in himself, all which he can do on earth, and all which he can bestow in heaven, is the portion of every the weakest saint, according to the measure of the grace that is in him, and according to the capacity which he has for receiving more grace. Every vessel of the sanctuary, from " the smallest cups to the largest flagons," shall be filledb: if any be straitened in the blessings they receive, they are " straitened in themselves, and not in himc." Blessed, thrice blessed are all that " hang upon him !" But can the text be applied to all this assembly ? Can we say respecting you, without exception, "Out of his fulness have we all received ? " Would to God we could ! Would to God that the graces, which were in Christ, were so conspicuous in you all, and were poured out upon you in such an abundant measure, that there might be no room to doubt of your union with him ! But let this matter be no longer in suspense : let us all go to the Fountain-head, and " draw water with joy out of the wells of salvation*1 :" let us " aspire after the blessedness of God's chosen, that we may rejoice for ever in the gladness of his nation, and glory with his inheritance6."]
b Isai. xxii. 24. c 2 Cor. vi. 12.
d Isai. xii. 3. e Ps. cvi. 5.
John i. 18. No man hath seen God at any time ; the only be- gotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
THE knowledge of God is the great source of blessings to mankind, but the heathen world were altogether ignorant of him, nor were the Jews them- selves fully instructed concerning him: to make a full revelation of him to the world was a part of that work which was reserved for Christ himself; and this office he performed, to the unspeakable comfort of his Church and people. The Evangelist unites his testi- mony with that of John the Baptist in confirmation of this truth.
We shall inquire, I. What Christ has declared of the Father —