94. Paul certainly is dead, and by his
honourable passion exchanged the life of the body for everlasting
glory; did he then deceive himself when he wrote that he should be
caught up alive in the clouds to meet Christ? We read the same
too of Enoch Gen. v. 24. and of
Elijah, 2 [4] Kings
ii. 11. and thou too
shalt be caught up in the Spirit. Lo the chariot of Elijah, lo
the fire, though not seen are prepared, that the just may ascend, the
innocent be borne forth, and thy life may not know death. For
indeed the apostles knew not death, according to that which was
said: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, many of those
standing here shall not taste death until they see the Son of man
coming in His kingdom.” S. Matt. xvi. 28. For he lives,
who has nothing in him which can die, who has not from Egypt any shoe
or bond, but has put it off before laying aside the service of this
body. And so not Enoch alone is alive, for not he alone was
caught up; Paul also was caught up to meet Christ.