Q. 51. What was the estate of Christ's exaltation?

A. The estate of Christ's exaltation comprehendeth his resurrection, ascension, sitting at the right hand of the Father, and his coming again to judge the world."

Q. 52. How was Christ exalted in his resurrection?

A. Christ was exalted in his resurrection, in that, not having seen corruption in death, (of which it was not possible for him to be held,°) and having the very same body in which he suffered, with the essential properties thereof,p (but without mortality, and other common infirmities belonging to this life,) really united to his soul, he arose again from the dead the third day by his own power; whereby Acts ii. 24, 25, 26, 27, 31. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death because it was not possible that he should be holden of it, for David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved. Therefore, did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine holy One to see corruption. He seeing this before, spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. Rom. vi. 9. Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead, dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. Mat. xii. 40. For, as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly, so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.

51. k 1 Cor. xv. 4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

7 Mark xvi. 19. So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.

m Eph. i. 20. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.

n Acts i. 11. Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go in.to heaven. 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 given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead.

52. o Acts ii. 24, 27. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine holy One to see corruption.

p Luke xxiv. 39. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me

have.

q Rom. vi. 9.

dieth no more;

Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead, death hath no more dominion over him. Rev. i. 18. I a... he that liveth, and was dead; and behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

r John x. 18. No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of my

he declared himself to be the Son of God,s to have satisfied divine justice,t to have vanquished death, and him that had the power of it, and to be Lord of quick and dead :w all which he did as a public person, the head of his church,y for their justification, quickening in grace,a support against enemies, and to assure them of their resurrection from the dead at the last day.c

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,d and giving them commission to self: I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

s Rom. i. 4. And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. t Rom. viii. 34. 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.

Heb. ii. 14. Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.

w Rom. xiv. 9. For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived, that he might be Lord both of the dead and living.

≈ 1 Cor. xv. 21, 22. For, since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For, as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.

y Eph. i. 20, 22, 23. Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the Head over all things to the church, which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all. Col. i. 18. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.

z Rom. iv. 25. Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.

a Eph. ii. 1, 5, 6. And you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins. Even when we were dead in sins hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved.) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Col. ii. 12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

b 1 Cor. xv. 25, 26, 27. For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed, is death. For, he hath put all things under his feet. But when he saith, All things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted which did put all things under him."

e 1 Cor. xv. 20. But now is Christ risen from the dead, and be come the first fruits of them that slept.

53. d Acts i. 2, 3. Until the day in which he was taken up, after that

preach the gospel to all, nations ;e forty days after his resurrection, he, in our nature, and as our head,f triumphing over enemies,g visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for men,h to raise up our affections thither, and to prepare a place for us,k where himself is, and shall continue till his second coming, at the end of the world 1

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,m with all fulness of joy," glory,o

he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen. To whom also he shewed 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.

Mat. xxviii. 19, 20. Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

f Heb. vi. 20. Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.

g Eph. iv. 8. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

h Acts i. 9, 10, 11. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven, as he went. up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven. Eph. iv. 10. He that descended, is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. Psal. Ixviii. 18. Thou hast ascended on high, thou hast led captivity captive: thou hast received gifts for men; yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them.

i 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. Set your affections on things above, not on things on the earth.

John xiv. 3. And If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself, that where I am, there ye may be also.

Acts iii. 21. Whom the heaven must receive, until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets, since the world began.

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

n Acts ii. 28. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. Compared with Psal. xvi. 11. Thou wilt show me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

and power over all things in heaven and earth;P and doth gather and defend his church, and subdue their enemies; furnisheth his ministers and people with gifts and graces, and maketh intercession for them."

Q. 55. How doth Christ make intercession?

A. Christ maketh intercession, by his appearing in our nature continually before the Father in heaven, in the merit of his obedience and sacrifice on earth,t declaring his will to have it applied to all believers, answering all accusations against them,w and procuring for them quiet of conscience notwithstanding daily failings, access with boldness

o 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.

p 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. Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God, angels, and authorities, and powers being made subject unto him.

q Eph. iv. 10, 11, 12. He that descended, is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Psal. cx. throughout. The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thy enemies thy footstool.

r Rom. viii. 34. 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.

55. s Heb. ix. 12, 24. 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. 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. t Heb. i. 3. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his powwhen he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high.

er,

v John iii. 16. For, God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life. John xvii. 9. 20, 24. I pray for them: I pray not for the world, but for them which thou hast given me, for they are thine. Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word. 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, for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

wo 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.

x Rom. v. 1, 2. Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord, Jesus Christ; by whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope

to the throne of grace,y and acceptance of their personsz and services.a

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,b shall come again at the last day in great power, and in the full manifestation of his own glory, and of his Father's, with all his holy angels,d with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God,e to judge the world in righteousness.f

Q. 57. What benefits hath Christ procured by his mediation ? A. Christ, by his mediation, hath procured redemption,g with all other benefits of the covenant of grace.h

of the glory of God. 1 John ii. 1, 2. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

:

y Heb. iv. 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.

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

a 1 Peter 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.

56. b 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, whom God hath raised from the dead, whereof we are wit

nesses.

c Mat. xxiv. 30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven 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.

d 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. Mat. xxv. 31. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory.

e 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: and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

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

57. g 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.

h 2 Cor. i. 20. For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in Irim amen, unto the glory of God by us.