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of his mighty power, which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him: at his own right hand in the heavenly places"." From these passages of Holy Writ it is clear, that God the Father raised Christ from the dead. But inasmuch as our Saviour, uniting in his per-: son two natures perfectly distinct, the Godhead and manhood, was as to his divinity one and the same with the Father, there is no contradiction in supposing that the acts of the Father are the acts of the Son. Thus our Saviour, with reference to the omnipotent power with which he was filled, said, "Destroy this temple (meaning his body) and in three days I will raise it up'." Thus again he said, "No man taketh my life from me, but I lay it down of myself: I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again." Both assertions then are true, because the divine power of God the Father and God the Son, by the exercise of which power the resurrection was effected, is indivisible.

Q. Did Christ rise from the dead in every respect the same person he was before his death? A. The identity was perfect. "Behold my hands and my feet, he said, that it is I myself: handle me and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and

Ephes. i. 18. 20. See also Gal. i. 1. 'John ii. 19.

John x. 17,
18.

bones, as ye see me have. He took meat also,

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and did eat before them "." He made St. Thomas in particular feel the prints of the nails with which his hands and feet were. pierced at his crucifixion, as well as the spear wound in his side. He talked with his Disciples, and taught them, and admonished them, continuing among them for forty days previous to his ascension'.

Q. Did the divine Spirit inhabit the body of Christ as before?

A. Assuredly. Witness the miracle at the sea of Tiberias. Witness his appearance to two of his Disciples at Emmaus'.

Q. What benefits do we derive from the resurrection of Christ?

A. First, An assurance of the truth of the religion he taught; for before his death he appealed to this miracle as a test of his veracity".

Secondly, A proof of God's renewed favour and acceptance, for "He hath quickened us together with Christ, and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus." Christ," says St. Paul," was delivered for our offences, and

h Luke xxiv. 39. 43.

66

1 Ibid. 27. 44. John xx. 24. Matt. xxviii. 18.

John xxi. 6.

Matt. xii. 38. Rom. i. 4.

Luke xxiv. 13. 31.

saith St. Peter,

raised again for our justification." "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ," who according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead "."

Thirdly, God's justice is now satisfied, for "As by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift is come upon all men unto justification of life "."

Fourthly, A new covenant of grace through faith is hereby opened unto us, in place of the Jewish dispensation of ritual ordinances and the works of the law P.

Q. What effect should the knowledge of this truth have upon us?

A. First, It should strengthen our faith in the promises of God, for as Christ is risen, so shall we rise also %.

Secondly, It should animate our endeavours to imitate his example, for " If we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection '.'

n

Eph. ii. 5, 6. Rom. iv. 25. 1 Pet. i. 3. Luke xxiv. 46, 47. Rom. iii. 20. 24. Dissert. xxxi. on the resurrection of Christ.

4 1 Cor. xv. 12.

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• Rom. v. 8. Bishop Newton

Rom. vi. 5.

Thirdly, It should fill us with joy and gladness, for now we may exclaim, "O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? thanks be to God, who giveth us the victory, through our Lord Jesus Christ"."

1 Cor. xv. 55, 56.

ARTICLE VI.

HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN, AND SITTETH ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD THE FATHER ALMIGHTY.

SECTION I.

He ascended into heaven.

Q. How are we assured of the truth of this doctrine?

of

A. We cannot be more sure of any historical fact than we are of the ascension of our Saviour; first, because it was in the face of day; secondly, because it was before many witnesses; thirdly, because it is recorded by the pen inspiration. Our Lord, we read, "being assembled together with the Apostles, and those that were with them, led them forth from Jerusalem as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands and blessed them: and it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven".

⚫ Luke xxiv. 33. 50, 51.

R

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