And ye; ye saints and holy brethren, Colossians 1:2, who have received Christ, Colossians 2:6,7, and so are mystically united to him, in whom dwelleth all fulness (as you have heard); being in him, having one Spirit with him, as members with the head, Romans 8:1,9 Eph 1:23, are complete; are implete, or filled, and so mediately and causally complete from the all-fulness that is in your Head, yet not immediately and properly complete with it (as some have been apt to think). But in him ye have that completeness and perfection which is reckoned and made over to you and accepted for you to justification, so that of his fulness ye receive, and grace for grace, 1 Thessalonians 1:16 1 Corinthians 1:30 2 Corinthians 5:21 Ephesians 1:6 Philippians 3:9; derive in and from him all spiritual blessings, Ephesians 1:3; so that every one hath grace sufficient, 2 Corinthians 12:9, to do all things incrumbent on him, through Christ strengthening him, Philippians 4:13. It is true there is here in this state no being complete or perfect actually, as to glorification, yet, virtually and seminally, that may in a sort be said of true believers not only in regard of their Head, but in regard of their certain hope of being saved in Christ, yea, and indeed as to the earnest, the seed and root of it, having already that life which shall never have an end, 1 Thessalonians 3:36, 1 Thessalonians 4:14 Romans 5:2 Ephesians 4:30 2 Thessalonians 2:13 Hebrews 9:15, Hebrews 10:14 1 Peter 1:3,4 1 John 5:12. Which is the head of all principality and power: the apostle, for consolation of the saints, and in opposition to those who did endeavour a withdrawing from Christ to the worshipping of angels. Colossians 2:18, doth further infer, from the personal union, the dignity of the human nature of Christ, in regard of the good angels, which are here meant by principality and power, by reason of their excellency by nature and grace, and their authority delegated to them by God over other creatures, Matthew 24:36 2 Corinthians 11:14 1 Timothy 5:21. Christ having the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily, is Head unto the good angels in regard of his excellency and eminency above them, who are far below him in perfection, Ephesians 1:21 Hebrews 1:4; the best of them are ministering spirits and subject to him, and so under his authority and at his command, Matthew 2:41; Matthew 13:27 24:31 Ephesians 3:10 Hebrews 1:14 1 Peter 3:22 Revelation 1:1, Revelation 22:16.

Continues after advertising
Continues after advertising