Section 858
IV. To make it appear, that the being and dwelling of this fullness in Christ is owing to the good-will and pleasure of the Father
The phrase, The Father, is not indeed in the original text, but is rightly supplied by our translators; since he is expressly mentioned in the context, and is spoken of as he who make the saints meet to be partakers of the heavenly glory, who delivers from the power and dominion of sin and Satan, and translates into the kingdom of his dear Son, verses 12, 13, and as he who by Christ, reconciles all things to himself, whether in heaven or in earth, even such who were alienated and enemies in their minds unto him, verses 20, 21. Now,
It is owing to the good-will of the Father to his Son, that this fullness dwells in him. Christ was ever as mediator, as one brought up with him, daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; (Proverbs 8:30) and so he always continued to be; and as an evidence and demonstration of it, he treasured up all fullness in him. This seems to be the import of our Lord's words, when he says, the Father loveth the Son, and hath put all things into his hands; (John 3:35) that is, he hath shewed his love to him, and given a full proof of it, by committing all things to him, to be at his will and disposal. This sense of the words well agrees with the context, which represents Christ in his mediatorial capacity, as exalted by the Father, with this view, that in all things he might have the preeminence.
It is owing to the good-will of the Father to the elect, that this fullness dwells in Christ; for it is for their sakes, and upon their account, that it is put into the hands of Christ. God has loved them with an everlasting love; and therefore takes everlasting care of them, and makes everlasting provision for them. They were the objects of his love and delight from everlasting; and therefore he set up Christ as mediator from everlasting, and possessed him with this fullness for them. There was good-will in God's heart towards these sons of men; and therefore it pleased him to take such a step as this, and lay up a sufficient supply for them, both for time and eternity.
It pleased the Father that this fullness should dwell in Christ; because he considered him as the most proper person to trust with it. It is well for us, that it is not put into our own hands at once, but by degrees, as we stand in need of it; it would not have been safe in our own keeping. It is well for us, it was not put into the hands of Adam, our first parent, our natural and federal head, where it might have been lost. It is well for us, it was not put into the hands of angels, who, as they are creatures, and so unfit for such a trust, were also in their creation-sate mutable creatures, as the apostasy of many of them abundantly declares. The Father saw that none was fit for this trust but his Son, and therefore it pleased him to commit it to him.
It is the will and pleasure of God that all grace should come to us through Christ. If God will commune with us, it must be from off the mercy-seat, Christ Jesus. If we have any fellowship with the Father, it must be with him through the Mediator. If we have any grace from him, who is the God of all grace, it must come to us in this way; for Christ alone is the way, the truth, and the life; (John 14:6) not only the way of access to God, and acceptance wit him, but of the conveyance of all grace, of all the blessings of grace unto us. No inasmuch as it is the pleasure of the Father that all fullness of nature, grace, and glory, should dwell in Christ the Mediator, this,
Sets forth the glory of Christ. One considerable branch as Christ's glory, as Mediator, lies in his being full of grace and truth; which souls sensible of their own wants, behold with pleasure. It is this which makes him fairer than the children of men, because grace, the fullness of it, is poured into his lips. It is this which makes him appear to be white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand; and look so lovely, even altogether lovely, in the view of all that know him. It is this which makes him so exceeding precious to, and so highly valued and esteemed by, all them that believe.
This instructs us where to go for a supply. The Egyptians, in the seven years of famine, when they cried to Pharaoh for bread, he having set Joseph over his storehouses, bids them go to him, saying, Go unto Joseph; what he saith to you do. (Genesis 41:55) Christ is by his Father made head over all things to the church. He is our antitypical Joseph, who has our whole stock of grace in his hand: All the treasures of it are hid in him; he has the entire disposal of it, and therefore to him should we go for whatsoever we stand in need of. And this we may be sure of, that there is nothing we want but what is in him: and nothing in him suitable for us, but he will readily and freely communicate to us.
This directs us to give all the glory of what we have to God, through Christ: For since he is the way of the conveyance of all grace unto us, by him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips; giving thanks unto his name. (Hebrews 13:15) It is by the grace of God in Christ, through him and from him, we are what we are; it is that which has made us to differ from another. We have nothing but what we have in a way of receiving, nothing but what we have received out of the fullness of Christ; and therefore we should not glory, as though we had not received it: But if any of us glory, let us glory in this; that Christ is of God made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. (1 Corinthians 1:30)