The Morning exercise [at] Cri[ppleg]ate, or, Several cases of conscience practically resolved

2. Though God hath authority, and is of ability to prevent and hinder ⟨p. 168⟩the Commission of sin, yet he is not bound in duty so to do. God's under no tie and obligation, but his own purpose and pleasure, Deus non tenetur Legibus, God is a Law to himself. Herein lies the guilt and evil of mans permitting of sin, he is bound in duty, as well as furnished with ability, and authority to prevent it; and therefore his permitting of sin, is a partaking of sin, Exod. 22.18. Thou shalt not suffer a Witch to live; man is bound to hinder profaneness and wickedness, if he can but so is not God; though he is of infinite power and ability to restrain it, or to remove it, yet he is not bound in duty; and so it is no unrighteousness in God to suffer sin. Sin is the transgression of the Law, but where here is no Law, there is no transgression.

2. Though God hath authority, and is of ability to prevent and hinder ⟨p. 168⟩the Commission of sin, yet hee is not bound in duty so to do. God's under no tye and obligation, but his own purpose and pleasure, Deus non tenetur Legibus, God is a Law to himself. Herein lies the guilt and evil of mans permitting of sin, hee is bound in duty, as well as furnished with ability, and authority to prevent it; and therefore his permitting of sin, is a partaking of sin, Exod. 22.18. Thou shalt not suffer a Witch to live; man is bound to hinder prophaneness and wickedness, if hee can but so is not God; though hee is of infinite power and ability to restrain it, or to remove it, yet hee is not bound in duty; and so it is no unrighteousness in God to suffer sin. Sin is the transgression of the Law, but where here is no Law, there is no transgression.