chre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch."

* Q. 5.-Could they prevent Christ from rising by all this watchfulness?

A.-No, Early in the morning on the third day, "behold there was a great earthquake; for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow. And for fear of him, the keepers did shake, and became as dead men."

* Q. 6.—And did Christ rise from the dead, during the earthquake?

A. Yes; for when the woman came to the sepulchre, the body of Christ was not to be found. And the angel said unto them, "fear not ye; for I know that ye seek Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; for he is risen, as he

said."

* Q. 7. And did he shew himself to his disciples after his resurrection?

A. Yes; to many, at different times, un

til he ascended up into heaven.

Q. 8. Did all his disciples know that he had risen?

A. Yes, all; "he was seen first of Cephas, then of the twelve.

After that he was

geen of above 500 brethren once, After that

he was seen of James; then of all the apostles." 1 Cor. 15.

Q. 9.-And did his enemies know that he had risen?

A. They knew it well, for some of the watch, that had guarded the sepulchre, came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done." Matt. 28. 11.

Q. 10.-Did they take any steps to prevent it from being publicly known?

A. Yes; a very disgraceful step. "When they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, saying, say ye, his disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught." 28. 12, 15.

Matt.

* Q. 11.-That was disgraceful, indeed.

N

Was it very important that Christ should rise from the dead?

A. Very important; for if Christ had not risen, our faith would be vain; all our hopes of deliverance from sin, death and hell, would be of no account; we should be yet in our sins.

Q. 12.-What, would all our hopes be vain? Could not we hope for the pardon of our sins, if Christ had not risen?

A.-No; for as he was delivered to death for our offences, so it was

necessary that he should rise again for our justification, i, e. for obtaining the pardon of sin for us. Rom. 4. 25.

Q. 13. What other blessing should we have been deprived of, if Christ had not risen?

A. We could not have had the gift of the Holy Spirit, to make us holy, and prepare us for heaven. "If I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you." Jo. 16.7.

Q. 14-And should we not have remained under the power of death, if Jesus had not

risen from the dead, and become the first fruits of them that slept; and because he lives, he will raise up the bodies of his people at the last day, and they shall live with him in glory.

* Q. 15.-Then we have great reason to rejoice in the resurrection of Christ?

A.-Yes, very great; for if we are true believers, we shall become more than con· querors over all our enemies. "As in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

HE ASCENDED INTO HEAVEN,

QUESTION 1.-Was it foretold in Scripture, that Christ should ascend into heaven?

ANSWER.-Yes, in many places; particular

ly in the 68th Psalm.

"Thou hast ascended " on high, thou hast led captivity captive thou hast received gifts for men.".

* Q. 2.-And did Christ ever say any thing himself about his going into heaven?

A. Yes; he often told his disciples before he died, that he was going to his Father, and after his resurrection, he comforted them with

these words, "Go to my brethren, and say "unto them, I ascend unto my Father and your Father, and to my God and your God." Jo, 20. 17.

Q. 3-Was any person present when Christ ascended?

A. Yes; he was received up to Heaven in
After he had

the presence of his disciples.

blessed them," whilst they beheld, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their 66 sight." Acts 1. 9.

Q. 4.-And how do you know that he then ascended into heaven?

A. From the testimony of two angels who stood by at the time. "Whilst they looked stedfastly toward heaven, as he went up, behold two men stood by them in white apparel; which also said, Ye men of Galilee,

66

why stand ye gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye "have seen him go into heaven,” Acts 1.

10, 11.

* Q. 5.-Do we receive any benefits from the ascension of Christ?