Two treatises. 1. The holy exercise of a true fast, described out of God's…

But let us for reasoning sake grant, that Christ as he is Man, were omnipotent, even as God the Father is; doth it therefore follow, that because he can ⟨p. 55⟩do every thing, he therefore either will do the same, or indeed doth it? I suppose no. For besides, that in Schools it is commonly said, à posse ad esse, the consequence or reason is not good, which were sufficient answer to this frivolous and vain objection. Besides this I say, we that are truly taught of God; do know, that though we believe that the Lord can do what so ever pleaseth him both in heaven and in earth; which serveth wonderfully to magnify his almighty power, and greatly to strengthen our weak faith; yet we believe firmly, that he will not only do nothing, but that he can not do any thing in regard ⟨p. 56⟩of us, contrary to that will of his, that he hath revealed for us in his word. And the reason of this is not the abridgement or shortening of his power (for be it far from mortal men, to presume in any thing, though never so little, to restrain the eternal power of the immortal God) but because his will and power in respect of us, be so conjoined and knit together that look whatsoever he will do, that he can do; and look whatsoever he can do, that he will do. To make this plain by an example. We all know, that God in respect both of his self, and that all things are possible with him, can if he would, save all men: and ⟨p. 57⟩yet we fear not to say, that in respect of us he can not save all men, because we know by his revealed will, that he will not save them all: For some must be the vessels ordained for destruction, as well as others, vessels of salvation and eternal life. The like may we say for this matter of the Supper; that though we were persuaded, that Christ as he is man, might be every where; yet because he hath revealed in his Word, that he will have his body to be circumscriptible and tied to a place, to wit, Heaven; yea, which is more; to a certain place in Heaven, that therefore it can be no injury at all to him, neither any debasing of his omnipotent ⟨p. 58⟩power, to say that now he cannot be bodily in the Sacrament, much less bodily in so many sacraments, as be celebrated and ministered, in so sundry and infinite places at one time.