Ellis on Article III: Of the going down of Christ into Hell

Answ. The Evangelists desired only ro re- late those things of Christ, whereof either rhey themselves were Eye-witnesles, or else had it from others that were fo ; but no Mortal could see Christ descend.

Ob}. 2. Christ did not go down into Hell in his Deity, which 1s every where ; nor in his Body,

which was laid in a Sepulcher ; nor in his Soul,

which was in Paradise, Luke 23. 43.

Answ. The Soul of Christ might be upon. one and the same Day in Hell and in Para- dile : For why may we not say, that Christ, after his Death, and the. Union of his. Soul and Body restored, might in a Moment

_ delicend into Hell, and. m a” Moment return

from” thence ?’ We..onght ro: believe. many things, the. Manner and Circumstances where- of we are not able to define, | + Oby. 3, Christ did not descend, that he mighz

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. but the beginning of his Triumph ; nor| chat he

might further suffer, because be said upon the | B 5 | Cross,

Fa A Defence of the

Err/z, Ir is finished : nor finally, that be. might free the Fathers from Limbo, since Limbo is a meer Tate. |

Answ. * His Resurrection was the begin- ning of -his Triumph manifested ro us, but per- haps not absolutely fo ; for his Descent 1nto the LowerParts ( mentioned Epl.4.9.) was be- fore his RMrrection : And this Place lcems ve- ry strongly ro prove the real Descent of Christ into Hell. : Nor by our Adverlarics Confefli- on is there any Impiery in this Opinion, if it be said, thar Christ went to manifelt his Victory to che infernal Spirits, and then presently en- ter’d into Paradile, .as he promis’d the Thief.

Obj. 4. It did not become’ Christ ’ to honour those with his Presence, who had been unworthy ofhis Favour, and were eternally danmed.

Anf. It did become Christ ; and for rhe De- monttratior, of his Justice ang Glory, ir was ficting rhat he Nl ovld present himself a Con- queror to infernal Spiris, thar he mighr bring a Terror upon the Devils, and reproach the damned. with their Folly and Wickednets. However ir be, let us believe that Christ wenr down into Hell, although we are nor fully and platoly (satisfied of the Sense and Manner

of it. ;

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Church wn tas Matter, seems t0be safer, and liss ltable ts Excep-

tions. That by lei or fades 3s meant rather .he Place and State the Dead, after the Separation of Sow! ard Body ; when Cr:ift

£ to buy Humanity) was willing to. be detained gill hne Relur- veliwn, ‘H ; -

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Thirty Nine Articles ut. ART. IV. Of the Resurre&ion of Christ.