---

I. IN THEMSELVES. For their excellency of nature, as they are here called principalities, so elsewhere they are called "stars of the morning," "sons of God," yea, "Gods."

II. IN RELATION TO CHRIST so they are implied to be of the body, and Christ to be their Head. Now we may not marvel at it, that Christ should be the head of angels, for there be divers distinct benefits, which angels from thence do receive, which by natural creation they had not.

1. They are vouchsafed a place in the mystical body under Christ, that they might be received, as it were into the new order in Christ.

2. A peace is made between them and man in Christ.

3. The room of angels fallen is supplied by the elect, the society of angels being much maimed by their fall.

4. They are refreshed with singular joy for the conversion of the elect; besides the enlarging of their knowledge, that they are vouchsafed the understanding of the secrets of the gospel.

5. They receive from Christ confirming grace, and so assurance that they shall never fall: which is their chief benefit.

6. Their obedience in its own nature is imperfect, though not sinful, and therefore may need to be covered by Christ's perfections.

III. IN RELATION TO THE BODY OF CHRIST.

1. They are like masters and tutors, to whom the great King of heaven sends out His children to nurse. God doth adopt children, and after commit them to be kept by those most noble citizens of heaven.

2. They execute judgment upon the enemies of the Church. They attend us at the hour of death, and carry our souls to heaven. They shall gather our bodies together at the last day.

3. For the accomplishment of all designments for our good, they stand always looking on the face of God to receive commandments.Conclusion: Inasmuch as Christ is the head of all principalities and powers, we may comfort ourselves divers ways.

1. If Christ fill the angels, how much more can He out of His fulness fill us in the supply of all our wants.

2. Shall we not rejoice in the grace here is done to us, in that we are united into communion with angels under our Head? yea, and that such glorious creatures, are appointed to be our attendants, why should we fear when Christ and His angels will be so ready about us.

3. This may also instruct us, we need not be ashamed of Christ's service, seeing the very angels follow Him and depend upon Him. A prince that kept great princes to be his domestic servants, were like to be much sought to for preferment of such as would follow him. Oh! how should we long after Christ who is Head over such glorious creatures as the angels are!

(N. Byfield.)

---

---

KJV: And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:

WEB: and in him you are made full, who is the head of all principality and power;