The Institution of Christian Religion

To his resurrection is not unfitly adjoined his ascending into heaven. For although Christ began more fully to set forth his glory and power by rising again, for that he had now laid away that base and unnoble estate of mortal life and the shame of the cross: yet by his ascending up into heaven only, he truly began his kingdom.¹ Which the Apostle showeth where he teacheth, that Christ ascended to fulfil all things Where in seeming of repugnancy he showeth that there is a goodly agreement: because he so departed from us, that yet his presence might be more profitable to us, which had ben penned in a base lodging of the flesh, while he was conversant in earth.² And therefore John, after that he had rehearsed that notable calling, If any thirst, let him come to me, &c. By and by saith, that the holy ghost was not yet given to the faithful, because Jesus was not yet glorified. Which the Lord himself also did testify to the Disciples,³ saying: It is expedient for you that I go away. For if I do not go away, the holy ghost shall not come. But he giveth them a comfort for his corporal absence, that he will not leave them as parentless, but will come again to them after a certain manner, in deed invisible, but yet more to be desired, because they were then taught by more assured experience, that the authority which he enjoyeth, and the power which he useth, is sufficient for the faithful, not only to make them live blessedly, but also to die happily. And truly we see how much greater abundance of his spirit he then poured out, how much more royally he then advanced his kingdom, how much greater power he then showed, both in helping his, and in overthrowing his enemies. Being therefore taken up into heaven, he toke away the presence of his body out of our sight: not to cease to be present with the faithful that yet wandered in the earth, but with more present power to govern both heaven and earth. But rather the same that he had promised, that he would be with us to the end of the world, he performed by this his ascending, by which as his body was lifted up above all heavens, so his power and effectual working was poured and spread abroad beyond all the bands of heaven and earth. But this I had rather to declare in Augustine's words than mine own.⁴