A sermon preached before the Kings Maiestie at White-Hall, on Munday the 25. of December, being Christmas day, anno 1609. By the Bishop of Elie His Maiesties almoner Andrewes, Lancelot, 1555-1626. 1610 Approx. 57 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 20 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2003-01 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1). A19761 STC 619 ESTC S100197 99836046 99836046 289 This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. This Phase I text is available for reuse, according to the terms of Creative Commons 0 1.0 Universal . The text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A19761) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 289) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English Books, 1475-1640 ; 613:7) A sermon preached before the Kings Maiestie at White-Hall, on Munday the 25. of December, being Christmas day, anno 1609. By the Bishop of Elie His Maiesties almoner Andrewes, Lancelot, 1555-1626. [2], 37, [1] p. By Robert Barker, printer to the Kings most Excellent Maiestie, Imprinted at London : [1610?] Bishop of Elie = Lancelot Andrewes. Publication date conjectured by STC. Reproduction of the original in Cambridge University Library. Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford. Re-processed by University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. Gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. 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Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements). Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site . eng Christmas sermons -- Early works to 1800. Sermons, English -- 17th century. 2002-04 TCP Assigned for keying and markup 2002-05 SPi Global Keyed and coded from ProQuest page images 2002-06 Emma (Leeson) Huber Sampled and proofread 2002-06 Emma (Leeson) Huber Text and markup reviewed and edited 2002-07 pfs Batch review (QC) and XML conversion A SERMON PREACHED BEfore the Kings Maiestie at White-Hall , On Munday the 25. of December , Being Christmas day , ANNO 1609. ¶ By the Bishop of Elie His Maiesties Almoner . ¶ Imprinted at London by Robert Barker , Printer to the Kings most Excellent Maiestie . A SERMON PREACHED BEfore the Kings Maiestie at Whitehall , on Christmas day . ANNO 1609. GALAT. 4. verse . 4 , 5. When the fulnesse of time was come , God sent his Sonne , made of a woman , made vnder the Law. That , Hee might redeeme , them that were vnder the Law , that wee might receiue the Adoption of sonnes . IF when the fulnesse of time commeth , God sent his Sonne : then , When God sent his Sonne , is the fulnesse of time come . And as this day , God sent his Sonne . This day therfore , ( so oft as by the reuolution of the yeere it commeth about ) is to vs a yeerely representation of the fulnesse of time . So it is : and a speciall honour it is to the Feast , that so it is . And wee our selues seeme so to esteeme of it . For we allow for euery month a day , ( Looke how many moneths so many dayes ) to this Feast ; as if it were , and wee so thought it to be , the ful recapitulation of the whole yere . This honour it hath , from Christ , who is the substance of this , and all other Solemnities . Peculiarly , â Christi missá , from Christs sending . ( For , they that read the ancient writers of the Latin Church , Tertullian , & Cyprian know that Missa , and Missio , & Remissa and Remissio , with them are taken for one . So that Christi missa , is the sending of Christ. ) And when then hath this Text place so fit , as Now ? Or what time so seasonable to entreat of it , as This ? Of the sending of his Sonne ; as , when God sent his Sonne : Of the fulnesse of time ; as , on the yeerely returne and memoriall of it . To entreat of it then . The Heads are two● 1. Of the fulnesse of time . 2. And of that , wherewith it is filled . 1. Times fulnesse , in these , when the fulnesse of time came . 2 Times filling in the rest , God sent his Sonne , made of a woman , made vnder the Law , &c. In the former , ( Quando venit plenitudo temporis , ) there be foure points . 1. Plenitudo temporis , That , time hath a fulnesse ; or , that there is a fulnesse of time . 2. Venit plenitudo . That , that fulnesse commeth , by steps and degrees , not all a● once . 3. Quando venit . That , it hath a Quando , ( That is , ) there is a time , when time thus commeth to this fulnesse . 4. And , when that When is ? And that is , When God sent his Sonne . And so passe wee ouer to the other part , in the same Verse , Mi●it Deus ; God sent his Sonne . For the other part , ( touching the filling of time . ) There be Texts , the right way to consider of them , is to take them in pieces . And this is of that kinde . And if wee take it in sunder , we shall see ; as it is of fulnesse , so a kinde of fulnesse there is in it : euery word , more full then other : euery word , a step in it , whereby it riseth still higher , till by seuen seuerall degree● it commeth to the top , and so the measure is full . 1. God sent , the first . 2. Sent his Sonne , the second . 3. His Sonne made , the third . 4. And that twice made , made of a woman the fourth . 5. Made vnder the Law , the fift , euery one fuller then other , still . And all this , for some persons , and some pur●ose . The persons , Vt nos , that we . The purpose , ●eciperemus , that we might receiue . Nay , ( if you marke it ) there be two Vt's , vt ille , vt nos , that He might , and , that we might . He might redeeme : ●●d we might receiue , that is , Hee , pay for it , ●nd , wee reape the benefit . 6. A double benefit , of Redemption first from the state of persons cast and condemned , vnder the Law , which is the sixt . 7 And then , of translation into the state of adopted children of God , which is the seuenth ; & the very filling vp of the measure . Al which , we may reduce to a double fulnesse . Gods , as much as He can send . Ours , as much as we can desire . Gods , in the fiue first . 1. God sent . 2. Sent his Sonne . 3. His Sonne made . 4 Made of a Woman . 5. Made vnder the Law. And Ours in the two latter , 6. We are redeemed , the sixt 7. We receiue adoption , the seuenth . In that of Gods , euery point is full ; The thing sent , full . The sending , and the maner of sending full . The making , and the two maners of making Of a woman , and , vnder the Law , both full . And our fulnesse in the two latter , the effects of these two Actes , or makings of a woman vnder th● Lawe , Redemption , and Adoption , which mak● vp all . That , when we were strangers from th● Adoption ; and not that onely , but lay vnder th● Law , as men whom sentence had passed on From this latter , we are redeemed , ( Hee vnd●● the Law , that we from vnder the Law ) Tha● ( being so redeemed ) we might further recei●● the adoption of children , ( and as Hee the Son●● of man : So we might be made the sonnes of God. ) Which two are as much as we can wish . And this is Our fulnesse . And to these , I will craue leaue to adde another fulnesse o● Ours , rising out of these , and to make a motion , for it . That , as it is the time , when wee from God , receiue the fulness● ●f his bounty : so it might be the time also , when He from vs , may likewise receiue the fulnesse of our duetie . The time , of His Bounty fulnesse , and the time , of our Thanke-fulnesse : That it may be Plenitudo temporis , quà ad illum , quà ad nos ; downeward , and vpward ; from Him to vs , and from vs to Him againe : and so be both wayes , The fulnesse of time . Quando venit plenitudo temporis . FIRST , there is a fulnesse in Time. The terme , 1 Fulnesse , carieth our conceit to measure straight , fromwhence it is borrowed : which , is then said to be full , when it hath as much , as it can hold . Now , God hath made all things in measure : and if all things , then Time. Yea , Time it selfe is by the Apostle called , Mensura temporis , The measure of time . As then , all other measures haue theirs ; so the measure of Time also hath his fulnesse , when it receiueth so much , as the capacitie will conteine no more . So , Time is a measure : it hath a capacitie : that hath a fulnesse . That , there is such a thing as , as the fulnesse of time . 2 B●● , nothing is full at first : no more is Time by and by . Venit plenitudo , it commeth , not at once , or straightwayes , but by steps and paces , neerer and neerer : Fill's , first a quarter , and then halfe , till at last it come to the brim . And degrees there be , by which it commeth . Ecce palmares posuisti dies meos , Psal. 39.6 . From which word palmares , it is an obseruation of one of the Fathers , a man may reade his time . In his owne hand , visibly there is an ascent , the fingers rise still , till they come to the top of the middle finger ; and when they be come thither● downe againe by like descent , till they come to the little , which is the lowest of all : So is i● in our time ; It riseth still by degrees , till we com● to the full pitch of our Age , and then declinet● againe , till we grow to the lower end of ou● dayes . But , howsoeuer it may be ( as it oft falle● out ) the descent is sudden , wee goe down● headlong without degrees , goe away in a mo●ment ; yet , euer this holdeth , to our fulnesse we come not , but by degrees . Now thirdly , 3 this comming hath a Quando venit , a time , when it commeth thither . As a time there is a great while , when we may say , Nondum venit hora , the time is not yet come , while the measure is yet but in filling : So at the last , a time too , that we may say , Venit hora , the time is now come , when the measure is full : That is , A time there is , when time commeth to the full : As in the day , when the Sunne commeth to the Meridian Line : in the moneth , when it commeth to the point of opposition with the Moone : in the yeare , when to the Solstice : In man , when he commeth to his full yeres : for that is the fulnesse of time the Apostle alledgeth , in the three verses before . And , when is that When , that time thus commeth to his fulnesse ? Quando misit Deus , 4 when God sends it : for , Time receiues his filling from God. Of it selfe , time is but an emptie measure , hath nothing in it : Many dayes and moneths ●unne ouer our heads , Dies inanes , sayth the Psalmist . Menses vacui , sayth Iob : Emptie dayes , Psal. 78.33 . Void moneths , without any thing to fill them , Iob 7.3 . That which filleth time , is some memorable thing of Gods powring into it , or ( as it is in the Text ) of his sending , to fill it withall . Mi●it Deus is it : and so commeth Time to be more or lesse full ; therafter as that is , which God sends to fill it . Now , many memorable mission's did God make before this heere ; whereby in some measure , hee filled vp certaine times of the yeere vnder Moses , and the Prophets : all which , may well be termed , The implements of Time. But , for all them , the measure was not yet full●filled perhaps to a certaine degree , but not full to the brimme : full it was not ( seeing it migh● bee still fuller ) till God sent That , then which , ● more full could not be sent . And , That He sent , when He sent his Sonne , a fuller then whom , He could not send , nor Time could not receiue . Therefore , with the sending Him , when that was , Time was at the top , that was the Quando venit , then it was plenitud● temporis , indeed . And , well might that Time , be called the fulnesse of Time. For when he was sent into the world , in whom the fulnes of the Godhead dwel● bodily : In whom the Spirit was not by measure● In whom was the fulnesse of grace and trueth . Of whose fulnesse we all receiue , when He was sent , that was thus full , then was Time at the full . And well also might it be called the fulnesse of Time , in another regard . For , till then all was but in promise , in shadowes , and figures , and prophecies onely , which fill not , God knowes . But when the performance of those promises , the body of those shadowes , the substance of those figures , the fulfilling or filling full of all those Prophecies came , then came the fulnesse of Time , truely so called . Till then , it came not : then it came . And well might it bee called the fulnesse of time , in a third respect . For , then the Heire , ( that is the world ) was come to his full age : and so , that the fittest time , for him to bee sent . For to that , compareth the Apostle their estate then ; that , the former times vnder Moses and the Prophets were as the Nonage of the world ; sub Paedagogo , in the 3. Chapter , ver . 24. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , at their A.B.C. or rudiments , ( as in the very last words before these ) Their estate then , as of Children in their minority , little differing from seruants . For , all this while , nondum venit , the fulnesse of time was not yet come . But a time there was , as for man ; so for mankind to come to his full yeeres : That time , came with Christs comming , and Christs comming with it , and neuer till then , was the fulnesse of time ; but then it was . And let this be enough , for this point ; more there is not in the Text. But if any shall further aske , why then , at that age of the world , the world was at his full age , iust then , and neither sooner nor later ? I know , many heads haue bene full of deuices , to satisfie mens curiositie in that point . But , I hold it safest , , to rest with the Apostle ( in the second verse ) on Gods 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . Let that content vs. Then was the time , for that was Tempus praefinitum á Patre , the time appointed of the Father . For , euen among men , ( though the Father being dead ) the Lawe setteth a time , for the Sonne to come to his heritage : yet the Father liuing , no time can be prefixed , but onely when it liketh Him to appoint ; and the Father here liueth ; and therefore let his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 stay vs. The times and seasons , He hath put in his owne power , it is not for vs to know them . This is for vs to know , that , with his appointment , we● must come to a full point . So doth the Apostle ● and so let vs , & not busie our selues much with it Time is but the measure or caske , that wherewith it is filled , doth more concerne vs. To that therefore let vs come . The degrees are seuen ( as I said . ) To take them , as they rise . Misit Deus . God sent . That standeth first ; and , at it , let our first stay be . That , will fall out , to make the first degree . For , euen this , that God sent at all , Ipsum mittere Dei , this very sending it selfe , is a degree . It is so ; and so we would reckon of it , if wee knew the Sender , and who he is ; the Maiestie of his presence how great it is , & how glorious , how farre surpassing all we can see on earth . For Him , for such an one as Hee , to condescend , but to send ; is sure a degree . For , ynough it had beene , and more then ynough , for Him , to be sent to ; and not to send , Himselfe . To haue sit still , and beene content , that we might send to him , and haue our message and petition admitted , and not , he send to vs. That had beene asmuch as we could ●ooke for , and well , if wee might haue ●ene vouchsafed but that . But it was he that sent , not we to him first , nay , not we to him at ●ll , but , he to vs. He to vs ? And what were we , that He to vs ? Vs , ( as elsewhere he termeth vs ) meere Aliens from Him , and His Houshold ; Not that onely , but Vs , in case of men , whom the Law had passed vpon . ( So is our estate described in the end of the Text : ) for Him , to send to Vs , so great as He , to such as we ; to thinke vs , tanti , so much worth , as to make any mission , or motion , or to disease any about vs ; This , may well be the first . Be it then so ; that to vs , or for vs , or concerning vs , God would trouble himselfe , to make any sending . A fulnesse , there is in this . Full he was ; a fulnesse there was in him , ( euen the fulnesse of compassion in His bowels ouer our estate , ) else such a Sender , would neuer once haue sent . God sent ; Sent , and sent his Sonne . That , ( I make no question , ) will beare a second . Other● He might haue sent ; and whosoeuer it had bene Hee had sent , it might well haue serued ou● turnes . If , sent by the hand of any his Seruants , any Patriarch , Prophet , any ordinary messenger , it had beene ynough . So hitherto had bene his Sending . So , and no otherwise● euer till now . Then , if to send by any may seeme sufficient● to send his Sonne , must needs seeme full . For● euer the more excellent the Person sent● the more honourable the sending : the greater He , the fuller it . Now , greater there is not , then his sonne , His first , His onely begotten Sonne , in whom the fulnes of the Godhead dwelt ; In sending him , He sent the greatest , the best , the fullest thing He had . To heape the measure vp yet more , with the cause of his sending , in the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; It was voluntarie . Hee sent him not for need : but for meere loue to vs , and nothing else . There was no absolute necessitie , that He should haue sent him . He might haue done what Hee intended by the meanes and ministerie of some besides . God could haue enabled a Creature ; a Creature enabled by God , and the power of his might , could soone haue troad downe Sathan vnder our feete . But , if it had bene any other Hee had sent , his loue and regard to vs , had not shewed so full . It had bin ostendit Deus charitatem , but not , Ecce quantam charitatem ostendit Deus . Whomsoeuer He had sent besides , his loue had not bene full , at least not so full , as it should haue beene , if He had sent his Sonne . That therefore it might be full , and so appeare to vs for full , Misit Deus filium suum . Enough it was , in compassion of our estate , to haue releeued vs , by any : Men that are in need to be releeued , care not , who they be that doe it . Enough then for compassion : but not enough , to manifest the fulnesse of his loue , vnlesse to relieue vs , He se● his owne Sonne . This is full , one would thinke : Yet , the Manner of his sending him , is fuller still . Misi● Flium ; Filium factum . Sent his Sonne ; His Sonne made . Sent Him , and sent Him made . This is a third . For , if Hee would haue sent Him , Hee should not haue sen● Him , made : but as Hee was , neither made 〈◊〉 created , but like himselfe , in his owne estate , as was meete for the Sonne of God , to bee sent . To make Him any thing , is to mar●● Him , bee it what it will bee . To send Hi● made , is to send him marred , and no better . Therefore , I make not doubt , Christs sending is one degree , His making is another : So 〈◊〉 sende , as withall to make , are two distinct measures , of this filling . As He is , Hee is a Maker , a Creator : If God make Him any thing● He must be a thing made , a Creature ; and that is a great disparagement . So that , howsoeue● the Time is the fuller , for this ; Hee is th● ●mptier : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , The fulnesse of Time , is his emptinesse ; The exalting of that , his abasing . And , this very Exinaniuit seipsum , emptying Himselfe , for our sake , is a pressing downe the measure : and so , euen by that , still the measure is more full . Yea , the very maner of this making , hath his encrease too , addeth to it stil. In the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is not euery making , but making it his nature . To haue made Him a bodie , and taken it vpon him for a time , till He had performed his Embassage , and then laid it off againe , that , had bene much : But so to be made , as once made and euer made : so to take it , as neuer lay it of more , but , continue so still , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , it to become his very nature ; so to be made , is to be made indeed , so to to be made is to make the vnion full . And to make the vnion with vs full , He was content , not to be sent alone , but to be made , and that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to be made so , as neuer vnmade more . Our manhood becomming his nature , no lesse then the Godhead it selfe : This is Filium factum indeed . Made , and twise made , ( for so it is in the verse ) factum ex , and factum sub , made of and made vnder . Of a woman ; vnder , the Law. So two makings there be , either of them of it selfe , a filling to the measure , but , both of them , maketh it perfectly full . Made , first of a woman : that , I take cleerely ●o be one . For , it Hee , if the Sonne of God must be made a Creature ; it were meet , He should bee made , the best creature of all . And if made of any thing , ( if any one thing , better then another ) of that : made some glorious Spirit , Some of the orders of the Angels . Nay , made , but made no Spirit , Verbum caro factum est , The word became flesh : made , but made no Angel● Nusquam Angelos : Hee in no wise tooke the Angels nature vpon Him. But made man , First I will aske with Dauid , Domine , quid est homo ? Lord , what is man ? And then , tell you his answere : Homo quasi res nihili . Man is like a thing of nought . And this he was made , this he became , made man , made of a woman ; did not abhorre the Virgin● wombe , ( as wee sing daily , to the high praise o● the fulnesse of his humilitie , to which his Lou● brought Him for our sakes . ) For , whatsoeue● else He had bin made , it would haue done vs no good . In this then , was the fulnes of his Loue● as before of his Fathers , that He would bee made , and was made , not what was fittest for Him , but what was best , for vs : not , what was most for his glory , but what was most , for our benefit and behoofe . Made of a woman . For man He might haue bin made , and yet haue had a body framed for Him in heauen , and not made of a woman . But when he saith , Factum ex muliere , it is euident , He passed not through Her , as water through a Conduite Pipe , ( as , fondly dreameth the Anabaptist . ) Made of , Factum ex : Ex , dicit materiam . Made of her ; She ministred the matter , Flesh of her flesh . Semen mulieris . The seed , and Semen intimum substantiae , that is the principall and very inward chiefe part of the substance . Made of that , made of her very substance . And so haue we here now in one , both twaine his Natures . God sent his Sonne , There his Diuine : made of a woman , Heere his humane Nature , That , from the bosome of his Father , before all worlds : this , from the wombe of his mother , in the world . So that , as from eternitie , God his Father might say , that verse of the Psalme . Filius meus es tu , hodie genui te : Thou art my Sonne , this day haue I begotten thee . So , in the fulnesse of time , might the Virgine his mother , no lesse truely say , Filius meus es tu , hodie peperite : Thou art my Sonne , this day haue I brought thee into the world . And heere now , at this word , made of a woman , He beginneth to concerne vs somewhat . There groweth an alliance betweene vs : For we also are made of a woman . And our hope is , as , He will not be confounded , to be counted inte●●natos mulierum : No more will He be , ( saith the Apostle ) to say in medio fratrum ; to acknowledge vs , his Brethren . And so by this Time H● groweth , somewhat neere vs. This now , is full for the vnion with our nature , to be made of a woman . But so to be made 〈◊〉 a woman , without He be also made vnder th● Law , is not neere enough yet . For , if he be out 〈◊〉 the compasse of the Law , that the Law canno● take hold of Him , factum ex muliere will doe 〈◊〉 small pleasure . And He was so borne , so made 〈◊〉 a woman : As the verity , of His conception , is 〈◊〉 this factum ex muliere : So , the puritie , is in thi● that it is but ex muliere , and no more ; Of th● virgin alone , by the power of the Holy Ghos● without mixture of fleshly generation . B● vertue whereof , no originall soile was i● Him ; Iust borne He was , and Iusto non 〈◊〉 lex posita , No law for the Iust , no law could touch him . And so wee , neuer the better , for factum ex muliere . For , if one be in debt and danger of the Law , to haue a Brother , of the same blood , made of the same woman , both ( as we say ) lying in one belly ; will little auaile him , except He will also come vnder the Law , that is , become his Surety , and vndertake for him . And such was our estate . As Debters wee were , by vertue of Chirographum contra nos , The hand writing that was against vs. Which was our Bond , and we had forfeited it . And so , factus ex muliere , to vs , without factus sub lege , would haue bene to small purpose . No remedy therefore , He must be new made , made againe once more . And so He was , cast in a new mould , and at his second making , made vnder the Law , vnder which if He had not bene made , we had bene marred : euen quite vndone for euer , if this had not beene done for vs too . Therefore , He became bound for vs also , entred Bond anew , tooke on Him , not onely our nature , but our Debt ; our Nature , and Condition both Nature , as men : Condition , as sinful men ; expressed in the words following ; [ Them that were vnder the lawe ] for that was our Condition . There had indeed beene no captiuitie in him , to doe this , if the former had not gone before , factum ex muliere ; if He had not bene , as we , made of a woman , but the former was for this ; Made of a woman He was , that he might be mad● vnder the law : Being ex muliere , He might the● become sub lege , which before He could not , but then he might and did : And so , this still is the fuller . And when did He this ? when was He mad● vnder the lawe ? Euen then , when he was circumcised . For this doth S. Paul testifie , in the third of the next Chapter , Behold , I Paul testifi● vnto you , whosoeuer is circumcised , factus est debitor vniuersae legis . He becomes a debter to the whole lawe . At His Circumcision then , He entred Bond anewe with vs , & in signe that so H● did , He shed then a few drops of his blood wherby He signed the Bonde ( as it were ) and gaue those few drops then , tanquan arrham vniuersi sanguinis effundendi , as a pledge or earnest , that when the fulnesse of time came , He would be readie to shed all the rest , as He did For , I would not haue you mistake , though we speake of this , sub lege , being vnder the law , in the termes of a Debt sometimes : yet , the truth is , this debt of ours was no money debt , we were not sub lege pecuniariâ , but Capitali : and the debt of a Capitall law , is death : and vnder that , vnder Death He went , and that the worst death law had to inflict , euen the Death of the Crosse , the most bitter , reprochfull , cursed death of the Crosse. So that vpon the matter , factus sub lege , and factus in Cruce , come both to one ; one amounts to as much , as the other . Well , this Hee did vndertake for vs , at His Circumcision : and therefore then , and not till then , He had his n●me giuen him , the name of Iesus a Sauiour . ●●r then , tooke He on him the Obligation to saue vs. And looke , what then at his Circumcision He vndertooke , at his Passion he paid , euen to the full , and hauing paid it , deleuit Chirographum , cancelled the sentence of the lawe , that till then , was of record , and stood in full force against vs. Howbeit all this , was but one part of the law , But He was made sub lege vniuersâ , vnder the whole law , and that , not by his death onely , but by his life too . The one halfe of the law , ( that is , the Directiue part ) Hee was made vnder that , and satisfied it , by the Innocencie of his life , without breaking so much , as one iot or title of the lawe : and so , answered that part ( as it might be , the Principall . ) The other halfe of the law , which is the Penaltie , He was vnder that part also , and satisfied it , by suffering a wrongful death , no way deserued , or due by him , and so answered that ( as it might be the forfeiture . ● So , He was made vnder both , vnder the whol● law . Satisfying the Principall , there was no reason , He should be lyable to the forfeiture , an● penaltie : yet , vener that He was also . And al● 〈◊〉 the whole law might be satisfied fully , b● 〈◊〉 being vnder both parts , and so , no part 〈◊〉 it light vpon vs. These two then , 1 Made of a woman . 〈◊〉 Made vnder the law , ye see , are two seuerall 〈◊〉 kings , and both very requisite . Therefore , E●●ther hath a seuerall Feast , they diuide this S●●lemnitie betweene them . Sixe dayes a peece , 〈◊〉 Either ; as the seuerall moities of this fulnesse 〈◊〉 time . This day , Verbum caro factum , The Wo●● made flesh : That day , Him that knew no Sinn● He made Sinne , ( that is ) made him vnderta●● to bee handled as a Sinner , to be vnder the la● and to endure what the lawe could lay vpo● Him. And so now , the thing sent is full : an● fully sent , because made : and fully made , because made once and twice ouer : fully made ours , because fully vnited to vs : Made of a woman as wel as we . Made vnder the Law as deepe as we , Both ex muliere , and sub lege . So of our nature ( of a woman , ) that of our condition also ( vnder the lawe : ) So , fully vnited to vs in nature , and condition both . 3. And so we are come , to the full measure of His sending . And , that we are come to the ful , ye shall plainely see , by the ouerflowing , by that which we receiue from this fulnesse , which is the latter part of the verse , and is our fulnesse , euen the fulnesse , of all that we can desire . For , if we come now to aske , For whom , is al this adoe This Sending , This making , ouer & ouer againe ? it is for vs. So is the conclusion , vt nos , that wee might from this fulnesse , receiue the full of our wish . For in these two behinde , Redemption , and Adoption ; to be redeemed , and to be adopted , are the full of all , we can wish our selues . The transcendent Diuision , of Good and Euill , is it , that comprehendeth all . And heere it is . Our desire can extend it selfe no further then to be rid of all euill , and to attaine all , that good is . By these two , ( being redeemed , and being adopted ) we are made partakers of them both . To be redeemed from vnder the law , is to be quit of all euill . To receiue the Adoption of children , is to be stated in all that is Good. For , all Euill is in being vnder the law , from whence we are redeemed , and , all Good , in being inuested , in the heauenly Inheritance , whereunto we are adopted . Thus stood the case with vs : Aliens we● were from God His Couenant , and his kingdome : More then that , Prisoners we were fast layed vp vnder the Lawe . From this latter wee are freed : of the former , we are Seised : And what would we more ? Onely , this you shall obserue , that in th● Idiom of the Scriptures , it is vsuall ; two point● being set downe , when they are resumed againe , to beginne with the latter , and so ende with the former . So is it heere , At the first mad● of a woman , made vnder the Lawe . At the resuming , He beginnes with the latter , made vnde● the Lawe , That He might redeeme them , tha● were vnder the Lawe . And then comes to th● former , made of a woman , made the Sonne o● man , That we by adoption might be made the Son● of God. But this we are to marke , it is He that i● at all the cost & paine : and we , that haue the benefit by it . At the redeeming it is , v●●ille ● At the receiuing it is , vt nos . Briefly of either : And first , of our Redeeming . Redeeming ( as the word giueth it ) is a second buying , or buying backe of a thing , before aliened or sold. Euer , a former sale is presupposed before it . And such a thing there had gone before . A kinde of alienation , had formerly beene , whereby we had made away our selues , ( for a sale I cannot call it , it was for such a trifle ) our nature aliened in Adam , for the forbidden fruit ; a matter of no moment . Our Persons likewise , daily wee our selues alien them , for some trifling pleasure , or profit , matters not much more worth . And , when wee haue thus passed our selues away , by this Selling our selues vnder sinne , the Law seizeth on vs , and vnder it wee are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 Cap. 3.23 . euen lockt vp , as it were in a Dungeon , tyed fast with the cordes of our sinnes , Prou. 5.22 : the sentence passed on vs , and wee waiting but for execution . What euill is there not , in this estate , and on euery soule that is in it ? Well then , the first vt , the first ende is , To get vs ridde , from vnder this estate . He did it : not by way of intreaty , step in and beg our pardon : That would not serue ; Sold we were , and bought we must be . A price must be laide downe for vs : To get vs from vnder the Lawe , it was not a matter of Intercession ● to sue ●or it , and haue it . No , He must purchase it , and pay for it . It was a matter of Redemption . And , in Redemption or a Purchase , we looke to the Price . For , if it be at any easie rate , it is so much the beter . But with an high price , He Purchased vs ; it cost Him deare to bring it about● Non auro , nec argento . Neither of them woul● serue , at an higher rate it was , euen pretioso sa●●guine . His precious blood , was the price , w● stood him in . Which he payed , when He ga●● his life a ransome for many . It stood thus , betweene Him and vs , in th● point of Redemption . Heere are certaine mal● factors , vnder the Lawe , to suffer , to be execute● What say you to them ? Why , I will becom● vnder the Lawe , suffer that they should , take v●●on me their execution , vpon condition , the● may be quit : In effect so much , at his Pass●●● He said , Si ergo me quaeritis Io. 18.6 . If youl● hold on me , if I must discharge all , Sinite 〈◊〉 abire , Let these goe their way , Let the price pay be their Redemption : and so it was . And , so wee come , to bee redeemed from vnder the Lawe . And this is to be marked , that Them that were vnder the Law , and , We that are to receiue , are but one , one and the same persons both : But being so redeemed , then we are our selues . Till then , the Apostle speakes of vs , in the third person , Them , that were vnder the Lawe , as of some strangers , as of men of another world , none of our owne : But now being redeemed , the stile changeth . He speaketh of vs , in the first person vt nos , that we : for till now we were not our owne , we were not our selues , but now we are : till this , it was the old yeere still with vs , but with the new yeere , commeth our new estate . Being thus redeemed , we are got from vnder the Lawe : and that is much . Till a party come to be once vnder it , and feele the weight of it , hee shall neuer vnderstand this aright ; but then he shall . And if any haue beene vnder it , he knowes what it is , and how great a benefit to be got thence . But is this all ? No , He leaues vs not heere ; but to make the measure compleat , yea , euen to flowe ouer , He giues vs not ouer , when he had rid vs out of this wretched estate , till He haue brought vs to an estate , as good , as He himselfe is in . After our Redemption , we stood , but as Prisoners enlarged ; that was all : But , still we were as strangers , no part , nor portion in God , or his kingdome : nor , no reason , we should hope for any . He now goeth one step further , which is the highest and furthe●t step of all . For further then it , He cannot goe . That we might receiue the Adoption , ( that is ) from the estate of Prisoners condemned , be translated into the estate of Children Adopted . Of Adopted : for , of naturall , we could not : That is His peculiar alone , and He therein onely abou● vs , but else , fully to the ioynt fruition , of all that He hath , which is fully as much , as we could desire . And this is our Fieri out of His Factum ex muliere . We made the Sonnes of God , as Hee the Sonne of man ; We made partakers of his Diuine ● as He of our humane nature . To purchase our pardon , to free vs from death , and the laws sentence , this seemed a small thing to Him : ye● this is Lex hominis . Mans goodnesse goeth no farther ; and gracious is the Prince , that dot● but so much . For who euer heard of a condemned man , Adopted afterward ; or that thought i● not enough and enough , if Hee did but scape● with his life ? So farre then to exalt his bountie , to that fulnesse ; as pardon , and Adopt both , Non est lex hominis haec . No such measure among men , Zelus Domini Exercituum , The zeale of the Lord of Hosts , was to performe this : The fulnesse of the Godhead , dwelt in Him , that brought this to passe . For ( to speake of adopting : ) We see it dayly ; No father adopts , vnlesse He be orbe , haue no childe ; or i● He haue one , for some deepe dislike , haue cast him of . But God had a Sonne , The brightnes of his Glorie ; The true character of his Substance : and no displeasure there was ; No , In quo complacitum est , In whom He was absolutely well pleased : yet , would He by adoption , for all that , bring many Sonnes to Glory . Is not this full on his part ? We see againe , no Heire will endure to heare of Adoption , nay , nor diuide his Inheritance , no not with his naturall Brethren . Then , that the Heire of all things , should admit ioynt Heires to the Kingdome hee was borne to ; and that admit them , not out of such , as were neere him , but from such as were strangers , yea such as had beene condemned men vnder the Lawe , Is not this full on his part ? To purchase vs , and to purchase for vs , both at once ? And not to doe this for vs alone but to assure it to vs : For , as his Father , in this verse , sends Him : So , in the next verse , He sends the Spirit of his Sonne , to giue vs sei●in of this our Adoption : wherby we now call him , the Iewes Abba , the Gentiles Pa●ter , as Children all , and He our Father , which is the priuiledge of the Adoption , wee hee● receiue . And now , are we come to the fulnes indeed● For this Adoption , is the fulnesse of our optio●● We cannot extende ; we our wish : or He 〈◊〉 loue and goodnesse any further . For , what can w● aske , or He giue more , seeing in giuing this , 〈◊〉 giueth all He is worth ? By this time , it is 〈◊〉 Sea. All the Banckes are filled . It is now , as E●●●kiels waters , that he sawe flowe , from vnder 〈◊〉 threshold of the Temple ● that tooke him to 〈◊〉 ancles first , then to the knees , after to 〈◊〉 loynes , at last , so high risen , there was no mo●● passage . 1. From the fulnesse of his Compassion , 〈◊〉 sent to release vs : 2. from the fulnesse of 〈◊〉 loue , He sent his Sonne : 3. In the fulnesse 〈◊〉 Humilitie , Hee sent him made : 4. Made 〈◊〉 Woman , to make a full vnion with our nature● Made vnder the Lawe , to make the vnion yet more perfectly full with our sinfull condition : 6. That we might obteine a full deliuerance , from all Euill , by being redeemed : 7. and a full estate , of all the ioy and Glory of his heauenly inheritance , by being adopted . So , there is fulnes , of all handes . And so much , for the fulnes of the Benefit , we receiue . Now , for the fulnes of the duetie , we are to performe this day . For , in the fulnes of time , all things are to be full . Plenitudo temporis , tempus plenitudinis . And , seing God hath suffered vs to liue , to see the yeare run about , to this plenitudo temporis : if it be so , on Gods part ; meete also , it be so on Ours : and that we , be not emptie , in thi● fulnes of time . It is not fit , if He be at the brincke , that we be at the bottom . But as we be willing , to yeeld Him of ours againe ; of our duety ( I meane : ) that it , to him , in a measure , and proportion be like full ; as his Bountie , hath ●eene full aboue measure , toward vs. That so from vs. & on our parts , it may be plenitudo temporis , or tempus plenitudinis , the fulnesse of time , or time of fulnes , choose you whether . 1. And , a time of fulnes it wil be , ( I knowe ) in a sense : of fulnes of Bread , of fulnes of brauerie , of fulnes of sport , and pastime : and this it may be . And it hath beene euer , a ioyfull time in apparance , for it should be so : with the ioy ( sayth Esay a verse or two before , Puer natus est nobis , vnto vs a Childe is borne ) that men reioyce with , in haruest . Not to goe from our Text here , with the ioy of men that are come out of prison , haue scaped the Lawe , with the ioy of men , that hau● got the reuersiō , of a goodly heritage . Only , tha● we forget not the principal , that this outwa●● ioy , eate not vp , euacuate not our spirituall io● ● proper to the Feast : that we haue in mind , 〈◊〉 the middest of our mirth , the cause of it , Christ● sending , and the benefits that come thereby And , it shall be a good signe vnto vs , if we c●● thus reioyce , if this our ioy can be full , if we ca● make a spirituall blessing , the obiect of o●● mirth . Beatus populus , qui scit iubilationem . Blessed is the people , that can reioyce on this manner . And , after our ioy-fulnesse , or fulnesse of ioy , o● fulnes of thankes , or thank-fulnesse , is to ensue for , with that fulnesse , we are to celebrate it likewise . Our minds first , and then our mouthes , t● be filled with blessing , and praise , and thankes t● Him that hath made our times , not to fall int● those emptie ages of the world , but to fall within this fulnesse of time , which so many Kings and Prophets desired to haue liued in , but ●ell short of ; And liued then , when the times were full of shadowes , and promises , and nothing else . How instantly they longed , to haue held such a Feast , to haue kept a Christmasse , it is euident , by Dauids Inclina caelos , by Esays Vtinam disrumpas Caelos , Bow the Heauens , and Breake the Heauens : How much ( I say ) they longed for it : and therefore , that we make not light account of it . To render our thankes then , and to remember to doe it fully , To forget none : To Him that was sent , and to Him , that Sent ; Sent his Sonne , in this ; the Spirit of his Sonne , in the next verse . To beginne wi●h Osculamini filium , it is the first duetie enioyned vs this day , to kisse the Babe new borne , that when his Father would send Him , sayd , Ecce venio , so readily : and when he would make Him , was content with Corpus aptasti mihi , to haue a body made him , meete for him to suffer in : who willingly yeelded to be our Shilo ; to this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 heere ; yea to be not onely Christ , but an Apostle for vs , Heb. 3.1 . euen ●he Apostle of our profession . And not to Him that was sent and made alone : but , to the Father that sent Him , and to the Holy Ghost that made Him , ( as by whom He was conceiued . ) To the Father , for his mission ; The Sonne , for his Redemption ; the Holy Ghost , for his Adoption ; For by him it is wrought● He that made Him the Sonne of man , doth likewise regenerate vs , to the state of the Sonnes 〈◊〉 God. And this for our thankefulnesse . 3 And , to these two , ( to make the measure full ) to ioyne , the fulnesse of duetie , euen whatsoeuer duetifull minded persons , may yeeld 〈◊〉 a bountifull minded , & a bountifull handed Benefactor . And with this to begin , to consecra●● this first day of this fulnesse of time : euen wi●● our seruice to Him at the full ; which , is then● the full , when no part is missing : when all o● dueties , of preaching , and praying , of Hymnes , 〈◊〉 offering , of Sacrament , and al , meet together . N●● fulnes there is of our Liturgie , or publike so●lemne seruice , without the Sacrament . Som● part ; yea , the chief part is wanting , if that 〈◊〉 wanting . But our thanks are surely not ful , with●out the Holy Eucharist , which is by interpre●●●tion , Thankesgiuing it selfe . Fully we cannot say Quid retribuam Domino ? but we must answer● Calicem salutaris accipiam , we will take the cup of saluation , and with it in our hands giue thankes to Him ; render Him our true Eucharist , or ●eall Thankesgiuing indeed . In which cup is the blood , not onely of our redemption of the Couenant , that freeth vs from the Lawe , and maketh the Destroyer pass eouer vs : but of our Adoption of the new Testament also , which intitles vs , and conueyes vnto vs ( Testament-wise , or by way of Legacie ) the estate wee haue in the ioy and blisse of his heauenly kingdome , whereto we are adopted . We are then made partakers of Him , and with Him of both these His benefits . We there are made to drinke of the Spirit , by which we are sealed , to the day of our redemption , and adoption both . So that , our freeing from vnder the law , our inuestiture into our new adopted state , are not fully consummate without it . And what ? Shall this be all ? No , when this is done , there is allowance of 12. dayes more , for this fulnesse of time : that , we shrinke not vp our duety then into this day alone , but in the rest also remember , to redeeme some part of the day , to adopt some howre at the least , to bethinke our selues of the duetie , the time calleth to vs for : that so , we haue not Iobs dies vacuos , no day quite emptie in this fulnesse of time . Hereof assuring our selues , that what we doe in this fulnesse of time , will haue full acceptance at His hands . It is the time of his birth , which is euer a time as accepted , so of accepting , wherein , what i● done , will be acceptebly taken to the full : fully accepted , and fully rewarded by Him , of whose fulnesse we all receiue : with this condition , of grace for grace , euer one grace for an other . And so , growing from grace to grace , finally from this fulnes , we shall come to be partakers of another yet behinde , to which we aspire . For all this , is but the fulnesse of time ● but that , the fulnesse of eternitie , when time shall be runn● out , and his glasse emptie , Et tempus non erit amplius ; which is , at His next sending . For y●● once more shall God send him , and He come againe . At which comming , we shall then indeed receiue the fuln●sse of our redemption , not from the Law ( that we haue alreadie ) bu● from Corruption , to which our bodies are ye● subiect ; and receiue the full fruition of the Inheritance , whereto we are heere but adopted . And then it will be perfect , compleat , absolute fulnesse indeed , when we shall all be filled with the fulnesse of him that filleth all in all . For , so shall a●● be when nothing shall be wanting in any : for God shall be all , in all . Not as heere He is , something , and but something in euery one ; but then omnia in omnibus . And then the measure shall be so full , as it cannot enter into vs , we cannot hold it : wee must enter into it ; Intra in gaudium Domini tui . To this we aspire , and to this in the fulnesse appointed of euery one of our times , Almightie God bring vs , by Him , and for His sake , that in this fulnesse of time , was sent to worke it for vs , in his person : and worke it in vs , by the operation of his blessed Spirit . To whom● &c. Notes, typically marginal, from the original text Notes for div A19761-e70 1 Plenitudo tempor●● Sap. 11.17 . Eph. 4.13 . 2 Venit pleni●udo . Alcuin . 3 Quando venit . Ioh. 7.6 . Ioh. 12.23 . 4 Quando . Col. 2.9 . Ioh. 3.34 . Ioh. 1.14 . Ioh. 1.16 . Acts 1.7 . God sent . Ephes. 2.12 . His Sonne . Colos. 2.9 . 1. Iohn . 3.1 Made . Phil. 2.7 . Made of a woman . Iohn 1.14 . Heb. 2.16 . ●sal . 144.3 . Gen. 3.15 . Psal. 2.7 . Heb. 2.11 . Rom. 8.29 . Made vnder the Law. 1. Tim. 1.9 . Col. 2.14 . Gal. 5.3 . Luke . 2.21 . Col. 2.14 . Ioh. 1.14 . 2. Cor. 5.21 Verse 5. Eph● . 2.12 . That hee might redeeme them that were vnder the Lawe . Rom. 7.14 . 1. Pet. 1.18 19. Mat. 20.28 That wee might receiue the Adoption of Children 2. Pet. 1.4 . 2 Sam. 7.19 . Es. 9 . 7● Heb. 1 . 3● Mat. 17.5 . Heb. ● . 10 . Heb. 1.2 . Rom. 8.17 . Ezek. 47.3 , 4 , 5. Esa. 9.3 . Psal. 89.15 . Luk. 10.24 . Psal 144.5 . Esa. 64 1. Psal. 2.12 . Psal. 40.7 . Gen. 49.10 Psal. 116.12.13 . Mat. 26.28 . 1. Cor. 12.13 . Ephe. 4.30 . 2. Cor. 6.2 . Ioh. 1.16 . Apo. 10.6 . Ephe. 1.23 . 1. Cor. 15.28 . Mat. 25.21 .