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Q.

CHAPTER XXXI.

The ASCENSION of our LORD JESUS CHRIST,

A FESTIVAL.

WHAT event does the Church this day commemorate?

A. The Church this day commemorates our blessed Saviour's ascension into heaven, and his sitting at the right hand of God. The commemoration of Christ's ascension at the expiration of forty days after the resurrection, has always been observed as a festival in the Church.

Q. Explain the psalms appointed for the morning service. A. The psalms for the morning service are the 8th, 15th, and 21st. The 8th psalm, which is employed in magnifying God for his wonderful creation of the world, and for his goodness to mankind, may be prophetically applied to the greatest of all mercies, that of exalting our human nature, by the Son of God's assuming our flesh, and ascending with it to heaven." The 15th psalm represents the Saviour, the only person who possessed the perfection of righteousness displayed in the psalm, as ascending "the holy hill," the highest heavens, of which mount Zion was a type; and the character of this our great High Priest must belong derivatively to his followers, who must follow his steps below, if they would reign with him above. In the 21st psalm, which was plainly fulfilled in the Saviour's ascension, the Church celebrates the glory and stability of his kingdom, on whose "head" was set "a crown of pure gold," and to whom was given" long life, even for ever;" his triumphant victory over his "enemies," who were all put to flight;" and his glorious "exaltation in his own strength" as God, who was abased in much weakness as man,

Q. Explain the psalms for the evening service.

A. The psalms for the evening service are the 24th, 47th, and 103d. The 24th psalm was written on occasion of the moving of the ark to the place prepared for it on mount Zion, and is supposed to have been sung as the solemn procession ascended the hill; it is prophetically applied to the establishment of the Christian Church, and to Christ's ascension into heaven. The 47th psalm alludes to the ascent of

m Heb. ii. 6, &c.

the ark, which we spiritually apply to the ascent of our Lord; and the Church is excited to rejoice, and to sing praise, because "God is gone up with a merry noise, and the Lord with the sound of the trump." "The 103d psalm is an animating act of thanksgiving to God for his mercy and love to mankind; the greatest display of which was this day afforded in the exaltation of our human nature to his right hand, and in his merciful acceptance of the intercession of his son Jesus, who this day went to heaven, to plead the merits of his blood in our behalf.

Q. Explain the lessons for the day.

A. The first lesson for the morning service (2 Kings ii.) contains the history of the taking up of Elijah into heaven, and his conferring a double portion of his spirit on Elisha; which may prefigure our Saviour's ascension, and the sending down of the fulness of his Spirit on the apostles and disciples. The second lesson for the morning (Luke xxiv. ver. 44.) records our Saviour's last conversation with his disciples on earth, and describes the manner in which he was separated from them and taken up into heaven. The first lesson for the evening (Deut. x.) records the ascent of Moses into the mount, to receive the law from God, in order to deliver it to the Jews; which event was a type of our Saviour's ascension into heaven, to send down the law of faith, the perfection and consummation of the old law. The second lesson for the evening (Eph. iv. to ver. 17.) is obviously and peculiarly appropriate to the day, displaying the exalted and glorious design of Christ's ascent into heaven, which was the establishment and perfection of his Church. Q. Explain the epistle and gospel for the day.

A. The epistle (Acts i. 1.) after taking notice of the ascension of Christ, teaches us, that we are not to "stand gazing up into heaven," astonished and confounded at the miraculous ascent of our Lord; but so to prepare ourselves, that we may with joy behold him, who "shall come in like manner as he went into heaven." The gospel, (Mark xvi. 14.) like the second lesson at morning prayer, relates our Lord's last discourse to his disciples, and his reception into heaven. Thus, in the first lessons we have the type, and in the epistle, the gospel, and second lessons, the antitype of the ascension.

Q. What are we to believe concerning our Saviour's ascension?

A. We are to believe, that the only begotten and eternal

Son of God, after he rose from the dead, did, with the same soul and body with which he rose, by a true and local translation, convey himself from the earth in which he lived, into the heaven of heavens, the most glorious presence of the majesty of God.

Q. Was not the ascension of Christ typically represented

under the law?

A. The high priest was appointed once every year to enter into the holy of holies; by which ceremony it was denoted, that "the High Priest of the good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, was to enter into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us ;"" for all the Jews believed that the tabernacle did signify this world, and the holy of holies the highest heavens. Wherefore, as the high priest did pass through the tabernacle, and with the blood of the sacrifice enter into the holy of holies; so was the Messiah to offer up himself a sacrifice, to pass through all the courts of this world, and, with his blood, to enter into the highest heavens, the most glorious seat of the majesty of God. The ascension of Christ was also prefigured by the translation of Elijah into heaven.

Q. Was not the ascension of the Messiah prophetically declared?

A. The ascension of Christ was declared prophetically by the psalmist: "Thou hast ascended on high; thou hast led captivity captive; thou hast received gifts for men." The phrase on high, in the language of David, signifying heaven, could properly be applied to no other conqueror but the Messiah, who was to conquer sin, and death, and hell, and triumphing over them, to ascend into the highest heaven, and thence to send the precious and glorious gift of the Spirit unto the sons of men. The ascension of Christ was also prophetically declared in those psalms that are appointed for the day, as has been already shown.

Q. When did our Saviour ascend into heaven?

A. The Saviour ascended into heaven forty days after his resurrection. While he was blessing his disciples, he was taken up in a cloud, they all steadfastly looking at him till he was entirely gone out of sight.

Q. What testimony did the angels bear at his ascension ? A. While the apostles were looking after our Saviour,

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two angels appeared to them, assuring them, that as Jesus was taken from them into heaven, so he should, in as glorious a manner, return again to judge the world.

Q. Why was the ascension of Christ visibly performed in the presence of the apostles?

A. It was not necessary that the apostles should see the resurrection of Christ, because his showing himself to them after he was alive, was a sufficient proof of his resurrection. But since the session of Christ in heaven was not to be visible to them on earth, it was necessary that they should witness the act of his ascension, that they might bear their testimony to it.

Q. What is meant by Christ's sitting at the right hand of God?

A. By Christ's sitting at the right hand of God, is meant the advancement of his human nature to the height of dignity and authority in the presence of God. The right hand denotes the place of greatest honour and favour; and the expression sitting, denotes fulness of possession and perpetuity of glory.

Q. What were the ends and effects of Christ's ascension into heaven, and exaltation at God's right hand?

A. Christ ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, that he might there exercise his prophetical office, and impart to us his holy Spirit, for our instruction, assistance, and comfort that he might there exercise his priestly office, presenting his meritorious blood before God, and interceding with him in our behalf; and, finally, that he might there exercise his kingly office, govern, protect, and deliver us, and at length exalt us to heaven, where he has prepared a place for us."

Q. Since Christ has ascended into heaven, and sitteth at the right hand of God, is not profound adoration due to him?

A. Since Christ has ascended into heaven, and is advanced to glory and power at the right hand of God, we should render him the honour and worship, the fear and reverence, the service and obedience that are suitable to his state; joining with "every creature in heaven, in earth, and under the earth," in sending up acclamations of blessing and praise to him, to whom "all power is given in heaven and in earth."

p Acts ii. 33, John xvi. 7.

r Heb. x. 12, 13. John xiv. 2. xvii. 24.

q Heb. iv. 14. ix. 24.

Q. Should not the ascension of Christ and his session in glory tend to cherish our faith and hope?

A. We cannot certainly distrust the accomplishment of any promises declared by him, who is ascended into heaven, and who sitteth at the right hand of divine wisdom and divine power, there ordering all things for the advantage of those who love and serve him. "Jesus, our forerunner, having entered within the vail," we can cherish the blessed hope of a joyful and happy rest, after the troubles and sorrows of this wretched life; for "where he is, there we shall be also."

Q. Should not the ascension of Christ and his exaltation to glory, excite our joy, and animate us with confidence in our prayers to God?

A. We have cause for joy that our Redeemer, who laid down his life for us, and was " obedient unto the death of the cross," has obtained a glorious victory over all his enemies, and is exalted to almighty power and dominion: we have cause for joy that we have so merciful and kind an Intercessor, always ready to do us good offices at the throne of grace; to which, therefore, we should come with boldness, we may receive mercy, and find grace to help in time

that

of need."

Q. Should not the ascension and exaltation of Christ animate us in our obedience?

A. It should animate us to zealous and holy obedience, to reflect that our Lord is exalted to everlasting glory and dignity; and that God hath designed the same rewards for us, if we tread in the footsteps of the Saviour," running the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith."

Q. Should not the consideration of the ascension and exaltation of Christ elevate our affections above the world?

A. Since Christ, our divine forerunner and head, hath ascended into the heavens, we should also seek the things that are above. To our divine Head we should evermore be joined, deriving life, strength, and activity from him: where our divine Master is, there should our minds be, constantly attentive to his pleasure, and ready to serve him: where the city is, whose denizens we are, and where our final rest must be, there our thoughts and affections should be placed; by its laws and principles should our conduct be

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