«,ERM. XII. THE METHOD OF GRACE. 217
world and all the desirables in it, receive what excellency they have from him ; they are streams from the fountain. But as the waters in the fountain itself are more abundant, so more pure and pleasant * than in the streams. And the farther any thing departs, and is removed from its fountain and original, the less excellency there is in it.
Secondly, The loveliness and excellency of all other things, is but relative and respective, consisting in its reference to Christ, and subserviency to his glory ; but Christ is lovely, considered abso- lutely in himself: He is desirable for himself, other things are so for him.
Thirdly, The beauty and loveliness of all other things is fading and perishing ; but the loveliness of Christ is fresh to all eternity : the sweetness of the best creatures is a fading flower ; if not be- fore, yet certainly at death it must fade away. Job iv. 21. " Doth " not their excellency, which is in them, go away ?" Yes, yes, whether natural excellencies of the body, or acquired endowments of the mind, lovely features, amiable qualities, attracting excellen- cies ; all these like pleasant flowers are withered, faded, and de- stroyed by death ; " but Christ is still the same, yesterday, to day, " and for ever," Heb. xiii. 8.
Fourthly, The beauty and holiness of creatures are ensnaring and dangerous ; a man may make an idol thereof, and dote be- yond the bounds of moderation upon them, but there is no danger of excess in the love of Christ. The soul is then in the healthiest frame and temper when it is most sick of love to Christ, Cant, v. 8.
Fifthly, The loveliness of every creature is of a cloying and glut- ting nature ; our estimation of it abates and sinks by our nearer approach to it, or longer enjoyment of it : creatures, like pictures, are fairest at a due distance, but it is not so with Christ; the nearer the soul approacheth him, and the longer it lives in the enjoyment of him, still the more sweet and desirable is he.
Sixthly, and lastly, All other loveliness is unsatisfying and strait- ening to the soul of man ; there is not room enough in any one, or in all the creatures for the soul of man to dilate and expatiate itself; but it still feels itself confined and narrowed within those strait limits -f : And this comes to pass from the inadequateness and unsuitableness of the creature, to the nobler and more excellent
* Dulcius ex ipsofonte bibuntur aqua. Waters drink more pleasantly from the foun- tain itself.
f Unus Pellceo juveni non svfficit orbis ; uEstuat infcclix angusto in limite mundi. The world is not sufficient for the Macedonian youth (vis. Alexander ;) he frets at being confined within the narrow boundary of the world.
218 THE METHOD OF GRACE. SERM. XII.
soul of man, which like a ship in a narrow river hath not room to turn ; and besides, is ever and anon striking ground and founder- ing in those shallows. But Jesus Christ is every way adequate to the vast desires of the soul ; in him it hath sea-room enough ; there it may spread all its sails, no fear of touching the bottom. And thus you see what is the importance of this phrase, Altogether lovely.
Secondly, Next I promised to shew you in what respects Jesus Christ is altogether lovely. And,
First, He is altogether lovely in his person : a Deity dwelling in flesh, John i. 14. The wonderful union and perfection of the divine and human nature in Christ, render him an object of ad- miration and adoration to angels and men, 1 Tim. iii. 16. God never presented to the world such a vision of glory before : And then consider how the human nature of our Lord Jesus Christ is reple- nished with all the graces of the Spirit, so as never any of all the saints was filled ; O how lovely doth this render him ! John iii. 34. " God giveth not the Spirit by measure unto him." This makes him fairer than the children o£ men, grace being poured into his lips, Psal. xlv. 2. If a small measure of grace in the saints make them such sweet and desirable companions, what must the riches and fulness of the Spirit of grace filling Jesus Christ without mea- sure, make him in the eyes of believers ? O what a glory and lustre must it stamp upon him !
Secondly, He is altogether lovely in his offices : for let us but consider the suitableness, fulness, and comfortableness of them.
First, The suitableness of the offices of Christ to the miseries and wants of men ; and we cannot but adore the infinite wisdom of God in his investiture with them ; we are, by nature, blind and ignorant, at best but groping in the dim light of nature after God, Acts xvii. 27. Jesus Christ is a light to lighten the Gentiles, Isa. xlix. 6. When this great prophet came into the world, then did the day-spring from on high visit us, Luke i. 78. The state of na- ture is a state of alienation from, and enmity against God ; Christ comes into the world an atoning sacrifice, making peace by the blood of his cross, Col. i. 20. All the world, by nature, are in bondage and captivity to Satan, a lamentable thraldom ; Christ comes with kingly power, to rescue sinners, as a prey from the mouth of the terrible one.
Secondly, Let the fulness of his offices be also considered, by rea- son whereof he is able " to save to the uttermost, all that come to " God by him," Heb. vii. 25. The three offices, comprising in them all that our souls do need, become an universal relief to all our wants ; and therefore,
Thirdly, Unspeakably comfortable must the offices of Christ be to
SERM. XII. THE METHOD OF GRACE. 219
the souls of sinners. If light be pleasant to our eyes, how pleasant is that lio-ht of life springing from the Sun of righteousness ! Mai. iv. &. If a pardon be sweet to a condemned malefactor, how sweet must the sprinkling the blood of Jesus be to the trembling con- science of a law-condemned sinner ? If a rescue from a cruel tyrant be sweet to a poor captive, how sweet must it be to the ears of en- slaved sinners, to hear the voice of liberty and deliverance pro- claimed by Jesus Christ ? Out of the several offices of Christ, as out of so many fountains, all the promises of the new covenant flow, as so many soul-refreshing streams of peace and joy : all the promises of illumination, counsel and direction flow out of the prophetical office ; all the promises of reconciliation, peace, pardon, and acceptation flow out of the priestly office, with the sweet streams of joy, and spiritual comforts depending thereupon ; all the pro- mises of converting, increasing, defending, directing, and supply- ing grace, flow out of the tengly office of Christ ; indeed, all pro- mises may be reduced to the three offices : so that Jesus Christ must needs be altogether lovely in his offices.
Thirdly, Jesus Christ is altogether lovely in his relations.