;ö® Chap. 34. An ,Expefition urn the Book, of 0 B. Verf,t 3. world isfundamentally and effentialty in him alfo.It is thehighefl honour ofan earthly Prince, when ( as it is fayd of the Chaldean ( Flab: i.7.) their frsdgement and their dignity proceedeth ofthem-. felves ; thatis,when they rule in their owne right, not in the right or by the defignement of anyother. How highthen is thehonour ofGod, who ruleth not only over all the people, but over all the Princesof the earth,his judgement anddigrtityproceeding pure -W ly from himfelfe ! Secondly, As-the .power of is underived or proceeds on- ly from himfelfe ; fo the power of God is abfolute andunlimited. His is in the ffrieletl fenfe imaginable fupreame power.Heathenifh ATiebochadnez-zar confeffed this truth ( Dan: 4: 3 5.) Before him ( that is, before God ) all theinhabitants ofthe earth are reputed a¢,. nothing, and.7e doth according to his will in theArmies of hea- ven, and among the inhabitants of the earth , and nerve canflayhis hand,: and.:fay to him what deft thou ? There's abfolute power, none can fay, that is, none mayprefume to fay to him, what doeft thine ? ; no man ought to queflion, much leffe to quarrell atthe determinations ofGod, whether concerning perfons or nations ; 'tis his right or prerogative todoe what he will ;; and how much foever he adsby prerogative , he will doe only that which is right ; we mayconfider theabfolute fupremacy of God in afive- fold exercife of power: Firft , In commanding ; He commandethwhat he pleafeth to be done ; nor may his commands be difputed ; they mutt be obeyed , becaufe his. Secondly , In prohibiting he forbiddeth whatfoever difplea- feth him tobe done. And how pleafing , how right foever any thing is in our eyes, yet if he forbiddeth it, we mutt for ever for- bare it. Weall know by our owne fmart how dangerous it is to eate of a forbidden Tree. Thirdly , In fuffering, Imeane it not of any fufferingevill in himfelfe (God is infinitely above that )but of his fufferingothers to doe evill, or of his fuffering anyevill to be done. God may and doth permit, that which is nought, wicked, and unrighteous tobe done in the world and yet himfelfe remains altogether holy, righteous, jufi, andgood. This is a great part of the tranf cendéncyof his power, F9urthly, In rewarding , God hash abfolute power , to re-. ward;.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=