be_v not_o there_o mean_v this_o i_o shall_v prove_v by_o four_o argument_n 1._o he_o who_o be_v the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n be_v the_o same_o who_o shed_v his_o blood_n ver_fw-la 14._o for_o the_o redemption_n of_o man_n as_o i_o note_v before_o now_o he_o who_o shed_v his_o blood_n for_o the_o redemption_n of_o man_n can_v be_v no_o other_o but_o jesus_n christ_n man_n but_o this_o very_a jesus_n christ_n man_n be_v there_o style_v the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n by_o who_o all_o thing_n be_v create_v etc._n etc._n as_o we_o translate_v the_o word_n therefore_o this_o can_v be_v mean_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n which_o be_v the_o work_n of_o god_n not_o of_o a_o man._n yes_o you_o will_v say_v for_o he_o be_v god_n as_o well_o as_o man_n and_o therefore_o may_v be_v say_v to_o have_v create_v the_o world_n i_o answer_v where_o have_v you_o find_v in_o scripture_n that_o christ_n be_v god_n as_o well_o as_o man_n i_o know_v he_o be_v call_v man_n in_o the_o write_n of_o the_o new_a testament_n but_o i_o can_v never_o find_v he_o there_o style_v god-man_n as_o he_o shall_v have_v often_o be_v if_o he_o be_v both_o do_v the_o apostle_n make_v a_o distinction_n between_o his_o two_o nature_n do_v he_o say_v we_o have_v redemption_n through_o his_o blood_n as_o he_o be_v a_o man_n and_o that_o he_o be_v the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n and_o have_v create_v all_o thing_n as_o he_o be_v god_n not_o at_o all_o but_o only_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o same_o jesus_n christ_n in_o who_o we_o have_v redemption_n through_o his_o blood_n be_v the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n and_o by_o who_o all_o thing_n be_v create_v etc._n etc._n why_o shall_v we_o contrive_v a_o distinction_n of_o our_o own_o when_o the_o apostle_n make_v none_o but_o 2._o i_o can_v but_o wonder_n that_o man_n shall_v attribute_v the_o old_a or_o first_o creation_n to_o christ_n since_o we_o have_v no_o warrant_n from_o scripture_n for_o it_o i_o mean_v that_o the_o scripture_n do_v never_o say_v in_o express_a word_n that_o christ_n have_v create_v heaven_n and_o earth_n which_o be_v the_o proper_a description_n of_o the_o old_a creation_n or_o of_o the_o creation_n strict_o and_o proper_o so_o call_v and_o the_o description_n usual_a in_o scripture_n when_o it_o speak_v of_o that_o creation_n as_o it_o be_v say_v that_o god_n the_o father_n of_o christ_n have_v i_o do_v observe_v so_o great_a a_o difference_n between_o the_o expression_n of_o the_o sacred_a writer_n concern_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n by_o god_n and_o those_o expression_n which_o be_v suppose_v to_o import_v the_o same_o creation_n by_o christ_n that_o i_o can_v forbear_v allege_v some_o place_n concern_v both_o i_o omit_v those_o of_o the_o old_a testament_n which_o be_v so_o many_o and_o will_v insist_v only_o upon_o some_o take_v out_o of_o the_o new_a god_n say_v st._n paul_n act_v 17._o 24._o that_o make_v the_o world_n and_o all_o thing_n therein_o see_v that_o he_o be_v lord_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n dwell_v not_o in_o temple_n make_v with_o hand_n and_o act_v 4._o 11._o lord_n thou_o be_v god_n which_o have_v make_v heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o the_o sea_n and_o all_o that_o in_o they_o be_v act_n 14._o 15._o we_o preach_v unto_o you_o that_o you_o shall_v turn_v from_o these_o vanity_n unto_o the_o live_a god_n which_o make_v heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o the_o sea_n and_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v therein_o and_o rev._n 14._o 7._o fear_v god_n and_o worship_v he_o that_o make_v heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o the_o sea_n and_o the_o fountain_n of_o water_n this_o be_v the_o true_a and_o proper_a description_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v it_o ascribe_v to_o christ_n in_o such_o express_a term_n we_o can_v not_o doubt_v that_o christ_n have_v create_v the_o world_n which_o if_o the_o apostle_n have_v believe_v they_o will_v undoubted_o have_v teach_v we_o so_o great_a a_o truth_n and_o that_o both_o in_o express_a and_o plain_a term_n and_o often_o no_o christ_n be_v never_o say_v to_o have_v create_v heaven_n and_o earth_n the_o sea_n and_o all_o that_o be_v therein_o in_o this_o very_a place_n the_o apostle_n do_v not_o say_v that_o the_o first-born_a create_a heaven_n and_o earth_n but_o all_o thing_n that_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o that_o be_v in_o earth_n and_o the_o all_o thing_n of_o which_o he_o speak_v he_o limit_v to_o all_o throne_n dominion_n principality_n and_o power_n visible_a and_o invisible_a which_o shall_v be_v explain_v hereafter_o this_o second_o reflection_n that_o this_o text_n contain_v not_o the_o proper_a description_n of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n use_v in_o scripture_n be_v add_v to_o the_o forego_n that_o this_o context_n speak_v of_o christ_n as_o man_n aught_o to_o persuade_v any_o unprejudiced_a man_n that_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v not_o here_o attribute_v to_o christ_n the_o primitive_a christian_n be_v so_o far_o from_o believe_v that_o christ_n create_v the_o world_n that_o as_o the_o father_n only_o be_v call_v god_n in_o the_o apostle_n creed_n so_o he_o only_o be_v style_v maker_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n 3._o as_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o galatian_n be_v a_o excellent_a commentary_n on_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o roman_n so_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n must_v be_v make_v use_n of_o for_o the_o right_a understanding_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o colossian_n the_o design_n and_o scope_n of_o those_o two_o epistle_n be_v the_o same_o so_o that_o we_o must_v look_v into_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n to_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o this_o controvert_v text_n in_o the_o colossian_n now_o he_o that_o serious_o compare_v these_o two_o epistle_n with_o one_o another_o will_v find_v that_o coloss_n 1._o 15_o 16_o 17_o 18._o must_v be_v interpret_v by_o ephes_n 1._o 20_o 21_o 22._o and_o ephes_n 1._o 10._o be_v a_o true_a commentary_n on_o coloss_n 1._o 20._o coloss_n 1._o 18._o run_v thus_o and_o he_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o body_n the_o church_n who_o be_v the_o beginning_n the_o first-born_a from_o the_o dead_a that_o in_o all_o thing_n he_o may_v have_v the_o preeminence_n to_o which_o answer_v part_n of_o the_o 22d_o verse_n in_o the_o ephesian_n in_o these_o word_n and_o give_v he_o to_o be_v head_n over_o all_o thing_n to_o the_o church_n col._n 1._o 15_o 16_o 17._o run_v thus_o who_o be_v the_o image_n of_o the_o invisible_a god_n the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n for_o by_o he_o be_v all_o thing_n create_v as_o we_o translate_v the_o word_n that_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o that_o be_v in_o earth_n visible_a and_o invisible_a whether_o they_o be_v throne_n or_o dominion_n or_o principality_n or_o power_n all_o thing_n be_v create_v by_o he_o and_o for_o he_o and_o he_o be_v before_o all_o thing_n and_o by_o he_o all_o thing_n consist_v to_o these_o verse_n do_v answer_v the_o 20_o 21_o and_o part_n of_o the_o 22d_o verse_n of_o chap._n 1._o to_o the_o ephesian_n in_o these_o word_n he_o god_n raise_v he_o from_o the_o dead_a and_o set_v he_o at_o his_o own_o right_a hand_n in_o the_o heavenly_a place_n far_o above_o all_o principality_n and_o power_n and_o may_v and_o dominion_n and_o every_o name_n that_o be_v name_v not_o only_o in_o this_o world_n but_o in_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v and_o have_v put_v all_o thing_n under_o his_o foot_n now_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n we_o see_v there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o intimation_n of_o the_o creation_n ascribe_v to_o christ_n but_o only_o of_o his_o exaltation_n above_o all_o the_o order_n of_o angel_n and_o all_o earthly_a power_n which_o plain_o show_v that_o the_o apostle_n mean_v not_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n in_o the_o forecited_a verse_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o colossian_n nay_o be_v it_o so_o he_o will_v speak_v nonsense_n in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o colossian_n he_o will_v tell_v we_o that_o christ_n have_v create_v all_o the_o order_n of_o angel_n the_o visible_a and_o invisible_a throne_n etc._n etc._n which_o plain_o show_v that_o he_o be_v thereby_o as_o far_o above_o they_o as_o the_o creator_n be_v above_o his_o creature_n but_o in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n he_o will_v tell_v we_o that_o christ_n have_v be_v exalt_v far_o above_o all_o the_o order_n of_o angel_n and_o all_o earthly_a throne_n and_o power_n which_o undeniable_o prove_v that_o he_o be_v not_o so_o before_o now_o what_o be_v a_o contradiction_n if_o this_o be_v not_o to_o say_v that_o christ_n create_v they_o and_o that_o the_o father_n set_v he_o far_o above_o they_o we_o must_v therefore_o of_o necessity_n explain_v
1._o the_o dignity_n confer_v upon_o christ_n ought_v not_o to_o be_v call_v the_o supreme_a government_n of_o the_o world_n as_o this_o author_n have_v style_v it_o for_o he_o act_n and_o govern_v in_o subordination_n to_o his_o father_n 2._o when_o the_o scripture_n speak_v of_o this_o advancement_n of_o christ_n it_o extend_v it_o especial_o over_o angel_n and_o men._n 3._o it_o be_v no_o indignity_n to_o angel_n as_o our_o author_n pretend_v to_o be_v rule_v and_o govern_v by_o a_o man_n who_o god_n have_v exalt_v above_o they_o angel_n indeed_o have_v some_o natural_a prerogative_n above_o man_n whereby_o they_o be_v more_o excellent_a creature_n than_o man_n but_o if_o it_o please_v god_n of_o his_o free_a gift_n to_o invest_v a_o man_n with_o great_a dignity_n power_n and_o all_o other_o excellence_n than_o any_o angel_n have_v why_o can_v he_o be_v set_v over_o they_o as_o their_o lord_n and_o ruler_n in_o subordination_n to_o god_n there_o be_v no_o incongruity_n in_o it_o 4._o that_o contrary_a to_o the_o author_n assertion_n a_o mere_a creature_n may_v be_v a_o fit_a lieutenant_n or_o representative_a of_o god_n in_o personal_n and_o prerogative_n act_n of_o government_n or_o power_n thus_o saul_n and_o david_n be_v set_v over_o the_o israelite_n to_o govern_v and_o rule_v over_o they_o by_o god_n appointment_n in_o subordination_n to_o he_o nay_o we_o do_v common_o say_v that_o the_o king_n be_v the_o lieutenant_n and_o representative_a of_o god_n 5._o god_n communicate_v to_o christ_n such_o wisdom_n and_o power_n as_o be_v necessary_a to_o enable_v he_o to_o exercise_v the_o dignity_n confer_v on_o he_o in_o all_o this_o there_o be_v not_o the_o least_o inconsistency_n but_o notwithstanding_o his_o forego_v objection_n he_o confess_v the_o difficulty_n remain_v p._n 161._o if_o he_o be_v by_o nature_n the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o natural_a lord_n of_o the_o world_n how_o be_v he_o say_v to_o be_v exalt_v by_o god_n and_o to_o receive_v a_o kingdom_n from_o he_o as_o the_o reward_n of_o his_o righteousness_n and_o suffering_n he_o be_v before_o possess_v of_o it_o ever_o since_o the_o foundation_n of_o the_o world_n be_v natural_a lord_n of_o all_o his_o creature_n he_o have_v no_o need_n to_o receive_v that_o which_o be_v his_o own_o or_o purchase_v what_o be_v his_o natural_a right_n by_o such_o mean_a and_o vile_a condescension_n as_o suffer_a death_n on_o the_o cross_n now_o to_o reconcile_v this_o he_o make_v a_o long_a discourse_n concern_v the_o mediatory_a kingdom_n of_o christ_n which_o say_v he_o have_v be_v bestow_v on_o the_o second_o person_n of_o the_o trinity_n and_o be_v peculiar_a to_o he_o and_o distinguish_v from_o the_o natural_a government_n of_o the_o world_n which_o he_o have_v in_o conjunction_n with_o the_o father_n this_o chimerical_a system_n i_o may_v overthrow_v i_o think_v by_o that_o single_a text_n of_o st._n paul_n already_o cite_v there_o be_v one_o god_n and_o one_o mediator_n between_o god_n and_o man_n the_o man_n christ_n jesus_n if_o christ_n be_v a_o mediator_n and_o have_v the_o mediatory_a kingdom_n as_o he_o be_v the_o second_o person_n of_o the_o trinity_n that_o be_v as_o he_o be_v god_n why_o do_v the_o apostle_n tell_v we_o that_o he_o be_v a_o mediator_n bear_o as_o he_o be_v man_n at_o least_o he_o shall_v have_v tell_v we_o that_o the_o mediator_n be_v the_o god-man_n jesus_n christ_n it_o be_v unaccountable_a that_o the_o apostle_n who_o in_o all_o his_o epistle_n set_v forth_o the_o excellency_n and_o glory_n of_o christ_n in_o the_o most_o expressive_a term_n shall_v tell_v we_o that_o the_o man_n christ_n jesus_n be_v the_o mediator_n between_o god_n and_o man_n if_o the_o mediatory_a kingdom_n be_v exercise_v by_o the_o divine_a person_n or_o nature_n and_o if_o not_o christ_n man_n but_o christ_n god_n be_v the_o mediator_n but_o let_v we_o examine_v the_o ground_n our_o author_n go_v on_o he_o tell_v we_o ibid._n a_o mediatory_a kingdom_n be_v necessary_a to_o reconcile_v god_n and_o man_n to_o restore_v man_n to_o the_o integrity_n of_o his_o nature_n and_o this_o power_n and_o dignity_n god_n bestow_v on_o his_o own_o son_n who_o have_v the_o most_o right_o to_o it_o and_o be_v the_o best_a qualify_v for_o it_o be_v the_o begotten_a word_n and_o wisdom_n of_o the_o father_n now_o one_o will_v expect_v he_o shall_v cite_v some_o text_n of_o scripture_n to_o prove_v this_o assertion_n but_o he_o can_v find_v no_o place_n to_o rely_v on_o but_o christ_n must_v say_v he_o first_o become_v man_n and_o perform_v the_o whole_a will_n of_o god_n and_o then_o he_o shall_v be_v exalt_v whereupon_o he_o make_v this_o observation_n pag._n 162._o all_o the_o power_n christ_n be_v invest_v with_o be_v as_o head_n of_o the_o church_n god_n have_v put_v all_o thing_n under_o his_o foot_n and_o give_v he_o to_o be_v head_n over_o all_o thing_n to_o the_o church_n which_o be_v his_o body_n the_o fullness_n of_o he_o that_o fill_v all_o thing_n eph._n 1._o 22_o 23._o that_o be_v say_v he_o god_n have_v make_v he_o governor_n of_o the_o world_n as_o head_n of_o the_o church_n i_o observe_v two_o thing_n upon_o this_o place_n 1._o that_o this_o text_n be_v not_o well_o interpret_v the_o first_o part_n of_o it_o relate_v to_o the_o forego_n verse_n and_o aught_o to_o be_v explain_v by_o it_o god_n say_v the_o apostle_n at_o ver._n 21._o set_a christ_n at_o his_o own_o right-hand_n in_o the_o heavenly_a place_n far_o above_o all_o principality_n and_o power_n and_o every_o name_n that_o be_v name_v not_o only_o in_o this_o world_n but_o in_o that_o which_o be_v to_o come_v ver._n 23._o and_o have_v put_v all_o thing_n under_o his_o foot_n what_o thing_n those_o that_o be_v before_o mention_v all_o the_o order_n of_o angel_n and_o all_o earthly_a power_n and_o then_o follow_v and_o give_v he_o to_o be_v head_n etc._n etc._n this_o be_v the_o sense_n not_o that_o christ_n be_v make_v governor_n of_o the_o whole_a world_n as_o head_n of_o the_o church_n 2._o but_o what_o if_o all_o the_o power_n christ_n be_v invest_v with_o be_v as_o head_n of_o the_o church_n will_v it_o not_o follow_v that_o all_o the_o power_n he_o be_v invest_v with_o be_v as_o a_o man_n not_o as_o god_n and_o this_o also_o i_o prove_v by_o col._n 1._o 18._o and_o he_o be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o body_n the_o church_n who_o be_v the_o beginning_n the_o first-born_a from_o the_o dead_a he_o who_o be_v the_o first-born_a from_o the_o dead_a can_v be_v no_o other_o but_o the_o man_n jesus_n christ_n but_o he_o who_o be_v the_o first-born_a from_o the_o dead_a be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n as_o that_o text_n express_o say_v therefore_o the_o man_n christ_n jesus_n be_v the_o head_n of_o the_o church_n thus_o the_o apostle_n very_o plain_o tell_v we_o that_o the_o mediator_n and_o head_n of_o the_o church_n be_v the_o man_n christ_n jesus_n destroy_v our_o author_n notion_n of_o christ_n mediatory_a kingdom_n or_o that_o it_o be_v ground_v on_o and_o exercise_v by_o his_o divine_a nature_n or_o person_n further_o if_o christ_n god_n be_v the_o mediator_n if_o the_o mediatory_a kingdom_n belong_v to_o and_o be_v manage_v by_o the_o second_o person_n of_o the_o suppose_v trinity_n i_o do_v see_v how_o the_o government_n of_o israel_n can_v be_v a_o type_n of_o this_o kingdom_n as_o this_o author_n say_v at_o p._n 162_o 163._o for_o the_o king_n of_o the_o israelite_n be_v between_o god_n and_o his_o people_n and_o be_v real_o diverse_a from_o both_o but_o christ_n in_o our_o author_n hypothesis_n be_v god_n himself_o one_o with_o the_o father_n and_o the_o holy_a ghost_n so_o that_o he_o must_v be_v a_o mediator_n between_o himself_o and_o man_n which_o beside_o that_o it_o be_v contrary_a to_o the_o notion_n of_o a_o mediator_n do_v whole_o destroy_v the_o parallel_n he_o say_v at_o pag._n 164_o 165._o that_o we_o certain_o know_v from_o the_o exposition_n of_o christ_n and_o his_o apostle_n that_o the_o prophet_n speak_v of_o christ_n under_o the_o name_n of_o lord_n god_n and_o jehovah_n but_o i_o desire_v he_o to_o reconcile_v these_o text_n with_o his_o opinion_n heb._n 1._o 1_o 2._o god_n who_o at_o sundry_a time_n and_o in_o divers_a manner_n speak_v in_o time_n pass_v to_o the_o father_n by_o the_o prophet_n have_v in_o these_o last_o day_n speak_v unto_o we_o by_o his_o son_n heb._n 2._o 2_o 3._o for_o if_o the_o word_n speak_v by_o angel_n be_v steadfast_a how_o shall_v we_o escape_v if_o we_o neglect_v so_o great_a salvation_n which_o at_o the_o first_o begin_v to_o be_v speak_v by_o the_o lord_n gal._n 3._o 19_o the_o law_n be_v ordain_v by_o angel_n in_o the_o hand_n of_o a_o mediator_n i._n e._n by_o the_o intervention_n
the_o context_n of_o the_o colossian_n by_o that_o of_o the_o ephesian_n and_o put_v such_o a_o sense_n upon_o it_o as_o import_v no_o true_a and_o proper_a creation_n 4._o coloss_n 1._o 19_o 20._o be_v interpret_v by_o ephes_n 1._o 10._o be_v a_o confirmation_n of_o what_o i_o have_v say_v hitherto_o the_o former_a coloss_n 1._o 19_o 20._o run_v thus_o for_o it_o please_v the_o father_n that_o in_o he_o shall_v all_o fullness_n dwell_v and_o have_v make_v peace_n through_o the_o blood_n of_o his_o cross_n by_o he_o to_o reconcile_v all_o thing_n to_o himself_o by_o he_o i_o say_v whether_o they_o be_v thing_n in_o earth_n or_o thing_n in_o heaven_n to_o which_o answer_v the_o other_o text_n eph._n 2._o 10._o in_o these_o word_n that_o in_o the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n he_o may_v gather_v together_o in_o one_o all_o thing_n in_o christ_n both_o which_o be_v in_o heaven_n and_o which_o be_v in_o earth_n even_o in_o he_o no_o man_n i_o hope_v will_v deny_v that_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o colossian_n which_o we_o render_v to_o reconcile_v aught_o to_o be_v interpret_v by_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d in_o the_o text_n of_o the_o ephesian_n which_o signify_v to_o gather_v together_o in_o one_o or_o to_o sum_n up_o so_o that_o the_o meaning_n of_o both_o place_n be_v this_o that_o it_o please_v god_n in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n to_o unite_v both_o angel_n and_o man_n under_o one_o head_n even_o christ_n who_o he_o set_v up_o lord_n and_o king_n over_o they_o now_o this_o do_v perfect_o agree_v with_o what_o st._n paul_n say_v to_o the_o ephesian_n concern_v christ_n exaltation_n above_o all_o the_o order_n of_o angel_n and_o his_o be_v head_n of_o the_o church_n for_o his_o argument_n run_v thus_o god_n have_v exalt_v christ_n above_o all_o the_o order_n of_o angel_n and_o make_v he_o head_n of_o the_o church_n for_o he_o have_v decree_v in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n to_o unite_v both_o angel_n and_o man_n under_o one_o head_n christ_n but_o if_o the_o text_n of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o colossian_n be_v mean_v of_o the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n this_o will_v be_v perfect_a nonsense_n for_o thus_o it_o ought_v to_o run_v christ_n have_v create_v all_o order_n of_o angel_n and_o all_o power_n on_o earth_n and_o be_v make_v head_n of_o the_o church_n for_o god_n have_v decree_v in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n to_o unite_v both_o angel_n and_o man_n under_o one_o head_n christ._n no_o man_n in_o the_o world_n can_v speak_v great_a nonsense_n than_o this_o will_v be_v be_v the_o creation_n of_o the_o world_n ascribe_v to_o christ_n in_o the_o controvert_v text._n i_o desire_v the_o author_n to_o reconcile_v his_o explication_n of_o these_o word_n that_o in_o all_o thing_n he_o may_v have_v the_o preeminence_n with_o what_o follow_v that_o be_v say_v he_o at_o p._n 157._o that_o he_o may_v be_v the_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o first_o upon_o all_o account_n before_o the_o world_n and_o the_o first-born_a from_o the_o dead_a so_o the_o whole_a argument_n according_a to_o the_o author_n must_v run_v thus_o christ_n be_v the_o first_o upon_o all_o account_n before_o the_o world_n and_o the_o first-born_a from_o the_o dead_a for_o god_n be_v please_v in_o the_o fullness_n of_o time_n to_o unite_v both_o angel_n and_o man_n under_o christ_n as_o their_o head_n can_v any_o thing_n be_v say_v more_o absurd_a and_o ridiculous_a the_o author_n skill_n in_o scripture_n and_o reason_n be_v i_o think_v alike_o 2._o have_v thus_o prove_v that_o the_o old_a creation_n or_o the_o creation_n proper_o so_o call_v be_v not_o ascribe_v to_o christ_n in_o this_o context_n of_o the_o colossian_n i_o come_v now_o to_o explain_v its_o true_a sense_n as_o clear_o as_o possible_o i_o can_v ver._n 15._o who_o be_v the_o image_n of_o the_o invisible_a god_n the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n the_o meaning_n of_o these_o last_o word_n be_v not_o that_o christ_n be_v beget_v before_o all_o creature_n as_o this_o author_n will_v have_v it_o but_o that_o he_o be_v the_o lord_n and_o king_n of_o every_o intelligent_a creature_n in_o allusion_n to_o the_o first-born_a of_o a_o family_n who_o be_v heir_n of_o all_o thing_n this_o i_o prove_v by_o the_o 17_o and_o 18_o verse_n ver._n 17._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d and_o he_o be_v before_o all_o thing_n be_v the_o explication_n of_o the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n and_o signify_v not_o that_o he_o be_v before_o all_o creature_n in_o order_n of_o time_n but_o of_o dignity_n and_o power_n be_v by_o god_n set_v over_o all_o the_o order_n of_o angel_n and_o over_o the_o church_n as_o their_o head_n and_o king_n but_o if_o you_o do_v rest_n satisfy_v with_o this_o parallel_a place_n the_o 18_o verse_n will_v afford_v a_o undeniable_a proof_n of_o what_o i_o say_v there_o you_o find_v 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o be_v right_o render_v in_o our_o bibles_n that_o in_o all_o thing_n he_o may_v have_v the_o preeminence_n both_o in_o heaven_n and_o in_o earth_n among_o angel_n and_o in_o the_o church_n i_o say_v now_o these_o last_o word_n ought_v to_o be_v the_o explication_n of_o the_o two_o beforementioned_a expression_n to_o be_v the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n and_o to_o be_v before_o all_o thing_n aught_o to_o be_v interpret_v by_o his_o have_v the_o praeeminence_n in_o all_o thing_n so_o that_o he_o be_v the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n be_v this_o he_o have_v the_o preeminence_n over_o every_o creature_n thus_o by_o the_o context_n itself_o we_o find_v out_o the_o true_a sense_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o in_o the_o english_a we_o translate_v first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n and_o thus_o too_o be_v these_o word_n interpret_v by_o the_o principal_a critic_n among_o the_o orthodox_n as_o they_o be_v call_v gomarus_n camero_n piscator_fw-la drusius_n vorstius_n davenant_n dally_n grotius_n for_o they_o will_v have_v he_o also_o to_o be_v orthodox_n hammond_n i_o come_v now_o to_o the_o next_o verse_n for_o by_o he_o be_v all_o thing_n create_v i_o have_v full_o prove_v they_o can_v be_v understand_v of_o the_o old_a creation_n the_o creation_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n and_o the_o sea_n and_o of_o the_o thing_n in_o they_o which_o be_v the_o creation_n proper_o so_o call_v therefore_o to_o reconcile_v this_o verse_n with_o the_o forego_n and_o with_o the_o word_n before_o cite_v out_o of_o the_o epistle_n to_o the_o ephesian_n he_o god_n set_v he_o at_o his_o own_o right-hand_n far_o above_o all_o principality_n and_o power_n and_o every_o name_n that_o be_v name_v the_o word_n 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d which_o we_o render_v create_v aught_o to_o be_v render_v model_v dispose_a or_o reform_v into_o a_o new_a order_n so_o that_o the_o sense_n will_v run_v thus_o christ_n be_v the_o lord_n of_o every_o creature_n for_o by_o he_o be_v all_o both_o visible_a and_o invisible_a creature_n even_o all_o man_n and_o angel_n model_v or_o dispose_v into_o a_o new_a order_n be_v subject_v to_o he_o and_o his_o command_n as_o for_o angel_n all_o the_o order_n of_o they_o whether_o they_o be_v throne_n or_o dominion_n none_o of_o they_o be_v exempt_v from_o his_o power_n and_o authority_n he_o rule_v over_o they_o which_o be_v the_o meaning_n of_o ver._n 17._o and_o they_o be_v all_o as_o it_o be_v compact_v in_o one_o body_n under_o his_o conduct_n as_o for_o man_n as_o he_o be_v the_o beginning_n and_o the_o first-born_a from_o the_o dead_a so_o he_o be_v also_o make_v head_n of_o the_o church_n his_o body_n so_o that_o in_o all_o thing_n he_o have_v the_o preeminence_n he_o rule_v in_o heaven_n and_o on_o earth_n over_o angel_n and_o over_o the_o church_n which_o be_v the_o sense_n of_o ver._n 18._o this_o i_o hope_n make_v a_o clear_a sense_n agreeable_a to_o the_o whole_a context_n and_o to_o the_o text_n in_o the_o ephesian_n i_o observe_v that_o as_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o he_o be_v before_o all_o thing_n be_v the_o explication_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d etc._n etc._n or_o he_o be_v the_o first-born_a of_o every_o creature_n so_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o and_o by_o he_o all_o thing_n consist_v or_o be_v compact_v into_o one_o body_n aught_o to_o be_v the_o explication_n of_o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d or_o by_o he_o be_v all_o thing_n not_o create_v as_o it_o be_v render_v in_o the_o english_a but_o model_v or_o reform_v i_o know_v not_o why_o dr._n sherlock_n have_v call_v this_o a_o socinian_n explication_n as_o if_o it_o be_v devise_v by_o they_o to_o serve_v their_o hypothesis_n the_o truth_n be_v the_o