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Q. How was the Ascension performed?

A. While Jesus was blessing his disciples, he was taken up in a bright cloud, they all stedfastly looking after him, till he was entirely gone out of their sight. Q. What testimony did the angels bear at his Ascension?

A. While the Apostles were looking after our Saviour, two of them 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. Was it necessary the Apostles should be eyewitnesses of the Ascension?

A. Yes, in order to the confirmation of the certainty and reality of it. For though this was not necessary in his resurrection, because whatever was a proof of his life after death, was a demonstration of his resurrection; yet the Apostles not being to see him when in heaven, it was necessary they should be eye-witnesses of his act of ascending, that so they might be able to bear their testimony to it.

Q. What further proof had the Apostles of our Saviour's Ascension?

A. Before they saw our Saviour ascend, he had told them whither he was going, and what power and dignity would be conferred upon him; and, as an evidence of this his exaltation to the right hand of God, had promised to send down the Holy Ghost upon them in a sensible manner; so that they, afterwards receiving the wonderful effects of his being there, had abundant evidence of his exaltation in heaven.

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Q. How was Christ's Ascension typically represented under the law?

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Acts 9, 10. ver. 11. John xiv. 28, 29. John xv.

26.

A. By the high priest's being appointed once every year to enter into the holy of holies; which shewed 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; all the Jews, believing that the tabernacle did signify this world, and the holy of holies the highest heavens. Wherefore, as the high priest did pass through the rest of the tabernacle, and with the blood of the sacrifice enter into the holy of holies, so was the Messias 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.

Q. How was Christ's Ascension prophetically declared?

A. By the royal prophet David. Thou hast ascended up on high, thou hast led captivity captive, thou hast received gifts for men." Which words, though spoken immediately of David himself ascending in triumph up the hill whereon the temple stood, the mount Sion, after his conquest over the Philistines, yet they had also a prophetical relation to our blessed Saviour's ascension into heaven; the phrase on high, in the language of David, signifying heaven, is most properly applied to our conqueror the Messias. And thus they are understood by St. Paul to the Ephesians."

Q. Whither did our Saviour ascend?

A. Into the heaven of heavens, the presence of God; where his human nature is seated far above all angels and archangels, all principalities and powers; even at the right hand of God.

f Heb. ix. 11, 12.

Psal. lxviii. 18.

h Ephes. iv. 8.

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Q. Wherein did he appear principally active?

A. At the Synod of Jerusalem, in the great controversy concerning the obligation of the Jewish rites and ceremonies; for though the case was opened by St. Peter, and debated by St. Paul, yet the final and decretory sentence was pronounced by St. James.'

Q. What is related concerning his extraordinary piety and devotion?

A. That he was of a meek and humble temper; the dignity of his station, and his relation to our Saviour, did not exalt him in his own thoughts; for, in the inscription of his epistle, he only styles himself, Servant of the Lord Jesus. His temperance was admirable; he wholly abstained from flesh, he drank neither wine nor strong drink, nor ever used the bath; he was so very abstemious, that his body was covered with paleness through fasting. Prayer was his constant business and delight, and by his daily devotions, his knees were become as hard and brawny as camels; and by his prayers in a great drought he obtained rain. He governed the church with wisdom and application, and shewed great charity to his enemies by praying for them at the hour of his death. He was not only reverenced by the Christians, but honoured even by the Jews, for his excellent virtues.

Q. How did the enemies of St. James conspire his ruin?

A. St. Paul having escaped the malice of the Jews by appealing to Cæsar, they resolved to revenge it upon St. James; but not being able to accomplish it under Festus's government, they more effectually attempted it under the procuratorship of Albinus his successor. When

Acts xii. 17.

Acts xv. 7. 13, 19.

* James i. 1.

Ananas the younger, the high priest, and of the sect of the Sadducees, merciless and implacable in his temper, resolved to dispatch him before the new governor could arrive; to this end the council was hastily summoned, and the Apostle, with some others, were accused for transgressing the law, and for blasphemy against God.

Q. How did the Scribes and Pharisees set about to ensnare him?

A. By flattering speeches they endeavoured to engage him, at the confluence of the Paschal solemnity, to undeceive the people concerning Jesus, whom they looked upon as the Messiah; and that he might be the better heard, to go with them to the top of the temple, thinking by this method to bring him to renounce Christ. They addressed him, as he was placed upon the pinnacle of the temple, in these words, "Tell us, O just man, what we are to believe concerning Jesus Christ, who was crucified?" he answered with a loud voice, "Why do ye enquire of Jesus the Son of Man? He sits in heaven on the right hand of the Majesty on high, and will come again in the clouds of heaven." Upon which the people glorified the blessed Jesus, and proclaimed, Hosannah to the Son of David.

Q. How did St. James suffer martyrdom?

A. Upon this disappointment of the Scribes and Pharisees, they suddenly cried out that Justus himself was seduced, and they threw him down from the place where he stood, and being very much bruised, though not killed, he recovered so much strength as to get upon his knees, and pray for them that thus cruelly used him; and while he was thus praying for them, they loaded him with a shower of stones, till one, with a Fuller's club, beat out his brains. He died, according to Epiphanius,

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divine person, and that what they said was to be credited. As to the Old Testament, the authors of the New attest the divinity of it; particularly St. Paul, who assures us, that all Scripture is given by inspiration; the books of the Old Testament being called so by way of eminence. Q. Wherein consist the perfection and perspicuity of the Holy Scriptures?

A. In that whatever is necessary for us to know and believe, to hope for and practise in order to salvation, is fully contained in those holy volumes. And that those necessary things are there treated with so much plainness and clearness, as to be sufficiently understood by those who make a right use of their reason, and bring a fit temper and disposition of mind for the understanding of them.

Q. With what preparation of mind ought we to read the Scriptures, who acknowledge the divine authority of them?

A. With that respect and reverence which is due to the oracles of God; with humility and modesty, from a sense of our own weakness, and God's perfection; and with earnest prayer for the divine assistance; with minds free from prepossession and prejudice, from vanity and confidence in our own abilities; and with an honest and pious disposition of soul; for he that doeth God's will shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God."

Q. How may we make the reading of the Holy Scriptures most beneficial to us?

A. By diligently considering the design of the author of each book of Scripture; and what is the subject he chiefly handles, with the occasion of his writing. By explaining difficult places by those that are more clear;

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