Hty of Christ ; Christ was made flosli, O sancta humUitdS, tu filium Dei dcscerulere ft- cisti in nteriun, Maria; Virginis ! Ausr. That Christ should ch>thc himself witli our flesh, a ]>iece of that earth which we tread upon; O infinite humility ! Christ's takinir our flesh was one of the lowest steps of his humiliation. Christ did humble liimself more in lyinj^ in the virgin's womb, than in hanging upcm tiie cross. It was not so much for man to die, but for God to become man, that was the wonder of humility, Phil. ii. 7., " He was made in the likeness of man." For Christ to be made flesh was more humility than for the angels to be made worms. Christ's flesh is called a vail, Heb. x. 20., " Tln-ough the vail," that is, his flesh ; Christ's wearing our flesh, vailed his glory.. For him to be made flesh, who was equal with God, O humility ! Phil. ii. 6., " Who being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God." lie stood upon even ground with God, he was coessential and consub- stantial with his Father, as Austin and Cyril and the council of Nice express it ; yet f()r all this he takes flesh. Christ stript himself of the robes of his glory, and cover- ed himself with the rags of our humanity. If Solomon did so wonder that God should dwell in the temple, which was enriched and hung with gold, how may we wonder that God should dwell in man's weak and frail nature ? Nay, which is yet more hu- mility, Christ not only took our flesh, but took it when it was at the worst, under disgrace ; as if a servant should wear a no- bleman's livery, when he is impeached of high treason. Nay, besides, Christ took all the infirmities of our flesh. There are two sorts ()f infirmities : such as are sinful with- out pain, or such as are painful without sin. The first of these infirmities Christ did not take upon him ; sinful infirmities, — to be covetous or ambitious, — Christ never took these upon him ; but Christ took upon him painful infirmities ; as, 1. Hunger, Matth., xxi. 18., He came to the fig-tree, and would* have eaten. 2. Weariness ; as when he sat on Jacob's well to rest him, John iv. 6. 3. Sorrow, Matth. xxvi. 38., "My soul is exceeding sorowful, even unto death." It was a sorrow guided with reason, not dis-
turbed with passion. 4. Fear, Heb. v. 7., •' He was heard in that he feared." Nay, yet a further degree of Christ's humility, he not only was made flesh, but in the likeness of sinful flesh, " He knew no sin, yet he was made sin," 2 Cor. v. 21. He was like a sinner ; he had all sin laid upon him, but no sin lived in him. Isa. liii. 12., " He was numbered among transgressors." He who was numbered with the persons of the Trini- ty, he is said " to bear the sins of many," Heb. ix. 28. Now, this was the lowest de- gree of Christ's humiliation. For Christ to be reputed as a sinner, never such a pattern of humility ! That Christ, who would not endure sin in the angels, should himself en- dure to have sin imputed to him, it is the most amazing humility that ever was !
From all this learn to be humble. Dost thou sec Christ humbling himself, and art thou proud? 'Tis the humble saint that is Christ's picture. Christians, be not proud of your fine feathers: 1. Hast thou an e- state ? be not proud, the earth thou treadest on is richer than thou : it hath mines of gold and silver in the bowels of it. 2. Hast thou beauty ? be not proud : it is but air and dust mingled. 3. Hast thou skill and parts? })e humble: Lucifer hath more know- ledge than thou. 4. Hast thou grace ? be humble : thou hast it not of thy own growth, it is borrowed. Were it not folly to be j»roud of a ring that is lent? 1 Cor. iv. 7. Thou hast more sin than grace, spots than beauty. O look on Christ, this rare pattern, and be humbled! It is an unseemly sight to see God humbling himself, ajid man ex- alting himself: to see an humble Saviour, and a proud sinner. God hates (he very resemblance of pride. Lev. ii. 1 1. He would have no honey in the sacrifice. Indeed lea- ven is sour ; but why no honey ? because, when lumey is mingled with meal or flour, it makes the meal to rise and swell ; there- fcu-e no honey. God hates the resemblance of the sin of pride ; better want parts, and the comforts of the Spirit, than humility. Si Deus superbientihns amjelis non pcpercit, — if God, saith Austin, spared not the angels, when they grew proud, will he spare thee, who are but dust and rottenness ?
Branch 3. Behold here a sacred riddle or paradox, " God manifest iu the flesh."
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OF CHRIST'S HUMILIATION