184 DOÇf.f. ephefians,Chap.i, VER. ai. above thefe , though Philofophie know it nor. To thethird Ianfwer, the perlons over whom Chrift is advanced, are firft defcribed more particularly , but yet obfcurely. Secondly, more generally and plainely. The particular enumeration in thefe words ; Principalities,powers , mights, dominations : The more full and plaineopening ofthem in the words following ; Every name, that is, e- very creaturehowfoever named, whetherin this world, or whether be- longing to the world tocome. Butit is aqueftion, who aremeant by the former words. Anf. They are commonly underftood of Angels ; but I take the firft two to bee namesofexcellency, found in this prefent world. First, Principalities andpowers, whenthey are put for Angelical) natures, they are nor ter- med fo fimply, but with an addition of the place; as, Ephef.3.to. Ephef.6.rz. but thefe words put for humane excellencies, wee reade them fimply, without any thing added. Tit.3. r. Befubjeil toprincipa- lities andpowers. Againe, I thinke this diftribution ofpower, named in this world and inthat to come, refpecleth fomething in thisenumera- tion .forenamed : the former, thefe two firft named; the latter, the couple following : Thus I thinke alfo, Col.1.16. that enumeration of Thrones, Dominions, Principalities, Powers; the firft two refpeft things invifrble, or things in heaven; the latter two, thingson earth; for he feemeth to illuftrate each part ofthe diftribution, by theparticulars there inferred : Whereforewemaythus conceiveofthem. Principalities,fignifie thofe inprincipal! authority. Powers, all fecondary powers fent from them, as Peter fpeaketh. By mights, I underftand Angels, putting forth might in fome mira- culous effe6ts of mercy, or judgment ; fuch as the Angell, whodid finite fomany hundred rhoufands in a night; the Angell which did the miraculous cure at the Poole, lohn S. ByDominations,I underfland fuch Angels,whofe miniflery God ufeth inthegovernmentofkingdomes and provinces ; for that God doth ufe their minifterie,thismay be gathered both out ofDaniel & Ecclefiapes. Theputtingallthings underhisfeete,noteth nothing but that fubjeltion iuwhich every thing is toChrift, God onely excepted; reade, Pleb. z.8. Thefe things for opening the difficulties incident. The fumme is. I with your eyesopened, that you may know the power of God toward you who beleeve, through the working of the power which was wrought in Chrift, when God did raife him from the loweft degree of his humiliation, even the ftate of the dead, and didcrowne him with dignitie, and kingly glory in the heavens, not onely giving him prerogative before bothPrincipalities and powers, fuch as wee fee in earth; yea, before 01, and Dominations, fuch as belong to the world tocome; but givinghim power over thefe and all creatures, fo as he hath them under his foote. Obferve then firft from thezo.verfe.Which he wrought in Chrijl.That thefelfe fame power put forth, in railing Chrift our head, is that frngu- lar power which raifeth us : For looke as the almighty power put forth
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