Glorious Mystery - Chapter 15

Here is the third respect we have to Christ in religion, which were begun in chapter 3. It is our own conformity to him "which is required of us." (p. 169). As we behold his glory, we have it implanted on our minds which then transforms our minds into his image. This image will be considered in two parts:

1. "the internal grace and holiness of the human nature of Christ" (p. 169) - conformity of the Christian to this is their duty. Here are some grounds natures and means to this pursuit: a) God in his human nature: "did not derive his nature from Adam in the same way that we do" (p. 170) and was thus full of grace and truth. b) This set us an example of what he would change us into, and what we ought to work for (Rom. 8:29). c) We can only grasp this in the gospel as it is only "perfectly exemplified in Christ" (p. 172). d) the life of God in us, the Holy spirit, and the original gospel duty, are to conform us to Jesus Christ. This is so that we would be like the image of God as was required in the Old Testament (Lev. 11:44) but of course the law could not achieve this.

For them that believe the gospel, their highest aim is to be like Jesus Christ. We will consider this in two ways a) what is required in this endeavour - a spiritual light to behold the excellence of Christ, else we will not conform unto him. If we do not behold the meekness and lowliness of heart (Matt. 11:29) Christ has we will not endeavour to conform unto them. As with all his qualities. b) what are we to do to fulfill the duty - to love those things we discover about Christ.

Two ways we labour unto this likeness of Christ: a) a hatred of all sin, in its beginnings. To do this you must behold the sinless perfection of Christ constantly. b) keep growing like him, always, in every way (every grace).

2. Christ's example in the work of obedience - we will consider some reapects in which Christ is our example. a) his love and willingness to attend to mankind. We are to follow this example (Phil 2:5, Eph. 5:2). b) his readiness for the cross. And we must deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him (if we want to be his disciple).

The forth and final respect we have to Christ in religion is, the use of his person for believers concerning the their relation and duty to God. Some points here. a) the believer's sanctification b) the believer's justification. there are three heads under which these things may be considered: i) they are comunicated to us by the grace of Christ who is the head of the church. ii) the are obtained as we live the life of faith and we a) obey Jesus Christ b) keep becoming more like Christ. iii) also by a conviction that these things come only by the "actual exercise of faith on the person of Christ" (p. 178)