The first thing implied by Christs sitting at the right hand of the Father, is the filling of his humane nature with supernatural gifts of knowledge, power, &c. and whatsoever doth any way pertain to the administration of his office. God, his God hath anointed 1him with the oil of gladness above his fellows. In respect of us these gifts may be called infinite, but simply they are not, because they are things created, the effects and works of the holy Spirit,2 absolutely they are finite, comparatively infinite. He received the Spirit above measure, that is, the whole Spirit, all the gifts of the holy Spirit, in higher degree then any creatures, men or Angels, in full abundance. That is said to be done in measure which is done sparingly, moderately, in proportion: for he that gives bountifully or largely doth not measure or number what he giveth, but poureth out copiously, as we say, from the full heap or with both hands. And that which is plentiful, abundant, full, is said to be above measure, not that simply and absolutely it is infinite, but in comparison. By that which is given, and not by measure, not that which is infinite, but that which is whole and entire is signified. And of his fullness we all receive, grace for grace: we so receive of his fullness, that his sufficiency is no whit diminished: our want is filled by him, but his fullness is not emptied by us. The Sun is not greater, if it be beheld of many, not the less, if of fewer: the same is true of the righteousness of Christ imputed. The Sun doth not decay by motion; an Angel is not wearied with the service of God; Christ man is not wearied with the care of the Church, nor his store and plenty wasted with that which he doth every day impart unto his Church, not as a material beginning, but as an efficient. In himself Christ shall ever have sufficiency, and in respect of us perpetually redundance. But the same wisdom and holiness, which Christ hath in himself he doth not infuse into us, but he doth work in us by his efficacy, wisdom and holiness answerable or proportionable in a sort.3 With such gifts we are adorned as our head, but not with so great.4 Christ is the anointed, and doth anoint us: but we are only anointed, the redeemers of others we are not. The fountain of grace is in Christ alone; the stream flows to the faithful:
The first thing implied by Christs sitting at the right hand of the Father, is the filling of his humane nature with supernaturall gifts of knowledge, power, &c. and whatsoever doth any way pertain to the administration of his office. God, his God hath annointed 1him with the oyle of gladnesse above his fellowes. In respect of us these gifts may be called infinite, but simply they are not, because they are things created, the effects and works of the holy Spirit,2 absolutely they are finite, comparatively infinite. He received the Spirit above measure, that is, the whole Spirit, all the gifts of the holy Spirit, in higher degree then any creatures, men or Angels, in full abundance. That is said to be done in measure which is done sparingly, moderately, in proportion: for he that gives bountifully or largely doth not measure or number what he giveth, but powreth out copiously, as we say, from the full heape or with both hands. And that which is plentifull, aboundant, full, is said to be above measure, not that simply and absolutely it is infinite, but in comparison. By that which is given, and not by measure, not that which is infinite, but that which is whole and entire is signified. And of his fullnesse we all receive, grace for grace: we so receive of his fulnesse, that his sufficiency is no whit diminished: our want is filled by him, but his fulnesse is not emptied by us. The Sunne is not greater, if it be beheld of many, not the lesse, if of fewer: the same is true of the righteousnesse of Christ imputed. The Sunne doth not decay by motion; an Angell is not wearied with the service of God; Christ man is not wearied with the care of the Church, nor his store and plenty wasted with that which he doth every day impart unto his Church, not as a materiall beginning, but as an efficient. In himselfe Christ shall ever have sufficiency, and in respect of us perpetually redundance. But the same wisdome and holinesse, which Christ hath in himself he doth not infuse into us, but he doth worke in us by his efficacie, wisdome and holinesse answerable or proportionable in a sort.3 With such gifts we are adorned as our head, but not with so great.4 Christ is the annointed, and doth annoint us: but we are only annointed, the redeemers of others we are not. The fountaine of grace is in Christ alone; the streame flowes to the faithfull:
- 1Psal 45. 7. Heb. 1. 9.
- 2Joh. 3. 34. Isa. 11. 2. Men sura est divisio quaedam donorum: at in Christo plenissima copia & ubertas Ephes. 4. 7. Rom. 12. 3. 1 Cor. 12. 8, 11. So [Greek or Hebrew]. Labour immensus. Ov. & [Greek or Hebrew], dolour immensas Senecae dicuntur. Joh. 1. 16. Non deplendo aliquidex ipsius neque imme•sitate neque dimensione, sed implendo nostrā indigentiam ab ipso.Joh. 3. 34. Isa. 11. 2. Men sura est divisio quaedam donorum: at in Christo plenissima copia & ubertas Ephes. 4. 7. Rom. 12. 3. 1 Cor. 12. 8, 11. So 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Labor immensus. Ov. & 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, dolor immensas Senecae dicuntur. Joh. 1. 16. Non deplendo aliquidex ipsius neque imme•sitate neque dimensione, sed implendo nostrā indigentiam ab ipso.
- 3Numb. 11 25.
- 42 Pet. 1. 4.
