A commentary vpon the Epistles of Saint Paul to Philemon, and to the Hebrewes together with a compendious explication of the second and third Epistles of Saint Iohn. By VVilliam Iones of East Bergholt in Suffolke, Dr. in Divinity, and sometimes one of the fellowes of the foundation of Emmanuel Colledge in Cambridge.

VERSE 5.

NOw hee comes to the confutation of them, that opposed themselves to the Deity of CHRIST: wherein we have two things.

• 1. A constant holding of the conclusion, that CHRIST is GOD.
• 2. An overthrow of the argument against the Deitie.

The conclusion soundly and largely ratified before is confir∣med by a new argument: if the world be subject to CHRIST, not to the Angels; then he is God, superiour to the Angels: but the world is subject to him, not to the Angels, ergo.

Here the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is to be supplyed.

The word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, doth signifie to subject in a military ranke or order, when as the whole armie is subjected to one captaine, leader or governour, as the Church is to CHRIST.

Whether hath this coherence with that which went before,* 1.1 or with that which followeth after?

Some thinke it is a proofe of that, Verse 3. That CHRIST was called (Lord.) The world is subject to him: therefore hee is Lord of all.

Others that it is a confirmation of that in the former Cha. con∣cerning Christs superiority over the Angels. It may have depen∣dance on the words going before; for he doth all things according to his owne will, in regard whereof he hath subjected the whole world to his Sonne, not to the Angels.

It is rather a patheticall introduction of the maine conclusion: which still he keepeth in mind, and prefixeth as a firme foundation; the adversaries with all their cunning are not able to shake: say what they will, yet Christ is God: for he hath subjected the world to him. As for the Lord: they deliver that first as the ground of all.

What is meant by the world to come?

Some expound it of that time and part of the world that is to come, since the publike preaching of the Gospell, till Christs second comming. In the former time of the world, while the Law was in force, Moses and the Angels seemed to beare sway, by whom the law was delivered: but the world to come in the time of the Gos∣pell God hath subjected to Christ, not to the Angels. Others inter∣pret it of the world to come, after the day of judgement. In this world the Angels seeme to have rule, they be the governours of the world, Satan is the Prince of the world: but in the world to come, the Angels shall have nothing to do:* 1.2 that shall be wholly subject to Christ alone.

Yet the Apostles meaning seemes to be more generall: the whole world both present and to come is subject to CHRIST: he hath all power in heaven and earth, and Eph. 1.20.21. Phil. 2.9.

and the Apostle alleadgeth out of the Psalme, Verse 8. that all things are put in subjection under him.

The world in generall is said to come, in respect of CHRIST, which was from all eternity: CHRIST was alwayes the everla∣sting Iehovah. Before Abraham was, I Am: but the world in time was to come. Now this world to come with all things, with all creatures contained in it, above and beneath, hath the LORD sub∣jected to CHRIST, not to the Angels: ergo, he is God above the Angels and all other creatures. Thus our Saviour Christ the second Adam, is said to come in regard of the first Adam, that went be∣fore him, Rom. 5.14. So the world is said to come in respect of CHRIST, that went before the world.

By the world to come is meant the whole company of Gods elect, that shall be gathered together in the life to come: the which is termed the world to come, because both the number and perfection of them is to come: the whole number not yet being accomplished in this world, nor having aspired to perfection.

This agreeth with that which went before: if we neglect so great salvation which is reposed for us in the world to come: the which world, God hath subdued to Christ, that he may be the King of the Church and reigne for ever.

Whereof we speake in this our treatise, shewing that all things are subject to Christ: who is not only superiour to the Angels, as he is God alone; but even as he is God and man, the mediatour of the Church.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Quest.
• * 1.2

  1 Cor. 15.24.