This morning I stumbled upon an excellent resource called Puritan Library. I have limited exposure to the Puritans writings so I was exciting to know that I can get a taste without having to go out and purchase any of their works right now. I’m not a huge fan of reading digital material, especially for long stretches, but I like the idea that I can expose myself to it and then purchase some of it for further reading and study. The following is a excerpt from a collection of sermons on the Westminster Catechism by puritan writer Thomas Watson.
The following exerpt spoke to me deeply this morning–
Quoted from:
By Thomas Watson
Do not be proud of your fine feathers!
Behold here a sacred riddle or paradox–“God was manifest
in the flesh.” That man should be made in God’s image, was
a wonder–but that God should be made in man’s image, is
a greater wonder!
That the Ancient of Days–should be born;
that He who thunders in the heavens–should cry in the cradle;
that He who rules the stars–should suck the breast;
that Christ should be made of a woman–and of that
woman which He Himself made;
that the mother should be younger than the child she bore;
this is the most astonishing miracle! “God was manifest in
the flesh” is a mystery we shall never fully understand until
we come to heaven, when our light shall be clear, as well as
our love perfect.
“He humbled Himself and became obedient to
death–even death on a cross!” Philippians 2:8
“God made Him who had no sin–to be sin for us!”
2 Corinthians 5:21
This was the lowest degree of Christ’s humiliation.
That Christ, who would not endure sin in the angels,
should endure to have sin imputed to Himself–is the
most amazing humility that ever was!
Christian! Learn to be humble! Do you see Christ humbling
Himself–and are you proud? It is the humble saint, who is
Christ’s picture! Christians, do not be proud of your fine
feathers! Have you an estate? Do not be proud. The earth
you tread on is richer than you! It has mines of gold and
silver in its depths. Have you beauty? Do not be proud. It
is but water mingled with dirt! Have you skill and abilities?
Be humble. Lucifer has more knowledge than you! Have you
grace? Be humble. It is not of your own making–it was
given to you by God. You have more sin than grace; more
spots than beauty. Oh look on Christ–this rare pattern of
humility–and be humbled! It is a sad sight, to see God
humbling Himself–and man exalting himself; to see a
humble Savior–and a proud sinner! God hates the very
semblance of pride! “I hate pride and arrogance!”
Proverbs 8:13
“If God,” says Augustine, “did not spare the angels
when they grew proud; will He spare you–who are
but dust and sin?”
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Christmas time is coming! Let’s remember the greatest miracle…God being manifested in the flesh!
Ponder the humility of Christ (Phil 2:1-11) and consider what that means for his disciples.
