14. That they would do this He Himself also had foretold; and the testimony of all the prophets had in like manner preceded Him, that it behoved Him to suffer, not that He might feel death, but that He might conquer death, and that, when He should have suffered, He should return again into heaven, to show the power of the divine majesty. Therefore the course of events fulfilled the promise. For when crucified, the office of the executioner being forestalled,17    [John x. 18. See Pearson, Creed, art. v. p. 424.] He Himself of His own will yielded up His spirit, and on the third day freely rose again from the dead. He appeared to His disciples like as He had been. He gave Himself to the recognition of those that saw Him, associated together with Him; and being evident by the substance of His bodily existence, He delayed for forty days, that they might be instructed by Him in the precepts of life, and might learn what they were to teach. Then in a cloud spread around Him He was lifted up into heaven, that as a conqueror He might bring to the Father, Man whom He loved, whom He put on, whom He shielded from death; soon to come from heaven for the punishment of the devil and to the judgment of the human race, with the force of an avenger and with the power of a judge; whilst the disciples, scattered over the world, at the bidding of their Master and God gave forth His precepts for salvation, guided men from their wandering in darkness to the way of light, and gave eyes to the blind and ignorant for the acknowledgment of the truth.

XIV. Hoc eos facturos et ipse praedixerat, et Prophetarum omnium testimonium sic ante praecesserat, oportere illum pati, non ut sentiret mortem, sed ut vinceret; et cum passus esset, ad superos denuo regredi, ut vim divinae majestatis ostenderet. Fidem itaque rerum cursus implevit. Nam et crucifixus, praevento carnificis officio, spiritum sponte dimisit, et die 0580B tertio rursus a mortuis sponte surrexit. Apparuit discipulis suis talis qualis et fuerat, agnoscendum se videntibus praebuit, simul vinctus et substantiae corporalis firmitate conspicuus, ad dies quadraginta remoratus est, ut de eo ad praecepta vitalia instrui possent, et discerent quae docerent. Tunc in coelum circumfusa nube sublatus est, ut hominem quem dilexit, 0581A quem induit, quem a morte protexit, ad Patrem victor imponeret, jam venturus e coelo ad poenam diaboli et ad censuram generis humani ultoris vigore et judicis potestate; per orbem vero discipuli, magistro et Deo monente, diffusi praecepta in salutem darent , ab errore tenebrarum ad viam lucis adducerent, caecos et ignaros ad agnitionem veritatis ocularent.