Christ the universal peace-makerChrist the universall peace-maker

Now for answer hereunto; 1. Besides, that according to that connection which I have given, that the 16. v. should thus make up a full period of it self, and doth keep it self entire within it self (as v. 14, and 15, also do) and so not at all referring to the slaying the enmity, v. 15. as hath been ⟨p. 9⟩explained; which coherence doth at once cut off the whole of that objection at first made: But besides this (supposing it might take in, and refer to that slaying the enmity v. 15. among the Saints, as the antecedent, or at least ingredient unto their reconciliation with God) there may perhaps this just assoilment be given thereto.

Now for answer hereunto; 1. Besides, that according to that connexion which I have given, that the 16. v. should thus make up a full period of it selfe, and doth keepe it selfe intire within it selfe (as v. 14, and 15, also doe) and so not at all referring to the slaying the enmity, v. 15. as hath beene ⟨p. 9⟩explained; which coherence doth at once cut off the whole of that objection at first made: But besides this (supposing it might take in, and referre to that slaying the enmity v. 15. among the Saints, as the antecedent, or at least ingredient unto their reconciliation with God) there may perhaps this just assoylment be given thereto.

That 2. In order of nature, All enmity must first be supposed removed, ere friendship or (as here) reconciliation, can be supposed to be procured: the reason of which is obvious to any judgement, first peace by slaying enmity, and then good will. And so upon this and the like grounds, these words, that he might reconcile unto God in one body, may well be supposed to have a secondary aspect to his having first abolished the enmity between our selves, ver. 15. as well as our enmity against God, ver. 16. And the Apostle his adding [IN ONE BODY] (which he studiously hath done) shows, that they being under that notion and respect reconciled unto God by Christ upon the Cross; that then withal at the same time, yea in order of nature, first, their enmities one against another were removed as well as against God himself: All sorts of Enmities being to be removed ere Any sort of Reconciliation attained, surely under that notion, they cannot be considered reconciled to God, but withal it must be said, they are at peace, and so made one among themselves, at least these two do mutually argue each the other. If indeed there had been room left for us to conceive, that our reconciliation with God had been so wrought by Christ for us, as for each person considered only single, and apart (though even so it was intended, namely for each and every person; and this is involved in that other:) Then indeed it might have been supposed that their enmities to God, had been slain and done first away, and reconciliation wrought with him first, by one primary act, & then after that, ex consequenti, as a secondary