[2.] By reason.
(1.) He every way made himself like man, except sin : Heb. iv. 15, ' For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feel- ing of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.' He was carried nine months in the womb of the blessed Virjcin.
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(2.) As his capacity was enlarged, so his wisdom discovered itself ; and the power that was in him showed forth itself. In us, as the body increaseth, so the powers of the reasonable soul are increased also.
(3.) The effects of the personal union were communicated to the human nature, non necessitate naturce, sed libertate voluntatis ; not by necessity, but free dispensation. As to all creatures, God considereth what is profitable, and may make them useful in the state wherein he will employ them. So to Christ ; he knew all things that were necessary for the execution of his office. So God hid from or revealed to his human nature according to his pleasure.
(4.) The divine nature did by degrees show itself in him, lest before the time it should be too prodigious, and not so suiting to the dispen- sation of the gospel, which is a dispensation of faith, not of sense, and so hinder the beautiful order of it, which from inconspicuous beginnings was to be carried on to a great increase. His kingdom was from a grain of mustard-seed to grow up into a tree ; so in his person, he was from a state of childhood to grow up into the stature of a perfect man, and then to suffer and die ; which might have been impeded and hindered if those things which were to be done by him as a man were done by him as a child.
(5.) There was need of a continual growth, that there might be a distinction between the state of his humiliation and exaltation. As in us, we know now but in part, but then that which is perfect will come, 1 Cor. xiii. 9, 10 ; so in Christ, he was to know somewhat as a child, more as a man. And there is a distinction between what he knew as a man in the state of his humiliation, and what he knoweth now in the state of his exaltation. He still knew what was necessary to his office : John V. 27, ' And he hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.' He exerciseth lordship over all things, therefore his knowledge is as vast as his empire. In Judea he knew those he conversed withal, yea, he knew their hearts ; but now all judgment is put in his hand. And herein is nothing asserted unworthy of Christ ; for as the divine nature did in some manner shut up and conceal and hide its majesty in itself during the humiliation of the Son of God, that it might not discover that dignity which appeared in his exaltation, so the spirit of wisdom was held in and restrained, that it might not presently put forth its perfections, but by little and little according to the state of Christ.
Use 1. Is to teach us to admire the condescension of the Son of God, who submitted to all our sinless infirmities, and would grow, and be improved in soul as well as body.
1. The oftener we think of this, the more should our hearts be filled with reverence at this stupendous mystery. It is without controversy great, that the Son of God should be as other infants ; be carried nine months in the womb, be suckled, swaddled, brought up as other children, and grow in wisdom and stature as they do. Is this the great God that made all things, and governeth all things at his plea- sure ? Is this the fountain of wisdom, and the author of all perfec- tion ? Yes, it is he. But this abasing is for our sakes. The begin- ning of his humiliation was in the very womb, the progress of it from the cradle to the grave.
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2. If Christ grew in wisdom, so must we : 2 Peter iii. 18, ' But grow ill grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.' We have not only incapacity, but the veil of ignorance. It is little we know of God at our best. Therefore let us open and ripen by degrees, from good going on to better, that we may be best at last. When it is declining time with the outward man, yet the inward man may be renewed day by day, 2 Cor. iv. 6. Long use of means and many experiences should perfect us. Therefore let there be a continual progress in grace and knowledge, till we grow to a perfect man in Christ Jesus, Eph. iv. 13. To be a child of days is as monstrous a thing as to keep to the stature of a child when thirty or forty years old. So it is in Christianity : Heb. v. 12, ' When for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again the first prin- ciples of the oracles of God.' When God hath given us means to improve our knowledge, it is inexcusable to be ignorant.