A30570:95
The excellency of holy courage in evil times by Jeremiah Burroughs
The excellency of holy courage in evil times by Jeremiah Burroughs ; published by Thomas Goodwin ... [et al.]
London: printed by Peter Cole and Edward Cole, 1661
Chapter 2 › Application 4: USE. 4.Chapter 2 › Application 4: ƲSE. 4.
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.
2. Again, Consider how have I provoked the wrath of God against my self, and yet God doth not use his power against me? those that are over others and are given to anger should think, How is God provoked and crossed? and if I do think because I am crossed to put forth all my power against them that cross me, how is it that God is so patient, and that he doth not put forth his power against me? Though I am over them, I am under God, and God might justly put forth all his power in the execution of his wrath against me, because I that have but little power when I am crossed, I put forth all my power against them.
2. Again, Consider how have I provoked the wrath of God against my self, and yet God doth not use his power a•ainst me? those that are over others and are given to anger should think, How is God provoked and crossed? and if I do think because I am crossed to put forth all my power against them that cross me, how is it that God is so patient, and that he doth not put forth his power against me? Though I am over them, I am under God, and God might justly put forth all his power in the execution of his wrath against me, because I that have but little power when I am crossed, I put forth all my power against them.
3. And then in the third place: Consider the power that you have over others, when it is the power of authority, it is a very glorious thing, it is that which hath a part of the Image of God in it: Will you now then take your Authority, and Power to subject it to your lusts & make that an Instrument of the Devil which is a part of the Image of God? it must needs be a great evil, and the more authority & power any have, to use it in the Devils service, the more evil it is. Josephs speech to his Brethren is very observable in Gen. 50.19. when they were afraid least he should at last revenge himself upon them, he answers them, Fear not, for am I in the place of God? There are many interpretations given of this, but it may well carry this sense with it. That power I have is from God and under God, yea it puts me into the place of God, therefore I dare not abuse it to make it serviceable to revenge. The Lord is to have the Glory, is to have the Glory of our strength, the Psalmist hath such an expression. Hath God given you strength & power over others? let God have the glory of your strength and do not abuse it.