Influences of the life of grace

and so much the more that fullness of Christs anointing is not only ordered by a free and gracious decree as the means for this end, to supply the emptiness of the meek and the poor ⟨p. 204⟩captives, but 2. also which is more, the influences of the fullness of Christs anointing is due by way of merit, and of buying and selling to those captives, as when there is a large price of blood given for to redeem the man in his vain conversation, as 1 Pet. 1. 18. from the present evil world, Gal. 1. 15. from the living to sin and in sin, 1 Pet. 2. 24. from all iniquity and the bondage and filthiness thereof, Tit. 2. 14. There is a due right in law, by way of bargain and payment, made to Justice upon Christs part, that such ought not to be detained slaves, captives, and prisoners. Now the earth hath no such right by buying, nor any Jus emptionis, to have rain and influences from the clouds and the sun; for the Lord may without violation of any bargain turn the earth into iron, and the heavens into brass; and so may the Lord simply and absolutely deny the fruits Christs anointing, binding up of wounds, and freedom to the broken-hearted, and to the captives and slaves of sin, for any deserving in them; yet as touching the bargain and engagement of redemption from sins, and the dominion, masterdom, and law imprisonment thereof, the meek and the captives have a more noble right in the surety Christ, by way of buying and selling, to the healing influences of Christs holy anointing, then the world can express. See also how the spirit in its fullness is given to Christ, Isa. 11. 2. The spirit of the Lord shall rest on him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. Isa. 42. 1. I will put my spirit on him, he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. These be mighty influences on him, to whom (said John the Baptist) God gave not the spirit by measure,