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tification, (1) quickening in grace, (2) support against enemies, (3) and to assure them of their resurrection from the dead at the last day. (4) Q. 53. How was Christ exalted in his ascension?

A. Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having, after his resurrection, often appeared unto, and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God, (5) and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations; (6) forty days after his resurrection, he, in our nature, and as our head, (7) triumphing over enemies, (8) visibly went up into the highest

(1) Rom. iv. 25. Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

(2) Eph. ii. 5, 6. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. Col. ii. 12.

(3) 1 Cor. xv. 25, 26. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

(4) 1 Cor. xv. 20. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the first-fruits of them that slept.

(5) Acts i. 2, 3. Until the day on which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen : to whom also he showed himself alive after his passion, by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God.

(6) Matt. xxviii. 19, 20. Go ye therefore and teach all nations. Mark xvi. 15.

(7) Heb. vi. 20.

Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high-priest for ever. See also figure (5), above.

(8) Eph. iv. 8. Wherefore he saith, When he

heavens, there to receive gifts for men, (1) to raise up our affections thither, (2) and to prepare a place for us, (3) where himself is, and shall continue till his second coming at the end of the world. (4)

Q. 54. How is Christ exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God?

A. Christ is exalted in his sitting at the right hand of God, in that as God-man he is. advanced to the highest favour with God the Father, (5) with all fulness of joy, (6) glory, (7) and power over all things in heaven and earth; (8) and doth gather and defend his

ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

(1) Acts i. 9.-While they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. Ps. lxviii. 18. Thou hast ascended on high-thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.

(2) Col. iii. 1, 2. If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God, &c.

(3) John xiv. 2.-I go to prepare a place for you.

Acts iii. 21. Whom the heaven must receive, until the times of restitution of all things.

(5) Phil. ii. 9. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every

name.

(6) Acts ii. 28.-Thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Compared with Ps. xvi. 11.

(7) John xvii. 5. And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self, with the glory which I had with thee before the world was.

(8) Eph. i. 22. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church. 1 Pet. iii. 22.

church, and subdue their enemies; furnisheth his ministers and people with gifts and graces, (1) and maketh intercession for them. (2) Q. 55. How doth Christ make intercession?

A. Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven, (3) in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth; (4) declaring his will to have it applied to all believers; (5) answering all accusations against them; (6) and procuring for them quiet of conscience, notwithstanding daily, failings, (7) access with boldness to the throne of grace, (8) and

(1) Eph. iv. 11, 12. Ps. cx. throughout.

(2) Rom. viii. 34.

(3) Heb. ix. 24. 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.

(4) Heb. i. 3.-When he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. (5) John xvii. 9, 20, 24.-Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given

me.

(6) Rom. viii. 33, 34. Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God's elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? 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.

(7) 1 John ii. 1, 2.-If any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. Rom. v. 1.

(8) Heb. iv. 15, 16.-Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

acceptance of their persons (1) and services. (2)

Q. 56. How is Christ to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world?

A. Christ is to be exalted in his coming again to judge the world, in that he, who was unjustly judged and condemned by wicked men, (3) shall come again at the last day in great power, (4) and in the full manifestation of his own glory, and of his Father's, with all his holy angels, (5) with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, (6) to judge the world in righteousness. (7)

(1) Eph. i. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved.

(2) 1 Pet. ii. 5. Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Rev. viii. 3, 4.

(3) Acts iii. 14, 15. But ye denied the Holy One, and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; and killed the Prince of life.

(4) Matt. xxiv. 30. 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.

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(5) Luke ix. 26. For whosoever shall be ashamed of me, and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father's and of the holy angels. Matt. xxv. 31.

(6) 1 Thess. iv. 16. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.

(7) Acts xvii. 31. Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness, by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath

Q. 57. What benefits hath Christ procured by his mediation?

A. Christ by his mediation hath procured redemption, (1) with all other benefits of the covenant of grace. (2)

Q. 58. How do we come to be made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured?

A. We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured, by the application of them unto us, (3) which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghost. (4)

Q. 59. Who are made partakers of redemption through Christ?

A. Redemption is certainly applied, and effectually communicated, to all those for whom Christ hath purchased it; (5) who are in time

given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

(1) Heb. ix. 12. Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood, he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

(2) 2 Cor. i. 20. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us. (3) John i. 12. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.

(4) Tit. iii. 5, 6.-But according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. John xvi. 7, 8.

(5) John vi. 37, 39. All that the Father giveth me, shall come to me: and him that cometh to me, I will in no wise cast out. And this is the Father's will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me, I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. John x. 15, 16.-I lay down my life for the sheep. And

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