and will not give it over, until they are every one brought to be his footstool, Psal. cx. 1. 1 Cor. xv. 25. And the dominion granted him on these grounds, is,

1. Sovereign and absolute; his enemies are his footstool, Psal. cx. 2. Mat. xxii. 44. Mark xii. 36. Luke xx. 42. Acts ii. 34. 1 Cor. xv. 25. Heb. i. 13. They are in his band as the Egyptians were in Joseph's, when he had purchased both their persons and their estates to be at arbitrary disposal. And he deals with them as Joseph did with those, so far as any of the ends of his rule and lordship are concerned in them. And,

2. Judiciary, John v. 22, 23. As he hath power over their persons, so he hath regard unto their sins, Rom. xiv. 9. Acts xvii. 3. Mat. xxv. 31. And this power he variously exerciseth over them, even in this world, before he gloriously exerts it in their eternal ruin. For, 1. He enlightens them by those heavenly sparks of truth and reason, which he leaves unextinguished in their own minds, John i. 9. 2. Strives with them by his Spirit, Gen. vi. 3. secretly exciting their consciences. to rebuke, bridle, yoke, afflict, and cruciate them, Rom. ii. 14, 15. And 3. On some of them he acts by the power and authority of his word, whereby he quickens their consciences, galls their minds and affections, restrains their lusts, bounds their conversations, aggravates their sins, hardens their hearts, and judges their souls, Psal xlv. Isa. vi. 4. He exerciseth rule and dominion over them in providential dispensations, Rev. vi. 15, 16. Isa. lxiii. 1-4. Rev. xix. 13. By all which he makes way for the glory of his final judgment of them, Acts xvii. 3. Mat. xxv. 31. Rev. xix. 20. xx. 10-15. And all this will he do, to the ends, 1. Of his own glory. 2. The good exercise and safety of the church.

And this is the second instance of the first head of the dominion of Christ in this world, He is Lord over persons, angels and men.

II. The second part of the heirship and dominion of Christ, consisteth in his lordship over all things besides, which added to the former comprises the whole creation of God. In the distribution of these premised, the first that occur are spiritual things, which also are of two sorts, 1. Temporal, or such as in this life we are made partakers of, and 2. Eternal, the things that are reserved for them that believe in the state of glory. The former may be reduced to two heads, for they are all of them either grace or gifts, and Christ is Lord of them all.

I. All that which comes under the name of grace in Scripture, which, flowing from the free and special love of God tends directly to the spiritual and eternal good of them on whom it is bestowed, may be referred to four heads. the fountain of all these (or the gracious free purposes of the VOL. III.

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For as

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will of God from whence they all do flow) being antecedent to the mission of Christ the Mediator, and immanent in God, it can be no otherwise granted to him, but in respect of its effects, which we shall shew that it is. Now these are,

1. Pardon of sin, and the free acceptance of the persons of sinners, in a way of mercy. This is grace, Eph. ii. 8. Tit. iii. 5. 7. And a saving effect and fruit of the covenant, Jer. xxxi. 31-34. Heb. viii. 12.

2. The regenerating of the person of a dead sinner, with the purifying and sanctifying of his nature, in a way of spiritual power. This also is grace, and is promised in the covenant, and there are three parts of it: 1. The infusion of a quickening principle into the soul of a dead sinner, Rom. viii. 2. Tit. iii. 5. John iii. 6. Eph. ii. 1-6. 2. The habitual furnishing of a spiritually quickened soul, with abiding radical principles of light, love and power, fitting it for spiritual obedience, Gal. v. 17. 3. Actual assistance, in a communication of supplies of strength for every duty and work, Phil. i. 13. John xv. 3.

3. Preservation in a condition of acceptance with God, and holy obedience to him to the end, is also of especial grace. It is the grace of perseverance, and eminently included in the covenant, as we have elsewhere shewed at large.

4. Adoption as a privilege, with all the privileges that flow from it, is also grace, Eph. i. 5, 6.

All these, with all those admirable and inexpressible mercies that they branch themselves into, giving deliverance to sinners. from evil, temporal and eternal; raising them to communion with God here, and to the enjoyment of him for ever hereafter, are called grace; and do belong to the lordship of Christ, as he is Heir, Lord, and Possessor of them all. All the stores of this grace and mercy that are in lieaven for sinners, are given into his hand, and resigned up to his sovereign disposal: as we shall intimate in general, and particular.

1. In general, Col. i. 19. "It pleased the Father that in him all fulness should dwell." There is a fourfold fulness in Christ: 1. Of the deity in his divine nature, Rom. ix. 5. 2. Of union in his person, Col. ii. 9. 3. Of grace in his human nature, John i. 14. ch. iii. 34. Luke ii. 52. ch. iv. 1. 4. An authoritative fulness to communicate of it unto others; that is the fulness here intended. For it is in him as the head of the church, ver. 18. so as that from him, or from that fulness, which it pleased the Father to entrust him withal, believers might receive grace for grace, John i. 16, 17. Thus he testifies that all things are delivered to him of the Father, Matt. xi. 27. put into his power and possession. And the things which he there intends, are the things on the account whereof he invites sinners weary and laden to come unto him, ver. 28. that is, all

mercy and grace, which are the things that burdened sinners need and look after. The same is testified, John iii. 35, 36. and fully, John xvi. 15. "All things that the Father hath are mine." All the grace and mercy that are in the heart of God as a Father, to bestow upon his children, they are all given into the hand of Christ, and are his, or part of his inheritance. In particular;

1. All pardoning grace for the acceptance of our persons, and forgiveness of our sins, is his: he is the Lord of it, Acts v. 31. He is made a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance and the forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness of sin is wholly given unto him, as to the administration of it; nor doth any one receive it, but out of his stores. And what is the dominion of ten thousands of worlds in comparison of this inheritance? Sure he shall be my God and King, who hath all forgiveness at his disposal. All that this world can do, or give, is a thousand times lighter than the dust of the balance, if compared with these good things of the kingdom of Christ.

2. All regenerating, quickening, sanctifying, assisting grace is his. 1.—John v. 21. He "quickeneth whom he pleaseth." He walks among dead souls, and says to whom he will, Live. And, 2. He sanctifies by his Spirit whom he pleaseth, John iv. 14. All the living waters of saving grace are committed to him, and he invites men unto them freely, Cant. v. 1. Isa. lv. 1. Rev. xxi. And, 3. All grace actually assisting us unto any duty, is his also; for without him we can do nothing, John xv. 5. for it is he alone that gives out suitable help at the time of need, Heb. iv. 16. No man was ever quickened, purified or strengthened, but by him; nor can any dram of this grace be obtained, but out of his treasures. Those who pretend to stores of it in their own wills, are so far Antichrists.

3. The grace of our preservation in a state of acceptance with God, and obedience unto him, is solely his, John x. 28. And so also,

4. Are all the blessed and gracious privileges whereof we are made partakers, in our adoption, John i. 12. Heb. iii. 6. He is so Lord over the whole house and family of God, as to have the whole inheritance in his power, and the absolute disposal of all the good things belonging unto it.

These are the riches and treasure of the kingdom of Christ, the good things of his house, the revenues of his dominion. The mass of this treasure that lies by him is infinite, the stores of it are inexhaustible; and he is ready, free, gracious and bountiful in his communications of them to all the subjects of his dominion. This part of his heirship extends unto, 1. All the grace and mercy that the Father could find in his own gracious heart to bestow, when he was full of counsels of love, and

designed to exalt himself by the way of grace, Eph. i. 6. 2. To all the grace and mercy which he himself could purchase by the effusion of his blood, Heb. ix. 14. Eph. i. 13. and indeed these are commensurate, if things, in respect of us altogether boundless, may be said to be commensurate. 3. All that grace which hath saved the world of sinners which are already in the enjoyment of God, and that shall effectually save all that come to God by him. 4. All that grace which in the promises of it in the Old Testament, is set out by all that is rich, precious, glorious, all that is eminent in the whole creation of God; and in the New is called treasures, unsearchable riches, and exceeding excellence, which being communicated by him to all the subjects of his kingdom, makes every one of them richer than all the potentates of the earth who have no interest in him.

The especial foundation of all this trust, is in an eminent manner expressed, Isa. liii. 10-12. His suffering for the sins of all those to whom he intends to communicate of this his fulness, according to the will of God; and the purchase he made in his death according to the tenor of the covenant of the Mediator, makes it just and righteous that he should enjoy this part of his inheritance. Heh. ii. 17. chap. ix. 12. The Father says unto him, Seest thou these poor wretched creatures, that lie perishing in their blood, and under the curse? They had once my image gloriously enstamped on them, and were every way meet for my service; but behold the misery that is come. upon them by their sin and rebellion! Sentence is gone forth against them upon their sin; and they want nothing to shut them up under everlasting ruin but the execution of it. Wilt thou undertake to be their Saviour and Deliverer, to save them from their sins, and the wrath to come? Wilt thou make thy soul an offering for their sins, and lay down thy life a ransom for them? Hast thou love enough to wash them in thy own blood, in a nature to be taken of them, being obedient therein unto death, the death of the cross?" Whereunto he replies, "I am content to do thy will, and will undertake this work, and that with joy and delight. Lo, I come for that purpose: my delight is with these sons of men, Psal. xl. 8. Prov. viii. 31. What they have taken, I will pay what is due from them, let it be required at my hand. I am ready to undergo wrath and curse for them, and to pour out my soul unto death.'-' It shall be,' saith the Father, as thou hast spoken, and thou shalt see of the travail of thy soul, and be satisfied. I will give thee for a covenant and a leader unto them, and thou shalt be the Captain of their salvation. To this end, take into thy power and disposal all the treasures of heaven, all mercy and grace to give out unto them for whom thou hast undertaken. Behold, here are unsearchable hidden treasures, not of many generations, but

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laid up from eternity! take all these riches into thy power, and at thy disposal shall they be for ever.' This is the noble peculiar foundation of this part of the inheritance of Christ.

From what hath been spoken, the rule also whereby the Lord Christ proceedeth in disposing these treasures to the sons of men, is made evident. Though he hath all grace committed unto him, yet he bestows not grace upon all. The rule of his procedure herein, is God's election. For the foundation of this whole trust is his undertaking for them, who were given him of his Father; see Acts xiii. 48. Rom. xi. 7. Eph. i. 3-8. And the variety which is seen in his actual communication of grace and mercy unto sinners, depends upon the sovereign and eternal designation of the persons of them, who by him were to obtain mercy, and be made heirs of salvation.

But although the persons are designed and allotted unto him from eternity, who were to receive this grace and mercy at his hands, yet as to the manner, and as to all circumstances of his dispensing and communicating these blessings, they are wholly committed unto his own sovereign will and wisdom. Hence some he calls at one time, some at another; some in the morning, that they may glorify grace in working all the day; some in the evening of their lives, that they may exalt pardoning mercy to eternity; on some he bestows much grace, that he may render them useful in the strength of it; on others less, that he may keep them humble in a sense of their wants. Some he makes rich in light, others in love; some in faith, others in patience; that they may all peculiarly praise him, and set out the fulness of his stores. And hereby, 1. He glorifies every grace of his Spirit, by making it shine eminently in one or other, as faith in Abraham and Peter, love in David and John, patience in Job. And, 2. He renders his subjects useful one to another, in that they have opportunities upon the defects and fulness of each other, to exercise all their graces. And, 3. So he renders his whole body uniform and comely, 1 Cor. xii. 16-27. 4. Keeping every member in humility and dependence, while it sees its own wants in some graces that others excel in, Col. ii. 19.

This is another most eminent part of the inheritance and kingdom of Christ.

II. All gifts that are bestowed on any of the sons of men, whereby they are differenced from others, or made useful unto others, belong also to the inheritance and kingdom of Christ.

Gifts bestowed on men, are either natural or spiritual. Natural gifts are special endowments of the persons or minds of men, in relation to things appertaining to this life; as wisdom, learning, skill and cunning in arts and sciences. I call them natural, in respect of the objects that they are exercised