Is that state of meanness and distress to which he voluntarily descended, for the purpose of executing his mediatorial work. This appears,

1. In his birth. He was born of a woman a sinful woman; though he was without sin, Galatians 4:4 . A poor woman, Luke 2:7; Luke 2:24 . In a poor country village, John 1:46 . In a stable, an abject place of a nature subject to infirmities, Hebrews 2:9 . hunger, thirst, weariness, pain, &c.

2. In his circumstances, laid in a manger when he was born; lived in obscurity for a long time; probably worked at the trade of a carpenter; had not a place where to lay his head; and was oppressed with poverty while he went about preaching the Gospel.

3. It appeared in his reputation: he was loaded with the most abusive railing and calumny, Is. 53: the most false accusations, Matthew 26:59; Matthew 26:67 . and the most ignominious ridicule, Psalms 22:6;. Matt 22: 68. John 7:35 .

4. In his soul he was often tempted, Matthew 4:1 , &c. Hebrews 2:17-18 . Hebrews 4:15 . grieved with the reproaches cast on himself, and with the sins and miseries of others, Hebrews 12:3 . Matthew 11:19 . John 11:35 , was burdened with the hidings of his Father's face, and the fears and impressions of his wrath, Psalms 22:1 . Luke 22:43 . Hebrews 5:7 .

5. In his death, scourged, crowned with thorns, received gall and vinegar to drink, and was crucified between two thieves, Luke 23:1-56 : John 19:1-42 : Mark 15:24-25 .

6. In his burial: not only was he born in another man's house, but he was buried in another man's tomb; for he had no tomb of his own, or family vault to be intered in, Is. 53: 10. &c. Matthew 13:46 .

The humiliation of Christ was necessary,

1. To execute the purpose of God, and covenant engagements of Christ, Acts 2:23-24 . Psalms 40:6-8 .

2. To fulfil the manifold types and predictions of the Old Testament.

3. To satisfy the broken law of God, and purchase eternal redemption for us, Isaiah 53:1-12 : Hebrews 9:12; Hebrews 9:15 .

4. To leave us an unspotted pattern of holiness and patience under suffering. Gill's Body of Div. p. 66, vol. 2: Brown's Nat. and Rev. Religion, p. 357; Ridgley's Body of Div. qu. 48.