Chapter 11. Ascension

We nothing doubt but that the selfsame body, which was born of the virgin, was crucified, dead, and buried, and which did rise again, did ascend into the heavens, for the accomplishment of all things;⁶²⁶²Mark 16:9; Matt. 28:6; Luke 24:51; Acts 1:9. where, in our names, and for our comfort he has received all power in heaven and in earth,⁶³⁶³Matt. 28:18. where he sits at the right hand of the Father inaugurated in his kingdom, Advocate and only Mediator for us:⁶⁴⁶⁴1 Jn. 2:1; 1 Tim. 2:5. which glory, honour, and prerogative he alone amongst the brethren shall possess, till that all his enemies be made his footstool,⁶⁵⁶⁵Ps. 110:1; Matt. 22:44; Mark 12:36; Luke 20:42-43. as that we undoubtedly believe they shall be in the final judgment; to the execution whereof we certainly believe that the same our Lord Jesus shall visibly return, as that he was seen to ascend.⁶⁶⁶⁶Acts 1:8. And then we firmly believe, that the time of refreshing and restitution of all things shall come,⁶⁷⁶⁷Acts 3:19. insomuch that those that from the beginning have suffered violence, injury, and wrong for righteousness' sake, shall inherit that blessed immortality promised from the beginning.⁶⁸⁶⁸Matt. 25:34. 2Thess. 1:4-8.

But contrariwise, the stubborn, disobedient, cruel oppressors, filthy persons, idolaters, and all sorts of unfaithful shall be cast in the dungeon of utter darkness, where their worm shall not die, neither yet their fire shall be extinguished.⁶⁹⁶⁹Rev. 21:27; Isa. 66:24; Matt. 25:41; Mark 9:44, 46,48; Matt. 22:13. The remembrance of which day, and of the judgment to be executed in the same, is not only to us a bridle, whereby our carnal lusts are refrained; but also such inestimable comfort, that neither may the threatening of worldly princes, neither yet the fear of temporal death and present danger, move us to renounce and forsake that blessed society, which we, the members, have with our Head and only Mediator Christ Jesus:⁷⁰⁷⁰2 Pet. 3:11; 2 Cor. 5:9-11; Luke 21:27-28; John 14:1,etc. whom we confess and avow to be the Messiah promised, the only Head of his kirk, our just Lawgiver, our only High Priest, Advocate, and Mediator.⁷¹⁷¹Isa. 7:14; Eph. 1:22; Col. 1:18; Heb. 9:11,15; 10:21; 1 John 2:1; 1 Tim. 2:5. In which honours and offices, if man or angel presume to intrude themselves, we utterly detest and abhor them, as blasphemous to our Sovereign and Supreme Governor, Christ Jesus.