Our profit by Christes ascenci…. / Causes of Christes as c…tion. / Christ do ing…s for … behofe / Christiā ex ample of lyfe vnto vs. / Donor of Christ.

Why Christ Ascended

The Master asks why Christ was taken from sight, and the Scholar explains that it was to correct the false expectation of an earthly reign and to establish a kingdom founded on faith.

Master. I see, my son, that you aren't ignorant of how Christ is rightly said to be away from us in body and with us in spirit.^✦¹ But there's one thing I'd like to know from you: why Christ our Lord was taken away from our sight like this, and what good we gain by his going up to heaven.^✦² Scholar. The main reason for it was to remove from us that false belief that once deceived even the Apostles themselves: that Christ would reign visibly on earth like other kings and swaggering princes of the world.³⁴ He meant to have this error utterly suppressed in us, and that we should think his kingdom consists in higher things. That is why he thought it more fitting, because it was more for our good and benefit that such a kingdom should be set up whose foundations rest on our faith.⁵ So it was necessary that he should be taken away from us, beyond the reach of every bodily sense, so that by this means our faith might be stirred up and exercised to consider his government and providence—him whom no sight of bodily eyes can behold. And since he is not king of some one country alone, but of heaven and earth, of the quick and the dead, it was most fitting that his kingdom should be governed otherwise than our senses can attain to.⁶ For otherwise he would have been forced sometimes to be carried up to heaven, sometimes driven down to earth; to move sometimes into one country, sometimes into another; and like an earthly prince to be carried here and there by the shifting changes of changeable affairs. For he could not be present with everyone at once unless his body were so turned into Godhead that he might be in all places, or in many places, together—as Eutyches and certain like heretics held.⁷

Our Share in Christ's Work

The Scholar explains that Christ's death, resurrection, and ascension become ours through faith, and that Christ is set as an example for our lives.

If he could be present everywhere with everyone at the same moment, he wouldn't be a man but a ghost; nor would he have had a true body, but an imaginary one—from which a thousand errors would have sprung at once, all of which he has cleared away by carrying his body up whole into heaven.⁸ In the meantime, remaining invisible, he governs his kingdom and commonwealth—that is, his church—with sovereign wisdom and power. It belongs to men to rule their commonwealths by a certain civil policy of men; but it belongs to Christ and God to rule by a heavenly, godlike order. But everything I have said so far contains only a small part of the benefit we receive from Christ's body being carried up into heaven. For there are many more things that could be recounted here, from which a great harvest of fruit is to be gathered. But especially this must not be left unspoken: that the benefits that come to us through Christ's death, rising again, and going up are such and so great that no tongue of men or angels can express them. And so that you may know my mind in this, I will recount certain of the chief ones, to which—as it were two principal points—the rest may be applied. I therefore say that through both these and other actions of Christ, two benefits come to us: the first is that everything he has ever done for our profit and good, he has done so that it becomes ours as well—if we cling to it with steadfast and living faith—as if we ourselves had done it.⁹ He was nailed to the cross; we were also nailed with him, and in him our sins were punished. He died and was buried; likewise we, with our sins, are dead and buried—and in such a way that all remembrance of our sins is completely removed from our minds.^✦^✦¹⁰ He has risen again, and we have also risen again with him—that is, we are made to share in his resurrection and life to such an extent that from now on death has no more rule over us.^✦^✦ For the same Spirit is in us that raised up Jesus from the dead.^✦ Finally, as he has gone up into heavenly glory, so are we lifted up with him.^✦ Although these things do not appear now, yet then they will all be brought to light, when Christ, the light of the world, shows himself in his glory, in whom all our bliss is stored up. Moreover, by his going up the gifts of the Holy Spirit are granted to us, as Paul sufficiently witnesses.^✦^✦^✦¹¹ Ephesians.¹² 4.¹³ The other benefit we receive from the deeds of Christ is that Christ is set before us as an example, so that we may shape our lives after him.^✦¹⁴

Living the Risen Life

Because Christ died once and lives forever, we who are dead to sin must live for God, set our minds on heavenly things, and bear the image of the heavenly man.

If Christ has been dead — if he has been buried for sin — He was so only once. If he has risen again, if he has gone up to heaven: he has risen only once, gone up only once. From then on he no longer dies, but lives with God and reigns in the everlasting continuance of glory.¹⁵ So if we are dead, if we are buried to sin, how shall we live in it afterward? If we are risen again with Christ — if by steadfast hope we now live in heaven with him — we ought to set our care on heavenly and godly things, not on earthly and frail ones. And just as until now we have borne the image of the earthly man, so from now on let us bear the image of the heavenly. Just as the Lord Christ never stopped doing good to us — by bestowing on us his Holy Spirit, by adorning his church with so many remarkable gifts, and by continually praying to his Father for us — the same reason should move us to help our neighbor with all our effort, and to maintain, as much as we can, the bond of charity.¹⁶

Honoring Christ and the Father

We are called to honor Christ not with human traditions but with spiritual worship, and in honoring him we honor the Father.

And to honor Christ our Lord and Savior: not with worn-out traditions and man-made cold inventions, but with truly spiritual, heavenly honor—most fitting for us who give it and for him who will receive it—just as he has honored and still honors his Father.¹⁷ For whoever honors him also honors the Father, of whom he himself is a substantial witness.¹⁸

Read the original English

Master. I see (my son) th…n art not ignorant, after what sorte Christ is rightly sayd, to be from vs in bodye, and with vs in spirit. But thy… one thyng would I knowe of thee: why Christ our lord is thus conueied awaye frō the syghte of oure eyes: and what profit we take by his goyng vp to heauen.

Scholer. The chefe cause the… of was, to plucke out of vs that false opinion, whyche sometyme deceaued the Apostles theymselues: that Christ should in earth visibly reigne, as other kinges, and rufflyng princes of the world. This errour he minded, to haue vtterly suppressed in vs: and that we shuld thyncke hys kyngdome to consyst in hyer thynges. Which thinge he thearfore thoughte fytter, because it was more for our comoditie and profitte: that some such kyngdome should be set v…, as the foundacions thearof should rest vpon our fayth. Whearfore it was necessary that he shoulde be conueyed away from vs, past perceyuing of all bodily sense: that by thys meane oure faythe might be styrred vp and exercised to consyder hys gouernement and prouidence, whom no syght of bodylye eyes can behold. And forasmutch as he is not kyng of some one country alone: but of heauē and earth: of quick and dead: it was moste conuenient that hys kingdome should be otherwyse gouerned then our senses may a…teine vnto. For ells he shold haue bene constrained, some tyme to be caried vp to heauen: sometyme to be dryuen downe to the earthe: to remoue sometyme in to one countrey, sometyme into another: and lyke an earthly prynce to be caryed hether & thether, by dyuerse chaūge of chaunsable affayres. For he could not be presētli with all at once, vnlesse hys body weare so turned in to Godheade, that he myght be in all or in many places together: as Eutyches, and certeyne lyke heretykes helde opinion.

Yf it so wear that he myghte be eche whear present with al, at one verye instaunt time: then wear he not man, but a ghoste▪ neyther shoulde he haue▪ had a trewe bodye, but a fantasticall: whearof shoulde haue spronge foorth with a thowsād errors: all whych he hath dispatched by carienge hys bodie vp whole to heauen. In the meane season he▪ remaynynge inuisible, gouerneth his kingdōe and commen weale, that is his church▪ with soueraign wysdome and power. It is for men to rule theyr commune weales, by a certayne ciuile policie of men: but for Christ and God, by a heauē lye godlyke▪ order. But all that I haue hetherto sayde conteyneth but a small parcell of the profytte, that we take by the caryenge vp of Christes body into heauen. For ther ar many mo thinges, that heare might be rehearsed, whearof large store of fruite is to be gathered. But specially this may not be left vnspoken: that the be nefits are sutch, & so greate▪ which come vnto vs by the deathe, risynge agayne, and goinge vp of Christ: as no tonge eyther of men or angeles is able to expres. And that you maye knowe my mynde hearein: I wyll rehearse certayne of the chefe: whearunto as it wear two principall poyntes, the rest may be applyed. I say therfore: that both by these and other doings of Christ, two cōmodities do growe vnto vs: the one, that al the thinges that euer he hath don▪ for our profyt and behofe he hath done thē: so that they be as well oure owne, yf we will cleaue thearunto wyth stedfast and lyuely faith, as if we had done them oure selues.

He was nailed to the crosse: we wear also nayled with him: and in him oure synnes punished▪ He dyed: & was buryed: we lykewyse with our sinnes are dead, & buried: & that in sutche sorte that all remēbraunce of our synnes is vtterly taken out of mynde. He is risen again: and we are also risen again wyth hym: that is, are so made partakers of hys rysyng againe and lyfe, that from hensforth death hath no more rule ouer vs. For y• same spirit is in vs that raised vp Iesus frō the deade. Finallye, as he is gone vp into heauenly glorye: so are we lifted vp with hym. Albeit that these thynges do not nowe appeare: yet then shall they all be broughte to light, whē Christ the light… of the world, shal shew him self in his glorye, in whome all oure blisse is layde vp in store, Moreouer by hys goyng vp are graūted vs the giftes of the holy ghost: as Paule doth sufficiently witnesse. Ephe. iiii. The other commoditie, which we take by the doinges of Christ, is: that Christe is set for an example vnto vs, to frame our lyues thereaster.

Yf Christe hath bene deade: if he hath bene buryed for sin? he was so but ones. If he be risen agayne: if he be gone vppe to heauen: he is but ones risen: but ones gone vp. Frō hensforth he dieth no more, but lf neth with God: & reygneth in euerlastyng continuaūce of glory. So if we be deade: if we be buried to sin: Howe shall we heare after lyue in the same? If we be rysen again with Christ: if by sted fast hope we lyue nowe in heauen with him: heauenlye and godlye thinges, not earthly and frail, we ought to set oure care vpon. And euen as hearetofore, we haue borne the image of y• earthli man: so from henseforward lette vs beare the image of the heauenly. As the Lord Christ neuer ceased to do vs good, by bestowing vpō vs his holye spirite: by garnyshinge his churche wyth so many notable giftes: and by perpetual praying to his father for vs: Lyke reason oughte to moue vs to ayd… oure neyghboure wyth all our endeuoure: to maintain as much as in vs lyeth, the bond of charity.

And to honoure Christ our Lord and sauioure: not wyth wythed tradicions and cold deuises of men, but wyth heauenly honour & spiritual in dede, most fyt for vs that giue it, & hym that shall receyue it, euen as he hathe honoured & doth honour hys father. For he that honoureth him honoreth also the father, of whiche he him self is a substantiall witnesse.

Scripture echoes

↩Acts.1.9-Acts.1.11;John.14.16-John.14.18;Matt.28.20 — And after he said these things, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. Acts.1.10 — And as they were looking intently into the sky as he was going, behold, two men stood beside them in white garments. Acts.1.11 — Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way you saw him go into heaven. John.14.16 — And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, to be with you forever. John.14.17 — the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him. You know him, for he abides with you and will be in you. John.14.18 — I will not leave you as orphans; I am coming to you. Matt.28.20 — teaching them to observe everything I commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
↩Acts.1.9-Acts.1.11;Luke.24.51;Mark.16.19 — And after he said these things, as they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight. Acts.1.10 — And as they were looking intently into the sky as he was going, behold, two men stood beside them in white garments. Acts.1.11 — Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way you saw him go into heaven. Luke.24.51 — And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he parted from them, and was carried up into heaven. Mark.16.19 — So then, after the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God.
↩Rom.6.6;Gal.2.20 — We know this: our old self was crucified with him, so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we might no longer be enslaved to sin. Gal.2.20 — I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
↩Rom.6.3-Rom.6.4;Col.2.12 — Or are you unaware that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? Rom.6.4 — Therefore we were buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so also we might walk in newness of life. Col.2.12 — having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.
↩Rom.6.4-Rom.6.5;Col.3.1;Eph.2.6 — Therefore we were buried with him through baptism into death, so that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so also we might walk in newness of life. Rom.6.5 — For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall also be united with him in the likeness of his resurrection. Col.3.1 — If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Eph.2.6 — and raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus
↩Rom.6.9 — knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, dies no longer; death no longer has dominion over him.
↩Rom.8.11 — And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
↩Eph.2.6;Col.3.1-Col.3.3 — and raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus Col.3.1 — If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Col.3.2 — Set your minds on the things above, not on the things on the earth. Col.3.3 — For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
↩Col.3.3-Col.3.4 — For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Col.3.4 — When Christ, who is your life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.
↩John.8.12 — Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.'
↩Eph.4.7-Eph.4.11 — But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Eph.4.8 — Therefore it says, 'When he ascended on high he led captivity captive, and he gave gifts to men.' Eph.4.9 — Now "he ascended"—what does it mean except that he also descended into the lower regions, the earth? Eph.4.10 — The one who descended is the same one who ascended far above all the heavens, so that he might fill all things. Eph.4.11 — And he gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers.
↩1Pet.2.21 — For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his steps.

Notes

1 ↩Source has damaged 'th…n art'; restored as 'thou art' → modern 'you aren't', matching the Master/Scholar dialogue and the following clause.
2 ↩Source has damaged 'thy… one thyng'; restored as Early Modern 'thys one thyng' ('this one thing'), the usual catechetical lead-in before the Ascension question.
3 ↩Source lacuna "the… of" read as "thereof" ("The chief cause thereof was").
4 ↩"Rufflyng" princes: showy, swaggering worldly rulers; rendered "swaggering" to keep the contemptuous force.
5 ↩Source lacuna "set v…" read as "set up".
6 ↩Source lacuna "a…teine" read as "attain" ("atteine").
7 ↩Anti-Eutychian point: a true human body cannot be locally everywhere at once without being absorbed into the Godhead; Ponet rejects that opinion.
8 ↩"Fantasticall" body: an illusory or phantom body, not a real human body; kept as "imaginary" to preserve the anti-docetic force against Eutyches and like opinions in the preceding section.
9 ↩"Commodities" here means benefits or advantages (Tudor sense), not commercial goods; rendered "benefits." "Lyuely faith" kept as "living faith," the catechism's ordinary Protestant term for faith that lays hold of Christ's work.
10 ↩Source has elliptical 'and in him oure synnes punished'; supplied finite 'were' from parallel structure.
11 ↩Source has damaged 'the light… of the world'; rendered as the familiar title 'the light of the world'.
12 ↩Printed citation fragment 'Ephe.' expanded; with s7 it points to Ephesians 4, supporting the Pauline witness named in s5.
13 ↩Roman numeral citation 'iiii.' modernized to '4'; with s6 it completes Ephesians 4.
14 ↩Source 'thereaster' treated as 'thereafter' / 'after him'.
15 ↩Normalized reading takes corrupted 'lf neth' as 'liveth' (lives); 'continuaūce' as 'continuance'.
16 ↩Kept 'charity' in 'bond of charity' as the theological-virtue phrase rather than flattening to generic 'love'.
17 ↩Source reading "wythed" is taken as "withered" (lifeless/dried-up), pairing with "cold devices"; if the intended form was "wicked," the sense would sharpen toward moral censure of human traditions.
18 ↩"Substantial witness" keeps the source's denser sense: Christ is himself a real/essential witness of the Father, not merely a verbal reporter.

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