2. Comparatively only: When several persons or things be compared, though there be no relation between them; So David is called the first-born of the Kings of the earth, Psal. 89.27. That is superior in Dignity and Honour. So here it is taken not relatively, for so Christ is primogenitus, the first-born; that he is also unigenitus, the only begotten: none went before, or come after him, that are so begotten of God. What he asserteth in that verse, he now proveth by the creation of all things, in this 16th. verse, and the conservation of all things, verse 17. We are now upon the first proof: Surely he that created all things, is supreme Lord of all things; or hath the right of the first-born over them. Two ways is Christ said to have a right to the Creatures: As God, and as Mediator. His Right as God, is natural and perpetual; his Right as Mediator is by grant and donation. It is a power acquired and obtained; his natural right is Antecedent to his actual susception of the office of Mediator; for it ⟨p. 51⟩comes to him by Creation. He made all, and it is fit that he should be sovereign and Lord of all; but the other power and sovereignty is granted to him, as a part of his Reward, and recompense for the sorrows of his Humiliation; Phil. 2.9, 10. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth. The Apostle speaks not of this latter now, but of the former; his right as the only begotten Son of God; he is the first-born, that is, Lord of the whole Creation. And good reason, for by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in Earth, &c. In the words, the Creation of the World is ascribed to Christ: Take notice
1. Of the Object of this Creation.
2. Christs Efficiency about it.
2. Comparatively onely: When several persons or things be compared, though there be no relation between them; So David is called the first-born of the Kings of the earth, Psal. 89.27. That is superior in Dignity and Honour. So here it is taken not relatively, for so Christ is primogenitus, the first-born; that he is also unigenitus, the onely begotten: none went before, or come after him, that are so begotten of God. What he asserteth in that verse, he now proveth by the creation of all things, in this 16th. verse, and the conservation of all things, verse 17. We are now upon the first proof: Surely he that created all things, is supream Lord of all things; or hath the right of the first-born over them. Two ways is Christ said to have a right to the Creatures: As God, and as Mediator. His Right as God, is natural and perpetual; his Right as Mediator is by grant and donation. It is a power acquired and obtained; his natural right is Antecedent to his actual susception of the office of Mediator; for it ⟨p. 51⟩comes to him by Creation. He made all, and it is fit that he should be soveraign and Lord of all; but the other power and soverainty is granted to him, as a part of his Reward, and recompense for the sorrows of his Humiliation; Phil. 2.9, 10. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name above every name, that at the name of Iesus every knee should bow of things in heaven and •hings in earth and things under the earth. The Apostle speaks not of this latter now, but of the former; his right as the onely begotten Son of God; he is the first-born, that is, Lord of the whole Creation. And good reason, for by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in Earth, &c. In the words, the Creation of the World is ascribed to Christ: Take notice
1. Of the Object of this Creation.
2. Christs Efficiency about it.
