Two treatises the first of death, on I Cor. 15:26, the second of judgment…

2. Actually he conquered Death by his Resurrection. This was the day of Grace's triumph: This day he showed to Heaven, to Hell, and to earth, that death was conquerable; yea, that his personal Death was actually overcome. The blessed souls beheld it to their Joy, beholding in the Resurrection of their Head, a virtual Resurrection of their own Bodies. The Devils saw it, and therefore saw that they had no hopes of holding the Bodies of the Saints in the power of the grave. The damned souls were acquainted with it, and therefore ⟨p. 25⟩knew that their sinful bodies must be restored to bear their part in suffering. The Believing Saints on earth perceive it, and therefore see that their bonds are broken, and that to the righteous there is hope in death, and that our Head being actually risen, assureth us that we shall also Rise. For if we believe that Jesus died and Rose again; even so them also which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him, 1 Thes. 4. 14. And as Christ being raised from the dead, dieth no more, death hath no more dominion over him: So shall we Rise and die no more. This was the beginning of the Churches Triumph. This is the day that the Lord hath made (even the day which the Church on Earth must celebrate, with joy and praise, till the day of our Resurrection) We will be glad and rejoice therein, Psal. 118. 24. The Resurrection of our Lord hath 1. Assured us of the consummation of his satisfaction. 2. Of the truth of all his Word, and so of his promises of our Resurrection. 3. That Death is actually conquered, and a Resurrection possible. 4. That believers shall certainly Rise, when their Head and Saviour is Risen, to prepare them an everlasting Kingdom, and to assure them, that thus he will Raise them at the last. A bare promise would not have been so strong a help ⟨p. 26⟩to Faith, as to the actual Rising of Christ, as a pledge of the performance: But now Christ is risen and become the first fruits of them that sleep, 1 Cor. 15. 20. For because he Liveth, we shall live also, John 14. 19.