tion of the sinner as a sinner. 2. To meet the wants of his people from the moment of their conversion until they arrive in heaven. 3. To meet the wants of his church triumphant in heaven.
II. The reason assigned why all fullness should dwell in Christ-"for it pleased the Father." It should be remarked that the word "Father" is not found in the original text; the literal rendering would be, it was pleasing; or, it was meet, it was suitable that in him, &c.-there was a meetness, a suitableness that is in itself pleasing-pleasing to God, pleasing to all heaven, pleasing to man, too, that in Him, as mediaator and Savior, all fullness should dwell. But why?
1. It is pleasing in order that the greatest sinner, who would seek the Lord, may not despair of salvation. Seeing that all fullness is treasured in Christ, there is no room left for despair. Let your sins be ever so numerous, and ever so atrocious and aggravated-great sinners have been saved; they who had gone great lengths in sin, and whose sins were awfully aggravating. The apostle, in writing to the Corinthians, dwells upon a black catalogue of crimes -Saul, of Tarsus, was a persecutor of the church of God, &c.
2. It was pleasing, in order that the wants of every saint in every possible circumstance may be supplied. The fullness of Christ is such as meets every condition, at all times and under all circumstances. Here is not only a fullness, but all fullness. What an encouragement is this to trust in Jesus! None need fear to repose unlimited confidence in him; whatever your wants may be, whatever your condition. Do you lack
