1st. " It is evident that identity depends upon different condi- tions in different cases. The identity of a stone or any other por- tion of unorganized matter consists in its substance and form. On the other hand? the identity of a plant from the seed to its maturity is, in a great measure, independent of sameness of substance or of form. Their identity appears to consist in each plant's being one organized whole, and in the continuity of the succession of its elements and parts. The identity of a picture does not depend upon the sameness of the particles of coloring matter of which it is composed, for these we may conceive to be continually chang- ing, but upon the drawing, the tints, the light and shade, the expression, the idea which it embodies/' etc.
2d. Bodily identity is not a conclusion drawn from the com- parison, or combination of other facts, but it is itself a single irre- solvable fact of consciousness. The child, the savage, the philo- sopher, are alike certain of the sameness of their bodies at different periods of their lives, and on the same grounds. This intuitive conviction, as it is not the result of science, so it is no more bound to give an account of itself to science, i. e., we are no more called upon to explain it before we believe it than we are to explain any other of the simple data of consciousness.
3d. The resurrection of our bodies, although a certain fact of revelation, is to us, as yet, an unrealized experience, an unob- served phenomenon. The physical conditions, therefore, of the identity of our " spiritual bodies" with our " natural bodies," we can not now possibly comprehend, since we have neither the ex- perience, the observation, nor the revelation of the facts involved in such knowledge. This much, however, is certain as to the re- sult, 1st. The body of the resurrection will be as strictly identical with the body of death, as the body of death is with the body of birth. 2d. Each soul will have an indubitable intuitive con- sciousness that its new body is identical with the old. 3d. Each friend shall recognize the individual characteristics of the soul in the perfectly transparent expression of the new body.— Dr. Hodge.
16. How far was the doctrine of the resurrection of the body held by the Jews ?
With the exception of some heretical sects, as the Sadducees,
446 THE RESURRECTION.
the Jews held this doctrine in the same sense in which we hold it now. This is evident, 1st, Because it was clearly revealed in their inspired writings, see ahove, question 2. 2d. It is affirmed in their uninspired writings, Wisdom, iii., 6, 13 ; iv., 15 ; 2 Mac- cabees vii., 9, 14, 23, 29. 3d. Christ in his discources, instead of proving this doctrine, assumes it as recognized, Luke xiv., 14 ; John v., 28, 29. 4th. Paul asserts that both the ancient Jews, (Heb. xi., 35,) and his own cotemporaries, (Acts xxiv., 15,) be- lieved this doctrine.
17. What early heretical sects in the Christian church re- jected this doctrine ?
All the sects bearing the generic designation of gnostic, and un- der various specific names embodying the leaven of oriental phil- osophy, which infested the church of Christ from the beginning for many centuries, believed, 1st, that matter is essentially vile, and the source of all sin and misery to the soul ; 2d, that com- plete sanctification is consummated only in the dissolution of the body and the emancipation of the soul ; 3d, that consequently any literal resurrection of the body is repugnant to the spirit, and would be destructive to the purpose of the whole gospel.
18. What is the doctrine taught by Sivedenborg on this subject 1
It is substantially the same with that set forth by Professor Bush in his once famous book, " Anastasia." They teach that the literal body is dissolved, and finally perishes in death. But by a subtle law of our nature an etherial, luminous body is elim- inated out of the i\)v%r\ (the seat of the nervous sensibility, oc- cupying the middle link between matter and spirit), so that the soul does not go forth from its tabernacle of flesh a bare power of thought, but is clothed upon at once by this psychical body. This resurrection of the body, they pretend, takes place in every case immediately at death, and accompanies the outgoing soul.
19. How do modern rationalists explain the passages of Scripture which relate to this subject ?
They explain them away, denying their plain sense, either, 1st, as purely allegorical modes of inculcating the truth of the con- tinued existence of the soul after death ; or, 2d, as concessions to the prejudices and superstitions of the Jews.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
THE SECOND ADVENT AND GENERAL JUDGMENT.
1. What it the meaning of the expressions " the coming," or "the day of the Lord," as used in both the Old and New Testa- ments ?