A history of the work of redemption. Containing the outlines of a body of…

III. We may see by what has been said, how Christ in all things has the pre-eminence. For this great work of redemption is all his work: he is the great Redeemer, and therefore the work of redemption being as it were the sum of God's works of providence, this shows the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, as being above all, and through all, and in all. That God intended the world for his Son's use in the affair of redemption, is one reason that is to be given why he created the world by him, which seems to be intimated by the apostle in Eph. iii.9.—12. What has been said, shows how all the purposes of God are purposed in ⟨p. 288⟩Christ, and how he is before all and above all, and all things consist by him, and are governed by him, and are for him, Colos. i.15 16.17.18. We see by what has been said, how God makes him his first born, higher than the kings of the earth, and sets his throne above their thrones; how God has always upheld his kingdom, when the kingdoms of others have come to an end; how that appears at last above all, however greatly opposed for so many ages; how finally all other kingdoms fell, and his kingdom is the last kingdom and is a kingdom that never gives place to any other.

III. We may see by what has been said, how Christ in all things has the pre-eminence. For this great work of redemption is all his work: he is the great Redeemer, and therefore the work of redemption being as it were the sum of God's works of providence, this shows the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ, as being above all, and through all, and in all. That God intended the world for his Son's use in the affair of redemption, is one reason that is to be given why he created the world by him, which seems to be intimated by the •postle in Eph. iii.9.—12. What has been said, shows how all the purposes of God are purposed in ⟨p. 288⟩Christ, and how he is before all and above all, and all things consist by him, and are governed by him, and are for him,