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I. THE GROUNDS OF THE BELIEF OF A CHRISTIAN CONCERNING THIS CHANGE OF A CORRUPTIBLE AND MORTAL INTO AN INCORRUPTIBLE ANN IMMORTAL BODY. I appeal to all sensible men whether that God, who is the Author of motion, by which all alterations in bodies are made, who brought this goodly frame of the world out of an heap of indigested matter, who formed the body of Adam out of the dust, who has so framed nature, that a spring of vegetables should succeed their death in winter; who caused even the dry rod of Aaron to bud, and blossom, and bring forth almonds; who has given skill and power to men, by fire and other natural causes, to open and refine the grossest bodies; whether that God who hath done these great things is not able to put together the parts of an humane body which He made, contrived, and formerly joined, and to advance the frame of it from grossness to purity. To think He is not is next to no thinking at all, and it is to reproach God's power and knowledge and wisdom. It is more than barely credible, it is certain, that God who can do all this will at last do it because He has said He will.

II. THE CONSEQUENCE OF THIS BELIEF IS VERY COMFORTABLE; FOR GREAT AND MANY ARE THE ADVANTAGES DERIVED TO CHRISTIANS BY BEING CLOTHED WITH A CELESTIAL BODY. There is scarce a comparison to be admitted betwixt this earthly body and that which shall be at the ascension of Christians. They differ more than the least and dimmest star, and the brightest and greatest luminary in the firmament of heaven. The happiness derived from the change of a natural to a spiritual body consisteth in a deliverance —

1. From the grossness of the former, as it is a body of this flesh and blood.

2. From the disorderly motions of it, as it is a corruptible body.

3. From the perishing nature, decay, and fall of it, as it is both a corruptible and mortal body.

III. WHAT SHALL WE DO THAT WE MAY COME AT THESE SEVERAL GREAT ADVANTAGES OF LIVING AT LAST IN AN HEAVENLY BODY? The way to have better bodies is to have more virtuous souls. God hath put us into this body, as into the habit of a pilgrim on earth, as probationers for a more excellent clothing. And, according to our patience, our self-denial, our keeping the body in subjection to the mind, our governing the appetites and passions of it, so shall the resurrection and ascension of it be.

(Abp. Tenison.)

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KJV: For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.

WEB: For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.