The moral and religious miscellany; or, Sixty-one aphoretical essays, on some of the most important Christian doctrines and virtues. By Hugh Knox, D.D. in St. Croix. ; [Seven lines of quotations in Latin]

ESSAY XX. The RESURRECTION of the DEAD.

1. THIS is a doctrine of pure revelation, seeing there is no principle or appearance in nature, from whence it can be rationally inferred.

2. THE instance of a grain of corn dying in the earth before it springs, and like instances, are good illustrations of the doctrine already revealed, and shew that the thing is neither impossible nor absurd; but cannot prove it.

3. THOUGH it appears from many passages of the Old Testament scriptures, that this doctrine was believed by the Old Testament saints* 1.1; yet the full, clear and circum∣stantial revelation of it was reserved to be brought to light by the gospel. Christ raised three dead bo∣dies in the course of his ministry, and raised him∣self. He terms himself, the resurrection and the life† 1.2; and declares, that he is commissioned by GOD to raise up all his people at the last day‡ 1.3. See this doctrine esta∣blished from the resurrection of Christ, and beautifully explained, 1 Cor. xv.

4. THE bodies both of the righteous and the wicked shall be raised§ 1.4: For, as the body has been a partner with the soul in this state of probation, it seems equit∣able, that it should share with it in a state of retribution.

5. THE resurrection body will be the same in substance with that which died, but will have far different qualities, suited to the state and place of retribution: For, flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of heaven; neither is it conceivable that they should long endure the torments of hell, unconsumed, without a perpetual miracle. The bodies of the saints will be raised spiritual, incorruptible and glorious, like the glorified body of Christ; and pro∣bably those of the wicked, spiritual and incorruptible, but hideous and deformed.

6. THE objections raised against the resurrection of the same body, are so futile, when we consider the power and wisdom of GOD, and the true nature of things, as not to deserve a serious answer.

7. THE bodies of those who shall be found alive on the earth at the last day, shall be instantaneously chang∣ed; in which change there will be the nature and es∣sence both of a death, and a resurrection.

Notes

• * 1.1

  See 1 Sam. ii. 6. 2 Kings iv. 35.—xiii. 21.—xvii. 21, 22. Psal. xvi. 10. Isa. xxv. 8. Hos. xiii. 14. Compare 1 Cor. xv. 54, 55. Luke xx. 37, 38. Compare Exod. iii. 6. Job xix. 25,—27. Dan. xii. 2. Heb. xi.
• † 1.2

  John xi.
• ‡ 1.3

  John vi. 39, 49.
• § 1.4

  Matth. xxv. 31, &c. Rev. xx. 12, 13. Matth. x. 28. Luke xii. 25.