Secondly, To close our considerations of this part of the lordship of Christ, there remains only that we show him to be the Lord of all spiritual eternal things, which in one word we call glory. He is himself the “Lord of glory,” 1 Cor. ii. 8, and the Judge of all, John v. 22; in the discharge of which office he gives out glory as a reward unto his followers, Matt. xxv.32; Rom.xiv. 10. Glory isthe reward that is with him, which he will give out at the last day as a crown, 1 Pet. v. 4; 2 Tim. iv. 8; John xvii. 2. And to this end, that he might be Lord of it, he hath,—1l. Purchased it, Heb. ix. 12; Eph. 1.14; Heb. ii. 10; 2. Taken actual possession of it in his own person, Luke xxiv. 26; John xvii. 5, 22-24; and that, 3. As the forerunner of those on whom he will bestow it, Heb. vi. 20.
And this is a short view of the lordship of Christ as to things spiritual.
Il. Keclesiastical things, or things that concern church institu- tions, rule, and power, belong also unto hisrule and dominion. He is the only head, lord, ruler, and lawgiver of his church. There was a church-state ever since God created man on the earth; and there is the same reason of it in all its alterations, as unto its rela- tion to the Lord Christ. Whatever changes it underwent, still Christ was the Lord of it and of all its concernments. But by way of in- stance and eminency, we may consider the Mosaical church-state under the old testament, and the evangelical church-state under the new. Christ is Lord of and in respect unto them both.
1. He was the Lord of the old testament church-state, and he exercised his power and lordship towards it in four ways:—(1.) In and by its institution and erection. He made, framed, set up, and appointed that church-state, and all the worship of God thereig observed. He it was who appeared unto Moses in the wilderness, Exod. iii. 5, 6, Acts vii. 32, 33; and who gave them the law on mount Sinai, Exod. xx., Ps. lxviii.17, 18, Eph. iv. 8; and continued with them in the wilderness, Num. xxi. 6, 1 Cor. x. 9. So that from him, his power and authority, was the institution and erection of that church.
68 AN EXPOSITION OF THE _ [CHAP. I.
(2.) By prescribing a complete rule and form of worship and obedi- ence unto it, being erected, as its lawgiver, to which nothing might be added, Deut. iv. 1, 2, xii. 32. (8.) By way of reformation, when it was collapsed and decayed, Zech. i. 8-13; Mal. i. 1-3. (4) By way of amotion, or taking down what he himself had set up, because it was so framed and ordered as to continue only for a sea- son, Heb. ix. 10; Deut. xviii. 15-18; Hag. 1.6, 7; Isa. Ixv. 17, 18; 2 Pet. iii, 18. Which part of his power and lordship we shall afterwards abundantly prove against the Jews.
2. Of the new testament evangelical church-state also, he is the only lord and ruler; yea, this is his proper kingdom, on which all other parts of his dominion do depend: for he is given to be “ head over all things to the church,” Eph. i. 22. For,—(1.) He is the foundation of this church-state, 1 Cor. iu. 11, the whole design and platform of it being laid in him, and built upon him. And, (2.) He erects this church-state upon himself, Matt. xvi. 18, “ Upon this Rock I will build my church;” the Spirit and word whereby it is done being from him alone, and ordered in and by his wisdom, power, and care. And, (8.) He gives laws and rules of worship and obedience unto it, when so built by himself and upon him, Matt. xxviii. 19, 20; Acts i. 2; Heb. iii.1-6. And, (4.) He is the everlasting, constant, abiding, head, ruler, king, and governor of it, Eph. 1. 22; Col. ii. 19; Heb. ii. 6; Rev. ii, ui, All which things are ordinarily spoken unto, and the ends of this power of Christ fully declared.
III. He is Lord also of political things. All the governments of the world, that are set up and exercised therein for the good of man- kind, and the preservation of society according to the rules of equity and righteousness,—over all these, and those who in and by them exercise rule and authority amongst men, is he lord and king. ©
He alone is the absolute potentate; the highest on the earth are in a subordination unto him. That, 1. He was designed unto, Ps. Ixxxix. 27. And accordingly he is, 2. made Lord of lords, and King of kings, Rev. xvii. 14; xix. 16; 1 Tim. vi 15. And, 3. He exerciseth dominion answerable unto his title, Rev. vi. 14-17, xvii. 14, xix. 16-20; Ps. ii, 8, 9; Isa. lx.; Mic. v. 7-9. And, 4, Hath hence right to send his gospel into all nations in the world, attended with the worship by him prescribed, Matt. xxviii. 19; Ps. ii, 9-12; which none of the rulers or governors of the world have any right to refuse or oppose; nor can so do, but upon their utmost peril. And, @ All kingdoms shall at length be brought into a professed subjection to him and his gospel,and have all their rule disposed of unto the inte- rest of his church and saints, Dan. vii. 27; Isa. 1x. 12; Rev. xix. 16-19,