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 , Col. 2.9 . Ioh. 3.34 . 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 . Ioh. 1.14 . Ioh. 1.16 . 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 ; Acts 1.7 . 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 . 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 , Ephes. 2.12 . ( 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 .

His Sonne . 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 , Colos. 2.9 . 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 . 1. Iohn . 3.1 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 .

Made . 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 , Phil. 2.7 . 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 of a woman . 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 . Iohn 1.14 . Nay , made , but made no Spirit , Heb. 2.16 . 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 , ●sal. 144.3 . 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 . Gen. 3.15 . 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 . Psal. 2.7 . 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 : Heb. 2.11 . No more will He be , ( saith the Apostle ) to say in medio fratrum ; Rom. 8.29 . to acknowledge vs , his Brethren . And so by this Time H● groweth , somewhat neere vs .

Made vnder the Law . 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 ; 1. Tim. 1.9 . 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 , Col. 2.14 . 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 ? Gal. 5.3 . 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 , Luke . 2.21 . 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 , Col. 2.14 . 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 . Ioh. 1.14 . This day , Verbum caro factum , The Wo●● made flesh : That day , Him that knew no Sinn● He made Sinne , 2. Cor. 5.21 ( 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 , Verse 5. 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 : Eph● . 2.12 . 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 : That hee might redeeme them that were vnder the Lawe . 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 , Rom. 7.14 . 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 . 1. Pet. 1.18 19. 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 . Mat. 20.28

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 .