And whereas he speaketh of Gods power or might: we must not imagine it too be an idle power, as the worldlings do. They will grant well enough that God is almighty: but yet in the mean while they trust never the more in him. Too their seeming he takes his rest in heaven, or else he disposeth not things in this world, but (at starts) when he bethinks himself of them. But contrariwise, when God speaks unto us of his power, it is, too the end we should make it our shield against all the distresses, hinderances, and lets, which the devil casteth before our eyes, too make us distrust Gods promises. Like as when it is said, that Abraham believed that God is almighty: it was not generally and confusedly, but with an applying of Gods infinite power too the thing that had bin promised him: which was, that in his seed all the nations of the earth should be blessed. Abraham looking upon himself, saw he was a man as fast decaying as might be: He drooped, and (as ye would say) dragged his wings after him: too be short, he was hard at deaths door: His wife had bin barren all her life long: she was past the age of teeming any more, insomuch that the thing which was told him by Gods own mouth, seemed utterly unpossible. And why is it that Abraham doth nevertheless believe assuredly,1 that God will keep promise with him? It is, because he had an eye too his infinite power, which is able too overcome all lets and hinderances. We see then how Abraham applied Gods power too his own behoof, assuring himself, that Gods truth and his power are things inseparable.2 After that manner also doth S. Paul say, that he whom he hath put in trust with his gage, is mighty. For he saw himself too be a poor and frail creature, he saw how he was hunted at all hands, (he saw) that he was shaken of and despised, ⟨p. 149⟩(he saw) how the doctrine that he bare abroad, was hated and abhorred, he saw how his life hung as by a thread, and he had such a number of troubles, as were able too overwhelm him, yea and finally too confound him and dispatch him quite. And how overcame he all this, & abode invincible, yea & even triumphed over them, being in prison, & seeing himself at deaths door? How could he have such victory against so many temptations and encounters?
And wheras he speaketh of Gods power or myght: wee must not imagin it too bee an ydle power, as the worldlings doo. They will graunt well ynough that God is almyghtie: but yit in the meane whyle they trust neuer the more in him. Too their seeming he takes his rest in heauen, or else he dispozeth not things in this world, but (at starts) when he bethinks himself of them. But contrariwyse, when God speaks vntoo vs of his power, it is, too the end wee should make it our sheeld ageinst al the distresses, hinderances, and lets, which the diuell casteth before our eyes, too make vs distrust Gods promises. Lyke as when it is sayd, that Abraham beleued that God is almightie: it was not generally and confuzedly, but with an applying of Gods infinite power too the thing that had bin promised him: which was, that in his seede all the nations of the earth should bee blissed. Abraham looking vppon himself, sawe he was a man as fast decaying as myght bee: He drooped, and (as yee would say) dragged his wings after him: too bee short, he was hard at deathes doore: His wyfe had bin barrein all hir lyfe long: she was past the age of teeming anie more, insomuch that the thing which was told him by Gods own mouth, seemed vtterly vnpossible. And why is it that Abraham dooth neuerthelesse beleeue assuredly,1 that God will keepe promis with him? It is, bycause he had an eye too his infinite power, which is able too ouercome all lets and hinderances. Wee see then how Abraham applyed Gods power too his owne behoof, assuring himself, that Gods truthe and his power are things inseparable.2 After that maner also dooth S. Paule say, that he whom he hath put in trust with his gage, is myghtie. For he sawe himself too bee a poore and frayle creature, he sawe how hee was hunted at all hands, (he sawe) that he was shaken of and despyzed, ⟨p. 149⟩(he sawe) how the doctrine that he bare abrode, was hated and abhorred, he sawe how his lyfe hung as by a threede, and he had such a number of trubbles, as were able too ouerwhelm him, yea and finally too confound him and dispatch him quyte. And how ouercame he all this, & abode inuincible, yea & euen tryumphed ouer them, being in prison, & seing himself at deathes doore? How could he haue such victory ageinst so manie temptations and incounters?
- 1Rom. 4. a. 3.
- 2•. Tim. 1. c. •2.
