'THE CHRISTIAN'S TREASUJRE, ESERM. XXXVIII. Thus the names of the saints are, as itwere, inserted into that divine patent that exalts and constitutes Christ Lord of all. And indeed, Christ has not only a right to all things by the mere donation of the Father, but it may be said, he has purchased all things for his own honour, and his peo- ple's good. " Because he was obedient unto death, therefore God has so highly exalted him," Phil. ii. 89. and made him Lord of the dead and the living; Rom. xiv. 9. And perhaps it is in this sense, that the inherit- ance of the saints may be called the purchased posses- sion," Eph. i. 14. Now, christians, since all the affairs of nature, grace, andglory, are put into the hands of such a friend in trust for you, that they may be managed and employed for your advantage, it is as well, nay, it is much better than if all things were at present in your possession, that is, under your present state of weakness and folly ; for his wisdom and goodness shall govern all for your truest in- terest. Ye are Christ's, so the apostle expresses itin the verse next to my text : And Christ, who has all in his hands, will take care of you who are his' own. Christ is madeheir of all things," Heb. is 2. And if ye belong to Christ, " then are ye heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ," Rom. viii. 17. And the express promise of the Father confirms it, that all things are yours ; Rev.. xi. 7. " He that overcometh shall inherit all things, and I will he his God, and he shall be my son," 1 Cor. 1. 27. " Y "are the members of the body, and Christ is the head." Now the members must in their measure become sharers of what the head 'possesses. In your proportion, '0 christians, you shall have com- munion with Christ your Lord, in his royalties and his wide dominion ; for he hath promised that " ye shall sit dówn on his throne, when ye have overcome your enemies, even as he overcame, and is -set down on the throne with his Father," Rev. iii "1. Ye are one with Christ, and therefore in your Measure, O believers,, and according to your capacity, ye shall possess and enjoy all things which he possesses, so far as is requisite for your benefit in this world, and your truest happiness for ever. Iii. The saints are actually invested with this privi- 5
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