+I. Christ's humiliation.+--Implied in the words, "He that
descended." These words bear the same sense with those of Ps.
cxxxix. 15, and may be properly taken for Christ's incarnation and
conception in the womb of the Virgin.--1. Because other expositions
may be shown to be unnatural, forced, or impertinent, and there is no
other besides this assignable. 2. Since Paul here uses David's words
it is most probable he used them in David's sense. 3. The words
descending and ascending are so put together in the text that they
seem to intend a summary of Christ's whole transaction in man's
redemption, begun in His conception and consummated in His ascension.
+II. Christ's glorious advancement and exaltation.+--"He ascended far
above all heavens" to the most eminent place in dignity and glory in
the highest heaven.
+III. The qualification and state of Christ's person in reference to
both conditions.+--He was the same, showing the unity of the two
natures in the same person.
+IV. The end of Christ's ascension.+--"That He might fill all
things." _All things_ may refer--1. To the Scripture prophecies and
predictions. 2. To the Church as He might fill that with His gifts
and graces. 3. To all things in the world. This latter interpretation
preferred. He may be said to fill all things--1. By the omnipresence
of His nature and universal diffusion of His Godhead. 2. By the
universal rule and government of all things committed to Him as
Mediator upon His ascension.--_South._