A14943:198
The hope of the faithful Declaring briefly and clearly the resurrection of our Lord…The hope of the faithfull Declaring breefely and clearly the resurrection of our Lord…
The hope of the faithful Declaring briefly and clearly the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ past, and of our true essential bodies to come: and plainly confuting the chief errors, that hath sprung thereof, out the Scripture and doctors. With an evident probation, that there is an eternal life of the faithful, and an everlasting damnation of the unfaithful. Newly imprinted and corrected. 1574.The hope of the faithfull Declaring breefely and clearly the resurrection of our Lord Iesus Christ past, and of oure true essentiall bodies to come: and plainly confuting the cheefe errors, that hath sprong thereof, out the Scripture and doctors. VVith an euident probation, that there is an eternall life of the faithfull, and an euerlasting damnation of the vnfaithfull. Nevvly imprinted and corrected. 1574.
Printed at London : In Creed Lane, by Hugh Singleton, at the sign of the Golden Tun, Anno. 1574Printed at London : In Crede Lane, by Hugh Singleton, at the signe of the Golden Tunne, Anno. 1574
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
But if one would understand it so, that the earthy body, which we now have, should so in the resurrection be altered and changed, that these members and the substance of this flesh shall not remain, no doubt he is not in the right way, but ought better to be instructed: considering that he is warned and monished through the body of our Lord, which after the resurrection appeared even with the same members, not ⟨p. 154⟩only that he might be seen with eyes, but handled also and touched with hands.
But if one vvold vnderstand it so, that the earthy body, vvhich vve novv haue, should so in the resurrection be altered and chaunged, that these members and the substance of this fleshe shall not remaine, no doubt he is not in the right vvay, but ought better to be instructed: considering that he is vvarned and monished thorovve the bodye of oure Lord, vvhich after the resurrection appeared euen vvith the same members, not ⟨p. 154⟩only that he mighte be seene vvith eyes, but handled also and touched vvith handes.
Besides this, he testifieth, that he hath true flesh upon him, when he saith: handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have. Therefore it is evident and plain that the holy Apostle Paul denied not, that the true substance of the flesh should not be in the kingdom of God. But rather with these words, flesh and blood, he understood, that either men, which live after the flesh, should not have the inheritance of heaven: or else that there should be in heaven no infirmity of the flesh at all. This is a grievous matter for unbelievers, and hardly are they persuaded to believe the resurrection: but most diligently and after my power, have I treated thereof in the last book de Civitate Dei.
Besides this, he testifieth, that he hathe true fleshe vpon him, vvhan he saythe: handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye se me haue. Therfore it is euidēt and plain that the holy Apostle Paul denied not, that the true substaunce of the fleshe should not be in the kingdome of God. But rather vvith these vvords, fleshe and bloud, he vnderstode, that either men, vvhich liue after the fleshe, should not haue the inheritance of heauen: or else that there shoulde be in heauen no infirmity of the flesh at all. This is a greeuous matter for vnbeleuers, and hardly are they persuaded to beleue the resurrection: but moste diligently and after my povver, haue I treated thereof in the last boke de Ciuitate Dei.