Page:Catechismoftrent.djvu/66

 happiness. In order to demonstrate this by the event, he introduced, with himself into the mansions of eternal bliss, the souls of the just whom he had liberated from prison.

A series of important advantages followed in the train of this admirable profusion of celestial gifts: in the first place the merit of our faith was considerably augmented; because faith has for its object those things which fall not under the senses, and are far raised above the reach of human reason and intelligence. If therefore, the Lord had not departed from us, the merit of our faith should not be the same, for Jesus Christ has ."aid: " Blessed are they who have not seen and have believed " In the next place, it contributes much to confirm our hope: believing that Christ, as man, ascended into heaven, and placed our nature at the right hand of God the Father, we are animated with a strong hope that we, as members, shall also ascend thither, to be there united to our head, according to these words of our Lord him self: "Father, I will, that where I am, they, also, whom thou hast given me, may be with me."

Another most important advantage, flowing; from the ascension, is, that it elevates our affections to heaven, and inflames them with the Spirit of God; for, most truly has it been said, that, " where our treasure is, there, also, is our heart." And, in deed, were Christ the Lord dwelling on earth, the contemplation of his person, and the enjoyment of his presence, must absorb all our thoughts, and we should view the author of such blessings only as man, and cherish towards him H sort of earthly affection: but, by his ascension into heaven, he has spiritualized our affection for him, and has made us venerate and love as God. him who, now absent, is the object of our thoughts, not of our senses. This we learn, in part, from the example of the Apostles, who, whilst our Lord was personally present with them, seemed to judge of him, in some measure, humanly; and, in part, from these words of our Lord himself: " It is expedient for you that I go." The affection, with which they loved him when present, was to be perfected by divine love, and that, by the coming of the Holy Ghost; and, therefore, he immediately sub joins: " If I go not, the Paraclete will not come to you."

Besides, he thus enlarged his dwellingplace on earth, that is, his Church, which was to be governed by the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit; and left Peter the prince of the Apostles, as chief pastor, and supreme head upon earth, of the universal Church. " Some, also, he gave Apostles, some Prophets, and other some Evangelists, and other some Pastors and Doc tors," and, thus, seated at the right hand of the Father, he continually bestows different gifts on different men; according to the words of St. Paul: " To every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ." Finally, what was already said of his death and resurrection