The rule of faith, or, An exposition of the Apostles Creed so handled as…

For the fourth point: The things which God cannot do may be referred to five Heads: for first, he cannot do things ⟨p. 140⟩that be false or sinful: He cannot lye, or deny himself, or do unjustly, as divers Scriptures show. Secondly, he cannot do things that be contrary to his Nature, he cannot dye or be finite, or be ignorant of any thing, or be corporeal, or the like. Thirdly, he cannot do things which he cannot will, or are contrary to his will: He can do many things more then he will; but he cannot do any thing, which he cannot will: for his will is as infinite as his power, nor can he do any thing against his will, or contrary to his own purpose or decree. Fourthly, he cannot do contradictories, to make one and the self same thing to be and not to be at the same time, to make a Creature finite and infinite, in that wherein he is finite. Fifthly, he cannot do things simply impossible; I say simply impossible, for many things are impossible to men and Angels, which in their own Nature are not impossible: As it is impossible for us to make a Cable to go through the Eye of a Needle, but it is not simply impossible in it self, and therefore God can do it: God is therefore called omnipotent, because he can do all possible things. Neither do any of these ¹things argue impotency, but do rather establish his omnipotency: Gods power is not lessened because he cannot deceive or dye, &c. for it were impotency if he could do these.

For the fourth point: The things which God cannot doe may be referred to fiue Heads: for first, he cannot doe things ⟨p. 140⟩that be false or sinfull: Hee cannot lye, or denie himselfe, or doe vniustly, as diuers Scriptures shew. Secondly, he cannot doe things that be contrary to his Nature, he cannot dye or be finite, or be ignorant of any thing, or be corporeall, or the like. Thirdly, he cannot doe things which hee cannot will, or are contrary to his will: Hee can doe many things more then he will; but he cannot doe any thing, which hee cannot will: for his will is as infinite as his power, nor can he doe any thing against his will, or contrary to his owne purpose or decree. Fourthly, he cannot doe contradictories, to make one and the selfe same thing to be and not to be at the same time, to make a Creature finite and infinite, in that wherein he is finite. Fiftly, he cannot doe things simply impossible; I say simply impossible, for many things are impossible to men and Angels, which in their owne Nature are not impossible: As it is impossible for vs to make a Cable to goe through the Eye of a Needle, but it is not simply impossible in it selfe, and therefore God can doe it: God is therefore called omnipotent, because he can doe all possible things. Neither doe any of these