Now he exalts Christ above the Angels, for another reason: to wit, because the Angels are commanded to worship him: for thereupon it follows that he is their head and Prince. Notwithstanding, it should seem that the Apostle doth ill in applying this to Christ, which is spoken of God. If we answer that Christ is the eternal God, and that for this cause whatsoever appertains to God, doth also by right appertain unto him; yet in so answering we should not satisfy all that might be objected. For it were to small purpose to prove a doubtful thing, if we should ground our argument in this matter upon the common titles of God. For the question is of Christ manifested in the flesh. But to answer to the point, we must understand, that the Apostle expressly saith that the holy Ghost spake thus, when the Son was brought into the world: which were not truly spoken, if so be the Psalm did not speak properly of the manifestation of Christ: yet questionless that is the very true meaning. For the beginning of the Psalm is an exhortation ⟨p. 20⟩to rejoice: neither doth David speak there to the Jews only, but addresseth his speech to all the earth, even to the Isles: that is to say, to the Regions beyond the Seas. The reason of this rejoicing is in these words: for the Lord reigneth. And if afterward you read the whole Psalm, you shall see nothing spoken in it that doth not belong to the kingdom of Christ, which began when the Gospel was published. Yea the whole argument of the Psalm is nothing else but a letter authentical wherewith Christ is sent (as you would say) to be put into the possession of his kingdom. Now what cause of joy would this kingdom bring, if so be it were not a kingdom of salvation to all the world, that is to the Gentiles as well as to the Jews? Wherefore the Apostle speaks here very properly and to the purpose, when he saith that Christ is brought into the world, to wit, because his coming unto men is there described. Moreover, the Hebrew word Elohim, for which he hath here put Angels, doth also signify Gods: but we are not to doubt but the Prophet speaks of Angels. For this is the sense, there is no power so high which ought not to stoop to the rule of this King, seeing his coming shall bring an universal joy to all the world.
NOw he exalts Christ aboue the Angels, for another reason: to wit, because the Angels are commaunded to worship him: for thereupon it followes that he is their head and Prince. Notwithstanding, it should seeme that the Apostle doth ill in applying this to Christ, which is spoken of God. If we answere that Christ is the eternall God, and that for this cause whatsoeuer appertaines to God, doth also by right appertaine vnto him; yet in so answering we should not satisfie all that might be obiected. For it were to small purpose to proue a doubtfull thing, if wee should ground our argument in this matter vpon the common titles of God. For the question is of Christ manifested in the flesh. But to answere to the point, we must vnderstand, that the Apostle expresly saith that the holy Ghost spake thus, when the Sonne was brought into the world: which were not truly spoken, if so be the Psalme did not speake properly of the manifestation of Christ: yet questionlesse that is the very true meaning. For the beginning of the Psalme is an exhortation ⟨p. 20⟩to reioyce: neither doth Dauid speake there to the Iewes onely, but addresseth his speech to all the earth, euen to the Isles: that is to say, to the Regions beyond the Seas. The reason of this reioycing is in these words: for the Lord reigneth. And if afterward you reade the whole Psalm, you shall see nothing spoken in it that doth not belong to the kingdom of Christ, which began when the Gospell was published. Yea the whole argument of the Psalme is nothing else but a letter authenticall wherewith Christ is sent (as you would say) to be put into the possession of his kingdome. Now what cause of ioy would this kingdome bring, if so be it were not a kingdom of saluation to all the world, that is to the Gentiles as well as to the Iewes? Wherefore the Apostle speakes here very properly and to the purpose, when he saith that Christ is brought into the world, to wit, because his comming vnto men is there described. Moreouer, the Hebrue word Elohim, for which hee hath here put Angels, doth also signifie Gods: but wee are not to doubt but the Prophet speakes of Angels. For this is the sense, there is no power so high which ought not to stoope to the rule of this King, seeing his comming shall bring an vniuersall ioy to all the world.
