X. The Supreme Judge, by which all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the scripture.

;

CHAP. II. Of God, and of the Holy Trinity. HERE is but one only a living and true Godb, who

is infinite in being and perfection", a most pure spiritd, invisiblee, without body, parts', or passionss, immuagain the ruins thereof, and I will Almighty unto perfection? Ver. 8. It set it up

is as high as heaven, what canst thou X. z Matt. xxii. 29. Jesus answer. do ? deeper than hell, what canst thou ed and said unto them, Ye do err, not know ? Ver. 9. The measure thereof is knowing the scriptures, nor the power longer than the earth, and broader than of God. Ver. 31. But as touching the the sea. Job xxvi. 14. Lo, these are resurrection of the dead, have ye not parts of his ways; but how little a por. read that which was spoken unto you tion is heard of him? but the thunder by God, saying. Eph. ii. 20. And are of his power who can understand? built upon the foundation of the apos- d John iv. 24. God is a Spirit; and tles and prophets, Jesus Christ him. they that worship kim, must worship self being the chief corner-stone. With him in spirit and in truth. Acts xxviii. 25. And when they a. e 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto the King greed not among theinselves, they de. eternal, inmortal, invisible, the only parted, after that Paul had spoken one wise God, be honour and glory for ever word, Weil spake the Holy Ghost by and ever. Amen. Esaias the prophet unto our fathers. f Deut. iv. 15. Take ye therefore

I. a Deut. vi. 4. Hear, O Israel; good heed unto yourselves, (for ye saw The Lord our God is one Lord. 1 Cor. no manner of similitude on the day viii. 4. As concerning therefore the that the Lord spake unto you in Horeb, eating of those things that are offered out of the midst of the fire,) Ver. 16. in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an Lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make idol is nothing in the world, and that you a graven image, the similitude of there is none other God but one. Ver. any figure, the likeness of male or fe6. But to us there is but one God, the male. John iv. 24. God is a Spirit; and Father, of whom are all things, and we they that worship him, must worship in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by him in spirit and in truth. With Lule whom are all things, and we by him. xxiv. 39. Behold my hands and my

b 1 Thess. i. 9. For they themselves feet, that it is I myself; handle me, shew of us what manner of entering in and see ; for a spirit hath not flesh and we had unto you, and how ye turned bones, as ye see me have. to God fron idols, to serve the living & Acts xiv. 11. And when the peoand true God. Jer. x. 10. But the Lord ple saw what Paul had done, they liftis the true God, he is the living God, ed up their voices, saying, in the speech and an everlasting King.

of Lycaonia, The gods are come down € Job xi. 7. Canst thou by searching to us in the likeness of men. Ver. 15. find out God ? canst thou find out the And saying, Sirs, why do ye these

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table", immensei, eternals, incomprehensible', almighty", most wise", most holy', most freep, most absolute !, working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will", for his own glory; most loving', gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin"; things? We also are men of like pas. n Rom. xvi. 27. To God only wise, sions with you, and preach unto you, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. that ye should turn from these vanities Amen. unto the living God, which made hea- o Isa. vi. 3. And one cried unto ven, and earth, and the sea, and all another, and said, Holy, holy, holy things that are therein.

is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth b James i. 17. Every good gift and is full of his glory. Rev. iv. 8. (See letevery perfect gift is from above, and ter m immediately foregoing.) cometh down from the Father of lights, P Psal. cxv. 3. But our God is in with whom is no variableness, neither the heavens: he hath done whatsoever shadow of turning. Mal. iii. 6. For I he pleaseth. am the Lord, I change not: therefore 9 Exod. iji. 14. And God said unto ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he

i 1 Kings viii. 27. But will God in- said, Thus shalt thou say unto the childeed dwell on the earth ? Behold, the dren of Israel, I AM hath sent me heaven, and heaven of heavens, cannot

unto you. contain thee, how much less this house r Eph. i. 11. In whom also we have that I have builded ? Jer. xxiii. 23. Am obtained an inheritance, being predesI a God at hand, saith the Lord, and tinated according to the purpose of not a God afar off? Ver. 24. Can any him who worketh all things after the bide himself in secret places, that I counsel of his own will. shall not see him ? saith the Lord : do s Prov. xvi. 4. The Lord hath made not I fill heaven and earth ? saith the all things for himself; yea, even the Lord.

wicked for the day of evil. Rom. xi. k Ps. xc. 2. Before the mountains 36. For of him, and through him, and were brought forth, or ever thou hadst to him, are all things : to whom be formed the earth and the world, even glory for ever. Amen. from everlasting to everlasting thou art t 1 John iv. 8. He that loveth not, God. 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto the King knoweth not God, for God is love. eternal, immortal, invisible, the only Ver. 16. And we have known and bewise God, be honour and glory for ever lieved the love that God hath to us. and ever. Amen.

God is love, and he that dwelleth in | Psal. cxlv. 3. Great is the Lord, love, dwelleth in God, and God in and greatly to be praised ; and his him. greatness is unsearchable.

u Exod. xxxiv. 6. And the Lord

passm Gen. xvii. 1. And when Abram ed by before him, and proclaimed, The was ninety years old and nine, the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and graLord appeared to Abram, and said un- cious, long-suffering, and abundant in to him, I am the almighty God : walk goodness and truth. Ver. 7. Keeping before me, and be thou perfect. Rev. mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquiiv. 8. And the four beasts had each of ty, and transgression, and sin, and that them six wings about him ; and they will by no means clear the guilty ; viwere full of eyes within : and they rest siting the iniquity of the fathers upon not day and night, saying, Holy, holy, the children, and upon the children's holy Lord God Almighty, which was, children, unto the third and to the and is, and is to come.

fourth generation.

the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; and withal

; most just and terrible in his judgments"; hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the guilty .

Il. God hath all lifea, glory, goodness , blessednessa, in and of himself; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which he hath madee, not deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting his own glory, in, by, unto, and upon them : he is the alone fountain of all being, of whom, through whom, and to whom, are all things 8 ; and hath inost sovereign dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever himself pleaseth. In his sight all things are open and mani

w Heb. xi. 6. But without faith it quity of the fathers upon the children, is impossible to please him ; før he and upon the children's children, unto that cometh to God must believe that the third and to the fourth generation. he is, and that he is a rewarder of them II. a John v. 26. For as the Father that diligently seek him.

bath life in himself, so hath he given x Neń. ix. 32. Now therefore, our to the Son to have life in himself. God, the great, the mighty, and the b Acrs vii. 2. And he said, Men, terrible God, who keepest covenant brethren, and fathers, hearken ; The and mercy, let not all the trouble seem God of glory appeared unto our facher little before thee that hath come upon Abraham, when he was in Mesopotaus, on our kings, on our princes, and mia, before he dwelt in Charran. on our priests, and on our prophets, c Psal. cxix. 68. Thou art good, and and on our

fathers, and on all thy peo- doest'good, teach me thy statutes. ple, since the time of the kings of As- d 1 Tim. vi. 15. Which in his times syria unto this day. Ver. 33. Howbeit, he shall shew, who is the blessed and thou art just in all that is brought up- only Potentate, the King of kings, and on us; for thou hast done right, but Lord of lords. Rom. ix. 5. Whose are we have done wickedly.

the fathers, and of whom as concerny Psal. v. 5. The foolish shall not ing the flesh Christ came; who is over stand in thy sight : thou hatest all all, God blessed for ever. Amen. workers of iniquity. Ver. 6. Thou e Acts xvii. 24. God, that made the shalt destroy them that speak leasing: world, and all things therein, seeing the Lord will abhor the bloody and that he is Lord of heaven and earth, deceitful man.

dwelleth not in temples made with 2 Nah. i. 2. God is jealous, and the hands : Ver. 25. Neither is worshipLord revengeth ; the Lord revengeth, ped with men's hands, as though he and is furious: the Lord will take ven- needed any thing, seeing he giveih to geance on his adversaries, and he re. all life, and breath, and all things. serveth wrath for his enemies. Ver. 3. f job xxii. 2. Can a man be profitThe Lord is slow to anger, and great able unto God, as he that is wise may in power, and will not at all acquit the be profitable unto himself? Ver. 3. Is wicked: the Lord hath his way in the it any pleasure to the Almighty that whirlwind, and in the storm, and the thou art righteous ? or is it gain to him clouds are the dust of his feet. Exod. that thou makest-thy ways perfect? xxxiv. 7. Keeping mercy for thou- g Rom. xi. 36. For of him, and sands, forgiving iniquity, and trans- through him, and to him, are all things: gression, and sin, and that will by no to whom be glory for ever. Amen. means clear the guilty; visiting the ini- b Rev. iv. 11. Thou art worthy, O

a

festi; his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creatures, so as nothing is to him contingent or uncertain'. He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands m. To him is due from angels and men, and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience, he is pleased to require of them,

III. In the unity of the Godhead there be three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity ; God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost The Father is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternally Lord, to receive glory, and konour, and Thus have ye said, 0 house of Israel : power: for thou hast created all things, for I know the things that come into and for thy pleasure they are and were your mind, every one of them. created. 1 Tim. vi. 15. (See letter d im- m Psal. cxlv. 17. The Lord is righmediately foregoing) Dan. iv. 25. That teous in all his ways, and holy in all they shall drive thee from men, and his works. Rom. vii. 12. Wherefore thy dwelling shall be with the beasts the law is holy, and the commandment of the field; and they shall make thee holy, and just, and good. to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet n Rev. v. 12. Saying with a loud thee with the dew of heaven, and se- voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was ven times shall pass over thee, till thou slain to receive power, and riches, and know that the most High ruleth in the wisdom, and strength, and honour, and kingdom of men, and giveth it to glory, and blessing. Ver. 13. And evewhomsoever he will. Ver. 35. And all ry creature which is in heaven, and on the inhabitants of the earth are repu. the earth, and under the earth, and ted as nothing: and he doeth accord, such as are in the sea, and all that are to his will in the army of heaven, and in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and among the inhabitants of the earth.; honour, and glory, and power, be unto and none can stay his hand, or say un- him that sittech upon the throne, and to him, What doest thou ?

unto the Lamb, for ever and ever. Ver. i Heb. iy. 13. Neither is there any 14. And the four beasts said, Amen. creature that is not manifest in his And the four and twenty elders fell sight: but all things are naked and down and worshipped him that liveth opened unto the eyes of him with for ever and ever. whom we have to do.

HII. o 1 John v. 7. For there are three k Rom. xj. 33. O the depth of the that bear record in heaven, the Father, riches, both of the wisdom and know the Word, and the Holy Ghost; and ledge of God! how unsearchable are these three are one. Matt. jii. 16. And his judgments, and his ways past find. Jesus, when he was baptized, went up ing out! Ver. 34. For who hath known straightway out of the water; and, lo, the mind of the Lord? or who hath the heavens were opened unto him, been his counsellor ? Psal. cxlvii. 5. and he saw the Spirit of God descendGreat is our Lord, and of great pow. ing like a dove, and lighting upon him. er: his understanding is infinite. Ver. 17. And, lo, a yoice from heaven,

| Acts xv. 18. Known unto God are saying, This is my beloved Son, in all his works from the beginning of whom I am well pleased. Matt. xxviii. the world. Ezek. xi. 5. And the Spi- 19. Go ye therefore and teach all narit of the Lord fell upon me, and said tions, baptizing them in the name of unto me, Speak, Thus saith the Lord, the Father, and of the Son, and of the

begotten of the Father P; the Holy Ghost eternally proc ing from the Father and the Son 9.

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CHAP. III. Of God's eternal Decree.
OD from all eternity did, by the most wise and 1

counsel of his own will, freely and unchangeably dain whatsoever comes to pass a : yet so, as thereby nei is God the author of sin b, nor is violence offered to the of the creatures, nor is the liberty or contingency of sec causes taken away, but rather established c.

II. Although God knows whatsoever may or can c

b

Holy Ghost. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. The grace fore hath he mercy on whom he of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love have mercy, and whom he will he of God, and the communion of the deneth. Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. b James i. 13. Let no man say

p John i. 14. And the Word was he is tempted, I am tempted of made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and for God cannot be tempted with we beheld his glory, the glory as of neither tempteth he any man. Ve the only begotten of the Father,) full Every good gift and every perfec of grace and truth. Ver. 18. No man is from above, and cometh down hath seen God at any time; the only the Father of lights, with whom begotten Son, which is in the bosom variableness, neither shadow of of the Father, he hath declared him. ing. 1 John i. 5. This then is the

4 John xv. 26. But when the Com. sage which we have heard of him forter is come, whom I will send unto declare unto you, that God is light you from the Father, even the Spirit in him is no darkness at all. of truth, which proceedeth from the 'c Acts ii. 23. Him, being deliv Father, he shall testify of me. Gal iv. by the determinate counsel and 6. And because ye are sons, God hath knowledge of God, ye have taken sent forth the Spirit of his Son into by wicked hands have crucified your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. slain. Matt. xvii. 12. But I say

I. a Eph. i. 11. In whom also we you, That Elias is come already, have obtained an inheritance, being they knew him not, but have done predestinated according to the purpose to him whatsoever they listed : of him who worketh all things after wise shall also the Son of man s the counsel of his own will. Rom. xi. of them. Acts iv. 27. For of a 11 33. O the depth of the riches both of against thy holy child Jesus, w the wisdom and knowledge of God! thou hast anointed, both Herod how unsearchable are his judgments, Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and his ways past finding out! Heb. the people of Israel, were gathere vi. 17. Wherein God, willing more a- gether, Ver. 28. For to do whatso bundantly to shew unto the heirs of thy hand and thy counsel determ promise the immutability of his coun- before to be done. John xix. 11. J sel, confirmed it by an oath. Rom. ix. answered, Thou couldest have 15. For he saith to Moses, I will have power at all against me, except it v mercy on whom I will have mercy, given thee from above: therefor and I will have compassion on whom I that delivered me unto thee hath will have compassion, Ver. 18. There. greater sin. Prov. xvi. 33. The