Yet, in shunning as well as in reproving, such moderation and Christian discretion must be used, that it may conduce, not to the destruction, but to the reformation of the sinner. For, if he is needy, hungry, thirsty, naked, sick, or in any other distress, we are in duty bound, necessity requiring it, according to love and the doctrine of Christ and his apostles, to render him aid and assistance; otherwise, shunning would in this case tend more to destruction than to reformation.

Therefore, we must not count them as enemies, but admonish them as brethren, that thereby they may be brought to a knowledge of and to repentance and sorrow for their sins, so that they may become reconciled to God, and, consequently be received again into the church; and that love may continue with them, according as is proper. 2 Thess. 3:15.

XVIII. OF THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD, AND THE LAST JUDGMENT.

Finally, concerning the resurrection of the dead, we confess with the mouth, and believe with the heart, according to Scripture, that in the last day all men who shall then have died, and fallen asleep, shall be awaked and quickened, and shall rise again, through the incomprehensible power of God; and that they, together with those who then will still be alive, and who shall be changed in the twinkling of an eye, at the sound of the last trump, shall be placed before the judgment seat of Christ, and the good be separated from the wicked; that then every one shall receive in his own body according to that he hath done, whether it be good or evil; and that the good or pious, as the blessed, shall be taken up with Christ, and shall enter into life eternal, and obtain that joy, which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath entered into the heart of man, to reign and triumph with Christ forever and ever. Matt. 22:30,31; Dan. 12:12; Job 19:26,27; Matt. 25:31; John 5:28; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Cor. 15; Rev. 20:12; 1 Thess. 4:15; 1 Cor. 2:9.

And that, on the other hand, the wicked or impious, as accursed, shall be cast into outer darkness, yea, into the everlasting pains of hell, where their worm shall not die, nor their fire be quenched, and where they, according to holy Scripture, can nevermore expect any hope, comfort or redemption. Mark 9:44; Rev. 14:11.

May the Lord, through his grace, make us all worthy and meet, that this may befall none of us; but that we may thus take heed unto ourselves, and use all diligence, that on that day we may be found before him unspotted and blameless in peace. Amen.

These, then, as has been briefly stated before, are the principal articles of our general Christian faith, as we teach and practice the same throughout in our churches and among our people; which, in our judgment, is the only true Christian faith, which the apostles in their time believed and taught, yea, testified with their life, confirmed with their death, and, some of them, also sealed with their blood; wherein we in our weakness with them and all the pious, would fain abide, live, and die, that we may afterwards obtain salvation with them through the grace of the Lord.

Thus done and finished in our united churches, in the city of Dortrecht, the 21st of April, 1632, new style.

And was signed by the mutually united:

Dortrecht.

Isaac de Koning, and in the name of our minister.
Jan Jacobs.		(On the other side.)
By me Hans Cobrijsz.
By me Jacuis Terwen.
Claes Dircksg.
Mels Gijsbertsz.
Adriaen Cornelissz.

Middelburg.

Bastiaen Willemsen.Jan Winkelmans.

Vlissingen.

Oillaert Willeborts,by Jacob Pennen.
Lieven Marijnesz.

Amsterdam.

Tobias Govertsz.(On the other side.)
Pieter Jansz Moyer.David ter Haer.
Abraham Dircksz.Pieter Jansz van Singel.

Haerlem.

Jan Doom.(On the other side.)
Piter Grijspert.Dirck Wonteresz Kolenkamp.
Pieter Joosten.

Bommel.

Willem Jansz van Exselt.Gijsbert Spiering.

Rotterdam.

(On the other side.)
Balten Centen Schoenmaker.Israel van Halmael.
M. Michielsz.Hendrick Dircksz Apeldoren.
Andries Lucken Jr.

From the Upper Part of the Country.

Peter van Borsel.Antony Hansz.

Krevelt Do.

Harmen op den Graff.Weylm Kreynen.

Zeeland.

Cornelis de Moir.Isaac Claessz.

Schiedam.

Cornelis Bom.Lambrecht Paeldink.

Leyden.

Mr. C. de Korink.Jan Weyns.

Blockziel.

Claes Claessen.Pieter Peters.

Ziericzee.

Anthonis Cornelissz.Pieter Jansz Timmerman.

Utrecht.

Herman Segers.(On the other side.)
Jan Hendricksen Hooghvelt.Abraham Spronk.
David Horens.Williem van Brœkhuysen.

Gorcum.

Jacob van der Heyde Sebrechts.Jan Jansz V. K.

Aernhem.

Cornelis Jansz.Dirck Reuderson.