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hell, depends upon our being prepared or not prepared for death.(5)

Q. 11. What constitutes preparation for death? A. That which prepares for judgment and eternity; which fits for heaven, and entitles to the everlasting rewards of the righteous, and this is repentance and faith, or a new heart and an obedient life.(1) Q. 12. How should the subject of death be treated at all times?

A. With solemnity. All levity in respect to it is highly improper, and characterizes a vain, inconsiderate, and sinful mind.

(g) Matt. 24. 44. Therefore, be ye also ready, for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh. Eccl. 9. 10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in grave whither thou goest.

the

(h) Luke 13. 3. I tell you Nay; but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Mark 16. 16. He that believeth and is baptised shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. John 3. 3. Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. James 2. 17. Even so faith, if it hath not works is dead, being alone.

CHAPTER XX.

Q. I.

Future State.

What is the evidence, that man will exist in a future world?

A. 1. The soul is immaterial, and, therefore, capable of surviving its clayey tenement. It is not always, and by absolute necessity, impaired by diseases or decays of the body. This consideration is a circumstance in favour of the existence of the soul hereafter.

2. The fact, that some, animated creatures pass through several changes before they arrive at their most perfect condition, renders it probable, that man may exist in another and higher state. Death may answer as another birth.

3. The soul's capability of eternal progress in knowledge, holiness, and happiness, is another argument in favour of its immortality. Would God make such a glorious being to be consigned to oblivion in the very commencement of its existence? None can suppose it.

4. The ardent desires and hopes for immortality, which prevail among all people, are a strong presumption of its reality. The idea of annihilation is repugnant to all the natural feelings of man.

5. Conscience, accusing, when we do wrong, and excusing, when we do right, indicates that there is a future state, where retribution will be awarded.

6. The unequal distribution of justice among mankind in the present state of existence is an argu

ment for the immortality of the soul. If justice in all cases does not take place in this life, we may infer from the character of God, that it will in a life hereafter.

7. The general belief of a future state in all ages, nations, and tribes of mankind, is a strong indication of its reality. This is the case, whether this belief arose, at first, from immediate revelation, which has been transmitted from generation to generation by tradition, or from reason, analogy, or any other source. -Such are the arguments in favour of the soul's immortality aside from the Bible.

But,

8. The Scriptures explicitly give absolute assurance of a future state.(a)

Q. 2. In what condition will mankind exist in the life to come?

A. They will exist in an active, conscious, and happy or unhappy state, as they shall be holy or unholy, when they depart this life.(b)

Q. 3. Do mankind immediately pass into this condition of existence upon death?

A. The soul will immediately pass into a state of happiness or misery, and the body will dissolve to dust, whence it was taken. The soul does not

(a) 2 Tim. 1. 10. But is now made manifest by the ap pearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. Eccl. 12. 7. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. Matt. 10. 28. And fear not them, which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul; but rather fear him, which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. 2 Cor. 5. 1. For we know, that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. Matt. 22. 32. I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; God is not the God of the dead, but of the living. Matt. 17. 3. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.

(b) Matt. 25. 46. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment; but the righteous into life eternal.

become lifeless with the body, nor does it sleep or lie dormant after the death of the body, till the general resurrection; but it is sensible and active.(c)

Q. 4. What is meant by the separate or intermediate state?

A. That state, in which the soul exists between the death and resurrection of the body.

Q. 5. Will mankind in a future state, perceive, act, and have intercourse one with another?

A. No doubt they will; but in our present state of existence we cannot determine in what manner spirits perceive, act, and have intercourse one with another. This, however, is no evidence against the fact. The illiterate savage has not the least idea of the mode, in which we exchange thoughts by letters, words, and language, in writing.

Q. 6. Are the faculties of the soul enlarged and susceptible of greater happiness or misery in the future state?

A. They are vastly enlarged and strengthened, and hereby the soul will be prepared for greater joys or sorrows.

Q. 7. What are the prospects of those, who are in a separate state?

A. They look forward to the general resurrection, the general judgment, and the eternal state of retribution.

(c) Luke 16. 22, 23, 25. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by angels into Abraham's bosom; the rich may also died and was buried; and in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy life time receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things; but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. Luke 23. 43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. 2 Cor. 5. 6, 8, 9. Therefore we are always confident, knowing, that whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. We are confident I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. Wherefore we labour that whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.

CHAPTER XXI.

Resurrection.

Q. 1. What is meant by the resurrection of man?

A. The raising to life from the dead, of the bodies of mankind incorruptible and spiritual, and re-uniting them to their souls.

Q. 2. How does it appear, that there will be such a resurrection?

A. In answer to this question, we observe, that this doctrine, though above reason, is not contrary to it, and, therefore, not incredible.We have examples of resurrection in insects, vegetables, and trees, from year to year. These teach the possibility, and more than the possibility, of man's resurrection. But for complete information on this subject, we are indebted to the Bible. This most expressly and explicitly declares the doctrine of the general resurrection. This doctrine is corroborated by the fact, that Enoch and Elijah were, both soul and body, translated to heaven; that Jairus' daughter, the widow's son at Nain, and Lazarus were raised; and that many dead bodies were literally raised at Christ's crucifixion; and that Christ Himself has arisen from the dead. It should be added and remembered, that Christ arose as a publick Person, the Representative and Forerunner of all saints. His resurrection was a pledge and assurance of theirs.(*)

(a) Job 19. 26, 27. And though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God; whom I

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