For you must know that the work of salvation is
not at an end with them that are now in heaven; no, nor ever will be
until their bodies be raised again. God has made our bodies the
members of Christ, and God does not count us thoroughly saved, until
our bodies be as well redeemed and ransomed out of the grave and
death, as our soul from the curse of the law and dominion of sin.
Though God's saints have felt the power of much of his grace, and
have had many a secret word fulfilled on them, yet one word will be
unfulfilled on their particular person, so long as the grave can
shut her mouth upon them. But when the gates of death do open before
them, and the bars of the grave do fall asunder, then shall be
brought to pass that saying which is written, "Death is swallowed up
of victory." And then will they hear that most pleasant voice,
"Awake and sing, ye that dwell in the dust; for thy dew is as the
dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast forth her dead."
The body is no such ridiculous thing in the account of Christ as it
was in the account of the Sadducees. "The body is not for
fornication, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body;" and that
not only in this world, but in that which is to come.
XXVI. THE JUDGMENT.
Oh my heart, it is in vain now to dissemble, or to hide, or to
lessen transgressions; for there is a judgment to come, a day in
which God will judge the secrets of men by his Son.
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