Forty Sermons, Sermon 15
SERMON XV. ON PROV. 8. 21.
foreign.
That I may cauſe to inherit.
WE have hitherto in the firſt particular treated of what At St. Maries Auguſt 10. 1656.Chriſt is in himſelf, and to them that love him. And that is foreign ſubſtantial reality.
In the ſecond we are now come to conſider the Tenure and Title in which they are promiſed to be ſeized and poſſeſſed of him, and this that other word foreign expreſſeth. It is by way of free and perpetual inheritance: ſo that what Solomon elſewhere ſaith, that wiſdom is good with an inheritance, that he avoucheth to be found in Eccleſ. 7. 11.the wiſdom here ſpoken of, both ſubſtance, and Inheritance, foreign, that I may cauſe them to inherit ſubſtance. And that holdeth forth to us, as I even now hinted,
1. The freeneſs of it, our claim to it not being merit, or purchaſe, or ſelf-procurement, but only free gift and inheritance; for however to inherit often ſignifieth in general to poſſeſs, and ſo Haeres and Dominus, or Herus are the ſame, and an inheritance may be ſaid to be gotten (by the father) Prov. 20. 21. yet the Child that cometh to enjoy it, neither purchaſed it by his penny, nor procured it by his labour. Inheritances were wont to be divided by lot, Ezek. 47. 22. which ſpeaks God's allotment, and are now uſually either born to or by favour adopted to, and ſo are of the Father's, Prov. 19. 14. not of the Child's procurement. In Ravenell ad vocem Haereditas. Schindler in foreign.a word both from Scripture, and common uſe an inheritance is in part deſcribed to be that, quod gratis cedit in poſſeſſionem.
And ſo it is here. Chriſt and that Grace and Glory which cometh to us by him are only and altogether of mere grace, by none of our merit or purchaſe, and therefore in this ſenſe are all ſaid in Scripture to be conveyed to us by way of inheritance. He that overcometh ſhall inherit all things, Rev. 21. 7.
To have all things is a great poſſeſſion, but yet all by Inheritance. So we are ſaid to be heirs of God and joint-heirs with Chriſt, Gal. 3. 29.Rom. 8. 17. to inherit promiſes, Heb. 6. 12. to be heirs of righteouſneſs, Heb. 11. 7. of Salvation, Heb. 1. 14. of the Kingdom, James 2. 5. which the Elect ſhall at laſt inherit, Matth. 25. 34. Come ye bleſſed of the Father, Inherit the Kingdom. That word inherit tells us by what Title we come by it, as alſo thoſe that follow, prepared for you from the foundation of the world, that if ſo early provided for us before we were, it was not of our purchaſing, but of God's preparing, as here in the Text foreign that I may cauſe them to inherit ſubſtance. If it be an heritage, it's God's cauſing us to inherit it, not any thing in us that may procure or merit it.
Away then with the proud doctrine of Merit: and let every Ʋſe. humble ſoul be glad and thankful that he may have all of free gift and inheritance. And if you ſay that, Col. 3. 24. we read thoſe words foreign, as though this inheritance were a reward, I only ſay that they are ſtrangers in the Scriptures, that know not that there may be a reward of grace and not of merit, and that the Pſalmiſt ſpake not contradictions when he ſaid, Pſal. 62. 12. Ʋnto thee O Lord belongeth mercy, for thou rewardeſt every man according to his work, non quod mereantur, ſed quia Deus miſereatur, as Auſtin ſpeaks, and therefore (as Baſil obſerves) that this foreign is foreign, Retributio, Donum. Gods In Pſal. 7.reward is his free gift. So in other places and in that mentioned the Apoſtle ſpeaking of Chriſtian ſervants, he telleth them for their comfort that ſuch ſervants are by adoption made Sons, and See B…za, Piſcator in locum.ſo inſtead of the reward or the wages of ſervants they ſhall receive an inheritance of Sons, ſo that their inheritance is not ſo much a reward, as their reward an inheritance: and therefore as the word reward doth not imply merit, ſo that other word inheritance doth exclude it. Our reward is our inheritance, and our inheritance is from our Birth and Sonſhip, and that is merely only from our Father and his love. We never made our ſelves heirs, John 1. 13. Epheſ. 1. 5. 1 John 3. 1.but (as the word in the Text is) He cauſeth us to inherit. Here is no free will, but free-grace, no merit, but mere mercy.
Indeed David often in his prayers pleads both God's righteouſneſs and his own righteouſneſs. But when Gods, it's either for his righteous taking vengeance on his enemies, or his righteous fulfilling of his promiſe, and both theſe ſpeak free mercy.
When he pleads his own righteouſneſs, it's either the righteouſneſs Vide Contarenum de Juſtificatione, pag. 594. edit. Pariſ.of his cauſe in reference to unjuſt men, or the integrity of his heart before God.
But there's no merit in all this, for our righteouſneſs is our duty, and it's but righteous for us to perform it; and in that reſpect our very mercy is juſtice: foreign as ſome read that, Matth. 6. 1.
And on the contrary God's righteouſneſs in thoſe places is all one with his Benignity and Mercy, unleſs you will (with ſome) Mui… in Pſal. 36. 12.thus diſtinguiſh them, that his righteouſneſs is in vouchſafing as much as he promiſeth, and his mercy, in giving more, and ſuch it is even to them who may ſeem to be moſt deſerving. So David, when he had thankfully acknowledged that God had recompenſed him according to his righteouſneſs, Pſal. 18. 24. immediately in the 25. verſe he adds, with the merciful thou wilt ſhew thy ſelf merciful. He doth not ſay juſt in giving him what he deſerveth, but even with the merciful, who might bid the faireſt for merit, thou wilt ſhew thy ſelf merciful, i. e. in giving what thy mercy freely vouchſafeth, not what even his mercy can juſtly challenge. And therefore (to put an end to this particular) let us all, the beſt of us all pray and ſay with the ſame Pſalmiſt, ſhew us thy Pſal. 85. 7.mercy O Lord, and grant us thy Salvation. Whatever we are, God ſheweth us his free and great mercy if he grant us his ſalvation, ſo here in the Text, this cauſing of us to inherit holdeth forth to us firſt the freeneſs of the conveyance.
2. The perpetuity of the enjoyment. That was ſufficiently implyed in the former particular, for the more ſubſtantial things are, the more laſting they uſe to be. But if withal it come by way of inheritance, that ſpeaks it to be more than an ordinary gift, or the portion of the ſons of the Concubines, more than ſpending-money, or what periſheth in the uſe of it: more than a moveable or an Annuity, it's a perpetuity, an Inheritance being that which deſcendeth from Father to Son, from one generation to another, Firma poſſeſſio.that which a man liveth on, abides by, of all elſe can leaſt indure to be thruſt out of, as we ſee in Naboth's example, 1 Kings 21. 3. and find by our own experience. So the law was Iſraels inheritance, which they ſhould always obſerve, Deut. 33. 4. and ſo was the land of Canaan, out of which they ſhould not remove, 2. Sam. 7. 10. Indeed by reaſon of their ſins that good land hath Levit. 18. 28. 20. 22.ſpewed them out, ſo that according to that threat, Jer. 17. 4. they now diſcontinue from their heritage, ſuch prodigals were they, and ſo are many more like them, and ſo vain and unſtable are all outward enjoyments that even inheritances prove not perpetuities. But this in the Text doth: And therefore Mercer thus rendreth the words, Ʋt haereditare faciam eſſe perpetuum. This ſubſtance here promiſed is an enduring ſubſtance, Hebr. 10. 34. This Inheritance is for ever, Pſal. 37. 18. is foreign, incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away, that which cannot be corrupted from without, nor decay from within, and ſo every way incorruptible, and moreover is reſerved in heaven for us, and we by the power of God through faith preſerved and kept to it, 1 Pet. 1. 4, 5. More could not be ſaid for its ſtability in it ſelf, and for our ſure and indefeizible eſtate and intereſt in it. An inheritance ſetled upon us by God the Father's Eternal Decree, Matth. 25. 34.
Purchaſed for us at a very high rate by Chriſt, who himſelf is Heir of all things, Hebr. 1. 2. and therefore if we claim under him, our Title to it is ſtrong and ſure.
And we kept in poſſeſſion by the ſpirit of God, and this as he is the Power of God, 1 Pet. 1. 5. and therefore no fear of an Ejectio Firmae. No cauſe of a diſtruſtful deſponding fear, either of the decay of what is ſo ſubſtantial, or of being caſt out of this inheritance ſo purchaſed, ſetled, and maintained with all the ſecurity of Heaven, and the diſtinct and yet joint care and work of all the Perſons in the Bleſſed Trinity.
Away then with that uncomfortable Doctrine of the Saint's Ʋſe 1 Apoſtaſie which would make their Inheritance moveables, and diſinherit the heirs of life. But Bleſſed be God, who (according to the former particulars) hath ſo ſetled this inheritance, that the intail can by no craft of man or Devil be cut off. Though the ſervant abideth not in the houſe for ever, yet the Son (the heir) abideth ever, John 8. 35. what's ours (as duties and performances) may be intercepted: what is of God's common bounty (as good things of this life, and common graces) may be loſt: what are his ſpecial largeſſes as acceſſories, (as feelings and enlargements) may fail: but the ſubſtance and inheritance abides and remains inviolable. When leaves fade or are blown off, yet the ſubſtance, Iſa. 6. 13. the root, Job 19. 28. remaineth. But not to go out of the Text, to inherit ſubſtance, are two very great and ſtrong words. Subſtance and inheritance ſpeak Perſeverance.
But it were well if our lives did ſpeak as much too, and that on Ʋſe 2 the contrary the deſperate Apoſtaſies (after profeſſion) of ſome that were never ſound, and the woful decays of others that were more ſincere, did not afford men of corrupt minds a Topick head of arguments to impugn and ſhake the ſetled ſtability of God's Peoples Inheritance. Such Aſahel's and Amaſa's, wallowing in their 2 Sam. 2. 23. 20. 12.blood, make many ſtand ſtill, not knowing what to ſay. Wo to them by whom ſuch offences come, which ſhould make us the more watchful and careful to maintain this our beſt inheritance. Young Heirs want not uſually ſuch as would either gull or thruſt them out of their inheritance. We live in ſuch times of errour and danger that the heirs of life had never more need than now to look to it that they be not wiped of theirs; whoſe care therefore ſhould be to take view of their goodly inheritance: and if it be Pſal. 16. 6.Chriſt and his Truth, and Grace, and Heaven, then to look to it, that neither by fair means nor foul they be either cheated or more violently thruſt out of their freehold, or any part of it. The Epheſ. 4. 14. Col. 2. 18. 2 John 7. 8. Revel. 3. 11.Lord forbid it me, that I ſhould give the inheritance of my fathers unto thee, was Naboth's anſwer to Ahab, who ſpake and offered fair to get it from him, 1 King. 21. 2, 3. And let it be ours to any (whoſoever they be) that with faireſt words, promiſes, or pretenſions, would cheat and bribe us out of this our Intereſt. Now the Lord forbid it to us to ſell our birthright with profane Eſau, to part with that inheritance which our Heavenly Father hath purchaſed for us with the blood of his dear Son.
And for outward violence our times are not ſo ſecure, but that although this our inheritance coſt us nothing in one kind for the purchaſe, yet it may coſt …s much to keep poſſeſſion. And what Conteſts, Suits, yea riots and tumults, often are there to keep poſſeſſion of earthly freeholds and inheritances? I am far from endeavouring to raiſe or foment outward ſtirs and tumults, but yet I am ſure this inheritance I now ſpeak of is of infinite more value, and challengeth proportionably more ſtanding for in a way of God, and therefore foreign, Heb. 12. 28. foreign, Hebr. 10. 23. nay foreign, Tit. 1. 9. if we have, let us hold, and that faſt, and that againſt all violence that would wreſt out of our hands ſuch a treaſure. Whatever elſe we loſe, be it eſtate, liberty, life it ſelf, which are but circumſtances, acceſſories, yet let us not part with Chriſt, his Grace and Truth, which is ſubſtance, and Inheritance. And therefore (as Ambroſe obſerves out of Gen. 2. 15.) Adam had De Paradiſo Cap. 4.a double task in Paradiſe, operari & cuſtodire, to work and keep: ſo let it be ours in managing this our inheritance to which we have a better Title upon better promiſes, that we both get and keep poſſeſſion. Let no man beguile you of your reward, ſaith Paul to his Coloſſians, Cap. 2. 18. Hold faſt (ſaith Chriſt to the Church of Philadelphia) that which thou haſt, let no man take thy Crown, Revel. 3. 11. Let no man gull or thruſt thee out of thy inheritance ſay I. It is God in Chriſt. And therefore reſolve with Aſaph when heart and fleſh fail, that He ſhall be the ſtrength of thy heart, Pſal. 16. 5.and thy portion, and that for ever, Pſal. 73. 26. It is his word and Truth, and therefore Contend for it, Jude v. 3. with David take it an heritage, and that for ever, Pſal. 119. 111.
It's his Grace, and therefore ſtand to it, perſevere in it, foreign, Revel. 2. 3. how elegant the expreſſion! But how much more pleaſing to God is the thing! In vindicating and ſecuring this inheritance to labour without fainting: to continue the ſuit, and to hold on the conflict without ceaſing. So two of the beſt of Gods ſervants in either Teſtament expreſs their practice and reſolution by their, I have done, and I do, I have and I will. I have ſuffered the loſs of all things for Chriſt, and I do count them dung, ſaith Paul, Phil. 3. 8. and one thing I have deſired of the Lord, and that which I will ſeek after, ſaith 2 Sam. 6. 21, 22. Hoſ. 6. 4.David, Pſal. 27. 4. Oh that our goodneſs were not as the morning-cloud, but as the morning-ſun, that, as Chriſt and his Grace is inheritance, an everlaſting inheritance, ſo we might cleave faſt Pro. 4. 18.to him, and enjoy him everlaſtingly. An Inheritance, when had, do not part with him.
And upon the ſame ground, as ſuch, let us prize and chuſe him. Ʋſe 3 Let other things have their due value as they are Gods gifts: But let Chriſt alone be eſteemed and deſired as our inheritance, Job 17. 11.
The thoughts and deſires of the heart are called foreign the poſſeſſions of the heart, i. e. that which the heart is poſſeſſed with. Such poſſeſſions Job there tells us may be broken off, and we from them. Such thoughts (though foreign gay, glittering ones, as the word ſignifieth) may periſh, Pſal. 146. 4. and ſuch deſires (though impetuous ones) may fail, Eccleſ. 12. 5. And all ſuch things which we have ſo firmly fixt our thoughts and deſires on, may either fade of themſelves or be taken away by the violence of others. Such inheritances we may eaſily be caſt out of, as the Prophet ſpeaks of ſome who oppreſs a man and his heritage, Micah 2. 2. and the lamenting Church complains that their inheritance was turned unto ſtrangers, and their houſes to aliens, Lam. 5. 2. The moſt ancient Mannor houſes may not prove Manſions; but time or violence may ruine them. The Houſes of Ivory ſhall periſh, and the great houſes ſhall have an end, ſaith the Lord, Amos 3. 15. We have need therefore of ſome better foundations, of a building not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.2 Cor. 5. 1.
Pleaſures, eſpecially of ſin, are but foreign, laſt but for a ſeaſon: flowers that ſoon wither in our hand. And although in our Hebr. 11. 25.vain wanton youth whilſt we enjoy them, we promiſe our ſelves ver perpetuum: and if we might but continue to enjoy them, ſo brutiſh are we that we could be content to have no other, no better inheritance; yet a ſummers ſcorching heat of many inflamed luſts of youth often on the ſudden burns them up, or an Autumns decay in after-times withers them, or to be ſure old ages winter froſt will at laſt quite kill them. We had need therefore of ſomething that is more ſolid and laſting, and which will afford us ſtrong and everlaſting conſolation.Hebr. 6. 18. 2 Theſ. 2. 16.
Should honour and eſteem and applauſe in the world be that which we would make a portion of, this were but to inherit the wind, as Solomon's phraſe is, the wind of anothers breath or Pro. 11. 29.applauſe, and ſuch wind continueth not to blow from the ſame quarter always. Unſtable would that houſe be which is turned about like the fan or weather-cock on the top of it, as ſeveral nay contrary blaſts of wind blow it. Indeed Solomon ſpeaks of the wiſe mans inheriting glory, Prov. 3. 35. and the honour and fame of ſome prudent pious men continueth longer than themſelves, and deſcendeth as an inheritance ſometimes to their poſterity. But how often is it buried with them or before them? or afterwards obſcured by their off-ſprings baſeneſs? Such an inheritance is ſoon ſpent, unleſs by taking hold of Chriſt and Gods Covenant we ſo gain an everlaſting Name that ſhall not be cut off, Iſa. 56. 4, 5.
Riches alſo are not for ever, but make to themſelves wings to fly Pro. 23. 5. See Cart. wright in lo. cum.away like-Eagles, ſo that either we never with all our haſte overtake them, or when once had and enjoyed and afterward flown away, we are never able to recover them, ſo that we have no reaſon to c…uſe our eyes to fly on them (as the word there is) which ſo f…y from us.
And doth the Crown endure to every generation? Prov. 27. 24. Remove the Diadem and take off the Crown, foreign this ſhall not be the ſame, I will overturn, overturn, overturn it, and it ſhall be no more, ſaith God by his Prophet, Ezek. 21. 26, 27. Our knowledge and experience hath told us that even hereditaty Crowns and Kingdoms may be removed and alienated.
And how ſhould this therefore alienate our affections from ſuch moveables, and make us lay more ſure hold on Chriſt, upon whom His Crown flouriſheth, Pſal. 132. 18. is not a withering garland; is ſubſtance, and an inheritance that will abide by us, will live, and on which we may live for ever. As therefore he is ſaid to chuſe the inheritance of his people for them, Pſal. 47. 4. O that he would once teach us all to chuſe right by making choice of him; that we had fixed everlaſting thoughts and deſires of this everlaſting inheritance, as it's called, Hebr. 9. 15. Theſe are the ſure mercies of David. We that are wont to be ſo Iſa. 55. 3.careful to make ſure other eſtates and inheritances to ourſelves and children and friends; O that we were ſo good friends to our ſelves and them, as to take more care to aſcertain this which is incorruptible, undefiled, and which fadeth not away.
Which if once ſecured, Happy, for ever happy we becauſe we Ʋſe 4 are made for ever. Subſtance and inheritance (as I ſaid) are two great words, which may prove very ſtrong ſupporters of the moſt broken arms. How well and comfortably do ſome live on Annuities that laſt but for a time! but how much more contentedly and joyfully doth the heir on his inheritance, which if he do not prodigally waſte but husband, will prove a perpetuity!
But what abundant ſatisfaction may this be to the heirs of life, that whereas all other earthly inheritances will be certainly conſumed if not before, yet at the laſt day, when the whole earth and all the works that are therein ſhall be burnt up: yet in this their 2 Pet. 3. 10.everlaſting inheritance they are provided for to eternity. Eternity, whether you look on the black or bright ſide of it, is a matter of ſaddeſt conſideration. To go at laſt either into everlaſting puniſhment, or life Eternal, Matth. 25. 46. On the one ſide the worm that never dieth, and the fire that never goeth out, may ſtartle and affright the moſt ſenſeleſs and obdurate ſinner; but the ſure poſſeſſion and everlaſting inheritance of everlaſting righteouſneſs here and everlaſting life hereafter, is that which cannot but adminiſter ſtrong and everlaſting conſolation to the pooreſt weakeſt believer. In this vaſt wide common of eternity which they can find no end of, they may be loſt as to their thoughts, but it's well that they are ſaved (though) becauſe it's in their own inheritance. Well may they ſay with David, the lines are fallen to me in pleaſant places, I have a goodly heritage, Pſal. 16. 6. What content do men uſe to take in their inheritances, continued to them in ſo many and ſo many deſcents from their great Anceſtors! Salve haerediolum majorum regna meorum Quod proavus, quod avus, Anſonius.quod pater excoluit. Though not Regna, but haerediola, though not Kingdoms, but far leſs matters, yet if our fore-father's inheritance, it's that which as we much ſet by, ſo we take very great content in. And how much more may every heir of life in his? whether continued in his earthly Progenitors ſeveral deſcents or no, yet an inheritance provided for him by his heavenly Father from eternity, Matth. 25. 34. and continued to him to eternity, v. 46. that he ſhall never out-live his means as the Prodigal did, nor out-laſt his inheritance: becauſe it is Chriſt, who is yeſterday Heb. 13. ….and to day and the ſame for ever. Subſtance! there is ſolid comfort. Inheritance! There is everlaſting conſolation. He may now add and ſay with the young man in the Goſpel, What lack I yet? Is there, Can there be yet any thing wanting? when the Commodity is ſo 1. ſubſtantial, 2. ſo laſting? No. If you add but a third to thoſe two, That there be enough of it; and that the following part of the Text adds. In Chriſt there was (we have ſeen)
1. Solid Reality. He is foreign ſubſtance.
2. Perpetuity. It's foreign. In him we inherit ſubſtance. To both which is added in the cloſe of the verſe.
3. Perfect fulneſs and plenty.
foreign
And I will fill their Treaſures.
Two very full words. Treaſures ſpeak Plenty, and Fulneſs fills up to the Brim, and leaveth no vacuity: and therefore well might the Apoſtle ſay, foreign, Col. 2. 10. that we are compleat in Chriſt. If this here in part be meant of the ſupply of outward mercies, it's that foreign, Luke 6. 38. the overmeaſure running over, that by him we may have always all-ſufficiency 2 Cor. …. 8.in all things, as the Apoſtle ſpeaks: but that which abundantly ſufficeth a godly heart, and is here chiefly intended, ſhall ſuffice me now to treat of, and that is, that foreign Epheſ. 1. 3.foreign, that All of ſpiritual bleſſings in heavenly places, which are in Chriſt: which he moſt plentifully imparts to them that love him. Concerning which he doth not here ſpeak over when he ſaith, he will fill their treaſures. The more full clearing whereof will be too great a task for me to diſpatch in the remuant of the hour. Suffice it therefore for the preſent, Digitum ad fontem, to ſhew you in how full a current the ſtream is likely to …: or how full the Ciſtern will be, ſhewing you how full the fountain is. And ſo it will be a Demonſtration, à priori, of Chriſt's being able perfectly to fill us; by declaring that he is abſolutely, compleatly above meaſure, full in himſelf, there is no doubt but that he will be able to fill our treaſures; In whom are hid all the treaſures of wiſdom and knowledge, as the Apoſtle from his own experience bears witneſs, Col. 2. 3. In Chriſt are hid (from Strangers) but moſt ſafely laid up (for believers) Treaſures, and that's a great deal, but all treaſures is as much as can be, eſpecially if it be not only of wiſdom and knowledge, but of all grace, and whatever may fill and enrich us. For that the Apoſtle had ſaid in the foregoing Chapter, v. 19. foreign. It pleaſed the Father that in him all fulneſs ſhould dwell. And more could not be ſaid, nor more fully to make our joy full.
1. Here is foreign Fullneſs, no emptineſs; nothing wanting.
2. An indwelling fullneſs. Not foreign but foreign, not as ſojourning in a moveable tent, but ever abiding as in an everlaſting manſion: not as the Prophets who in thoſe extraordinary illapſes were full of power by the ſpirit of the Lord, as Micah ſpeaketh, cap. 3. 8. which yet laſted not always, but like the ſea, which is now up in a full ſpring tide, and ere long ſinks down into a dead low water. But this ſons perennis, this everliving ſpring retaineth its conſtant fulneſs in the dryeſt ſummers. This following Rock goeth along with the Iſrael of God in the 1 Cor. 10. 4.droughtieſt wilderneſs. Hagar's bottle now full ere long may be empty, Gen. 21. 15. Elijah's brook now overflowing may after a while dry up, 1 Kings 17. 7.
The Creature like Naomi (and that name ſignifieth pleaſantneſs) the moſt pleaſing and promiſing creature (like her) may go out full, and return empty, Ruih. 1. 21. But as in Chriſts preſence there is fulneſs of joy, ſo at his right hand there are foreign Pſal. 16. 11.pleaſures for evermore. 1. Fulneſs, 2. an indwelling, an everlaſting fulneſs.
3. And this from an foreign from the good pleaſure of God the Father, which never faileth in what it deſigneth.
4. And to make all compleat, There is a Note of univerſality added, foreign, All fulneſs dwells in him. All for kind, and All for degree. Nothing wanting, no meaſure defective in him to whom the ſpirit was not given by meaſure, John 3. 34. It's otherwiſe in the moſt complete creatures, The head may be full of notions, and the heart empty of grace, and the ſame Chriſtian who is eminent in one grace may be very defective in another. In nature, eminency in one kind is but to compenſate the defect in another. But in Chriſt, who is All in All, is All fulneſs.Col. 3. 11.
Plenitudo fontis, the fulneſs of a fountain, which notwithſtanding all the water it poureth out, is ſtill always full, though not of the ſame individual water, but of what flowes in a continual ſucceſſion.
Plenitudo ſolis, the fulneſs of the ſun, in which the ſame light abideth always, which though it may be over-clouded and eclipſed, yet not extinguiſhed; but ſo as after ſuch overſhadowings ſhines out in more full brightneſs: as Mr. Peacock after a ſad hour of darkneſs that had been upon his ſpirit broke out into that Divine expreſſion, the ſea is not ſo full of water, or the ſun of light, as God is of goodneſs in Chriſt.
Nay, Plenitudo Deitatis, the fulneſs of the God-head, Col. 2. 9. of the whole Divine nature and all its properties and Attributes, which being infinite cannot but infinitely more than fill up our greateſt vacuities and emptineſs.
But this leads me to a more particular view of this fulneſs of Chriſt: which may be conſidered either, 1. in regard of his perſon, or, 2. of his offices.
1. For his Perſon, if we conſider it either quoad gratiam unionis, or gratiam habitualem, either the Divine Nature aſſuming the Humane into the ſame perſonal ſubſiſtence, or that Grace, which thereupon is from that Divine Nature communicated to the Humane for its compleat accompliſhment, there can be no leſs in one Chriſt than All fulneſs and perfection, in himſelf and for all ſuch as are united to him.
1. For his Nature, The fulneſs of the Godhead dwells in him, and that Bodily, Col. 2. 9. i. e. not as in the more empty ſhadows of the law, but ſubſtantially, perſonally, that the ſame Perſon who is Man is God alſo, and that Manhood aſſumed into the ſubſiſtence of the Godhead, John 1. 14. The word was made fleſh, and then we beheld his glory as the only begotten of the Father full of Grace and Truth; that it's God who laid down his own bloud as a price of redemption for us, Acts 20. 28. and that every way makes a ſupply to us. And then, how full muſt that needs be? He would have us hungry: But he is too greedy, whom an Alſufficient Chriſt cannot ſatisfy. That want is more than infinite, which an infinite God cannot make up. Do not I fill heaven and earth? ſaith the Lord, Jer. 23. 24. And cannot he fill thy heart? For certain Jeſus Chriſt, who is God over all, Rom. 9. 5. All in All, Col. 3. 11. is able to fill all in all, Epheſ. 1. 23.
2. And this leads to that Fulneſs of habitual Grace which from the Divine nature flowed into the Humane: Not as though the eſſential properties of one Nature were communicated to the other, and ſo his Humanity were infinite, omnipotent, or omnipreſent (as the Ʋbiquitaries would have it) but that the ſpirit was given to him ſo above meaſure, John 3. 34. that he became ſuch a Fountain of Grace, as was not only full in himſelf, but overflowing to the full ſupply of all believers. And this Grace in him (though but a created quality and therefore not properly infinite, yet) ſo as not limited to any kind, or degree, and in that ſenſe in a manner infinite.
And this grace was full not only in reference to Him, and His ſtate and condition: for in that ſenſe Mary is ſaid to have been full of grace, Luke 1. 28. and Stephen and Barnabas, full of the Holy Ghoſt, Act. 7. 55. 11. 24. namely as they were filled ſo far as was requiſite to that condition and ſervice, to which God called them.
But Chriſt who is ſaid to be full of the Holy Ghoſt, Luke 4. 1. and full of grace and truth, John 1. 14. was full alſo in reference to the Grace it ſelf, in that it was in him in the greateſt extenſion both for Kind and Degree, which the Bleſſed Virgin, and the perfecteſt Saint fell ſhort of, as not neceſſary to their place and employment, as it was to Chriſts; who as he was in himſelf, God-Man, ſo he was to be Head to all Believers, and Fountain and common principle of all Grace in them all; which neceſſarily required it to be a compleat over-flowing fulneſs. And this leads me off from this fulneſs of Chriſt in reference to his Perſon, to
2. That (in the ſecond place) which concerneth his Offices. To which, as God called him, ſo he fully furniſhed him, that he might as fully execute them, and ſo fulfill all righteouſneſs, Matth. 3. 15. as Bezaleel when called by Name was filled with the ſpirit Exod. 31. …, 3.to prepare all the work of the ſanctuory: and amongſt the …e…t this was one, in cutting of ſtones, foreign to ſet them, or fill …th V. 9.them, as the word ſignifieth: which were therefore called foreign Lapides impletionum, Exod. 25. 7. becauſe ſuch preciou… ſtones ſo ſet by him did fill up the Pales and Ouches which they were ſet in. Even ſuch a Bezaleel was our Emmanuel, compleatly filled with all grace for the rearing up and perfecting of God's Sanctuary: and his ſo many offices were as ſo many Pales or Ouches of gold, in which were ſet all thoſe moſt precious graces and abilities of the ſpirit, as ſo many foreign moſt precious filling ſtones: by which he moſt compleatly fulfilled the whole work of his Mediatorſhip and of all his Offices.
They, you know, were three, of Prophet, Prieſt and King▪ and he abundantly furniſhed with ſuteable Grace perfectly to fulfill them all.
1. As Prophet. In him are hid all the treaſures of wiſdom and knowledge, Col. 2. 3. whereby he is moſt fully able to enrich our empty Heads and Hearts with that ſaving wiſdom which is able to make us wiſe unto ſalvation. And if Timothy by being much in Paul's Company, came thereby fully to know his Doctrine, 2 Tim. 3. 10. how much infinitely more muſt the Son by being in his Father's boſom come to know his will? And as by a faithful John 1. 18.Treaſurer what in this kind was laid up by him, though hid from others, yet is brought forth and imparted by him to his Servants, Matth. 13. 11. This full fountain is diſperſed abroad, as his peoples occaſions require. And if Paul could ſay that he had fully Rom. 15. ….preached the Goſpel, how much more fully doth Chriſt both in his own Miniſtry, and in his Servants, both commiſſionated and enabled by him? Oh! None teacheth like him, Job 36. 22. None ſo convincingly, clearly, inwardly, ſavingly. There is an abundant over-flowing fulneſs in him as our Prophet, to fill us, even the moſt empty and ignorant, with the ſaving knowledge of his will. How eminently wonderfully have Idiots, men of weaker parts and Rom. 1… 14. Pſal. 19. 7. Making wiſe the ſimple. Act. 6. 10.women of the weaker Sex, not only been made wiſe to Salvation, but alſo to ſilence and confound ſubtleſt and moſt profound oppoſers, which have not been able to reſiſt the wiſdom and ſpirit by which they ſpake, both Scripture and Church Story fully evidence.
2. As Prieſt; according to the Hebrew Phraſe his hands were filled in his full conſecration to that office: which he as fully executed, as is fully cleared in the Epiſtle to the Hebrews.
In his Cenſer we find foreign. It's full of much ſweet incenſe of his Interceſſion to be offered up with the Prayers of all Saints, to make them accepted as they go up out of his hand, Revel. 8. 3, 4.
And his Sacrifice moſt fully expiatory of all our ſins. Solomon's Sacrifice of two and twenty thouſand Oxen, and an hundred and 1 Chron. 7. 1.twenty thouſand Sheep, was but an imperfect type and Epitome of the infiniteneſs of our true Solomon's one all-ſufficient oblation. And the Prieſt's ſprinkling of the blood ſeven times before the Lord, See Ainſworth in losum.Levit. 4. 6. but a dark ſhadow of that full ablution and perfect cleanſing, which our High Prieſt made by his own blood.
By which alſo he hath fully quenched the flaming Fire of his Fathers wrath. To which purpoſe you find him with a Rainbow on his head, Revel. 10. 1. to aſſure and ſecure us from that overflowing deluge: which (it may be) was ſhadowed out by Joſhuaes building an Altar, and offering Peace-offerings even upon Mount Ebal, (Joſh. 8. 30, 31.) upon which the Curſe was wont to be denounced. By our Joſhua, our Jeſus, even where a Curſe might have been expected, we meet with the Bleſſing of Peace. The Pſalmiſt calls it the great and wide Sea, in which are creeping Pſal. 104. 25.things innumerable, both ſmall and great beaſts. And may not we ſay it's a deep full Sea of Chriſt's Blood, in which are drown'd ſuch an innumerable Company of leſſer and greater ſins, even Mountains as well as Mole-hills. It's foreign Plentiful (Multiplied) Redemption, as it's called, Pſal. 130. 7, 8. which redeems Iſrael, even all the Iſrael of God from all their iniquities; and that ſo fully, that as ſome Pictures although they look upon all in the room, yet ſeem to every particular man as though they eyed him only; even ſo, although the extent of Chriſt's Merit See Aqui…. parte 3. q. 5. 6. 4. 3. & ad tertium.reacheth to all Believers in common, yet ſo fully to every Believer in particular, as though it had been deſigned to him only. How full is this well-head which doth ſo fully ſerve both common Conduit and every private Ciſtern?
3. As King. The Apoſtle tells us he is now aſcended up for above all heavens that he might fill all things, Epheſ. 4. 10. full of power and glory, fully able to overcome all our ſpiritual and bodily enemies, and to ſupply us with Grace and Peace, with all inward and outward mercies; In a word, and in the words of the Text, every way able to fill our Treaſures.
For being both as to his Perſon and Offices ſo fully furniſhed with all ſufficiencies, as Solomon ſaith of the Clouds, if they be full of rain, they empty themſelves on the earth, Eccleſ. 11. 3. So Chriſt being thus every way full in himſelf, he is of God made unto us a full fountain of wiſdom and righteouſneſs, and ſanctification, and redemption, 1 Cor. 1. 30. all on purpoſe laid up in him, that he might ſupply us, and that out of his fulneſs we all might John 1. 16.receive grace for grace. And ſo we read of him, Revel. 8. 3. foreign. All was given to him, that he might give to all his. And therefore it is that what the Pſalmiſt calleth his receiving of gifts, Pſal. 68. 18. the Apoſtle, Eph. 4. 8. tranſlates his giving of gifts to men; becauſe as Mediator he received that he might give, he was filled that he might fill. As in an inexhauſt treaſury all was laid up in him, that as a good houſholder he might upon all occaſions bring forth out of his treaſure things new and old, (Matth. 13. 52.) and fill ours.