An exposition with practical observations continued upon the thirty-fifth, thirty-sixth, and thirty-seventh chapters of…

Secondly, Besides this power of Authority, which the Lord exerciseth paramount over all the world, he hath also another power or might; he hath the might of Strength, as well as the might of Authority. Some have a great, a mighty Authority, but they have little or no might to make good that Authority; they cannot effect or carry on what they comm•nd, how much right soever they have to command, yea how just and right soever that is which they command: they have Authoritive might, yet want Executive might, they cannot bring about, nor issue what they determine. But when Elihu asserts, Behold, God is mighty, we are to take it under both notions, he is mighty, as he hath the whole Legislative power in his hand, and he is mighty, as having also the whole Executive power in his hand. The sons of men are jealous about these two Powers, and labour to keep them in distinct hands, that they who have the Legislative power, may not have the Executive power also, as fearing what they would do were they vested with both: But God (beyond all dispute) hath both powers in himself, and it is impossible they should be taken from him, or devolved upon any others, otherwise than himself pleaseth, or permitteth; behold and wonder, God is mighty, ⟨p. 161⟩(and O how mighty is God!) in the union of these two powers; and to set forth yet further the wonder of his might, I shall give you seven brief propositions, or assertions, concerning the might of God, as it is twisted and made up of these two mights or powers.

Secondly, Besides this power of Authority, which the Lord exerciseth paramount over all the world, he hath also another power or might; he hath the might of Strength, as well as the might of Authority. Some have a great, a mighty Authority, but they have little or no might to make good that Authority; they cannot effect or carry on what they comm•nd, how much right soever they have to command, yea how just and right soever that is which they command: they have Authoritive might, yet want Executive might, they cannot bring about, nor issue what they determine. But when Elihu asserts, Behold, God is mighty, we are to take it under both notions, he is mighty, as he hath the whole Legislative power in his hand, and he is mighty, as having also the whole Executive power in his hand. The sons of men are jealous about these two Powers, and labour to keep them in distinct hands, that they who have the Legislative power, may not have the Executive power also, as fearing what they would do were they vested with both: But God (beyond all dispute) hath both powers in himself, and it is impossible they should be taken from him, or devolved upon any others, otherwise than himself pleaseth, or permitteth; behold and wonder, God is mighty,