A commentary or, exposition upon the divine second epistle general, writtenA commentary or, exposition vpon the diuine second epistle generall, written

2 Conclusion; that Satan can do nothing but by Gods permission: he is bo•• in a tether, and cannot go one inch beyond his chain. Christ tells Peter, th•• Satan had desired to winnow them: ⁱDesired, he must beg an ill turn before he c•• do it. Whatsoever he doth, is limitata potestate, and by dispensation from God He could not seduce a Prophet, nor take one poor sheep from Job, nor enter a h•g without licence. It is an Ethnical error of our times, in strange accidents to give the honour of God to Sorcerers and conjurers. If a tempest arise beyond common experience, presently as if the God of heaven were fallen fast asleep, and mind nothing; the judgment is given, there is some conjuring: there must needs be a pest• lent convention and stipulation betwixt men and devils. As if God were not […] to raise as great a storm, as the Devil. Look upon the witches of Egypt: […] rum potestas defecit in muscis, Aug. Their cunning failed in the most contempt••• creatures; and they are forced to cry, This is the finger of God. Though the circuit of Satan be very large, even to compassing of the whole earth; yet he hath his days assigned to stand before the Lord for the renewing of his commission, and there is a chain tied to his power that he cannot move beyond his allowance. Yet hath he•• little liberty to tempt; for the probation of some, for the reprobation of others, i• all for the glory of God. He is the basest of all creatures, a slave, a scullion: n•• how is that person shamed, that is given up to a base slave to be corrected!

2 Conclusion; that Satan can doe nothing but by Gods permission: he is bo•• in a teddar, and cannot goe one inch beyond his chaine. Christ tells Peter, th•• Satan had desired to winnow them: ⁱ