Question 27

What doth Christ’s humbling of himself import?

His voluntariness in the deepest point of Self-denial.^a Then said I, lo I come, in the volume of the book it is written of me.

What was the first act of Christ’s Humiliation?

His taking man’s Nature on him, with all its sinless Infirmities.^b God sending his own son, in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin condemned sin in the flesh.

What is the second part of his Humiliation?

That mean life he lived in this world, which obscured his Divine Glory.^c Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary?

What was the first thing in Christ’s Life that humbled him?

The poverty of it.^d And Iesus saith unto him, The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests; but the son of man hath not where to lay his head.

What was the second thing in his life that humbled him?

The Temptations of Satan, to which he was subject.^e Then was Iesus led up of the spirit into the wilderness, to be tempted of the devil, and that for our sakes.^f Wherefore in all things it behoveth him to be made like unto his brethren.^g For in that he himself hath suffered, being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

What is the third thing in Christ that humbled him?

His subjection to the Law.^h But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his son, made of a woman, made under the law.

What was the fourth thing in Christ’s life that humbled him?

The Reviling and Contradictions of Sinners.ⁱ For consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself.

Wherein was Christ humbled in his death?

His death was painful and ignominious.^j Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. For it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree. Made a curse for us▪ and deserted in it.^k And about the ninth hour, Iesus cried with a loud voice, saying; Eli, Eli, Lamasabachthani, that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?

What is the first Inference from hence?

That lowliness and humility becomes Christ’s Followers.^l Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek, and lowly in heart.

What is the second Inference?

That Christ’s love to Sinners is astonishingly great.^m For ye know the grace of our Lord Iesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be made rich.

What is the third Inference?

Christians should be ready to suffer for Christ.ⁿ Forasmuch as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh; arm your selves likewise with the same mind; for he that hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sin

What is the last Inference?

That Humiliation is the true way to Exaltation.^o And whosoever shall exalt himself, shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself, shall be exalted.