A09432:942
A godly and learned exposition of Christs Sermon in the Mount
A godly and learned exposition of Christs Sermon in the Mount: preached in Cambridge by that reverend and judicious divine M. William Perkins. Published at the request of his executors by Th. Pierson preacher of Gods word. Whereunto is adjoined a twofold table: one, of special points here handled; the other, of choice places of Scripture here quotedA godly and learned exposition of Christs Sermon in the Mount: preached in Cambridge by that reuerend and iudicious diuine M. William Perkins. Published at the request of his exequutors by Th. Pierson preacher of Gods word. Whereunto is adioyned a twofold table: one, of speciall points here handled; the other, of choise places of Scripture here quoted
Cambridge : Printed by Thomas Brooke and Cantrell Legge, printers to the University of Cambridge, 1608Cambridge : Printed by Thomas Brooke and Cantrell Legge, printers to the Vniuersitie of Cambridge, 1608
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Here some may say, that the Devil hath a kingdom contrary to Gods kingdom wherein he reigneth; and therefore Gods kingdom is not absolute. Ans. If we regard the malice of Satan, or the practise of the wicked, it may seem Gods kingdom should not be absolute, because they continually rebel against his revealed will: but consider the power of God, which overruleth Satan and all his instruments, disposing most wisely of all their works, to his own glory, the good of his Church, and their own ruin, and then we shall plainly see that God ruleth over all: for howsoever the devil and his angels, and all other his instruments oppose themselves unto the word of God, which is the law of his kingdom of grace, yet God willingly permits all such works, and restrains them all at his pleasure; so as that which comes to pass against Gods revealed will, is not contrary to his absolute will.
Here some may say, that the Deuill hath a kingdome contrarie to Gods kingdome wherein he raigneth; and therfore Gods kingdome is not absolute. Ans. If we regard the malice of Satan, or the practise of the wicked, it may seeme Gods kingdome should not be absolute, because they continually rebell against his reuealed will: but consider the power of God, which ouerruleth Satan and all his instruments, disposing most wisely of all their works, to his owne glorie, the good of his Church, and their own ruine, and then we shall plainly see that God ruleth ouer all: for howsoeuer the deuill and his angels, and all other his instruments oppose themselues vnto the word of God, which is the law of his kingdom of grace, yet God willingly permits all such works, and restraines them all at his pleasure; so as that which comes to passe against Gods reuealed will, is not contrarie to his absolute will.
Thine is the power] By power is meant an ability in God whereby he can do whatsoever he will, and more then he will do: for the better1 conceiving of it, note these two things. First, that God is not only powerful, but even power it self in regard of his nature as he is goodness and wisdom, &c. Men and Angels are called powerful, as receiving power from God; but God only is power it self, because his nature is infinite in power, as in all other properties. Secondly, that power and will in God are one and the same: for our better conceiving of them, they may be distinguished, but in themselves they differ not, for Gods willing of a thing is the effecting and doing of it. It is not so in us, for we will many things which we cannot do: but whatsoever God willeth that he doth, and that which he cannot do, he cannot will. The Scripture saith, God cannot lie, nor deny himself, nor die, &c. now as he cannot do these things, so neither can he will them: for they are no works of power, but of weakness and frailty, and therefore is God omnipotent because he can neither do nor will the same. Thine is, &c. Here also we say Gods power is his own, that is, of himself alone, not received from any other, as is also said of kingdom, and glory, to distinguish the true God from all creatures who have not power, and kingdom, and glory of themselves, but from God, whereas all these in God are of himself alone.