Question 37

Why must Believers come to the Grave?

Because where Sin has been. Death by the Law must follow.^a Wherefore as by one man sin entred into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.

What is the First priviledge of their Bodies there?

’Tis the priviledge of their Bodies to be there in union with Christ.^b Them also which sleep in Iesus will God bring with him.

What is their Second priviledge?

Their Graves are places of Rest; not Prisons, but Beds of Rest.^c He shall enter into peace, they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

What is the First evil they rest from?

All the toils, and troubles, and afflictions of this life.^d They may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them.

What is the Second evil they rest from?

They rest from all persecutions from men.^e There the wiked cease from troubling, and there the weary be at rest.

What is the Third evil they rest from?

They rest from Sin, never to feel temptation or inclination to sin.^f And to the spirits of just men made perfect.

How long shall the Bodies rest in the Grave?

Not for ever, but till the Day of the Resurrection.^g For though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.

What is the First inference from hence?

That union with Christ redounds to the singular advantage of the Body as well as the Soul.^h But if the spirit of him that raised up Iesus from the dead, dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his spirit that dwelleth in you.

What is the Second inference?

That Death dissolves not the union betwixt Christ and the Souls or Bodies of his.ⁱ I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Iacob; God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

What is the Third inference?

That seeing our Bodies are to have so long and so sweet rest in the Grave, we should not spare them in God’s Service now.^j Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this Tabernacle, to stir you up, by putting you in remembrance, knowing that shortly I must put off this my Tabernacle, even as our Lord Iesus Christ hath shewed me.

What is the Fourth inference?

That Christians should neither too much fear their own, nor sorrow for others death.^k For I am perswaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, — nor any other creature shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Iesus our Lord.^l I would not have you to be ignorant concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not even as others which have no hope.