1. The whole strength of the Christian Religion consists in the certainty of Christs Resurrection in his true and individual body. For as the Apostle argueth: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain: yea and we are found false witnesses of God, because we have testified of God, that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ risen. And if Christ be not risen, your faith is vain, ye are yet in your sins. Then also they which are fallen asleep in Christ, are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. So that all these sad consequences must needs follow, and the whole Christian Religion be found a lye, if Christ be not truly risen from the dead.
2. And though the Apostle do enumerate sufficient Witnesses of his Resurrection and appearance after death, and that he was seen of Cephas, then of the Twelve, after that he was seen of above five hundred Brethren at once, then of James, then of all the Apostles, and lastly of himself: Yet all this Cloud of Witnesses will prove little, but dissolve into vapour, if there were or are either Angels or Spirits, that in their own or assumed bodies, may appear in his form, shape, and likeness, and to sight and tangibility be in all properties as his body was, to have flesh and bones, the print of the nails in the hands and feet, and to eat and drink.
Mar. 6. 49.
Mat. 27. 51.
Mar. 15. 38.
Mat. 28.6, 9.
Mar. 16. 1.
Joh. 20. 1.
Luk. 24. 37.
Joh. 20. 19, 26.