Chapter XXXIIOf the State of Men after Death, and of the Resurrection of the Dead
Text of the 1646 manuscript
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Text public domain · U.S.
1946 transcription of the 1646 manuscript; the copyrighted editorial note is omitted. Source: Wikisource scan transcription.
The 1646 text is public domain; Wikisource omits the 1946 editorial note and identifies the remaining transcription as insufficiently transformative for a new copyright. Rights evidence. Verified 2026-07-14.
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 acknowledgeth none.
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.
The bodies of the unjust shall, by the power of Christ, be raised to dishonour: the bodies of the just, by His Spirit, unto honour; and be made conformable to His own glorious body.