§. 59. Of Christ but little lower then Angels.
ANother limitation is of the time or degree of Christs humiliation. I use this disjunction of time or degree, because thea 1.1 Greek word used by the Apostle, hath reference to both. To the time, and is translated a little while (Luk. 22. 58.) and a little space, Acts 5. 34. To the quantity, Ioh. 6. 7. Heb. 13. 22. Theb 1.2 Hebrew word, used by the Psalmist, hath, for the most part, reference to the degree or measure, and is translated little: as Psal. 38. 16. A little that a righteous man hath, &c. Yet is this Hebrew word sometimes also used to set out the time: as Deut. 7. 32. The Lord will put out those Nations by little and little, that is, some at one time, and some at another.
On the other side the Greek word also is put for measure; as Ioh. 6. 7. Take a little. Our English translators have observed, that the Greek word may signifie either time or measure, in that they put one in the text, and the other in the mar∣gin; thus, a little lower, or a little while inferior.
Both these acceptions may well stand, and be applied to the point in hand. For Christs humiliation may be said to be little in measure, and in time: and both these simply and comparatively.
- 1. Simply, Because for measure, it was no other, then isc 1.3 common to man: and for continuance, it was, at the furthest but from his conception to his ascension.
- 2. Compartively, It was but light in measure, having reference to his almigh∣ty power: and but short in time, having reference to his eternity.
Christ verily, as a surety for sinners, underwent the wrath of God and curse of* 1.4 the Law (Gal. 3. 13.) which was so heavy a burthen, as it troubled his soul (Joh. 12. 27.) made him exceedingly sorrowfull to the death (Mar. 13. 34.) and it cast him into such an agony, as his sweat was, as it were, great drops of blood falling down to the ground, Luk. 22. 44. It made him once, and twice, and again thus to pray, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup passe from me (Matth. 26. 39.) and to cry out and say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matth. 26. 46. In these respects, if ever any on earth, were such an one, as the fore-mentioned Hebrew word signifieth, a mise∣rable man, in a desperate and incurable case, Christ, as a meer man, according to humane strength, was in that his bitter agony. Yet in regard of the union of his divine nature with the humane, that agony was neither desperate nor incurable; but tolerable and momentany. He well endured it, and freed himself from it. Thus was it but little, in regard of measure and time.
Christs humiliation was thus moderated, because it was not for his own destru∣ction,* 1.5 but for the salvation of others. In relation to his bitter agony it is said, that in the days of his flesh he offered up prayer and supplication with strong crying and tears: and that he was heard in that he feared, Heb. 5. 7.
By Gods ordering his Sonnes estate in his sufferings, we may rest upon this, that* 1.6 he will answerably order the sufferings of the members of Christ; so, as they shall neither be too heavy, nor too long: they shall be but little in measure and time. This the Apostle thus expresseth, Our light affliction, which is but for a moment, &c. 2. Cor. 4. 17. And again, There hath no temptation taken you, but such as is common to man. And God will not suffer you to be tempted above that you are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, 1 Cor. 10. 13.
Their sufferings are by God inflicted, not in hatred, but in love; not for their destruction, but for their instruction: This is a forcible motive to patience.
Herein lies a main difference betwixt the afflictions of Christs members and o∣thers. Though God correct the former, yet his mercy shall not depart away from them: but from others it may clean depart, 2 Sam. 7. 15.