2. The glory of his power will add comeliness to the Object of this Vision. Power duly placed ⟨p. 77⟩and allayed is lovely. Beauty consists much in a Symmetry or proportion of parts. So must there be a concurrence of divine perfections to compose and make up the beautiful complexion of his face, to give us a right aspect, the true Idea of God. And here his power hath a necessary ingrediency. How incoherent, and disagreeing with it self were the motion of an impotent God. 1His power gives lively strokes to his glory. 'Tis called glorious power, or the power of glory. Yea, 'tis simply called glory it self; 2the Apostle tells us, Christ was raised from the dead by the [glory] of the Father, when 'tis plain he means [power]: And the same Apostle prays,3 on the behalf of the Ephesians, that God would grant them according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might, &c. How frequently are power and glory ascribed to him in conjunction; intimating that as he is powerful he is glorious. And certainly even this glory, cannot but cast a grateful aspect upon the blessed soul, and be infinitely pleasant to behold. What triumphs doth it now raise in gracious Spirits to behold the exertions of it in his works; 4to read its descriptions in his word, while as yet he holds back the face of his throne, while the countenance of enthroned Majesty cannot be seen: when so little a portion is heard of him,5 and the thunder of his power so little understood. The infinitely fainter Rays of this power in a creature; power in that unspeakable diminution and abatement, that derived, precarious power, when 'tis innocently used, is observed with pleasure; Here ⟨p. 78⟩is power in the throne, power in its chief and highest seat; essential, and self-originated power; the root and fountain, the very Element of power; power in its proper situation, in its native place to which it belongs. God hath spoken once, 6twice have I heard this, that power belongeth unto God. It languishes in a Creature as in an alien Subject. If I speak of strength, 7lo he is strong (saith Job) q. d. Created power is not worth the speaking of; Here is the power that deserves the name, that is so indeed. How satisfying a pleasure will this afford to contemplate this radical power? this all-creating, all-ruling power, the principle of all action, motion, and life, throughout the whole Creation.
2. The glory of his power will add comliness to the Object of this Vision. Power duly placed ⟨p. 77⟩and allay'd is lovely. Beauty consists much in a Symmetrie or proportion of parts. So must there be a concurrence of divine perfections to compose and make up the beautiful complexion of his face, to give us a right aspect, the true Idea of God. And here his power hath a necessary ingrediency. How incoherent, and disagreeing with it self were the motion of an impotent God. 1His power gives lively strokes to his glory. 'Tis called glorious power, or the power of glory. Yea, 'tis simply called glory it self; 2the Apostle tells us, Christ was raised from the dead by the [glory] of the Father, when 'tis plain he means [power]: And the same Apostle prayes,3 on the behalf of the Ephesians, that God would grant them according to the riches of his glory to be strengthened with might, &c. How frequently are power and glory ascribed to him in conjunction; intimating that as he is powerful he is glorious. And certainly even this glory, cannot but cast a grateful aspect upon the blessed soul, and be infinitely pleasant to behold. What triumphs doth it now raise in gracious Spirits to behold the exertions of it in his works; 4to read its descriptions in his word, while as yet he holds back the face of his throne, while the countenance of inthroned Majesty cannot be seen: when so little a portion is heard of him,5 and the thunder of his power so little understood. The infinitely fainter Rayes of this power in a creature; power in that unspeakable diminution and abatement, that derived, precarious power, when 'tis innocently used, is observed with pleasure; Here ⟨p. 78⟩is power in the throne, power in its chief and highest seat; essential, and self-originated power; the root and fountain, the very Element of power; power in its proper situation, in its native place to which it belongs. God hath spoken once, 6twice have I heard this, that power belongeth unto God. It languishes in a Creature as in an alien Subject. If I speak of strength,
- 1[Greek or Hebrew]. Col. 1. 11.〈non-Latin alphabet〉. Col. 1. 11.
- 2Rom. 6. 4.
- 3Chap. 3. 16.
- 4Job 26. 9.
- 5Ver. 14.
- 6Psal. 62. 11. power to God Hebr.
- 7Job. 26.
