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At the name of Jesus; in the old translation by bishops in Queen Elizabeth’s time, (and some say in the manuscripts of this), it is in the name. However, in ours now, it is not appositively, at the name Jesus; but constructively, of Jesus, intimating, that the power, glory, and majesty of him who hath that name, unto which every knee is bowed, is that name which is above every name; which would not hold true, if the name were taken for the very word
Jesus, that (as before) being common to others in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin, yea, and English. Besides, neither in letters, nor syllables, nor sound, nor time, hath that word any thing above other words.
Every knee should bow: bowing of the knee is meant metonymically, and metaphorically, because some of those hereafter named, from whom the homage is due, have neither knees nor tongues, yet must, either willingly or by constraint, yield subjection and obedience to the sovereign authority of Christ, here and hereafter, Mat_11:27 28:18 Joh_5:22,23 Ac 3:15; all creatures being made subject to him, Heb_2:8. Some of the papists, searching for their subterraneous, fictitious purgatory, would restrain it to men, but that would straiten and diminish the august glory of Christ, exalted above every name, who had, even here in his humiliation, homage from unclean spirits, Mar_5:6,7,10,12 Lu 8:31 Jam_2:19; how much more when at his tribunal his consummate glory shall be manifest to all! Which the apostle hath ultimately a reference to, according to the evangelist, Mat_16:27 24:30. Then shall his equality with his Father, and his superlative glory as Mediator, be manifested to all, good and bad, angels as well as men, who shall be subjected to his sovereign Majesty, as the Lord God omnipotent; the good willingly, and the bad by constraint, Isa_45:23 Act_17:31 Rom_2:16 14:10,11 2Co_5:10.
Of things in heaven; good angels, from whom he had homage and service here, Psa_97:7 Mat_2:13 4:11 Luk_1:30,31 2:13 Heb_1:6 at his resurrection, and ascension, Mat_28:6 Act_1:11 much more in his glory, Mat_24:31 25:31 Eph_1:21,22 Col 1:16 2:10 2Th_1:7 and the spirits of just men made perfect, Heb_12:22,23 Re 4:6, &c.; Rev_5:9,10.
And things in earth; good men willingly, Psa_110:3 Act_10:33 1Jo_5:3; and bad by force, Psa_2:9 Luk_19:27 Heb_2:14.
And things under the earth; either the dead, who are hid in the earth, and shall be raised by the power of Christ, in, or upon them, Act_24:15: or, devils, and wicked souls; for though devils move in the air by God’s permission, Eph_2:2; yet hell is the place prepared for them, and the wicked, Mat_7:23 25:41 Luk_8:31 2Pe_2:4 Jud_1:6. Upon Christ’s exaltation, all things above, and in the world, are subjected to his dominion. If it be said: On the earth, and under it, they rebel; I answer: They are bound to obey, Mat_4:9,10, and will be forced to submit to the penalty for disobedience. Christ doth at present exercise a sovereignty over bad men and devils, in limiting and punishing them as he pleaseth, Job_1:11,12 Lu 4:34,35 Lu 8:32 19:27 2Pe_2:6 Rev_2:10.