in the first place/ ridding someone of something

[vil]

Dear teachers,

Would you be kind enough to tell me whether I am right with my interpretation of the expressions in bold in the following sentence?

Heaven, it has been, in the first place, for ridding her of some person whom she hated, and secondly, for enabling her to bring her enemies to some sort of perplexity or confusion; neither of which are very amiable motives for religious gratitude, or such as would be put forward by persons of a kind and placable disposition.

in the first place = as the first of several items in order of importance

get rid of something or somebody = to relieve or free oneself of (something or someone unpleasant or undesirable)

Thanks for your efforts.

Regards,

V

[Tdol]

Yes