Grace: the truth and growth and different degrees thereof. The sum and substance of…Grace: the truth and growth and different degrees thereof. The summe and substance of…

3. The third proof of this doctrine may be drawn from the consideration of those clear testimonies of this truth in the New Testament. St. John speaks thus of Christ that of his fullness we have received, and grace for grace. ¹In Christ there is not only plenty, but bounty; not only an abundance of all grace, but a redundance of grace. Christians have the fullness of a vessel, but Christ hath ⟨p. 178⟩the fullness of a fountain. ²Take a drop of water out of a vessel, and it is not so full as before, but draw as much water as you please out of the Well of the water of life, and there is no want of water. From Christ we receive grace for grace, that is, say some, the grace of the New Testament, added to that grace which was revealed under the Old Testament.³ Or grace for grace, that is, say others, a perfection of grace according to the Perfection that is in Christ. As in a natural generation, the child doth receive from his Father limb for limb, and part for part: so in this spiritual regeneration, Jesus Christ (the everlasting Father) doth give grace for grace.⁴ Or you may understand this expression grace for grace, that Jesus Christ is not only the Author of grace, but gives grace for grace, that is, one grace after another, grace upon grace; ⁵the being of grace, and the increase of grace are both from Christ. This also appears that Christ is the Author and bestower of all grace, by that ordinary prayer wherewith the Apostle doth usually close up his Epistles,⁶ The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. The like Prayer we have to the Romans, ⁷to the Galatians, brethren The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. ⁸