For the second question, divers things are to be answered, viz. that he ascended, first by his own power, even by the power of his divine nature, carrying up his body into heaven, and opening heaven to bring in his Humanity, as also by a virtue in his glorified body, which was able to move upward, as well as downward. Secondly, that being about to leave his Disciples, in a solemn manner he lift up his hands and blessed them. To bless, is sometimes to wish a blessing, as when Parents bless their Children. Sometimes it is to pronounce a blessing, as when the Priests blessed the people, Numb. 6. 22. or Melchizedek blessed Abraham, Gen. 14. 19. sometime it is to foretell a blessing, as when Isaac blessed his two sons: sometimes it is to confer a blessing, and so only God blesseth us, and his Son Christ. God blesseth us in bestowing all spiritual blessings in heavenly things: Eph. 1. 3. And so when we read that Christ blessed them, lifting up his hands, we must think of him ⟨p. 480⟩as that blessed seed, the fountain of blessings to all Nations, in whom only all blessedness was to be had, that had now satisfied Gods Justice, and removed the curse, and therefore had power to estate blessing upon his Disciples, and all true Christians for ever. This blessing was the fruit of his Passion and Resurrection, and belongs to all the godly to the worlds end, and therefore he leaves his blessing on earth, being now to ascend to heaven. Unto this blessed Father and Saviour should we daily fly, and seek his blessing, which is able to do us more good than all the blessings of men or Angels. Thirdly, that he ascended visibly in the sight of his Disciples, Act. 1. 9. and therefore he did not vanish and become invisible in himself, as the Ubiquitaries dream. Fourthly, he made use of the service of a cloud, which received him as he departed, and carried him up as it were a Chariot, and at length hid him from the eyes of his Disciples: and thus he did, to prove, that it was he of whom it had been long before said, He maketh his Clouds his Chariot, Psal. 104. 3. and withal to restrain curiosity, he doth as it were draw a curtain between his body and their eyes, and between this mystery and our minds, that we should rest satisfied in believing that he did ascend, and not busy our heads about unprofitable and curious questions, in things not revealed.
For the second question, diuers things are to be answered, viz. that he ascended, first by his owne power, euen by the power of his diuine nature, carrying vp his body into heauen, and opening heauen to bring in his Humanity, as also by a vertue in his glorified body, which was able to moue vpward, as well as downward. Secondly, that being about to leaue his Disciples, in a solemne manner hee lift vp his hands and blessed them. To blesse, is sometimes to wish a blessing, as when Parents blesse their Children. Sometimes it is to pronounce a blessing, as when the Priests blessed the people, Numb. 6. 22. or Melchisedech blessed Abraham, Gen. 14. 19. sometime it is to foretell a blessing, as when Isaac blessed his two sonnes: sometimes it is to conferre a blessing, and so only God blesseth vs, and his Sonne Christ. God blesseth vs in bestowing all spirituall blessings in heauenly things: Eph. 1. 3. And so when wee read that Christ blessed them, lifting vp his hands, wee must thinke of him ⟨p. 480⟩as that blessed seed, the fountaine of blessings to all Nations, in whom onely all blessednesse was to be had, that had now satisfied Gods Iustice, and remoued the curse, and therefore had power to estate blessing vpon his Disciples, and all true Christians for euer. This blessing was the fruit of his Passion and Resurrection, and belongs to all the godly to the worlds end, and therefore he leaues his blessing on earth, being now to ascend to heauen. Vnto this blessed Father and Sauiour should we daily flie, and seeke his blessing, which is able to doe vs more good than all the blessings of men or Angels. Thirdly, that hee ascended visibly in the sight of his Disciples, Act. 1. 9. and therefore he did not vanish and become inuisible in himselfe, as the Ʋbiquitaries dreame. Fourthly, he made vse of the seruice of a cloud, which receiued him as he departed, and caried him vp as it were a Chariot, and at length hid him from the eyes of his Disciples: and thus he did, to proue, that it was he of whom it had been long before said, Hee maketh his Clouds his Chariot, Psal. 104. 3. and withall to restraine curiosity, he doth as it were draw a curtaine betweene his body and their eyes, and betweene this mystery and our mindes, that we should rest satisfied in beleeuing that hee did ascend, and not busie our heads about vnprofitable and curious questions, in things not reuealed.
