A Catechism, Chapter 20 – Chapter 22
CHAP. 20. Of the exaltation of Christ, and his Resurrection from the dead.
Q. HAving considered of Christs Humiliation, how are wee in the next place to consider of his exaltation?
A. The exaltation of Christ is to be considered both in respect of his Godhead and his manhood, and in the severall degrees thereof.
Q. What is his exaltation in respect of his Godhead?
A. It is nothing else but the manifestation of that divine power and glory of his, which had beene so much concealed in all the time of his humiliation, Iohn 175. Rom. 1. 4:
Q And what is his exaltation in respect of his Manhood?
A. It consists partly in laying aside all those infirmities which it had beene subject unto in the time of Humiliation by hunger, thirst, wearinesse and the like, which are all of them removed and done away, 1 Cor. 15. 43.
Q. Wherein else doth this exaltation consist?
A. In that the humane nature of Christ was filled with all the glorious excellencies that a creature is capable of, and this both in respect of his soule aHeb. 12. 2., and in respect of his body bPhil. 3. 21.,
Q. Doth the bodie of Christ by meanes of his exultation or Glorification become infinite, or Omnipresent or in many places at once?
A. As the soule of Christ being Glorified doth still retaine the nature of a soule: so his bodie doth still retaine the essentiall properties of a bodie cMath 28. 6. Luke 20. 39., and therefore is not infinite nor omnipresent, for that were to destroy its essentiall properties,
Q. VVhat are the degrees of Christs exaltation?
A. His resurrection from the dead, his ascention into heaven, and his sitting at the right hand of God.
Q. VVhat meane you by his resurrection from the dead?
A. I meane that his body which was dead was quickned againe d1 Pet. 3. 18. Rom: 14. 9., by the uniting together of his soule and body againe, which in death had been separated: and also that being quickned he came forth again out of the grave eMat: 28. 6. Iohn 20. 6. 7..
Q. VVhat certainty is there of this resurrection of Christ?
A. The scripture saith that Christ is risen indeed fLuke 24. 34., and his resurrection hath beene witnessed by many cleare and pregnant Testimonies,
Q. VVhat are those testimonies?
A. The blessed Angels did witnesse that Christ was risen from the dead gMath: 28. 5, 6. Mark: 16. 6. 7. Luk. 24. 4, 5, 6.; so also did the watchmen which were set to have kept him from rising hMath. 28. 11., and likewise certaine godly women iMath. 28. 9. 10. Luk. 24. 9. 10., to whom he shewed himselfe alive after his Resurrection.
Q. What further Testmonies was there of Christs resurrection?
A. The Apostles who were witnesses appoined of God for this end kAct. 10. 41., doe frequently testifie the same lAct. 2. 24. 32. and 3. 15. and 4. 10. 33. and 5. 30. 31. 32. and 10. 40. 1 Cor. 15. 4, 5, 6, 15..
Q. Did not Christ also declare his owne Resurrection by shewing himselfe upon earth after he was risen from the dead, afore he ascended into Heaven?
A. He shewed himselfe alive by appearing to many within the space of those forty dayes betweene his Resurrection and ascention Acts 1. 3.
Q. What are some of those apparitions of Christ in those dayes?
A. He appeared to Mary Magdalen mMark 16. 9.: and to other Godly Women nMath: 28. 9. 10., to two disciples as they were going to Emmaus oLuk. 24. 13., and to all the disciples together except Thomas pIoh. 2c. 19..
Q. To whom else?
A. To the disciples at another time and to Thomas being with them qIoh. 20 26., to seven of them at the sea of Tiberias rIoh. 21. 1. 2., to the Eleven a in Mountain of Galilee sMat. 28. 16., and upon the mount of Olives tActs 1. 12., and to above five hundred brethren at once u1 Cor. 15. 6..
Q. You have sufficiently shewed the certainty of Christs resurrection; tell likewise the time of it, when it was that he arose.
A. Hee rose againe the third day after he was put to death, 1 Cor 15. 4.
Q. By what power did he rise againe?
A. By the power of the father wAct. 2. 24. Eph. 1. 19. 20., and his owne almighty power xIoh. 2. 19. and 10. 18..
Q. What were the ends of his Resurrection?
A. He rose againe to shew the dignity of his person yRom. 1. 4., to fulfill the scriptures zLuk. 24. 46. Psa. 16. 10. and 110. 7. Isa. 53. 10. 11. 12., and to shew that there was sufficiencie of merit and satisfaction in his death aRom. 4. 25. 1 Cor. 15 17..
Q. Open this last a little more plainely.
A. When a suretie apprehended and Iaid in prison hath fully discharged the debt, it is meete that then he should be released, and when he is released, it appeareth thereby that the debt is fully paid: so when Christ had fully satisfied for our sinnes, it was meete he should be released from death, and being so released it appeareth thereby that satisfaction for our sinnes was fully made.
Q. What other ends were there of the Resurrection of Christ?
A. He rose that he might have Lordship and Dominion over quicke and dead bRom. 14. 9. 10. Phil. 2. 8, 9. 10., which he had duely purchased by his suffering.
Q. Could Christ have performed the office whereto he was appointed, if he had not risen from the dead?
A. That may be another end of his Resurrection, namely that he might performe the office of an eternall Priest, and Prophet and King unto his People, which he could not have done if he had still remained under the power and Dominion of Death.
Q. What are the benefits of Christs Resurrection?
Hereby believers may be assured of their Iustification from all their sinnes cRom. 4. 25. 1 Cor. 15. 17. 1 Pet. 3. 21., of their spirituall rising to newnesse of life d1 Pet. 1. 3. Rom. 6. 4. Eph. 2. 5. 6. Col. 2. 12. and 31., and of their Resurrection to glorie at their last day e1 Cor. 15. 20, 21, 22. Rom. 8. 11. 2 Cor. 4 14..
CHAP. 21. Of Christs Ascention into Heaven.
Q WHen Christ was risen from the dead, did he still continue upon earth?
A. No, but after a time he left this world, and ascended into heaven Iohn 16 28.
Q What was the place from whence he did ascend?
A. In generall from this world, and in speciall from the mount of Olives neere unto Ierusalem Acts 1. 12.
Q What was the place to which he did ascend?
A. The third heaven, farre above this earth, and all these inferior and visible heavens. Mark 16. 19. Luk. 24. 51. Act. 1. 11. Ioh. 14. 1. 2. Eph. 4. 10.
Q. Was this ascention of Christ a true and reall mutation and change of place, or onelyonly a change of his Estate?
A. Though Christ in respect of his Godhead be everywhere present aIoh. 3. 13., and in respect of the power and comfort of his spirit be present with all his saints upon earth bMat. 18. 20. and 28. 20. and Rev. 2. 1.; yet his ascention into heaven was such a true and reall change of place, that in respect of his bodily presence he is now no more upon earth, but in heaven cIoh. 16 28. Mat. 26. 11. Act. 3. 21.,
Q. What was the efficient cause of Christ ascention?
A. The power of the father, in respect whereof he is said to be received or taken up dMark. 16. 19. Act. 1. 2. 9. 11.; and his owne Almighty power, in respect of which he is said to ascend, or goe up eEph. 4. 10..
Q. When was the time of this ascention?
A. Forty dayes after his Resurrection from the dead Act. 1. 3.
Q. Why did he ascend no sooner?
A. Because he would first sufficiently confirme the faith of the disciples concerning his resurrection, and fully instruct them in the things pertayning to the kingdom of God. Acts 1. 3.
Q. Why did he stay upon earth no Longer?
A. To shew that it was not an earthly life, which he now affected or minded.
Q. Who were witnesses of his Ascention?
A. The disciples who were with him at that time upon the mount of Olives, and certaine Angel which then appeared. Acts 1. 9. 10. 11.
Q. For what end did Christ ascend into heaven?
A. That he might fulfill the scripture fLuk 24. 44. Psal. 68. 18., and fully performe his office gHeb. 6. 20. and 7. 26. and 8. 4., and take possession of the glory that was due unto him hLuk. 24. 26..
Q. What else were the ends and fruits of his ascention?
A. The leading of Captivity Captive iPsa. 68. 18., the giving of gifts unto men kEph. 4. 8. 11., the pouring out of his spirit upon his people lIohn 14. 16, 17. & 16. 7. Acts 2. 33., and preparing a place for them mIohn 14. 2. 3..
CHAP. 22. Of Christs sitting at the right hand of God, and his returne to the last judgement.
Q: BEsides the Resurrection and ascention of Christ, what further degree is there of his exaltation?
A. His sitting at the right hand of God Psal. 110. 1. Mark. 16. 19. Eph. 1. 20. Col. 3. 1. Heb. 1. 3, 13. and 8, 1. and 10. 12, 13.
Q. VVhat are we to understand by Christs sitting at the right hand of God?
A. That fulnesse of excellent majestie and glorious Dominion whereto he is now advanced, farre above the most glorious Angels and every other creature, Eph: 1. 20, 21, 22. Heb. 1. 13.
Q. But divine dominion and soveraignty over all Creatures belonging to the father and to the holy Ghost, why is this peculiarly ascribed unto Christ?
A. Not in respect of right but the actuall and immediate exercise thereof; for the former belong ing to all the divine persons, this latter is now peculiarly committed unto Christ: Ioh. 5. 22. 27. Act 10. 42. and 17. 31.
Q. VVho gave Christ this great authority thus to sit at the right hand of God?
A. He did not come unto it by any unjust usurpation, but it was given unto him by God. Eph. 1. 20. Phil. 2. 10. Iohn 5. 22. 27. and 17. 2.
Q. And why did God give this great advancement unto Christ?
A. Because the sonne did voluntarily humble himselfe to the greatest degree of obedience and humiliation; therefore the father gave unto him this exaltation and advancement, as a reward and recompence of that his humiliation, Phil. 2. 10. 11. Isa. 5. 3. 12.
Q. Doth Christ sit at the right hand of God in respect of his divine nature onelyonly or in regard of his manhood also?
A. This dignity belongs to Christ as God and man in one person, and not in respect of one of his natures alone.
Q. How may that appeare?
A. Because it is given to him immediately upon his Ascention into heaven a1 Pet. 3. 22., and is to be exercised by him both as Davids Lord bPsa. 110 1., and also as he is the sonne of man cIoh. 5. 27..
Q. How long shall this sitting of Christ at Gods right hand continue?
A. Vntill all his enemies be made his footstoole Psa. 110. 1. 1. Cor. 15. 25?
Q. Shall it never cease and have an end?
A. If we speake of his reigning and ruling in a way and manner peculiar and appropriate to his person, so we may safely say that when all his enemies are put under his feet, then shalbe the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdome to the father, and himselfe be subject to him, 1 Cor. 15. 24, 25, 28.
Q. What shall be the last act of this glorious power and authority of Christ, and so the last degree of his exaltation?
A. His returne to Iudgement at the last day, when he shall come a second time into this world with unspeakable majestie and glory, to judge the Quick and dead 2 Tim: 4. 1. Act. 10. 42. and 17, 31. and Mat. 25. 31. and 26. 64. & 2 Thes. 1. 7, 8, 9.