Doe the soules of the godly already separated from their bodies, enioy a perfect and absolute happinesse?
It is sufficient for vs to knowe, that presently after the departure from the bodie, the spirit returneth vnto God which gaue it, Eccl. 12.7. and after the dissolution or vncoupling of the soule from the bo∣die it is with Christd 1.1, In Paradisee 1.2, in peacef 1.3, in restg 1.4, in comforth 1.5, in refreshing or easei 1.6, in securitiek 1.7, in the hand of God, that no anguish at all may touch it so much as slightlyl 1.8, in glorifying of the name of God. Yet because they looke for a resurrection of their bodies, & a most plentifull fruition of all good things, which God hath promised to all that loue him, they cannot be said to bee in a perfect & absolute, but in an vnperfect happines. 2, Tim, 4, 8. There is a crowne of righteousnes laid vp for me, which the Lord the righteous Iudge shall giue me at that daie: & not to me only, but vnto all them also that loue that his glorious appearing, And Reue. 6.9. I saw vnder the Altar the soules of thē that were killed for the word of God: & they cryed with a loud voice, saying. How long Lord, which are holy & true, doest not thou iudge & auenge our bloud on thē that dwell on the earth? Then long white robes were deliuered vnto euery one, & it was said vn∣to them, that they should rest for a little, vntil their fellow seruāts & their brethren that should be killed euen as they were, were fulfilled. On the contrary. 2. Pet. 2.9, saith that the vniust are so punished, either with the losse of this life, or with other punishments, as that they are neuerthelesse reserued against the day of iudgement to be tor∣mented with far sharper torments, namely eternall punishments both in body & soule.