II.  In  regard  of  His  relation  to  the  created  universe,
Christ  called  into  being  all  created  things,  and  ever  fills
them  with  the  tokens  of  His  presence  and  agency.  He  is  the
maker  and  sustainer  of  the  universe.  To  repeat  the  words
already  quoted.  By  Him  were  all  things  created  that  are  in
heaven  and  in  earth,  visible  and  invisible,  whether  they  be


Rom.  ix.  3  Tit.  ii.  ^  Rev.  i.  "^  Matt,  xxviii.
I  John  V.  *  Isa.  ix.  *  Rev.  ii.  **  jjeb.  xiii.
Christ  All  and  in  All.  437

thrones,  or  dominions,  or  principalities,  or  powers  ;  all  things
were  created  by  Him  and  for  Him ;  and  He  is  before  all
things ;  and  by  Him  all  things  consist.  The  whole  crea-
tion, with  all  its  capabilities  and  resources,  is  thus  produced
and  provided  for  by  Christ's  creative  energy,  and  full  of  the
workings  of  His  uncreated  and  infinite  perfections.  It  is  thus
under  His  control,  dependent  on  His  sovereign  power,  and
necessarily  obedient  to  His  will.  This  relation  of  Christ  to
the  whole  of  creation,  as  its  Maker,  Preserver,  Governor,
and  Disposer,  explains  the  manner  of  the  miracles  which
He  wrought  when  dwelling  for  a  time  in  our  nature  on  the
earth.  To  the  leper  He  said,  "  I  will,  be  thou  clean.
