Universal redemption of mankind, by the Lord Jesus Christ stated and cleared by the…

Obj. But if that be so, then he Redeemed or died for Brutes, Devils and good Angels: For he hath a Right of Dominion and Rule over these.

Obj. But if that be so, then he Redeemed or died for Bruits, Devils and good Angels: For he hath a Right of Dominion and Rule over these.

Ans. This Objection, though otherwise scarce worthy to be taken notice of, hath been so entertained, yielded to and confidently managed by some, that it is become necessary to make a discovery of its vanity. 1. Christ hath not a proper Empire or Rectorship over Brutes: For they are not capable of being Subjects of a Kingdom. 2. His Dominion over them is but as they are subservient to his ends for Man, and as they are Mans Servants and Utensils. 3. Christ hath not (that I can find in Scripture (any novum jus Dominii, any new propriety as Redeemer, in Devils or in good Angels: But having an ancient ⟨p. 199⟩propriety in them as being their Creator he useth them accordingly for his Redemption ends. 4. Nor do I find that he hath purchased any new proper absolute jus imperii or Rectorship over them, but only a power of using them for his Church, and for service about Man he shall send them on. 5. And therefore I say, the Empire of Christ over Angels is not of the same kind with that which he hath over Men, and which we use in the Argument to prove that he died for Men. if both should be called by the same title of a novum jus imperii, yet the difference of the Subjects sufficeth to show the different Sense of the same attribute as severally applied: I find not that Christ any where proclaims himself▪ the King of Devils or Angels, nor requires them to take him for their King, nor hath made any new Laws to govern them by, as he hath done for Men, nor hath restored any forfeited mercy to them, nor offers them pardon of any Sin upon condition of repentance, nor will judg them on such terms. So that if it should be proved that the good Angels are part of his Kingdom as Redeemer, yet it would be but as their confirmer, and not as a Redeemer of them: For he is never offered to them as a Redeemer, nor did they need any, for ought I know: He took not on him the nature of Angels, but of the Seed of Abraham. He is Head over all things, to his Church,