Attributes of God - Charnock - XXXII - Chapter 10 (God's power) continued

Required reading
Attributes of God by Charnock (Available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example) - Commence Chapter 10 (A discourse upon the power of God) by reading up to the paragraph commencing 'III. The third general thing is to declare how the power of God appears in creation, in government, in redemption.'

My summary
Today we continue the discourse on the power of God by commencing Charnock's third main point: 'how the power of God appears in creation, in government, in redemption.'

We'll leave the subpoint about God's power in redemption for next week and only concern ourselves with God's power in creation and government.

Firstly God's power is shown in creation in:
(i) the story of creation;
(ii) the creative power (making the world from nothing, raising such variety of creatures, creating with ease and instantaneously).

Secondly God's power is shown in the government of the world, particularly in
(i) the natural government (in preservation, propagation and motion of all creatures);
(ii) the moral government (in the restraint of Satan and man;
(iii) the gracious and judicial government.

What grabbed me
I enjoyed Charnock's teaching on how God uses his power to protect his people: 'In his gracious government In the deliverance of his church: he is the 'strength of Israel' (1 Sam. xv. 29), and hath protected his little flock in the midst of wolves; and maintained their standing, when the strongest kingdoms have sunk, and the best jointed states have been broken in pieces; when judgments have ravaged countries, and torn up the mighty, as a tempestuous wind hath often done the tallest trees, which seemed to threaten heaven with their tops, and dare the storm with the depth of their roots, when yet the vine and rose-bushes have stood firm, and been seen in their beauty next morning. The state of the church hath outlived the most flourishing monarchies, when there hath been a mighty knot of adversaries against her; when the bulls of Bashan have pushed her, and the whole tribe of the dragon have sharpened their weapons, and edged their malice; when the voice was strong, and the hopes high to rase her foundation even with the ground; when hell hath roared; when the wit of the world hath contrived, and the strength of the world hath attempted, her ruin; when decrees have been passed against her, and the powers of the world armed for the execution of them ; when her friends have drooped and skulked in comers; when there was no eye to pity, and no hand to assist, help hath come from heaven; her enemies have been defeated; kings have brought gifts to her, and reared her; tears have been wiped off her cheeks, and her very enemies, by an unseen power, have been forced to court her whom before they would have devoured quick. The devil and his armies have sneaked into their den, and the church hath triumphed when she hath been upon the brink of the grave. Thus did God send a mighty angel to be the executioner of Sennacherib's army, and the protector of Jerusalem, who run his sword into the hearts of eighty thousand (2 Kings xix. 35), when they were ready to swallow up his beloved city.'

How wonderful it is to be a part of the church that belongs to the all-powerful God.

Next week's reading
Continue Chapter 10 (A discourse upon the power of God) by reading up to the paragraph commencing 'IV. Uses. Of information and instruction.'

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.