An exposition of the Symbol or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenor…An exposition of the Symbole or Creed of the Apostles according to the tenour…

The use of the personal union is threefold. First it serves to show the heinousness of our sins, and the greatness of our misery. For it had not been possible to make a satisfaction to Gods justice in mans nature for the least offence, unless the same nature had first of all been nearly joined to the godhead of the son; that thereby it might be so far forth supported and sustained that it might overcome the wrath of God. Secondly it sets forth unto us the endless love of God to man. For whereas by reason of Adams fall we are become the vilest of all creatures, except the devil and his angels: yet by his mystical conjunction, our nature is is exalted to such an estate and condition as is far above all creatures even the angels themselves. Thirdly it is as it were the key of all our comfort: for all sound comfort stands in happiness, all happiness is in fellowship with God, all fellowship with God is by Christ, who for this cause being very God, became very man, that he might reconcile man to God and God to man.

The use of the personall union is threefold. First it serues to shew the heinousnesse of our sinnes, and the greatnesse of our miserie. For it had not bene possible to make a satisfaction to Gods iustice in mans nature for the least offence, vnlesse the same nature had first of all bene neerely ioyned to the godhead of the sonne; that thereby it might be so far forth supported and sustained that it might ouercome the wrath of God. Secondly it sets forth unto us the endles loue of God to man. For whereas by reason of Adams fall wee are become the vilest of all creatures, except the deuill and his angels: yet by his mysticall coniunction, our nature is is exalted to such an estate and condition as is farre aboue all creatures euen the angels themselues. Thirdly it is as it were the keye of all our comfort: for all sound comfort standes in happinesse, all happinesse is in fellowship with God, all fellowshippe with God is by Christ, who for this cause beeing verie God, became verie man, that he might reconcile man to God and God to man.

Thus much of the conception of Christ: now follows ⟨p. 165⟩his birth: whereby in the ordinary time of travel according to the course of nature he was brought forth into the world by the virgin Mary. And it was the will of God,