nd of union you have in verse 3. Christ so
infinitely above sinners, and higher than the heavens, coming down so low,
to be as like sinners as might be, or could be profitable for us, in the
likeness of sinful flesh, &c. But yet this bond is not near enough; that
conjunction seemeth but general and infirm; both because it is in some
manner common to all mankind who shall not be all advanced to this
privilege. By taking on our nature, he cometh nearer to human nature, but
not to some beyond others; and besides, the distance is not filled up this
way, because there is a great disproportion between that nature in Christ
and in us. In him it is holy and undefiled, and separated from sin; but in
us it is unclean and immersed into sin; so that, albeit he be nearer us as
a man, yet he is far distant and unlike us,--a holy perfect man. Now, what
fellowship can be between light and darkness, as Paul speaketh of the
marriage of Christians with idolaters? Much greater distance and
disagreement is between Christ and us. Therefore, it seemeth, that some of
us must be changed and transformed. But him it may not be. He cannot
become liker us than by partaking of our flesh; for if he had become a
sinner indeed, he would have become so like us that he could not help
himself nor us either. This would eclipse the glory and happiness of the
marriage. But in that he came as near as could be, without disabling
himself, to make us happy; and so he was contented to come in the place of
sinners, and take on their debt, and answer to God's justice for it; yea,
and in his own person he submitted to be tempted to sin, though it had
been evil for us he had been overcome by it; yet this brings him a step
lower and nearer us, and maketh the union more hopeful. But since he can
come no lower, and can be made no liker us in the case we are in, then
certainly--if the match hold--we must become liker him, and raised up out of
our miserable estate, to some suitableness to his holy nature. And,
therefore, the love and wisdom of God, to fill up the distance completely,
and effectuate this happy conjunction, that the creation seemeth to groan
for,--for (ver. 22) the whole creation is pained till it be
accomplished,--he hath sent his blessed Spirit to dwell in us, and to
transform our natures, and make them partakers of the divine nature, (2
Pet. i. 4) as Christ was partaker of human nature; and thus the distance
shall be removed. When a blessed Spirit is made f