Thirdly, because God is very tender of this flower of his crown, this part of his name ; indeed he cannot spell it right, and leave out this letter ; for that is God's name, whereby he is known from all his creatures. Now man may be called wise, merciful, mighty ; God only all-wise, all-merciful, all-mighty ; so when we leave out this syllable all, we nick-name God, and call him by his ci'eature's name, which he will not answer to. Now the tenderness that God shows to this prerogative of his, appears in three particulars :
First, in the strict command he lays on his people, to give him the glory of his power, Isa. viii. 12, 13 : ' Fear ye not their fear, but sanctify the Lord of hosts himself; ' that is, in this sad postui'e of your affairs, when your enemies associafe, and you seem a lost people to the eye of reason, not able to contend with such united powers which beset you on eveiy side : now I charge you sanctify me, in giving me the glory of my almighty power ; believe that your God is able of himself, without any other, to defend you, and destroy them.
Secondly, In his severity to his dearest children, when they stagger in their faith, and come not off roundly, without reasoning and disputing the case, to rely on his almighty power : Zacharias did but ask the angel. How shall I know this, because I am an old man, and my wife stricken in years? yet for bewraying therein his unbelief, had a sign indeed given him, but such a one as did not only strengthen his faith, but severely punish his unbelief; for he was struck dumb upon the place. God loves his children should believe his word, not dis- pute his power ; so true is that of Luther, Deus amat currislas non quccristas. That which gave accent to Abraham's faith, Rom. iv. 21, was that he was 'fully persuaded, that what God had promised he was able to pei'form.'
Thirdly, In the way God takes of giving his choicest mercies, and greatest salvations to his people, wherein he lays the scene of his providence so, that when he hath done, it may be said almighty power was here. And therefore God commonly puts down those means and second causes, which if they stood about his work, would blind and hinder the full prospect thereof in effecting the same, 2 Cor. i. 9 : ' We received the sentence of death in ourselves, that we might not trust in ourselves, but in God which raiseth the dead.' Christ staid while Lazarus was dead, that he might draw the eyes of their faith more singly to look on his powei*, by raising his dead friend, rather than curing him, being sick, which would not have carried so full a conviction of almightiness with it. Yea, he suffers a contrary power many times to arise in that very juncture of time when he intends the mercy to his people, that he may rear up the more magnificent pillar of remembrance to his own power, in the ruin of that which contends with him. Had God brought Israel out of Egypt in the time of those kings which knew Joseph, most likely they might have had a friendly departure and an easy deliverance ; but God reserves this for the reign of that proud Pharaoh, who shall cruelly oppress them, and ventm-e his kingdom, but he will satisfy his lust upon them. And why must this be the time ? but that God would bring them forth with a stretched out arm : the magnifying of his power was God's great design, Exod. ix. 16: 'In very deed for this cause have I raised thee up, to show in thee my power, and that my name may be declared throughout the earth.'
Fourthly, In the prevalency which an argument that is pressed from his almighty power hath with God. It was the last string Moses had to his bow, when he begged the life of Israel, Nmnb. xiv. 16 : ' The nations which have heard the fame of thee, will speak, saying. Because the Lord was notable,' &c. And ver. 17: ' Let the power of my Lord be great;' and with this he hath their pardon thrown him.
The application of this j^oint will fall in imder the next, which is,
CHAPTER IV.
OF ACTING OUR FAITH ON THE ALMIGHTY POWER OF GOD, AS ENGAGED FOR
OUR HELP.
Doct. That it is the saints' duty, and should be their care, not only to be- lieve God Almighty, but also strongly to believe that this almighty power of God is theirs, that is, engaged to their defence and help, so as to make use of it in all straits and temptations.
AND IN THE POWER OF HIS MIGHT. |5
Section I. — First, I shall prove that the almighty power of Gocl is engaged for the Christian's defence ; with tlie groinuls of it.
Secondly, Why the Christian should strongly act his faith on this.