Pilate and the Centurion acknowledged him to be so, Heb. 4.15. Joh. 14.30. 1 Pet. 2.21, 22. & 1.19, 20.
Reas. 1. In regard of the purity of the divine nature. If there had been sin in the humane nature of Christ, it might have been said that God was a sinner.
2. That he might fulfill all the legal types and sacrifices, which were to be without blemish.
3. From our necessity to have such a Saviour, Heb. 7.26, 27. If he had offered sacrifice for himselfe, he had needed a Saviour to have redeemed him; If he had not been without sin, he had been swallowed up of death.
Obj. How could he be clean that was born of a woman? Job. 25.4.
Ans. He was not born by carnal generation, after the manner of men.
Ʋse 1 To shew a difference between the first and second Adam. The first Adam was a sinner, and propagated sins. The second Adam was without sin, and propagated righteousnesse, Rom. 5.19. We must not rest in a carnal ge∣neration, for our natural birth is polluted; untill we be born of him in whom is no sin we cannot be blessed.
2. It is a ground of consolation to such as feel themselves burthened and pressed down with sin; though we be sinfull, and laden, and compassed about with it, yet in Christ is no sin or spot in nature, heart, or life. He came to fulfill all righteousnesse, and paid all to God to the utmost farthing. Righte∣ous is Christ both in life and death, what is wanting in us is supplyed in him.
3. Hence we must learn all, not to judge our selves more sinfull and mise∣rable then others, because we are evill intreated in the world, and afflicted of God. Thus it was with Christ, it is our happinesse to doe well, though we suf∣fer evill, 1 Pet. 2.21, 22.