A Body of Practical Divinity

Argument 2. Christ is risen: Therefore the Bodies of the Saints must rise. Christ did not rise from the Dead as a private Person, but as the public Head of the Church; and the Head being raised, the rest of the Body shall not always lye in the Grave. Christs rising is a Pledge of our Resurrection, 2 Cor. 4.14. Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus, shall raise up us also by Jesus. Christ is called the first Fruits of them that slept, 1 Cor. 15.20. As the first Fruits is a sure Evidence that the Harvest is coming on; so the Resurrection of Christ is a sure Evidence of the rising of our Bodies out of the Grave. Christ cannot be perfect as he is Christ Mystical, unless his Members be raised with him.

Argument 2. Christ is risen: Therefore the Bodies of the Saints must rise. Christ did not rise from the Dead as a private Person, but as the publick Head of the Church; and the Head being raised, the rest of the Body shall not always lye in the Grave. Christs rising is a Pledge of our Resurrection, 2 Cor. 4.14. Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Iesus, shall raise up us also by Iesus. Christ is called the first Fruits of them that slept, 1 Cor. 15.20. As the first Fruits is a sure Evidence that the Harvest is coming on; so the Resurrection of Christ is a sure Evidence of the rising of our Bodies out of the Grave. Christ cannot be perfect as he is Christ Mystical, unless his Members be raised with him.

Argument 3. In respect of Gods Justice. If God be a just God, then he will reward the Bodies of the Saints as well as the Souls. It cannot be imagined that the Souls of Believers should be glorified, and not their Bodies: They have served God with their Bodies: Their Bodies have been Members of Holiness: Their Eyes have dropped Tears for Sin: Their Hands have relieved the Poor: Their Tongues have set forth Gods Praise; therefore Justice and Equity require that their Bodies should be crowned as well as their Souls: And how can that be, unless they are raised from the Dead?