Hebrews 2:9

Heb. 2:9. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels for the suffering of death, crowned with glory and honour; that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man.

This text, at the beginning of the section, is used to justify the argument in Freedom of the Will that Christ's moral actions, though necessary, were virtuous and rewardable. Otherwise, they could not motivate Christians. In the midst of his highly "metaphysical" treatise, Edwards rests his argument on Bible statements.

If we judge by Scriptural representation of things, we have reason to suppose, that Christ took upon him our nature, and dwelt with us in this world, in a suffering state, not only to satisfy for our sins; but that he, being in our nature and circumstances, and under our trials, might be our most fit and proper example, leader and captain, in the exercise of glorious and victorious virtue, and might be a visible instance of the glorious end and reward of it; that we might see in him the beauty, amiableness, and true honor and glory, and exceeding benefit of that virtue, which it is proper for us human beings to practise; and might thereby learn, and be animated, to seek the like glory and honor, and to obtain the like glorious reward. See Hebrews 2:9-14, with Hebrews 5:8; Hebrews 5:9, and Hebrews 12:1; Hebrews 12:2; Hebrews 12:3; John 15:10; Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:11; 2 Timothy 2:12; 1 Peter 2:19; 1 Peter 2:20; 1 Peter 4:13. But if there was nothing of any virtue or merit, or worthiness of any reward, glory, praise or commendation at all, in all that he did, because it was all necessary, and he could not help it; then how is here any thing so proper to animate and incite us, free creatures, by patient continuance in well doing, to seek for honor, glory, and virtue?

Heb. 2:10