oreal
and spiritual substances, still in either case this remains in
common, that the higher place is assigned to the worthier.

Reply Obj. 2: This argument holds good of Christ's body according to
the conditions of its corporeal nature, but not according to its
formality of union.

Reply Obj. 3: This comparison may be considered either on the part of
the places; and thus there is no place so high as to exceed the
dignity of a spiritual substance: in this sense the objection runs.
Or it may be considered on the part of the dignity of the things to
which a place is attributed: and in this way it is due to the body of
Christ to be above spiritual creatures.
_______________________

SIXTH ARTICLE [III, Q. 57, Art. 6]

Whether Christ's Ascension Is the Cause of Our Salvation?

Objection 1: It would seem that Christ's Ascension is not the cause
of our salvation. For, Christ was the cause of our salvation in so
far as He merited it. But He merited nothing for us by His Ascension,
because His Ascension belongs to the reward of His exaltation: and
the same thing is not both merit and reward, just as neither are a
road and its terminus the same. Therefore it seems that Christ's
Ascension is not the cause of our salvation.

Obj. 2: Further, if Christ's Ascension be the cause of our salvation,
it seems that this is principally due to the fact that His Ascension
is the cause of ours. But this was bestowed upon us by His Passion,
for it is written (Heb. 10:19): "We have [Vulg.: 'Having'] confidence
in the entering into the holies by" His "blood." Therefore it seems
that Christ's Ascension was not the cause of our salvation.

Obj. 3: Further, the salvation which Christ bestows is an everlasting
one, according to Isa. 51:6: "My salvation shall be for ever." But
Christ did not ascend into heaven to remain there eternally; for it
is written (Acts 1:11): "He shall so come as you have seen Him going,
into heaven." Besides, we read of Him showing Himself to many holy
people on earth after He went up to heaven, to Paul, for instance
(Acts 9). Consequently, it seems that Christ's Ascension is not the
cause of our salvation.

_On the contrary,_ He Himself said (John 16:7): "It is expedient to
you that I go"; i.e. that I should leave you and ascend into heaven.

_I answer that,_ Christ's Ascension is the cause of our salvation in
two ways: first of all, on our part; secondly, on His.

On our part, in so far as by the Ascension our