fullness of time

alternative fulness of time

1. uncountableThe time which is appropriate for something; a time that is not too soon.

   But when the fulnes of the time was come, God ſent foorth his Sonne made of a woman, made vnder the Law, / To redeeme them that were vnder the Law, that we might receiue the adoption of ſonnes.

   [1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], →OCLC, Galatians 4:4–5

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   In what year therefore ſoever, either from the deſtruction of the Temple, from the reedifying thereof, from the floud, or from the Creation he [Jesus Christ] appeared, certain it is, that in the fulneſſe of time he came.

   1650, Thomas Browne, “Concerning the Beginning of the World, …”, in Pseudodoxia Epidemica: […], 2nd edition, London: […] A[braham] Miller, for Edw[ard] Dod and Nath[aniel] Ekins, […], →OCLC, 6th book, page 241

   This was the fullneſs of Time, in which all the Propheſies (concerning the Meſſias) were exactly fulfilled. Nothing was ever foretold of Jeſus Chriſt, which was not exactly performed in the fullneſs of Time.

   1670, Thomas Price, The Mystery of Mysteries Revealed in the Fullnesse of Time. […], London: Printed by T. R. and T. D. for William Saywell […], page 25

   And in this exalted State he [Jesus Christ] ſhall appear again upon the Earth, and ſhew himſelf in the fullneſs of Time to thoſe who are then alive, for their Conviction and Converſion; [...]

   1751, Robert, Lord Bishop of Clogher [i.e., Robert Clayton], “An Impartial Enquiry into the Time of the Coming of the Messiah: In a Second Letter from Robert, Lord Bishop of Clogher, to an Eminent Jew”, in An Enquiry into the Time of the Coming of the Messiah, and the Restoration of the Jews: In a Letter from Robert, Lord Bishop of Clogher, to an Eminent Jew, London: Printed for J. Brindley, […], →OCLC, page 80

   Believe, Sire, that it is the warmest wish and most fervent prayer of your Majesty's Citizens of London, that Providence may long continue to this nation so distinguishing a mark of divine favour, and that in the fullness of time, when your Majesty shall be called from your earthly to a celestial crown, the memory and example of so beloved a Sovereign may secure to a grateful people the imitation of your Majesty's virtues, in the successors of your Royal House, till time shall be no more.

   1809 November 1, Henry Woodthorpe [Sr.], “City Jubilee Address to the King”, in William Cobbett, editor, Cobbett’s Weekly Political Register, volume XVI, number 18, London: Printed by T[homas] C[urson] Hansard, […]; published by Richard Bagshaw, […]; [et al.], published 4 November 1809, →OCLC, column 692

   I will tell you [...] what message he [Mahadev Govind Ranade] has left behind for the rising generations of his country, so that the harvest for which he laboured may be reaped and not lost in the fullness of time.

   1903, G[opal] K[rishna] Gokhale, “Mr. Mahadev Govinda Ranade”, in Speeches of the Honourable Mr. G. K. Gokhale, […], Madras: G[anapathi] A[graharam] Natesan & Co., […], published [1908], →OCLC, page 603