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For the better government, and further edification of the Church,
there ought to be such assemblies as are commonly called synods or
councils.
Acts 15:2, 4, 6.
II. As magistrates may lawfully call a synod of ministers, and other fit
persons, to consult and advise with, about matters of religion; so, if
magistrates be open enemies to the Church, the ministers of Christ of
themselves, by virtue of their office, or they, other fit persons, upon
delegation from their Churches, may meet together in such assemblies.
Isa 49:23; 1Tim 2:1, 2; 2Chron 19:8, 9, 10, 11; 2Chron
29, 30 chapters; Matt 2:4, 5; Prov 11:14; Acts 15:2, 4, 22, 23,
25.
III. It belongs to synods and councils, ministerially to determine
controversies of faith and cases of conscience, to set down rules and
directions for the better ordering of the public worship of God, and
government of His Church; to receive complaints in cases of
maladministration, and authoritatively to determine the same: which
decrees and determinations, if consonant to the Word of God, are to be
received with reverence and submission; not only for their agreement
with the Word, but also for the power whereby they are made, as being an
ordinance of God appointed thereunto in His Word.
Acts 15:15, 19, 24, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31; Acts 16:4; Matt 18:17,
18, 19, 20.
IV. All synods or councils, since the Apostles' times, whether general
or particular, may err; and many have erred. Therefore they are not to
be made the rule of faith or practice; but to be used as a help in both.
Eph 2:20; Acts 17:11; 1Cor 2:5; 2Cor 1:24.
V. Synods and councils are to handle, or conclude, nothing, but that
which is ecclesiastical: and are not to intermeddle with civil affairs
which concern the commonwealth; unless by way of humble petition, in
cases extraordinary; or by way of advice, for satisfaction of
conscience, if they be thereunto required by the civil magistrate.
Luke 12:13, 14; John 18:36.
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[Top of Page] CHAPTER XXXII
Of the State of Men after Death and the
Resurrection of the Dead
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 the
highest heavens, where they 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 torments and utter
darkness, reserved to the judgment of the great day. Beside these two
places, for souls separated from their bodies, the Scripture
acknowledges none.
Gen 3:19; Acts 13:36; Luke 23:43; Eccl 12:7; Heb 12:23; 2Cor 5:1, 6, 8;
Php
1:23 and Acts 3:21 and Eph 4:10;
Luke 16:23, 24; Acts 1:25; Jude 6, 7; 1Pe 3:19.
II. At the last day, such as are found alive shall not die, 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.
1Thess 4:17; 1Cor 15:51, 52; Job 19:26, 27; 1Cor 15:42, 43,
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; 1Cor 15:43; Php 3:21.
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God hath appointed a day, wherein He will judge the world in
righteousness, by Jesus Christ, to whom all power and judgment is given
of the Father. In which day, not only the apostate angels shall be
judged, but likewise all persons that have lived upon earth shall appear
before the tribunal of Christ, to give an account of their thoughts,
words, and deeds; and to receive according to what they have done in the
body, whether good or evil.
Acts 17:31; John 5:22, 27; 1Cor 6:3; Jude 6; 2Pe 2:4; 2Cor 5:10; Eccl 12:14;
Rom 2:16; Rom 14:10, 12; Matt 12:36, 37.
II. The end of God's appointing this day is for the manifestation of the
glory of His mercy, in the eternal salvation of the elect; and of His
justice, in the damnation of the reprobate who are wicked and
disobedient. For then shall the righteous go into everlasting life, and
receive that fullness of joy and refreshing, which shall come from the
presence of the Lord: but the wicked, who know not God, and obey not the
Gospel of Jesus Christ, shall be cast into eternal torments, and be
punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and
from the glory of His power.
Matt 25:31-46; Rom 2:5, 6; Rom 9:22, 23; Matt 25:21; Acts 3:19;
2Thess 1:7, 8, 9, 10.
III. As Christ would have us to be certainly persuaded that there shall
be a day of judgment, both to deter all men from sin, and for the
greater consolation of the godly in their adversity; so will He have
that day unknown to men, that they may shake off all carnal security,
and be always watchful, because they know not at what hour the Lord will
come; and may be ever prepared to say, Come, Lord Jesus, come quickly
Amen.
2Pe 3:11, 14; 2Cor 5:10, 11; 2Thess 1:5, 6, 7; Luke 21:27, 28; Rom 8:23, 24, 25;
Matt 24:36, 42, 43, 44; Mark 13:35,
36, 37, Luke 12:35, 36; Rev 22:20.
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