Thirdly, he is described by the nature and quality of his Person,§3 [Greek or Hebrew] &c. the man Christ Jesus. This description of him by one nature, and that the humane nature also, (wherein as you shall see anon, the Lord especially consulted our encouragement and Comfort) I say his being so described to us,1 hath through the corruption of men; been improved to the great dishonour of Jesus Christ, both by the Arians and Papists. The former took occasion from hence, to affirm that he was but [Greek or Hebrew] a mere man. The latter allow him to be the true God, but on this weak ground affirm, that he performed not the work of mediation as God, but only a man. Thus what the Spirit ordered for our comfort, is wickedly retorted to Christs ⟨p. 84⟩dishonour. For I doubt not but he is described by his humane nature in this place, not only because in this nature he paid that ransom; (which he speaks of in the words immediately following) but especially for the drawing of Sinners to him; seeing he is the man Christ Jesus. One that clothed himself in their own Flesh; and to encourage the Faith of Believers, that he tenderly resents all their wants, and miseries; and that they may safely trust him with all their concerns, as one that will carefully mind them as his own, and will be for them a merciful and faithful High-Priest, in things pertaining to God.
Thirdly, he is described by the nature and quality of his Person,§3 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 &c. the man Christ Iesus. This description of him by one nature, and that the humane nature also, (wherein as you shall see anon, the Lord especially consulted our encouragement and Comfort) I say his being so described to us,1 hath through the corruption of men; been improved to the great dishonour of Jesus Christ, both by the Arrians and Papists. The former took occasion from hence, to affirm that he was but 〈non-Latin alphabet〉 a meer man. The latter allow him to be the true God, but on this weak ground affirm, that he performed not the work of mediation as God, but only a man. Thus what the Spirit ordered for our comfort, is wickedly retorted to Christs ⟨p. 84⟩dishonour. For I doubt not but he is described by his humane nature in this place, not only because in this nature he paid that ransom; (which he speaks of in the words immediately following) but especially for the drawing of Sinners to him; seeing he is the man Christ Jesus. One that cloathed himself in their own Flesh; and to encourage the Faith of Believers, that he tenderly resents all their wants, and miseries; and that they may safely trust him with all their concerns, as one that will carefully mind them as his own, and will be for them a merciful and faithful High-Priest, in things pertaining to God.
- 1Cur quaso addidid bomo? nisi ad exprimeadam naturam, secundum quam Christus est mediator? Bella de Christo med. lib. 5. cap 3. Tom. 2.
