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

It is Power: God is Almighty.^e Whatsoever the LORD pleased, that did he in heaven, and in earth, and in the seas, and in all deep place. But is there nothing that God cannot do? yes, he cannot lie, he cannot die, he cannot deny himself. He is for potent, not for impotent works. Aug. Dicitur omnipotens faciendo quod vult, non patiendo quod non vult. H s Almightiness consists in doing what he will, not in suffering what he will not. The doing of some things were an argument of weakness, not o• power. For herein is a remonstrance of our might; not that we have ablenesse to sin, but to withstand sin. Therefore, Augustine wisheth; Ut potestas non detur nisi contra vitium; that no man had any strength, but against wickedness. Let every man desire such power; Ut potens sit in serpso, & miro modo adversus seipsum, pro seipso: that he may be strong in himself, and (after a strange manner) against himself, for his own good. For a dominion over ones self is greater than the grand Seigniory of Turkey. To be strong to sin is no credit for man; as it is no discredit for GOD that he cannot sin. Vae fortibus ad potandum. Esa. 5. woe to them that are strong to drink. Dost thou pride thy self in this strength? thou shalt howl for that glory. This power is the greatest infirmity. There are that^f oppress a man and his heritage, because it is in the power of their hand. This Potestas in malum, strength to sin, is to be strong to ⟨p. 47⟩go to hell. Commonly to beasts of the greatest power, is given the lest immanity, and to those of the greatest immanity the least power. The ox hath strength but tameness: the bee wildness, but weakness. Either they have power to hurt, and not will: or will to hurt, and not power. This is happy for us, but it would be more happy in respect of our sins, if God should take away from us, aut facultatem, aut voluntatem, either our will or our ability to do mischief. They say, Lions do not prey on yielding things: that thou canst do harm, and wilt not, is the praise of thy Innocence: that thou wouldest do harm, and canst not, is the praise of Gods providence. Saul would kill David, and could not: David could kill Saul and would not. The two disciples would command fire from heaven, but could not: CHRIST could command fire from heaven, but would not. Posse & nolle nobile.