These be comfortable considerations, and, indeed, the hfe and soul of a Christian's Hfe and comfort. If we conceive them aright, they will quicken us to obedience, and we shall know what the gospel is. To come to make some use of it.
I might observe this, that none should take that ofiice upon them to which they are not called of God, nor quahfied by his Spirit, especially
20 A DESCKIPTION OF CHRIST.
ministers, because Christ did not set upon his office, till the Spirit was put upon him. The Spirit must enable us and fit us for everything. But I leave that, and come to that which concerns us all.
First, then, hath God put the Spirit upon Christ, as the evangelist saith in John iii. 34, ' He whom God hath sent' — that is Christ — ' he speaketh the word of God : for God gives him not the Spirit by measure.' God doth not stand measuring grace out to Christ, but he pours it out upon him, full measm-e, running over, because he receives it not for himself alone, but for us. We receive the Spirit by measure, Eph. iv. 7, ' according to the measure of the gift of Christ.' Christ gives us all a measure of sanctifying knowledge and of eveiy grace, till we ' grow to be a perfect man in Christ,' Eph. iv. 13. Therefore it is called the ' first fruits of the Spirit,' Rom. viii. 23, as much as shall fit us for heaven, and grace sufficient, though it be not that measure we shall have hereafter, or that we would have here. Christ had a full measui-e, the fulness of a fountain, difiusive, not only abundance for himself, but redundance, and overflowing for the good of others ; he being the head of the chui'ch, not only a head of eminence, but of influence to bestow and convey all grace in him to all his members, proportionable to the service of every member. Therefore he received not the Sph'it according to measure — that is, sparingly — but it was showered upon him ; he was filled and clothed with the Holy Ghost. Is it so ?
Let us labom', then, to see where to have supply in all our wants. We have -a full treasmy to go to. All treasure is hid in Christ for us. What a comfort is this in anything we want ! If we want the favour of God, go to his beloved Christ, desire God to love us in his beloved, and to accept us in his gracious Son, in him whom he hath made his servant, and anointed with his Spirit for that purpose.
If we want particular gi-aces, go to the well-head Christ, consider of Christ now filled for us, as it w^as in Aaron. The oil that was poured on Aaron's head ran down to his beard, and to the skirts of his clothing, Ps. cxxxiii. 2, the meanest parts of his garment were bedewed with that oil : so the graces of God's Spirit poured upon our head Christ, our Aaron, our High Priest, run down upon us, upon all ranks of Christians, even upon the skirts, the weakest and lowest Christians. Every one hath gi-ace for grace ; we aU partake of the oil and anointing of our spii'itual Aaron, our High Priest. If we want anything, therefore, let us go to him. I can do all, saith St Paul, in Christ that strengtheneth me, Philip, iv. 13. Go to him for patience, for comfort, for everything, because God hath put his Spirit upon him, to supply all our wants ; he hath the oil of gladness above his fellows, Ps. xlv. 7 ; but for his fellows he hath the oil of grace more than any, but it is not only for him, but for us all. Therefore, let us have comfortable meditations of the fulness of Christ, and make use of it, all this is for me. In Col. ii. 9, St Paul sets it out, ' in him the fulness of the Godhead dwells personally ; ' for that is meant by tfw/iar/xa;?, and it follows after, ' in him we are complete.' Wherefore is all the fulness that is in him ? to shew that in him we are complete. So, in 1 John v. 20, 21, to shew how the spirits of the apostles agree, in this saith he, * we know that the Son of God is come in the flesh, and hath given us an under- standing to know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is true God and eternal Ufe.' Christ is true God and eternal life for us all ; for our comfort, ' we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, &c. Little children, keep yourselves from idols.' How doth this depend upon the other ? Thus ;
A DESCRIPTION OF CHRIST. 21
wiU you go to idols, stocks and stones, devices of men's brain, for supply of grace and comfort ? Christ, whom God hath sent, he is come into the world ; he is God and eternal life. ' God hath given eternal life, and this life is in his Son,' 1 John v. 11 ; therefore, why should you go to idols ?