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Under the Old Teftament difpenfation, at certain times and feafons, the Spirit was communicated to the prophets, as it pleafed God, and as the occafions of the church required: But it is faid to dwell in him; it has its conftant and unchangeable refidence in our Mediator. And, finally, you may observe, it is faid, "It pleafed the Father, that in him this ful"nefs fhould dwell:" a circumftance which plainly intimates, that Chrift did not ufurp, or violently poffefs it; but that there was a perfect coincidence between him and the Father, who is here confidered as moft highly injured by the apoftafy of man, and therefore behoved to be pleafed with the method of his recovery.

Having thus explained the words, I fhall endeavour, by divine afliftance, Firf, To give you some account of the fulness that dwells in Chrift; Secondly, Mention a few of its endearing characters; and then make fome practical application.

I. I fhall endeavour to give you fome account of the fulness that dwells in Chrift; and, indeed, all that I can fay upon it, muft fall infinitely beneath the rich and inexhauftible fubject. The apoftle himself feems at a lofs for words to exprefs it. Even the angels that furround the throne of God are continually admiring, while they can never comprehend, the exceeding riches of his grace. What therefore I propofe, is to mention a few things concerning the fulnefs which dweils in Chrift; and to lay before you the view which the gofpel gives us concerning it, in order that your defires after it may be ftrengthened and. confirmed.

1. There is in Chrift a fulness of merit. This will appear, if we confider that he is the brightnefs of the Father's glory, and the exprefs image of his perfon, equal to him in all perfections; and particularly, that he is independent, and could difpofe of himself according to his pleafure, and, confequently, undertake for the guilty and undeferving. By hum

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bling himself to become man, he was capable of fuffering. He came in the form of a servant, and made himfelf of no reputation. He was holy, harmless, undefiled, and feparated from finners. Confidered as man, the Holy Ghoft was given to him without measure, in order that he might be well-pleafing to God, who is poffeffed of infinite holiness; that he might have no need to fatisfy for himself, and that he might afford to mankind a perfect and holy example. Is there not, then, a fulness of merit in Christ, especially when you reflect, that though he was infinitely exalted above us, though he was our juftly offended Sovereign, yet he voluntarily and cheerfully undertook the arduous work of our redemption? "Lo, I "come," fays he," in the volume of thy book it is "written of me; I delight to do thy will, O my "God (a)."

2. There is in Chrift a fulness of purchase. This is founded upon his merit, and on the actual perform ance of what he fo generously undertook in behalf of the human race. For the Father having promifed, that, upon his fulfilling his engagements, he fhould fee his feed, of the travel of his foul, and be fatisfied; and he having actually fulfilled them, the unfhaken veracity of God affures us, that there is in him a fulness of purchase. This he himself proclaimed upon the crofs, when he faid, "It is finished;" and then bowed his head, and gave up the ghoft. What was finished? Satisfaction to the juftice of God was fully given, and complete falvation obtained for a guilty world, This fulnefs of purchase the Father attefted when he raised him from the dead. For the refurrection of Chrift was, as it were, his difcharge from the hand of juftice, a public and authentic declaration on God's part, that he accepted the facrifice of his death, as a full atonement for the fins of his people; that their debt was fully paid, and, confequently, their falvation completely purchafed. And this alfo our Saviour gloriously demonftrated to the world,

(a) Pfal. xl. 7, &.

world, when he afcended up on high, and led captivity captive; when he afcended to take poffeflion of the purchafed inheritance, and to fecure to all his followers an entrance into heaven.

3. There is also in our blessed Saviour a fulness of application, that is, of power and goodnefs to ap ply what he has merited and purchafed. This is evident, from his exaltation at the right hand of the Majesty on high; and his having obtained a name above every names whether in heaven or in earth, far above all principalities and powers, and thrones and dominions, that at the name of Jefus every knee might bow, and tongue confefs. Of this we are also affured by himfelf. "All power," fays he, "is given unto me in heaven and in earth (a)." He was exalted, not only that he might be an Interceffor, and powerful Advocate with the Father, in behalf of his people, but likewife that he might be invefted with the power of bestowing upon them what he had purchased; and in him dwell all the treasures of wisdom, grace, and glory. And therefore,

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4. There is in him a fulnefs of pardoning grace. He can forgive the most heinous offences, and fins of the greatest enormity; and he to whom his pardon is vouchfafed, fhall never come into condemnation. How encouraging is this to poor, convinced, and trembling finners! Perhaps thou art afflicted, because thy fins are without number, of long continuance, and fo aggravated, that they cannot be forgiven. But think, and feriously think, on the infinite fulness of Chrift's faving power, and that you have full redemp-tion through his blood, even the forgiveness of fins :: "For he is able to fave to the uttermoft all that come

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unto God by him; and whoever cometh, he will "in no wife caft out." How encouraging is this alfo to the believer, who is groaning under the weight of indwelling corruption, and crying out with the Pfalmift, "Iniquities prevail against me!" Fear not, Christian, thy Redeemer is almighty; he has receivedI 3

(a) Matt. xxviii. 16.

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a commandment, and is himself inclined to fave thee. Hear his own precious words: "I am the refurrection and the life; he that believeth on me, though "he were dead, yet fhall he live."

5. There is alfo in Chrift a fulness of pity and compaffion for his people under all their weakneffes and afflictions. Though he be exalted to the highest degree of majefty and glory, he ftill acts towards them with the greateft tendernefs, fympathy, and love. He wears their names upon his heart before the Father, and he kindly intercedes for them. He has a fellow-feeling with them in all their diftreffes, and in his love and pity he redeems them. "We "have not a High Prieft," fays the apoftle, "cannot be touched with a feeling of our infirmities, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without fin (a)." "The bruised reed he will not break, "the fmoaking flax he will not quench, till he bring "forth judgment unto victory." The injuries done to his people, he confiders as done to himself. He "that toucheth them, toucheth the apple of his

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eye." The fympathy of our fellow-creatures is often unavailing; but the fympathy of Chrift is always powerful and effectual. It gives actual relief to his fervants, under all their wants, their frailties, and afflictions. For,

6. There is in him a fulness of light. Does the Christian walk in darkness? Is he uncertain what path of duty to purfue? This is fometimes the case with the people of God. In Chrift, their exalted Head, are hid all the treafures of wifdom and knowledge." He is the true light, that lighteneth every

man that cometh into the world ;" and, in a peculiar manner, he is the light of his humble followers. He inftructs them by his word, and guides them by his Spirit; fo that they hear, as it were, a voice behind them, "This is the way, walk ye in "it." Are any of you then in doubt, either with refpect to your duty, or the ftate of your fouls be

(a) Heb. iv. 15.

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fore God? To whom fhould you look but to this great Prophet, in whom it hath pleafed the Father that all fuinefs of light fhould dwell. It is his peculiar office to open the blind eyes, and give light to them that fit in darkness. He has done it for multitudes already; and God has promised, that, under his conduct," he will bring the blind by a way that "they knew not, and will lead them in paths they "have not known; that he will make darkness light “before them, and crooked things ftraight."

7. There is in Chrift a fulness of life. He has not only life in himfelf, independent of every creature; but he is the Fountain and Difpenfer of life to the children of men. He quickens them that are dead in trefpaffes and fins; and implants that principle of fpiritual life, which is the earnest and pledge of life everlafting. Are any of his people, the members of his myftical body, under a fad decay with refpect to the exercise of grace? Is their spiritual life, like fire under the afhes, ready to be extinguifhed? He is their living head, who communicates new fupplies of life, to revive their languishing graces. And hence that gracious promife," I will be as the dew unto Ifrael: They fhall revive as the corn, and grow as the "vine (a)." To him, therefore, O Chriftian, thou muft look up, when thou findeft thy love cold, and thy heart lifeless in duty, when thou art complaining of deadness and languor of fpirit; for he alone is the Fountain of life; nay, he is faid in fcripture to be his people's life, and has exprefsly promifed, that " be"caufe he lives, they fhall live alfo (b)."

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8. There is likewife, in our bleffed Mediator, a fulnefs of ftrength. Hence, we have that remarkable prediction, Surely fhall one fay, In the Lord have "I righteoufness and ftrength, and in him fhall the "feed of Ifrael glory (c)." He is an Almighty Redeemer, who has all power in heaven and on earth. In him, as his people's head, there is a fulnefs of ftrength,

(a) Hof. xiv. 5, 7.
(c) Ifa. xlv. 24, 25,

fb John xiv. 15.

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