-. V E R. ;. Epiile to the HEBREW' s. which Paul expreffethby the one ofthem, H. It. 3. must yogurt, icnTaprf.°re, Ta, a'.ew`vas pú¡ixTr .3s2 ; Byfaith we know that the heavens were made by the Wordof God; Peter doth , . by the other, a Pet. 3, 5. evreeZoat abyep. Now this Efficacy of Divine Providence, is called the Word ofGod ; to- intimate, that as Rulers accomplith their will by a Word of command, in and about things fubject to their plealùre, Matth. 8.9. fo doth God accomplifh his whole mind and will in all things by his Power. And therefore? d'vedi.aws, ofhis power, is here added by way ofdill rence and dilbn&on, to thew what word it is that theApoftle intends. It isnot ) ,,s i4rodAs, the Efential Word of God, who is the Perfon fpoken of; nor xbyos p,poptals, the WordTokenby him in the revelation of himfelf, his mind and will ; but a Word that is edlual and operative, namely, the putting forth of his Divine Power, with eatinefs andAuthority accomplithing his Will and Purpose in and by allthings. This in the Vifion ofEzekie/is the communicationof a Jpirit oflife to the Cherubs and Wheels, to adand move them as teems good to him by whom they are guided. For as it is very probable, that theApoftle in theft words, fetting forth the Divine Power oftheSon in ruling and governing the whole Creation, did intend to mind the Hebrews, that the LordChrif theSon is he whowas reprefented iii the form ofa man untoEzekiel, rulingand difpofing ofall things, and the riw, the Almighty, whore voice was heard amongft the Wheels ; fo it is moll certain that the fame thing is intended in both places. And this expreffion of upholding or difßoJing4 all things by the word ofhis power, doth fully declare the glorious providence emblematically ex- preffed in that V, iors. The Son beingover all things madeby himfelf, as on a Throne over the Cherubim: and Wheels, influenceththe whole Creationwithhis Power, cow= municating unto it refpedively fubff}ence, life andmotion, ailing, ruling and difpo- fing ofall according to the counfel of his own will. This then is that which the Apoollle affigns unto the Son, thereby to let out the dig- nity of his Perfon, that the Hebrews might well confider all things before they de- fated his Doctrine. He is one that is partaker efntiallyof the Nature ofGod, being the brightncfl of glory, and the expreflimageof his Father's Perfon, who exercifeth and ,uaniffteth his divine Power, both in the creationof all things, as alto in the fupport- ment, rule and diCpofal ofall; after they are. madeby him. And hence will follow,,as his Power and Authority to change the Mofáical Ìnftitutions, fo his Truth and Faith fulnefs in the Revelationof the Will ofGodbyhin;niade, whichitwastheirduty to embrace and adhereunto. The feveral paffagesof this Verse are all ofthem conjoynedby the ApoJi/e, and ufed unto the fame general end and purpofe , but themfelves are ofEach difindl fences and importance, confdered abfolutely and apart, that we (hall in our paffage take out the Obfervations which theyfingly afford unto us. And from there lati words we may learn. t . Our Lord7efarChrift as the Soncf God, bath the weight ofthe whole Creation upon bit hand, and difß, f th ofit by hie Power andWifdam. 2. Such is the nature and condition ofthe Vniverfe, thatit could not fabfift'a moment, nor couldany thing in it all regulary unto its appointed end, without the continualfupportment, guidance,influenceanddikofal ofthe Son ofGod. We may briefly confider the fumofboth there joyntly, to manifetì the Power and CareofChrifl over us , as alto the weak dependent condition of the whole Creation inand by it fell. The thingsof this Creation can no more fupport ad and difpofe themfelves, thenthey couldat firti make themfelves out ofnothing. The greateft cannot conierve it Elfby its Power,orGreatnefs, or Order ; nor the leaf by its diJfancefrom Oppofition. Were there not a mighty hand under themall and every one, theywould allfinkinto confulion and nothing ; didnot an effectual Power influence them, they would become aflothful heap. It is true, God bath in the creation ofall things im- planted in every particle of the Creation, a Cpecialnatural inclination and difpofrtion, according unto which it is ready toad, move, or work regularly; but he hath not placed this Nature and Power abfolutely inthem, and independently ofhis own Power and Operation. The Sun is endued with a nature toproduce all the glorious effedrs of Light and Heat, that webeholdor conceive the Fire to burn, theWind to blow, arid all creaturesallo in thelikemannet s but yet neither couldSun, or Fire, or Wind Ddd a preferve
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