A DIVINE POEM OF CHRISTS FULNESS AND A Christians Happiness.
CHRIST'S all-sufficient Fulness, and his free
Dispencing of the Fruits of Life's blest Tree,
In every part of Scripture so are spread,
That in each Book and Page they may be read.
We read of things, and persons of esteem,
Yet speaks the Spirit not so much of them,
As All [...]gorizeth of anothers fame;
Means them but on the by, at Christ they aim;
They all to Him, as to their Center run,
And at him point, as Sun-beams to the Sun:
Whom Earth as yet unworthy was to view,
And God unwilling all at once to shew,
Being so rich a jewel, therefore He
In Shadows wrapt him in obscurity;
But in due time his Son shone forth, Heav'n then,
Nor Earth could cloud him from the Sons of men.
All, of this potent Prince, but Shadows were,
Vanisht, when he in Person did appear:
As Stars extinguished their borrow'd light,
When as this Sun of Justice shone so bright.
This Universe, and all it doth produce,
Which are the chiefest things of note and use,
As He them made, and doth them all sustain,
But for him had not been, could not remain:
So All their service freely do present,
Him to illustrate, in each Continent,
And are as Gems, t'embroider and adorn
The Robes and rich Apparel by Him worn.
The choicest things, do serve to shadow forth
Parcels and pieces of his peerless worth:
Thus Heav'n and Earth, with all their Fulness, are
But meer Idea's of a Piece so rare.
The Author, Orderer, Actor, Owner, He
Is of the first Creation shewn to be:
From the same Womb, the second likewise brake,
Of which we shall a brief Description make.
Christ in the Prophecies was promised,
By Metaphors most lively figured;
Types Heraulds were, they wore his Coat and Crest,
But now He's Come, and really exprest.
The Womans Seed shall break the Serpents Head,
Christs peaceful Government o're all shall spread;
These Promises, with many more, foretel
What pow'r should in the great MESSIAS dwell.
Gods Promises are an exhaustless Mine,
Where in the glories of his Goodness shine.
A Garden full of Flow'rs of fragrant smell,
And Herbs whose Virtues Earth can't parallel.
Such is their pow'r, that wounded Souls they heal;
And to all Penitents their Pardon seal.
They are the product of Heav'ns boundless Love;
Firm as Earth's Basis, or the Poles above.
CHRIST is the onely firm Foundation,
The living Bread, the Door, chief Corner-stone:
From Him pure streams of living Water run,
He's the true Light, bright Day-star, glorious Sun.
He's Judah's Lion, who by strength o'recame;
He's both a Shepherd, and a spotless Lamb;
Who once, for all, became a Sacrifice:
Perfections Self, thus Justice satisfies!
Whose matchless Merits, Grace and Mercy bring
To Sion's Saints, which make her Mourners sing.
The Sacrifices real Types were made
Of Christs free Death, which past, they all did fade:
Moses, Melchizedech and David, they
His Person, and his Offices pourtray.
His Titles Nominal, as Truth record,
Are God, Emmanuel, Jesus Christ our Lord;
He's our high Priest, arch Prophet, King of Kings,
Who Truth, Peace, Mercy, and Protection brings.
Christ for his Saints to God doth mediate,
And thus their Judge becomes their Advocate.
Christs He is all in all to us, if we
By Faith and Love to Him united be.
He is our Wisdom, gives us heav'nly Light;
He is our Justice, hence is Heav'n our right:
He is our Holiness, gives grace and power,
And our Redemption, brings us to the Tower
Of Safety, Heav'n, whose perfect Happiness
Mans heart can ne're conceive, or tongue express.
Then all, our little all, to CHRIST let's give,
Deny our Selves, and to Him onely Live.
FINIS.
London, Printed for John Andrews at the white Lion near Pye-Corner, 1660.