Exposition of John, Chapter 1 · Verse 12
Ver. 16. And of his fulneſs have all we received, and grace for grace.
In the next branch of this commendation, John preferreth Chriſt to all beleevers, as being he in whom all fulneſſe dwelleth, and from whoſe fulneſſe: all graces and gifts that ever any had, or hath, do flow, in all the ſteps and degrees thereof. Doctrine 1. All men, and even the choiſeſt of Chriſts ſervants, are by nature, and of themſelves, empty of any thing that is good; for, ſo much is implied in that we muſt receive of his fulneſſe. 2. All fulneſſe of grace and goodneſſe for ſupply of beleevers wants, is treaſured up in Chriſt; He hath an increated fulneſſe as God, and as man, a created fulneſſe; A fulneſſe of dignities and prerogagatives; a fulneſſe of divine perfections, gifts, and graces anſwerable to theſe dignities, the fulneſſe of the Godhead dwelleth in him bodily, and the Spirit without meaſure is poured out upon him; for, this is alſo ſuppoſed that he hath this fulneſſe. 3. The fulneſſe that is in Chriſt is for the ſupply of all beleevers wants, as their treaſure and ſtore-houſe. Theſe who come to him, he needs them not to receive from them, but to give unto them, he needs not their fulneſſe, but their emptineſſe, that his fulneſſe may overflow to the ſupply thereof; And this may invite ſinners to come to him as they need; for, of his fulneſſe we receive, 4. God hath in great mercy ſo ordered the way of his peoples ſalvation, as not to entruſt their own ſtock of grace into their own hands, as he did to Adam before the fall, but to put them and their allowance in Chriſts hand, that he might keep it for them, who can contain infinitely more then they could receive, and they may come and draw it daily out of him as they need; for, ſo is it ordered here that he hath the fulneſſe, and we receive of his fulneſſe. 5. There is no man of any rank, quality, or degree that hath any gift or grace, but he hath it of Chriſt; The moſt eminent ought to look humbly on what he hath as Chriſts gift, and the meaneſt ought to adore and acknowledge his wiſdome and love who lets out ſuch a meaſure to every member as he pleaſeth, for, of his fulneſſe have all we, Prophets, Apoſtles, Beleevers, &c. received. 6. Whatever beleevers get from Chriſt, yet he remaineth ſtill full; as the ſea diminiſheth not by rivers coming from it, and as the Sun doth not wear nor loſe light, by giving light to all; ſo Chriſt is ſtill the ſame for fulneſſe, notwithſtanding what he communicateth; for, it is of his fulneſſe we all receive, it is ſtill fulneſſe when all receive of it. 7. Whatever any receive of Chriſt, it comes of grace, and not of merit; and the free favour of God, and the gracious effects thereof, are the chief fruits flowing from Chriſts fulneſſe; for, in both theſe reſpects it is ſaid all we receive, and (or, even) grace. 8. Whoſoever do receive true grace from Chriſt, they will be receiving grace after grace; And as they do not receive grace all at once, but by degrees and ſo ſhould not ſit up on any meaſure received; So Chriſts giving of grace unto them is an argument why he will give them yet more grace; for, we have received grace for grace, that is, grace upon grace, grace after grace, and more grace, becauſe he hath already given grace. 9. Not onelyonly what the Elect do receive at their firſt converſion, but even what they receive after grace given, comes not of merit, but from the firſt to the laſt, is grace ſtill; for, it is grace for grace, and ſo ſtill grace, and grace for graces ſake, Rom. 12.6. Epheſ. 3.7. 10. This grace received by us for grace, or, anſwering to grace, as the Original will bear, may relate to grace in Chriſt and coming by Chriſt; And ſo it may teach further. 1. Chriſt is not onelyonly the ſtore-houſe, from whoſe fulneſſe grace floweth to beleevers, but the procuring cauſe thereof alſo; grace being given to them, becauſe of his redemption and righteouſneſſe made theirs of free grace; And becauſe his gracious acceptance with the Father as Mediator, takes in all his people in and with him; Thus do we receive grace for (or, be cauſe of) grace in him, and flowing from him. See Rom. 5.15, 17. Epheſ. 1.6. 2. As every beleever is a member of Jeſus Chriſt his myſtical body, ſo do they in their own meaſure, as members, receive grace anſwering to the grace poured out on him as head; being made ſonnes and co-heirs anſwering to his dignity in their meaſure and getting proportionable holineſſe, that there may be a conformity betwixt head and members; for, ſo we do receive grace for grace, or anſwering to grace, to wit, in him.