Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

This Dominion is a right of making what he pleases, of possessing what he made, of disposing of what he doth possess; whereas his power is an ability, to make, what he hath a right to Create, to hold what he doth possess, and to execute the manner, wherein he resolves to dispose of his Creatures.

2. All the other Attributes of God refer to this perfection of Dominion. They all bespeak him fit for it, and are discovered in the exercise of it, (which hath been manifested in the discourses of those Attributes, we have passed through hitherto.) His Goodness fits him for it, because he can never use his Authority but for the good of the Creatures, and conducting them to their true end. His Wisdom can never be mistaken in the exercise of it; his power can accomplish the Decrees, that flow from his absolute Authority. What can be more rightful, than the placing Authority in such an infinite Goodness, that hath Bowels to pity, as well as a Sceptre to sway his Subjects? That hath a mind to contrive, and a will to regulate his contrivances for his own Glory, and his Creatures good; and an arm of power to bring to pass, what he Orders. Without this Dominion some perfections, as Justice, and Mercy, would lie in obscurity, and much of his Wisdom would be shrouded from our sight and knowledge.

2. All the other Attributes of God referre to this perfection of Dominion. They all bespeak him fit for it, and are discovered in the exercise of it, (which hath been manifested in the discourses of those Attributes, we have passed through hitherto.) His Goodness fits him for it, because he can never use his Authority but for the good of the Creatures, and conducting them to their true end. His Wisdom can never be mistaken in the exercise of it; his power can accomplish the Decrees, that flow from his absolute Authority. What can be more rightful, than the placing Authority in such an infinite Goodness, that hath Bowels to pity, as well as a Scepter to sway his Subjects? That hath a mind to contrive, and a will to regulate his contrivances for his own Glory, and his Creatures good; and an arm of power to bring to pass, what he Orders. Without this Dominion some perfections, as Justice, and Mercy, would lie in obscurity, and much of his Wisdom would be shrouded from our sight and knowledge.