Exposition of the Apostles Creed, Exposition · Part 2 · Section 14
He aſcended into heauen.
Teſtimones out of the Prophetes and Apoſtles.
THE Apostle in the fourth Chapter to the Epheſians citeth a prophecie out of the 68. Pſalme concerning the aſcenſion of Christ: but vntounto euerie one of vsus, grace is giuen according to the meaſure of the gift of Chriſt. Wherefore he ſaith, when hee aſcended vp on high, he led captiuitie captiue, and gaue giftes vntounto men. And the prophecie in the hundred and tenth Pſalme of the ſitting of the Meſſias at the right hand of God, comprehendeth in it a prophecie of the aſcenſion into the heauens, as it were an entrie of that glorious exaltation at the right hande of God, the which thing is confirmed by the testimonie of the holy Ghoſt himſelfe, by the mouth of Peter. Actes 2.34. Since then that he by the right hande of God hath ben exalted, and hath receaued of his father the promiſe of the holy Ghoſt, he hath ſhedde foorth this amongest you, which you ſee and heare. For Dauid is not aſcended into heauen, but hee ſaith, The Lorde ſaide to my LORDE, ſitte at my right hande, vntill I make thine enimies thy footestoole. So alſo Mark… the Euangelist in the ſixteenth Chapter, ioyneth the entrie with the ſitting it ſelfe at the right hand: ſo after the Lord had ſpoken vntounto them, he was receiued into heauen, and ſitteth at the right hande of God. And Christ Iohn 14. foreſheweth his aſcenſion into heauen, let not your heart be troubled ye beleeue in God, beleeue alſo in mee. In my fathers houſe are many dwelling places: otherwiſe I woulde hauehave tolde you, I goe to prepare a place for you. And ſeeing I goe to prepare a place for you, I will come againe and receiue you vntounto my ſelf, that where I am, there you may be alſo. The Euangelists deſcribe a ſure & manifest fulfilling of theſe foreſayinges concerning the aſcenſion of Chriſt, Marke in the place nowe aledged, and Luke in his Euangelicall historie, chapter 24. Loe I doe ſende the promiſe of my father vppon you: but tarie ye in the citie of Ieruſalem, vntill yee bee indued with power from on high. Now he ledde them out into Bethaniah and lifting vp his handes he bleſſed them. And it came to paſse that whiles he bleſſed them, being ſeparate from them, he… was carried vp into heauen, and they worſhipping him, returned to Ieruſalem with great ioye, and were continually in the temple lauding and prayſing God. And in the firſt of the Actes, And when he had ſpoken theſe thinges, while they behelde, hee was taken vp, and a cloude tooke him out of their ſight, and while they looked ſtedfastly towardes heauen, beholde two men ſtoode by them in white apparell, who ſaide: Yee men of Galilie, why stande yee gaſing into heauen? This Ieſus which is taken from you into heauen, ſhall ſo come as yee hauehave ſeene him goe into heauen. And Peter Actes 3, And nowe brethren I knowe that through ignorance▪ ye did theſe thinges, as alſo did your gouernours, but thoſe thinges which God before had ſhewed by the mouth of all his prophetes, that Christe ſhoulde ſuffer, he hath thus fufilled. Amend your liues therefore and turne, that your ſinnes may be put away, when the time of refreſhing ſhall come from the preſence of the Lord, and when he ſhall ſend Ieſus Chriſt which before was preached vntounto you: whom the heauen must containe, vntill the time that all things bee reſtored which God hath ſpoken by the mouth of all his holy Prophets, ſince the world began.
The meaning of theſe wordes, He aſcended into heauen.
THE meaning is, I beleeue Chriſte who according to his diuine nature was alwayes in the heauens, Iohn 1. and 3. after that he had fulfilled the office of ambaſſage, and by the ſpace of fourtie dayes had inſtructed his diſciples concerning ye trueth of his reſurrection, in that ſame true bodie of his, that was taken out of the ſubſtance of Marie the virgine, that it hanged vppon the croſſe, was deade and buried, that being glorified roſe againe, yt in the ſelfe ſame body I ſay together with a very humaine & reſonable ſoule, he aſcended into the heauens, where ye ſeat is of euerlaſting felicitie. The ſcripture in the firſt Chapter of the Actes doeth ſet out the matter moſt liuely before our eyes. And in an other place he ſaith the ſame things that CHRIST departed from his diſciples, and was lifted vp into heauen, Luke 24. that hee went from them, Iohn 14. that hee left this worlde, Iohn. 16. that hee was taken awaye Actes 15. from vsus, Luke 24. into thoſe ſame holy tabernacles, not made with hands: Hebrewes 9. into heauen it ſelfe, Mark. 16. that he is there continually and without any interruption, Hebrewes 10. that heauen muſt holde him vntill the time of the reſtoring of all thinges. Act. 2.
Howe Christ being abſent, is yet preſent.
BVT if yt Chriſt went from vsus, & hath left this worlde, howe is that promiſe of Chriſt fulfilled, Beholde I am alwayes with you vntounto the ende of the worlde? Matthew 28. Surely it is ſo fulfilled, euen like as that ſame other word of Chriſt was fulfilled. Verilie I ſay vntounto you, that before Abraham was, I am. Iohn 8. For like as hee fulfilled that, by the preſence not of his fleſhe, but of his diuinitie, and yet feared not to ſay, I; admit that he vnderſtoode it onelyonly of the preſence of his diuinitie: ſo alſo according to his maieſtie, according to his prouidence, according to his vnſpeakeable and inuiſible grace, that ſaying was fulfilled of him, Beholde I am with you alwayes, euen to the ende of the worlde. For indeede according to the fleſh which ye worlde hath taken on it,Augustine. according to that that was borne of the virgin, according to yt which was taken of ye Iewes, which was nayled to the tree, that was taken down from the croſſe, that was lapped in linnen, that was laide in the graue, that was manyfeſted in the reſurrection, You ſhall not alwayes hauehave mee with you. Why ſo? Becauſe hee was conuerſant according to his bodily preſence, fourtie dayes with his diſciples, and leading them by ſeeing, but not by following, he aſcended into heauen, and is not here. For hee is there, and ſitteth at the right hande of the father: and is here, for the preſence of his maieſtie hath not departed. And otherwiſe according to the preſence of his maieſtie we hauehave Chriſt alwaies: but according to the preſence of the fleſhe, it was well ſaid vntounto his diſciples, but me ye ſhall not hauehave alwayes.
Of the fruite of the aſcenſion.
FVrthermore wee muſt ſpeake of the fruits, which faith doeth lay holde vponupon by the aſcenſion of Chriſt. And firſt of all like as our iuſtification is aſcribed vntounto the reſurrection: ſo the proceeding and continuing of the ſame iuſtification is aſcribed vntounto the aſcenſion, and that two manner of wayes: firſt becauſe in the ſame bodie, which was accurſſed in our ſinnes, he could not aſcende into heauen, vnleſſe firſt he had beene fully in our name iuſtified from them. For euen like as hee coulde not hauehave riſen into life, if there had but one of our ſinnes remayned vnſatisfied for, and vnleſſe all beleuers had ben iuſtified in him, whoſe perſon tooke vppon him, when hee ſhoulde bee condemned in them: ſo much leſſe coulde he hauehave entred into that ſame high light wherevnto there was no way, & whither no impure thing coulde attaine, yea where God doeth ſhewe himſelfe to be ſeene of the bleſſed Angels, vnleſſe he had beene fully iuſtified for our ſinnes, and we in him when he aſcended thither in our name. Iohn. 14 The holy Ghoſt ſhall reprooue the worlde of righteouſnes, becauſe I goe to the father, and you ſhall ſee me no more. For like as it was not lawfull for the high prieſt to enter into the holy of holieſt, without bloode for his owne ſins, and the ſinnes of the people, Heb. 3.27. ſo that ſame true ſanctuarie had not beene open to Chriſt, to wit, that ſame entrie into heauen, vnleſſe firſt he had ſatisfied for our ſins, which he had taken vponupon him. Heb. 1. verſe 2. and 9. verſe 7.11.12. Therefore whiles Chriſt doth enter into that ſame ſanctuarie not made with handes, heauen it ſelfe, by his owne bloode: it is a ſure demonſtration, and thereby the world is conuinced, that euerlaſting righteouſneſſe is brought by Chriſt as Daniel had foretolde. And ſurely the Apoſtle Epheſ. 4. doeth lay out that ſame aſcenſion of Chriſt as a publike teſtimonie of our iuſtification, as it were in a triumph to be beholden of the eyes, of our faith, When he aſcended on high, he led captiuitie captiue, & gaue giftes vntounto men. Surely he led not captiuitie with him into ye heauens, that is to ſay death & ſin: for neither is there any place there for ſinne & death. What then? That ſame aſcenſion was as it were a publike teſtimonie of ſinne ouercome, and of damnation taken away, and of righteouſneſſe obteined and of full victorie.
Againe, that ſame entrie into that high ſanctuarie, is not onelyonly a teſtimonie of our righteouſnes; but alſo that ſame abiding in the ſame ſanctuarie, and ſhewing of himſelfe before the Father, is an euerlaſting continuance of the ſame righteouſnes: to wit, whiles by the vertue of his onelyonly one ſacrifice, being iuſtified for euer from our ſinnes, he appeareth there in our name, that we might be eſteemed righteous perpetuallie in him, and to the ende hee might giuegive giftes vntounto men, to wit the giftes of the holie Ghoſt, amongeſt which the Apoſtle doth ſpeciallie commende faith, whereby he doth engraffe vsus into him ſelfe as members vntounto the head, and doth applie his benefites vntounto vsus Epheſ. 4. verſ. 12.13.15.16. But of this ſame ſhewing of Chriſt before the Father, there will be a more fit place, when we ſhal entreate of the ſitting at the right hand of God.
How the death, reſurrection, aſcenſion, and ſitting of Chriſt at the right hand of GOD, make to the iuſtification of faith.
BVt nowe ſeeing before mention was made of our righteouſnes in the death and reſurrection of Chriſte, ſome man will demande not without cauſe, by what waie and meanes the death, reſurrection and aſcenſion, and the ſitting at the right hand of God, doth make to the iuſtification of Faith.
I. The obedience of the death of Chriſt, is the thing it ſelfe that is imputed to vsus to righteouſneſſe. For that ſatiſfieth for our ſinnes: neither is there any thing wanting to this obedience, as Chriſt ſaith: It is finiſhed. And the Apoſtle Rom. 5. doth ſet the obedience of Chriſt, againſt our diſobedience.
II. The reſurrection from the dead is a publike teſtimonie and demonſtration both of Chriſte his righteouſnes and ours, to wit that Chriſt is iuſtified from all our ſinnes, and we alſo likewiſe in him: for otherwiſe if there had remained but one ſinne vnpuniſhed, he could not hauehave ariſen. And this is that ſame confident demanding which our conſcience maketh to God through the reſurrection of Chriſt, whereof Saint Peter entreateth in his 1. Epiſtle Chapter. 3. But we hauehave ſpoken more of this matter in his place.
III. The aſcenſion is the proceeding & continuance of his righteouſneſſe. Firſt becauſe in his owne bodie that was accurſed in our ſins, he could not aſcend in our name, I ſay into that high glorie, vnleſſe he had bene fullie iuſtified from our ſinnes, and we likewiſe in him, who are ingraffed into him through faith. Hebrues 1. verſe 7.
IIII. Nowe that ſame aſcenſion and entrance into that highe ſanctuarie, is not onelyonly a publike teſtimonie of our righteouſneſſe, but alſo the ſitting at the right hand of God, that is that abiding of his and perpetuall ſhewing of himſelfe before the face of the Father, in that ſame highe glorie, is the continuing of the euerlaſting righteouſneſſe of Chriſt and of ours, like as we hauehave taught, and ſhal afterwardes teach more fully in the article of ſitting at the right hand of God.
Paule ſetteth downe all theſe degrees in the eight Chapter to the Romanes, Who ſhall laie any thing to the charge of God his choſen? It is GOD that iuſtifieth, who ſhal condemne? It is Christ which is dead (loe the matter for which we are iuſtified from accuſation and condemnation, the death of Chriſt) yea or rather which is riſen againe (which is an vndoubted token that that ſame death of Chriſt which he tooke vponupon him, was ſufficient for the full abſolution and forgiuenes of our ſinnes: otherwiſe he muſt hauehave abiden in death) who is alſo at the right hand of God, (which yet is a greater teſtimonie that the captiuitie of ſinne and damnation is vanquiſhed: ſo that nowe we are deliuered and iuſtified through Chriſt from it) which alſo maketh entreatie for vsus, whilſt he ſaieth, for vsus, which alſo ſheweth that there is farther a newe confirmation of our faith to be added to the nexte of the free iuſtification thorough Chriſte, to wit, that hee alſo is at the right hande of God, whether he could not hauehave come, vnleſſe he had beene iuſtified from our ſinnes: and that he entreateth alſo for vsus, to wit whileſt by the power of that onelyonly one ſacrifice, he appeareth euerlaſtingly righteous for vsus. 1. Iohn. 2 1.
And ſo that ſame abiding at the right hande of God and ſhewing him ſelfe before the Father, is a continuing of that euerlaſting iuſtification of ours, to the end that there ſhould be no place left for any accuſation againſt beleeuers: ſo full euerie manner of waie is our iuſtification in Chriſt, ſo euerlaſting and ſo vnderpropped vponupon moſt ſure foundations, to the knowledge whereof Paule in the place nowe alledged, would leade vsus by thoſe argumentes, as it were by certaine ſteppes and degrees.
Of the ſecond fruite of the aſcenſion.
THe ſecond fruite is, that by his aſcenſion into heauen, he hath made vsus to ſit with him in heauenlie places, Epheſ. 2.6. So that we do not onelyonly in a naked hope looke for heauen: but we poſſeſſe it in the head, and in Chriſt our brother: aſwell becauſe that ſame earthly, and bodily pledge, which he hath taken of vsus, full expiation & cleanſing, being made of our ſins, doth poſſeſſe the heauens nowe in our name: as alſo becauſe we our ſelues doe poſſeſſe a ſpiritual and heauenly pledge receaued againe frō him, to wit the ſpirite of Chriſt dwelling in vsus: & ſo by the power of the holie Ghoſt through faith in the promiſe of the Goſpell we are ingraffed into him. And therfore Ro. 10.6.8. The righteouſnes which is of faith ſaith thus, Say not in thy heart, who ſhal aſcend into heauen? That is to bring Christ from aboue, &c. But what ſaith it? The worde is neare thee, euen in thy mouth, and in thine heart, that is, that ſame worde of Faith whiche wee preache.
Surely the ſpirituall firſt fruites of this doctrine are moſt ſweete. For it bringeth to paſſe by the power of Chriſt his ſpirite, that now in a certain and vndouted hope in our head Chriſt, we poſſeſſe heauen. Therefore let vsus confirme our mindes in this moſt profitable doctrine by ſome moſt euident oracles of ye ſcripture. Chriſt himſelfe nowe about to goe into that heauenly poſſeſſion in our name, ſpeaketh on this ſort, Iohn. 14. In my fathers houſe there are many abyding places, if it had bene otherwiſe, I had tolde you. I go to prepare a place for you. The ſame Iohn. Chap. 20. I aſcend to my father, and to your father; to my God, & to your God. The Apoſtle alſo maketh vsus ſo ſure of the certaintie of the earneſt and pledge which Chriſt hauing of vsus, hath aduanced into the heauens, that he ſaith in the ſecond of the Epheſians, that God hath made vsus to ſitte with Chriſt in heauenly places. Againe, of ſending that ſame earneſt or comforter vntounto vsus Chriſte ſpeaketh thus in Ioh. 16. I ſpeake the truth vntounto you, it is profitable for you that I goe: for if I go not, that ſame comforter ſhal not come vntounto you. Peter alſo witneſſeth of this ſame earneſt already ſent in Actes 2. alſo Paule in 2. Cor. 1. Who hath ſealed vsus and giuen the earneſt of his ſpirite in our heartes: And moſt plaine of all other places in the 2. Cor. 5. See alſo Tertullian in his booke of the reſurrection of the fleſh, where amongeſt other thinges he writeth thus, This Ieſus called the Mediator of God & men, of the truſt of either part committed vntounto him doth keepe the pledge of the fleſh in himſelfe as the earneſt of the whole ſumme. For like as he hath left the earnest of his ſpirit with vsus, ſo alſo he hath taken of vsus the earneſt of the fleſh, and hath aduanced into heauen the pledge of the whole ſumme hereafter to be brought thither. Be quiet therefore O fleſh and bloud, you hauehave vſurped both heauen & the kingdome of God in Chriſt, or if they denie you in Chriſt, let them alſo denie Chriſt to be in heauen, who hauehave denied heauen vntounto you.
Of the thirde fruite.
THe third fruite is, that Chriſt therefore ſitteth in the higheſt heauens, that through his power ſhed into our hearts, from thence he may drawe vsus from theſe earthly and carnal things preſent, and may quicken them and lift them vp to deſire and meditate vponupon heauenly and ſpiritual thinges to come. Philip. 3. Our cōuerſation is in heauen, from whence we looke for our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt.