Clause 6

Testimonies 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 vnto euerie one of vs, 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 vnto 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 Marke the Euangelist in the sixteenth Chapter, ioyneth the entrie with the sitting it selfe at the right hand: so after the Lord had spoken vnto 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 haue 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 vnto 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, hee 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 haue 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 vnto 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 vs, 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 vs, & hath left this worlde, howe is that promise of Christ fulfilled, Beholde I am alwayes with you vnto 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 vnto 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 onely 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,¹ 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 haue 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 haue Christ alwaies: but according to the presence of the fleshe, it was well said vnto his disciples, but me ye shall not haue alwayes.

Of the fruite of the ascension

Fvrthermore wee must speake of the fruits, which faith doeth lay holde vpon by the ascension of Christ. And first of all like as our iustification is ascribed vnto the resurrection: so the proceeding and continuing of the same iustification is ascribed vnto 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 haue 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 haue 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 vpon 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 vnto 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 onely 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 onely 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 giue giftes vnto men, to wit the giftes of the holie Ghost, amongest which the Apostle doth speciallie commende faith, whereby he doth engraffe vs into him selfe as members vnto the head, and doth applie his benefites vnto vs 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 vs 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 haue 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 haue 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 onely 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 haue 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 vpon him, was sufficient for the full absolution and forgiuenes of our sinnes: otherwise he must haue 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 vs, whilst he saieth, for vs, 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 haue come, vnlesse he had beene iustified from our sinnes: and that he entreateth also for vs, to wit whilest by the power of that onely one sacrifice, he appeareth euerlastingly righteous for vs. 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 vpon most sure foundations, to the knowledge whereof Paule in the place nowe alledged, would leade vs 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 vs to sit with him in heauenlie places, Ephes. 2.6. So that we do not onely 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 vs, 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 vs: & 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 vs 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 vs so sure of the certaintie of the earnest and pledge which Christ hauing of vs, hath aduanced into the heauens, that he saith in the second of the Ephesians, that God hath made vs to sitte with Christ in heauenly places. Againe, of sending that same earnest or comforter vnto vs Christe speaketh thus in Ioh. 16. I speake the truth vnto you, it is profitable for you that I goe: for if I go not, that same comforter shal not come vnto you. Peter also witnesseth of this same earnest already sent in Actes 2. also Paule in 2. Cor. 1. Who hath sealed vs 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 vnto 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 vs, so also he hath taken of vs 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 haue 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 haue denied heauen vnto 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 vs from these earthly and carnal things present, and may quicken them and lift them vp to desire and meditate vpon heauenly and spiritual thinges to come. Philip. 3. Our cōuersation is in heauen, from whence we looke for our Lorde Iesus Christ.

Footnotes

1. Augustine. ↩