A51837:112
Christs eternal existence, and the dignity of his person asserted and proved in opposition…
Christs eternal existence, and the dignity of his person asserted and proved in opposition to the doctrine of the Socinians : in several sermons on Col. I, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 verses / by the Reverend Tho. Manton.
London printed : s.n., 1685
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
1. Relatively; when the rest are of the same stock, or have the relation of Brethren to him that hath the preeminence. So it is given to Christ with respect to new Creatures, Rom. 8.29, That he might be the first-born among many brethren.
1. Relatively; when the rest are of the same stock, or have the relation of Brethren to him that hath the preheminence. So it is given to Christ with respect to new Creatures, Rom. 8.29, That he might be the first-born among many brethren.
2. Comparatively only: When several persons or things be compared, though there be no relation between them; So David is called the first-born of the Kings of the earth, Psal. 89.27. That is superior in Dignity and Honour. So here it is taken not relatively, for so Christ is primogenitus, the first-born; that he is also unigenitus, the only begotten: none went before, or come after him, that are so begotten of God. What he asserteth in that verse, he now proveth by the creation of all things, in this 16th. verse, and the conservation of all things, verse 17. We are now upon the first proof: Surely he that created all things, is supreme Lord of all things; or hath the right of the first-born over them. Two ways is Christ said to have a right to the Creatures: As God, and as Mediator. His Right as God, is natural and perpetual; his Right as Mediator is by grant and donation. It is a power acquired and obtained; his natural right is Antecedent to his actual susception of the office of Mediator; for it ⟨p. 51⟩comes to him by Creation. He made all, and it is fit that he should be sovereign and Lord of all; but the other power and sovereignty is granted to him, as a part of his Reward, and recompense for the sorrows of his Humiliation;