Question 22

Was Christ’s Incarnation a voluntary act in him?

Yes, it was; for though he had a command to die for us,^a No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of my self, I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again; Yet he came willingly.^b Sacrifice and offerings thou didst not desire, mine ears hast thou opened; burnt offerrings, and sin offerings hast thou not required; lo, I come, in the volume of thy book, it is written of me,^c I delight to do thy 〈…〉

Was the Body of Christ a real and true Humane Body?

Yes, it was a true and real Body, not the appearance and shape of a Body only.^d And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled, and why do thoughts arise in your hearts?^e Behold my hands, and my feet, that it is I my self; handle me, and see, for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as ye see me have.

Had he a true Humane Soul as well as a Body?

Yes, he had, a real Humane Soul also, and all the natural faculties and powers thereof.^f Then saith he unto them▪ My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death.

Was he then in all respects like to other men?

No; his conception was not like others.^g Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Emanuel. And he had no sin in him as others have.^h For such an high priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners.

Did Christ put off the Humane Nature at his Ascention?

No, he did not, but carried it up to glory, and now is in our Nature in Heaven.ⁱ Received up into glory.

Why did he assume our Nature?

That he might die in it for our Salvation.^j And delivered them who through fear of death were all their life time subject to bondage.

Why did he rise in it after Death?

He raised it from the dead, for our Justification.^k Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our Iustification.

Why did he ascend in our Nature into Heaven?

To be a Mediator of intercession in our Nature:^l Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

What is the first Instruction from hence?

That the Body of Christ is not every where, but is contained in Heaven.^m Whom the heaven must receive till the times of restitution of all things.

What is the second Iustruction?

That Christ is full of tender compassions to his peoples infirmities.ⁿ For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.

What is the third Instruction?

That great and admirable is the glory designed for the bodies of Believers.^o Who shall change our vile bodies, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working, whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself.

What is the last Instruction?

That the bodily Eyes of Believers after the Resurrection, shall see Christ in glory.^p And though after my skin, worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God. Whom I shall see for my self, and mine eyes shall behold, and not another.