Christianismus primitivus, or, The ancient Christian religion, in its nature, certainty, excellency, and beauty, (internal and external) particularly considered, asserted, and vindicated from the many abuses which have invaded that sacred profession, by humane innovation, or pretended revelation comprehending likewise the general duties of mankind, in their respective relations : and particularly the obedience of all Christians to magistrates, and the necessity of Christian-moderation about things dispensible in matters of religion : with divers cases of conscience discussed and resolved / by Thomas Grantham ...

CHAP. I. Of the Resurrection of the Body, &c. The Objections answered.

ALthough we have already asserted the Great Article of the Resurrection of the Dead, Book 1. Section 8, 9. Book 2. Chap. 3. Sect. 8, 10. Part. 2. Chap. 5. Article 20. And Book 4. Treat. 2. Chap. 4. throughout: yet it may not be superfluous to add something further as a close to this whole Work; that the sense of that near-approaching Day being upon our Hearts, we may with the greater comfort prosecute the Holy Duties of Religion. And to this purpose we shall briefly shew,

• 1. The Definition of the Resurrection of the Body, according to Chri∣stian Doctrine.
• 2. That the Resurrection of the Body is not impossible with God.
• 3. That it is very plainly delivered in the Scriptures, the Word of God.
• 4. The Objections which some make against it shall be answered.

For the first; * 1.1 The Resurrection of the Body is an Act of Divine Power, quickning dead Bodies, and restoring them to a state of Perfection; namely so as not to die again; but does not necessarily infer the happiness of the Dead so raised, but with respect to the event of that Trial which they then shall undergo: and thereupon the Resurrection is distinguished in two parts; John 5. 28, 29. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming,

in the which all that are in the Graves shall hear his Voice, and shall come forth; they that have done Good, to the Resurrection of Life; and they that have done Evil, to the Resurrection of Condemnation. And hence it's most plain, that the Matter to be raised being those that are in the Graves, it must needs be the same Bodies which once lived upon the Earth, according to that of Job 19. 26, 27. Though after my Skin, Worms destroy this Body, yet in my Flesh shall I see God: Whom I shall see for my self, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another, though my Reins be consumed within me. And indeed (as the Learned have observed) the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, translated Resurrection, signifies to stand again, or the re-subsistance or second state of that which was before. All which is fully cleared to us in the Resur∣rection of our Lord, who rose with the same Body which was laid in the Sepulcher; and therefore did avouch it was he himself, even he that was dead, as before we have shewed. Howbeit, though we thus affirm the Resurrection of the same Body, even those which sleep in the Dust of the Earth, yet we also say with the Apostle, It is changed in the Resurrecti∣on, from its vile or low Condition, from its mortal or corruptible State, freed from Weakness and Dishonour, raised in Power and Honour; God Almighty therein giving evidence of his Power and Glory, in raising both the Just and Unjust to a state of duration, though under very different Circumstances.

2. That this is possible with God; or that it is not impossible for God to raise the Dead, as we have defined, is the clear sense of the Apostle, Acts 26. 8. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the Dead? And it is as clear as the Light, that Paul here speaks of raising the Dead in the sense we have defined: for this is that which was mocked at, or derided by the Sadducees and some Heathen People, Acts 17. 32. There is nothing but Ignorance or Atheism that can cause Men to look upon the Resurrection among things impossible; for (as before is shewed) he that believes what he reads of the Creation, and the many wonderful Works which God hath done since, before the eyes of the Children of Men; can never question the Power of the Almighty to raise the Dead. Cicero (as quoted by Augustin) will not allow the Re∣surrection to be possible, because, Nature (saith he) allows no place for an earthly Body but Earth, and cannot possibly be contain'd in Heaven; every Element having its peculiar poize, and tends to its proper place. To which Augustin answers very well, * 1.2 That there are many earthly Bodies which live in the Air, and that we our selves do live between the Earth and the Air; not in the Earth, as Fishes do in the Sea. And then demands, Why earthly Crea∣tures do not live in the Water, which is the next Element to the Earth, but in the Air, which is the third? And seeing earthly Bodies belong to the Earth, why doth not the Air, the next Element, presently choak them? And undoubtedly, take away the Power of the Creator, and Nature would fail to effect those things; for as it was his Power which at first brought forth all Created Things, so by his Power they continue. And though it be true, that Nature produceth great things, yet this Na∣ture hath always such a dependence on the Creator, that it doth nothing without him; as is evident to him that reads the Lord's Answer to Job, * 1.3

concerning his Continual, as well as Original Power exerted or put forth in the great Works of Creation; otherwise Nature might array, or deck it self, with Majesty, Excellency, and Beauty, as being able of it self to act. But for as much as this Point is not determined by Reason, (though Reason rightly taken will not question the Power of God) we must stick to the Attribute of God's Omnipotency for the possibility, and to his Word for the certainty of the Resurrection of the Body, to which we proceed.

3. It is observed by some Christian Writers, that the Resurrection of the Dead is proved in the Scriptures four ways: 1. By plain Testimonies. 2. By plain Examples. 3. By Types. 4. By Reasons. The Testimonies are such as these; Many of them that sleep in the Dust of the Earth shall awake, some to everlasting Life, and some to shame and everlasting Contempt, Dan. 12. 2. Though after my Skin Worms destroy this Body, yet in my Flesh shall I see God, Job 19. 25, 26.

I will ransom them from the Power of the Grave; I will redeem them from Death. O Death, I will be thy Plagues; O Grave, I will be thy De∣struction; Repentance shall be hid from mine eyes. Hosea 13. 14. with 1 Cor. 15. throughout.

The Sadducees denied the Resurrection of the Seven Brethren, and the Woman which was dead; whereupon our Saviour saith of them, Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the Power of God — as touching the Resurrection of the DEAD: Have ye not read — I am the God of Abra∣ham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob? God is not the God of the Dead, but of the Living, Mat. 22. 29, &c.

— We look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall change our vile Body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious Body, according to his working, whereby he is able to subdue all things unto himself, Phil. 3. 21. Where we have specially to observe, both from our Saviour's words, and of this Apostle, that the Resurrection is referr'd to God, as the Act of his Power; even that Power by which he is able to subdue all things to himself; which is not the ordinary course of his Power, but his great or mighty Power; an instance of which he gave, in raising up Christ from the Dead, Ephes. 1. 19. So that we conclude with that Testimony, 1 Thess. 4. 15, 16, 17, 18. For this we say unto you by the Word of the Lord, That we which are alive, and remain unto the coming of the Lord, shall not pre∣vent them which are asleep: For the Lord himself shall descend from Hea∣ven with a shout, with the Voice of the Arch-Angel, and with the Trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Then we which are alive, and remain, shall be caught up together with them in the Clouds, to meet the Lord in the Air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words. Doubtless there is nothing delivered in the Ho∣ly Scriptures with more plainness than this great Truth concerning the Resurrection; insomuch that it may truly be said, they are willingly ig∣norant who see it not. We come next to the Examples.

The greatest Example in this case is Christ our Lord. For that there shall be a Resurrection both of the Just and Unjust, God hath given full assurance, * 1.4 in that he hath raised up Christ from the Dead. Certainly such

as will not believe, having such a president before their eyes, are not to be convinced by Instances of a lower kind; such are the reviving of the dead Man at the touching of the Bones of Elijah, 1 Kings 13. 21. The reducing the Soul of a Child to the dead Body at the Prayer of Elijah, 1 Kings 17. 22. And the like was done at the Prayer of Elisha, 2 Kings 4. 33, 34. Thus had the Jewish Nation Examples of God's Power this way. Yea, Austin gives some instance of the Records of some Act of God's Power in this kind which happened among the Heathen; * 1.5 and it is certain, that many of them did believe the Resurrection to be possible; the belief of a state of future happiness was found in many of them. Though it is very true, that this Life and Immortality whereof we speak, is clearly set forth by the Gospel; where (beside what is already said) we find an evidence of great weight, Matth. 27. 52. * 1.6 And the Graves were opened, and many Bodies of Saints which slept, arose, and came out of the Graves after Christ's Resurrection. Christ himself raised Lazarus, and some others, John 11. 11. Mat. 9. 25. Luke 7. 14. Some were raised from Death to Life by the Apostles, Acts 9. 14. & 20. 10. We must therefore either believe the Resurrection of the dead Bodies of Men to be both possible, and which certainly shall come to pass, or else deny cre∣dit to these plain Testimonies, the least whereof prove the thing possible; but considered together, do prove it certain and necessary, insomuch as the Apostle saith, If the Dead rise not, then Christ is not risen; — But now Christ is risen, and become the first Fruits of them that slept: for since by Man came death, (even the death of the Body) by Man came also the Resurrection of the Dead, (even of the dead Bodies of all the Sons and Daughters of Adam): for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive, 1 Cor. 15. 20, &c.

The Types serving to set forth the Resurrection are chiefly these, of Enoch and Elijah, * 1.7 who were taken up, or translated, that they should not see death. For there is no reason why we should think that these things were done to them for their sakes alone, but rather that we might see in these some Instances of the Power of God, and of his Love towards those that fear him. Some do take the budding of Aaron's Rod, * 1.8 and the return of the Jews from Captivity, (signified by a Valley of Dry Bones) and of their standing up as an Army, to be a Type of the Resurrection. And doubtless the same God that could cause a dead Staff to bud and blos∣som, yea, to bear Almonds, can as easily raise the Dead: So that we con∣clude, He that believes the Scriptures, cannot question the truth of the Resurrection of the Body.

The Reasons which prove the Resurrection of the Dead, are,

First, That of our Saviour, Matth. 22. For God's Covenant was not dissolved which he made with Abraham, because he was dead. But had not God provided for Abraham that he should live with him, it would not answer the intent of the Covenant, which is Life for ever-more, this being the sum of the Blessing promised, Psal. 133. 3.

The second Reason is taken from that which the Scripture so plenti∣fully declares of God, how that he is just; and therefore cannot let un∣godly Men go unpunished, no more than to suffer the Righteous to perish

without the reward of his Righteousness. Should there be no Resur∣rection, much Wickedness would lie hid for ever; God should not do so equally himself, as he requires Man to do in the Acts of Righteousness. But far be it from us to think that the Judg of all the Earth should not do right. Now we know that the Wicked live long in this World, are full of Days, full of Children, full of Honour and Riches; and on the contrary, good Men are sometimes soon cut off, and are often either not endowed with, or deprived of the Comforts which this World affords, at least so as not to compare with many Worldly Men, in respect of Ad∣vantages of this kind, Psal. 73. 2. to 15. And doubtless, the conside∣ration of this, caused the holy Apostle to express these most true words of himself, and other faithful Christians: If in this Life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all Men most miserable.

The third Reason is taken from Saviour's being the Head, not only of his Church in a peculiar Sense, but of Mankind Universally; and therefore as we all derive Death from the First Adam, for that by his sin Death entred into the World. Even so, For this cause Christ both Died, Rose, and Revived, that he might be Lord (and so the Head) both of the Dead, and Living. Hence it is, that by virtue of his Death and Resur∣rection, He will draw all Men unto himself. And thus, As by Man came Death, even so by Man came also the Resurrection of the Dead. It is bet∣ter to argue from Christ's Universal Headship over Mankind, to the Re∣surrection, than from his Peculiar Headship to the Church, as Mem∣bers of his Body; the Resurrection of the Wicked being as necessary an effect of the Death and Rising of our Lord, as the Resurrection of the Righteous. And as he is that Lord which brought all Men, (even them that deny him, 2 Pet. 2. 1.) so Reason wills, that every Man indiffe∣rently appear before his Lord to give an account of himself, and to re∣ceive a reward according to his Work. But when all is said that can be said, this great Point of the Christian Faith standeth much more firmly upon the Authority of God's Word asserting it, than upon the strength of Reason to demonstrate it. Happy therefore are they, that with the Mouth so confess the Lord Jesus, as in their Heart they stedfastly believe that God hath raised him from the Dead. This will certainly teach them to live to him that died for them, and rose again. This will cause them also to walk in the steps of the Faith of Abraham, even to believe that God is able to raise the Dead: And this shall make them willing to obey this God, even unto Death, because Christ their Lord hath swallowed up Death in Victory.

Finally, As touching the Eternal Judgment, we have already spoken to that, Book 2. Chap. 3. Sect. 10. & Chap. 7. Sect. 6. Part 2. pag. 72. And indeed, the Resurrection being proved, does necessarily infer the Eternal Judgment: For in this World many have undergone a Tempo∣rary Judgment, even for that Sin which possibly may be their Condemna∣tion; as Witchcraft, Murther, &c. unrepented of. How plainly does the Word of God give notice of this Great Day of the Lord, saying; Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his Saints, and that to exe∣cute Judgment upon all. All must come under Trial. And to convince all

THAT ARE UNGODLY among them, of ALL their ungodly deeds, which they have ungodlily committed AGAINST HIM. And is not this enough? Shall we need to assign the place of Judgment, the Ac∣cuser? &c. No, the Time will sufficiently declare all these things. God in mercy grant, that all Men whilst they have time, would prepare for the coming of their Judg, whom they must know will execute Judgment righteously. I shall rather refer the curious to the Author of The Mileni∣um great Judgment, or to Mr. Baxter's Discourse; or Sermon of Judgment. But above all, to the account given, Rev. 20. throughout, and 22. 12. to the end, where he that will may learn sufficiently how dreadful to the Wicked, how comfortable to the Righteous, that great and terrible Day of the Lord shall be. We come now to the Objections.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Mat. 22. 29. Phil. 3. 21.
• * 1.2

  Aug. de Civ. Dei. l. 22. c. 5.
• * 1.3

  Job 38, 39, 40, 41. chap.
• * 1.4

  Acts 17. 31.
• * 1.5

  Austin de Civit. Dei. l. 20.
• * 1.6

  ☞
• * 1.7

  Gen. 5. 2 Kings 2.
• * 1.8

  Numb. 17.