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book_n	age_n	time_n	write_v	2,053	5	5.4074	4	false

Text snippets containing the quad

ID	Title	Author	Corrected Date of Publication (TCP Date of Publication)	STC	Words	Pages
A30814	A glimpse of God, or, A treatise proving that there is a God discovering the grounds of atheism, with arguments of divers sorts against atheists : shewing also, the unity of the Godhead, and the trinity of the persons ... / by ... Mr. Thomas Byrdall ...	Byrdall, Thomas, 1607 or 8-1662?	1665 (1665)	Wing B6404; ESTC R14883	155,901	472

he is the maker of time of all ages and generations 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is taken sometimes for times created Tit. 1. 2. Secondly Because he is King eternal not onely ante temporis durationem sed etiam omnem cogitationem As St. Augustine in his book of confessions acknowledgeth August Co●fess 2. He is called King Immortall 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sometimes this word denotes incorruptible pure and sincere and without corruption but here i● excludeth end of time or being o else it signifies God that can not die 3. He is called invisible God that cannot be seen and of this attribute I am to speak CHAP. II. HEnce I note that God is an invisible Observ King or God is invisible Gods Invisibility is that divine perfection whereby his nature being so spiritual cannot be seen by any bodily eye The Scripture sufficiently proveth this attribute of God his glory that is his essence is invisible When Moses prayed Lord I beseech thee sh●w me thy glory God answered him thou canst not see my face for Heb. 11. 27. there shall no man see me and live Ex. 33. 18. 20. The invisible things of God viz. his power wisdom goodnesse are seen onely in the v●sible creatures which he hath made Rom. 1. 20. but the face and essence of God cannot be seen for to be invisible is to be of such a nature as cannot be seen by any mortal eye A thing may be said to be invisible to a mans eye divers ways 1. When there is something between he object and the eye the object being visible in it self thus the sun which is primum visible the chiefest visible thing being set cannot be seen or when a Cloud is between us and it so we cannot see a picture when a curtain is drawn over it in this sense God is not invisible for there is nothing between God and us for in him we live move and have our being we are in God nothing can stand between God and us 2. A thing is said to be invisible in respect of the indistance of the object so we cannot discern it put your hand upon your eye or any thing you cannot see it in respect of the neernesse of it neither also in this respect is God said to be invisible 3. In respect of the distance of the object from the eye when the object is too remote from us we cannot see i● though it be a mountain because the sight is terminated and bounded beyond which the eye cannot exceed or ken and in this sense God is not invisible for he is neer every one of us that were it possible for bodily hands of flesh to touch and feel a spirit we might touch and feel him Act. 17. 4. A thing is said to be invisible when the medium is not rightly disposed as in the dark we can see nothing because the air is not light which is the medium or mean of seeing in that sense the School-men say God is invisible because there is lumen gloriae a light of glory required to behold God and so God as he hath revealed himself in his word is invisible to sinners because they are in darkness and there is a thick vail of ignorante drawn over their eyes that they cannot see God in his word of grace 5. An object is invisible through the glorious perfection of it when there is not a proportion between the eye and the object so the glorious Sun d●zleth the eyes that we cannot look upon it So God is inv●sible therefore he is stiled light inaccessible unto which no mortal eye can approach A thing is said to be invisible in resp●ct of the nature or essence of it being spiritual and incorporeal and in this sence God is invisible who is a Spirit more spiritual than Angels incorporeal though the Scripture attributeth to God eyes hands mouth nose c. it speaks of him to us after the manner of men but it sets forth the invisible things of God by the visible parts of mans body as by the eye Gods Omnisciency and his provident care c. CHAP. III. Reasons to prove God's Invisibility THe Reasons to prove this Doctrine are these 1. Because if God were visible then Reas 1. we should see nothing in the world but God because God being Omnipresent immense and infinite and so filling heaven and earth with his presence then should we see nothing else but God his immense Essence would exclude all other visible objects 2. Because if God were visible then Reas 2. God should be corporeal and not a Spirit because there is nothing subject to bodily senses but what is corporeal This was our Saviours Argument to confirm his staggering Disciples after his Resurrection That he was truly the Christ that was crucified and risen again because they might feel and see him for a spirit had not flesh and bones as he had Luk. 24. as if he had said Were I a spirit you could not feel me because spirits are not subject to sensible qualities Now God being a spirit and ●ot corporeal we cannot see him with these eyes 3. We know there are many creatures Reas 3. that are invisible therefore much more must God the Creatour of them be invisible The wind whose blustering gusts we feel whose sound we hear yet we cannot see nor do we know whence it cometh nor whither it goeth as our Saviour tells us John 3. 8. The Air is invisible the soul of man is invisible we cannot see the essence of it while the soul is in the body we see it not when the soul at death departs from the body we see it not The Angels and Devils are invisible the Angels that protect and preserve us the Devils that tempt us are invisible these we see not therefore God is invisible therefore if an Heathen should upbraid us you worship a God whom you see not where is your God shew him to us that we may see him We may answer him Therefore we worship the true God for the true God is invisible a God that is visible is not the true God those visible stocks and stones which ye worship are not gods They cannot do evil neither is it in them also to do good but the invisible God he is the true God the living God and an everlasting King Jer. 10. 10. Here ●t may be demanded whether Quest 1. God be visible in Heaven 1. We shall in Heaven behold Sol. 1. Christ in his Humanity God man with these bodily eyes as Job speaks I know that my Redeemer liveth and though after my skin worms destroy this body yet in my flesh shall I see God whom I shall see for my self and mine eyes shall behold and not another though my reins be consumed within me Job 19. 25 26 27. Behold he cometh with clouds and every eye shall see him and they also which pierced him R●v 1. 7. 2. We shall see God that is we shall see

tells the wicked in what manner Christ will come neer unto them I will come neer to you judgment you think I am a God afar off but I will be neer you when I come to judgment I will be a swift witnesse against you I will be a witness and a Judg against you yea a swift one you think I am slack in coming but I shall come to you sooner than you are aware of there are six sorts of persons he threatens to come against sc the sorcerers the adulterers the false swearers those that oppress the hireling in his wages the widow and the fatherless and that turn aside the stranger from his right and those that fear not God he brings in this in the last place because the want of God's fear is the cause of all wickedness and boldness in the practice of sin Now for the confirmation of the certainty of this P●ophecy of his promises and threatnings he draweth an argument from God's attribute scil his immutability for I am God and change not c. as if God had said Be perswaded that what I here promise to the Godly and threaten to the wicked shall undoubtedly come to pass because I am God that change not I am always the same and so is my word always the same my promises are immutable my threatnings are immutable that the rebellious sons of Israel are not consumed it is not through your deserts but for my promise-sake made to your fathers which standeth firm and sure I am now and always gracious merciful long-suffering therefore you sons of Jacob are not consumed you have provoked me to punish and to destroy you with temporal and eternal destruction I might have forsaken you as you have forsaken me and caused my mercy to have departed from you and that long ere now as you have departed from me I might have destroyed your fathers in many foregoing generations because they and you are departed from me broken your covenant cast me your God off from you but I have not cast you away and consumed you with my curses because I am the Lord and change not CHAP. II. THe point here to be considered Observ is That God is unchangeable The Apostle proveth this Jam. 1. 17. Saying that with God there is no variableness nor shadow of turning there he shews that God is the most indificient and unchangeable fountain and giver of every good thing he is still the same in the communication of his goodness God is good and hath done good and manifested his bounty to men in all generations that are past he is still as good and bountifull and doth do good especially to such as are upright in heart he is always the same there is no variableness no diminution yea there is not so much as a shaddow of change in him far more free from any appearance of change than the sun from darknesse or shaddow of darknesse Heaven Earth all creatures are liable to change they shall all be turned in and out but God is the same Psalm 102. 26 27 28. Thou art God from Eternity to Eternity Psalm 90. 2. So that phrase I AM THAT I AM sheweth the unchangeablenesse of God In the prosecution of this I will shew what God's unchangeablenesse is wherein he is unchangeable the reasons of the point● and answer some questions or objections which seem to make against his unchangeablenesse then make use of it To be absolutely and simply unchangeable requireth these Properties 1. There must be no beginning For all beginnings argue a change from a not being to a being as when a creature is created there is a change from a not being to a being So in generation that which was not a child becomes a child so in alteration Now the Lord hath no beginning of his being he is from everlasting 2. There must be no dissolution corruption or alteration Creatures are therefore changeable because the most noble of all are liable to annihilation God can turn Angels into nothing the sons of men into destruction heaven and earth shall wax old like a garment but now there can be no dissolution corruption or annihilation in God Thou art God to everlasting 3. There must be no addition nor diminution nor increase nor decrease as we see in all creatures they may be more perfect then they are they that are glorified may and do increase in knowledge Creatures may become also less then they are as among the Angels some of glorious Angels became ugly Devils of happy Angels miserable Devils of pure Angels unclean Spirits So men may decrease and increase in knowledge and wisdome in all excellencies inward and outward Righteous man is now become sinful he that knew much is become ignorant So all Creatures are liable to alteration either to become better or worse But God is so perfect that he cannot be better or worse than he is so good that he cannot be better so wise that he cannot be more wise so holy that he cannot be more holy he cannot increase in wisdome and holiness c. And though the Lord deriveth and communicateth his bounty and goodness to the Creatures yet there is no diminution of it we see many thousand Stars derive their light from the Sun yet the light of the Sun is no way diminished CHAP. III. MOreover God is Immutable or unchangeable all these ways 1. God is unchangeable in his Being He is the same Being from everlasting to everlasting I am that I am I am the same Being now what I am Before Abraham was I am saith our Saviour Joh. 8. 58. So God may say Before Adam was I am before the foundations of the world were I am and when the foundations of the world shall be no more God is the same Being 2. God is unchangeable in all his glorious Perfections and Properties or Attributes his Almighty Power is unchangeable his infinite Wisdome is unchangeable his Goodness Mercy Justice All-sufficiency are unchangeable therefore his Love is said to be an everlasting love his mercy endureth for ever his goodness endureth continually 3. God is unchangeable in his Decrees Whatsoever God hath decreed shall come to pas accordingly all things shall be and fall out His Decree of Election is unalterable 2 Tim. 2. 19. The foundation of the Lord standeth sure that is his Election standeth sure compared to a foundation for the immutable firmness of it Pilate could say What I have written I have written he would not alter the inscription on the Cross upon the Jews intreaty God much more can say What I have written in my Book of Life shall be written what I have blotted out of my Book I will have never to be altered His Decrees are called his Counsels The counsels of the Lord stand for ever the thoughts of his heart to all generations Psal 33. 11. 4. God is unchangeable in his Promises and Threatnings What good things he hath promised to give to his chosen all shall be

more to depend upon him in present or in future states and conditions because he is a God that changeth not Are the like fears difficulties dangers upon thee now remember the Lord is the same who changeth not and he will give the like comforts support deliverance as formerly he did David did find a change of his conditions but never found a change in God but when he made him his trust he found God alwayes his Deliverer and C●mforter Not only our experience but whatsoever we find Recorded what God hath done for other Saints may strengthen our trust in God Put thou thy trust in God and he will do for thee as great things because he is the same God Did he deliver Lot he can deliver thee Hath God pardoned others he can pardon thee and will do it if thou repentest There is no shadow of change in God but he is immutably merciful and gracious Brethren take the Bible read over the several passages of Gods Wisdom Grace Mercy Power Goodness to his Children and know whatsoever is written is written for your learning and comfort make ye the like use of God who is alwayes the same and changeth not There is no condition can befall thee but in this Paradise thou maist find an healing Herb apply thou the same promises to thy self Sect. 6. 6. If God be unchangeable in his Use 6. Decrees Promises and Gifts what Comfort doth it speak to all the Godly for being once made holy you are immutably holy and shall be immutably happy Gods Immutability is the Jachin and Boaz the firm and inconcussible Pillars of our salvation never shall a child of God fall away finally from God because his Eternal Election is an immutable Decree ordaining thee to holiness to glory his promises are unchangeable Hath God spoken the word it is the word of an immutable God that hath said Him that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast off Joh. 6. 37. Fear not God will never cast thee off Hath God said That he will put his fear into thy heart that thou shalt never depart from him Fear not falling away though a thousand Devils suggest to thee that thou wilt prove an Apostate and wilt before death depart from God Fear not I say thou jealous Christian God hath promised that thou shalt never depart from him All the Devils in Hell all the glory and miseries in the world all the lusts in thy heart shall never pull thee off from Gods hand for every child of God is a precious Signet on Gods right hand Gods promises are immutable therefore thy state of grace is unchangeable The gifts and calling of God are without repentance Art thou called from a state of Nature to Grace from sin to Christ thou art immutably called Art thou justified thou art immutably justified Ye that are godly take comfort in this ye are eternally immutably gracious and holy and shall be immutably glorious and happy though death change thee yet the Lord our God changeth not and at the Resurrection day thy corruption shall be changed into an immutable state of immortality how unhappy poor miserable despicable soever you are for the present ye shall be changed into an immutable state of happiness because the Lord our God is unchangeable Lastly If God be immutable and Use 7. change not then endeavour to be like unto your God our constancy is our likeness to God's Immutability 1. Be constant in thy Affections to God maintain a burning love to him maintain a vehement desire after him God likes not ebbs and flows in our Affections he regards not blazing Affections like Straw-fires that are quickly in and quickly out He loves thee to the end John 13. 1. Do thou love him to the end he rejoyceth over thee to the end do thou rejoyce in the Lord alwayes Phil. 4. 4. 2. Be constant and immutable in your Promises Covenants Resolutions and Purposes which ye make to God Oh never deny thy self and lye to thy God in promising to be His and then fall off and serve thy lusts far be it from thee 3. Be constant and immutable in all thy Duties and in a course of holines Pray continually rejoyce evermore in every thing give thanks Hear the Word upon every occ●sion walk all the dayes of thy life in the fear of God all things to thee are Mercy and Truth let all thy wayes be Sincerity and Righteousness God will make thee immutably happy and glorious if thou wilt be constant to him as the old men said to Rehoboam concerning the Tribes of Israel Be thou theirs to day and they will be thine for ever So say I to thee Be thou the Lords to day and he will be thine for ever A Discourse of God's Invisibility 1 Tim. 1. 17. Now unto the King eternal immortal invisible c. be honour and glory for ever and ever Amen CHAP. I. SAint Paul having in the foregoing part of this chapter laid down the s●p●rabundant grace of God in Christ in making him of a persecutor to become a nursing father of the Church of one that was injurious to the saints to be most loving and tenderly affected to them of a blasphemer to be an excellent preacher of the Gospel and in receiving him into special favour that was the chiefest of sinners such are the the miraculous effects of God's superabundant grace in Christ here his zeal love and thankfulness to God breaks forth into fervent praising of God giving him the honour due unto his name Now to the King eternal invisible c. be honour and glory for ever and ever Amen As if he should say seeing God hath evidently manifested to me his goodnesse grace and mercy in my conuersion let him have all the honour and glory for ever and ever And lest his conversion should seem strange he sheweth who was the Author of it 'T is God that hath converted me who is an eternal King who can do all things with whom nothing is impossible the eternal King can raise children out of stones can make the greatest sinner the greatest Saint 'T is an immortal God who ever liveth and can give life to the dead he that can make the earth to yield up her dead he can make the graves of sin likewise to give up their dead this immortal God raised up me from this death of sin It is an Invisible God man cannot see him nor his way of working his works are visible but the manner of his working is Invisible that Paul was a convert is as clear as the sun shinneth but the manner of Gods working in his conversion was invisible it was above the ken of a carnal eye It is a wise God who sweetly ordereth wisely brings to passe his counsels therefore it is not impossible with God to convert the greatest sinners Here you see are four attributes given to God 1. King everlasting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 King of Ages so called for two reasons 1. Because