Christ II: The Ascension

Now eagerly in inward thought and wisely seek, thou man of great renown, with understanding heart, that thou mayest know aright how it came to pass when the Almighty God was born in purity, when that He shelter sought at Mary’s hand, the flower of maids, the radiant virgin, that angels came not robed in garments white, when the Prince came unto Bethlehem. Heralds there were who spake unto the shepherds, and proclaimed true joy, for that the Son of God was born upon earth in Bethlehem. Yet in the Books it saith not that they were seen arrayed in white in that glorious hour, as in those latter days when the great Lord, the Prince of majesty, summoned unto Bethany His throng of thanes, that well-loved band. Nor in that day did they despise the words of their Teacher, their dear Giver of treasure. Straight were they made ready unto the holy mount, the disciples with their Lord, where the Prince of splendour, the Helm of heaven, showed them many a token in words of mystery, ere that the One-begotten Son ascended up, the co-eternal Child unto His own Father, after the space of forty days from when he rose from death, from out the earth. By His agony had He fulfilled the words of the prophets, as they had sung aforetime in the world. Then His thanes glorified and lovingly adored the Lord of life, the Father of created things. And unto them in gentleness in after time He gave reward, and, destined to fare hence unto His Father’s kingdom, the mighty Prince, the Lord of angels, spake this word :

“ Rejoice in heart, never will I forsake you ; but I will fulfil My love upon you and give you might ; and I will dwell with you forever, that by my gift ye may never lack any good thing. Fare ye now over all the spacious earth, throughout the wide ways. Make known to men, preach and publish bright belief, and baptize the people under the sky and turn them unto heaven. Cast down their idols, destroy and lay them low ; abolish enmity and sow peace in the hearts of men, in the fulness of might. Henceforth I will dwell with you to comfort you, and in peace will I preserve you and steadfast strength in every place.”

Then suddenly was heard upon the air a clear sound ; and there came in company a throng of heaven’s angels, messengers of majesty, a beauteous band. Our Lord departed through the temple roof even as they beheld, the chosen thanes who in that meeting-place gazed on the last footprints of their well-loved Prince. They saw the Lord, the Son of God, ascending up on high from earth. Their souls were sorrowful within them, hot at heart a mourning spirit for that they might not longer under heaven behold their well-loved Lord. But the heavenly heralds raised a song, magnified their Prince, adored the Giver of life, rejoicing in the light that shone from the head of the Saviour. And round about that First-born Child, the Glory of kings, they beheld two radiant angels gleaming in array. From on high with wondrous words, clear voiced, they called aloud over the throng of men :

“ What wait ye tarrying round about, ye men of Galilee ? Now do ye clearly see the Righteous God, the Lord of triumph, departing into heaven. The Prince of princes, the Lord of nations, with these angel-bands will from hence ascend unto His home, His Father’s native seat. With such a throng, with this blithe company, unto that bright city above the arching skies fain will we lead our Lord, the best and fairest of the Sons of triumph, on whom ye gaze and to your comfort see Him gleaming in array. Yet will He on a latter day Himself seek out the tribes of earth with countless train. Then will He judge each deed, whatsoever the nations have wrought beneath the heavens.”

Then was the Warden of heaven, the King of High-Angels, Helm of the holy, caught up above the roofs of earth into the clouds. Hope was renewed and bliss in the cities at the coming of the Prince. And exulting in His triumph the eternal Author of joy sat at the right hand of His Father. And they departed, journeying unto Jerusalem, those stalwart-hearted men, unto that holy city, sorrowful in soul leaving the spot where last with their eyes they had beheld their God ascending up, their Giver of bliss. Then was there sound of weeping. Their true love hot at heart was crushed with woe. Their souls welled up within them, their spirits glowed. There the glorious thanes abode their Lord’s behests, in that bright city ten nights’ time, as He Himself, the Lord of heaven, the Wielder of all, had bidden ere He ascended up into the secret places of the sky. And to the gracious Lord of earls came angels robed in white. Well is it spoken, as the Writings tell, that unto Him in hosts came shining angels in that holy hour descending on the heavens. Then in heavenly glory arose the greatest of rejoicings. It was well fitting that thanes in bright array came to the city of God, unto that bliss, a beauteous band; beheld their welcome Friend, the King of heaven, Life-Lord of men, on His high judgment seat, wielding in splendour the world and the hosts of glory.

Now hath the Holy One harrowed hell of tribute, of all that in the days of yore it swallowed up unrighteously into that house of torment. Now are these devil-champions all undone, cast into everlasting torture, bound in the pit of hell, despoiled of might. Nor in that battle might these foes of Hell, in that clash of weapons, know success, when by His might alone the King of glory, the Helm of heaven, waged battle on His olden enemies ; when He led forth from thraldom, from the city of His foes, exceeding spoil, a countless train of folk, this very multitude whereon ye gaze. Now will the Saviour of souls, the very Son of God, depart unto the mercy-seat of spirits after the battle-play. Now do ye know aright who is that Lord who leadeth this array. Unto your friends go boldly glad in heart — Open, ye Gates ! For with no little train the all-ruling King, the Author of creation, leadeth unto you, into the joy of joys, within the city, that folk which He in triumph wrested from the foes of hell. From this time forth forever shall be peace to men and angels, covenant of God and man, spiritual faith, and love, and hope of life and gladness in all light.

Lo ! we have heard how by His hither-coming the Son of healing, Mighty Child of God, vouchsafed salvation, freed and upheld the folk beneath the clouds, that now each man of men while he dwelleth here alive may choose the shame of hell or the splendour of heaven, the gleaming light or the loathsome night, the spell of glory or the vengeance of darkness, joy with the Lord or tumult with devils, torment with fiends or bliss with the angels, or life or death, as may be dearer to him to accomplish so long as flesh and spirit dwell together in the world. And to the majesty of the Trinity be glory and eternal thanks. Wherefore it seemeth well that mortal men give thanks to God for every goodly thing which late and early He hath wrought for us by the mystery of many a marvel. He granteth us food and wealth of substance, weal in wide-stretching lands, and kindly weather under the sheltering skies. The sun and the moon, candles of heaven, brightest of stars, shine unto all men on the earth. Dew falleth and rain ; they bring forth plenty for sustenance unto the children of men ; they enlarge the abundance of earth. Wherefore should we give thanks and praise unto our God, more especially for that salvation which He hath granted us at His Ascension to be our hope, when He dispelled that woe which we endured aforetime ; and for mankind the One-begotten King appeased that greatest feud with His dear Father. That doom He turned aside in peace unto our souls which aforetime, with wrathful heart, was spoken for a sorrow unto the sons of men :

“ I wrought thee of earth ; on the earth shalt thou dwell in woe, living in toil, suffering exile, unto the joy of fiends chanting a song of death. Unto that same shalt thou return, teeming with worms, and from the earth seek out the fire of torment.”

Lo ! this hath the Prince made easier unto us, unto the sons of men, when that He put on limbs and flesh. When the Son of God, the Lord of hosts, was fain of His ascending up unto the land of angels, then at that holy hour came a will to help us in our woe.

Of Him Job wrought a song, as well he knew ; adored the Helm of men and praised the Saviour and, in true love, unto the Son of God contrived a name. And he named him Bird, which the Jews might no whit understand in godly strength of spirit. Unknown and secret to its foes on earth, was the flight of that Bird, unto all such as had in soul a clouded wisdom and a stony heart. Nor would they recognize those radiant tokens which the fair Son of God had wrought before them, many and manifold throughout the world. Thus that fair Bird made trial of flight when bold and strong in might it sought out that radiant home, the angels’ realm above ; and when again it stooped unto these mortal lands, in grace of spirit sought the folds of earth, and turned its way unto the world. Of it the prophet sang : “In the arms of angels was He lifted up in the bounteous fulness of His might, high and holy, above the majesty of heaven.” Nor might they know in any wise the flight of that Bird, whoso rejected the Ascension, nor held belief that the Lord of life in the image of a man was lifted up in holiness from earth above the majesty of the heavenly hosts. So He that shaped the world, the Spirit-Son of God, showeth us honour and granteth us grace, eternal habitations with the angels. And He soweth varied wisdom of mind and setteth it in the hearts of men. Unto one He sendeth wise skill of tongue through the spirit of his mouth and noble insight in his heart, and richly may he sing and utter all things, whoso hath might of wisdom hidden in his heart. And with his fingers one may fairly sound the harp before the hosts, clearly strike upon the glee-wood. One may read aright all godly law, and one telleth the mysteries of the stars and the wide universe. One may write skilfully the spoken word. He speedeth the strife of one in battle when the archers send a shower of darts, a flashing flight of arrows over the shield’s defence. One may boldly drive his ship over the salty sea, stir up the raging waves. And one ascendeth upon the steep, high cross. One may work a fair weapon, a tempered sword, and one knoweth the path of the plains, wide-stretching ways. So unto us the Lord, the Son of God, dealeth out His gifts on earth. But to no single man doth He give all wisdom of heart, lest that in his strength beyond others pride take hold upon him to his hurt. Thus mighty God, King of every creature, with bounteous blessings showeth honour and power upon the children of earth. So unto the blessed He granteth bliss in heaven and foundeth peace for angels and for men for ever.

So He showeth honour on His handiwork. Of Him the prophet spake that holy gems were lifted up on high, the radiant stars of heaven, the sun and moon. What are these gems so beauteous save God Himself ? He is the true brightness of the sun, a noble radiance unto angels and the dwellers of earth. Above the earth gleameth the moon, a ghostly star ; even so shineth bright the Church of God where righteousness and truth are met together— as it saith in the Books — since that the Son of God ascended up from earth, the Prince of purity. Then the Church of the fulfillers of the law suffered persecution under heathen shepherds. Those sinful men recked not of truth, nor of the Spirit’s need ; but they cast down and burned the Church of God, wrought bloody deeds, hated and harried. Yet by the Spirit’s grace came forth bliss for the thanes of God after the Ascension of the Eternal Lord. Of Him sang Solomon, the son of David, versed in songs and spiritual mysteries, ruler of peoples, and this word he spake :

“ It shall be known that the King of angels, the Lord strong and mighty, shall ascend a mount, leap the high dunes and compass about the hills and knolls with splendour. And He shall save the world and all that dwell therein by that noble leap.”

The first leap was when He came unto the Maid, the Virgin undefiled, and without sin put on mortal image ; and that became a comfort unto all earth-dwellers. The second leap was the birth of the Babe, what time He lay within the manger, in the image of a child, all wrapped in swaddling clothes, the Glory of all glories. The third leap was the course of heaven’s King when He ascended up upon the cross, the Father’s Spirit of Comfort. The fourth leap was to the grave, when He descended from the cross into the fast-closed tomb. The fifth leap was then when He cast down hell’s habitants into eternal torment ; bound their king, the hostile-minded, advocate of fiends, with burning bonds within, where still he lieth in his durance, chained in fetters, fast in sin. And the sixth leap was the triumph of the Holy God, when He ascended up to heaven unto His olden home. Then in that holy hour the angel-throng grew blithe in rapture and in gladsomeness. For they beheld the Lord of glory, the Prince of princes, come unto His native land, unto the shining dwellings. Then the triumph of their Prince became an everlasting joy unto the blessed habitants of heaven. As here on earth the Eternal Son of God ascended up by leaps over the high hills, above the mountains, so should we mortal men in our heart’s musing mount by leaps from strength to strength ; seek after glory that we may ascend unto that highest summit, by our holy works, where is hope and joy, a perfect band of thanes. Our need is great that with our hearts we seek salvation, we who earnestly believe in spirit that the Son of healing, the Living God, with our mortal body ascended up from hence.

Wherefore should we despise all idle lusts, the wounds of sin, and joy in better things. Verily we have the Almighty Father for our comfort in the heavens. He sendeth from on high in holiness His heralds hither unto us, and they will shield us against the grievous arrows of the spoilers, lest that the hell-fiends work us wounds when the Lord of evil sendeth forth a bitter dart from his deceitful bow against the folk of God. Wherefore should we steadfastly and warily hold ward against the sudden onslaught, lest that the poisoned dart, the bitter shaft, the cunning imagination of our foes, should pierce within our frame. Dire is that hurt, wanest of wounds. Wherefore let us watch so long as we have dwelling upon earth. Let us make supplication for the peace of God, the Father, and pray to the Son of God, the gentle Spirit, that He, who granted us life and limbs and body and spirit, may shield us from the wiles of the wicked, the weapons of our foes. To Him be praise and heavenly glory forever !

Nor need any man of the race of men on earth fear for the darts of devils, the spear-flights of fiends, if that God, the Lord of hosts, doth shield him. That doom is near when we must reap rewards according as we have won them by our deeds during the days of life on the wide earth. In the beginning, as it saith in the Books, that Treasure-Hoard of might stooped meekly unto earth, unto the Virgin’s womb, the noble Son of God in holiness from heaven. Verily I look with dread unto that sterner doom when the Prince of angels cometh yet again — I who kept not well what things my Saviour bade me in the Book. I shall behold the terror of the vengeance of sin, I ween full well, when many shall be led unto the assemblage, before the face of the Eternal Judge. Then the Courageous [C] shall quake. He shall hear the King speak, the Ruler of heaven, uttering wrathful words unto such as aforetime in the world hearkened feebly unto Him when affliction [Y] and need [N] most easily might find comfort. Then shall many a one in fear on that plain wearily await what dire penalty He shall will to him according to his deeds. Then shall the winsomeness [W] of the treasures of earth flee away. Long time was our [U] portion of life’s joys compassed about by ocean [L] floods, our possessions [F] on earth. Then shall treasure burn in the fiery blast ; brightly shall rage the swift, red flame darting in wrath over the wide world. Plains shall perish and castles crumble away. Then shall the fire be fleet ; greediest of spirits, it shall devour ancient treasure ruthlessly, which men possessed in olden days while still was pride on earth. Therefore will I teach each well-loved man that he give heed unto the Spirit’s need, nor pour it forth in pride while God willeth that he may dwell here in the world, while the soul journeyeth on in the body, that friendly inn. Let every man of men bethink him earnestly in the days of his life how mildly came the Lord of might to us of old by the word of an angel. Yet shall He be wroth when He cometh again, stern and righteous. Then shall the heavens be shaken and the mighty ends of the earth shall tremble. The radiant King shall reward it that they lived on earth in deeds of wickedness, defiled with sin. Long time shall they in the bath of fire, weary of heart, compassed about by its surges, receive dire recompense.

Then shall the King of might come unto the assemblage with the greatest of hosts, and loud shall the terror of man be heard in the thunders of heaven, the clamour of them that wail ; joyless they shall lament before the face of the Eternal Judge, they who in their works have feeble hope. Then shall be seen a mightier fear than ever since Creation was known on earth. But in that sudden hour, unto every one of the workers of sin, it shall be dearer far than all this fleeting world that he may shelter him in that victorious band when the Lord of hosts, the Prince of princes, shall judge to all, unto them that are dear and them that are hateful, to every one of men a just reward. Great is our need that ere that day of terror in this barren time we eagerly be mindful of the spirit’s glory.

Now is it most like as if on ocean floods, over the chill waters we sail in ships, in our ocean steeds over the spacious sea, journey on in our barks. Fearful is that stream, those surges high whereon we toss throughout this changeful world ; windy the waves over the deep sea-path. Bitter was our way of life until we sailed to land over the ocean’s ridge. Then help came unto us that the Spirit-Son of God guided us into the harbour of salvation, and granted us grace ; that we may have knowledge even from the vessel’s side where, fast at anchor, we may moor our stallions of the sound, our old sea-steeds. Wherefore let us set our hope upon that haven which heaven’s Lord, in holiness on high, hath opened unto us by His Ascension.