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Experimental investigation of the spirit manifestations, [electronic ...

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152 THE TRUE DOCTRINE.<strong>the</strong> cliurcli. Wo grant that this docs not prove it absolutely true; but ithas much weight, as showing how <strong>the</strong> Scripture on this subject was understoodby many pious and learned men who had <strong>the</strong> same interest inand motives for <strong>the</strong> truth as we have, and were, we may <strong>the</strong>refore suppose,just as sincerely anxious to be led into <strong>the</strong> truth as we can possibly be.The conclusions, <strong>the</strong>refore, to which <strong>the</strong>y have come, and which have beenadopted by <strong>the</strong>ir numerous successors for centuries, are valuable.furnishing us with <strong>the</strong> testimony <strong>of</strong> so much learning and piety, itBesideservesto show that this is no new idea, and that it is not <strong>the</strong> faith <strong>of</strong> a few, butis<strong>the</strong> testimony <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> church.780. ''The first symbolical testimony we produce is <strong>the</strong> Heidelberg Catechism,published first in 1563. This symbol has been <strong>the</strong> embodiment<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> reformed faith for more than three centuries. Its influence hasbeen very extensively respected and felt. It has, since its publication,been translated and read in at least fourteen diflfcrent languages ; and itis said that lialf a million editions <strong>of</strong> it have been published in Germanyalone. In this country it is received as a symbolic book, both in <strong>the</strong> DutchEcformcd and in <strong>the</strong> German Reformed churches. In <strong>the</strong> fifty-seventhquestion it is asked. What comfort is afibrded to us by <strong>the</strong> doctrine <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>resurrection <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> body; and <strong>the</strong> answer is: 'That not only my soulafter this life &liall he immediately taken uj) to Christ its Jiead; but also,that my body, being raised by <strong>the</strong> power <strong>of</strong> Christ, shall be reunited withmy soul, and be made like unto <strong>the</strong> glorious body <strong>of</strong> Christ.' Here <strong>the</strong>doctrine is plainly taught, and has been responded to with a joyful amenby millions during three hundred years.781. "The next is from <strong>the</strong> Shorter Catechism, received as a symbolicbook in <strong>the</strong> different branches <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Presbyterian communion. It is inanswer to <strong>the</strong> thirty-seventh question :'What benefits do believers receivefrom Christ at death ? The souls <strong>of</strong> believers are at <strong>the</strong>ir death madeperfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory ;and <strong>the</strong>ir bodies,being still united to Christ, do rest in <strong>the</strong>ir graves till <strong>the</strong> resurrection.'In <strong>the</strong> eighty-sixth question <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Larger Catechism this same doctrineis taught in more words. The following quotation is from <strong>the</strong> WestminsterConfession <strong>of</strong> Faith :'The bodies <strong>of</strong> men, after death, return to dustand see corruption; but <strong>the</strong>ir souls, (which nei<strong>the</strong>r die nor sleep,) havingan immortal substance, immediately return to God who gave <strong>the</strong>m.souls <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> righteous, being <strong>the</strong>n made perfect in holiness, arc receivedinto <strong>the</strong> highest heavens, where <strong>the</strong>y behold <strong>the</strong> fiice <strong>of</strong> God in light andglory, waiting for <strong>the</strong> full redemption <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir bodies.' The declarationthat <strong>the</strong>y are '<strong>the</strong>n made perfect in holiness,' is no doubt directly aimedagainst <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong> a process <strong>of</strong> purgatorial or medicinal preparation, mentionedin a previous section. The declaration that <strong>the</strong>y are <strong>the</strong>n ' receivedinto <strong>the</strong> highest heavens/ is intended to stand in opposition to <strong>the</strong> idea <strong>of</strong>a middle abode in all its forms.The

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