SECTION IV. 33 resurrection, if he expected to be with Christ immediately upon his death, since being with Christ is the state of ultimate hap- piness ? Answer 1. Some learned men suppose that the apostle here presses after some peculiar exaltations of piety in this world, and after an interest in some first resurrection, or resurrection of the martyrs and most eminent saints, which would be long be- fore the general resurrection of all the dead, according to the visions of St. John ; Rev. xx. 4 -7. But as I am not suffici- ently acquainted with the sense of that prophecy, to determine my opinion on this side, I proceed to other answers Answer 2. What if the words of St. Paul in this place to the Philippians, should mean no more than this, as verses 13, 14. I forget the things that are behind, as though 1 had gained so little already, as not to be worth my notice ; and I reach forth unto those things which are before, that is, further degrees of holiness to be obtained, pressing towards the mark of perfec- tion, if by any means I might be made so conformable to the death of Christ, as to be entirely dead to sin, and if by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead ; that is, to such a perfection of holiness, as is represented by the resurrec- tion of Christ ; Rom. vi. 4, U. or as that in which the dead saints shall be raised ; for I know I have not already attained it; nor am already perfect. 3. Suppose the soul of St. Paul, to be present with Christ after death in heaven in a separate state, yet this is not the ulti- mate or highest happiness of the saints, and therefore be aimed at something higher and further, namely, time more complete happiness which he should enjoy at the resurrection of the dead. Objection V. is borrowed from several verses of 1 Cor. xv. viz. 13, 18, 19, 32. where the apostle is imagined to argue thus, " If there be no resurrection of the dead," verse 13. "' Then they which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished," verse 18. 0° Then we have hope only in this life, and nothing else to sup- port us," verse 19. Then " what advantage do I get by all my sufferings for Christ, if the dead rise not ?" We had better comply with the appetites of the flesh, and enjoy a merry life here, Let us eat and drink, for to-morrow we die ; verse 32. whereby it is' evident, that the apostle places the blessed expec-. tation of those that are fallen asleep in Christ, only, and'entirely, upon their being raised from the dead, which he would not have done, if there had been such a separate state : He extends our hope in Christ beyond this life, and raises his own expectation of advantage or reward for his sufferings on the account of the gospel, entirely and only upon the resurrection of the dead, hav- ing no notion of any happiness in a separate state of souls : For if he had any such opinion or hope, this expectation of the VOL. VIL. C
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