Chapter XXXII - Of the State of Men After Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead
I. The bodies of men, after death, return to dust, and see corruption:(Gen 3:19, Acts 13:36) but their souls, which neither die nor sleep, having an immortal subsistence, immediately return to God who gave them:(Luke 23:43, Ecc 12:7) the souls of the righteous, being then made perfect in holiness, are received into the highest heavens, where they behold the face of God, in light and glory, waiting for the full redemption of their bodies.(Heb 12:23, 2 Cor 5:1, 6, 8, Phil 1:23, Acts 3:21, Eph 4:10) And the souls of the wicked are cast into hell, where they remain in torments and utter darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day.(Luke 16:23-24, Acts 1:25 Jude 6, 7, 1 Peter 3:19) Beside these two places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture acknowledges none.
II. At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, but be changed:(1 Thess 4:17, 1 Cor 15:51-52) 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 forever.(Job 19:26-27, 1 Cor 15:42-44)
III. 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.(Acts 24:15, John 5:28-29, 1 Cor 15:43, Phil 3:21)
Table of Contents
- Chapter I Of the Holy Scripture
- Chapter II Of God, and of the Holy Trinity
- Chapter III Of God's Eternal Decree
- Chapter IV Of Creation
- Chapter V Of Providence
- Chapter VI Of the Fall of Man, of Sin, and the Punishment thereof
- Chapter VII Of God's Covenant with Man
- Chapter VIII Of Christ the Mediator
- Chapter IX Of Free Will
- Chapter X Of Effectual Calling
- Chapter XI Of Justification
- Chapter XII Of Adoption
- Chapter XIII Of Sanctification
- Chapter XIV Of Saving Faith
- Chapter XV Of Repentance unto Life
- Chapter XVI Of Good Works
- Chapter XVII Of the Perseverance Of the Saints
- Chapter XVIII Of Assurance Of Grace and Salvation
- Chapter XIX Of the Law Of God
- Chapter XX Of Christian Liberty, and Liberty Of Conscience
- Chapter XXI Of Religious Worship, and the Sabbath Day
- Chapter XXII Of Lawful Oaths and Vows
- Chapter XXIII Of the Civil Magistrate
- Chapter XXIV Of Marriage and Divorce
- Chapter XXV Of the Church
- Chapter XXVI Of the Communion Of Saints
- Chapter XXVII Of the Sacraments
- Chapter XXVIII Of Baptism
- Chapter XXIX Of the Lord's Supper
- Chapter XXX Of Church Censures
- Chapter XXXI Of Synods and Councils
- Chapter XXXII Of the State Of Men after Death, and Of the Resurrection Of the Dead
- Chapter XXXIII Of the Last Judgment