good ? ; and also in taking vengeance on the rest, who know not God, and obey not the gospel'.! Q. 46. What was the estate of Christ's humiliation ? A. The estate of Christ's humiliation was that low condition, wherein he, for our sales, emptying himself of his glory, took upon him the form of a servant, in his conception and birth, life, death, and after his death, until his resurrection Q. 47. How did Christ humble himself in his conception and birth? A. Christ humbled himself in his conception and birth, in that, being from all eternity the Son of God, in the bosom of the Father, he was pleased in the fulness of time to become the son of man, made of a woman of low estate, and to be born of her; with divers circumstances of more than ordinary abasement. Q. 48. How did Christ humble himself in his life? A. Christ humbled himself in his life, by subjectiog himwritten, as I live, saith the Lord, eve- death of the cross. Luke i. 31. And, ry knee shall bow to me, and every behold, thou shalt conceive in thy tongue shall confess to God. womb, and bring forth a son, and 9 Rom. viii. 28. And we know that shalt call his name Jesus. 2 Cor. viii. all things work together for good to 9. For ye know the grace bi our Lord them that love God, to them who are Jesus Christ, that though he was the called according to his purpose. rich, yet for your sakes he became 5 2 Thess. i. 8. In flaming fire, ta- poor, that ye through his poverty king vengeance on them that know might be rich. Acts ii. 24. "Whom not God, and that obey not the gospel God hath raised up, having loosed the of our Lord Jesus Christ; Ver. pains of death ; because it was not Who shall be punished with everlast- possible that he should be holden of ing destruction from the presence of it. the Lord, and from the glory of his 47. * John i. 14. And the Word power. Psal. ii. 8. Ask of me, and was inade flesh, and dwelt among us, I shall give thee the heathen for thine (and we beheld his glory, the glory as inheritance, and the uttermost 'parts of the only begotten of the Father,) of the earth for thy possession. Ver. full of grace and truth. Ver. 18 No 9. Thou shalt break them with a rod man haih seen God at any time ; the of iron, thou stialt dash them in pieces only begotten Son, which is in the bolike a potter's vessel. som of the father, he haih declared 46 s Phil. ii. 6 Who, being in the him. Gal. iv. 4. But when the fulform of God, thought it not robbery ness of the time was come, God sent to be equal with God; Ver. 7. But forth his Son, made of a woman, made himself of no Teputation, and made under the law. Luke ii 7. took upon him the form of a servant, And she brought forth her first-born and was made in the likeness of men : son, and wrapped him in swaddlingVer 8. And being found in fashion clothes, and laid him in a manger, as a man, he humbled himself, and because there was no room for them became obedient unto death, even the in the ini. $ self to the law ", which he perfectly fulfilled "; and by con. ficting with the indignities of the world «, temptations of Satany, and infirmities in his flesh, whether common to the nature of man, or particularly accompanying that his low condition 2. Q. 49. How did Christ humble himself in his death? A. Christ humbled himself in his death, in that having been betrayed by Judas a, forsaken by his disciples , scorned and rejected by the world, condemned by Pilate, and tormented by his persecutors ; having also conflicted with the terrors of death, and the powers of darkness, felt and borne the weight of God's wrath, he laid down his 48 u Gal. iv. 4 But when the ful. iv. 15. For we have not an high priest ness of the time was come, God sent which cannot be touched with the feel. forth his Son, made of a woman, made ing of our infirmities; but was in all under the law. points tempted like as we are, yet with. w Matt. v. 17. Think not that I am out sin. Isa. lii. 13. Behold, my sercome to destroy the law or the pro- vant shall deal prudently ; he shall be phets : I am not come to destroy, but exalted and extolled, and be very high. to fulfil. Rom. v. 19. For as by one Ver. 14. As many were astonished man's disobedience many were made at thee; his visage was só marred sinners; so by the obedience of one more than any man, and his form more shall many be made righteous. than the sons of men. * Psal. xxij. 6. But I am a worm, 49. a Mat. xxvii. 4. Saying, I have and no man ; a reproach of men, and sinned, in that I have betrayed the in. despised of the people. Heb. xii. 2. nocent blood. And they said, What is Looking unto Jesus, the author and that to us? see thou to that. finisher of our faith ; who, for the joy 6 Mat, xxvi. 56. But all this was that was set before him, endured the done, that the scriptures of the procross, despising the shame, and is set phets might be fullilled. Then all the down at the right hand of the throne of disciples forsook him, and fled. God. Ver. 3. For consider him tliat c İsa. liii. 2. For he shall grow up endured such contradiction of sinners before him as a tender plant, and as a against himself, lest ye be wearied, and root out of a dry ground: he hath 110 faint in your minds. form nor comeliness; and when we y Mat iv. 1. to verse 12. Then was shall see him, there is no beauty that Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wil. we should desire him. Ver. 3. He is derness, to be tempted of the devil, &c. despised and rejected of men, a man Luke iv. 13. And when the devil had of sorrows, and acquainted with grief : ended all the temptation, he departed and we hid as it were our faces from from him for a season. him; he was despised, and we ésteem. 2 Heb. ii. 17. Wherefore in all ed him not. things it behoved him to be made like d Mat. xxvii. 26. to 'verse 50. Then unto his brethren ; that he might be a released he Barabbas unto them : and merciful and faithful high priest in when he had scourged Jesus, he delithings pertaining to God, to inake re- vered him to be crucified, &c. John conciliation for the sins of the people. xix. 34. But one of the soldiers with Ver. 18. For in that he himself hath a spear pierced his side, and forth with suffered, being tempted, he is able to came thereout blood and water. suecour them that are tempted. Heb. e Luke xxi. 44. And being in an n ‘life an offering for sin ", enduring the painful, shameful, and cursed death of the cross 5. Q. 50. Wherein consisted Christ's humiliation after his death? A. Christ's humiliation after his death consisted in his being buried, and continuing in the state of the dead, and under the power of death, till the third day i; which hath been otherwise expressed in these words, He descended into hell. Q. 51. What was the estate of Christ's exaltation? A. The estate of Christ's exaltation comprehendeth his resurrection , ascension", sitting at the right hand of the Fatherm, and his coming again to judge the world n. agony, he prayed more earnestly ; and ruption. Compared with Acts ii. 24. bis swear was as it were great drops Whom God hath raised up, having of blood falling down to the ground. loosed the pains of death; because it Mat. xxvii. 46. And abou: the ninth was not possible that he should be hour Jesus cried with a loud voice say- holden of it. Ver. 25. For David speak ing, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani ? that eth concerning him, I foresaw the Lord is to say, My God, my God, why hast always before my face; for he is on thou forsaken me? my right hand, that I should not be f Isa. lii. 10. Yet it pleased the Lord moved : Ver. 26. Therefore did my to bruise him ; he hathput him to grief: heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; when thou shalt make his soul an of- moreover also my flesh shall rest in fering for sin, he shall see his seed, he hope : Ver. 27. Because thou wilt not shall prolong his days, and the pleasure leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. suffer thine Holy One to see corrup & Phil. ii. 8. And being found in tion. Ver. 31. He, seeing this before, fashion as a man, he humbled himself, spake of the resurrection of Christ, and became obedient unto death, even that his soul was not left in hell, nei. the death of the cross. Heb. xii. 2. ther his flesh did see corruption. Rom. Looking unto Jesus, the author and vi. 9. Knowing that Christ, being raifinisher of our faith ; who, for the joy sed froin the dead, dieth no more ; that was set before him, endured the death hath no more dominion over cross, despising the shame, and is set him: Mat. xii. 40. For as Jonas was down at the right hand of the throne three days and three nights in the of God, Gal. iii. 13. Christ hath re. whale's belly ; so shall the Son of nian deemed us from the curse of the law, be three days and three nights in the being made a curse for us : for it is heart of the earth. written, Cursed is every one that hang- 51. k 1 Cor. xv. 4. And that he was eth on a tree. buried, and that he rose again the 50. b 1 Cor. xv. 3. For I deliver third day, according to the scriptures. ed unto you first of all that which I I Mark xvi. 19. So then, after the also received, how that Christ died Lord had spoken unto them, he was for our sins, according to the scrip- received up into heaven, and sat on tures. Ver. 4. And that he was buri- the right hand of God. ed, and that he rose again the third m. Eph. i. 20. Which he wrought day, according to the scriptures. in Christ, when he raised him from the i Psal. xvi. 10. For thou wilt not dead, and set him at his owi. right leave my soul in hell; neither wilt hand in the heavenly places. chou suffer thine Holy One to see cor- Acts i. 11. Which also said, Ye Q. 52. How was Christ exalted in his resurrection? A. Christ was exalted in his resurrection, in that, not having seen corruption in death, (of which it was not possible for him to be held ) and having the very same body in which he suffered, with the essential properties thereof Pi (but without mortality, and other common infirmities belonging to this life,) really united to his soul, he rose again from the dead the third day by his own power"; whereby he declared himself to be the Son of God, to have satisfied divine justice', to have vanquished death, and him that had the power of it", and to be Lord of quick and dead w: all which he did as a publick person *, the head of his Church y, for their justification », quickening in men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrecup into heaven?this same Jesus, which tion from the dead. is taken up from you into heaven, shall t Rom. viii. 34. Who is he that so come in like manner as ye have seen condemneth? It is Christ that died, him go into heaven. Acts xvii. 31. Be. yea rather, that is risen again, who is cause he hath appointed a day, in the even at the right hand of God, who which he will judge the world in righ- also maketh intercession for us. teousness by that man whom he hath w Heb ii. 14. Forasmuch then as ordained, whereof he hath given as the children are partakers of flesh and surance unto all men, in that he hath blood, he also himself likewia took raised him from the dead. part of the same; that through death 52. o Acts. ii. 24. Whom God hath he might destroy him that had the raised up, having loosed the pains of power of death, that is, the devil. death : because it was not possible that w Rom. xiv. 9. For to this end he should be holden of it. Ver. 27. Christ both died, and rose, and revi. Because thou wilt not leave my soul ved, that he might be Lord both of in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine the dead and living, Holy One to see corruption. x 1 Cor. xv. 21. For since by man p Luke xxiv. 39. Behold my hands came death, by man came also the and my feet, that it is 1 myself: han. resurrection of the dead. Ver. 22. For dle me, and see ; for a spirit hath not as in Adam all die, even so in Christ flesh and bones, as ye see me have. shäll all be made alive. q Rom. vi. 9, Knowing that Christ, y Eph. i. 20. Which he wrought in being raised from the dead, dieth no Christ, when he raised him from the more ; death hath no more dominion dead, and set him at his own right over him. Rev. i. 18. I am he that li. hand in the heavenly places. Ver. 22. veth, and was dead ; and, behold, I And hath put all things under his feet, am alive for evermore, Amen ; and and gave him to be the head over all have the keys of hell and of death. things to the church, Ver. 23. Which , John x. 18. No man taketh it from is his body, the fulness of him that me, but I lay it down of myself: I filleth all in all. Col. i. 18 And he is have power to lay it down, and I have the head of the body the church, who power to take it again. This command. is the beginning, the first-born from ment have I received of my Father. the dead; that in all things he might s Rom. i. 4. And declared to be the have the pre-eminence. Son of God with power, according to 2 Rom. iy. 25. Who was delivered censi grace ~, support against enemies, and to assure them of their resurrection from the dead at the last day Q. 53. How was Christ exalted in his ascension ? A. Christ was exalted in his ascension, in that having after his resurrection often appeared unto and conversed with his apostles, speaking to them of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God 4, and giving them commission to preach the gospel to all nations, forty days after his resurrection, he, in our nature, and as our head, triumphing over enemies 8, visibly went up into the highest heavens, there to receive gifts for mens, to raise up our affections for our offences, and was raised again and teach all nations, baptizing them for our justification. in the name of the Father, and of the a Eph. ii. 1. And you hath he Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Ver. quickened, who were dead in trespass- 20. Teaching them to observe all es and sins. Ver. 5. Even when we things whatsoever I have commanded were dead in sins, hath quickenied us you. and, lo, I am with you alway, together with Christ, (by grace ye even unto the end of the world. are saved.) Ver. 6. And hath raised Amen. us up together, and made us sit toge- f Heb. vi. 20. Whither the forerunther in heavenly places in Christ Je- ner is for us entered, even Jesus, made Col. ii. 12. Buried with him in an high-priest for ever after the order baptism, wherein also ye are risen of Melchisedec. with him, through the faith of the 8 Eph. iy. 8. Wherefore he saith, operation of God, who hath raised When he ascended up on high he led him from the dead. captivity captive, and gave gifts unto b 1 Cor. xv. 25. For he must reign men. till he hath put all enemies under his b Acts i.9. And when he had spofeet. Ver. 26. The last enemy that ken these things, while they beheld, shall be destroyed is death. Ver. 27. he was taken up; and a cloud recei. For he hath put all things under his ved him out of their sight. Ver. 10, feet. But when he saith, all things And, while they looked steadfastly toare put under him, it is manifest that ward heaven, as he went up, behold, he is excepted which did put all things two men stood by them in white apunder him. parel; Ver. 11. Which also said, Ye c 1 Cor. xv. 20. But now is Christ men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing risen from the dead, and become the up into heaven! this same Jesus, first-fruits of them that slept. which is taken up from you into hea53. d Acts i. 2. Until the day in ven, shall so come in like manner as which he was taken up, after that he ye have seen him go into heaven. through the Holy Ghost had given Eph. iv. 10. He that ascended is the commandments unto the apostles same also that descended up far abovę whom he had chosen. Ver. 3. To all heavens, that he might fillallthings. whom also he shewed himself alive Psal. Ixviii. 18. Thou hast ascended after his passion by many infallible on high, thou hast led captivity capproofs, being seen of them forty days, tive : thou hast received gifts for and speaking of the things pertaining men ; yea, for the rebellious also, to the kingdom of God that the Lord God might dwell 6 Matt. xxviii. 19. Goye, therefore, among them. SUS. |