BOOK III: The fulness of abilities which are in Christ to accomplish the work of our redemption, wh
we to be changed into his image, being made partakers of the divine nature. As he took our whole nature, to save the whole of it, so let us consecrate the whole to him, and 'be sanctified throughout in body, soul, and spirit;' as 1 Thess. 5:23, 'Cleanse we ourselves from all pollution of flesh and spirit,' soul and body, 2 Cor. 7:1. And as he came as near in likeness to our nature (as was shewn) as possibly he could, in conception, in birth, and in everything, yet so as he might avoid sin, so should we come as near to him as is possible. Be we 'like him in all things.' In his power and prerogative indeed we cannot; they are as incommunicable to us, as our sin was to him; but in graces and in holiness we may, in meekness and humility we may.
And as he took up our infirmities, so take we up his cross; be we willing to be 'made conformable to him in sufferings' for him. And as his human nature subsists wholly in the second person, losing its own proper personal subsistence to be one with him, and to become a fit instrument together with him of our salvation; so be we content to lose ourselves and our own personal proprieties, to subsist only in him and to him, and to be for ever serviceable unto his glory.
BOOK III:
The fulness of abilities which are in Christ to accomplish the work of our redemption, which are impossible to be found in any other person.
For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins. Wherefore, when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast