3.16 2 Pet. 1.21 Heb. 1.1 1 Thes 2.13 Apocrypha not Scripture 2. The Books called the Apocrypha are neither the Books of Moses nor the Psalms nor the Prophets therefore not Scriptures given by inspiration See Luke 24.4.27.44 nor were they committed to the Church or kept by it as the Oracles of God Rom. 3.1 The Scriptures are a perfect rule 3. The Scriptures are able to make a Man Wise to Salvation and to make the Man of God the Minister of God the New Testament Prophet perfect and throughly furnished to all good Ministerial Works therefore they are a perfect rule for Doctrine Worship and Manners 4. Unwritten Traditions of the Church are not of equal authority nor to be received with the same pious affection with the Holy Scriptures Those Doctrines which were delivered by one teacher to another or by Oral Teaching to the Church are now written 2 Tim. 2.2 2 Thes 2.15 As much as our Lord thought necessary John 20.30 and sufficient 2 Tim. 3.15.16 are writen Our faith is limited to things written Jo. 20.31 2 Pet. 1.19 These traditions pleaded for were not committed to faithful Men nor faithfully kept by Men who spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost We have enough and our Lord would not leave us too much Joh. 21.25 Had we been bound to believe more more had been written 5. The Holy Scriptures are plain in all things necessary to salvation clear as the Sun to those uses intended by our Lord Ps 19.8 Ps 119.105,131 They are a shining light 2 Pet. 1.19 If they were not clear how could Timothy know them as he did from a Child 2 Tim. 3.15 How could the Bereans examine Doctrines by them Acts. 17.11 There are sufficient means to help the unlearned to understand so much as to make them wise to Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 Ephes 4.11 to 16. Acts 8.29 to 37. 6. The laity or common People ought to have the free use of the holy Scriptures God spake to all Exod. 20. Deut. 32.46 Chap. 6.1,2,6,7,8 Exod. 24.7 Deut. 31.11,12 The laity are to be saved by faith in Christ and his word and the Scriptures were written to direct and help them Joh. 20.31 All were wont or commanded to search them Joh. 5.39 All are blessed that meditate in them Ps 1.1,2 They are part of the spiritual armour for all Christians Ephes 6.17 Unless we should expect the Priests and the Learned would fight for the laity and save them the trouble of that warfare 7. The translation of the Scriptures is necessary approved of God and ordain'd by him except there should be but one language among Men or that none should believe and be saved but them who understood the Original God spake in a known Tongue so did the Prophets and Apostles and they who did not are reprov'd 1 Cor. 14.9,12,13 c. The Apostles sent to preach to all Nations had the gift of Tongues that every Nation might receive the Gospel in their own language The end of writing is the same with speaking 8. Scriptures translated and copied from the Originals or first writings under the hands of the Scripture-pen-men are the word of God the foundation and rule of Faith. The Scriptures read in the Synagogues and in common use among the Jews were but copies transcribed yet our Saviour refers the Jews to them John. 5.39 The Eunuch had no other Acts 8. nor the Bereans Act. 17.11 The Ephesians were Greeks and probably had the Greek translation and yet they were built upon the foundation of the Prophets and Apostles Ephes 2.20 God being the God of every one who believeth and shall be saved of every Nation as well as of the Jews hath taken care and doth to stir up and fit holy Men tho not infallible as the Prophets and Apostles were for this work and wherein some have failed others have help'd We give a secondary honour to Translations as such but an equal honour to the word of God translated which we give to it in the Original the change of the Language doth not alter the will of God. An Embassy delivered by an Interpreter is the Kings Embassy 9. The best interpreter of the Word is the Holy Spirit Knowledge in Original Languages is necessary to a translator and to Doctors or Teachers for their better teaching But he who hath most of the Holy Spirit doth best understand the mind of the Spirit All have these helps to understand them 1. The Grammar and plain literal sence the scope coherence and continual reading with prayer and comparing hard places with plain help us to understand the Scriptures 2. Universal reason and true with undeceived senses help us to understand many Doctrines See Acts 17.11 1 Cor. 1.13 Rom. 15.4 2 Tim. 3.15,16 Luke 24.32 Ephes 1.17,18 10. There is no visible standing infallible Judge of controversies in Faith and Religion And there is no need of any because there is none constituted In a great controversy the Apostles themselves did search the Scriptures and inquire into the mind of the Holy Ghost and consented to it Acts 15.15,28 The Holy Ghost is the infallible Judge and he speaks in the word Acts 28.24,25 The Scriptures themselves judge as the Law doth in controversies among Men. There is a ministerial publick judgment for edification Ephes 4 6,7 Rom. 12.6 and a private judgment of discerning given by the holy Spirit to believers without which they could not discern truth from error nor believe nor try the Spirits nor judge of what is spoken to them 1 Cor. 2.15 Phil. 1.10 1 Joh. 4.1,2 1 Cor. 10.15 11. The Holy Scriptures are not mute and dumb Speech and voice are attributed to them and God speaks by them Rom. 3.19 It saith to them that are under the Law Isaias now dead crieth Rom. 9.27 see ver 17. 12. The Scriptures are not a dead letter the Law is so called in opposition to the Gospel 2 Cor. 3.6 yet it killeth and therefore is no dead letter void of power it is the Ministry of condemnation denouncing death against transgressors v. 7. and the Gospel is the power of God therefore no dead letter 13. There is a Divine efficacy and power in the Scriptures in their kind as the means and instruments of Salvation Rom. 1.16 They are able to make a Man wise unto Salvation 2 Tim. 3.15 And the sword of the Spirit Ephes 6.17 14. The Scriptures are the word of God Ephes 6.17 by which we understand the written word and not Christ See also Mar. 7.13 compared with Mat. 15.6 15. The Holy Spirit is the principal cause of all the knowledge and wisdom to Salvation which any Man hath Ephes 1.17 What was given by the spirits inspiration is understood by his illumination a natural understanding cannot see 16. The promise of the spirit Joh. 16.13 doth not intimate such a dispensation as is above the Holy use of Scriptures They are given by inspiration and to continue in their use to the end of the World
Q What do the Scriptures principally teach A. The holy Scriptures principally teach what Man is bound to believe concerning God and what Duty God requires of (e) 2 Tim. 1.13 Hold fast the form of sound words which thou hast heard of me in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus 2 Tim. 3.16 see before Man. 4. Q. What is God A. God is a (f) Joh. 4.24 God is a Spirit and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth Spirit (g) Job 11.7 Canst thou by searching find out God Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection V. 8. It is as high as heaven what canst thou do Deeper than hell what canst thou know V. 9. The measure thereof is longer than the earth and broader than the sea Infinite (h) 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. Eternal and (i) James 1.17 Every good and perfect gift is from above and cometh down from the Father of Lights with whom there is no variableness neither shadow of turning Unchangeable in his (k) Exod. 3.14 And God said unto Moses I am that I am and he said Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel I AM hath sent me unto you Being (l) Psal 147.5 Great is our Lord and of great power his understanding is infinite Wisdom (m) Rev. 4.8 And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him and they were full of eyes within and they rest not day and night saying Holy holy holy Lord God Almighty which was and is and is to come Isa 6.3 And one cried unto another and said Holy holy holy is the Lord of hosts the whole earth is full of his glory Power (n) Rev. 15.5 Who shall not fear thee O Lord and glorifie thy Name for thou only art holy for all nations shall come and worship before thee for thy judgments are made manifest Holiness (o) Deut. 32.4 He is the rock his work is perfect for all his ways are judgment a God of truth and without iniquity just and right is he Justice (p) Exod. 34.6 And the Lord passed before him and proclaimed The Lord the Lord God merciful and gracious long-suffering and abundant in goodness and truth V. 7. Keeping mercy for thousands forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin and that will by no means clear the guilty visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and upon the childrens children unto the third and fourth generation Goodness and Truth 5. Q. Are there more Gods than one A. This God is one and there is and there can be but one only the living and true * Deut. 6.4 Hear O Israel the Lord our God is one Lord. Jer. 10.10 But the Lord is the true God he is the living God and an everlasting King at his breath the earth shall tremble and the nations shall not be able to abide his indignation 1 Cor. 8.4 As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols we know that an idol is nothing in the world and that there is none other God but one V. 6. But to us there is but one God the Father of whom are all things and we in him and one Lord Jesus Christ by whom are all things and we by him God. 6. Q. How many Persons are there in the Godhead A. There are three Persons in the Godhead or Divine Being and Nature the Father the Son and the Holy Ghost and these three are one God the same in substance equal in (q) 1 Joh. 5.7 For there are three that bear record in heaven the Father the Word and the Holy Ghost and these three are one Matth. 28.19 Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost 2 Cor. 13.14 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all Amen Joh. 10.30 I and my Father are one Phil. 2.6 Who being in the form of God thought it no robbery to be equal with God. Compare Isa 6.3,5,8 with Joh. 12.41 and Acts 28.25 Acts 5.3,4 But Peter said Ananias why hath Satan filled thine heart to lye to the Holy Ghost and to keep back part of the price of the land Whiles it remained was it not thine own and after it was sold was it not in thine own power why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart thou hast not lyed unto men but unto God. Power and Glory and all divine Perfections 7. This one God the Father the Son and Holy Ghost is the first efficient Cause or Creator the preserving and disposing and the final Cause of all things Rom. 11.36 For of him and through him and to him are all things to whom be glory for ever Amen 8. What soever God hath done and brought forth he did according to his Eternal Purpose and Decrees Ephes 1.11 Who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will. 9. Q. What are the Decrees of God A. The Decrees of God are his Eternal Purpose according to the Counsel of his Will whereby for his own Glory he hath fore-ordained whatever comes to (r) Ephes 1.4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world that we should be holy and without blame before him in love V. 11. In whom also we obtained an inheritance being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Rom. 9 22. What if God willing to shew his wrath and to make his power known endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction V. 23. And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy which he had afore prepared unto glory pass 10. Q. How doth God execute his Decrees A. God executeth his Decrees in the works of Creation and (Å¿) Ephes 1.11 Who worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will. Providence 11. Q. What is the Work of Creation A. The Work of Creation is God's making all things of nothing by the Word of his Power in the space of six days and all very (t) Gen. chap. 1. throughout Heb. 11.13 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God so that things which are seen were not made of things that do appear good 12. Q. How did God create Man A. After all the rest of his Works God created Man Male and Female after his own Image in Knowledge Righteousness and Holiness with Dominion over the (u) Gen. 1.26 And God said Let us make Man in our own image after our likeness and let them have dominion over the rish of the sea and over the fowl of the
is not revealed The Son was brought forth before all time Prov. 8.22 His goings forth are from everlasting Mic. 5.2 the Father hath given to the Son to have Life in himself as the Father hath Life in himself Joh. 5.26 It is the property of the Father to have Life in himself and to give Life to his Son It is the property of the Son to have Life in himself from the Father I live by the Father Joh. 6.57 The personal action of the Father and the Son towards the Holy Ghost is to send him Joh. 15.26 The personal action of the Holy Ghost is to come to proceed to receive to give Joh. 16.7,8,13,14 to testify Joh. 15.26 as a distinct witness from Christs own and the Father 's of him Joh. 5.37 2. What a Person in the Godhead is The Greek Church used the word Hypostasis Heb. 1.3 and the Latin Church Personâ—… and from them we borrow the word Person There is great reason why we should retain the word tho' we will not divide from any for the use of a Term that acknowledge what is reveal'd in Scripture and can express the truth better A Person in the Eternal God head transcends a Person in Nature A Person in Nature is usually desined or described to be a Compleat Perfect Singular Living Understanding Being or Substance subsisting by it self not sustained by another nor a part of another The Persons in the God-head differ from a Created Person as will appear in these particulars 1. Every particular Man partakes of the same common general and special Nature but these particulars cannot be one Man but every Person in the God-head is that one only living and true God. 2. As Persons are multiplyed in Nature so the nature is multiplyed in Persons but there is but one God the Divine essence is one and not multiplied 3. One Person in nature is not another nor in another but the Father is in the Son and the Son in the Father and yet distinguished John 10.38 chap. 14.11 Joh. 17.21 4. One Person in nature is not only distinguished from another but is separated from another in time and place and many other respects But 1. The God-head or God being eternal the Persons in the God-head are Co-eternal none is before the other 2. Where one is the other is the nature being indivisible The Son is where the Father is tho' the humane Nature be not Omnipresent 3. What the one hath the other hath Joh. 16.15 All that the Father hath are mine said the Son and the Holy Ghost hath what the Son hath He shall take of mine and shall shew it unto you 4. If you know the Son you know the Father also Joh. 12.4 chap. 14.9,10,11 5. What one doth the other doth John 5.19 None of these things can be affirmed of different Persons in humane Nature The three Persons in the Divine essence must not be measured by individuals or singular Persons in Nature but as one Person is really distinguished from another by a Personal property so because the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost are so distinguished we call them Persons tho improperly in a sence peculiar to them Now a Person in the God-head is God as related to himself I humbly conceive it thus God the Father is related to God the Son and God the Holy Ghost God the Son is related to God the Father as a Son to a Father and to God the Holy Ghost And God the Holy Ghost is related to the Father and the Son. You saw before the relative property of each Glorious Person A Person in the Trinity is not a compound of an essence and a property for the Divine Nature is infinitely perfect most pure simple or uncompounded This relation is eternal and primary They bear a voluntary relation to the Creatures as Creator Redeemer Comforter This was intended before time but actual in time And to remove all gross imaginations of the incomprehensible Trinity of Persons tho' we take Person and Body in our Language for the same let us take heed of imagining three Bodies when we say three Persons III. These three Glorious Persons are one God in essence 1. It is most certain there is one God and but one Deut. 6.4 Is 44.8 1 Cor. 8.4 2. It is certain there are three Persons as explained 3. The father is confessedly that one God 1. Cor. 8.4 It is as true that the Son the word is God Joh. 1.1 and the Holy Ghost is God Acts 5.4 Therefore these three are that one infinite God. It is contrary to reason to say there are three Gods It is not contrary to reason that these three should be one because it is revealed and they must be one God or not God at all for there is not to us Christians nor to Mankind more than one God. But before I produce more evidence for this truth I make hold to premise Suppose an Infidel should desire a Socinian to instruct him in the nature of the true God and to shew him the essential difference between God and all Creatures whatsoever Surely he must shew him how God hath made himself known And how is that but by his Glorious Names Titules Properties Attributes and Operations which are above the power of Creatures and by which Creatures are produced Now if the very same Characters by which he declares the true God to an Infidel be ascrib'd to the Son and Holy Ghost then as his demonstration of the nature of God is good so our demonstration of the essential Deity of the Son and Holy Ghost must needs be as good If Christ be God by donation of eminent power office or near conjunction with God if the Holy Ghost be a quality or God by office they are but Creatures and if Creatures tho the highest have those properties which are essential to God then it will follow God hath nothing peculiar to his own infinite Being which is impious and irrational But God is distinguished from all Creatures and the properties of God are truly ascribed to the Son and Holy Ghost therefore they are the true God and not Creatures The three Persons are one God. There being no dispute against the Father I shall apply my self to prove the Son and Holy Ghost to be the true God. Proved by their essential Name 1. The Name which Jehovah signifies Eternal Being is proper to God and not common to any Creatures That they may know that thou whose Name alone is Jehovah art most high over all the Earth Ps 83.18 This name is translated Lord and its signification given Rev 1.4 which is which was and which is to come This Name is the Name of the Son as it is the Name of the Father Ps 110.1 Jehovah said to my Lord that is Christ Mat. 22.42 The Son is called Jehovah Is 40.3 Prepare the way of Jehovah i.e. Christ Mar. 1.23 Luke 1.76 The Angel appearing in the Bush was Jehovah Exod. 3.2 Compare v. 4.5 with