God is a Spirit
Q. 3. Are not we bound to believe what learned men teach us, as points of faith, though the things they teach be not contained in the word of God?
A. No; if the things they teach be not contained expressly, or by necessary consequence in the word of God, we are not obliged to believe them as points of faith; Isa. 8:20. To the law, and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them: Gal. 1:8. Though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. And Christ hath charged us,
Matth. 23:10. To call no man master, for one is your master, even Christ.
Q. 4. Are there some things in scripture more excellent than others; because it is said, the scriptures principally teach matters of faith and duty?
A. Every part of scripture is alike pure; Prov. 30:5. Every word of God is pure, and of equal authority, but not of equal weight; as several pieces of gold are alike pure, and of the same stamp, but not of equal value.
Q. 5. What may be inferred hence for use?
A. First, Hence it is our duty to examine what we hear, by the word; and not receive any doctrine because men confidently affirm it, but because the scriptures require it; Acts 17:11. These were more noble than those of Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether these things were so. Secondly, That the Christian religion is not notional, but practical; and that impractical faith saves no man; James 2:20.
Faith without works is dead.
God is a Spirit
Quest. 4. WHAT is God?
A. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
Q. 1. Can the nature of God be defined, so as men may express properly and strictly what God is?
A. No; Job 11:7. Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
We do then conceive most rightly of God, when we acknowledge him to be inconceivable; and therefore, one being asked the question, what God is? answered rightly; If I fully knew that, I should be a God myself; for God only knows his own essence.
Q. 2. How many ways are there by which men may know and describe the nature of God, though still with imperfect knowledge?
A. There are two ways of knowing God in this life. First, By way of affirmation; affirming that of God by way of eminence, which is excellent in the creature; as when we affirm him to be wise, good, merciful, &c. Secondly, By way of negation, when we remove from God, in our conceptions, all that is imperfect in the creature; so we say, God is immense, infinite, immutable; and in this sense we also call him a Spirit, i.e. he is not a gross corporeal substance.
Q. 3. How many sorts of spirits are there? and of which sort is God?
A. There be two sorts of spirits, created and finite, as angels and the souls of men are. Secondly, Uncreated, and infinite; and such a Spirit
God only is, infinitely above all other spirits.
Q. 4. If God be a Spirit, in what sense are we to understand all those scriptures which speak of the eyes of the Lord, the ears and hands of God?
A. We are to understand them as expressions of God, in condescension to the weakness of our understanding; even as the glory of heaven is expressed to us in scripture by a city, and the royal feast. These shadows are useful to us whilst we are in the body; but we shall know him in heaven after a more perfect manner.
Q. 5. What may be inferred from the spiritual nature of God?
A. Hence learn, that it is both sinful and dangerous to frame an image or picture of God. Who can make an image of his soul, which yet is not so perfect a spirit as God is? And as it is sinful to attempt it, so it is impossible to do it; Deut. 4:15, 16. Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake to you in Horeb, out of the midst of the fire; lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, &c.
Q. 6. What else may be inferred from thence?
A. That our souls are the most noble and excellent part of us, which most resembles God; and therefore our chief regard and care should be for them, whatever becomes of the vile body; Matth. 16:26. For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
Q. 7. What further truth may be inferred hence?
A. That men should beware of spiritual sins, as well as of gross and outward sins; for there is a faithfulness of the spirit, as well as of the flesh; 2 Cor. 7:1. Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit; and as God sees them, so he greatly abhors them, as sins that defile the noblest part of man, on which he stamped his own image.
Q. 8. What also may be inferred from hence?