First, The dignity and authority committed to Christ. He hath put all things under his feet: which implies full, ample, and absolute dominion in him; and subjection in them over whom he reigns. This power is delegated to him by the Father. For besides the essential, native, ingenite power and dominion over all, which he hath as God; and is common to every person in the Godhead, Psal. 22.28. there is a mediatory dispensed authority; which is proper to him as Mediator which he receives as the reward, or fruit of his suffering, Phil. 2.8.
§2Secondly, The subject recipient of this authority, which is Christ; and Christ primarily, and only. He is the [Greek or Hebrew], first receptacle of all authority and power. Whatever authority any creature is clothed with, is but Ministerial, and derivative; whether it be Political, or Ecclesiastical. Christ is the only Lord Jude 4. the fountain of all power.
§3Thirdly, The Object of this authority. The whole creation. All things are put under his feet. He rules from Sea, to Sea; even to the utmost bounds of Gods creation. Thou hast given him power over all flesh, Joh. 17.2. all creatures, rational, and irrational; animate, and inanimate; Angels, Devils, Men, Winds, Seas all obey him.
§4Lastly, And Especially take notice of the finis cui, end for which he governs,1 and rules the universal Empire. It is to the Church, (i. e.) for the advantage, comfort, and Salvation of that chosen remnant he died for. He purchased the Church, and that he might have the highest security that his blood should not be lost, God the Father hath put all things into his hand; to order and dispose all as he pleaseth. For the furtherance of that his design and end. As he bought the persons of some, so the services of all the rest; and that they might effectually serve the end, they are designed to, Christ will order them all, in a blessed subordination and subserviency thereunto. Hence the Point is,
First, The dignity and authority committed to Christ. He hath put all things under his feet: which implies full, ample, and absolute dominion in him; and subjection in them over whom he raigns. This power is delegated to him by the Father. For besides the essential, native, ingenite power and dominion over all, which he hath as God; and is common to every person in the Godhead, Psal. 22.28. there is a mediatory dispensed authority; which is proper to him as Mediator which he receives as the reward, or fruit of his suffering, Phil. 2.8.
§2Secondly, The subject recipient of this authority, which is Christ; and Christ primarily, and only. He is the 〈non-Latin alphabet〉, first receptacle of all authority and power. Whatever authority any creature is cloathed with, is but Ministerial, and derivative; whether it be Political, or Ecclesiastical. Christ is the only Lord Jude 4. the fountain of all power.
§3Thirdly, The Object of this authority. The whole creation. All things are put under his feet. He rules from Sea, to Sea; even to the utmost bounds of Gods creation. Thou hast given him power over all flesh, Joh. 17.2. all creatures, rational, and irrational; animate, and inanimate; Angels, Devils, Men, Winds, Seas all obey him.
§4Lastly, And Especially take notice of the finis cui, end for which he governs,1 and rules the universal Empire. It is to the Church, (i. e.) for the advantage, comfort, and Salvation of that chosen remnant he died for. He purchased the Church, and that he might have the highest security that his blood should not be lost, God the Father hath put all things into his hand; to order and dispose all as he pleaseth. For the furtherance of that his design and end. As he bought the persons of some, so the services of all the rest; and that they might effectually serve the end, they are designed to, Christ will order them all, in a blessed subordination and subserviency thereunto. Hence the Point is,
- 1In bonum ecclesiae obticet hoc imperium. Grotius in loc.
