John 1:16

In the next branch of this commendation, John preferreth Christ to all beleevers, as being he in whom all fulnesse dwelleth, and from whose fulnesse: all graces and gifts that ever any had, or hath, do flow, in all the steps and degrees thereof. Doctrine 1. All men, and even the choisest of Christs servants, are by nature, and of themselves, empty of any thing that is good; for, so much is implied in that we must receive of his fulnesse. 2. All fulnesse of grace and goodnesse for supply of beleevers wants, is treasured up in Christ; He hath an increated fulnesse as God, and as man, a created fulnesse; A fulnesse of dignities and prerogagatives; a fulnesse of divine perfections, gifts, and graces answerable to these dignities, the fulnesse of the Godhead dwelleth in him bodily, and the Spirit without measure is poured out upon him; for, this is also supposed that he hath this fulnesse. 3. The fulnesse that is in Christ is for the supply of all beleevers wants, as their treasure and store-house. These who come to him, he needs them not to receive from them, but to give unto them, he needs not their fulnesse, but their emptinesse, that his fulnesse may overflow to the supply thereof; And this may invite sinners to come to him as they need; for, of his fulnesse we receive, 4. God hath in great mercy so ordered the way of his peoples salvation, as not to entrust their own stock of grace into their own hands, as he did to Adam before the fall, but to put them and their allowance in Christs hand, that he might keep it for them, who can contain infinitely more then they could receive, and they may come and draw it daily out of him as they need; for, so is it ordered here that he hath the fulnesse, and we receive of his fulnesse. 5. There is no man of any rank, quality, or degree that hath any gift or grace, but he hath it of Christ; The most eminent ought to look humbly on what he hath as Christs gift, and the meanest ought to adore and acknowledge his wisdome and love who lets out such a measure to every member as he pleaseth, for, of his fulnesse have all we, Prophets, Apostles, Beleevers, &c. received. 6. Whatever beleevers get from Christ, yet he remaineth still full; as the sea diminisheth not by rivers coming from it, and as the Sun doth not wear nor lose light, by giving light to all; so Christ is still the same for fulnesse, notwithstanding what he communicateth; for, it is of his fulnesse we all receive, it is still fulnesse when all receive of it. 7. Whatever any receive of Christ, it comes of grace, and not of merit; and the free favour of God, and the gracious effects thereof, are the chief fruits flowing from Christs fulnesse; for, in both these respects it is said all we receive, and (or, even) grace. 8. Whosoever do receive true grace from Christ, they will be receiving grace after grace; And as they do not receive grace all at once, but by degrees and so should not sit up on any measure received; So Christs giving of grace unto them is an argument why he will give them yet more grace; for, we have received grace for grace, that is, grace upon grace, grace after grace, and more grace, because he hath already given grace. 9. Not onely what the Elect do receive at their first conversion, but even what they receive after grace given, comes not of merit, but from the first to the last, is grace still; for, it is grace for grace, and so still grace, and grace for graces sake, Rom. 12.6. Ephes. 3.7. 10. This grace received by us for grace, or, answering to grace, as the Original will bear, may relate to grace in Christ and coming by Christ; And so it may teach further. 1. Christ is not onely the store-house, from whose fulnesse grace floweth to beleevers, but the procuring cause thereof also; grace being given to them, because of his redemption and righteousnesse made theirs of free grace; And because his gracious acceptance with the Father as Mediator, takes in all his people in and with him; Thus do we receive grace for (or, be cause of) grace in him, and flowing from him. See Rom. 5.15, 17. Ephes. 1.6. 2. As every beleever is a member of Jesus Christ his mystical body, so do they in their own measure, as members, receive grace answering to the grace poured out on him as head; being made sonnes and co-heirs answering to his dignity in their measure and getting proportionable holinesse, that there may be a conformity betwixt head and members; for, so we do receive grace for grace, or answering to grace, to wit, in him.