A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 95 (Question 27)
SERMON XCV.
QUESTION XXVII.
WHere in did CHRIST's Humiliation conſiſt?
ANSWER.
CHRIST's Humiliation conſiſted in His … born, and that in a low Condition, …de under the Law. undergoing the Mi… of this Life, the Wrath of GOD, … the curſed Death of the Croſs, in … Buried, and continuing under the … of Death for a time.
WE have been conſidering of Chriſt's Preparation for the diſcharge of the great … of Mediation and Redemption; con… in his Incarnation and Unction. Under …ter whereof, we have taken nonce of … Mediatorial Offices of a Prophet. Prieſt, and King, which he ſultained and diſcharged …. It now follows that we proceed to the Contemplation of the w…k it ſelf; which he performed in the execution of theſe Offices. And this is that which Divines call actual Redemption. And this conſiſts of two parts, viz. His Humiliation, and His Exaltation; which are ſet before us in this and the following Queſtion, and Anſwer. And before i proceed to ſpeak of them diſtinctly, a word or two may be premiſed, touching the Neceſſity of them both in our Redeemer, for the rending His Work compleat. It was therefore ſit and neceſſary, that he ſhould be humbled; how elſe could he anſwer the Law for us, in which he muſt be ſubjected to the Law, fulfil the righteouſneſs of it, pay our debts, and bear our penalties, ſatisfy for our offences, and purchaſe for us, all the good needful to make us happy? If he do not all this, he cannot be our Redeemer, and he could not do this, unleſs He were numbled; as will after appear. It was no leſs fit, that after he had humbled himſelf he ſhould be exalted. For it became him, that having diſcharged all that he undertook as Mediator, He ſhould have an acquittarce; that having merited, He ſhould be rewarded; having purchaſed, He ſhould be put in poſſe…tion; ſo that it might appear that the Work was done, that Juſtice had taken up ſatisfyed in it. Our Surety had not done his Work, till he hath taken up our bonds, and gotten full acquittences for us. In ſum, Chriſt ſtood as a publick Perſon for us, he muſt therefore be humbled, becauſe we deſerved to be brought low: He must be made a curſe for us, becauſe we were accurſed: and he muſt exalted, that ſo he might bring us to Glory. The former of theſe in his Humiliation; which is firſt to be treated of; both becauſe it was the order of time, and alſo becauſe it was the meritorious cauſe of the other. Chriſt's Exaltation had its foundation in his Humiliation, Phill. 2.7, 8, 9. This then is that which lies before us. Our Anſwer doth not give us a deſcription of it, but only points us to the ſeveral Heads to which it is to be referred, and wherein the execution of it was concerned. But for our better underſtanding of this affair, we may first take an account of the Humiliation itſelf, and then purſue it in the ſeveral particular, wherein it diſcovered it ſelf. That we may take up it right conception of Chriſt's Humiliation, let this Deſcription be given of it, The Humiliation of Chriſt is that Abaſement of his, whereby be ſubjected himſelf to the Law for us, to ſatiſfy for our offences, and to procure for us, Life and Salvation. The clearing of this deſcription will give us much light into this great Truth, on which our Salvation depends. Here then obſerve,
1. THE general nature of it: it is his Abaſement. Humiliation is lying upon the ground. Abaſement is a throwing ones ſelf at the ſoot of another. Thus Chriſtiaid himſelf at the foot of God for our ſakes. And here we may confider two things,
1. WHO it that was thus Abaſed? Anſ. THE Perſon thus abaſed. was Jeſus Chriſt, the Eternai Son of God, Phil. 2.6, 7. Who bring in the ſorn of God, thought it not robbery to be equall with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a ſervant, and was made the likenſs of men. But yet we are to conſider him in order to this abaſement, as prepared for it. For as God, or in reſpect of his Divine …apture, he could not be humbled ot abaſe… Hence,
THAT was the …o… of God in our nature, that was thus laid low. It was in the ſorm of a Servant, which he aſſumed. Phil. 2.7. The meer aſſumption of the humance nature into the unity of his Perſon, conſidered by itſelf, could not be a part of his Humiliation, but only the preparing of a ſubject for it, and ſo muſt be, in order of nature, before it, tho' in time they were together; becauſe in talking our humanity, he ſo took it as to put a low condition upon it. He could have taken it in the form of a Prince, as well as of a Servant, but he choſe the other as ſuited to his deſign. He took out nature, with all the abaſement which ſin had put upon it, excepting ſin it ſelf. This is called his taking our infirmities, Mar. 8.17. He was a Man ſubject to all … frailties, ſorrows, ſufferings, ſickneſs, … ceſſities, diſgrace, which Adam's fall had … poſed our nature unto. Here then let th… three Concluſions be noted,
(1.) THAT the Humane nature of Chriſt, … it hare the reſpect of a Servant, which re… accompanied his aſſumption of the … is the ſirſt and proper ſubject of all his … ment. As he is God, he changeth …o…; all can he be in his divine nature leſs than … nitely glorious, and above all praiſe. He can not ſo be leſs then, or inſeriont to himself being unchangeable. It was then his … nity that was capable of, and did receipt the impreſſions of this Humiliation. He … our nature, that he might take our miſ… and ſorrow. Heb. 2.14.
(2.) THAT the manifeſtative glory of …is … vine nature, while he was in the ſorm of … vant, was for the time vailed. His Divine as beclouded in his ſerviſe ſtate; that … it was it ſ…lf as ſpendid as ever, yet it was for the moſt pair, bidden from the fight of men, and they had a very low account of … Iſai. 53.2, 3. Pſal. 22.6. Nor was be … declared to be God, till or after his Reſ…rr… Rom. 1.14. Though this was no deba… of his eſſential glory, but only a vailing of his declarative.
(3.) HENCE his Flumiliation is truly … to his Perſon. Inaſmuch, as that humance … ture in which the Son of God was … was of his Perſon, being united to it … wonderful Incarnation. And hence all works done by him, as a Redeemed personal acts; on which account the … i. e. the Son of God, is ſaid to Taber… among us, Joh. 1.14. And the Church to be Rediemed by the blond of God, Act. 20.21.
2. It was Jeſus Chriſt anointed to the … of a Mediator, that teas thus abaſed. It was God's choſen, his Servant that was humble
Hence,
(1.) In his Unction be was prepared for … Condition. For then and there he revei… theſe ſuitable Graces, that were to carry … through ſuch and eſtate. And here are … more obſervable,
[1.] HUMILITY: A willingneſs i… … himſelf, to vail his own glory; to be … thing, to do any thing that might be … ceable to that end of his coming in to … world. In the excerciſe of this Grace, … not think ſcornfully or diſdainfully, of … through the loweſt and leaſt ſervices, to … with the vileſt and moſt ignominious … ings, that lay in the way of his pe… their good for whoſe ſake be …nde… His ear therefore is ſaid to be bored He… And he tells us that he is lowly, Mat. 1….…
[2.] MEEKNESS: Whereby as m… reſted ſatisfied in his low eſtate, wh… repining or murmuring. He could … bear with any Providences, and ſuffer … miſeries that beſell him. His Spirit did … riſe; He made no noiſe, but expreſſed … greateſt ſilence in his Sufferings. Hence compared to a Sheep, Iſai. 53.7. This vertue alſo be aſſumes to himſelf. Mat. 11.29.
(2.) In the ſtate of Humiliation, be exerciſed theſe Vertues. And that both in his active and … Obedience. For he abaſed himſelf to do the loweſt Services, and to hear the ſharpeſt afflictions. His whole life was a travail of labour and ſuffering, wherein the immeaſuable vertue of theſe Graces ſhewed it ſelf. Hence that, 1 Pet. 2.21, &c.
2. HOW far He was Abaſed? Anſ. JESUS CHRIST was abaſed very low. It was not an ordinary mean and debaſed condition that he took upon himſelf, but wonderfully ſo. As will appear in theſe things,
1. HE became inferiour t…, lower than God the Father. As God, He was his equal, Phil. 2. …. was co-eſſential, co-eternal, had the face Being, Attributes, and divine Glory. But now he becomes his Subject and yields obedience to him: is his Servant, Iſai. 42.1.) demies his own humane will that his Fathers may take place. Mat. 26.39. O my Father, if … be paſſble, let t…is cup paſs from me: nevertheleſs, not as I will, but as thou wait. Reſigns himſelf to let him do what he will with ….
2. HE became inferiour to Himſelf. He …ed himſelf, (Phil. 2.7) did as it were, … himſelf down, put himſelf below himſelf. The Man Chriſt was a glorious Perſo…; the humane nature by being aſſumed … the perſonality of the Son of God, was highty diſtinguiſhed. This union rendred … more excellent than all the children of …. But he vailed this glory; He obſcured himſelf. 2. Cor. 8.9. For ye now the grace of me Lord Jeſus Chriſt, that though he was rich. … …our ſakes be became poor that ye through … p…ty might be rich. He was an anointed King, and yet would be a Servant. He was judge of the World, and yet would ſtand at …, and there be arraigned, condemned and executed.
3. HE became inferiour to the Angels. Though he was their Lord, yet he put himſelf in a … condition than them. Heb. 2.7. They are immortal Beings, but he became a mortal are, and did die. They are powerful Beings, … became a frail man. They enjoy …petual tranquility, but he was a man of …s: Yea he was in ſuch a condition as … the help of Angels. Luk. 22.42. And … appeared unto him an Angel from heaven, …ing him.
4. HE became inferious to Men. He not … became a man, but put himſelf below, … …ly the common ſort, but the moſt abject and meaneſt of all men. He ſuffered … to be made a meer ſlave, and ſold … thirty pieces of Silver, which was the … of ſuch an one.Exod. 21.32. Yea, he was …de the leaſt of men, reported not … to have a look caſt on him, Iſai. 53 2, 3. A very ſcoff and ſcorn, ſit only to be laden … all the reproaches and revillings that the chilren of men could caſt upon him; (Pſal. 22.67.) made a companion of thieves and robbers; Crucified between two of them. Yea, where his life came in competition, a B…rabbas, robber and murderer, & ſeditious, perſon, is counted more ſit to l…ve than he. Yea is hurried out of the world with a tumultuary cry. Luk. 22.18. Mat. 27.24.
5. HE debaſed himſelf ſo far as to be accounted no man at all. Yea, to be reckoned among Beaſts; yea among the moſt contemptible Inſects. Pſal. 22.6. But I am a worm and no man; a reproach of m…n, and deſpiſed of the people. There is nothing more deſpicable then a Worm; every one ſcorns it, tramples upon it; it lies on the ground neglected. Such was the Lord Jeſus Chriſt here. Men were neither careful not afraid of what injusties they did him; they could mock, revile, ſpit upon him, without any remorſe.
6. HE became inferious to the very Beaſts themſelves. He was in a lower, meaner, and poorer condition than they. Although he was the Lord of the upper and lower World, yet he ſo emptied himſelf, as not to have the actual poſſeſſion of any ſettled habitation of place of abode in this World. And in that reſpect he was inferiour to birds and beaſts. And this he infinuated to one that was in a pang offering to become his follower, Mat. 8. 20 And Jeſus ſaith unto him, The ſexes have holes: and the birds of the air have neſts, but the Son of man bath not where to lay his head.
7. HE was made inferiour to all Beings. There was no member of the whole Creation was laid ſo low as Chriſt laid himſelf, when he was in the ſtate of Humiliation. He became nothing at all. Mat. 9.12. It is written of the Son of man, that he muſt ſuffer many things, and he ſet at nought. The word ſignines to be made a nothing of, to have no price put upon one; not to be reputed for ſo much as any thing; to ſtand as an empty cypher, and not to have the value of ſo much as an Unite. Thus it was with Chriſt in this World. And it is to be obſerved, that he was not meetly paſſive, but alſo active in all this. Not only did God and men abaſe him, but he abaſed himſelf; He complied with his Father, and made uſe of Men and Devils as inſtruments in this affair. Pilate could have done nothing to him, had not power been give him; and he gave it him. Phil. 2.7. He made himſelf &c. He laid down his own life, He voluntarily reſigned himſelf to all that befell him. And till his own hour was come, his enemies could do nothing to him.
II. WE have the ſpecial Nature of Chriſt's Humiliation, in the reſidue of the Deſciption. In which we may obſerve two things,
1. THE State of his Humiliation: He ſubjected himſelf to the Law for us Th…s with the deſign he had of working Redemption in it, is aſſerted, Gal. 4.4, 5. But when the ſ…ln … of the time was come , God ſent ſorth his Son made of a woman, made under the …, To redeem them that were under that law, that we might receive the adoption of ſons. And he did th…s for us, i. e in …ur ſtead; not only as our Surety, but …epteſe tar…ve too, bearing the perſon of all God's Elect. And there is a great deal more in ſaying he was Obedient to Law for us, than meetly …ha… he was Subject to the Law. For by being … he put himſelf into our place, and bear the reſpect that we did to it, which was that which made his Humiliation ſo d…ep and low, becauſe our legiſ…a…e was by the apoſtaſy become ſo exceedingly debaſed. There was therefore a double Obedience of Chriſt neceſſary, in his ſtate of Humiliation, viz. Active, and Paſſive.
(1.) THERE was an Active Obedience neceſſary for us; i. e. that he ſhould fulfil all righteouſneſs, Mat 2.13. He muſt do all that the law of Works required of us. There are ſome, otherwiſe O…th d…x who deny this, and reſtram it to his paſſive Obedience, becauſe the Scripture ſo often puts the emphaſis upon that. But here obſerve,
[1.] IN the Salvation …f fallen man there are two parts: A delivery from miſery. … par…ion in happineſs, only ſomething negative, but ſomething poſitive too. Chriſt came not only to ſave us from the curſe, and deliver us from hell; but withal to make us heirs of Glory, and purcharſe Heaven for us Eph. 1.14. Which is the earneſt of our inheritance, until the redemption of the purchaſed poſſeſſion, unto the pr…ſe of his glory. And to give eternal life, Joh. 10.27, 28.
[2.] THE condition of life and happineſs according to the firſt Covenant, was active, perfect Obedience, to the whole Law of God. So the promiſe of the Cove ant ran; and it was poſitive, and ſo far neceſſary, that the leaſt failure in it expoſed man to, and brought him under the threatning of death Gal. 3.10. This obedience was active, for the tenor of the law Covenant was, D… and Live, Rom. 10.5. Nor could man expect l…fe on any other terms.
[3.] THE terms of the firſt Covenant ſtand inviolable. They muſt be performed either by the man himſelf, or a ſufficient Surety repreſenting him. Believers indeed are not under the firſt Covenant, but yet that Covenant is not removed by rejection, but completion. Mat. 5.18. God did not diſgrace, but honour the Covenant of Works in the way of man's Redemption by Chriſt.
[4.] HENCE, Chriſt could not be a compleat Saviour, without his active Obedience, becauſe, without it, the condition of life required in the firſt Covenant, could not be fulfilled. Chriſt was made under the Law to redeem, Gal. 4.4. His challenge for us muſt be according to law. He muſt therefore do, that we may live. Hence, in his Mediatorial Prayer, he makes this plea, Joh. 17.4. I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finiſhed the work which thou gaveſt me to do. And his active Obedience, is oppoſed to Adam's active Diſobedience. Rom. 5.19. For as by one man's diſobedience, many were made ſinners: ſo by the obedience of one, ſhall many be made righteous. He muſt not only reſ… us, but the Inheritance too.
(2.) THERE was alſo his Paſſive Obedient neceſſary for us. Indeed for himſelf it … not been needed. He had not been a … of death according to law, if he had no … been reckoned guilty. If Adam had kept … integrity, Death had not been heard of … the World. The Covenant promiſed … perfect obedience, but Chriſt's life was perfect: He was undefiled, and knew …o … but for us it was requiſite that he ſhould …
For,
[1.] THE Law denoanceth Death againſt … thoſe that in any point become guilty of the … of it. Gal. 3 10. This was the expreſs … ning, G…n 2 17. So that man no … became a Law-breaker, but he was a … Death. Sin involved Adam and all his … rity in the Sentence; and man is dead in …, as ſoon as he is any way under the impata… of ſin. Rom. 5.12.
[2] THERE is no other way to exp… to buy off the Sentence but by Death. The … o…ing m…ſt be ſlain. T… is … Sacrifice without Blood. The G… … the Lords lot ſell, muſt be killed. before … Scape G…at be ſet at liberty. There … other pri…e of man's Redemption exh… but the price of Blood. The firſt Covenant was ſo conſtituted, and God's Juſtice … was ſo engaged, that if man become is … greſſor, there muſt be Blood ſhed for … covery; nor can any other thing be … lieu of it. Man ſtands a Priſoner at Go… … convicted of, and condemned for ſin, … cept he hath one to die for him, he … himſelf. Ezek. 18.4
[3.] HENCE Chriſt by becoming … deemer, caime under the law of Death. … not enough for him to merit life & happ… for us, but he muſt alſo diſengage is … all the curſes under which we were … bound: becauſe we were under the curſt … muſt be made one, Gal 3.12. Becauſe we … ſinnners, He muſt be made ſin, 2 Cor. 5. … that Chriſt, from the firſt moment of … carnation was a reputed Sinner; and … tarily ſubmitted himſelf to the Judge, … by him, as the Law declares againſt the… ner, quietly ſuſtaining all that was laid … him. Iſai. 53.5, 6, 7.
2. WE have the End of His Humiliation Which anſwers his two-fold Obedince. … therefore ſubmitted himſelf,
(1.) TO ſatisfy for our Offences: i. e. … make reſtitution to the Law of God, according to the obligation that Sin had brough … under unto it. Some deny Chriſts's … ings to be ſatisfactory, and would ha… only exemplary. But let us obſerve,
[1.] THE Law muſt be ſatisfied. It is … unchangeable Rule, and proceeds from a … with whom there is no ſhadow of … And it was the foundation of the … Juſtice between God and man.
[2.] THE Sinner cannot make perſonal Satis…. Not by active Obedience; for ſuffer… the proper anſwering of the Law by the Sinner. Beſides, all active Obedience is perpetually due, and ſo cannot compenſate … any defect. Not by paſſive Obedience, …ecauſe he is a Sinner, and can in no other …ay ſatisfy for an offence given to an infinite Majeſty, but by ſuffering eternally: ſo that the … is ever paying; never diſcharged; and …s;o it ſatisfying he periſheth for ever.
[3.] HENCE, if there be no Satisfaction offered …y …niver for him, he is without hope. Man's deſtruction is of himſelf, but his help is in God, Il…ſ. 13.4. Either then, the Law muſt be ca…celled without fulfilling, which is c…radictory to the rule of Juſtice, or man muſt …tisfy for himſelf, which is utterly impoſſible; or Chriſt muſt ſatisfy for him. …ion that Chriſt died to make Satisfaction appears, becauſe he died as a Surety, Heb 7.22. for he was Surety to the whole Law for us, and therefore was engaged to comply with what the Law exacted of him, which was, …, after the ſame way and manner, for the ſubſtance of it, that we muſt have done if he, had not undertaken for us: Now that …ry was the firſt and ſecond Death: Gen. 2. … So that he muſt undergo both. And on this …co…n: …e is ſaid to take a…y…ſin as a L… Joh. 1.29. which is by being offered. And … hear the G…ſtiſement of our peace, Iſal. …. So that the Law hath nothing to charge … becauſe it hath executed its righteouſ: … him. And nothing leſs can be in… in that, 2 Cor. 5.…1.
(2.) … for us Life and Salvation, i. e. …y of merit. For he treated with God …ding to the terms of the Covenant of …. And hence alſo they no leſs err, …ke Chriſt's, active Obedience to be … ex…platy; as if he had lived only … us a pa…ern, and died to …eitem us. …e if … there were no happineſs for us. … is … Covenant …norit, as well as a Co…lty. A …an may ſatisfy and not … his will not …cure for us a com… …tion. Chriſt …ame to make us … Kingdom, which that he might, … was needful to the bringing it … that He hymbled himſelf for this … dea…, becauſe He became thus, … that he might make his people ri… … 9.
USE I. LEARN hence, that not only … …ce, but alſo the exact Juſtice of God … in the Redemption of Man by Chriſt. …ctrine of Chriſt's Hemiliation in gene… …s ont this truths and the conſideration it is particular, will farther clear it … here is Grace eminent, hath in the cal… of Chriſt to this work, wh… our miſery … for it: God had no need of our Salva…t we were undone without his mercy: … been the only loſers, if Chriſt had … …me. And alſo in accepting it … his … for us: He was not bound in Juſtice …o take up with a Surety: He might have fallen upon the principal Offender. As alſo in his conferring of it upon us; if he had not applied it to us, we had not ſought it at his hand, Iſai. 65.1. But yet as to the ſubſtance of the work it ſelf, it is done in way of exact Juſtice. God pardons none but ſuch for whom Chriſt hath ſatisfyed; He ſaves none, but thoſe for whom he hath merited. Chriſt was humbled, or we had never …en exalted. We were not made ſo high, but he was firſt made as low. Hence Juſtice and Mercy are here combined, Pſal 85.10. And how may this ſilence out minds when we are perplexed about the Juſtice of God; and think it ſtands in the way of our Salvation? Had not Chriſt come, it would ſo have done, but his Humiliation hath cleared the way to cut delivery from Hell, and participation in the glories of Heaven: And now God … juſt, and the juſt ſ… of all thoſe that believe in Jeſus Chriſt.
USE. II. WE here alſo learn, that Chriſt is a…ſ…cient Object of Faith, for a Sinner to truſt in. His Humiliation rendred him all that for us which we need, to make us fully and for ever bleſſed. And the conſideration thereof affords us plentiful ground to eſtabliſh our hope and confidence in Him, in as much as he hath done all that which is needful for our Salvation to the utmoſt. There is nothing that we ca…ant, but it is provided in this Wor… … us. We are in our ſelves guilty Sinne… and the re…le curſes of the Law are o… againſt us. And where ſhall a ranſom be found … we may not … the pit? Why, Chriſt …led himſelf … Death of the Croſs; ba… the …rath of God, and ſuffered the penalty of Sin, and this was enough to take up all our bond. We are earneſtly ſollicitous for …neſs, and inquiſitive how we may be bleſſed for ever: And there is no …eſſedneſs for us, unleſs the Law be perfectly kept; but we have no righteouſnſs of our own, which will ſtand for this, our b…ſt being filthy rags: But here is a Righteouſneſs compleat, He fulfilled the whole Law; and his Father was fully pleaſed in and with him. And remember, if we have truly believed in him, all this was for us: it is to ſtand in the Law for us, and is every way ſufficient ſo to do, in as much as He was our accepted Surety. And being the Son of God, gave infinite worth to his whole Obedience, both active … paſſive. Let us then reſolve our whole hope into him; and truſt in Him for Eternal Life.
[APRIL 14. 1696.]