As the supreme sovereignty and absolute power which God hath over all creatures doth evidently prove the point (For who hath resisted his will? 1If he say to a Tempter go, he goeth: or come, 2he cometh: or do this, he doth it.) so the care which he taketh of his Church to provide for it,3 to protect it, to keep it safe from all dangers,4 and to bring it to rest and glory in heaven, doth show the reason why he retaineth an over-ruling hand in all temptations.5 Though in wisdom he suffer tempters to assault his children, yet he will order the assault so as it shall not prevail against them, no nor turn to their damage, but rather to their advantage: for the effecting whereof he holds the reins in his own hands, to let them loose, or hold them in, as he seeth cause.6 That which God said to Sennacherib, (I will put my ⟨p. 239⟩hook in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips) he doth to all the tempters of his Church. This care of God over his Church the Psalmist doth thus excellently set forth in these words,7 He suffered no man to do them wrong, yea he reproved Kings for their sakes, saying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my Prophets no harm.
As the supreme soueraigntie and absolute power which God hath ouer all creatures doth euidently proue the point (For who hath resisted his will? 1If he say to a Tempter go, he goeth: or come, 2he commeth: or do this, he doth it.) so the care which he taketh of his Church to prouide for it,3 to protect it, to keepe it safe from all dangers,4 and to bring it to rest and glorie in heauen, doth shew the reason why he retaineth an ouer-ruling hand in all temptations.5 Though in wisedome he suffer tempters to assault his children, yet he will order the assault so as it shall not preuaile against them, no nor turne to their damage, but rather to their aduantage: for the effecting whereof he holds the raines in his owne hands, to let them loose, or hold them in, as hee seeth cause.6 That which God said to Semacherib, (I will put my ⟨p. 239⟩hooke in thy nose, and my bridle in thy lips) he doth to all the tempters of his Church. This care of God ouer his Church the Psalmist doth thus excellently set forth in these words,7 He suffered no man to do them wrong, yea he reprooued Kings for their sakes, saying, Touch not mine annointed, and do my Prophets no harme.
- 11. Cor. 10. 13.
- 2Gods power over tempters.Gods power ouer tempters.
- 3Rom. 9. 19.
- 4Mat. 8. 9.
- 5Gods care over his Church.Gods care ouer his Church.
- 62. King. 19. 28.
- 7Psal. 105. 14, 15
