Christs eternal existence, and the dignity of his person asserted and proved in opposition…

Doct. II. That as Christ made all things, so he doth sustain them in being and working.

Let me explain this how the creatures are preserved by Christ.

1. This is to be understood not only meritoriously as a moral cause, but efficiently as a natural cause of the creatures sustentation: for the Apostle doth not consider ⟨p. 91⟩here so much what Christ doth as a Mediator, as what de doth as God. It is true Christ as Mediator hath reprieved the World from that ruin▪ which might come upon it for mans sin, but here his merit is not considered, but his power, Heb. 1.3. He upholdeth all things by the word of his power. The weight of the whole creation lieth upon his hands, as Daniel telleth Belshazzar, that his breath and his ways were in the hand of God, Dan. 5.23. so is the being, life, and operation of all the creatures▪ If he should withdraw his withholding hand, they would quickly return to their first nothing, which showeth the great power of our Redeemer. Moses complaineth, Numb. 11.11, 12. Thou hast laid the burden of all this people upon me, have I conceived this people? have I begotten them that thou shouldst say unto me, carry them in thy bosom, but Christ hath the care and charge of all the world, not to rule them only, but to sustain them. A King or a Governor hath a moral rule over his subjects, but Christ giveth them being and existence; and doth preserve and keep them in their present state and condition from dissolution.