A body of divinity - Watson - XIV - Christ's humiliation in his incarnation

Required reading
A body of divinity by Thomas Watson (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read '6. Christ's humiliation in his incarnation'.

My summary
Today Watson looks at the Catechism's 27th question: 'Wherein did Christ's humiliation consist? A. Christ's humiliation consisted in his being born, and that in a low condition, made under the law, undergoing the miseries of this life, the wrath of God, and the cursed death of the cross...'

Watson unpacks theology of the incarnation by answering the following questions:
(i) How came Christ to be made flesh?;
(ii) But was there no other way for the restoring of fallen man but that God should take flesh?;
(iii) Why was Christ born of a woman?;
(iv) Why was Christ born of a virgin?;
(v) How could Christ be made of the flesh and blood of a virgin, and yet be without sin?;
(vi) What is meant by the power of the Holy Ghost overshadowing the virgin?;
(vii) When was Christ incarnate?;
(viii) Why was Jesus Christ made flesh?

Then Watson gives us some uses of the doctrine, namely of:
(i) instruction;
(ii) exhortation;
(iii) comfort.

What grabbed me
I enjoyed the exhortations to learn from the wonderful humility of Christ in his incarnation: 'From all this learn to be humble. Dost thou see Christ humbling himself, and art thou proud? It is the humble saint that is Christ’s picture. Christians, be not proud of fine feathers. Hast thou an estate? Be not proud. The earth thou treadest on is richer than thou. It has mines of gold and silver in its bowels. Hast thou beauty? Be not proud. It is but air and dust mingled. Hast thou skill and parts? Be humble. Lucifer has more knowledge than thou. Hast thou grace? Be humble. Thou hast it not of thy own growth; it is borrowed. Were it not folly to be proud of a ring that is lent? I Cor 4:4. Thou hast more sin than grace, more spots than beauty. Oh look on Christ, this rare pattern, and be humbled! It is an unseemly sight to see God humbling himself and man exalting himself; to see a humble Saviour and a proud sinner. God hates the very semblance of pride. He would have no honey in the sacrifice. Lev 2:11. Indeed, leaven is sour; but why no honey? Because, when honey is mingled with meal or flour, it makes the meal to rise and swell; therefore no honey. God hates the resemblance of the sin of pride; better want parts, and the comfort of the Spirit, than humility. Si Deus superbientibus angelis non pepercit. ‘If God,’ says Augustine, ‘spared not the angels, when they grew proud, will he spare thee, who art but dust and rottenness?’'

Kill your pride and follow the example of Christ in all humility.

Next week's reading
Read '7. Christ's exaltation' and '8. Christ the redeemer'.

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.