Period 2

Having shown how the work of redemption was carried on through the first period, from the fall of man to the incarnation of Christ, I come now to the second period, namely the time of Christ's humiliation, or the space from the incarnation of Christ to the resurrection. This is the most remarkable article of time that ever was, or ever will be. Though it was but between 30 and 40 years, yet more was done in it than had been done from the beginning of the world to that time. We have observed, that all that had been done from the fall to the incarnation of Christ, was only preparatory for what was done now. It may also be observed, that all that was done before the beginning of time, in the eternal councils of God, and that eternal transaction there was between the persons of the Trinity, chiefly respected this period. We therefore now proceed to consider the second proposition, namely

That during the time of Christ's humiliation, from his incarnation to his resurrection, the purchase of redemption was made.

Though there were many things done in the affair of redemption from the fall of man to this time, though millions of sacrifices had been offered up; yet nothing was done to purchase redemption before Christ's incarnation: no part of the purchase was made, no part of the price was offered till now. But as soon as Christ was incarnate, then the purchase began immediately without any delay: And the whole time of Christ's humiliation, from the morning that Christ began to be incarnate, till the morning that he arose from the dead, was taken up in this purchase. And then the purchase was entirely and completely finished. As nothing was done before Christ's incarnation, so nothing was done after his resurrection, to purchase redemption for men. Nor will there ever be anything more done to all eternity. But that very time that the human nature of Christ ceased to remain under the power of death, the utmost farthing was paid of the price of the salvation of every one of the elect.

But for the more orderly and regular consideration of the great things done by our Redeemer to purchase redemption for us.

1. I would speak of Christ's becoming incarnate to capacitate himself for this purchase;—and,

2. I would speak of the purchase itself.

Having shown how the work of redemption was carried on through the first period — from the fall of man to the incarnation of Christ — I turn now to the second period: the time of Christ's humiliation, covering the span from His incarnation to His resurrection. This is the most remarkable stretch of time that ever was or ever will be. Though it lasted only between thirty and forty years, more was accomplished in it than had been done from the beginning of the world to that point. We have observed that everything done from the fall to the incarnation of Christ was only preparatory for what was now to be done. It may also be noted that all that took place before the beginning of time — in the eternal counsels of God and the eternal transaction among the persons of the Trinity — looked forward primarily to this period. We therefore proceed to consider the second proposition:

During the time of Christ's humiliation — from His incarnation to His resurrection — the purchase of redemption was made.

Although many things had been done in connection with redemption from the fall of man up to this time, and although millions of sacrifices had been offered, nothing had yet been done to purchase redemption before Christ's incarnation. Not one part of the price had been paid, not one part of the purchase made, until now. But as soon as Christ was incarnate, the purchase began immediately, without delay. The entire time of Christ's humiliation — from the moment He was incarnate until the morning of His resurrection — was spent in this purchase. And then the purchase was entirely and completely finished. Nothing was done before Christ's incarnation to purchase redemption, and nothing was done after His resurrection to purchase it either. Nor will anything more ever be done to all eternity. At the very moment Christ's human nature was no longer held under the power of death, the last penny of the price of salvation for every one of the elect had been paid in full.

To consider in an orderly way the great things our Redeemer did to purchase redemption for us:

1. I will speak of Christ's becoming incarnate in order to qualify Himself for this purchase; and

2. I will speak of the purchase itself.