Of the Nature or Perfections of God
The Scripture represents mankind as instructed in the know¬ ledge of God by his works of creation and providence, Psalm xix. 1 — G. Rom. i. 19, 20, 32, and ii. 14, 15. Acts xiv. 15 — 17. and xvii. 23. And, while it supposes, it also solemnly asserts and proye3, his existence, and represents his Names, Nature, Perfections, Persons, Purposes, and Works.
The proper names which are ascribed to God in the Old Testament, are, El, which denotes him the strong and powerf ul God, Gen. xvii. 1. Isa. ix. 6. Eloah, which represents him as the only proper object of worship, Gen. i. 1. Psalm, xlv. G, 7. Shaddai, which denotes him to be all-sufficient and all-mighty, Gen. xvii. 1. Exod. vi. 3. Hhheljon, which represents his incomparable excellency, absolute supremacy over all, and his peculiar residence in the highest heavens, Psalm 1. 14. and lvi. 2. Adon, which marks him the great Connecter, Supporter, Lord and Judge of all creatures, Psalm cx. 1. xvi. 2. Jau, which may denote his self-existence and giving of being to his creatures, or his infinite comeliness and answerableness, to himself and to the happiness of his creatures, Exod. xv. 2. Psalm lxviii. 4. cxxx. 3. Isa. xxvi. 4. Ehjeh, I am, or I will be, which de¬ notes his self-existence, absolute independence, immutable eternity, and all-sufficiency to his people, Exod. iii. 14. Rev. i. 4, 8. Jehovah, which denotes his self-existence, absolute independence, and unsuccessive eternity, with his effectual and marvellous giving of being to his creatures, and fulfilling his promises, Gen. ii. 4, 7, 8, 1G, 19, 21, 22. iii. 1. x. 9, 10. xii. 1, 4, 7. — This name of God was known in the earliest ages of the world, Gen. iv. 1. ix. 2G. v. 29. xiv. 22. xv, 7. xxiv. 7. And so Gcd not being
known to the patriarchs by it, means no more than that he had not demonstrated the propriety of it in any remarkable fulfilment of promises, Exod. vi. 3. This name often, in part, composes the names of persons or things; in that state, it merely denotes a relation to Jehovah, but taken simply by it¬ self, it is never ascribed to any but God. 1. He alone is Jehovah, Psalm lxxxiii. 18. Isa. xxxvii. 20. xlv. 5, 6. 2. This
name is represented as a distinguishing narhe of God, Isa. xlii. 8. Exod. xv. 3. Hos. xii. 5. Amos v. 8. and is his great and terrible name, Psal. xcix. 3. 3. The excellency which it denotes is applicable to none but God, Psal. xcvi. 5. Isa.xliv. 21. — — Whereever an angel is called Jehovah, or Lord, in capitals in our translation, he must be understood to be the Son of God, who is the Messenger of Jehovah, or Messenger-Jehovah, Gen. xvi. 13. xviii. 13, &c.
In the New Testament, God is called Kurios or Lord, which denotes his self -exist nice, his establishment of, and his authority over all things; — and Theos, which represents him as the Maker, the Pervader, and the governing Observer of all things. — This name Theos, as well as El and Eloah, wffiich we render God, is a name which represents his divine nature, not merely his power or office. 1. All persons having power and authority are not truly Gods, 1 Cor. viii. 5, 6. 2. God is represented as a
God by nature, to distinguish him from idols, Gal. iv. 8. 3. He
was God before his power had formed any creatures, or he had any to govern, Horn. i. 20. xvi. 26. Psal. xc. 2. 4. Theotes, or
Theiotes, godhead, means not power, or office, but a divine nature, Acts xvii. 29. Rom. i. 20. Col. ii. 9. 5. No creature is called God without some limitation annexed, which plainly imports, that they are not so by nature: angels and magistrates are called gods, because of their being his deputies in his government of the world, and resembling his majesty, wisdom, power, and equity, Psal. xcvii. 7. lxxxii. 6. John x. 34. Exod. iv. 16. vii. 1. xxii. 28. — Idols, devils, and men’s bellies, are called gods, be¬ cause they are often regarded or worshipped instead of the true God, Psal. cxv. 4 2 Cor. iv. 4. Philip iii. 19.
God is represented by a multitude of metaphorical names, as a Man, a Lion, a Rock, &c. — Resides the names which represent the divine nature, there are others which represent particular pe rsons in the godhead, as Father, Son, Jesus Christ, Holy Ghost or Spirit; Matth. xxviii. 19. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. — The titles which denote what relation God hath to others, belong to his name. — Some ol them, as Creator of all the ends of’ the earth, Isa. xl. 28. Preserver of men, Job vii. 29. Kin g of nations, Jer, x. 7. Lord of Hosts, belong to him as the God of nature. — Others as the God and Father of Christ, Eph. i. 3. 1 Pet. i. 3. John xx. 17. 2 Cor. i. 3. The God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of
Jacob, Exod. iii. 6. — The God and the Hoty One of Israel, 2 Sam. xxiii. 3. Isa. xlviii, 17. — King of saints. Rev. xv. 3. — Father of mercies, and God of all comfort, 2 Cor. i. 3. — The God o f mercy, Psal. lix. 17. — The God of grace, 1 Pet. v. 10. — The God of peace, Rom. xvi. 20. 2 Cor. xiii. 11. Heb. xiii. 20. — The God of salvation, Psalm lxviii. 20. — The hearer of prayer, he. — belong to him as God in Christ, reconciling the world to himself
In respect of his substance* God is a most pure spirit, having an understanding and will, without any bodily parts, any affections or passions. 1. He is expresly, represented as a Spirit, John iv. 24. Num. xxiv. 2. Judg. iii. 10. Ezek. xi. 24. 2 Cor. iii. 17, 18. and as the God, the Father, and the former of spirits, Num. xvi. 22. Heb. xii. 9. Zee. xii. 1. with Luke xxiv. 39. 2. He is represented as altogether incorporeal and invisi¬
ble, Job x. 4. ix. 11. iv. 16, 17. xxiii. 3, 4, 8. Isa. xl. 18. Deut. iv. 15, 16. Exod. xxxiii. 20. John v. 37. i. 18. Rom. i. 20, 23. 1 Tim. i. 17. vi. 16. Heb. xi. 27. 3. Immortal life is ascribed to him, Deut. xxxiii. 40. Jer. x. 10. 2 Cor. vi. 16. 1 Thess. i. 9. 1 Tim. i. 17. iv. 10. vi. 16. Acts xiv. 15. Rom. i. 23. Rev. i. 18. Gen. xvi. 13. Psal. xviii. 46. Which life is manifested in his giving and preserving that natural or spiritual life which his creatures enjoy, Acts xvii. 25 — 29. Psal. xxxvi. 9. 1 Tim. vi. 13. Rom. iv. 17. 1 John v. 20. John v. 21, 25, 26, 28. xiv. 19. 4. Spiritual acts of thinking and willing are ascribed to him, Psal. xxxiii. 11. xl. 5. cxxxix. 2. cxlvii. 4, 5. xcii.3. Isa.lv. 8. Jer. xxix. 11. Psal. cxv. 3. Rev. iv. 11. Dan. iv. 35. Isa. xlvi, 10. xiv. 24, 27 Eph. i. 11. Phil. ii. 13. Rom. ix. 16, 18. 5. The power, wisdom, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth, the persons, purposes, and works, hereafter proved to belong to him, harmoniously manifest him a most pure Spirit. - The bodily members
attributed to him in Scripture, are but instructive emblems of his spiritual perfections and acts, — used in condescension to our weakness, Hos. xii. 10. — In this manner also, all the affections or passions of desire, joy, hope, fear, grief, anger, he. ascribed to him are to be understood. Moreover, God having always dealt with men, in the wav of covenant-connections, many of these affections are intended to represent him as a friend, or enemy, according to the tenor of these covenants. And the changes seemingly attributed to him, really import the change in, or on us, from being under the covenant of works, to be in the covenant of grace.
The ATTRIBUTES, PERFECTIONS, OP EXCELLENCIES of God, are the essential and absolutely inseparable properties of his spiritual substance or nature. These may be distinguished into those called communicable, of which some faint, but infinitely defective resemblances, may be found among his creatures, — gs
knowledge’s aCnn, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth and incommunicable, of which no resemblance can be found among his creatures, — as self -existence, absolute independence, absolute simplicity, infinity, unsuccessive eternity, unchangeable n es s, necessary oneness, and subsistence in three distinct persons.
I. The knowledge of God is that intellectual perfection, by which he discerns objects. - He knows all things, Psal. cxlvii.
5. John xxi. 17. 1 John i. 5. iii. 20. Heb. iv. 13. Job xxxiv. 21, 22. xxxvi. 4, 5. Psalm xciv. 7 — 10. cxxxix. 4 — 7. Jer.
xxiii. 24. - He knows, 1. Himself in all his unbounded
perfections and mysterious purposes, Matth, xi. 27. John i. 18. x. 15. 1 Cor.ii. 10. Jer. xxix. 11. Acts xv, 18. 2. Ail his crea¬
tures, great and small, possibly or really existent, Psal. cxlvii. 4. Mat. x. 30 Acts xv. 18. Deut. xxix. 29. Job xii. 22. xxviii. 8, 10, 24. xxvi. 4 — 0. xxiv. 1. xxxiv. 21, 22. 2 Chron. xvi. 9. Prov. xv. 3. Psal. xxxiii. 13 — 15. xi. 4. cxxxviii. 6. Jer. xxiii. 24. 2 Tim. ii. 19, 3. All the actions of his creatures, good and bad, Prov. v. 21. xv. 3. Job xxxiv. 21, 22. Psal. lxix. 5. xc. 8. cxxxix. 7 — 13. xxxiii. 13 — 18. xxxiv. 15. i. 6. lvi. 8. Neh. i. 7. 1 Sam, ii. 3. Jer. xvi. 17. xxxii. 19. Isa. xxvi. 7. Hab. i. 13: 4. All the secret properties and thoughts or desires of human hearts, Gen. vi. 5. Heb. iv. 12, 13. Psal. cxxxix. 1 — 4. vii. 9. xxxviii. 9. 1 Chron. xxviii. 9. 1 Sam. xvi. 7. Deijt. xxxi. 21. Prov. xv. 11. xvi. 2. xxi. 2. Luke xvi. 15. Amos iv. 13. Jer. xvii. 5, 9, 10. xvi. 17. Acts i. 24. Rev. ii. 23. Rom. viii. 27. 2 Chron. vi. 30. John ii. 24, 25. 1 Cor. iv. 5. 5. All future things, Psal. cxxxix. 3, 4. Isa. xlv. 20, 21. xli. 21 — 24. xlii. 9. xlvi. 9, 10. Jer. xxix. 11. Dan.ii. 20 — 22 Acts xv. 18. and hence he hath foretold most of them, Gen. iii. 14 — 19. and vi. 9. ix. xii. xiii. xlix. Lev. xxvi. I)eut. xxvii. — xxxiii, &c„ 6. The connections between possible things, which never actually happen, as he knows what his power can produce, and what dependence one circumstance must have upon another, Ezek. iii.
6, 7. Mat. xi. 21, 23.
God knows all these things. 1. Necessarily from himself, Psal. cxlvii. 5. 1 John i. 5. Dan. ii. 20 — 22. 2. Intuitively, by
a simple glance, not as we know things, by any course of reasoning or succession of ideas, Heb. iv. 13. Job xxviii. 23 — 28. 3. Independently of all instruction from objects or teachers, Isa. xl. 13, 14. Rom. xi. 33, 34. Job xl. 2. 4. Distinctly and
comprehensively, — in their nature, number, properties, and conditions, 1 John i. 5. Isa. xl. 21, Psal. cxlvii. 4. cxxxix. 12, 13, 14. 5. Infallibly, Matth. v. 18. Isa. xiv. 24, 20, 27.
Acts xv. 8. Psal. cxxxix. 1 — 4. xi. 4. 0. LTnchangeably, —
let the created objects change as much as they will; for a(l these changes proceed from his sovereign will, Acts xv. 18. Isg.
xlvi. 10. — But conditional declarations of his will must he care¬ fully distinguished from predictions, 1 Sam. xxiii. 11, 12. Jonah iii.
II. The knowledge of God, 1. As proposing the most proper ends for his conduct, Horn. xi. 36. Prov. xvi. 4. Is-a. xliii. 21. 2. As choosing suitable means, 2 Sam. xiv. 14.
3. As leading him to act by those means in proper circumstances of time and place, Gal. iv. 4. Eph. i. 10. Ezek. xvi. 8. xxviii. 25, 26. xxix. 21. 4. As leading to act by a right rule or plan,
Eph. i. 11. Isa. xlvi. 10. Jer. xxix. 11. is called his wisdom.
It appears that God is wise. 1. The Scriptures plainly de¬ clare that he is wise. Job xii. 13, 16. xxxvi. 4, 5. xxxviii. xxxix. xxviii. 12, 22 — 28. Prov. viii. Rom. xi. 33, 34. Isa. xl. 13, 14. Dan. ii. 20. 1 Cor. i. 21 — 25. iii. 18. Eph. iii. 10. 1 Tim. i. 17. Jude 25. Rom. xvi. 27. 2. He gives much wisdom to his
creatures, 1 Kings iii. 12. iv. 20. Ezra vii. 25. Job xxxv. 10, 11. xxxvi. 22. xxxviii. 16. Prov. ii. 6, 7. viii. 12. Eccl. ii. 26. Eph. iii. 10. Jam. i. 5. Isa. xxviii. 26. Job xxxii. 8. Mattb. xvi. 17. Isa. xlviii. 17. xxix. 24, Jer. xxxi. 34. 3. His wisdom
is extensively and clearly manifested, 1. In his purposes, — in forming so perfectly exact a plan of all that comes to pass in time and eternity, — and of every thing in such perfect correspondence with his principal and subordinate ends, Isa. xl. 13, 14. xlvi. 10. xiv. 26, 27. Eph. i. 8 — 11. 2. In his creation of all things, Prov. viii. 22 — 31. — In the amazing variety of creatures, seeds, instincts, members, endowments, vegetative, sensible, or rational, — and of dispositions, quantities, forms, voices, &c, Psal. civ. 24. Gen. i. — In their beauty, and in their order, with respect to themselves, and in their situations and motions, Eccl. iii. 11. — In their fitness to answer their respective ends, — and in so connecting things one with another, in an almost infinity of forms, Hos. ii. 21, 22. 3. In his providence, in 1. His up¬
holding and governing every creature and all its actions and motions, in exact correspondence to the ends appointed in every particular moment of time, Heb. i. 3. Eph. i. 11. 2. In making
awful and threatening providences an introduction to the most glorious and delightful events. Thus Sarah’s long continued barrenness introduced her becoming the mother of multitudes of nations. Jacob’s dishonourable exile introduced his receiving of singular manifestations from God; his wrestling and lame¬ ness, his reception of the invaluable blessing, Gen. xxi. xxviii. xxxii. — Horrible wickedness, fearful sorrow and anguish, and lasting debasement, introduced the glorious advancement of Joseph, and the entrance and happiness of Jacob with his children into Egypt, Gen. xxxvii. — xlvii. The terrible miseries of the Israelites under their Egyptian oppressors, and under Saul,
&c. introduced their most glorious deliverances and happiness, Exod. i. — to Josh. xxiv. 1 Sam. iv. — xxxi. — to 2 Sam. x.
1 Chron. xi. — xxix. 1 Kings i. — x. - Ignorance and wick¬
edness, carried to the uttermost, did, as it were, prepare the world for the incarnation and atonement of Christ, and the honourable spread of his gospel, Rom. i. — iii. v. 20, 21. Tit. iii. 3 — 5. The persecution and murder of the Son of God, in our nature, by men, were instrumental in promoting the salvation of men through him, John xi. 47 — 52. Horrible power and progress in impiety and filthiness, have, as it were, introduced distinguished favours from God, and the most singular holiness of life, Rom, v. 20, 21. Acts ix. 22, 20. Gal. i. 12 — 24. 1 Cor. xv. 9, 10. 1 Thess. ii. 1 — 10. 1 Cor. vi. 10, 11. 3. In promoting his own holy and glorious ends amidst all the different, contrary, or wicked ends of his instruments, Isa. x. 5 — 12. xliv. 28. xlv. 1 — 5. — Thus, while the Egyptians hastened the Israelites out of their country, that they might get rid of their plagues, God hastened them out that he might fulfil his promise to Abraham lo a day, if not to a minute, Exod. xii. 41, 42. with Gen, xv. 13 — 16. Contrary to the intention of Augustus, the Roman emperor, war or other accidents retarded the enrolment of his subjects in Canaan, till it could bring the virgin Marv from Nazareth to Bethlehem to bring forth her divine child, that he, herself, and her husband, might all be enrolled in the public imperial registers of the world, as deseendents of David and citizens of Bethlehem, where they resided but a short time, Luke ii. Mat. ii. Mie. v. 2. Is. xi. 1. 4. In
his promoting multitudes of ends in one act. Thus the selling of Joseph for a slave, saved the Egyptians and their neigbours from perishing by famine, — corrected Jacob’s sinful indulgence of his children, — promoted Joseph’s honour, — and drew his father’s family into Egypt, Gen. xxxvii. — xlvii. Psalm cv. 5. In promoting ends which are exceedingly remote. Balak’s hiring of Balaam to curse the Israelites, and Balaam’s predictions thus occasioned, served to spread the report of the future incarnation, of Christ among the eastern nations. — This, about 1500 years after, led the wise men to observe his Star, and come by itsdirection to worship him at his birth. Their presents supported Him, his mother, and supposed father, while they were exiles in Egypt, Num. xxii. — xxiv. with Mat. ii. 0. In easy counter¬ plotting his most crafty enemies, and making their most violent opposition of his will the very mean of promoting it, Prov. xxi. 30. Psal. xxxiii. 10. Job v. 12, 13. xii. 10 — 20.” Isa. xxix. 14. 1 Cor. i. 20, 25, 27. Thus the hardness of Pharaoh7s heart rendered the deliverance of the Israelites from Egypt more honour¬ able and God-like. The alarming invasions of Judea in the day s of Jehoshaphat and Hezekiah, issued in the glory and the enrichment of the Jews, 2 Chron. xx. Isa. xxxiii. 3, 7. xxxvi. xxxvii. 7. In his exact timing of events. The Israelites were restrained from entering Canaan, till the rebellious despisers of it were all dead, — till the iniquity of the Canaanites was full, and they had weakened themselves by their intestine wars, Num. xiv. 26. Gen. xv. 16. Judges i. The incarnation of Christ was delayed, till the need of him to save men was fully manifest; — till l’epeated and wide-spread warnings had raised a sufficient expectation of him; — till the Jews had become wicked enough to persecute and murder him; — and till they had fallen under the power of the Romans, who crucified their slaves, Gal. iv. 4. Mat. ii. — xxvii. John v. — xix. The church, or her true members, seldom meet with remarkable deliverances till their troubles have come to an extremity, Micah iv. 10. Psalm xii. 5. Deut. xxxii. 36. Isa. xxxiii. 10. xli. 17, 18. Daniel xii. 1. Psalm cxlii. 4, 5. cxxiv. Acts xii. 6 — 14. Rev. xi. 7 — 15.
More particularly, God’s wisdom appears in his providential government of irrational creatures. 1. In guiding them all to promote ends, which are subservient to the general good of the world, as well as to his own glory, Prov. xvi. 4. Psalm civ. cxlviii. 2. In thus guiding them without their own design, and yet agreeably to their diversified instincts. 3. In promoting his government by such means and instruments, as seem to take all the honour of the work, and yet reserving it all for himself,
Rom. xi. 36. Rev. iv. 11 — 13. - It more abundantlv appears
in his government of mankind. 1. In giving them laws suited to their nature, their condition, their conscience, and their comfort, Rom. vii. 12, 14. 1 Tim. i. 8. Psalm xix. 7 — 10. cxix. 2.. In giving them sufficient ability, inclinations, and assistance to obey these laws, unless a curse procured by their disobedience prevent it, Phil. ii. 12, 13. i. 6. Isa. xxvi. 12. 2 Thess. i. 11. 3. In affording them proper motives and encouragements to obedience suited to their condition, Isa. Iv. 1 — 7. Jer. iii. Hos. xiv. 1 Cor. xv. 58. Heb. x. — xiii. 4. In the amazing suitable intimations of his will to them. Christ was long exhibited in promises and types before he appeared in the flesh. He uttered several undervaluing-like words to his mother, whom, he foresaw, the Papists would idolize. He peculiarly rebuked and recorded the faults of Peter, whom, he foresaw, they would blasphemously avow to be the infallible Head of their church. The doctrine of Justification by free grace, through faith in Christ’s imputed righteousness, is chiefly delivered in an Epistle to the church at Rome, where, he foresaw, it would be peculiarly corrupted and denied, John ii. 4. Luke xi. 27, 28. Mat. xii. 48,49. xiv. 31. xvi. 22, 23. xxvi. 34, 35, 69 — 75. Luke v. 8. John xiii. 6 — 10. xviii. 19, 11. xix. 26, xxi. 20 — 22. Gal. ii. 11 — 14. Rom. i. — x. 5. In limiting their sinfulness, and bringing glory to himself, and good to them, out of it; and in making the rage and power of sin contribute to destroy itself, and advance the glory of his free grace, Psalm lxxvi. 10. Rom. v. 20, 21. 6. In
that manner, the means, the tendency, and even the timing of every change made upon their state, nature, or condition; harmoniously concur to mark his displeasure with sin, and to manifest the exceeding riches of his grace, Horn. v. 12 — 21. 2 Thess.
i. 6 — 11. Acts xxii. 6. 1 Tim. i. 11 — 17. 1 Cor. 8 — 10. Gal. i.
15, 16, 22, 23. Eph. i. 3 — 10. ii. 1 — 10.
But, 4. In nothing doth the wisdom of God appear so much as in our redemption through Christ. It appears in the per¬ son of the Redeemer. 1. In choosing him, who was the middle person in the godhead, and the Son of God, to mediate between God and us, and make us the friends and children of God, that thus the order of mission and operation might correspond with that of the subsistence of the divine nature, John iii. 16. Rom. viii. 16, 17. Isa. lxi. 1. xlviii. 16. 2. In so uniting his Unite
and infinite natures, that they delightfully subsist in one person, without any confusion, composition, or opposition, 1 Tim. iii.
16. Jer. xxxi. 22. Isa. vii. 14. ix. 6. Zech. xiii. 7. John i. 14.
Phil. ii. 6, 7. 3. In investing him with mediatorial offices, in¬
finitely well calculated to promote his own glory in the honour of Christ and our everlasting happiness, Isa. xlix. 1 — 9. xlii.
1. 8. lxi. i. 3. Phil. ii. 6 — 13. Luke ii. 10 — 14. Eph. iii. 21.
1 Pet. iv. 11. 4. In the form and order of his states of abase¬
ment and exaltation, infinitely answerable to our guilty, polluted, and wretched condition, — to the covenants and honour of every divine person, Luke ii. 10 — 14. Phil. ii. 6 — 11. Luke
xxiv. 26. Heb. ii. 10. xiii. 20. - It appears in the purchase
of our redemption by the obedience and satisfaction of Christ, J. In reconciling the seemingly discordant perfections of the Deity, by the abasement and death of him, in whom they dwell, Psalm ixxxv. 10. Mat. iii. 15. Heb. ii. 10. with Co!, ii. 9.
2. In at once manifesting his greatest hatred of sin, and his greatest love to sinners, Rom. v, 6 — 10. iii. 24 — 26. viii. 3.
3. In executing his infinite wrath on Christ, from infinite love
to him and to us in him, Mat. iii. 17. xvii. 5. Isa. liii. 10. 1 John iv. 9, 10. 4. In rendering the shame, ignominy, suffer¬
ing, and death of Christ the grand mean of honour, happiness, and life to him, as Mediator, and to us in him, Phil. ii. 6 — 1 1. Heb. ii. 8 — 10. Isa. liii. 10 — 12. Rom. v. 9 — 11, 15 — 21. 5. In making men’s contempt, abuse, and murder of his Son, the paean of finishing transgression, making an end of sin, bring¬ ing in an everlasting righteousness, and destroying the dominion of Satan in the world, Dan. ix. 24. 1 John iii. 5, 6, 8. 1 Peter ii. 24. iii. 18. R ev. v. 9. 6. In thus making every
one of his perfections promote its own glory, by the strangest means. — Justice, by punishing the innocent Messiah, and byprocuring pardon, peace, and happiness for sinful guilty men, — . Mercy, by drawing down fearful punishment on God’s be¬ loved £5011, that it might bestow everlasting favours upon the
children of Satan, — rebels against God, and heirs of hell. - -
It appears in the publication of our redemption, in that, 1. All the reports included in it exactly correspond with our necessities, and with the ends for which they were intended and appointed, 1 Tim. i. xv. 2. The publication was gradual, as men could bear it, Heb. i. 1. 3. The form of it was suited
to the infant, or more adult, state of the church, and so was less or more spiritual, Heb. i. 1. x. 1. John i. 17. Col. ii. 17. 4. Imperfect hints relative to the incarnation of the Son of God, and his atonement for sin, were preserved or spread among the heathens, as a mean of facilitating the spread and belief of the gospel, Acts xvii. 23. 5. God took particular
care to have all the leading facts of revelation singularly at¬ tested. 6. The more noted declarations of divine truth were remarkably well-timed. Those by Moses were published, when the Israelites in the wilderness had the utmost leisure to consider them. The reports of Christ’s resurrection were published fifty days after it, when the murderous Jews had time to come to themselves, when the facts were exactly remembered, and when a part of fourteen nations, who at¬ tended the feast of Pentecost, were present to hear and spread them, Acts ii. 7. In choosing such instruments and opportunities for this publication, as rendered his own power and
goodness in the success of it more obvious, 2 Cor. iv. 7. - It
also appears in the application of our redemption, 1. The per¬
sons to whom it is ordinarily applied, are such as we would least expect should have his singular regard; and yet that is made to manifest his glory, 1 Cor. i. 25 — 31. 1 Tim. i. 13, 16. 2. Their own or their neighbour’s sinful conduct or misery often occasions the application. Thus Onesimus’ theft and deserting his service, occasioned his conversion to Christ, Philem. 10 — 16. 3. Even the rage of lust and ovenvhelming
trouble are made the means of applying it, Rom. v. 20, 21. vii. 8 — 13. Isa. xxxiii. 12 — 24. 2 Chron. xxxiii. 11, 12. Hosea ii. 7, 14. v. 15. Job xxxiii. 14 — 30. 4. All things, especially
such as they most dislike, are made to work together for the good of the elect, and particularly of believers, Rom. viii. 28. 2 Cor. iv. 17. 1 Cor. iii. 22.
III. The power of God is that essential perfection of his nature, by which he can do every thing not base or sinful. — It is no disparagement but honour to his power, that he cannot do that which implies a contradiction in its very nature, — as to satisfy an immortal soul with earthly portions, or make one under the reigning power of sin relish spiritual delights; — or that he cannot do that which is contrary to his own existence, — as to die, — become weak, — sleep, Src. or which is contrary to his moral perfections, — as to lie, — love sin, — deny himself; — or which is contrary to his own fixed purpose. — But it may be observed, that God’s purpose doth not limit his power it¬ self, but the exercise of it. His power ought therefore never to be distinguished into absolute and ordinate. His power itself cannot be bounded, and the exercise of it cannot be inordinate.
That God is almighty, is evident, 1. From express declarations of Scripture, Gen. xvii. 1. xviii. 14. xlviii. 3. Deut. xxxii. 39. iii. 24. Job ix. 4, 10, 19. xxxvi. 5. xxxviii. 22, 23. xli. 10. Psalm xlv. 3. lxviii. 34. lxxxix. 13. lxxii. 18. xxiv. 8, 10. xcvi. 2 — 7. cxv. 3. xciii. 1. lxii. 11. Isa. ix. 6. xxvi. 4. xl. 28, 29. lxiii. 1. Jer. xxxii. 17. Mat. xix. 26. Luke i. 35, 37, 49. Horn. i. 20. Eph. i. 19. iii. 20. Rev. i. 8. xix. 15. 2. From that abundant power which he hath communicated to his creatures, luminaries, vegetables, brutes, men, and angels, Job xxxvi. — xli. Judges xv. xvi. 2 Sam. xxi. xxiii. 1 Chron. xi. xx. Psalm ciii. 20. 2 Thess. i. 7. 3. From the manifold
and amazing displays of his power in his works of Creation, Providence, and Redemption.
In Creation, his almighty power appears, 1. In making all things of nothing, Heb. xi. 3. Gen. i. Col. i. 16. Rom. xi. 36. 2. In forming such multitudes of creatures at once, Psalm xxxiii. 6. Col. i. 16. Gen. i. Psalm cxlviii. Exod. xx. 11. 3. In forming them of the same nothing, or of unfit matter, in so many diversified forms, Gen. i. Psalm civ. cxlviii. 4. In form¬ ing them all with the greatest ease, by his mere word. Psalm xxxiii. 6, 9. Gen. i. ii. 7. Heb. xi. 3. 5. In making them all
without any instrumental cause, Gen. i. Psalm xxxiii. 6, 9. Heb. xi. 3. 6. In forming them as instantaneous as his
glory admitted, Psalm xxxiii. 6, 9. Gen. i. ii. 7. Exod. xx. 11.
In Providence, his almighty power appears, 1. In his preservation of all things in their different nature, forms, stations, motions, or rest, Psalm cxlviii. cxxxvi. civ. cxix. 90. Col. i. 17. Rev. iv. 11. 2. In the propagation of vegetables in the ground,
and especially of animals in the womb, or in eggs, or from pieces of dissected ones, — and by means of heat, moisture, &c. Psalm civ. cxlvii. cxlviii. cxxxix. 14. Job x. S — 12. 3. In ex¬
citing and producing all their motions or actions, Psalm cxlvii. 15 — 18. civ. 10 — 14, 27, 30. cxxxv. 7. cxxxvi. 5 — 9. Job xxxviii. — xli. Dan. iii. 17. iv. 17. ii. 21. Acts xvii. 28. Rom. xii. 36. 4. In restraining unruly beasts, wicked men, and devils,
at his pleasure, Psalm lxv. 7. and lxxvi. 10. Prov. xxi. 1. Rev. xx 2. 5. In changing men’s dispositions and inclinations, as be pleases, Gen. xxxiii. 4. xxxv. 5. 1 Sam. x. 9, 20. xxiv. 17, 18. Esther vi. 1, 2. Psalm cv. 25. cvi. 45. 0. In making so many millions of unruly inclinations harmoniously promote his one design, notwithstanding all their own different or contrary ones, Exod. ii. — xiv. Isa. x. 5 — 7. xxvii. 9. 7. In destroying his and his people’s enemies, when they are at their strongest, and delivering his favourites when most weak and distressed, Deut. xxxii. 33, 35, 30, 41, 42, 43. Isa. xxxvii. 6, 7, 35. xxxiii. 10. xliii. 17, 18. and xlv. 13. Esther iii — x. Exod. i. — xiv. xviii. II. Ezek. xxxvii. 1 — 14. Mic. iv. 10. Dan. xii. 1. Rev. xi. 7 — 15. xx. 9. 8. In effecting the greatest events by weak
means, or by none at all, Isa. xli. 15, 16. 1 Kings xx. 14. Judges vi. 15. vii. 2 — 22. 2 Chron. xiv. 11. — or by means merely casual. Thus the lighting of a viper on Paul’s hand, brought about the conviction of the Maltese, Acts xxviii 3 — 10. Moses, the deliverer of the Israelites, was preserved from death and fitted for his work, by the daughter of their oppressor coming to wash herself in the Nile, Exod. ii. 11. A post, with tidings of an invasion, preserved David, the anointed king of Israel, from being murdered by Saul, 1 Sam. xxiii, 26; — or by means calculated and intended for an opposite purpose by the agents. Thus Joseph’s abasement promoted his exaltation to be lord over his father and brethren, Gen. xxxvii. — xlvii. The fall of mankind, the abasement and murder of Christ, promoted the eternal happiness of men, the honour of Christ, and the glory of God, Rom. v. 12 — 21. Phil. iii. 6 — 11. The building of Babel hastened the dispersion of mankind through the world, Gen. xi. 9. In the strangely diversified success of human affairs. Persons poor, weak, or inactive, perform things, which others of great wealth, parts, powers and activity, cannot. Psalm lxxviii. 71, 72. Amos v. 9. Acts i. — viii. 10. In making bad men befriend his people and his cause, contrary to all the dictates of carnal policy. Thus Cyrus, Darius, Artaxerxes, Stc. gave part of their wealth to rebuild the Jewish temple, or promote the worship at it, Ezra i. iv. v. vii. Neh. ii. In the days of Cicero, gold was carried from Rome to adorn it. 11. In marvellously infatuating or defeating the best counsellors or counsels of men, Isa. xliv. 25. xxxiii. 11. 2 Sam. xvii. 8. Job v. 12, 13. Psalm xxxiii. 10. Isa. viii. 10. 12. In working such
multitudes of miracles, both under the Old, and under the New Testament, Gen. vii. viii. xix. 24. xxi. 1, 2. Exod. iii. — xx. Num. xi. xvi. xvii. Josh. iii. iv. v. x. Judges vi. 1 Kings xvii. xviii. 2 Kings i. — viii. xiii. xix. xx. Mattb. ii. 2. iv. 24, 25. xi. 5. xiv. xv. xvii. xx. xxi. Acts i. — xx. xxviii. Rom. xv. 19. Heb. ii. 4. 13. In raising the dead, and making all men and devils
appear before his awful tribunal to receive their final sentence, Mat. xxv. 30 — 45, Rev, xx. 12, 14. 14. In the everlasting*
execution of his sentences, in punishing the wicked and glorify¬ ing the righteous, and in supporting both under their respective weights of wrath or blessedness, 2 Thess. i. 9, 10. 2 Cor. iv. 17. 15. In the terrible conflagration and the glorious renova¬
tion of our lower world at the last day, 2 Pet. iii. 10, 12.
But the almighty power of God chiefly appears in his work
of redemption, Eph. i. 19, 20. - It appears on Christ the
Redeemer, 1. In the miraculous conception of his manhood by a virgin, Isa. vii. 14. Jer. xxxi. 22. Luke i. 35. Mat. i. 20. 2. In the more than miraculous union of his two natures, which are infinitely different in substance and dignity, — and yet in such manner, that all human personality w*as prevented, John i. 14. 1 Tim. iii. 16. Isa. ix. 6. Zech. xiii. 7. Rom. ix. 5. 3. In the miracles which he wrought, Acts x. 38. Mat. iv. — xxi. Mark i. — vi. Luke iv. — xx. John ii. — xi. 4. In the tremendous punishment inflicted on him, and in the full support of him under it, Zech. xiii. 7. iii. 9. Isa. liii. 4 — 10. 1. 6, 7, 9. xlii.
I. Psalm xxii. lxix. Mat. xxvi. xxvii. 5. In enabling him to such patience and resignation under his sufferings, of which he had a perfectly quick sense, Isa. liii. 7. Heb. xii. 2,3. John xviii.
II, 12, 27. Mat. xxvi. 39, 42. 6. In raising him from the dead,
justifying and glorifying him, Rom. i. 4. vi. 4. iv. 25. 1 Tim. iii. 16. Eph. i. 19, 20, 23. Psalm cx. 1 — 7. Phil. ii. 7 — 11. Heb. ii. 8, 9. 1 Pet. i. 20, 21. - It appears in the Publication of Redemp¬
tion, 1. In the propagating doctrines so contrary to the carnal reason, the common customs, the deep-rooted lusts, and strongly supported laws of mankind, 1 Cor. i. 20 — 24. iii. 18. Tit. iii. 3. Rom. i. 21 — 32. iii. 10 — 18. 2. In propagating the gospel by
so unfit-like instruments, that just before had manifested so much cowardice, ignorance, or wickedness, Mat. xxvi. Acts
1. — ix. 3. In propagating it by simple declarations, enforced
with no temporal authority or worldly influence, 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. Zech. iv. 6. 4. In the amazing spread and inlluence of these
declarations had on the hearts and lives of millions of ignorant, outrageous, and obstinate sinners, for convincing, converting, and sanctifying them, Acts ii. — xxi. xxvi. 17, 18. Rom. i. 8. xv. 19. 1 Cor. vi. 10, 11. Col. i. 5, 6. Eph. iii. 8, 9. 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. 1 Thess. i. 5, 9. ii. 12, 13. Tit. iii. 3 — 7. - It also ap¬
pears in the Application of our Redemption. 1. In the thorough conviction of the most stupid, hardened, and biassed consciences, John xvi. 9 — 11. Rom. iii. 19. Heb. iv. 12. Psalm xlv. 5.
2. In uniting men to Christ, and thus implanting in them a di¬
vine nature, or new habits or principles of grace, in opposition to the whole power of Satan, the world, and indwelling lusts, Deut. xxx. 6. Ezek. xxxvi. 26. Psalm c. 3. 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. Luke viii. 24. xi. 21, 22. Eph. i. 19. 1 Thess. i. 5. 2 Thess. h 11. 3. In the preservation of weak graces in men’s souls. amidst an infinity of corruptions and temptations to sin, 1 Pet.
i. 5. Jude 1. 4. In pardoning such multitudes of heinous of¬
fences, at, and after our union to Christ; and in applying these pardons with such almighty influence as to quiet our consciences, however fearfully awakened, Num. xiv. 17 — 19. Isa. xliii. 24, 25. xliv. 22. xlv. 22, 24, 25. lvii. 18, 19. 5. In the mortification of almost almighty corruption by his word, and the agency of his spirit, Rom. viii. 13. Gal. v. 17, 24. 6. lu
the miraculous exploits which his people have, or do perform through faith, Phil. iv. 13. Col. i. 10, 11, 28, 29. Gal. i, 16.
ii. 20. 2 Cor. xii. 7 — 9. Heb. xi. Mat. xvii. 20. Mark ix. 25. 7. In conferring abundant comfort, and everlasting happiness upon all his people, notwithstanding all that sin, Satan, and the world can do to distress and ruin them, Isa. lxv. IS. Psalm li. 10, 11. Rom. viii. 15 — 18, 28 — 39. 2 Cor. iv. 17, Psalm xxxi. 19. lxxiii. 23 — 26, Isa. xxxv. 10. xlv. 17. lx. 19,20.
IV. Not only hath God an almighty power of ability, but also a power of unbounded sovereignty, — by which, as one free from all obligation of law or force, of motive or influence without himself, he may form, support, and govern his creatures in what manner he pleaseth, Dan. iv. 34, 35. — His sovereign dominion over his creatures is founded on the infinite dignity and excellency of his nature, Psalm lxxxvi. 8. lxxxix. 6 — -8. and on his being the Contriver, Creator, Preserver, and last end of them, Psalm xcv. 3, 5. Isa. i. 2, 3. xliii. 12. 1 Cor. vi. 19, 20. Prov. xvi. 4. Rom. xi. 36. — It extends over all creatures, 1 Tim. i. 17. vi. 15. Whether in heaven, Isa. xlv. 12. Psalm ciii. 19, 20. cxlviii. 1 — 4. Or in earth, Job xii. 15, 18. Psalm xlvii. 7 — 9. xxiv. 1. 1. 10. Prov. xxi. 1. Hag. ii. 8. Dan. iv. 35. Psalm, civ — cvi. cxlvii. cxlviii. Or in hell, Psalm lxxviii. 49. 1 Kings xxii. 22. Luke xxii. 31. Rev. xx. 2, 7.
It is evident, that God hath an absolute sovereignty over all things. 1. From express declarations of Scripture, Exod. xxxiii. 10. Rom. ix. 16, 18 — 23. Math. xx. 15. Psalm, xcv. 3, 4. xcvi. 6. cxv. 3. cxxxv. 6. lxxv. 6, 7. xxii. 28, 29. Job xxv. 2. Dan.iv. 34,35,36,37. ii. 21. Eph. i. 11. Acts xvii. 24, 26. 2. From
the characters ascribed to him in Scripture, as Lord of hosts; King of nations; King of the whole earth; Only Potentate.; King of kings; Lord of lords; Most High, &c. Psal. lxxxiv. 12. lxxx. 4, 14, 19. xlvii. 7. Jer. x. 7 — 10. 1 Tim. vi. 15. Rev. xvii. 14. xix, 16. Exod. xviii. 11. Deut. x. 17. Gen. xiv. IS — 22. Psal. ]. 14. lvi. 2. lxxxiii. 18. 3. All the liberty, property, or au¬
thority, which creatures have, with respect to themselves or others, is derived from God, Acts xvii. 28. Prov. viii. 15, 16. Psal. Jxxxii. Rom. xiii. 1 — 6. 1 Cor. iv. 7. Rom. xi. 36. 4. His sovereignty is displayed in his works of creation, providence,
and redemption. — In creation, it appears in his forming such diversified creatures of the same nothing, or of the same unfit matter, and with so many and diversified connections among
themselves, Gen. i. - -In providence it appears, L In the
diversified degree and duration of that support which he affords to his creatures. 2. In the forms, extent, and continuance, of his positive laws, and their binding influence on men’s consciences. 3. In the manner, time, place, or objects, to whom his laws are published; or of the writing of them on men’s hearts; — and in the, at first, unperceived exceptions of his law, as in Abraham’s offering up his son, or in a man’s marrying the childless widow of his brother. 4. In the objects, instruments, forms, degrees, and seasons of his, favour. 5. In the nature, seasons, degrees, instruments, and objects, of his corrections and punishments, — and their proportion to, and correspondence with the sins, on account of which they are inflicted, Dan. iv. 35. Psal. cxv. 3. cxxxv. 6. Matth. xi. 25, 26. xx. 15. — In redemption, — it is manifested, 1. On the Redeemer, — in God’s calling him to be our surety to pay our debt; — and to be our spiritual Head; — in fixing the time of his payment, — the place of his birth, life, and death, — the parts, forms, degrees, and continuance of his sufferings, and the forms, degrees, and periods of his exaltation in his own person, or in the happiness of his people, Isa. xlii. 6. Luke xi. 13. xiii. 32, 33. John xviii. 11. Heb. ii. 10. Phil. ii. 7 — 11. 2. On the persons of
the redeemed, — in choosing any at all; — in choosing some, W’hile others, no worse, are passed by; — and in alloting to them such particular means, opportunities, seasons, forms, and degrees of gifts and grace; and such intermixed temptations, troubles, deliverances, and comforts, Matth. xi. 25, 26. Horn. ix. 18, 23. Exod. xxxiii. 19. Matth. xx. 1, 15. 1 Cor. i. 26 — 30. 3. In qualifying such particular persons, of those that remain unregenerate, and at such particular seasons, with such individual forms and measures of gifts, and common graces, to render them useful in promoting the honour of the Redeemer, and the conversion and edification of his redeemed, John vi. 70. Heb. vi. 4, 5. Num. xxiii. xxiv.
V. The holiness of God is that essential perfection of his nature, which lies in perfect freedom from, and hatred of all sin,
and in perfect love to every thing holy and pure. - That God
is infinitely holy appears, 1. From express declarations of Scripture, Josh. xxiv. 19, 1 Sam. ii. 2, Exod. xv. 11. Psal. lxxxix. 35. xi. 7. xcix. 9. Prov. xxx. 3. Hab. i. 12, 13. Isa. vi. 3. Rev. iv. 8. John xvii. 11. Dan. ix. 24. Psal. xvi. 10. Acts iii. 14. Rom. i. 4. Luke i. 35. Nay, holiness is represented as his beauty, Exod. xv. 11. Psal. xxvii. 4. his grandeur, Psal. lxxxix, 35.
Amos iv. 2. and more than forty times he is called the Holy One of Israel or Jacob, Hab. iii. 3. i. 12. Isa. i. 4, 10, 20. xliii. 14. xxix. 23, &c. 2. Every thing relating to God is called
holy, on account of its connection with and conformity to him; — as the manhood of his Son, Luke i. 35. Acts iv. 27, 30; — his name, Psal. cxi. 0. Lev. xx. 3; — his arm or power, Psal. xcviii. 1; — the place where he manifests himself, — heaven or the temple, Psal. xx. 6. Isa. lvii. 15. Jonah ii. 4. Psal. xcix. 9. Exod. iii. 4. llev. xxi. 10; — his Sabbaths, Exod. xvi. 23. Isa. lviii. 13; — his covenant and promise, Dan. xi. 28, 30. Luke i. 72. Psal. cv. 42; — his word, lawr, and gospel, Rom. i. 2. vii, 12. 2 Tim. iii. 15; — his work, Psal. cxlv. 17; — his angels, Rev. xiT 10. Matth. xxv. 31; — his prophets, 2 Pet. i. 21. iii. 2. Luke i. 70. Rev. xvm. 20. xxu. 6; — his ministers, 1 Ihess. n, 10. Rev. xvm. 20; — his people, Exod. xix. 6. Col. i. 22. iii. 12. Heb. iii. 1. 1 Thess. v. 27. 1 Pet. ii. 9. 3. His holiness is manifested in
his works of creation, providence, and redemption, Psal. cxlv. 7.
In creation it appears, in forming every creature, which was capable of holiness, perfect in it, Gen. i. 20, 27. Rev. xiv.
10. with Jude 6. — In providence, it appears, 1. In giving to
all his rational creatures a moral law, requiring the most perfect and uninterrupted holiness of heart and life, — and enforced with the most powerful sanction of rewards and punishments, Rom. vii. 12. Matth. xxii. 37, 39. Rom. xii. xiii. Col. iii. iv. Eph. iv. v. vi. 1 Thess. iv. v. 1 Pet. 1 — 5. Exod. xx. 3 — 17. 2. In
prescribing the most proper means of promoting holiness, Gen.
11. 17. Tit. ii. 11, 12. Matth. xxviii. 19. 2 Cor. xi. 23 — 29.
Even all the sacrifices, purifications, and punishments, prescribed by the Jewish laws, marked the holiness of God, Lev. i. — xxiii. Num. v. vi. xv. xix. xxviii. xxix. Lev. x. 1 — 3. 3. And so permitting sin as not to have any active hand in, or give any encouragement to it, Ilab. i. 12, 13. Psal. iv. 5, 6. Jer. xliv. 4. Prov. xvi. 16 — 19. 4. In fixing standing marks of
his detestation of sin upon the first introducers of it, or any particular form of it; as on devils, women, Cain, the old world, the builders- of Babel, Sodomites, oppressors of the church, profaners of God’s worship, presumptuous rebels against his established government, despisers of bis promised favours, &c. Jude 6.
2 Pet. ii. 4, 5. Gen. iii. iv. vii. xi. xix. Exod. i. — xiv. Lev. x. Num. xiv. xvi. Isa. v. 16. 5. In publicly manifesting his de¬
testation of men on account of their most secret sins, Psal. 1. 21. x. 8. 11, 14. Ezek. xiv. 3 — 8. viii. 7 — 18. 2 Sam. xii. 11, 12. Jer. xvi. 17, 18. 6. In marking all the wicked with the most
shameful distance and disgrace in the last judgment, 1 Thess. iv. 16, 17. Matth. xxv. 33. Psal. i. 5. cxxxviii. 6. 7. In his
everlasting exclusion of unholy angels and men from his presence, and marking them with the most tremendous tokens of his detestation, Matth. xxv. 41, 46. Psal. ix. 17. Rev. xx. 10> 15. xiv. 10, 11. 2 Thess. i. 8, 9. Even these providential acts* which we are apt to imagine impure, are perfectly holy. He tempts men, merely by trying their obedience, or in permitting them to be enticed to sin, by Satan, evil men, or their own sinful lusts, 2 Sam. xxv. 1. Matth. vi. 12. James i. 13, 14. He bids men curse, merely by giving them an opportunity of doing it, 2 Sam. xvi. 12. He hardens men in sin, when he justly withholds his heart-softening grace, and permits Satan; their neighbours, or their own lusts, to render them more stupid, perverse, and obstinate, Exod. iv.- — xiv. Isa lx ii. 17. vi. 9, 10. He delivers men up to vile affections, a reprobate mind, or strong delusions, or to their own lusts, when he justly withholds his restraining or sanctifying influences, and permits their sinful corruptions to decoy or drag them into wickedness, error, and folly, Rom. i. 24 — 28. 2 Thess. ii.9 — 11. Isa.lxvi. 4. Psal. lxxxi. 12. His deceiving’ of men imports his abandoning them to the temptations of Satan and their own deceitful heart, Jer. iv. 10. Ezek. xiv. 9. 1 Kings xxii. 19 — 22. — Thus, in all these, he wisely, holily,
and justly renders sin its own punishment. - In redemption,
the holiness of God appears, 1. In his choosing men, that they might be holy, Eph. i. 4. 2 Thess. ii, 13. I Pet. i. 2. ii. 9. 2. In exhibiting his own Son, in the likeness of sinful flesh, even under the curse, which is the strength of sin, and amidst infinite temptations, as an incomparably perfect and glorious? pattern of holiness in heart and life, Luke i. 35. Matth. iii. 35. John viii. 29. xvii. 4. xviii. 11. Heb. v. 8. vii. 26. 3. In pu¬
nishing, even without mercy upon his own Son, sin imputed, withdrawing his comfortable smiles from him, and shutting out his prayers as if he had been a real sinner, Matth. xxvi. xxvii. Psal. xxii. lxix. lxxxix. 38. Isa. liii. Rom. viii. 3, 32. Heb. ii. 10. 4. In giving Christ to purchase holiness for men, and
making him to them, wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. Tit. ii. 14. 1 Pet. i. 18, 19. 1 Cor. i. 30. 5. In so
forming the gospel in all its declarations, promises, and invitations, as may best convey, and encourage us to holiness in heart and life, 1 Tim. vi. 3. iii. 16. 2 Pet. 3. 4. Tit. ii. 11, 12. 2 Con vii. 1. John xv. 3. xvii. 17. Luke i. 74, 75. Psal. cxix. 9, 11, 26. 6. In so framing the whole scheme of our redemption, that
holiness of our heart and life is the end of every thing in it, Eph. i. 3, 4. Heb. xiii. 12. ix. 14. 1 Cor. vi. 11. Tit. ii. 14. iii. 8, 14. Ezek. xxxvi. 25 — 27. Luke i. 74, 75. 1 Thess. iv. 3, 7. v. 23. Rom. vi. 14. vii. 4, 5, 6. Eph. iv. 11 — 13. Isa. xxvii. 9. Heb. xii. 10, 11. 2 Cor. iii. 18. 1 John iii. 2. 7. In effectu¬
ally rendering men holy by the manifestations of his own holiness in the gospel, 2 Cor. iii. 18. iv. 4, 6. 8. In the sharp cor¬
rection of his peculiar favourites for their unholiness, and even for sins which appear far less criminal than some others, Amos
iii. 2. Rev. iii. 19. Heb. xii. 6 — 11. Psalm xcix. 8. cxix. 67, 71. lxxxix. 31 — 34. lxxiii. lxxvii. lxxxviii. 1 Sam. ii. iii. Num. xii.
xx. 12. Deut. xxxii. 51. 9. In making perfect holiness a prin¬
cipal ingredient of our eternal happiness, Eph. v. 25 — 27,
1 John iii. 3. Jude 25.
VI. The Justice of God is that essential property of his nature, which disposes him to render to himself, and to all his
creatures, that which is right and equal. - It is evident that
God is just or righteous: 1. The Scriptures expressly declare this, Psal. xi. 7. xxv. 8. vii. 9. ix. 8. xcii. 15. xcix. 4. cxix, 75, 137. Exod. ix. 27. xxxiv. 7. Gen. xviii. 25. Deut. x. 17. xxxii. 4. Jude 1, 7. 1 Sam. iii. 18. 2 Chron. xix. 7. Job viii. 3. ix. 15. xxxiv. 10 — 12, 19. xxxv. 6 — 8. xxxvi. 3. xxxvii. 23, Jer. xii. 1. Isa. xxvi. 7. Dan. ix. 16. 2 Thess. i. 6, 7. 2 Tim.
iv. 8. Heb. vi. 10. Acts x. 33, 34. Rom. iii. 4, 26. ix. 13, 14.
2. The remains of tquity among men proceed frofn, and are beloved by God, 2 Sam. xxii. 26 — 28. Psalm vii. 9. xi. 7. Hos. xiv. 9. Gen. xviii. 23, 25. 3. His infinite justice and
equity appear, 1. In his giving the most righteous laws to his creatures, suited to their original abilities, and requiring the most perfect equity towards God, their neighbours, and them¬ selves, — insisting chiefly on the principal points of equity; and that such as bear rule over others, should shew themselves distinguished patterns of it, Nell. ix. 13. Rom. vii. 12. Psal. cxix. 75, 137, 138, 142. xix. 8 — 11. Hos. xiv. 9. Isa. xxvi. 7. Matth. xxiii. 23. xxii. 37, 39. Deut. xvi. 18, 19. 2 Sam. xxiii. 3.
2 Chron. xix. 6, 9. Psal. lxxxii. 2. In annexing to those laws
proper sanctions of rewards and punishments, Psal. xi. 5 — 7. vii. 9 — 14. ix. 8, 17. Isa. i. 19, 20. iii. 10, 11. Rom. ii. 6 — 10j 2 Thess. i. 6 — 10. 3. In rewarding men’s good behaviour in.
the most proper time, manner, and degree, Psal. xix. 11. 1 Cor. xv. 58. Rev. xiv. 13. 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8. — In his rewarding the resemblances of good works performed by wicked men, 1 Kings
xxi. 29. 2 Kings x. 30. Jon. iii. — In rewarding the imperfect
graces and works of his people, Rev. i. 3. ii. 7, 11, 19, 26, 27. iii. 5, 12, 20, 22. xiv. 13. xxii. 14. Col. iii. 24, 25. 1 Cor. xv. 58. ix. 24, 25. 2 Tim. iv. 7, 8. Matth. v. 3 — 10. — and in largely rewarding the meritorious service of Christ as our Surety, Isa. xlix. 5, 6. liii. 10 — 12. Phil. ii. 7 — 11. Heb. ii. 8, 9, 10. xii. 2. John xvii. 4, 5. Psal. xxii. 27, 31. 4. In bestowing all
the purchased blessings of the new covenant upon the most vile, guilty, and rebellious men, on account of that righteousness which Christ, their Surety, performed in their stead, Rom. iii. 24 — 26. iv. 25. v. 6 — 11, 15 — 21. viii. 1 — 4, 33, 34. 2 Cor,
v. 14 — 21. 1 Thess. v. 9, 10.*Eph. i; 3 — 8. ii. 1 — 8, 14. 1 Pet,
i. 18 — 21. ii. 24. iii. 18. Heb. ix. 12, 14, 15. x. 10, 14. 1 John i. 7, 9. ii. 1, 2. iv. 9, 10. Rev. i. 5, 6. v. 9, 10. 2 Tim. iv. 8. 5. In his seasonable, severe, and well-proportioned chastisements of his people, which, as disagreeable, are due to them for offending their gracious Father, — and as calculated to promote their sanctification and comfort, are due to them as represented by their law-fulfilling Surety, Christ, Job xxxvi. 7 — 10. Psal. lxxxix. 30 — 34. xcix. 8. xciv. 12. Pr.ov. iii. 12. Heb. xii. 6 — 11. Rev. iii. 19. 6. In afflicting innocent animals, only in so far
as they are connected with guilty sinners. And, who knows how far their present suffering may be balanced in their future restoration into the glorious liberty of the children of God P Isa. xxiv. Hos. iv. 2, 3. Jer. xii. 4. xiv. 5, 6. Job i. 16. with Rom. viii. 20 — 23. 2 Pet. iii. 13. 7. In infallibly punishing
national sins with national judgments in this world, as there is no opportunity of punishing societies, as such, in the future state; — and in marking their sins in their punishments, — as in the case of the old world, — Sodomites, Egyptians, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Jews, Papists, &c. Gen. vi. vii. xix. Exod.
i. — xiv. Isa. xxxiii. xxxvii. Jer. xxv. xlvi. — li. Judg. i.- — xii.
2 Kings xvii. xxv. Matth. xxiii. 32 — 39. xxiv. Rev. vi. — xx, 8. In punishing wicked men in this life, in a form, though not in a degree proportioned to their sins, and often by permitting them to fall into other sins, Job xviii. xx. xxvii. Psal. xcii. 7. xxxvii. 20. xxxv. 26. vii. 10 — 16. lviii. 9, 10. Ezek. xviii. Psal. lxxiii. 18 — 20. xxxi. 12. Gen. iv. ix. 25. Isa. lxvi. 4. lxiii. 17. Hos, iv. 13 — 17. 2 Thess. ii. 9 — 11. Rom. i. 18 — 32. 9. In publicly condemning wicked angels and men, and punishing them in hell for ever, Matth. xxv. 41, 46. 2 Thess. i. 8, 9. Rev. xiv. 9, 10, 11. xx. 10, 12. 10. Especially in exacting from his
only and infinitely beloved Son, as our Surety, the very same obedience and satisfaction which were due from us to his broken law, — in the very same nature which had sinned, and under the very same overwhelming curse, Mat. iii. 15. Luke xxiv. 26. Isa. liii. Psal. xxii. lxix. Matth. xxvi. xxvii. Rom. iii. 24 — 26. v. 6 — 10. viii. 3, 32. Isa. xlii. 21. Heb. ii. 10. v. 8. 2 Cor. v. 21. 1 Pet. i. 18, 19. ii. 24. iii. 18. Gal. iii. 13. Phil.
ii. 7, 8.
Such is the infinite holiness and justice of God’s nature, that he cannot suffer sin to pass without adequate punishment. 1. The Scripture represents him as so infinitely holy and just, that he cannot but hate and detest sin, and mark his abhorrence of it, Exod. xxxiv. 7. Hab. i. 12, 13. Psal. v. 4 — 6. xi. 5, 6, 7. ix. 5. 1. 21. Jer. xliv. 4. Neh. i. 2, 3. Prov. vi. 16 — 19. xvi. 5. Zech. xi. 8; — and as a Governor and Judge, who cannot but maintain the honour of that law which sinners trample on, and do right to his innocent creatures, which are hurt by their wickedness, Isa. xlii. 21. 2 Thess. i. 6- — 8. Rom. i. 18, 32. ii. 2, 6 — 10. Gen. xviii. 25. 2. Men’s consciences represent him thus
holy and just; and hence accuse and torment them when they offend him, and push them to appease him by sacrifices, services, &c. Acts xxviii. 4. Rom. i. 32. ii. 14, 15. 3. The law of God manifests this truth. Most of his moral precepts de¬ pending on his very nature and indispensible prerogative of government, must to the violations of them, have an adequate sanction annexed; as otherwise, haters and blasphemers of God would appear as much beloved by him, as the most pious and virtuous persons, contrary to Rom. ii. 7 — 10. Isa. iii. 10, 11.
1. 19, 20. — All the ceremonial laws manifested, that without sa¬
tisfaction to God’s justice, there could be no remission of sin, Heb. ix. 22. xlnd, if God’s nature had not required an adequate punishment, the ceremonial offerings might have made atonement for sin, contrary to Heb. x. 3, 4. 4. If God’s holi¬
ness and justice did not necessarily require him to punish sin in an adequate manner, how could his infinite mercy and goodness admit any punishment of it, as without real necessity, all punishment is an approach towards wanton cruelty? 5. If it had not been necessary to the honourable egress of his mercy towards sinful men, how could God have so fearfully punished his holy, his only begotten, and infinitely beloved Son? Or how could there be such distinguishing love, in giving him for a propitiation for our sins, — as the Scripture represents, Luke xxiv. 26. Rom. iii. 25, 26. 2 Cor. v. 21. Gal. iii. 13. Tit. ii. 14. Heb. ii. 10. 1 Pet. i. 18, 19. ii. 24. iii. 18. John iii. 16. Rom. v. 6 — 10. viii. 32. 1 John iv. 9, 10. Eph. v. 2. Gal. ii. 20. Rev. i. 5.
To anticipate Objections, it may be observed, 1. That God’s mercy and justice are not contrary perfections, though the one cannot be exercised to the dishonour of the other.
2. That the effects of God’s mercy and grace, being absolutely free and gratuitous, may be restrained, if he please; but the effects of his justice being a debt due to the honour of his nature and lawr, or the general welfare of his creatures, cannot be justly restrained, Gen. xviii. 25. Deut. xxxii. 4. Psal. xi. 5 — 7. cxix. 137. Dan. ix. 16. 2 Thess. i. 6 — 9. Isa. v. 10.
3. Though God’s sovereign will regulate the circumstances of
deserved punishment, the punishment itself is necessary. Magistrates may, by their own will, regulate the time, place, and manner of executing a murderer, but cannot, without flagrant injustice to their character, their laws, or their country, dismiss him unpunished. 4. Though God may delay the full punishment of sinners, — the longer he does so, it must be the more dreadful when it comes, Rom. ii. 4, 5. ix. 22. Heb. x. 26 — 31. 5. God’s substitution of his own Son to bear the pu¬
nishment fine to his elect, instead of proving, that he could
have dispensed wilh it, strongly proves the contrary, Rom. iii. 25y 26. 2 Cor. v. 21. Gal. iii. 13, 14. Heb. ii. 10. Lukexxiv. 26
VII. The goodnfss of God is that essential property of his nature, which inclines him to regard and delight in himself, and to deal kindly with his creatures. — As it inclines him to affect, esteem, and delight in himself, or one divine person iit another, — and to care for, to promote the welfare of creatures, and delight in and rejoice over them, it is called love, because love to himself and to his creatures, gives rise to, and animates his whole conduct, particularly his work of redemption, 1 John iv. 8, 9» 10, 16, 19. Rom. v. 8. John iii. 16. — His love, in respect of the objects of it, may be distinguished into that which he bears to himself, Isa. v. 16. Lev. x. 3. Mat xi. 27. John i. 18. iii. 35; that which he bears to all his creatures as such, Psalm civ. 31. Gen. i. 31. and that, redeeming love which he bears to his chosen of mankind, Deut. vii. 7, 8. xxxiii. 3. John
iii. 16. xv. 9 — 15. xvi. 27. xvii. 23, 26. Rom. v. 8, 21. viii. 32. Gal. ii. 20. Eph. i. 3 — 8. ii. 1 — 9. iv. 8, 9, 10, 19. Rev. i. 5. — His love to creatures is distinguished into his love willing their welfare, Rom. ix. 16, 18. Exod. xxxiii. 19. Psalm lxxxvi. 15. his love doing them good, John iii. 16 Rom. viii. 32 — 39. Psalm v. 12. Isa. lxiii. 7. lix. 8 — 10. Eph. v. 2. 1 John iii. 1.
iv. 9, 10. his love delighting in them, Psalm cxlvii. 11. cxlix. 4. xxxv. 27. Isa. lxii. 5. Zeph. iii. 17. These are but
the same love exercising itself in different forms. - God’s
goodness, as it inclines him to make or supply his creatures, to none of which he owes either being or any thing eke, is called bounty, Psal. cxvi. 7. cxix. 17. 1 Kings iii. 6. — As it inclines him tq do good to those that are undeserving or ill-deserving, it is called grace, or free favour, Rom. iii. 24. v. 20, 21. Eph. ii. 5, 7, 8. i. 6, 7. 2 Cor. 8, 9. Psalm v. 12. As it inclines him to pity, help, and provide for, persons in misery, it is called mercy or compassion, Psalm cii. 8, 11 — 17. Jxxxvi. 5, 15. lxxxix. 1, 2, 28. cxi. 4. cxii. 4. Rom. ix. 16, 18. — And as he takes peculiar pleasure in thus manifesting his goodness, in the redemption of men, mercy is attributed to him several hundred times in Scripture, Psalm cxxxvi. c. &c. he hath bowels ascribed to him, Isa. lxiii. 7, 15. Jer. xxxi. 20. IIos. xi. 8. and is re¬ presented as full of compassion. Psalm lxxviii. 38. lxxxv. 15. cxi. 4. cxii. 4. cxlv. 8. — And, as his goodness inclines him to forbear for a time, punishing the affronts done him, it is called patience and longsuffering, Rom. ii. 4. ix. 22. XV. 7. 2 Pet. iii. 9, 15. Exod. xxxiv. 6. Psal. lxxxvi. 15.
It is most, evident, that God is good. 1. The Scriptures in passages innumerable represent him as good, — as only good, — as kind, — gracious, merciful, and long-sulfering, Psalrn xxv. 8, xxxvi. 7. cxix. 68. cxlv. 7 — 9. Mat. xix. 17. Isa. lxiii. 7. Zech. ix. 17. Psalm xxxiii. 15. cvii. cxxxvi. xxxiv. 8. cxliv, 2. lxiii. 3 — 6. xl. 11. lxix. 16. Joel ii. 12, 13. Jer. iii. 13. Eph. ii. 5, 7. i. 6, 7, 8. Mic. vii. 18, 19, 20. Neb. ix. 17. 2 Pet. iii. 9, 15. Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7. 2. All that goodness which is to be found
among creatures, animate or inanimate, rational or irrational, originates from God, Rom. xi. 36. Psalm cxix. 68. James i. 17. 1 Cor. iv. 7. Gen. i. ii. 3. The goodness of God, is most extensively and clearly manifested in his works of creation, providence, and redemption.
In creation it appears, 1. In his forming all creatures in order, that they might share of his kindness and bounty, — he having no need either of their existence or service, Psalm xvi. 2. 2. In forming such vast multitudes of creatures, — in such
diversified qualities, situations, orders, connections, and mutual dependencies, that the goodness of all might contribute to the advantage of each, Gen. i. 3. In creating angels so many in number, so high in dignity, so excellent in quality, and so capable of enjoying himself, Psalm civ. 4. ciii. 20, 21. 4. Inform¬
ing man — his body so beautiful, so marvellously compacted of a multitude of members, and fitted to promote his true happiness, — his soul endowed with so many excellent faculties, qualifying it for the enjoyment of God himself, as his chief good, and marvellously united to his body, that he might at ondfe partake of an earthly and an heavenly felicity, Gen. ii. 6, 7. and that, by a particular consultation of the divine persons, he was formed in the image of God, Gen. i. 26, 27. ix. 6. and that his formation was so timed as to come into a world fully fitted and furnished for his immediate happiness, Gen. i. and ii.
In providence, God’s goodness appears, 1. In his upholding innumerable numbers of creatures in order to render them partakers of his favours, Psalm xxxvi. 6, 7. Zech. ix. 17. Psalm civ. cvii. cxlv. cxlviii. 2. In governing them all, to the best advantage of all in general, Psalm cxix. 68. civ. cv. cvii. cxxxvi. cxlv. cxlvii. cxlviii. Job xxxvii. xli. 3. In so distributing his goodness among them, that they may all depend on, and taste it, in each other; and even worms may teach angels and men the mysteries of the Godhead, Job xii. 8, 9.
4. In his peculiarly kind deportment towards angels and men, while they kept their first estate, — giving them good laws, suited to their natures, and conducive to their happiness; in entering into a covenant of friendship with men; if not also with angels, though not by a representative, Job xxxviii. 7. Gen. ii. 16, 17.
5. In permitting sin to enter into the world, chiefly, that it might afford an occasion of opening his infinite treasures of re¬ deeming love and grace, Rom. v. 8, 20, 21. Eph. ii. 1 — 8. i. 6 — 8. Gen. iii. 6. In his amazing patience toward sinful men, — in not smiting and even damning them in the very act of sinning, but deferring bis vengeance as long as the vindication of his own perfections and good of his creatures in general can permit, Gen. vi. 3. xy. 13, 16. Rom. ix. 22. — In repeating his warnings, before he punish or correct, Lev. xxvi. Deut. xxvii.f — xxxii. Judges ii. 2 Kings xvii. Psalm lxxviii. cvi. Isa.
i. Ezek. xx. Mai. iv. Mat. xxiv. Rev. viii. — xx. &c. — In inflicting his judgments by progressive degrees, and with an apparent reluctancy, Isa. ix. x. Ezek. xx. Amos iii. iv. vi. Ezra ix. 7. Joel i. 3. Judges x. 16. Isa. i. 24. Lam. iii. 33. Hos. vi. 4, 5. xi. 8. Psalm lxxviii. 38. — And in moderating his judgments, loading men with his favours, notwithstanding many and great provocations, Psalm ciii. 10. Ezra ix. 13. Job xi. 6. xxxiii. 27. Isa. lvii. 17 — 19. xliii. 24, 25. Lam. iii. 22, 31, 32. Mat. xxvi. xxvii. with Actsii. — ix. Tit. iii. 3 — 7. 7. In work¬ ing an infinity of wonderful and miraculous works for the welfare of persons and nations, Exod. ii. — xx. Deut. xxxii. 6. Ezek. xx. Neh. ix. Ezra i. — x. Esther i. — x. Mat. i. — xxviii. Luke i. — xxiv. John i. — xxi. Acts i. — xxviii. Rom. xv. 19. Heb.
ii. 4. - The histories or predictions of Scripture are full of
them. 8. In his wonderful care of our world, notwithstanding its present defilement with sin, — as of irrational creatures. Psalm cxlv. 9. cxlvii. 8, 9. civ. 11 — 22. Deut. xxii. 7. xxv. 4. Lev. xxii. 28. — of slaves, Exod. xxi. 2 — 10, 27. Deut. xxiii. 15. — of criminals, Deut. xxi. 22, 23. xxv. 1 — 3. — of the poor, of widows, and fatherless children, Exod. xxiii. 11. Lev. xix. 13, 33, 34. xxv. 35, 39, 47. Psalm ix. 18. x. 14, 18. xii. 5. xxxv. 11. xli. 1 — 3. lxviii. 5, 10. lxxxii. 3. lxix. 33. lxxii. 4, 13. cvii. 41. cix. 31. cxxxii. 15. cxlvi. 9. Exod. xxii. 22. Deut. xiv. 29. x. 18. xvi. 11, 14. xxiv. 17, 19 — 21. xxvi. 12, 13. Prov. xv. 25. xix. 17. xxiii. 11, 18. Isa. i. 17, 23. Jer. vii. 6. Zech. vii. 10. Jer. xlix. 11. Hos. xiv. 3. James i. 27. — of wicked men. Mat. v. 45. Ezek. xx. Acts xiv. 16, 17. Jon. iii. iv. 11. 1 Kings xxi. 29. Ezek. xxix. 18 — 20. — of societies, in dictating or suggesting proper rules of government to them, putting part of his own honour and authority on their magistrates for their benefit, Psalm cvii. 31, 32. Jer. xviii. 9. Rom. xiii. 1 — 6. 1 Tim. ii. 1, 2. Tit. iii. 1. 1 Pet. ii. 13, 14, 17. Psalm lxxxii. 9. In so timing his favours, particularly deliverances, that they become doubly valuable. — Delays of them till we be brought to an extremity, afford us opportunities of acting faith, and encouraging ourselves in him alone, John xi. 15 — 44. 2 Chron. xx. 7, 12. Psal. xlii. xliii. — and granting them in the very crisis of extremity, stirs us up to improve our new covenant interest in him, Psalm cxxiii. 3. xliv. 23 — 26. Exod. xv. 1, 2. Psal. ciii. cxvi. cxviii. xl. xiii. xviii. — Earthly comforts are cut off, to prepare us for his intended spiritual favours, Psalm cii. 23, 24. cxlii. 4, 5. — And remarkable deliver-OF THE NATURE OR PERFECTIONS OF GOD.
ances afforded to prevent future calamities. Thus, the destruction of the Egyptians, and Israel’s deliverance at the Red Sea, made the hearts of the Canaanites to melt, Josh. ix. 9, 10. ii. 9 — 11.
In the origin, the irapetration, and the application of redemption, the goodness of God still more gloriously appears.
- - In its origin, it appears, 1. In that absolutely free and in¬ finitely abundant grace in God himself is the only primary cause of it, John iii. 16. 1 John iv. 9, 10, 19. Rom v. 8, 20, 21. Eph. ii. 4, 7. 2. In that the redeeming work was begun
an infinity of ages before we were ruined, Eph. i. 4, 5. 2 Tim. i. 9. Tit. i. 2. 1 Pet. i. 19, 20. Prov. viii. 23, 31. Mat. xxv. 34. 3. In that, moved by mere free love, all the divine persons heartily joined in the contrivance and plan of it, and took their respective share of the work, — the Father to exert the grace, — the Son to advance the merit, — and the Holy Ghost to apply the purchased benefits; — the Father to make the exceeding great and precious promises, — the Son to ratify them in his obedience and death, and purchase the things promised, — and the Holy Ghost to put them, and all the blessings which they contain, into our possession; — the Father to adopt us for his children, — the Son to redeem us for his mystical members, — and the Holy Ghost to renew and sanctify our heart, and make us meet habitations for God, Prov. viii. 23 — 31. Psalm xl. 6 — 8. Isa.
xlviii. 16. liii. 10 — 12. lxi. 1 — 3. xlix. 1 — 6. - In the impetration of our redemption, God’s goodness appears, 1. In that the deliverance is infinitely more important, costly, sure, and delightful, than creation itself, Eph. i. 3 — 8. ii. 1 — 8. Rev. i. 5, 6. v. 9, 10. 2. That, not fallen angels, whose nature is of
more importance and dignity, but fallen men are delivered, Heb. ii. 14, 16. Jude 6. 3. That the only begotten Son of
God is the Redeemer and Surety of such mean, sinful, and infamous creatures, John iii. 16. 1 John iv. 9, 10. 4. That he, by
the most complete obedience, and the most dreadful, but voluntary sufferings, magnified his Father’s law, and satisfied his justice, that he might open an abundant egress for displaying his favours to us-ward, Heb. ii. 10. v. 8. xiii. 12. i. 3. Gal.
iii. 13. 2 Cor. v. 21. Isa. liii. 4, 5, 10. xlii. 21. Rom. viii. 3, 4.
x. 4. 5. That he thus manifested his love, after men had, foxfour thousand years, continued in the most uninterrupted, horl’id, outrageous, and progi’essive rebellion against him, Gal.
iv. 4. Gen. iii. to Mai. iv. Rom. iii. 10 — 19. i. 18 — 32. v.
6 — 10, 20, 21. 6. That notwithstanding God’s most dreadful
curse lay upon Christ from his conception till his death, the Holy Ghost marvellously furnished him for, and supported him under his arduous work, John iii. 34. Heb. ix. 14. 7. That
God accepted this satisfaction due from us, from his own Son in our stead, — -justified and glorified him as our Representative* and constituted him our advocate, that our faith and hope might be in himself, Rom. iii. 25, 26. v. 6 — 11, 15 — 21. viii. 3, 4, 32 — 34. iv. 25. x. 4. Isa. 1. 7, 9. lii. 13 — 15. liii. 2 — 12. John iv. 9, 10. ii. 1, 2. Eph. v. 2. Gal. ii. 20. 1 Pet. i. 18 — 21.
1 Tim. iii. 16. Heb. vii. 25. - In the application of this
purchased redemption, the goodness of God is manifested, 1. In that all the blessings of it are lodged in the hands of Christ, our elder brother, as Administrator of the new covenant, Col. i. 19. Psal. lxviii. 18. Mat. xi 27. xxviii. 18. John iii. 35. Isa. xlix. 6. Psalm lxxii. 17. xxi. 4. 2. That Christ is exalted
to the right hand of God, solemnly to take infeftment on, and possession of eternal happiness, in our name; to intercede for us, and pour down the Spirit on us; to apply to us all the benefits of his purchase, John xiv. 2, 3, 26. xvi. 7 — 14. Eph.
ii. 5 — 7. Heb. vi. 19, 20. vii. 25. iv. 14 — 16. 1 John ii. 1, 2.
3. That in him all the blessings of redemption lie ready for us, in exceeding great and precious promises, which are published to us in the gospel, Mat. xxii. 4. 2 Pet. i. 4. 2 Cor. i. 20.
Isa. Iv. 1 — 7. ltev. xxii. 17. Prov. i. 20 — 23. viii. 4. ix. 5. John vi. 39. 4. That these prepared blessings are so infinitely
great and many, and must be bestowed upon us, Psal. xxxi. 19. xxxvi. 6 — 10. lxv. 4. lxviii. 10, 18 — 22. Eph. i. 3 — 8. ii. 4 — 10.
iii. 17 — 19. 5. That the offers of these blessings in the gospel
are so particularly directed to sinners, even of the worst kind, Ezek. xxxvi. 25 — 31. Isa. xliii. 24, 25. xlvi. 12, 13. i. 18. Iv.
1 — 7. Jer. iii. Mat. ix. 13. xviii. 11. 1 Tim. i. 15. 6. That these
offers of salvation are granted and continued, notwithstanding men’s multiplied and dreadful provocations, fearful abuse, contempt, and opposition to them, Acts iii. 15, 26. Isa. i. 3 — 18. lvii. 17, 18. 7. That these offers are so great, so earnest, so
engaging, so free, and condescending, Psalm xxxiv. 8, 11. 1. 7. lxxxi. 8 — 10. Prov. i. 20, 23. viii. 4 — 36. ix. 1 — 6. xxiii. 26. Song iii. 11. iv. S. v. 2. Isa. i. 18. xlv. 22 — 25. xlvi. 12, 13. xlix 1 — 12. Iv. 1 — 7. lxv. 1, 2. Zech. ix. 9, 12. Mat. xi. 5, 28 — 30. xxii. 1 — 9. Luke xiv. 16 — 23. John vii. 37 — 39. vi.
37 — 40. 2 Cor. v. 18 — 21. Rev. xxii. 17. 8. That many, if
not most, of those who have these offered blessings conferred upon them, in respect of their former outward circumstances, tempers, or morals, were of the very dregs of mankind, Luke xix. 10. Matt. xxii. 9. ix. 13. 1 Cor. i. 25 — 31. 1 Tim. i. 13, 15, 16. 9. That God taketh such pleasure in the application
of redemption, Isa. lxv. 1, 2. lxii. 5, 11. lxi. 1, 2, 10. Jer. xxxii.
38 — 41. xxxi. 18 — 20. Mic. vii. 19. Zeph. iii. 17. 10. That
the most outrageous sinners are often received by God with distinguished marks of compassion and kindness, Luke xv. ,20 — 22. vii. xxii;. John iv. Acts ii. iv. vi. ix. xxii. xxvi; 1 Cor. xv. 8 — 10. Gal. i. 15, 1G. 1 Tim. i. 13 — 16. 11. That amidst strange and furious opposition, Christ and his Spirit enter into men’s hearts, in order to apply his benefits, Rom. vii. 8 — 25. Luke xi. 21, 22. Psalm cx. 2, 3. 2 Cor. x. 4, 5. 12. That
he deals so tenderly with his people when they offend him, Psalm ciii. 12, 13. Isa. lvii. 17, 18, 19. Jer. xxxi. 18 — 20. iii. Hos. vi. 4. xi. 8. 13. That he closely adheres to them, synv
pathizes with them under all their troubles, and delivers them as soon as it can be for their real advantage, Zech. ii. 8. Isa. lxiii. 9. xl. 11. xli. 10, 14, 17, 18. xlvi. 4. Luke xviii. 8; de¬ lights to converse with them, and to hear and answer their prayers, Jer. xxxii. 41. xxxui. 3. Zeph. iii. 17. Isa. lxii. 4,5. xxx. 18, 21. lviii. 9. lxv. 24. xlv. 11. Luke xi. 9. Mat. vii. 7.
Psal. 1. 15. xci. 15. lxxxv. 6, 8. Song ii. 14. viii. 13. - In fine,
God’s goodness appears in manifold respects, in all the particular blessings of our election, union with Christ, justification, adoption, sanctification, spiritual comfort, and eternal glory and in all the means of grace, ordinary or solemn, Eph. i. 3 — 8. ii. 1 — 10. Rom. v. 15 — 21.
VIII. The truth of God is not here taken for the reality of his existence, and the necessary possession of infinite excellency, on account of which he is called the true God, in op¬ position to such as are gods only in respect of name, but have no infinite or independent perfection, Jer. x. 10. but it means that essential property of his nature, by which he is infinitely free from, and abhors all deceit and falsehood. It may be distinguished into his sincerity, uprightness, or candour, which consists in the exact agreement of his words and works with his thoughts, inclination, or will; and his veracity or faithfulness, which consists in the exact correspondence of his works W’ith his declarations, predictions, promises, and threatenings, and with all these relations in which he stands to his creatures.
It is most evident, that God is true in these respects: 1. The Scriptures expressly represent him as a God of truth, that cannot lie or fail to perform his w’ord, Num. xxiii. 19. 1 Sam. xv. 29. Tit. i. 2. Heb. vi. 17, 18. x. 23. 2 Tim. ii. 13. 1 Thess. v. 24. 1 Cor. i. 9. x. 13. Heut. vii. 9. xxxii. 4. Neh. ix. 8.
Psal. xxxiii. 4. lxxxix. 1, 2, 5, 8, 14, 35. xxxvi. 5. cxix. 38, 49, 70, 160. cxi. 7, 8. c. 5. xxv. 10. xxxi. 5. Isa. xxv. 1. lxv. 16. John xvii. 17. Rom. iii. 3, 4. 1 Pet. iv. 19. Rev. i. 5. iii. 15. John xiv. 16, 17. 2. His independence, infinite holiness, equity, power, and majesty, set him above all possibility of, or temptation to deceit or falsehood, Num. xxiii. 19. 1 Sam. xv. 29. Heb. vi. 16 — 21. 2 Tim. ii. 13. 3. All that candour and faith¬
fulness which is among mankind, or regard to it, proceed from him, James i. 17. 1 Cor. iv. 7, 4. This candour or faithfulness
is manifested in, 1. The self-consistency of all his words, not¬ withstanding their being spoken on very different occasions, Psalm cxix. 30, 31, 43, 86, 87, 90, 104, 128, 138, 142, 160, 163. 2. None of his words are contrary to the discoveries
of his perfections, which are made by the light of nature or by Revelation, 2 Tim. ii. 13. Deut. xxxii. 4. 3. His whole work
of providence, with all the dispositions and actions of mankind, plainly confirm the leading truths of his word, compare Exod. xxxiv. 6, 7. Deut. xxxii. 4. with the history of his works’, Gen,
iii. to Esther x. Isa. i. to Mai. iv. Mat. i. to Rev. xxii.
Psalms lxxviii. ciii. cvii. cxxxvi. cxlv. — cxlix. Jer. xvii. 9. Rom. iii. 10 — 20. viii. 7, 8. i. 24 — 32. Mat. v. 19. with the his¬ tory of mankind, Gen. iv. vi. xi. 2 Kings xvii. Neh. ix. Ezek. xvi. xx. xxiii. Isa. lix. Jer. .ii. — xxiii, xliv. &c. 4. All the
principal acts of his providence in the world are a manifest fulfilment of his inspired predictions. 5. He hath, or doth, accomplish those promises, threatenings, or predictions, which, to us, appear most unlikely to be fulfilled, or which he had the strongest-like reasons to shift, as of the incarnation, sufferings, and death of his Son, the calling of the Gentiles, — and the Justification, Sanctification, and Glorification of sinful men, Gal.
iv. 4 — 6. Isa. liii. Mat. i. to Acts xxviii. 1 Cor. vi. 9 — 11. Eph. i. ii. iii. Rom. i. — xi. Col. i. ii. 6. His truth and faith¬ fulness will be most fully manifested in the last judgment, when all the works of God and men shall be exactly compared with his word, — and in the everlasting happiness or misery of angels and men, Rev. xx. 12 — 15. Mat. xxv. 31 — 46. 2 Thess. i. 6 — 10. Rom. ii. 6 — 10.
To anticipate objections, it must be observed, 1. That God may declare to men what is their duty, without manifesting his own secret intentions. Hjs law is the only rule of our duty; and his purpose the only rule of his own conduct, Mic. vi. 8. with Deut. xxix. 29. Isa. viii. 20. Iv. 8 — 11. Eph. i. 11. 2. That
God may permit others to deceive, or be deceived, without having any deceit in himself, or in his conduct, 1 Kings xxii. 22, 23. Ezek. xiv. 9. with Deut. xxxii. 4. Psal. xxv. 8, 10. 3. That when promises, threatenings, or predictions, have in them a condition expressed or understood, the fulfilment of them doth not fall due, and ought not to be looked for, unless that condition be first fulfilled, Mark xvi. 16. Jon. iii. 1 Sam. xxiii. 11, 12. Isa. xxxviii. 1.
My Soul, stop thy contemplation of the Most High, and ask thyself, as in his presence: If God be a Spirit, am I spiritually minded, and a worshipper of Him in spirit and in truth? Do I detest and banish every carnal imagination of him from my heart? — Is he the all-knowing and only wise God? Do I then behave as one ever naked and open to his view? Do I reverently avoid all prying into his secrets? Do I relish all his oracles, as the storehouse and fountain of all true wisdom and knowledge to my heart? Do I cordially approve all his ordinances, and admire his whole word, purpose, and work? Do I acknowledge him in all my ways, that he may direct my paths; and in the most perplexing cases, trust to his skill and power for my deliverance? — If he be Almighty, — a Sovereign Ruler, am I, in the view of my own weakness, still blushing, still trembling before him? Do I alway labour to check the very first risings of my heart in rebellion against Him? Do I, with¬ out staggering, rest the whole burden of my salvation upon Him? Do I rejoice in Him, and firmly expect deliverance from Him, when I apprehend all things working against me? Do I ascribe all that I am and have, except my sinfulness, to Him? And am I contented with all that I meet with in providence,
as the doing of my Lord? - Am I holy as he is holy; pure as
he is pure? Do I abhor myself and all my righteousness in his sight? Do I chiefly delight in his holiness? And doth even the contempt of it by others excite my love to, and esteem of it? Do I, in all my dealings with Him, labour to act under a deep impression of his holiness? Do I, above all things, hate sin? — my own sin? — my most refined and secret sin? Do I alway labour in the gospel-glass to behold his holiness, that I may be changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by
the Spirit of the Lord? - Under the affecting views of his
Justice, Do I revere every dispensation of his providence, and kindly acknowledge, that unto him as my Lord belongeth righteousness, and unto me shame and confusion of face? Do I live in perpetual wonder, that his infinite equity can suffer such a sinner to live; nay, will save me? Do I continually flee from all my own righteousness to that of Jesus Christ, and rest on it alone for my eternal salvation? — If God be good, — be Love, Am I, with amazement, believing his loving-kindness, and applying it to my own heart? Am I opening my mouth wide, that he may fill it? Am I satisfied with his goodness, as the source and the substance of all my happiness? Do I reckon all things, as coming from his hand, as good, — very good forme? Do I, above all, desire to be an eternal debtor and unparalelled miracle of his redeeming goodness? And, all inflamed herewith, how burns my heart with love to
Him that first loved me, and gave his Son for me? - Do I
love them that hate me? and do good to, and pray for them
that despitefully use me ?• - If he be the God of truth. Have
I set to my seal, that he hath given me eternal life in his Son? Have I found his promises and eaten them; have they been to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart? Do I hold them fttsL anil refuse to let them go? Have I rejoiced at finding them, as one that findeth great spoil, — and chosen them to be my heritage for ever? — Is this God, who is manifested in all around me, — in all before, behind, above, or below me, for ever in mine eye, and in all the powers of my soul? — Is he my Saviour, my Father, my Husband, — my Friend, my Master, my Portion, my Pattern, my God, — my all?
The inimitable or incommunicable perfections of God are,
I. His self-existence and absolute independence, in respect of which, his being and nature are necessary. He can¬ not but be; and be what he is; and is altogether in and of himself, Exod. iii. 14. Rev. i. 8. xvi. 5. xxii. 6. He hath no dependence on any creature; but every creature, in its existence, nature, and operation, L wholly dependent on him, Psal. eii. 26, 27. xvi. 2. Job xxii. 2. xxxv. 6, 7. — And, from this his absolute sovereignty and dominion doth proceed, Dan. iv. 34, 35. ii. 20, 22. Mat. xi. 26. xx. 15.
II. His absolute simplicity, in respect of which he is absolutely free from all composition, and every thing in him is God himself. 1. He is represented as a simple abstract, as, — Light,
- — Love, — Life, 1 John i. 5. iv. 8, 16. v. 20. 2. Being the
independent and absolutely first being, he could have none to unite compounding parts in him, Isa. xli. 4. xliv. 6. 3. Being
incorruptible and unchangeable, he cannot consist of divisible parts, Rom. i. 23. 1 Tim. i. 17. vi. 16. Mai. iii. 6. 4. Being infinite, there cannot be any thing added to another in him, Jer. xxiii. 23. 1 Kings viii. 27. 5. Being perfect in the highest
degree, he cannot be compounded of things which, taken separately, would be imperfect, Job xi. 7.
III. His infinity, which denotes him as great and excellent in every respect, as he can be. It includes the unbounded excellency of his nature. Hence he is represented as great, Deut. xxxii. 3. 1 Chron. xvi. 25. Ezra v. 8. Job. xxxvi. 26. xxxvii. 22. Tit. ii. 13. Psalm xxix. — greater than all men, — than all nations, Psalm xxxv. 10. civ. 1. lxxxvi. 8. lxxxix. 5 — 8. Dan. iv. 32. Isa. xl. 12 — 22. — greater than all things, greater than all gods, Job xi. 7 — 9. 1 Kings viii. 27. Psalm lxxxvi. 8. Exod. xviii. 11. — as transcending all possible limits of excellency, Job xi. 7. Psalm cxlv. 3. cxlvii. 5. — It also includes the unbounded extent of his presence. The being of his essence, wherever space or any creature could be, is called his immensity, 1 Kings viii. 27. and its being wherever creatures actually are, is called his omnipresence, Psalm cxxxix. 7 — 10. jJer. xxiii. 23, 24. Eph. iv,
6f the mature or perfections of god. 127
6. 1 Cor. xii. 6. — God is peculiarly present with Christ. His nature in the person of the Son is united to, and dwells with his manhood, Col. ii. 9. 1 Tim. iii. 16. Rom. viii. 3. Gal. iv. 4. And he delightfully dwells in him as God-man Mediator, 2 Cor.
v. 19. — He is present with his saints, graciously dwelling in their heart, and thus affording them his peculiar favour, help, and comfort, John xiv. 16, 23. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. Rom. viii. 14 — 17, 26, 27. Gal. iv. 6. 1 Cor. iii. 16, 17. vi. 18, 19. 2 Cor. vi. 16. Rev. xxi. 3. Eph. ii. 19 — 22. 1 John iv. 4, 16. iii. 24. John xvii. 21 — 23, 26. Psalm xxxix. 12. — He was present with his prophets and apostles, in his infallible inspiring influence on. their minds, in their declaration of his will to men, 1 Pet. i. 11. 2 Pet. i. 21. 2 Sam. xxiii. 2. Heb. i. 1. — He is present ih his church, in his oracles, and in the instituted ordinances of his worship, in the representatives of his authority, and in the influences of his Spirit, Matth. xviii.20. xxviii. 20. Exod xx. 24. John xvii. 21. 1 Cor. xii. 12, 13, 28. Eph. iv. 11 — 13. 1 John i. 3, 5, 7. 1 Pet. i. 12. — He was present in the Jewish tabernacle and temple at Jerusalem, or at Bethel, Sinai, &c. in the manifested symbols of his glory, power, and grace, and in his solemn ordinances of worship, Exod. xxv. 8, 22. xxix. 43. 1 Kings v. 5. viii. 11. Gen. xxviii. 16, 17. xlviii. 3. Exod. iii. 4. xix. 11. Psalm lxviii. 17. cxxxii. 5. lxxx. 1, 2. — He is present in heaven-in the most glorious manifestation of his excellencies, Isa. lxvi. 1. Psalm cxv. 3. Matth. vi. 9. Heb. xii. 23. Phil. iii. 20. John xiv. 2, 3. iv. 14. viii. 1. — He is present in hell, in the most dreadful execution of his wrath, Psalm cxxxix. 8. 2 Thess. i. 9. Rev. xiv. 10, 11. Mark ix. 44, 46. — He is present with all creatures, in observing, supporting, and governing them, Heb. i. 3. iv. 13. Psalm cxxxix. 12, 13. Jer. xxiii. 23, 24. Col. i. 17. 1 Cor. xii. 6.
IV. His absolute eternity consists in his being without beginning, ending, or succession of duration, which indeed is nothing else than his infinity as it respects duration. It is manifest, that he is eternal in this manner. 1. The Scripture expressly represents him as eternal or everlasting, without any limitation, Gen. xxi. 33. Beut. xxxiii. 29. Psal ix. 7. Iv. 19. Prov. viii. 23, 25. Isa. xl. 28. lvii. 15. Dan. vi. 26. Jer. x. 10. Rom. xvi. 26. Rev. iv. 8, 9. Hab. i. 12. — And, he alone is eternal, without beginning or succession of duration, Psalm xc. 2, 4. xcii. 8. cii. 24-28. 2 Pet. iii. 8. Rom. i. 23. 1 Tim. i. 17.
vi. 16. Isa. ix. 6. Iv ii. 15. James i. 17. He alone is the First
and the Last, Isa. xii. 4. xliv. 6. xlviii. 12. Rev. i. 8, 11. xxi. 6. xxii. 13. 2. The days, years, and succession, competent
to his creatures, are represented as unapplicable to him, Job xxxvi. 26. x. 4. Psal. xc. 4. 2 Pet. iii. 8. Dan. vii. 9, 24.
Psalm cii. 24, 27. Job x. 5. Isa. xliii. 13. 3. Many eternal things, as eternal life, — strength, — mercy, — dominion, — throne, &c. are ascribed to him, Deut. xxxii. 40. xxxiii. 27. Rev. iv. 9.
v. 14. Isa. xxvi. 4. Psalm ciii. 17. cxxxvi. Dan, iv. 3, 34. vi.
26. Psalm xciii. 2. Lam. v. 19. Isa. li. 6 — 8. Psal. xxxiii.
11. cxxxv. 13. - And we can as easily conceive how God’s
unsuccessive eternity co-exists with the successive duration of his creatures, as we can conceive how* his omnipresence co-exists with all material substances, without having any corporeal ex¬ tension in himself.
V. His unchangeableness is that essential property of his nature, by which he is from eternity to eternity, without any alteration, always the same; and it is often expressly ascribed to him in Scripture, James i. 17. Mai. iii. 6. 1 Tim. i, 17. Rom, i. 23. Psalm eii. 24 — 27. Heb. i. 11, 12. xiii. 8. vi. 18. Isa. xlvi. 4. lvii. 15. Exod. iii. 14. Nura. xxiii. 19. Tit. i. 2. 2 Tim. ii. 13. — He is unchangeable, 1. In his existence, that he cannot cease to be, 1 Tim. i. 17. vi. 16. Rom. i. 25. Psalm cii. 24 —
27. 2. In his essence or nature, that he cannot cease to be
whatever he is, in his perfections of wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, or truth, &c. 2 Tim. ii. 13. Isa. xxvi. 4, Deut. xxxii. 4. Psalm ciii. 17. xc. 2. Exod. iii. 14. 3. In his actual knowledge of things, 1 Cor. ii. 16. Acts xv. 18. Heb. iv. 13. Job xi. 7 — 9. 4. In his will and purpose, Heb. vi. 17, 18. Isa. xiv. 24, 27. xlvi. 10. Psalm xxxiii. 11. Rom. ix. 11. Job xxiii. 13. 5. In his words, — his doctrines, laws, promises,
threatenings, or predictions, Num. xxiii. 19. 1 Sam. xv. 29. Heb.
vi. 18. Psal. cxix. 87. 6. In his essential presence, that he can¬
not properly remove from one place to another, 1 Kings viii. 27. Jer. xxiii. 23, 24. 7. In his duration, which is neither less
nor greater. He hath never existed longer, nor hath any less future duration to enjoy, Psalm xc. 2, 4. 2 Pet. iii. 8. — His formation of his creatures from nothing, or his changing of their forms in his providence, infers no change in himself. His power and will to create, preserve, or govern them, in such a manner, being the very same from all eternity. — New relations between him and his creatures infer not a change in him, but in them.
VI. His oneness, in respect of which, on account of his in¬ finite perfection, there neither is, nor can be any’ other like to, or equal with him. This doth not mean, that there is but one Supreme God, as Arians and Socinians profess, who admit subordinate gods. Nor that there is but one specific divine nature, which different beings may possess, as Tritheists pretend: Nor that there is but one divine person exhibited in different charac* ters, and by different names, as Sabellians contend. But it means, that there neither is, nor can be any more than one individual, or as others speak, numerical divine substance. This the necessary self-existence of God, his absolute eternity, infinity, omnipotence, and sovereignty, which exclude every rival partaker, demonstrate. And multitudes of scriptures expressly de¬ clare it, Deut. iv. 35, 39. vi. 4. xxxii. 39. xxxiii. 26. 1 Sam. ii. 2. 2 Sam. vii. 22. 1 Kings viii. 23. 2 Kings xix. 15. 1 Chron. xv. 26. Psalm xviii. 31, xxxv. 10. lxxxvi. 8. cxlviii. 13. lxxxix. 6, 8. cxv. 4 — 8. Isa. xliii. 10 — 15. xliv. 26. xlv. 5, 18 — 22. Jer. x. 8 — 15. xiv. 22. Hos. xiii. 4. Exod. xx. 3. John xvii. 3. Horn. iii. 30. 1 Cor. viii. 6. Eph. iv. 6. James ii. 19. iv. 12. 1 Tim. ii. 5. — But none of these texts exclude the Son, or the Holy Ghost, from true and supreme godhead. Nay, the very characters ascribed to the one only true God, are ascribed to each of these two persons, compare Isa. xliv. 6. with Rev. i. 8, 11. — Isa. xlv. 22, 23. with Horn. xiv. 9, 10. Phil. ii. 10, 11. — John xvii. 3. with 1 John v. 20, 21. — Horn. iii. 30. with Isa. liii. 11. — In 1 Cor. viii. 6. 1 Tim. ii. 5. One God means the divine nature, as distinguished from Christ the Mediator. — — Nor are the distinct persons in the godhead represented as having similar, but the very same names, attributes, counsel, will, and work, compare Psalm xxxiii. 6. Isa. xliv. 24. — Rom. x. 12. Luke ii. 11. Rom. xi. 34. Isa. xl. 13. 2 Cor. iii. 18. — Deut. vi. 4. Psal. lxxxiii. 18. Jer. xxiii. 6. — Ezek. viii. 3. Matth. xv. 31. Luke i. 16, 17. 2 Sam. xxiii. 3. — Rom. vii. 25. Gal. vi. 2. Rom.
viii. 2. Deut. vi. 16. 1 Cor. x. 9. Acts v. 9. — 1 Cor. ii. 16. Rom. viii. 27. — 1 Thess. iv. 3. Acts xxii. 14. ix. 15, 17. 2 Pet.
i. 21. - Ezek. xxxvii. 3 — 14. 2 Cor. xii. 9. Rom xv. 19. —
Rom. xvi. 26. Rev. xxii. 13. Heb. ix. 14. — John vii. 28. Rev. iii. 7. 1 John v. 6. John xiv. 17. — Rev. xv. 4. Acts iii. 14. Dan.
ix. 24. 1 John ii. 20. John xiv. 26. — Jer. xxiii. 24. Ezek. i. 22.
Psalm cxxxix. 7. — Deut. xxx. 20. Col. iii. 4. Rom. viii. 10. — Psalm c. 3. John i. 3. Job xxxiii. 4. — John v. 21. 1 Cor. xv. 45. John vi. 63. Rom. viii. 11. — John vi. 45. Gal. i. 12. John xiv. 26. — 1 John i. 3. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. — 1 Cor. xiv. 25. 2 Cor. xiii. 5. John xiv. 17. 2 Cor. vi. 16. Eph. iii. 17. Rom. viii. 1L — Phil. iii. 15. Gal. i. 12. Luke ii. 26. Heb. i. 1. 2 Cor. xiii. 3. Mark xiii. 11. — Isa. xlix. 7, 8. Acts xiii. 3. — 1 Cor. vi. 14. John ii. 19. 1 Pet. iii. 18. — Isa. xlviii. 17. John x. 3. Rom.
viii. 14. — 2 Cor. iii. 5, 6. 1 Tim. i. 12. Acts xx. 28. — Jude 1. Heb. ii. 11. Rom. xv. 16. — 1 Cor. xii. 16. Col. iii. 11. 1 Con xiii 11. — In which texts, in about twenty-four instances, that which is ascribed to God in the first, is ascribed to the Son and the Holy Ghost in those that immediately follows
VII. His subsistence in three distinct persons, the first the Father, the second the Son, and the third the Holy Ghost* OF THE PERSONS IN THE GODHEAD.
proceeding from both. — It is evident, from the independence* simplicity, eternity, and unchangeableness of the divine nature, that in whatever form it subsists, that form must be a necessary perfection or excellency of it, without which it could not at all exist. — The personal properties of these persons being thus as absolutely necessary, as the existence of the divine nature itgelf9 — and each having that whole nature which necessarily subsists in such persons, as above related to one another, there neither is, nor can be, an inferiority in, or dependence upon, one person, more than another. But of this mystery in the follow¬ ing chapter.