3. Yet this dominion though it be absolute, is not Tyrannical, but 'tis managed by the rules of Wisdom, Righteousness, and Goodness. If his Throne be in the Heavens, it is Pure, and Good: Because the Heavens are the purest parts of the Creation, and influence by their Goodness the lower Earth. Since he is his own rule, and his nature is infinitely Wise, Holy, and Righteous, he cannot do a thing, but what is unquestionably agreeable with Wisdom, Justice and Purity. In all the exercises of his Sovereign right, he is never unattended with those perfections of his Nature. Might not God by his absolute power have pardoned mens guilt, and thrown the invading sin out of his Creatures? But in regard of his Truth pawned in his threatening, and in regard of his Justice, which demanded satisfaction, he would not. Might not God by his absolute sovereignty admit a man into his Friendship, without giving him any Grace? But in regard of the incongruity of such an act to his Wisdom and Holiness, he will not. May he not by his absolute power, refuse to accept a man, that desires to please him, and reject a purely innocent Creature? But in regard of his Goodness and Righteousness he will not. Though innocence be amiable in its own Nature, yet it is not necessary in regard of God's sovereignty, that he should love it; but in regard of his goodness it is necessary, and he will never do otherwise. As God never acts to the utmost of his power, so he never exerts the utmost of his sovereignty: because it would be inconsistent with those other properties, which render him perfectly adorable to the Creature. As no intelligent Creature, neither Angel nor Man can be framed without a Law in his Nature; so we cannot imagine God without a Law in his own Nature, unless we would fancy him a rude, Tyrannical, foolish Being, that hath nothing of Holiness, Goodness, Righteousness, Wisdom. If he made the Heavens in Wisdom, Psal. 136.5. He made them by some rule, not by a mere will, but a rule within himself, not without. A wise work is never the result of an absolute unguided Will.
3. Yet this dominion though it be absolute, is not Tyrannical, but 'tis managed by the rules of Wisdom, Righteousness, and Goodness. If his Throne be in the Heavens, it is Pure, and Good: Because the Heavens are the purest parts of the Creation, and influence by their Goodness the lower Earth. Since he is his own rule, and his nature is infinitely Wise, Holy, and Righteous, he cannot do a thing, but what is unquestionably agreeable with Wisdom, Justice and Purity. In all the exercises of his Soveraign right, he is never unattended with those perfections of his Nature. Might not God by his absolute power have pardon'd mens guilt, and thrown the invading sin out of his Creatures? But in regard of his Truth pawn'd in his threatning, and in regard of his Justice, which demanded satisfaction, he would not. Might not God by his absolute soveraignty admit a man into his Friendship, without giving him any Grace? But in regard of the incongruity of such an act to his Wisdom and Holiness, he will not. May he not by his absolute power, refuse to accept a man, that desires to please him, and reject a purely innocent Creature? But in regard of his Goodness and Righteousness he will not. Though innocence be amiable in its own Nature, yet it is not necessary in regard of God's soveraignty, that he should love it; but in regard of his goodness it is necessary, and he will never do otherwise. As God never acts to the utmost of his power, so he never exerts the utmost of his soveraignty: because it would be inconsistent with those other properties, which render him perfectly adorable to the Creature. As no intelligent Creature, neither Angel nor Man can be fram'd without a Law in his Nature; so we cannot imagine God without a Law in his own Nature, unless we would fancy him a rude, Tyrannical, foolish Being, that hath nothing of Holiness, Goodness, Righteousness, Wisdom. If he made the Heavens in Wisdome, Psal. 136.5. He made them by some rule, not by a meer will, but a rule within himself, not without. A wise work is never the result of an absolute unguided Will.
