Chapter Thirty-One

Of the State of Man after Death and of the Resurrection of the Dead

1

The Bodies of Men after Death return to dust, and see corruption; but their Souls (which neither die nor sleep) having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them: the Souls of the Righteous being then made perfect in holiness, are received into paradise where they are with Christ, and behold the face of God, in light and glory; waiting for the full Redemption of their Bodies; and the souls of the wicked, are cast into hell; where they remain in torment and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day; besides these two places for Souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledges none.

2

At the last day such of the Saints as are found alive shall not sleep but be changed; and all the dead shall be raised up with the selfsame bodies, and none other; although with different qualities, which shall be united again to their Souls for ever.

3

The bodies of the unjust shall by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonor; the bodies of the just by his spirit unto honor, and be made conformable to his own glorious Body.