Use 3d. It reproves such as do not be- lieve this power of God. We say, we do not doubt of God's power, but his will. But indeed it is God's power that we ques- tion. " Is there any thing too hard for me?" Jer. xxxii. 27.; yet we stagger through unbelief, as if the arm of God's power were shrunk, and he could not help in desperate cases. Take away a king's power, and we unking liim ; take away the Lord's power, and we ungod him ; yet how guilty of this are we ! Did not Israel ques- tion God's power? " Can God furnish a table in the wilderness ?" Ps. Ixxviii. 19. They thought the wilderness was a fitter place for making of graves, than spreading of a table. Did not Martha doubt of Christ's power? John xi. 39., " He hath been dead four days." If Christ had been there while Lazarus was sick, or when he had been newly dead, Martha did not question but Christ could have raised him ; but he had lain in the grave four days, and now she seemed to question his power. Christ had as much ado to raise her faith, as to raise her dead brother. And Moses, though an holy man, yet limits God's power through unbelief, Numb. xi. 21., " The people a- mong whom I am, are six hundred thou- sand footmen ; and thou hast said, I will give them flesh that they may eat a whole month : sliall the flocks and the herds be slain for them to suffice them ? or shall all the fish of the sea be gathered for tliem to Buflicc them?" And the Lord said unto Moses, " Is the Lord's hand waxed short ?" Tliis is a great aff'ront to God, to go to de- ny his j)ower. That men doubt of God's power, appears, 1. By their taking indirect courses. Would they defraud in their deal- ings, use false weights, if they believed the power of God, tliat he could provide for them? 2. By tlieir depending more upon second causes than upon God, 2 Chron. xvi. 12., " In his disease, lie sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians."
Use Ath. If God be infinite in power, then let us take heed of hardening our hearts against God : Job ix. 4., " Who hatli hardened himself against him, and
prospered?" Job sends a challenge to all creatures in heaven and earth. Who is ho did ever take up the buckler against God, and came off^ conqueror ? For a person to go on daringly in any sin, is to harden his heart against God, and, as it were, to raise a war against heaven ; and let him remem- ber God is El-shaddai, — almighty; he will be too hard for them that oppose him, Job xl. 9., " Hast thou an arm like God?" Such as will not bow to his golden scep- tre, shall be broken with his iron rod. Ju- lian hardened his heart against God, he op- posed him to his face ; but what got he at last ? did he prosper ? Being wounded in battle, he threw up his blood into the air, and said to Christ, vicisli Galiloee, — " O Galilean, thou hast overcome ! I acknow- ledge thy power, whose name and truth I have opposed." Will folly contend with wisdom ? — weakness with power ? — finite with infinite? O take heed of hardening your heart against God ! He can send le- gions of angels to avenge his quarrel. It is better to meet God with teai-s in your eyes, than weapons in your hand. You may overcome God sooner by repentance, than by resistance.
Use 5th. Get an interest in God, and then this glorious power is engaged for you. God gives it under his hand, that he will put forth the whole power of his Godhead for the good of his people : 1 Chron. xvii. 24., " The Lord of hosts is the God of Is- rael, even a God to Israel." Tliis almigliti- ness of God's power is a wonderful supj)ort and comfort to every believer. It was Samson's riddle. Judges xiv. 14., " Out of the strong came forth sweetness :" so out of the attribute of God's power, — out of this strong comes forth sweetness. It is com- fort in several cases.
1. In case of strong corruption. My sins, saith a child of God, are potent ; I have no power against this army that comes sigainst me; I pray, and liumble my soul by fast- ing, but my sins return upon me. Ay, but dost thou believe the power of God ? The strong God can conquer thy strong corrup- tion ; tliough sin be too hard for tliee, yet not for him; he can soften hard hearts, and quicken the dead. " Is any thing too hard for the Lord?" Gen. xviii. 14. Set
OF THE HOLINESS OF GOD.
God's power on work, by faith and prayer. Say, ' Lord ! it is not for thy lionour that the devil should have so strong a party within me ; O break tlic head of this levia- than I Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee !'
2. In case of strong temptation. Satan is called ' the strong man,' O but remem- ber the power of God: Christ is called, * The lion of the tribe of Judah;' he hath broken the serpent's head upon the cross. Satan is a chained enemy, and a conquer- ed enemy. Michael is stronger than the dragon.