An exposition of the Lords prayer in the way of catechism By William PerkinsAn exposition of the Lords praier in the way of catechisme By William Perkins

[The power] Oftentimes, earthly princes have kingdoms, yet want power: but God hath kingdom, & power also: yea, his power is infinite, and he can do all that he will, & more then he will: as for those things which come of impotency; he cannot do them, for if he c•ld, he should not be omnipotent. And as ⟨image 65⟩he is omnipotent in himself, so all the power which any creature hath, is from him alone. Question. Howe can this be, seeing the devil hath power to sin; which is not from God? Answer. To sin is no power, but rather a want of power: otherwise, all the strength and power that Satan hath, is of God.

[The power] Oftentimes, earthly princes haue kingdomes, yet want power: but God hath kingdom, & power also: yea, his power is infinite, and he can do al that he wil, & more then hee will: as for those things which come of impotencie; he cannot do thē, for if he c•ld, he should not be omnipotent. And as ⟨image 65⟩he is omnipotent in himselfe, so all the power which any creture hath, is from him alone. Question. Howe can this be, seeing the deuill hath power to sinne; which is not from God? Ans•er. To sinne is no power, but rather a want of power: otherwise, all the strength and power that Satan hath, is of God.

And from this second property, is taken another motive, to move us to pray unto God. Because all power being his, we can never do any of the things which we ask, but by power received from him.

And from this second property, is taken another motiue, to moue vs to pray vnto God. Because all power being his, wee can neuer do any of the thinges which we aske, but by power receiued from him.