Question 44

Why is this added, He descended into hell?

That in my greatest sorrowes, and most grieuous temptations, I may vphold my self with this comfort, that my lord Iesus Christ, by the vnspeakable anguish, torments and terrours of his soule, whereinto he was plunged, both before, and especially as hee was hanging vppon the Crosse, hath deliuered me from the anguish and torments of hell.^a

The vse.

Wherefore wee receiue no small fruit and comfort, even of this part of Christs humbling, whereby we may sustaine our selues in extreme sorrows, and in most grieuous tentations: for if our conscience do trouble vs with the multitude of our sinnes, for the which we tremble at Gods iudgment, who threatneth vnto sin everlasting condemnation, this shield of fayth is ready at hand: That Christ did most bitterlie indure in his soule, the anguishe of conscience for our sinnes, together with the sence and feeling of Gods iudgment and wrath, when hee complained and said. My soul is heauie even to the death: If Satan also set vpon vs, and set before our eies that gulfe, then which, non can be more fearful, as if God had forsaken and cast vs away, and would not vouchsafe to heare vs, as if hee had conspired our destruction, lette vs then call to minde, that the Sonne of God, was therefore heard and deliuered when he groned, and cried out. My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?^b that we might not for euer be forsaken. Last of all, seeing wee haue such a Mediatour, who did wrestle with the power of the diuel, with the horror of death, and with the paines of Hell, whoe woulde not here bee confirmed against any anguish and sorrowe,^c being perswaded of the good will of so mightie a Prince and highe Priest towards him? who both in all things was tempted alike, yet without sinne, and in whome strait after his resurrection, that triumphant song which the Prophet made of him was fulfilled, O death,^d I will be thy death, O graue, I will be thy destruction: whereunto the Apostle alludeth, as being in vs likwise, to be fulfilled in the blessed resurrection. Death is swallowed vpp in victory,^e O Death where is thy victorie? O graue, where is thy sting? wherevpon sayth Hillarie: The Crosse, death, and hell, are our life.^f