3. Grace in Christ is communicative, his grace is for us ; the holy oil of the Spi- rit was poured on the head of this blessed Aaron that it might run down upon us. The saints have not grace to bestow on o- thers. "VMicn the foolish virgins would liave bought oil of their neighbour virgins, Matth. xxv. 8, 9., " Give us of your oil, for our lamps are gone out," the wise vir- gins answered, " Not so, lest there be not enough for us and you." The saints have no grace to spare to others ; but Christ dif- fuKcth his grace to others ; grace in the saints is as water in the vessel, grace in Christ is as water in the spring ; John i.
16., " Of his fulness have we received grace for grace." Set a glass under a still or limbeck, and it receives water from the limbeck drop by drop ; so the saints have the drops and influences of Christ's gi-ace distilling upon them. Wliat a rich conso- lation is this to those who either liave no grace, or their stock is but low ! They may go to Christ, the Mediator, as a trea- sury of grace : " Lord, I am indigent, but whither shall I carry my empty vessel, but to a full fountain ?" Ps. Ixxxvii. 7., " All my springs are in thee ;" I am guil- ty, thou hast blood to pardon me ; I am polluted, thou hast grace to cleanse me ; I am sick unto death, thou hast the " balm of Gilead, to heal me." Gen. xli. 56. Jo- seph opened all the storehouses of corn : Christ is our Joseph, that opens all the treasuries and storehouses of grace, and communicates to us. He is not only sweet as the honey-comb, but drops as the honey- comb ; this is a great comfort, in Christ our Mediator thei'e is a cornncopia, and ful- ness of all grace ; and Christ is desirous that we should come to him for grace, like the full breast that aches till it be drawn.
Use \st. Admire the glory of this Medi- ator ; he is God-man, he is co-essentially glorious with the Father. All the Jews that saw Christ in the flesh, did not see his Godhead ; all that saw the man did not see the Messiah ; the temple of Solomon within was embellished with gold ; travel- lers, as they passed along, might see the (lUtside of the temple, but only the priests saw the glory which sparkled within the temple ; only believers, who are made priests unto God, Rev. i. 6., see Christ's glorious inside, the (Jodhead shining through the manhood.
Uxe 2(1. If Christ be God-man in one person, then look unto Jesus Christ alone for salvation. There must be something of the Godhead to fast(>n our hope u])on ; in Christ there is (iodliead and manhood hypostatically united. If we could weep rivers of tears, — out-fast Moses on the mount, — if we were exact moralists, touch- ing the law blameless, — if we could arrive at the highest degree of sanctification in this life, — all this would not save us, with- out looking to the merits of him who is
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God ; our perfect holiness in heaven Is not the cause of our salvation, but the righ- teousness of Jesus Christ. To this there- fore did Paul flee, as to the horns of the altar, Phil. iii. 9., " That I may be found in hiin, not having my own righteousness." It is true, we may look to our graces as CAndences of salvation, but to Christ's blood only as the cause. In time of Noah's flood, all that trusted to the high hills and trees, and not to the ark, were drowned : Heb. xii. 2., " Looking unto Jesus ;" and Ro look unto him, as to believe in him, that so Christ may not only be united to our natm'c, but to our persons, John xx. 31., " That believing, you may have life through his name."
Use 3d. Is Jesus Christ God and man in one person ? This, as it shews the dignity of believers, that they are nearly related to
one of the greatest persons that is, Col. ii. 9., " In him dwells the fulness of the God- head bodily," so it is of unspeakable com- fort. Christ's two natures being married together, tlie divine and human, all that Christ in either of his natures can do for believers, he will do. In his human na- tuie he prays for them, in his divine na- ture he merits for them. This for the per- son of our Mediator.
Use Mil. Admire the love of Christ our Mediator, tliat he should humble himself, and take our flesh, that he might redeem us. Believers should put Christ in their bosom, as the spouse did, Cant. i. 13., " Lie betwixt my breasts." Wliat was said of Ignatius, that the name of Jesus was found AViitten in his heart, should be verified of every saint, he should have Jesus Christ written in his heart.
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OF CHRIST'S PROPHETICAL OFFICE. Deut. xviii. 15. The Lord thy God will raise vp unto thee a Prophet^ &c.
HAVING spoken of the person of Christ, we are next to speak of the offices of Christ, — Prophetical, Priestly, Regal.