Question 27

In what things did Christ humble himself?

Christ did humble himself, 1. In his Birth. 2. In his Life 3. In his Death.

How did Christ humble himself in his Birth?

Christ humbled himself in his Birth, in that He being the Eternal Son of God, in time, became man, and was born, not of a great Princess, but of a mean Virgin; not in a stately Palace, but in the Stable of an Inn; and instead of a Cradle, was laid in a Manger, He hath regarded the low estate of his Hand-maid.^a And she brought forth her first-born Son, and wrapped him in swadling cloaths, and laid him in a Manger, because there was no room for them in the Inn.^b

How did Christ humble himself in his Life?

Christ did humble himself in his Life, in that, 1. He subjected himself to the Law, God sent forth his Son made of a Woman, made under the Law.^c 2. He conflicted with the Temptations of the Devil, Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the Wilderness to be tempted of the Devil.^d 3. He endured the Contradictions, Reproaches, and Indignities of wicked men, Consider him who endured such contradiction of sinners against himself.^e If they have called the Master of the House Beelzebub, how much more them of the Houshold.^f 4. He underwent the sinless infirmities of the Flesh, such as weariness, hunger, thirst, and the like in regard of his Body; and grief and sorrow in regard of his Soul, Jesus being wearied with his journey sat on the well.^g When he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred.^h He is a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief.ⁱ

How did Christ humble himself in his Death?

Christ humbled himself in his Death, 1. In regard of the antecedents of it. 2. In regard of his Death it self. 3. In regard of the consequents of it.

How did Christ humble himself in regard of the antecedents of his Death?

Christ humbled himself in regard of the antecedents of his Death, 1. In permitting Judas to betray him. 2. In submitting himself to the Officers to take him. 3. In hearing Peter deny him. 4. In suffering the people to Mock him, Spit on him, Buffet him, and Pilate to Scourge and Condemn him; with many Affronts and Indignities which were offered unto him,^j

How did Christ humble himself in regard of his Death it self?

Christ humbled himself in regard of his Death it self, in that, 1. The kind of his Death was an accursed and disgraceful Death, as also a lingring and painful Death, being the Death of the Cross, He humbled himself and became obedient unto Death, even the Death of the Cross.^k Christ was made a Curse for us; as it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a Tree.^l 2. He, together with the pain of his Body on the Cross, endured the Wrath of God, due for Mans Sin in his Soul, About the ninth hour Jesus cryed out with a loud voice, my God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me.^m

How did Christ humble himself in regard of the consequents of his Death?

Christ humbled himself in regard of the consequents of his Death, in that 1. He was buried, And when Joseph had taken the body, he wrapped it in a clean Linnen Cloth, and laid it in his own new Tomb.ⁿ 2. He continued under the power of death for a time, namely until the third day, As Jonas was three days and three nights in the Whales belly: so shall the Son of Man be three days and three nights in the heart of the Earth.^o

What doth Christs humiliation assure us of?

Christs humiliation doth assure us of our Redemption, through the merits of his sufferings, In whom we have Redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.^p

What doth Christs humiliation, especially his death teach us?

Christs humbling himself unto death doth teach us, 1. To humble our selves, and be lowly, like unto our Master, Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart.^q 2. That as Christ died for sin; so we should die to sin, and not be unwilling to suffer, and to die for his sake if called thereunto, If we be dead with Christ, we shall also live with him.^r Reckon your selves to be dead indeed unto sin.^s For as much as Christ hath suffered for us. Arm your selves likewise with the same mind.^t