Is the state of departed souls one of happiness or misery?

Happiness to the souls of the righteous. Jesus said to the penitent thief, who was crucified by his side, "To day shalt thou be with me in Paradise." Luke xxiii. 43.

Did the body of our Lord continue in the tomb, or his soul among departed spirits?

No; he rose again from the dead, on the third day. "His soul was not left in hell; neither his flesh did see corruption." Acts ii. 31.

How is it known that he really rose from the dead?

Angels and men bore witness to the resurrection of Christ; and he appeared to his disciples many times before he ascended into heaven.

"The angel said unto the women, He is not here, for he is risen." Matth. xxviii. 6.

"He was seen of above five hundred brethren at once." 1 Cor. xv. 16.

Did his disciples immediately believe?

Though some were at first unbelieving, he convinced them that it was indeed himself.

"He shewed them his hands and his feet." Luke xxiv. 40.

"Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord." John xx. 20.

How long did our Saviour remain on earth after his resurrection?

Forty days, during which he appeared many times to the apostles and the rest of the disciples.

"To whom he shewed himself alive, after his passion, by many infallible proofs; being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God." Acts i. 3.

What were the circumstances of Christ's ascension?

After commanding his apostles to preach the gospel to the whole world, and promising to send the Holy Spirit to comfort and strengthen them, a cloud received him out of their sight, and he ascended into heaven.

"After the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God." Mark xvi. 19.

What is meant by his sitting at the right hand of God in heaven?

The great power and glory to which he is exalted.

"The God of our Lord Jesus Christ, raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places. Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion." Eph. i. 17, 20, 21. What is Christ now doing in heaven?

He intercedes for us with the Father; and prepares places there for his people.

"He ever liveth to make intercession for them." Heb. vii. 25.

" I go and prepare a place for you." John xiv. 3.

Will Christ ever come again?

He will come at the end of the world, to judge the quick and dead.

"The Lord Jesus Christ shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, and his kingdom." 2 Tim. iv. 1.

"In the end of the world, the Son of Man shall send forth his angels," &c. Matth. xiii. 40-43.

In what manner will Christ come to judgment? In a most glorious, sudden, and awful manner. "The Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him; then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory." Matth. xxv. 31.

"The day of the Lord shall come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat; the earth also, and the works that are therein, shall be burned up." 2 Peter iii. 10.

Must you appear at this awful tribunal?

Yes; all who have ever lived will then stand before the judgment-seat of Christ.

"So then, every one of us shall give account of himself to God." Rom. xiv. 12.

What will be the blessed state of those who have repented, and believed the gospel?

They will be openly acquitted, and welcomed to the joys of heaven.

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"Come ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matth. xxv. 34.

"Well done, good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord." Matth. xxv. 21.

What will be the awful condemnation of those who have lived and died without repentance and faith?

To them the Judge will address the awful sentence, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the Devil and his angels." Matth. xxv. 41. What is the principal cause of the condemnation of

the wicked?

Their rejecting Jesus Christ, and his salvation.

"How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" Heb. ii. 3.

In what divine Person do you profess to believe in the third part of the Creed?

In the Holy Ghost.

"Whither shall I go from thy Spirit?" Ps. cxxxix. 7.

Why is the third Person in the blessed Trinity especially called holy?

Because he is not only infinitely holy in himself, as God the Holy Spirit; but he sanctifies or makes holy all the elect people of God.

"God hath, from the beginning, chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit." 2 Thes. ii. 13.

What is it to believe in the Holy Ghost?

To acknowledge him as God; and to put the same dependence and trust in him as in the Father and the Son.

"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities. The Spirit maketh intercession for the saints." Rom. viii. 26, 27.

To whom is the Holy Spirit given?

God has promised to "give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him."

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your Heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him." Luke xi. 13.

How does the Holy Spirit sanctify, or effect a holy change, in the hearts and conduct of people?

He convinces them of their wretched state as sinners; he leads them to discover the glory of Christ, and to receive him as their Saviour; and he inclines them to love God, and desire to be like him.

"The Holy Ghost shall teach you all things." John xiv. 26.

"We all, with open face, beholding as in a glass, the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." 2 Cor. iii. 18.

Why are you taught in the Catechism to say, the Holy Ghost sanctifieth me, and all the elect people of God?