Lords many but to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in for him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him Q. But who are they that in a good sense may be called Gods A. They in a good sense may be called Gods first who in some Imployment are instead of God Secondly They who in Government are the Sons of God Such both Men and Angels who in some Imployment from God are to others instead of God may be called by the very Name of the most high God As for instance in Exod. 7.1 The Lord saith to Moses See I have made thee a God Elohim to Pharaoh that is instead of God as it is exprest in Exod. 4.16 The Angel of the Lord appeared unto Moses in the flame of a Fire out of the midst of a Bush Exod. 3.2 This Angel is called in vers 4. Jehovah and Elohim or as we english it The Lord and God Also they who in Government over others are the Sons of the most High are called Gods See Psal 82.1 6. God standeth in the Congregation of the Mighty he judgeth among the Gods I have said Ye are Gods and even all of you are Children Sons of the most High John 10.32 c. Jesus answered them Many good Works have I shewed you from my Father for which of these Works do ye stone me The Jews answered him saying For a good Work we stone thee not but for Blasphemy because that thou being a Man makest thy self God Jesus answered them Is it not written in your Law I said Ye are Gods If he called them Gods unto whom the Word of God came and the Scripture cannot be broken Say ye of him whom the Father hath sanctified and sent into the World Thou blasphemest because I said I am the Son of God In Psal 8.5 we read thus Thou hast made him a little lower than the Angels In the Hebr. 't is than the Gods Here and in the like places a single Person is not Elohim but Eloah which is sometimes used of the most High as in Psalm 18.32 Job 12.4 Now the great God is in distinction from these sometimes called The God of Gods and Lord of Lords Deut. 10.17 Josh 22.22 Psal 136.2 Dan. 11.36 Chap. 2.42 And he is said to be greater than all Gods and above all Gods Psal 135.5 He is also said to be high above all the Earth and exalted far above all Gods Psalm 97.9 He is called The high God Psalm 78.35 56. The most High Numb 24.16 Deut. 32.8 2 Sam. 22.14 Dan. 4 17. and elsewhere often and in Acts 7.48 The most High God Gen. 14.18 Heb. 7.1 and elsewhere often The Lord the most high God Gen. 14.22 The Lord most High Psal 47.2 In Psal 83.18 That Men may know that thou whose Name alone is JEHOVAH art the most High over all the Earth See Dan. 5.21 In the place now quoted the same word is rendred High and most High Q. You said That God is a Spirit How prove you that A. Jesus Christ himself hath taught us That God is a Spirit Joh. 4.24 Jesus saith unto the Woman of Samaria Woman believe me the hour cometh when ye shall neither in this Mountain nor yet at Jerusalem worship the Father ye worship ye know not what We know what we worship for Salvation is of the Jews But the hour cometh and now is when the true Worshippers shall worship the Father in Spirit and in Truth for the Father seeketh such to worship him God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in Spirit and in Truth John 4.21 22 23 24. Q. What must we understand by this That God is a Spirit A. By this That God is a Spirit we must understand two things in the general First That God is more excellent than all things Secondly That the Spirit of Man may be unto us in some manner a Shadow of God Although Method challengeth this place for the confirmation of this That God is said to be a Spirit in way of allusion to the Spirit of Man yet the proof of it shall be reserved for the close of this Discourse concerning God as consider'd in himself where it may be done more easily and in fewer words The Excellency of God is diversly expressed in the Holy Scriptures In 2 Pet. 1.17 He is called The Excellent Glory In the Scripture there is ascribed to God Excellency Deut. 33.26 Job 13.11 Ch. 37.4 Psal 68.34 Isa 35.2 Greatness of Excellency Exod. 15.7 He is said to be excellent in Power Job 37.23 More excellent than the Mountains of Prey Psal 76.4 O Lord our God how excellent is thy Name in all the Earth who hast set thy Glory above the Heavens Psal 8.1 Let them praise the Name of the Lord for his Name alone is excellent His Glory is above the Earth and Heaven Psal 148.13 In the same sence he is called the great God Tit. 2.13 Rev. 19.17 Dan. 2.45 Jer. 32.19 Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised and his greatness is unsearchable Psal 145.3 There is none like to the God of Jesurun Deut. 33.26 And Solomon said Lord God of Israel there is no God like thee in Heaven above or on Earth beneath 1 King 8.23 All Nations before the Lord are as nothing and they are counted to him less than nothing and vanity To whom then will ye liken God or what likeness will ye compare unto him To whom then will ye liken me Or shall I be equal saith the Holy One Isa 40.17 18 25. To whom will ye liken me and make me equal and compare me that we may be like Isa 46.5 Who in the Heaven can be compared unto the Lord Who among the Sons of the Mighty can be likened unto the Lord Psal 89.6 As the Heavens are higher than the Earth so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts Isa 55.9 But will God indeed dwell on the Earth Behold the Heaven and the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee how much less this House that I have builded 1 King 8.27 See Jer. 23.23 24. Acts 7.49 But how may we gather that God is thus excellent from his being called a Spirit Thus Jesus Christ here discovers the Divine Nature by the most excellent thing that is vulgarly known to wit the Spirit of Man Hereby he plainly signifies the Excellency of God And in that he discovers this Excellency not as it is in it self but by a Shadow he clearly intimates that this Excellency of God is such and so exceeding great that we now cannot perceive the same as it is in it self being far above the present strength of our Understanding and way of Knowledg The like we are to observe in many other scriptural forms of Speech concerning some things that are Spiritual and those things that pertain to another World See John 3.10 11 12. It was said That the Spirit of Man
us to know God and Jesus Christ Answ Yes for Jesus Christ himself in his Prayer to the Father said This is Life Eternal that is This is that which the Doctrine that hath the promise of Eternal Life does teach and require for the obtaining of Eternal Life to wit that they may know thee the only truly God and Jesus Christ whom thou hast sent Joh. 17.3 Quest Well But what does Jesus Christ here intend by Mens knowing him who is the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Answ To know him who is the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent is according to Christ's intendment here not only to understand or apprehend that which must be known concerning him who is the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent but also to love them as such or according to such a knowledg of them to acknowledg them * Quest But how can you prove that Jesus Christ here intendeth such a knowledg as this * Answ That Jesus Christ here intendeth such a knowledg of things necessary to be known concerning the only true God and him whom he hath sent which has a suitable love to them or answerable acknowledgment of them joined therewith I am able clearly to prove and that abundantly * Quest The proof of this being very needful I am willing to hear it and therefore I now ask you How it may be confirmed Answ First I shall offer this That these Phrases or Expressions To know God and To know Jesus Christ are oftentimes so used in the Holy Scriptures Whence I gather that it is not strange so to accept and take them here Hos 53.4 Tit. 1.16 Jer. 9.3 Ch. 31.34 Heb. 8.11 Dan. 11.32 Hos 2.20 Joh. 15.21 Ch. 17.25 1 Thess 4.5 Psal 36.10 Job 18.21 Isa 53.11 1 John 2.3 4. Ch. 4.6 * Quest You do well to infer no more seeing these Phrases are frequently restrained to a meer knowledg or notion of God and Christ or for knowledg as distinct from Love and Acknowledgment Yea sometimes they are said to know God and to know Christ who have only the means of knowing them Rom. 1.21 Joh. 8.28 But what ground have you to conclude that in this saying of Christ Love and Acknowledgment is implied in knowledg * Answ It plainly appears that Jesus Christ here intends such a knowledg as implies in it Love and Acknowledgment if we consider only this That Christ here declares this to be sufficient for obtaining Eternal Life namely To know the Father the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Now it is in it self absurd to conceive that it is enough only to understand and notion the Truth concerning God and Jesus Christ * Quest It is so But have you any thing more to say in confirming it * Answ I shall add this That the Scriptures declare expresly that more than meerly to know or only to understand God and Jesus Christ is necessary for obtaining Eternal Life This is so well known that the citing of places will be needless notwithstanding I will repeat the saying of the Apostle Paul Knowledg puffeth up but Charity Love edifieth 1 Cor. 8.1 The Devils have knowledg of God and Christ Jam. 2.19 Mar. 1.24 Act. 19.15 And so have some of the worst of Men. Quest Seeing it is so as you have said we may draw up concerning the Doctrine we are chiefly to learn these two Propositions 1. That it teacheth us to know or apprehend him who is the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent 2. That it teacheth to love or acknowledg him who is the only true God and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent Concerning these two I desire now to hear from you a general and brief Account what you have learned out of the Holy Scriptures And first I will ask you some Questions touching the first Proposition And my first Query shall be this What are we to understand by the only true God Answ By the only true God we are to understand the only Creator and most high Lord or Governor of all things 2 Kings 19.19 Now therefore O Lord our God I beseech thee save us out of his hand that all the Kingdoms of the Earth may know that thou art the Lord God even thou only Jude 4. Certain Men crept in denying the only Lord God and our Lord Jesus Christ 2 King 19.15 And Hezekiah prayed before the Lord and said O Lord God of Israel which dwellest between the Cherubims thou art the God even thou alone of all the Kingdoms of the Earth thou hast made Heaven and Earth Isa 44.24 c. Thus saith the Lord thy Redeemer and he that formed thee from the Womb I am the Lord that maketh all things that stretcheth forth the Heavens alone that spreadeth abroad the Earth by my self that frustrateth the Tokens of the Lyars c. Nehem. 9.6 c. Thou even thou art Lord alone thou hast made Heaven the Heaven of Heavens with all their Host the Earth and all things that are therein the Seas and all that is therein and thou preservest them all and the Host of Heaven worshippeth thee c. Dan. 5.18 c. O thou King the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy Father a Kingdom c. But when his heart was lifted up and his mind hardned in pride he was deposed from his Kingly Throne c. till he knew that the most high God ruled in the Kingdom of Men and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will Rom. 1.25 They served the Creature more than the Creator who is blessed for ever Amen Matth. 11.25 At that time Jesus answered and said I thank thee O Father Lord of Heaven and Earth c. Psal 22.18 The Kingdom is the Lords and he is the Governour among the Nations Rom. 11.36 Of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Amen Quest What are we to understand by Him whom the Father hath sent Answ By him whom the Father hath sent we are to understand him whom the Father hath sent to be the Saviour of the World 1 John 4.14 And we have seen and do testify That the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the World John 6.39 40. And this is the Father's Will which hath sent me that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing but should raise it up again at the last day c. Quest Now concerning the second Proposition I shall ask you several Questions as first How can you prove from the Scriptures that we must not only know him who is the only true God but also love him as such Answ We are not only to know him who is the only true God but also to love him as such For it is written Hear O Israel The Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine Heart and with all thy Soul and with all
put all things under him that God may be all in all God ruleth and reigneth as Lord of Heaven and Earth and as a great King above all Gods Gen. 14.19 The Possessor of Heaven and Earth Deut. 10.14 Behold the Heaven and the Heaven of Heavens is the Lords thy God the Earth also with all that therein is Psal 95.3 The Lord is a great God and a great King above all Gods See Psal 97.9 1 Chron. 29.11 12. Thine O Lord is the Greatness and the Power and the Glory and the Victory and the Majesty for all that is in the Heaven and in the Earth is thine thine is the Kingdom O Lord and thou art exalted as Head above all Both Riches and Honour come of thee and thou reignest over all and in thine hand is power and might and in thine hand it is to make great and to give strength unto all 1 Cor. 11.3 But I would have you know that the Head of every Man is Christ and the Head of the Woman is the Man and the Head of Christ is God Psal 113.4 c. The Lord is high above all Nations and his Glory above the Heavens Who is like unto the Lord our God who dwelleth on high who humbleth himself to behold the things that are in Heaven and in the Earth 1 Tim. 6.15 He is the blessed and only Potentate the King of Kings and Lord of Lords See Psal 93. 97. 99. Psal 24.7 145.12 Rev. 19.6 2 Chron. 20.6 Q. What have you learned more particularly touching God's Government in respect of Angels A. Touching God's Government in respect of Angels I have learned a few things that are more easy and needful to be known as this in the general that part of those Spirits called Angels having sinned God spared them not but cast them down to Hell and deliver'd them into Chains of Darkness to be reserved unto Judgment but that part of those Spirits abode in the Truth and are now called the Holy Angels and the like when the name of Devils and the like is given to those that sinned 2 Pet. 2.4 Jude v. 6. Joh. 8.44 Deut. 32.17 1 Cor. 10.20 Mat. 25.31 Q. What have you learned in special concerning those Spirits that sinned not A. Concerning those Spirits that sinned not I have learned that there is an innumerable company of them and that God hath made them to be his Angels that is Messengers and his Ministers in the exercise of his Government and hath made them all subject to Jesus Christ even those that were among them Thrones and Dominions that is Kings and Lords Heb. 12.22 Heb. 1.7 1 Pet. 3.22 Ephes 1.20 Q. What have you learned in special concerning those Spirits that sinned A. Concerning those Spirits that sinned I have learned That their number is very great that one of them is the Prince or Chief and that the rest are his Angels He is called The Devil Satan and the like who as a roaring Lion walketh about seeking whom he may devour but is now under the Power of Jesus Christ Mark 5.9 Ephes 2.2 Mat. 25.41 Mark 1.13 Mat. 12.28 Heb. 2.8 14. Phil. 2.9 c. The name Devil signifies a Slanderer or one that seeks to deceive by lies and Satan signifies an Adversary See Rev. 12.9 CHAP. IV. Of God's Government relating to Men before the sin of our first Parents and thence to the times wherein Christ was raised up Q. WHat have you learned more particularly touching God's Government in respect of Men A. Touching God's Government in respect of Men I have learned several things according to its difference in different times namely the time before our first Parents sinned and the times after it Q. What have you been taught concerning the Government of God as it respects the time before our first Parents sinned A. Concerning God's Government as relating to the time before our first Parents sinned I am taught some general things namely That they had for the place of their abode the Garden of Eden which the Man was to dress and keep that they had given to them for Meat every Herb and the Fruit of all Trees except the Tree of the Knowledg of Good and Evil which God forbad them to eat of Also that they both transgressed this Commandment the Woman first being seduced by the Serpent the Devil then the Man whom his Wife drew to eat of the forbidden Fruit. Gen. 1. 2. 3. Chapters 1 Tim. 2.14 2 Cor. 11.3 Q. What have you been taught concerning the Government of God as it respects the times after our first Parents had sinned A. I am taught in the general That when Man had sinned and so became subject to the Judgment of God then God publish'd his Promise of Christ whom since he hath raised up and since by one Man Sin entred into the World and Death by Sin and so Death passed upon all Men The Government of God towards Man is to be considered according to the times in which Christ was promised and the times after his being raised up Gen. 3.8 c. Rom. 3.19 5.12 Luk. 1.68 69 c. Acts 13.23 Q. What have you been taught touching God's Government towards Men in the times when Christ was promised A. I am taught That the Government of God did then respect Mens being in the World and their seeking of God therein and both in a way agreeable to Men that were subjected to a natural Death and by their sins liable to eternal Death and in a way suitable to the times before the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ who hath abolished Death and hath brought Life and Immortality to light by the Gospel Act. 17.25 c. Rom. 5.12 6.23 Ephes 2.1 2. 1 Thess 1.10 Matth. 11.20 c. 2 Tim. 1.10 Q. How did this Government of God respect the Being of Men in the VVorld A. This Government did respect Mens Being in the World in that God gave unto them places wherein to live and supplies for the sustaining of their Lives and the maintaining of good order amongst them Gen. 3.23 24. Deut. 32. Psalm 115.16 Act. 17.26 Exod. 23.20 Neh. 9.6 Psalm 36.6 Nehem. 9.21 Psal 65. 147. Prov. 24.12 1 King 8.45 Job 10.22 Rom. 13.1 c. Q. How did this Government of God respect Mens seeking of God in the World A. This Government of God did respect Mens seeking of him in that he dealt in such a way and manner with them that they might so seek him as to find mercy and favour with him Heb. 11.6 Psalm 105.4 14.2 Act. 17.27 Jer. 29.13 c. Jer. 6.16 Prov. 21.21 Gen. 6.8 Ps 33.22 63.13 Nehem. 1.5 Psal 25.10 32.10 86.5 103.11 Prov. 8.35 36. Q. VVhat is it so to seek God as to find mercy and favour with him A. To seek God so as to find Mercy and Favour with him is To fear God and to hope in his Mercy This is variously exprest in the Scriptures sometimes as in the
Christian Religion CHAP. I. Q. YOu having now in the general shewed the more necessary things contained in the best of Doctrines I am willing to hear from you somewhat a more particular yet brief account of the same matters to wit as concerning God as consider'd in Himself and in his Works But first I will ask you What kind of Knowledg we may have concerning these things here in this Life A. That we may here have concerning God considered in Himself and in his Works such a knowledg as is true and sufficient hath been already proved but a perfect knowledg of God in himself and in his Works is not here in this Life attainable 1 Cor. 13.9 c. We know in part and we prophesy in part but when that which is perfect is come then that which is in part shall be done away When I was a Child I spake as a Child I understood as a Child I thought as a Child but when I became a Man I put away childish things For now we see through a glass darkly but then face to face Now I know in part but then shall I know even as also I am known Job 11.7 c. Canst thou by searching find out God Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection It is as high as Heaven c. See Job 36.26 c. Psal 77.19 Thy way is in the Sea and thy Path in the great Waters and thy footsteps are well known See Psal 36.5 6. Eccles 3.11 No Man can find out the Work that God maketh from the beginning to the end See Job 37.5 Rom. 11.33 How unsearchable are the Judgments of God and his Ways past finding out Q. What are you taught from the Holy Scriptures concerning God considered in himself A. The Holy Scriptures teach me concerning God considered in himself these two things namely That God is one and that God is a Spirit Q. Where do the Scriptures affirm That God is one A. The Scriptures do in many places expresly affirm that God is One or that there is one God 1 Tim. 2.5 There is one God and one Mediator between God and Men the Man Christ Jesus Ephes 4.6 One God and Father of all who is above all and through all and in you all See Deut. 6.4 with Mark 12.29 Mal. 2.10 Matth. 19.17 Rom. 3.30 2 Cor. 8.4.6 Jam. 2.19 Zech. 14.9 Q. What are we to understand by this That there is one God A. By this That there is one God or That God is One we are to understand that He alone or He only is God and that there is no other that hath the same Being or the same Kingdom as he hath It is affirmed in the Scriptures that JEHOVAH which is the Name of God Psal 83.18 Jer. 16.21 Exod. 15.3 is God alone Psalm 86.10 Thou art great and dost wondrous things Thou art God alone See 2 King 19.15 Isa 37.16 Neh. 9.6 That he only is God 2 King 19.19 Thou art the Lord God even thou only Isa 37.20 That he is the only true God John 17.3 see Jude v. 4. That there is no God else Isa 46.9 Remember the former things of old for I am God and there is none else I am God and there is none like me See 1 Kings 8.6 That there is no God besides him Isa 44.6 Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel and his Redeemer the Lord of Hosts I am the First and I am the Last and besides me there is no God Vers 8. Is there a God besides me Yea there is no God I know not any Isa 45.5 I am the Lord there is none else there is no God besides me See Vers 6 14 21 22. 1 King 8.60 Deut. 4.35 1 Chron. 17.20 That there is no other God Exod. 34.14 That there is no God with him Deut. 32.39 2 King 5.15 Who is God save the Lord 2 Sam. 22.32 Psal 18.31 That there is no other God but one 1 Cor. 8.4 Therefore we must have before him no other God Exod. 20.3 Nor worship another God Exod. 34.14 Psal 16.4 81.9 But we are to worship Jehovah and serve him only Exod. 22.20 Mat. 4.10 Q. Why in your Answer were those words added That there is no other that hath the same Being or the same Kingdom as he hath A. They were added to shew more distinctly and expresly that God is alone both in his Being and Kingdom and that there is no other that hath with him either the same Nature or the same Majesty and Authority By the Being and Kingdom of God we here intend the same which the Apostle Paul in Rom. 1.20 expresseth thus His eternal Power and Godhead These things are plainly held forth in the Holy Scriptures First God as to his Being or Nature is One or Alone What he is in this respect no other is He is therefore said to be One Jehovah or Lord Deut. 6.4 Mark 12.29 Hence is that saying of Christ to the young Man that called him Good Master Why saith Jesus callest thou me Good There is none good but One that is God Mat. 19.16 17. For the same God is said to be only wise Rom. 16.27 1 Tim. 1.17 Jud. v. 25. and alone to have Immortality 1 Tim. 6.16 Secondly God in respect of his Kingdom and Government is One or Alone There is no other that is such a King Lord or Governor as he Deut. 32.39 See now saith the Lord that I even I am he and there is no God with me I kill and I make alive I wound and I heal neither is there any that can deliver out of my hand 1 Tim. 6.15 He is the only Potentate Jam. 4.12 There is one Law-giver who is able to save and to destroy Psal 72.18 Blessed be the Lord God the God of Israel who only doth wondrous things Isa 43.11 I even I am the Lord and beside me there is no Saviour See Hos 13.4 1 Cor. 12.6 It is the same God that worketh all in all In both respects God testifies of him That there is none like unto him Isa 46.9 Thus the Saints have profest concerning him 1 Sam. 2.2 There is none holy as the Lord for there is none beside thee neither is there any Rock like our God Exod. 15.11 Who is like unto thee among the Gods or mighty Ones who is like thee glorious in Holiness fearful in Praises doing Wonders See Exod. 8.10 Deut. 32.26 1 King 8.23 Psal 35.10 86.8 89.8 113.5 Mich. 7.18 Q. Are not some others even in a good sense called Gods in the Holy Scriptures A. Yes both Angels and Men. And indeed some of both may not only be called Gods but also may in a good sense be Gods but not in that sense as the Lord our God is 1 Cor. 8.4 5 6. We know that an Idol is nothing in the World and that there is none other God but one For though there be that are called Gods whether in Heaven or in Earth as there be Gods many and
may be unto us in some manner a Shadow of God It is necessary thus to conceive for otherwise the term Spirit would here signifie nothing at all for it cannot be taken in its proper signification here and can in no other be accepted but in that we call Metaphorical Q. Whence does it appear that God is more excellent than all things A. It appears that God is more excellent than all things First From his Almightiness Secondly From his Eternity Thirdly From his Happiness or Blessedness For the Scriptures declare him to be Almighty and to be Eternal and to be Happy or Blessed God is called by the Name of The Almighty Job 40.1 2. Moreover the Lord answered Job and said Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him He that reproveth God let him answer it Job 37.23 Touching the Almighty we cannot find him out he is excellent in Power and in Judgment and in plenty of Justice So elsewhere often He is also called The Almighty God Gen. 17.1 I am the Almighty God And elsewhere often also The Lord Almighty 2 Cor. 6.18 And I will be a Father unto you and ye shall be my Sons and Daughters saith the Lord Almighty Also The Lord God Almighty Rev. 21.22 And I saw no Temple therein for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the Temple of it He is called the Eternal God Deut. 33.27 and the Everlasting God Gen. 21.33 Rom. 16.26 See Isa 57.15 Both his Almightiness and Eternity are mentioned together Rev. 4.8 They said Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Also in other places he is called The happy or blessed God 1 Tim. 1.11 The happy or blessed Potentate 1 Tim. 6.15 Q. What are we to conceive by this That God is Almighty A. By this that God is Almighty we are to conceive that God needeth not any thing that he can do every thing which is neither wicked nor unequal that he does whatsoever he pleaseth and is one of whom by whom and for whom are all things Acts 17.24 25. God that made the World and all things therein seeing that he is Lord of Heaven and Earth dwelleth not in Temples made with hands Neither is worshipped with Mens hands as though he needed any thing seeing he giveth to all life and breath and all things Job 22.1 c. Can Man be profitable unto God c. Job 42.1 2. Then Job answered the Lord and said I know that thou canst do every thing and that no thought of thine can be hindred Matth. 3.9 God is able of these Stones to raise up Children unto Abraham Luke 1.37 With God nothing is impossible Mat. 19.26 With God all things are possible Here understand things that are not wicked nor unequal For it is impossible for God to lie Heb. 6.18 He cannot lie Tit. 1.2 He cannot deny himself 2 Tim. 2.13 Far be it from God that he should do wickedness and from the Almighty that he should commit Iniquity for the Work of a Man shall he render unto him and cause every Man to find according to his ways Yea surely God will not do wickedly neither will the Almighty pervert Judgment Job 34.10 11 12. God cannot be tempted with evil neither tempteth he any Man Jam. 1.13 see Psal 5.4 1 Chron. 29.17 God does whatsoever he pleaseth Psalm 115.3 Our God is in Heaven he hath done whatsoever he pleased Psal 135.6 Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in Heaven and in Earth and in the Seas and in all deep places Isa 46.10 My Counsel shall stand and I will do all my pleasure Isa 48.14 Hear the words of Nebuchadnezzar concerning God All the Inhabitants of the Earth are reputed as nothing and the most High doth according to his Will in the Armies of Heaven and among the Inhabitants of the Earth and none can stay his hand or say unto him What dost thou Dan. 4.25 See Isa 55.11 God is he of whom by whom and for whom are all things Rom. 11.36 1 Cor. 11.12 2 Cor. 5.18 Heb. 2.10 Q. What are we to conceive by this That God is Eternal A. By this That God is Eternal we are to conceive that God is from everlasting to everlasting and always the same Psal 90.2 Before the Mountains were brought forth or ever thou hadst formed the Earth and the World even from everlasting to everlasting thou art God See Isa 43.10 44.6 48.12 and elsewhere He is from Everlasting or from Eternity or as we express it without beginning Psal 93.2 Thou art from Everlasting In this sense he is called The Everlasting God Isa 40.28 He is to Everlasting or to Eternity or as we express it without Ending He shall endure for ever Psalm 102.13 See Psal 92.8 Hence he is said to be Vncorruptible Rom. 1.23 Immortal 1 Tim. 1.17 and alone to have Immortality 1 Tim. 6.16 He is always the same Psal 102.26 27. Heb. 1.11 12. They shall perish but thou shalt endure yea all of them shall wax old like a Garment c. But thou art the same and thy Years shall have no end Jam. 1.17 With the Father of Lights is no variableness neither shadow of turning Mal. 3.6 I am the Lord I change not Q. What may we conceive by this That God is Happy or Blessed A. By this That God is Happy or Blessed we may conceive that God hath full and eternal Satisfaction Joy and Pleasure in his own Self and in his own Works Q. You having now spoken of the first Reason Why God is said to be a Spirit namely Because he is more excellent than all things it remains that you speak of the second Reason which was this Because the Spirit of Man may be unto us in some manner a shadow of God whence we may have somewhat a more particular conception of him Wherefore I now ask you In what the Spirit of Man may be unto us in some manner a shadow of God A. The Spirit of Man may be unto us in some manner a shadow of God in that we may thence conceive in some manner what God is not and what he is Q. What do you thence conceive That God is not A. I thence conceive That God is not more than One and that God is not visible for the Spirit of Man is but one and is not visible Concerning God as being but One we have already spoken He is not visible therefore called The Invisible God Col. 1.15 1 Tim. 1.17 His Eternal Power and Godhead are said to be the Invisible things of God Rom. 1.20 He is said to dwell in the Light which no Man can approach unto and to be one whom no Man hath seen nor can see 1 Tim. 6.16 It is said Heb. 11.27 That Moses saw him that was Invisible that is He saw God by the Eyes of his Mind who was not to be seen by the Eyes of his Body But it is said of some That they have seen God face to