§. 14. Of Christs comming into the world.
THe time of Christs offering himself to do what he did, is thus expressed, When he •…•…eth into the world, or word for word, a 1.1 comming into the world.
This phrase setteth out the incarnation of Christ. A like phrase was used to set •…•…t the same thing, Chap. 1. v. 6. §. 66. But there it is attributed to the Father, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 when he bringeth in the first hegotten into the world▪
There are two distinct Greek words, translated, world in the b 1.2 one, and the c 1.3 other place.
Of the notation of the Greek word translated world in this place, See Chap. 4. v. 3. •…•…. 29▪
The very words of this Text, are applied to mens ordinary conception, and birth, I•…•…b. 1. 9. when a man is first born, he is said to come into the world, because he was not in the world before.
This sheweth that Christ came into the world as other men do. He took flesh, (Joh. 1. 14.) He came out of the wo•…•…b, Luk. 1. 31. and 2. 7. and passed thorow his infancy, childhood, and man-age here on earth.
All this he did that he might be a fit surety, and Saviour of man: and do, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 such things as were requisite for mans full redemption.
The foresaid phrase of comming into the world, may have further reference to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Christs humane nature with the divine. In regard of his divine nature, and manifestation of the glory thereof, he may be said to be in heaven: but by as∣suming humane nature he came into the world. Thus it is said that, he came down from, heaven, Joh. 3. 13. and he descended into the lower parts of the earth, Eph. 4. 9. Yea, himself thus saith of himself, I came forth from the Father, and am come into the world: again, I leave the world, and go to the Father. He came into the world by his incarnation: he left the world by his ascension into heaven.
This comming of the Son of God into the world giveth instance of the low degree of his humiliation: an evidence of his transcendent love of man: should not this bind us to him, and stir us up to love him, to obey him, to put our trust on him, and to undergo any condition he shall call us unto.