A Guide to Go to God, Petition 6 · Section 204 – Section 216

A Guide to Go to God · Petition 6 · Section 204 – Section 216

p. 282§. 204. Of taking grounds for faith in prayer from God himſelfe.

Q. VVHence is the reaſon, vſed in the Lords Prayer, taken?

A. From God himſelfe. For the ſumme of it is a declaration of ſuch things as appertaine to God, and ſhew him to bee both able and willing to grant ſuch ſuites as are rightly made vntounto him.

Q. What doctrine doth the kinde of reaſon import.

A. In Prayer the maine ground of our pleading muſt be fetcht from God. Well conſider the fore-named prayers ofaaExo. 32, 11, &cExod 32:11 Moſes, bbIoſ 7. 7, &c.Josh 7:7Ioſua, cc2. Chro. 14. 11.2 Chr 14:11Aſa, dd—20. 6, &c.Iehoſaphat, ee2. Kin. 19. 15, &c.2 Kgs 19:15Hezekiah and others like to them, and in them all you ſhall finde Gods Couenant, truth, merciemercy, power and other like motiues pleaded. In particular take for this purpoſe ſpeciall notice of Daniels powerfull prayer, thus expreſſed,Dan. 9. 18, 17.Dan 9:18Dan 9:17 O my God, encline thine eare and heare, open thine eyes and behold our deſolations, and the Citie which is called by thy name. For wee doe not preſent our ſupplications before thee for our righteouſneſſe, but for thy great mercies. O Lord heare, O Lord forgiue, O Lord hearken and doe. Deferre not for thine owne ſake, O my God: for thy Citie and thy people are called by thy name. Here proteſtation is made againſt any worth in themſelues, p. 283and the name and mercies of God onelyonly are pleaded. And that for good reaſon. For

1. In our ſelues there can bee nothing to plead before God whereby hee ſhould bee moued to grant our deſire. For who ſeeth not iuſt cauſe to ſay fo himſelfe as Iaakob once did, I am leſſe then all thy mercies, that is, I am not worthy of the least of all thy mercies: Gen. 32. 10. foreign Pſal. 143. 2.Gen 32:10Ps 143:2yea and to cry as the Pſalmiſt did, Enter not into iudgement with thy ſeruant: for in thy ſight ſhall no man liuing be iuſtified.

2. Out of God there can bee nothing to moue him. For nn1. Cor. 4. 7.1 Cor 4:7who hath any thing that he hath not receiued of God?ooRom. 11. 36.Rom 11:36 Of him, and through him are all things. Whatſoeuer therefore is in Prayer pleaded before God muſt bee fetcht from God himſelfe.

Obiect. ppExod. 32. 13.Exod 32:13Moſes in his Prayer pleaded Abraham, Iſaak, and Iſrael deſiring God to remember them.qqPſal. 132. 1, 2.Ps 132:1Ps 132:2 The Pſalmiſt pleadeth Dauid, his afflictions, his oath, and vow. rr1. Kin. 20. 3.1 Kgs 20:3Hezekiah pleadeth his vprightneſſe and integritie. ſſIſa. 64 9, 10. Pſal. 79. 7.Isa 64:9Isa 64:10Ps 79:7The deſolations of Gods people, andttPſal. 13. 4.Ps 13:4 the inſultations of their enemies are alſo oft pleaded; and other like reaſons taken from men.—38 16.

Anſw. —44. 13, 14.The maine force of all theſe reaſons reſteth in God.—80. 6. For 1 where Abram, Iſaak, Iſrael, and Dauid are named, Gods Couenant made to them is intended: ſo as no worth in their perſons, but Gods truth in keeping his Couenant made with them, is pleaded. 2. where mention is made of his ſeruants Oath and Vow, the honour and glory which by their oath and vow was couenanted to God, is meant: ſo as not the worth of the oath and vow, as mans worke, but the matter thereof, which tended to Gods glory, is pleaded. The praiſe of God is in this forme of the Lords Prayer chiefly intended: anduuPſal. 22. 21, 22.Ps 22:21Ps 22:22 oft by the Saints expreſſed and pleaded in their prayers,—79. 13. to enforce the same.—119. 175. 3. Where the integritie and vprightneſſe of any of Gods Saints is produced in prayer, it is to be conſidered as an effectuall worke of Gods Spirit, and an vndoubted euidence of Gods fauour; ſo as no deſert of man, but the ſtampe of Gods owne worke, and pledge or ſeale of his owne fauour & grace is pleaded. Beſides reſpect hereby may be had to the truth of Gods Couenant: as in Hezekiahs caſe. For God had made a p. 284Couenant with Dauid, Pſal. 132. 11, 12.Ps 132:11Ps 132:12and confirmed it by oath, that his children, euen the fruit of his body, if they kept Gods Couenant, ſhould ſit vponupon his Throne for euermore. Now Hezekiah being lineally deſcended from Dauid, and hauing endeauoured in all ſinceritie to keepe Gods Couenant, was ſo ſicke as he receiued the ſentence of death before he had a child to ſucceed him on the Throne of Dauid. 1. Kin. 20. 1, &c.1 Kgs 20:1Wherefore for ſparing of his life, at leaſt till hee might hauehave iſſue, and Gods Couenant thereby bee verified, hee pleaded his integritie, which was the condition required of God: hee pleaded it, I ſay, not as a matter of merit, but as an euidence that the God of truth would make good his owne word. Gods truth and faithfulneſſe therefore is the ground of Hezekiahs plea. 4. Where the miſeries, afflictions, and deſolations of Gods people are vrged in prayer, there Gods pittie is eſpecially aimed at. For miſery is the obiect of merciemercy and pittie. That obiect is laid forth, to giuegive aſſurance that the God of pittie will afford ſuccour where ſo fit an obiect for ſuccour is preſented before him. Yea in this kinde of plea, Gods truth, and power is alſo aimed at. For the greater the diſtreſſe is, the more euidently is Gods power manifeſted in giuing deliuerance. And God hauing promiſed to deliuer his Saints out of all their troubles, by mentioning any troubles of his Saints vntounto him, his owne promiſe, and his truth in keeping promiſe is pleaded. 5. Where the inſultations of enemies are preſſed as a reaſon, the ground of that reaſon muſt needs bee the honour of God, becauſe ſuch inſultations make to the diſhonour of his great name. Thus by anſwering theſe obiections diſtinctly, the truth of the Doctrine is made more cleare, that the onelyonly true ground of a ſufficient plea in prayer, is in God.

The grounds of plea which papiſts teach and practiſe muſt needs be falſe, becauſe they are not taken from God. They are theſe, Interceſſion of Saints, Bloud of Martyrs, Supererrogatorie workes of extraordinarie perſons, Merit of a mans own workes, and others like to theſe. What ſtrength can theſe adde to faith in prayer? What aſſurance can they giuegive of being heard, when they depend on man, and hauehave no warrant out of Gods Word?

We that are better inſtructed, ought to take notice of the p. 285things whereby God hath made himſelfe knowne to vsus: being compriſed vnderunder this Title theaaSee §. 20. name of God. And when wee come to prayer, meditate thereon ſeriouſly, that our faith being grounded on ſo ſure a Rocke as God is, and on his promiſes and properties, wee may with comfort and patience expect a gracious anſwere, and bleſſed grant of our Petitions.

The reaſon added to the Petitions being generally touched, It is further more diſtinctly in the ſeuerall branches thereof to be handled.

§. 205. Of appropriating Gods Attributes to himſelfe.

Q. HOw is God in this reaſon ſet out?

A. By his Attributes. For theſe words, Kingdome, Power, Glory, for euer doe point out foure diſtinct Attributes, of God, which are

1.aaPſal. 22. 28.Ps 22:28 Soueraignty. Kingdome.

2.bbIer. 32. 17. 2. Chro. 20. 6.Jer 32:172 Chr 20:6 Omnipotency. Power.

3.ccPſal. 113. 4. Iſa. 6. 3.Ps 113:4Isa 6:3 Excellency. Glory.

4.ddPſal. 90. 2▪ Iſa. 57. 15.Ps 90:2Isa 57:15 Eternitie. For euer.

Q. How are theſe Attributes applyed to God?

A. By a ſpeciall propertie and excellency. So much doth this Particle THINE and the Article THE import.foreign. As if he had ſaid, Thine and thine onelyonly are theſe. Thine they are originally of thy ſelfe; and that in an infinite meaſure and degree. 1. Tim. 6. 16.1 Tim 6:16In the ſame manner that the Apoſtle applyeth Immortalitie, may theſe and all other diuine Attributes bee applyed to God, who onelyonly hath Kingdome, and Power, and Glory for euer.

Though this Particle THINE, bee but once expreſſed, yet by vertue of the copulatiue Particle, AND,foreign. it is particularly to be applyed to eueryevery of the other properties.

As for the fourth Attribute, Eternitie, intimated in this clauſe, For euer, it is ſo expreſſed, as appertaining to all and eueryevery of the other three. For Gods kingdome is for euer: foreign.his Power for euer: his Glory for euer: and whatſoeuer elſe is in God, is, as God himſelfe, for euer. Well therefore may this be p. 286conſidered in relation to other Attributes, as an attribute of them, and ſimply in it ſelfe as a diſtinct attribute.

§. 206. Of Gods hauing all things at his command.

Q. VVHat kinde of kingdome is here meant?

A. Gods vniuerſall kingdome:Of the kinds of Gods Kingdom See §. 35. by vertue whereof hee hath a ſupreme and abſolute ſoueraignty in all places, ouer all things. So as this kinde of kingdome compriſeth all kindes vnderunder it,Pſal. 103. 19.Ps 103:19 euen his peculiar kingdome alſo, the Church of Chriſt. In this extent it is ſaid, His kingdome ruleth ouer all.

Q. What doth this application of kingdome to God, import?

A. God hath all things at his command. Where Dauid applyeth this abſolute ſoueraignty to God in the very words which Chriſt doth,1. Chron. 29. 11, 12.1 Chr 29:111 Chr 29:12 ſaying, Thine is the kingdome, O Lord, he addeth by way of explication, All that is in heauen and in earth is thine. Both riches and honour come of thee: and in thine hand it is to make great, and to giuegive ſtrength vntounto all.

It is God that firſt made all things, and that ſtill vpholdeth, preſerueth,Rom. 11. 36.Rom 11:36 and gouerneth all things. Of him, and through him, and to him are all things. Gen. 14. 22.Gen 14:22Hee is the poſſeſſour of heauen and earth. All things therefore muſt needs be at his command.

On this ground we ſee what iuſt cauſe wee hauehave to make all the forenamed Petitions vntounto God: and of him to aske whatſoeuer is to be asked in Prayer. For all are at his diſpoſing. The Pſalmiſt vponupon his acknowledgement of Gods ſoueraignty maketh this inference,Pſal. 44. 4.Ps 44:4 Command deliuerance for Iaakob.

§. 207. Of the abſolute Supremacie of Gods Soueraigntie.

Q. VVHat doth the Emphaticall manner of attributing Kingdome to God (THE Kingdome) import?

A. Gods is the moſt ſupreme and abſolute Soueraignty. foreign.THE KINGDOME, that is, that Soueraignty which may indeed, and properly be called a Kingdome, which is ouer all, vnderunder none, is p. 287Gods. Wherefore God is ſtiledbbPſal. 47. 2. Mal. 1. 14.Ps 47:2Mal 1:14 A great King: cc1. Tim. 6. 16.1 Tim 6:16A King of Kings and Lord of Lords: ddPſal. 95 3.Ps 95:3A great King aboue all Gods: eeIſa. 6. 5.Isa 6:5The King and Lord of Hoſts: A King who hath theffMat. 5. 34, 35.Matt 5:34Matt 5:35 heauen for his Throne: and the earth for his footſtoole.

God was before all, euen eternall. Though the creatures ouer which he raigneth, were not from eternitie, yet had the eternall God an eternall right of raigning, by vertue whereof hee was King ouer all things that are ſo ſoone as euer they were. And this right he muſt needs hauehave of himſelfe, and by himſelfe. For he being anggIer. 10 10. 1. Tim. 1. 17.Jer 10:101 Tim 1:17 eternall King, who could bee before him, from whom he might receiue a right of Soueraignty? As he ishhforeign. God of himſelfe, ſo is heeiiforeign. Lord of himſelfe: A ſupreme and abſolute Monarch.

This Supremacie of Gods Soueraignty, teacheth ſuch as hauehave any Soueraignty tokkReu. 4. 10.Rev 4:10 caſt their crownes downe at the feet of this high Soueraigne. Howſoeuer there bee ſome who in their Dominions are in all cauſes, and ouer al perſons ſupreme Gouernours, yet with this limitation, vnderunder God. That Soueraignty which they hauehave is Gods image, by vertue whereof they are ſtiled, llPſal. 82. 6.Ps 82:6Gods. Yet becauſe they are what they are of God, and vnderunder God, they are alſo ſtiledmmIbid. Children of the moſt High, nnLam. 4. 20.Lam 4:20Annointed of the Lord, ooRom 13. 4.Rom 13:4Miniſters of God.

2. It teacheth vsus all to aduance God aboue all, and to preferre him before all, toppLuke 12. 4, 5.Luke 12:4Luke 12:5 feare him,qqMat 22. 37.Matt 22:37 louelove him, truſt in him, and eueryevery way reſpect him more then all other, and to obey him rather then any other King or Gouernour. This is ſuch a ruled caſe, ſo cleare and euident, asrrAct. 4. 19.—5. 29.Acts 4:19 the Apoſtles made their enemies Iudges thereof. If a King in his Dominions is to bee preferred and obeyed before all ſubordinate Magiſtrates: much more God before all Kings and other Gouernours thorowout the whole world.

§. 208. Of god being King onelyonly.

Q. VVHat doth the appropriating of Kingdome to God import?

A. Gods is the onelyonly Kingdome. This Particle THINE (Thine is the Kingdome) importeth a property. All other Kingdomes p. 288are but parts of his.Rom. 13. 1.Rom 13:1 There is no power but of God. The powers that be are ordained of God. Dan. 5. 21.Dan 5:21Nebuchadnezzar was forced to acknowledge as much.

This is to be knowne and acknowledged both to keepe vsus from all baſe, and ſlauiſh obedience to earthly Gouernours in things againſt Gods will: and alſo to prouoke vsus readily and willingly to obey them in all lawfull things for conſcience ſake, Rom. 13. 5. 1. Pet. 2. 13.Rom 13:51 Pet 2:13for the Lords ſake. If earthly kingdomes be, as they are, within the limits of Gods kingdome, parts thereof, ſubordinate thereto, then no obedience muſt bee yeelded to the Gouernours of them, but that which may ſtand with the Lawes of Gods kingdome: ſo as God the onelyonly King may bee obeyed therein and thereby. But in eueryevery thing that may ſtand with the Lawes of Gods Kingdome, obedience is to be yeelded to Gouernours on earth, becauſe their Kingdomes are parts of Gods, and they Gods Deputies and Miniſters.Rom. 13. 2.Rom 13:2 Whoſoeuer therefore reſiſteth the power, reſiſteth the ordinance of God: and they that reſiſt ſhall receiue to themſelues damnation. Theſe are the grounds that binde vsus to obey Magiſtrates for conſcience ſake. Not that one man hath power ouer anothers conſcience; this power is Gods Prerogatiue: but that God to whom all mens conſciences are and ought to be ſubiect, hath ordained the Powers, and requireth ſubiection to them. So as that which is done for conſcience ſake, is done for the Lords ſake.

§. 209. Of the Duties due to God by reaſon of his Kingdome, and comfort thence ariſing.

Q. VVHat are the Duties which the holy Ghoſt by vertue of Gods kingdome and Soueraignty requireth of vsus?

A. 1. To ſuffer God toaaPſal. 24. 7. 9.Ps 24:7Ps 24:9 enter in, and abide among vsus.

2. To be willing that hebb—110. 3. raigne and rul… ouer vsus.

3. To beccIſa. 6, 2, 5. Dan. 6. 26.Isa 6:2Isa 6:5Dan 6:26 humbled and to tremble at his preſence.

4. ToddIer. 10. 7.Jer 10:7 feare and reuerence his Maieſtie.

5. ToeePſal. 22. 27, 28. Zac. 14. 16, 17.Ps 22:27Ps 22:28 worſhip him.

6. ToffPſal. 47. 6, 7. 1. Tim. 1. 17.Ps 47:6Ps 47:71 Tim 1:17 praiſe and glorifie him.

7. ToggPſal. 2. 6, 11, 12.Ps 2:6Ps 2:11Ps 2:12 ſerue and obey him.

p. 2898. TohhMal. 1. 13, 14.Mal 1:13Mal 1:14 offer to him the beſt that we hauehave.

9. ToiiMat. 5. 34, 35.Matt 5:34Matt 5:35 …ake heed of profaning or abuſing any thing that is his.

10. TokkPſal. 149. 2. Zach. 9. 9.Ps 149:2Zech 9:9 teſtifie our louelove to him by reioycing in him.

11. TollPſal. 5. 2.Ps 5:2 ſeeke helpe of him.

12. TommIſa. 43. 15. Zeph. 3. 15.Isa 43:15Zeph 3:15 reſt and relie vponupon him.

Q. What is the comfort that ariſeth from Gods ſoueraignie?

A. Aſſurance of ſupply of all things needfull, and of protection from all things hurtfull. Aſſurance, I ſay, to ſuch as take him for their King, and in teſtimonie thereof are readie to performe all the forenamed duties. Though God be a King ouer all, yet all take him not for their King. Some being**foreign qui ſunt foreign abſq, vtilitate vel foreign abſque iugo. ſonnes of Belial, without yoke, ſay,nnPſal. 2. 3.Ps 2:3 Let vsus breake his bonds aſunder, and caſt his cords away from vsus. ooLuke 19. 14.Luke 19:14We will not hauehave him to rule ouer vsus. Yet, will they, nill they, God is their King. And becauſe willingly they yeald not to him, by force he keepeth them vnderunder. To theſe more terror, then comfort ariſeth from Gods ſoueraignty. But to his loyall ſubiects much comfort muſt needs ariſe. For their King hauing all things at his command, will he ſuffer them to want what he knoweth to be behoouefull for them? or to be annoyed with any hurtfull thing? All the properties of a good King are in God. But to prouide for his ſubiects, and to protect them are properties ſet downe by the holy Ghoſt in the deſcription of a good King.Pſal. 72, 2, 3, &c.Ps 72:2Ps 72:3 Shall not God, the beſt and chiefeſt of Kings, the onelyonly true King, whoſe the kingdome is, do thoſe things for his ſubiect?

This of Gods kingdome. The next propertie is his power. In theſe words, And the power.

§. 210. Of Gods power. What it is. How farre it extendeth.

Q. VVHat is ment by Gods power?

A. His abilitie to do any thing. Power attributed to a creature implieth that abilitie which it hath: ſo it doth alſo applied to the Creator. Now as other attributes applied to God are his verie eſſence, and as his eſſence is infinite, ſo alſo is his power, which extendeth it ſelfe to eueryevery thing that by p. 290power may be done: according to theſe Scripture PhraſesaaGen. 18. 14. …er 32. 27.Gen 18:14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? bbLuke 1. 37.Luke 1:37With God nothing is impoſſible. ccMar 10. 17.Mark 10:17With God all things are poſſible. In this reſpect he is ſtiledddGen. 17. 1. foreign.Gen 17:1 God Almightie.

Q. Are all things without exception, within the compaſſe of Gods power?Reu. 4. 8. foreignRev 4:8

A. Not ſuch things as import impotencie, or imperfection. Gods power were not omnipotent, but rather impotent, if thoſe were within the circuit thereof. Such phraſes therefore as theſe,eeTit. 1. 2.Titus 1:2 Cannot, ffHeb. 6. 18.Heb 6:18Impoſſible, are, in relation to thoſe things, applyed to God.

Some of the particulars, which by reaſon of omnipotencie, God cannot do, are theſe.

1. Matters of contradiction: as one thing at the ſame time to be and not to be: or one and the ſame thing to be infinite, and finite. Such things are in their nature impoſſible. And God cannot eſtabliſh them, becauſe they are againſt truth, and imply impotencie. For whatſoeuer is, it is by the power of the Creator: and by his power it is as it is. If withall it be not when it is, or be contrary to what the Creator maketh it, where is the power of the Creator? If he himſelfe ſhould bee ſuppoſed to eſtabliſh ſuch contradictions, he cannot be ſuppoſed to eſtabliſh them by his power. The one part is by power, the other therefore muſt be, if it could be, by that which is contrary to power, euen by impotencie.

2. Matters of iniquitie: All ſinfull matters. As theſe are contrary to the will, puritie and perfection of God, ſo they ariſe from impotencie of vnderſtanding, will, memorie, conſcience, affection, and actions. By power it is that any either do not, or cannot ſinne. By weakeneſſe it is therefore that any fall into ſinne. Theſe emphaticall phraſes (iiGen. 18. 25.Gen 18:25 Shall not the Iudge of all the earth do right? kkEzek. 18. 29.Ezek 18:29Are not the wayes of the Lord equall? llRom. 3. 5.Rom 3:5Is God vnrighteous? mm—9. 14.Is there vnrighteouſneſſe with God?) do imply an impoſſibilitie. So farre is God from ſinne, asnnIam. 1. 13.Jas 1:13 He cannot be tempted with euill: neither tempteth he any man.

3. Matters of inconſtancie and variableneſſe. By power it is that one remaineth firme, ſtable, conſtant, inuiolable, vnchangeable. Weakeneſſe therefore cauſeth the contrary. Of the Almightie p. 291it is ſaid,ooIam. 1. 17.Jas 1:17 With him is no variableneſſe, neither ſhadow of turning. Where it is ſaid,pp1. Sam. 15. 29.1 Sam 15:29 He will not repent, Hee is ſtiled The ſtrength of Iſrael: Whereby is implyed that it is of ſtrength that he changeth not. On this ground it is alſo ſaid,qq2. Tim. 2 13.2 Tim 2:13 God cannot denie himſelfe. rrTit. 1. 2.Titus 1:2God cannot lie. ſſHeb. 6. 18.Heb 6:18It is impoſſible that God ſhould lie.

4. Matters of Paſſion, or ſuffering, as to be mocked, deceiued, oppreſſed, put to death with the like. Theſe imply a ſubiection to a ſuperiour power, and in that reſpect an impotencie. Wherefore it is ſaid of God,ttGal. 6. 7.Gal 6:7 He is not mocked. uuIam. 1. 13.Jas 1:13He cannot be tempted. The Sonne of God to make himſelfe capable of ſuffering, which for mans redemption was neceſſarie, aſſumed fleſh,xx1. Pet. 3. 18.1 Pet 3:18 In which he was put to death. For in his diuine nature he could not die, nor any way ſuffer.

§. 211. Of the difference betwixt Gods abſolute and actuall power.

Q. DOth Gods power actually extend it ſelfe to all things that by power may be done?

A. No: not to bring them into act, or to effect them. Many, many things there be which God is able to do, that he doth not, no… euer will do.aaMat. 26. 53.Matt 26:53 He could hauehave ſent his Angels to hauehave reſcued Chriſt out of the Iewes hands.bb—3. 9. He could out of ſtones hauehave raiſed children to Abraham. He could hauehave made more worlds. He could hauehave ſent more flouds to deſtroy the world againe and againe. Hee could hauehave redeemed the diuels. Infinite are the things which he could do, but will not do. Well therefore is Gods power diſtinguiſhed into his Abſolute and Actuall power.

Gods abſolute power is that whereby he is able to do whatſoeuer by power may bee done: as is euident by theſe phraſes, ccLuke 1. 37.Luke 1:37With God nothing is impoſſible. ddMar. 10. 27.Mark 10:27With God all things are poſſible.

Gods actuall power is that whereby he doth all things that in his counſell he determineth to do: as it is written,eePſal. 115. 3.Ps 115:3 He hath done whatſoeuer he pleaſed.

Herein lyeth the difference betwixt Gods abſolute and actuall power, That his abſolute power extendeth it ſelfe beyond his p. 292will, as the fore-named inſtances ſhew. But his actuall power is bounded within the compaſſe of his will. In this limitation was he well inſtructed who ſaid to Chriſt,ffMar. 1. 40.Mark 1:40 If thou wilt thou canſt make me cleane. And they who ſaid of God,ggDan. 3. 17.Dan 3:17 Our God whom we ſerue is able to deliuer vsus, &c. Therupon they all ſo truſted to Gods power, as they ſubiected themſelues to his will.

§. 212. How power is proper to God.

Q. VVHy is power by a propertie with emphaſis applyed to God thus,**foreign. And the power?

A. 1. Gods onelyonly is truly and properly power. It is therefore ſtiledaaEph. 1. 19. foreign.Eph 1:19 A might of power. So as all power compared to his, is as no power, but very weakeneſſe. His is THE POWER, that which is worthie to be called power, is Gods.bbPſal. 62. 11.Ps 62:11 Power belongeth vntounto God.

2. Gods power is beyond all limits. It is**foreign. an exceeding greatneſſe of power. To it nothing is impoſſible. By it all things were made,Eph. 1. 19.Eph 1:19 and are vpheld and preſerued. By it may all things bee deſtroyed and brought to nought. The moſt ſtable and inuiolable courſe that is ſet to any creature, by it may be altered. By it the Sunne can be madeccIoſ. 10. 13.Josh 10:13 to ſtand ſtill, ordd2. King. 20. 11.2 Kgs 20:11 to runne backe, The eeExod. 14. 21.Exod 14:21ſea to be diuided, The Rocke to ſend forth water, and what not?

3.f—17. 6. All power is deriued from Gods.ggIob 39. 19.Job 39:19 Haſt thou giuen the horſe ſtrength? ſaith God to man: implying thereby that God hath done it, and none but God.hhIoh 19. 11.John 19:11 Thou couldeſt hauehave no power at all (ſaith Chriſt to Pilate) except it were giuen thee from aboue. ii1. Chro. 29. 12.1 Chr 29:12Power and might are in Gods hand: in his hand it is to giuegive ſtrength to all.

4. All power is ſubordinate to Gods. This Aſa acknowledgeth where he ſaith,kk2. Chro. 14. 11.2 Chr 14:11 It is nothing with thee to helpe, whether with many, or with them that hauehave no power. So as,llRom. 8. 31.Rom 8:31 If God be for vsus who can be againſt vsus? mmPſal. 118. 8.Ps 118:8It is better to truſt in the Lord then to put confidence in man. On theſe and other like grounds well may it be ſaid to God, THINE IS THE POWER.

p. 293§. 213. Of the Duties due to God by reaſon of his power.

Q. VVHat duties are required by vertue of Gods power?

A. 1. To put difference betwixt God and all creatures. In regard of the power of God the Pſalmiſt ſaith, O Lord God of hoaſts, Pſal. 89. 8. &c.Ps 89:8who is a ſtrong Lord like vntounto thee? And to proue that none is like to God, he ſetteth out many euidences of Gods power.

2. To flie to God in all time of need, and to ſeeke helpe of him.Mar. 1. 40.Mark 1:40 As that Leper did of Chriſt, who ſaid, If thou wilt thou canſt make me cleane.

3. To beleeue Gods word. For he is able to make it good. Abraham was ſtrong in faith,Rom. 4. 20, 21.Rom 4:20Rom 4:21 being fully perſwaded that what God had promiſed he was able to performe.

4. To be ſtrong in God.Eph. 6. 10.Eph 6:10 His power is a power of might. Hee can giuegive ſtrength to vsus.

5. To abide contentedly in the eſtate wherein God ſetteth vsus.Phil. 4. 11, 13.Phil 4:11Phil 4:13 So did hee who ſaid, I can do all things through Chriſt that ſtrengtheneth me.

6. To endure patiently all afflictions. So did the ſaid Apoſtle, who ſaid, 2. Tim. 1. 12.2 Tim 1:12I ſuffer theſe things, for I am perſwaded that he is able to keepe that which I hauehave committed to him.

7. To carrie our ſelues humbly before God.1. Pet. 5. 6.1 Pet 5:6 Humble your ſelues vnderunder the mightie hand of God. Gods is a mightie hand: we muſt therefore be humble vnderunder it.

8. To feare God. Mat. 10. 28.Matt 10:28Feare him who is able to deſtroy both ſoule and bodie in hell.

9. To feare no creature.Pſal. 118. 6.Ps 118:6 The Lord is on my ſide: I will not feare: what can man do vntounto me? Dan. 3. 16, 17.Dan 3:16Dan 3:17On this ground three of the captiues of the King of Babell, faithfull ſeruants of the Lord of heauen, thus anſwered that King, We are not carefull to anſwer thee: our God whom we ſerue is able to deliuer vsus.

10. To praiſe God. Pſal. 150. 2.Ps 150:2Praiſe him for his mightie acts. VntoUnto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly,Eph. 3. 20, 21.Eph 3:20Eph 3:21 be glorie, &c.

11. To hope well of ſuch as are weake.Rom. 14. 4.Rom 14:4 God is able to make them ſtand.

p. 29412. To be bountifull to ſuch as need.2. Cor 9. 8.2 Cor 9:8 God is able to make all graces abound, &c.

§. 214. Of the comfort ariſing from Gods power.

Q. VVHat comfort ariſeth from the conſideration of Gods power?

A. Aſſurance of the accompliſhment of Gods promiſes. To ſtrengthen the Prophets faith in the promiſe which God had made of returning the captiuitie of the Iewes, God giueth him this anſwer,Ier. 32. 27.Jer 32:27 Behold, I am the Lord, th… God of all fleſh: is there anything too hard for me?

To exemplifie this, the holy Ghoſt putteth vsus in mind of Gods power to ſtrengthen our faith in theſe promiſes following.

1. The alteration of our corrupt nature.Mar. 10. 23. &c.Mark 10:23 Though to man it be as eaſie to make a Camel to go through the eye of a needle, as a rich man to enter into heauen, yet to God that is not impoſſible. For with God all things are poſſible.

2. The vocation of the Iewes.Rom. 11. 23.Rom 11:23 For God is able to graffe them in againe.

3. All needfull grace. 2. Cor. 9. 8.2 Cor 9:8God is able to make all grace abound.

4. Perſeuerance to the end. No man ſhall plucke Chriſts ſheepe out of his hand.Ioh. 10. 28, 29.John 10:28John 10:29 For his Father which gaue him them is greater then all.

5. Supply of all neceſſities.Phil. 4. 19.Phil 4:19 God that is able will ſupply them.

6. Aſſiſtance in all trouble. VponUpon this ground that God hath a mightie arme, Pſal. 89. 13, 21, 22, 23.Ps 89:13Ps 89:21Ps 89:22Ps 89:23and ſtrong hand, aſſurance is giuen to Dauid of ſufficient protection.

7. Deliuerance out of all euill.Iſa. 50. 2.Isa 50:2 For aſſurance hereof with great emphaſis doth the Prophet preſſe the power of God.

8. The reſurrection of our bodies.Eph. 1. 19, 20.Eph 1:19Eph 1:20 For aſſurance hereof the Apoſtle doth much amplifie the power of God.

9. Eternall glorification. Phil. 3. 21.Phil 3:21Chriſt ſhall change our vile bodie, that it maybe faſhioned like vntounto his glorious bodie, according to the working, whereby he is able euen to ſubdue all things to himſelfe.

Hitherto of Gods Kingdome and Power. The third property is his Glory, ſet downe in theſe words, AND THE GLORY.

p. 295§. 215. Of Gods glory. What it is.

Q. VVHat is ment by Gods Glorie?

A. That Excellencie which is in him. For the Excellencie of a thing, that which cauſeth it to bee in high eſteeme, and procureth a name, fame, and renoune vntounto it, is the Glory of it. Theaaforeign In Cal. grau… fuit. foreign glorioſus fuit. Inde nomen. foreign grauitas, gloria. Hebrew word ſignifieth that which is weighty and of worth. Thebbforeign fama, gloria. Greeke word ſignifieth both fame and glory. For glory cauſeth fame. In Scripture, glory and excellency are put for one and the ſame thing: and that in relation both to creatures, and to the Creator: as, where the Prophet ſpeaking of the glory of the Church, ſaith,ccIſa. 35. 2.Isa 35:2 the GLORY of Lebanon ſhall be giuen vntounto it, the EXCELLENCY of Carmel and Sharon. The ſhall ſee the GLORY of the Lord, and the EXCELLENCY of our God. On this ground where the excelency of our God is ſet forth, glory is attributed to him, and he is ſtiledddAct. 7. 2.Acts 7:2 God of glory, eePſal. 24 8.Ps 24:8King of Glory, ffEph. 1. 17.Eph 1:17Father of glory. And his Name, Habitation, Throne and Goſpell, becauſe of the excellency of them, are ſtiled ggNeh. 9. 5.Neh 9:5a name of glory, hhIſa. 63. 15.Isa 63:15an habitation of glory, iiIer. 14. 21.Jer 14:21a throne of glory, kk1 Tim. 1. 11.1 Tim 1:11a Goſpell of glory. Yea for the ſame end Glory is alſo prefixed before the things of God, asllIſa. 2. 10.Isa 2:10 Glory of Maieſty, mmPſal. 145. 11.Ps 145:11Glory of Kingdome, nnEpheſ. 1. 6.Eph 1:6Glory of Grace, oo2 Theſ. 1. 9.2 Thess 1:9Glory of Power.

§. 216. Of the Incomprehenſibleneſſe of Gods Glorie.

Q. MAy Gods glory be comprehended by Man?

A. No.1 Tim. 6. 16.1 Tim 6:16 It is incomprehenſible. It is a light which no man can approach vntounto. For as all other properties of God are his very eſſence, ſo is his glory which is the excellency of all. When Moſes deſired God to ſhew him his glory, Exod. 33. 18, 20.Exod 33:18Exod 33:20the Lord anſwered, Thou canſt not ſee my FACE for there ſhall no man ſee MEE and liue. By this anſwer it appeareth that Gods glory is his face, and his face is himſelfe. For theſe three phraſes applied to God, glory, face, me, are all put for one and the ſame thing. And that all theſe are incomprehenſible, this phraſe ſheweth, Thou canſt not ſee my face. Yet God being willing to gratifie p. 296him, ſo farre as he was capable, ſhewed him his Backe-parts, ſome glimps of his glory.