Exercitations on the Epistle to the Hebrews

We may briefly consider the sum of both these jointly, to manifest the Power and Care of Christ over us, as also the weak dependent condition of the whole Creation in and by it self. The things of this Creation can no more support act and dispose themselves, then they could at first make themselves out of nothing. The greatest cannot conserve it self by its Power, or Greatness, or Order; nor the least by its distance from Opposition. Were there not a mighty hand under them all and every one, they would all sink into confusion and nothing; did not an effectual Power influence them, they would become a slothful heap. It is true, God hath in the creation of all things implanted in every particle of the Creation, a special natural inclination and disposition, according unto which it is ready to act, move, or work regularly; but he hath not placed this Nature and Power absolutely in them, and independently of his own Power and Operation. The Sun is endued with a nature to produce all the glorious effects of Light and Heat, that we behold or conceive; the Fire to burn, the Wind to blow, and all creatures also in the like manner; but yet neither could Sun, or Fire, or Wind ⟨p. 62⟩preserve themselves in their being, or retain the principles of their Operations, did not the Son of God, by a constant continual emanation of his eternal Power uphold and preserve them; nor could they produce any one effect by all their actings, did not he work in them, and by them. And so is it with the sons of men, with all Agents what ever, whether natural and unnecessary, or free, and proceeding in their operations by election and choice. Hence Paul tells us, that in God we live, and move, and have our being, Acts 17.28. He had before asserted, that he had of one blood made all nations, v. 26. That is, all men of one, whom he first created; to which he adds, that we may may know that he hath not so left us, to stand by our selves on that first foundation, or that we have any Power or Ability being made, to do or act any thing without him, that in him, that is in his Power, Care, Providence, and by virtue of his effectual influence, our lives are supported and continued, that we are acted, moved, and enabled thereby to do all we do, be it never so small, wherein there is any effect of life or motion So Daniel tells Belshazzar, that his breath and all his ways were in the hand of God, Dan.

We may briefly consider the sum of both these joyntly, to manifest the Power and Care of Christ over us, as also the weak dependent condition of the whole Creation in and by it self. The things of this Creation can no more support act and dispose themselves, then they could at first make themselves out of nothing. The greatest cannot conserve it self by its Power, or Greatness, or Order; nor the least by its distance from Opposition. Were there not a mighty hand under them all and every one, they would all sink into confusion and nothing; did not an effectual Power influence them, they would become a slothful heap. It is true, God hath in the creation of all things implanted in every particle of the Creation, a special natural inclination and disposition, according unto which it is ready to act, move, or work regularly; but he hath not placed this Nature and Power absolutely in them, and independently of his own Power and Operation. The Sun is endued with a nature to produce all the glorious effects of Light and Heat, that we behold or conceive; the Fire to burn, the Wind to blow, and all creatures also in the like manner; but yet neither could Sun, or Fire, or Wind