ta∣bernacle vvere dissolved, vvee haue a building of God, an house not made vvith hands, eternall in the Heavens.

Note then, That the Apostle showeth, that after this mortall lyfe endeth, wee get instantlie a better in the Heavens: and this Bellarmine him-selfe in those same words, collecteth out of this fore∣saide place, Bell. l. 1. de sanct. c. 3. §. deni{que}: and therefore, thus concludeth: Wherefore (sayeth hee) it is good for vs to die soone in this World, that wee may quicklie begin to liue in Heaven.

Verse 8. Wee are confident, I say, and vvilling, rather to bee ab∣sent from the bodie, and to be present vvith the Lord.

Note then, That there is no mid estate of the godlie soule departing; but as soone as it departeth out of the bodie, and is absent there-fra, instantlie it en∣tereth in Heaven, and is present with the Lord.

Phil. 1.23. Having a desire to bee dissolved, and to bee with Christ, vvhich is farre better.

VVee see then, Vpon the dissolution of the soule from the bodie, followeth in∣stantlie the conjunction there-of with Christ.

Revel. 14.13. Blessed are the dead vvhich die in the Lord, from hence-foorth, now, sayeth the Spi∣rit, that they may rest from their labours, and their vvorkes follow them.

Remarke then, That the godlie instant∣lie after death, become blessed; and im∣mediatelie rest, and are rewarded in glorie.

2. Witnessing of Antiquitie.

AFter the departure of the soule from the bodie, instantlie (sayth Iustinus) the soules of the godlie are carried to Pa∣radise, and the wicked to Hell. Heere∣vnto agreeth also Augustine, medit. 22.

showing, that the soule being loosed from the bodie, instantlie goeth to Hea∣ven. And againe hee sayeth, For the soules of the godlie after their separation from the bodie, are in rest: but the soules of the wicked (sayeth hee) suffer pu∣nishment, vntill the bodies of the one ryse to eternall lyfe, and of the other vn∣to eternall death, which is called the se∣cond. And that hee knew no third place, hee testifyeth in his fyft Booke of the Hypognostickes, about the midst: See Au∣gustine, l. 13. de civit. Dei. c. 8.

3. Confession of Partie.

THe Apostle's reason, (sayth Bellar∣mine) 2. Cor. 5.1. is excellent, to wit, this, If this mortall lyfe perish, wee haue instantlie an-other, farre better, in the Heavens, Bell. lib. 1. de sanctis, c. 3. §. deni{que}.