e might be "all in all," Col. iii. 11, and they nothing; that
he alone might fill all in all, Eph. i. ult., and they be empty and
nothing without him.

(2.) That he might wear the glory of all; "for of him, and through him,
and to him are all things," Rom. xi. 36, and that no man might share
therein.

(3.) That man might be his everlasting debtor, and cast down, in
testimony thereof, his crown at his feet, "who sitteth on the throne,"
as those did, Rev. iv. 10, and might cry out with these same elders,
ver. 11, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and
power," &c.; and with those, chap. v. 12, "Worthy is the Lamb that was
slain, to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and
honour, and blessing."

(4.) That man's mouth might be stopped for ever, and all boasting
excluded; for man is a proud creature, and ready to boast of that which
is nothing and vanity. Now God hath chosen this noble way of the
covenant of grace, that no man might boast any more. Where is boasting
then? It is excluded. By what law? By the law of works? no, but by the
law of faith, saith the apostle, Rom. iii. 24.

(5.) That all might be sure to the poor chosen believer. The Lord will
not have the stock of life, any longer to be in a man's own hand: for
even Adam, in the state of innocency, could not use it well, but made
shipwreck thereof, and turned a bankrupt; much more would man now do so,
in this state of sin, in which he lieth at present, therefore hath God,
out of love and tenderness to his chosen ones, put all their stock in
the hand of Christ, who is better able to manage it, to God's glory and
man's advantage, being faithful in all things, and a trusty servant,
"having the fulness of the Godhead dwelling in him bodily." "Therefore,"
saith the apostle, Rom. iv. 16. "it is of faith, that it might be by
grace; to the end, the promises might be sure to all the seed."

(6.) That believers might have strong consolation, notwithstanding of
all the opposition of enemies without and within, when they see that now
their "life is hid with Christ in God," Col. iii. 3, and that their life
is in their head, they will not fear so much devils and men without, nor
their own dead and corrupt hearts within.

III. How inexcusable must all such be,

1. Who will not lay hold on this life, on Jesus who is the Life, sure
life, yea, everlasting life.

2. Who seek life any other way, than by and through him who is the Life.