Light for Them that Sit in Darkness, Book · Question 2
Quest. 2. Secondly, What was it for Jesus to come into the World?
Ans. 1. Not his coming in, or by his Spirit in his People; for so he was never out of the World.
2. Neither is it his Appearance in his Ordinances.
3. Nor that coming of his by which he destroyeth Antichrist.
4. Nor his Appearing in his dreadful Providences or Judgments.
But by the coming of Jesus, according to the Text, we are to understand that, or such a Coming, whereby he was manifest to be God-Man in one Person, God in our Flesh without us, or distinct in his own Person by himself; Such a Coming by which he was manifested to be in all points like as men are, Sin only excepted. Such a Coming, wherein, or by which, the Son of God became also the Son of Man.
For the further clearing of this, you find it expresly said, he was born into the World; Mary, of whom was born Jesus. Now when Jesus was born, it's said, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? Herod demanded of them where Christ should be born, Mat. 1. 16. Chap. 2. 1, 2, 4. Luk. 1. 35. Chap. 2. 11.
Now that this was fulfilled according to the very word of the Text, without any juggle, evasion, or cunningly-devised Fable, consider:
1. He is called the First-Born of this Woman, The Male Child that opened her Womb, Luk. 2. 7, 23.
2. He was not born till nourished in her Womb the full time, according to the time of Life. And so it was that while they were at Bethlehem, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered, and she brought forth her First-born Son, and wrapt him in swadling Clothes, and laid him in a Manger, Luk. 2. 4, 5, 6, 7.
3. She also continued in her Separation at the Birth of Jesus, as other women at the Birth of their Children, until the days of her Purification according to the Law of Moses were accomplished, Luk. 2. 22.
4. Himself also, as other Hebrew Children, was brought to Jerusalem to present him unto the Lord; As it is written in the Law of Moses, every Male that openeth the Womb shall be called Holy unto the Lord, Luk. 2. 23, 24.
5. Thus Jesus also, as other Hebrew-Children, when the set Day was come, was Circumcised. And when eight days were accomplished for the Circumcising of the Child, his Name was called Jesus, which was so named of the Angel before he was conceived in the Womb, Luk. 2. 21.
6. After this, he is often called the Young-Child, the Child Jesus; and further it is said of him, that▪ he grew, that he increased in Wisdom and Stature, Mat. 2. 20, 21. Luk. 2. 40, 52.
Behold, with what diligence, even to a Circumstance, the Holy Ghost sets forth the Birth of the Lord Jesus, and all to convince the incredulous World, of the true Manner of the coming of the Saviour into the World.
Secondly, The Reality of the Manhood of this Lord Jesus, is yet further manifest, and that;
First, By those natural Infirmities that attend Human Flesh.
Secondly, By the Names the Prophets gave him in the Days of the Old-Testament and the New.
First, By those natural Infirmities that attend Human Flesh.
As 1. At his Birth he could not go, but as carried by his Parents.
2. He was sensible of Hunger, Luk. 4. 2.
3. He was sensible of Thirst, John 19. 28.
4. He was sensible of Weariness, Joh. 4. 6.
5. He was nourished by Sleep, Mar. 4. 34.
6. He was subject to Grief, Mar. 3. 5.
7. He was subject to Anger, Mar. 3. 5.
8. He was subject to Weep, Joh. 11. 35. Luk. 19, 41,
9. He had Joy as a Man and rejoyced, Mat. 11. 27. Luk. 10. 21.
These things, I say, Jesus was▪ subject to as a Man, as the Son of the Virgin.
Secondly, The Reality of his Manhood is yet made manifest by the Names the Prophets gave him, both in the Old-Testament and in the New.
As 1. He is called the Seed. The Seed of the Woman, the Seed of Abraham, the Seed of David, by which is meant he was to come of their Children, Gen. 3. 15. Chap. 12. Chap. 22. Gal. 3. 16, 17. Rom. 1. 4.
2. Therefore it is added (where mention is made of the Fathers) of whom as concerning the Flesh Christ came. He was made of the Seed of David according to the Flesh: And hence again, he calleth himself the Off-spring of David; therefore, I say, he is said to be of their Flesh, their Loins, and is called their Son, Rom. 1. 4. Chap. 9. 5. Acts 2. 30. Revel. 22. 16.
3. He therefore is frequently called a Man, and the Son of Man. Then shall you see the Son of man coming in the Clouds of Heaven. When the Son of man shall come in his Glory, and all the Holy Angels with him. This Man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable Priesthood. It is therefore necessary that this Man have somewhat also to offer, Mat. 26. 63. Chap. 25. 30, 31. Heb. 7. 24. Chap. 8. 3. Chap. 10. 12.
4. What shall I say, Himself gave undeniable Demonstration of all this, when he said, he was dead; when he called to Thomas to put his Finger to, and behold his Hands, to reach to him his Hand and thrust it into his Side, and bid him he should not be faithless but believing. At another time when he stood in the midst of the Eleven, as they were troubled with the thoughts of Unbelief, he said, Behold my Hands and my Feet, that it is I my self, handle me, and see: for a Spirit bath not Flesh and Bones, as ye see me have, Joh. 20. 27. Luk. 24. 39.
Thus have I shewed you what it was for Jesus to come into the World; namely, To be born of a Woman, to take flesh, and to become God-man in one Person.
I come now to the third Question; but before I speak particularly to that, I will produce further Testimony that we find upon record, concerning the Truth of all this.