A discourse about civil government in a new plantation whose design is religion written…

The Proposition is proved out of two places of Scripture, Col. 1.15. to 19. with Eph. 1.21, 22. From which Texts it doth appear, that it is a preeminence due to Christ, that all things, and all Governments in the world, should serve to Christs ends, for the welfare of the Church whereof he is the Head. For 1. In relation to God, he hath this by Right of Primogeniture, as he is the first-born, and so Heir of all things, higher then the Kings of the earth. 2. In relation to the World it is said, All things were made by him, and for him, and do consist in him, and therefore it is a preeminence due to him that they all serve him. 3. In relation to the Church, it is said, He hath made all things subject under his feet, and hath given him over all things to be Head of the Church, that in all things he might have the preeminence. And indeed that he upholdeth the Creatures, and the Order that is in them, it is for his Churches sake; when that is once complete, the world shall soon be at an end. And if you read the stories of the great Monarchies that have been, and judge of them by Scripture-light, you will find they stood or fell, according as God purposed ⟨p. 16⟩to make use of them about some service to be done about his Church. So that the only considerable part for which the world standeth at this day, is the Church: and therefore it is a Preeminence due to Christ, that his Headship over the Church should be exalted and acknowledged, and served by all. In which respect also the Title of The first-born is given to the Members of the Church, and they are called The first-fruits of his Creatures, to show both their preeminence above others, and that they are fittest to serve to Gods ends.

The Proposition is proved out of two places of Scripture, Col. 1.15. to 19. with Eph. 1.21, 22. From which Texts it doth appear, that it is a prehemince due to Christ, that all things, and all Governments in the world, should serve to Christs ends, for the welfare of the Church whereof he is the Head. For 1. In relation to God, he hath this by Right of Primogeniture, as he is the first-born, and so Heir of all things, higher then the Kings of the earth. 2. In relation to the World it is said, All things were made by him, and for him, and do consist in him, and therefore it is a preheminence due to him that they all serve him. 3. In relation to the Church, it is said, He hath made all things subject under his feet, and hath given him over all things to be Head of the Church, that in all things he might have the preheminence. And indeed that he upholdeth the Creatures, and the Order that is in them, it is for his Churches sake; when that is once compleat, the world shall soon be at an end. And if you reade the stories of the great Monarchies that have been, and judge of them by Scripture-light, you will finde they stood or fell, according as God purposed