A Body of Practical Divinity

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. 5.21. He was like a sinner, he had all sin laid upon him, but no sin lived in him. Isa. 53.12. He was numbered among Transgressors. He who was numbered among the Persons of the Trinity, he is said to bear the sins of many, Hebr. 9.28. Now, this was the lowest degree 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 endure to have sin imputed to him, it is the most amazing Humility that ever was.

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. 5.21. He was like a sinner, he had all sin laid upon him, but no sin lived in him. Isa. 53.12. He was numbred among Transgressors. He who was numbred among the Persons of the Trinity, he is said to bear the sins of many, Hebr. 9.28. Now, this was the lowest degree 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 indure to have sin imputed to him, it is the most amazing Humility that ever was.

From all this learn to be humble. Dost thou see Christ humbling himself, and art thou proud? 'Tis the humble Saint is Christ's Picture. Christian, be not proud of your fine Feathers: 1. Hast thou an Estate, be not proud, the Earth thou treadest on is richer then 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, be humble, Lucifer hath more knowledge than thou. 4. Hast thou Grace, be humble; thou hast it not of thy own growth, it is borrowed. Were it not a folly to be proud of a Ring that is lent.