Question 40

Must they die as well as others?

Yes. Knowing that shortly I must put off this tabernacle,^b

Would they not live if they could?

No. I would not live always,^c

But is there a manifest difference between their death and that of others?

Yes. For precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints,^d

Doth the soul die with the body?

No. For men may kill the body, but they are not able to kill the soul,^f

Doth it sleep with the body?

No. For it returns to God who gave it,^g

Does it immediately enter upon a separate state?

Yes. For when we are absent from the body, we are present with the Lord,^h

And free them from all their remaining corruptions?

Yes. For they are without fault before the throne of God,^j

And set them at an eternal distance from all their spiritual enemies?

Yes. For the accuser of the brethren is cast down,^k

And put an end to all their trials and labours?

Yes. They rest from their labours,^l

And introduce them into a state of absolute perfection?

Yes. For the spirits of just men are made perfect,^m

And of perfect holiness?

Yes. For they have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb,^o

And of complete glory?

Yes. Thou shalt guide me by thy counsel and afterward receive me to glory,^p

Are they received into a glorious place?

Yes. For it is enlightened with the glory of God, and the Lamb is the light thereof,^q

Are they joined with glorious company?

Yes. They are come to an innumerable company of angels, to God the Judge of all, and to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant,^r

Do they wear a glorious image?

Yes. I shall be satisfied when I awake in thy likeness,^s

Are they employed in glorious works?

Yes. They serve God day and night, in his temple,^t

And do they receive a glorious reward?

Yes. Ye shall receive a crown of glory, that fadeth not away,^u

Is the grave the common receptacle of mankind?

Yes. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was,^w

Hath a decent interment been sometimes denied to wicked men?

Yes. He shall be buried with the burial of an ass,^x

But is it promised to the saint?

Yes. Thou shalt go to thy Father in peace, thou shalt be buried in a good old age,^y

Is the grave a resting place to such?

Yes. They shall rest in their beds,^z

And do they sometimes long for that resting place?

Yes. O that thou wouldst hide me in the grave,^aa

And provide for it?

Yes. Give me a possession of a burying place,^bb

Or dissolve their union with Christ?

No. For they sleep in Jesus,^dd

May they therefore meet it without fear?

Yes. O death, where is thy sting, 0 grave where is thy victory,^ee