An Exposition of the Assembly's
Shorter Catechism

by

John Flavel

Q37. What benefits do believers receive from Christ at their death?
A. The souls of believers are at their death made perfect in holiness, and do immediately pass into glory; and their bodies being still united to Christ, do rest in their graves till the resurrection.

Of Perfection at Death

Q. 1. What is the state of perfect holiness?
A. It consists in a perfect freedom from sin, or the least inclinations to sin; Ephesians 5:27. That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.

Q. 2. Wherein else doth perfection consist?
A. It consists in the attainment of the highest measures and degrees of holiness the creature is capable of; Ephesians 4:12-13. For the perfecting of the saints, Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.

Q. 3. Cannot this be attained whilst in the body?
A. No, for here all our graces are imperfect; 2 Corinthians 13:12. For mow we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face. And we live at a distance from God; 2 Corinthians 5:6. Whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord.

Q. 4. How is this attained at death?
A. At death the roots of sin are pulled up out of the believer’s nature; Hebrews 12:23. And to the spirits of just men made perfect.

Q. 5. Why must the soul be made perfect at death?
A. Because the purity of the heavenly state admits no sin or imperfection; Revelation 21:27. And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie, but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.

Q. 6. What is the first inference from hence?
A. That death should be lovely and desirable in the eyes of believers; Philippians 1:23. Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better.

Q. 7. What is the second inference?
A. That God bath provided singular relief for his people that now groan under their sins, and many imperfections: 1 Corinthians 13:12. For now we see through a glass darkly; but then face to face: Now I know in part; but then shall I know even as I am known.

Q. 8. What is the third inference?
A. That the heavenly state is infinitely above and beyond whatever we enjoy here; 1 Corinthians 2:9. But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.

Q. 9. What is the fourth inference?
A. That believers are but at a small distance from the satisfaction of all their desires; Romans 13:11. For now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Q. 10. What is the fifth inference?
A. That the saints should earnestly pursue that perfection, even in this imperfect state; Philippians 3:13-14. Brethren, I count not my self to have apprehended; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth to those things which are before, I press towards the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Q. 11. What is the sixth inference?
A. That death to the saints is better than life; Philippians 1:21. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.

Q. 12. What is the last inference?
A. That faith is absolutely necessary to entitle us to this perfect state.

Of Immediate Glorification

Q 1. Do all that die in Christ immediately pass into glory?
A. Yes, they do; Luke 23:43. To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise; Philippians 1:23. Having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ.

Q. 2. What is the first reason for their immediate glorification?
A. Because heaven is prepared and ready for them; Matthew 25:34. Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

Q. 3. What is the second reason for it?
A. Because at death they are as ready for heaven as ever they shall be; John 9:4. I must work the work of him that sent me, while it is day; the night cometh, when no man can work.

Q. 4. What is the third reason for it?
A. Because death else could not be gain, as it is, Philippians 1:21. For to me to live is Christ; and to die is gain.

Q. 5. What is the fourth reason for it?
A. Because there is the same reason for all, as for any one: But some are immediately glorified; Luke 23:43. To-day shalt thou be with me in Paradise.

Q. 6. What is the fifth reason for it?
A. Because Christ longs for their coming to him, and they for his enjoyment; and these longings are in vain, if not satisfied; Revelation 22:17, 20. And the Spirit, and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth, say, Come. And let him that is athirst, come: And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. He which testifieth these things, saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen, Even so come, Lord Jesus.

Q. 7. What is the first instruction from hence?
A. That the apparition of departed saints ordinarily are but fables: They wander not; Revelation 3:12. Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out.

Q. 8. What is the second inference?
A. That Purgatory is a groundless fable, and invention of men; and the scriptures alleged to countenance it, grossly abused; I Peter 3:19. By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison.

Q. 9. What is the third inference?
A. That heaven must needs be a marvellous surprise to believers, how long soever they have conversed with it here.

Q. 10. What is the fourth inference?
A. The consideration of this should provoke saints to work hard to finish all they have to do on earth; Ecclesiastes 9:10. Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Q. 11. What is the fifth inference?
A. That there is no reason to grieve excessively for departed saints; 1 Thessalonians 4:14. Even so them also which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him.

Q. 12. What is the last inference?
A. That Christless ones are immediately in hell; Luke 16:22-23. The rich man also died, and was buried; and in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments.

Of Rest in the Grave

Q. 1. Why must believers come to the grave?
A. Because where sin has been, death by the law must follow; Romans 5:12. Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Romans 8:10. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the spirit is life, because of righteousness.

Q. 2. What is the first privilege of their bodies there?
A. It is the privilege of their bodies to be there in union with Christ; 1 Thessalonians 4:14. Them also which sleep in Jesus, will God bring with him.

Q. 3. What is their second privilege?
A. Their graves are places of rest; not prisons, but beds of rest; Isaiah 57:2. He shall enter into peace; they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness.

Q. 4. What is the first evil they rest from?
A. All the toils, and troubles, and afflictions, of this life; Revelation 14:13. They may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

Q. 5. What is the second evil they rest from?
A. They rest from all persecutions from men; Job 3:17. There the wicked cease from troubling; and there the weary be at rest.

Q. 6. What is the third evil they rest from?
A. They rest from sin, never to feel temptation or inclination to sin; Hebrews 12:23. And to the spirits of just men made perfect.

Q. 7. How long shall the bodies rest in the grave?
A. Not for ever, but till the day of the resurrection; Job 19:26. And though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.

Q. 8. What is the first inference from hence?
A. That union with Christ redounds to the singular advantage of the body, as well as the soul; Romans 8:11. But if the Spirit of’ him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you; he that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

Q. 9. What is the second inference?
A. That death dissolves not the union betwixt Christ and the souls or bodies of his; Matthew 22:32. I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob; God is not the God of the dead, but of the living.

Q. 10. What is the third inference?
A. That seeing our bodies are to have so long and so sweet rest in the grave, we should not spare them in God’s service now; 2 Peter 1:13-14. Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up, by putting you in remembrance: Knowing that shortly

I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.

Q. 11. What is the fourth inference?
A. That Christians should neither too much fear their own, nor sorrow for others death; Romans 8:38,39. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. 1 Thessalonians 4:13. But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

Of the Resurrection

Q. 1. Is the resurrection a credible doctrine?
A. Yes, it is; Acts 26:8. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

Q. 2. Why then doth it seem incredible to man?
A. Because they err, not knowing the scriptures and the power of God; Mark 13:24. Do ye not therefore err, because ye know riot the scriptures, nor the power of God? The power of God assures us it may be so, and the word of God tells it must be so.

Q. 3. Is it sinful to doubt of the doctrine of the resurrection?
A. It is not only a sin to doubt it, but an heresy to deny it, it being a fundamental article; Hebrews 6:2. And of the resurrection of the dead. 1 Corinthians 15:13-14. But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen; and if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain.

Q. 4. Who must rise again at the resurrection?
A. All men, good and bad, must rise again; Acts 24:15. And have hope towards God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall he a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust, Revelation 20:12-14. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, &c.

Q. 5. What is the first difference betwixt the resurrection of the just and unjust?
A. Saints rise by virtue of their union with Christ; Romans 8:11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead, dwell in you; he that raised up Christ from the dead, shall also quicken your mortal bodies, by his Spirit that dwelleth in you: But the wicked by his power.

Q. 6. What is the second difference?
A. The second and main difference will be in the contrary ends to which they rise; some to life, and some to condemnation; Daniel 12:2. And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame, and everlasting contempt.

Q. 7. What is the glory to which saints bodies shall be raised?
A. In the likeness of Christ’s glorious body; Philippians 3:21. Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like to his glorious body.

Q. 8. What is the first inference from hence?
A. That every man should strive to the uttermost to attain to the resurrection of the just; Philippians 3:10-11. That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death, if by any means I might attain to the resurrection of the dead.

Q. 9. What is the second inference?
A. Comfort to them that now groan under manifold distemper; and deformities of body; they being made equal to angels; Mark 12:25. For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels which are in heaven.

Q. 10. What is the third inference?
A. Get union with Christ by faith, as you expect a joyful resurrection; John 11:25. Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.

Q. 11. What is the fourth inference?
A. Saints should not fear death; Genesis 46:3. Fear not to go down into Egypt.

Q. 12. What is the last inference?
A. Employ your bodies for good now.