Secondly, We are now also stirred up by his power to a new life." Lastly, The resurrection of Christ, who is our head, is a pledge of our own glorious

resurrection.▾

46. Q. How do you understand that he ascended into heaven?

A. That Christ, his disciples looking on, was taken up from the earth into heaven,w and still is there for our sake, and will remain there,

u Like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. Rom. vi. 4.

▾ Now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead; for as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. 1 Cor. xv. 20-22. If then ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Col. iii. 1. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace are ye saved ;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Eph. ii. 5, 6.

w So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. Mark xvi. 19. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Acts i. 9. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. Luke xxiv. 51.

* For Christ is not entered into the holy places made with hands, which are the figures of the true; but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us. Heb. ix. 24. It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Rom. viii. 34. If then ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above where Christ sitteth at the right

until he come again to judge the quick and the dead.y

47. Q. Christ is not then with us even unto the end of the world, as he promised us? (Matt. xxviii. 20.)

A. Christ is very God, and very man; and therefore in his human nature he is not now on earth;z but as to his godhead, his majesty, his grace, and Spirit, he is never at any time absent from us.a

48. Q. By this means, then, are not the two

hand of God. Col. iii. 1. We have an advocate with the Father, Christ Jesus the righteous. 1 John ii. 1.

y Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Acts i. 11. He commanded us to testify that it was he which was ordained of God to be the judge of quick and dead. Acts x. 42. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. Matt. xxiv. 30.

2 For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law. Heb. viii. 3. For ye have the poor always with you, but me ye have not always. Matt. xxvi. 11. I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world; again, I leave the world, and go the Father. John xvi. 28. and xvii. 11. Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. Acts iii. 21.

I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. John xiv. 18. Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Matt. xxviii. 20. Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there' am I in the midst of them. Matt. xviii. 20. John x. 27-29,

sins, but the abolishing of sin, and our passage into eternal life.°

43. Q. What further advantage do we gain by the sacrifice and death of Christ?

A. By virtue of his death, our old man is crucified, slain, and buried together with him, that henceforth the evil lusts and desires of the flesh may not have dominion over us, but that we may offer ourselves unto him a living sacrifice of thanksgiving.r

Because-Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many. Heb. ix. 28. And there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin. Heb. x. 26.

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. John viii. 24. Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son. Col. i. 12, 13. 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. Dan. xii. 2. I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death. Hos. xiii. 14. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death to life. John v. 24.

P Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. Rom. vi. 6.

9 For sin shall not have dominion over you, for ye are not under the law, but under grace. Rom. vi. 14. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh, with the affections and lusts. Gal. v. 24.

* I beseech you, therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Rom. xii. 1.

heaven, we are assured, as by a certain pledge, that he who is our head will raise us, who are his members, unto him. Lastly, he sends to us his Spirit, as a mutual pledge,f by the powerful operation of which, we seek not after earthly things, but those of heaven, where he himself sitteth at the right hand of God.g

Jesus Christ the righteous. 1 John ii. 1. He ever liveth to make intercession for them. Heb. vii. 25. It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Rom. viii. 34.

e In my Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go to prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John xiv. 2, 3. and xvii. 24. Eph. ii. 6.

And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another comforter, that he may abide with you for ever. John xiv. 16. Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away; for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. John xvi. 7. This Jesus God hath raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this which ye now see and hear. Acts ii. 32, 33.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. Rom. viii. 14. This, I say then, walk in the spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lusts of the flesh. Gal. v. 16. Howbeit, when the Spirit of truth is come, he shall guide you into all truth. John xvi. 13. If then ye be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God. Col. iii, 1. We ourselves were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we

50. Q. Why is it added-He sitteth at the right hand of God?

A. Because Christ therefore is ascended into heaven, to shew thereby that he is the head of the church, by whom the Father governs all things.i

51. Q. What are the benefits of this glorification of Christ, who is our head?

j

A. First, By his holy Spirit he pours on us his members heavenly graces. Secondly, By his power he protects and defends us against all our enemies,

have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Lord. Titus iii. 3-6.

h Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins. Acts v. 31. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be head over all things to the church. Eph. i. 22. And he is the head of the body, the church; who is the beginning, the first born from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence. Col. i. 18.

i And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Matt. xxviii. 18. The Father loveth the Son, and hath given all things into his hand. John iii. 35. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son. John v. 22.

j And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus; and great grace was upon them all. Acts iv. 33. But unto every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Eph. iv. 7, 8.

Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Ps. ii. 9. And I give unto