A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

Thirdly, The third principle according to the order and sense of the words laid ¹down before, is, the Resurrection of the dead. And this was a fundamental principle of the Judaical Church, indeed of all Religions properly so called in the world. The twelve Articles of the Creed of the present Jews, is, [Greek or Hebrew] the days of the Messiah; that is, the time will come when God will send the Messiah and restore all things by him. This under the Old Testament respected that Faith in God which we before discoursed concerning. But the present Jews notwithstanding this profession, have no interest herein. For not to believe the Accomplishment of a Promise when it is fulfilled, as also sufficiently revealed and testified unto to be fulfilled, is to reject all Faith in God concerning that Promise. But this they still retain an appearance and profession of. And their thirteenth Article is, [Greek or Hebrew] the Revivification or Resurrection from the dead. And the Faith hereof being explained and confirmed in the Gospel, as also sealed by the great Seal of the Resurrection of Christ, it was ever esteemed as a chief Principle of Christianity, and that whose admittance is indispensably necessary unto all Religion whatever. And I shall first briefly show how it is a fundamental Principle of all Religion, and then evidence its especial relation unto that taught by Jesus Christ, or declare how it is a fundamental Principle of the Gospel. And, as to the first, it is evident that without its Acknowledgement, all Religion whatever would be abolished. For if it be once supposed or granted that men were made only for a frail mortal life in this world, that they have no other continuance assigned to their Being, but what is common to them with the Beasts that perish; there would be no more Religion amongst them, than there is among the Beasts themselves. For as they would never be able to solve the difficulties of present temporary Dispensations of Providence, which will not be reduced unto any such known visible rule of Righteousness, abstracting from the compleatment of them hereafter, as of themselves to give a firm apprehension of a Divine, Holy, Righteous Power in the government of the Universe; so take away all consideration of future Rewards and Punishments, which are equally asserted in this and the ensuing Principle;

Thirdly, The third principle according to the order and sense of the words laid ¹