The harmony of the divine attributes in the contrivance and accomplishment of man's redemption…

This will appear more fully by considering, There are some Virtues necessary to our condition as Creatures, or with respect to our state of trial here below, which the Deity is not capable of, and those most eminently appear in the Life of Christ. I will instance in three which are the Elements of Christian Perfection. His Humility in despising all the Honour of the World, His Obedience in Sacrificing His Will entirely to God's, and His Charity in procuring the Salvation of Men by his Sufferings: and in all these He denied to his Humane Nature the privilege due to it by its union with the Eternal Word.

This will appear more fully by considering, There are some Vertues necessary to our condition as Creatures, or with respect to our state of trial here below, which the Deity is not capable of, and those most eminently appear in the Life of Christ. I will instance in three which are the Elements of Christian Perfection. His Humility in despising all the Honour of the World, His Obedience in Sacrificing His Will intirely to God's, and His Charity in procuring the Salvation of Men by his Sufferings: and in all these He denied to his Humane Nature the priviledge due to it by its union with the Eternal Word.

1. Humility in strictness hath no place in God: He requires the Tribute of Glory from all his Creatures. And the Son of God had a right to Divine Honour upon his first Appearance here below. Yet He was born in a Stable, and made subject to our common imperfections. Although He was ordained to convert the World by his Doctrine and Miracles, yet for the tenth part of his time he lived concealed and silent, being subject to his Mother and reputed Father,¹ in the servile work of a Carpenter. And after his solemn investiture into his Office by a Voice from Heaven, yet he was despised and contemned; He refused to be a King, and stooped so low as to wash his Disciples feet. All this he did to instruct us to be meek and lowly, to correct our Pride,² the most intimate and radicated corruption of Nature. For as those Diseases are most incurable, which draw nourishment from that food which is taken for the support of Life; so Pride that turns virtuous actions which are the matter of praise into its nourishment, is most difficultly overcome. But the Example of the Son of God, in whom there is an union of all Divine and Humane Perfections, debasing himself to the form of a Servant, is sufficient, if duly considered, to make us walk humbly.