The four last things viz. death, judgment, heaven, hell, practically considered and applied in…

The Resurrection is a Terra incognita to the wisest Heathens; a Doctrine peculiar to the Gospel: some Glimmerings they had of the Soul's Immortality, without which all Virtue had been extinguished in the World, but no conjecture of the reviving of the Body. But Reason assists Faith in this point, both as to the Will of God, and his Power for the performing it. I will glance upon the natural Reasons that induce the considering Mind to receive this Doctrine, and more largely show how the Resurrection of the ⟨p. 59⟩Just is assured by our Redeemer.

The Resurrection is a Terra incognita to the wisest Heathens; a Doctrine peculiar to the Gospel: some Glimmerings they had of the Soul's Immortality, without which all Vertue had been extinguish'd in the World, but no conjecture of the reviving of the Body. But Reason assists Faith in this point, both as to the Will of God, and his Power for the performing it. I will glance upon the natural Reasons that induce the considering Mind to receive this Doctrine, and more largely shew how the Resurrection of the ⟨p. 59⟩Just is assured by our Redeemer.

1. The Divine Laws are the Rule of Duty to the entire Man, and not to the Soul only: and they are obeyed or violated by the Soul and Body in Conjunction. Therefore there must be a Resurrection of the Body, that the entire Person may be capable of Recompenses in Judgment. The Soul designs, the Body executes: the Senses are the open Ports to admit Temptations. Carnal Affections deprave the Soul, corrupt the Mind, and mislead it. The Love of Sin is founded in bono jucundo, in sensible Pleasures: and the Members are the Servants of Iniquity. The Heart is the Fountain of Profaneness, and the Tongue expresses it. And the Body is obsequious to the Holy Soul in doing or suffering for God; and denies its sensual Appetites and Satisfactions in Compliance with Reason and Grace. The Members are the Instruments of Righteousness. It follows then there will be an universal Resurrection, that the rewarding Goodness of God may appear in making the Bodies of his Servants gloriously happy with their Souls, and their Souls completely happy in Union with their Bodies,