The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

Now for the other Branch, we may observe that for thirty years, which was the greatest part of our Saviours life on earth, he lived in a most obscure condition, reckoned even in Israel, but as the Carpenters son, and made subject to the authority of that poor man Joseph: In all which time no man regarded him, or once acknowledged his glory, either as the Son of God, or King of the Jews, or Saviour of the world: and in this time was the old prophecy fulfilled, He was as a Root growing up out of a dry ground, he hath no form or comeliness, and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him: he is despised and rejected of men, and we hide our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not, Isaiah 53. 2, 3. And hence godly men may learn to be patient, and contented, though the world know them not, and acknowledge not their glory of the sons of God, though he live many a day, month, and year, without being desired, or esteemed in the world. It was thus with the Natural Son, and therefore the Adopted sons should not think it strange, 1 John 3. 1, 2▪ If our life be hid, so was Christs also, Coloss. 3. 3. And this Example of Christ should greatly check the unquietness of the minds of many, that cannot abide to be neglected, and so violably hunt after acceptation and fame in the world. And thus much for his sufferings from his Birth to his Baptism, in all which time our Saviour carried himself but as a private man, and spent his time in performing a most exact obedience to the Law of God, and the commandment of Joseph his reputed father.

Now for the other Branch, we may obserue that for thirty yeares, which was the greatest part of our Sauiours life on earth, he liued in a most obscure condition, reckoned euen in Israel, but as the Carpenters sonne, and made subiect to the authoritie of that poore man Ioseph: In all which time no man regarded him, or once acknowledged his glory, either as the Sonne of God, or King of the Iewes, or Sauiour of the world: and in this time was the old prophecie fulfilled, He was as a Root growing vp out of a drie ground, he hath no forme or comlinesse, and when we shall see him, there is no beautie that we should desire him: he is despised and reiected of men, and we hide our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not, Esay 53. 2, 3. And hence godly men may learne to be patient, and contented, though the world know them not, and acknowledge not their glory of the sonnes of God, though he liue many a day, month, and yeare, without being desired, or esteemed in the world. It was thus with the Naturall Sonne, and therefore the Adopted sonnes should not thinke it strange,