Of faith and obedience,
An Exposition of the Assembly's Catechism. that thou dost, except God be with him : and so are his feal to whatsoever he affixes them, and it consists not with his truth and holiness to set it to a forgery.
Q. 6. What was the end of writing the word ?
A. That the church to the end of the world might have a sure, known, standing rule totryandjudge all things by, and not be left to the uncertainty of traditions ; John v. 39.
Search the scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me.
Q. 7. Doth not the authority of the scriptures depend on the church, fathers, and councils ?
A. No, the scriptures are not built on the authority of the church, but the church on them ; Eph. ii. 20. And are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. And as for councils and fathers, the scriptures are not to be tried by them ; but they by the scriptures ; Ifa. viii 20. To the law and to the testimony; if they speak not according to this word, it is be cause there is no light in them Q. 8. What may be fairly inferred from this proposition, that the scriptures are the word of God ?
A. Three things may be hence inferred.
First, The per section of the scriptures, which being the only rule given by God, must therefore be perfect.
Secondly, That it is the right of common people to read them ; John v. 39. Search the scriptures, Acts xvii. 11. These were more noble than those ofTheffalonica, in that they received the word with all read i ness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Thirdly, That we owe no obedience to the injunctions of men, farther than they are sufficiently warrant edby the written word ; Matth. xv. 9. But in vain do they worship me, teaching fordoctrines the commandments of men.
Quest. 3.W Of Faith and Obedience.
Hat do the scriptures principally teach?
A. The scriptures principally teach what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God requires of man.
Q. 1. Why is faith conjoined with obedience, and put before it?
A. Because faith is the principle from whence all obedience flows; s; and no man can perform any duty aright in the estate ofunbelief; Heb. xi.6. But without faith it is impossible to please him ; for he that cometh to God,must believethatheis,
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Q.2 . Can there be no saving faithwhere the scriptures are not known and preached ?
A. No ; for the apostle faith, Rom. x. 14, 15. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed ? and how shall they believe in him ofwhomthey have not heard ? and how shall they hear without a preacher ? and how shall they preach except they be sent ? And ver. 17. So then, faith comethby hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
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 exprefly, or by necessary consequence in the word of God, we are not obliged to believe them as points of faith ; Ifa. viii. 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. i. 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. xxiii.
10. To call no man master, for one is your master, even Christ.
Q. 4. Are there somethings 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. xxx. 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 examinewhatwe hear, by the word ; and not receive any doctrine because men confidently affirm it, but because the scriptures require it ; Acts xvii. 11. These were more noble than those ofTheffalonica, 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 ii. 20.
Faith without works is dead.
God is a Spirit.
Hat is God ?
Quest. 4.W A. God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal and unchangeable in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
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Q. 1. Can the nature of God be defined, so as men may express properly and strictly what God is ?
A. No; Job xi. 7. Canstthou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection ?
We do then conceive most rightly of God, whenweac knowledge him to be unconceivable : and therefore, one being askedthequestion, what God is ? answered rightly ; IfI fully knew that, I should be a God myself; for God onlyknowshis own essence.
Q. 2. How many ways are thereby which men may know and describe the nature of God, though still with imperfect knowledge?
A. There are two ways ofknowingGod in this life. First, Byway of affirmation ; affirming that of God by way of emi nence, which is excellent in the creature ; as when we affirm him tobewile, good, merciful, &c. Secondly, Byway of ne: gation, 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 forts of spirits are there ? and of which fortisGod?
A. There be two forts of spirits, created and finite, as an gels, and the souls of men are.
Secondly, Uncreated, and in finite; and such a Spirit God only is, infinitely above allo therspirits.
Q. 4. If God be a Spirit, in what sense are we to understand all those scriptures whichspeakofthe eyes of the Lord, the eats 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 whilftwe are in the body; but we shallknowhim 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. iv. 15, 16. Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of fimilitude, on the day thattheLordspake to you inHoreb, out of the midst of the fire; lest ye corrupt
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yourselves, and make you a graven image, the fimilitude of any figure, or.
Q. 6. What else maybe inferred from thence ?
A. That our fouls 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 vilebody ; Matth. xvi. 26. For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul ? Or what shall a imangive in exchange for his soul ?
Q. 7. What further truth maybe inferred hence ?
A. Thatmen should beware of spiritual fins, as well as of gross and outward fins ; for there is a filthiness of the spirit, as well as of the flesh ; 2 Cor. vii. 1. Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit; and as God fees them, fo he greatly abhors them, as fins that defile the noblest part of man, on which he stamped his own image.
Q. 8. What also may be inferred from hence ?
A. Hence we learn, that spiritual worship is most agreeable to his nature and will; and the more spiritual it is, the more acceptable it will be to him ; John iv. 24. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth.
Externals in worship are of little regard with God; as places, habits, gestures, &c.
Apply this, First, To superstitious men, Isa. lxvi. 1, 2, 3 .
Secondly, To children, that say a prayer, but mind not to whom, nor what they say.
Of God's Infinity.
HAT is the sense and meaning of this word, [infinity ?] Quest.J. WHA A. It signifies that which hath no bounds or limits, within which it is contained, as all created things are.
Q. 2. Inhowmany respects isGodinfinite?
A. God is infinite or boundless in three respects .
First, In respect of the perfection of his nature; his wisdom, power, and holiness, exceed all measure and limits ; as Sam. ii. 2 There is none holy as the Lord, &c . Secondly,
In respect of time and place ; no time can measure him ; Ifa.
Ivii. 15. Thus faith the high, and lofty One, that inhabiteth eternity ; 1 Kings viii. 27. Behold the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built ?
The heaven of heavens contains all created beings ; but not
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Thirdly, In respect of his incomprehenfibleness, by the understanding of all creatures ; Job xi. 7. Canst thou by searching find out God ? Canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection ?
Q. 3. If God be thus infinite, and no understanding can comprehend him, how then is it said in I John iii. 2. We shall fee him as he is ?
A. The meaning is not, that glorified saints shall comprehend God in their understandings ; but that they shall have a true apprehensive knowledge of God ; and that we fall fee him immediately, and not as we do now through a glass darkly.
Q. 4. What is the first lesson to be learnt from God's infi nity?
A. That therefore men should tremble to fin even in secret; Psal. cxxxix. 11. If I fay, surely the darkness shall cover me, even the night shall be light about me .
Q. 5. What is the second instruction from hence ?
A. The second instruction is, That there is an infinite evil in fin, objectively considered, as it is committed against an infinite God; and therefore it' deserves eternal punishment; and no satisfaction can possibly be made for it, but by the blood of Christ ; 1 Pet. i. 18. Forafmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold
-but with the precious blood of Christ.
Q. 6. What is the third instruction from God's infinity?
A. The third instruction is, that those who are reconciled to God in Christ, need not fear his ability to perform any mercy for them; for he is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think, Eph . iii. 20. And those that are
not reconciled, are in a very miserable condition, having infinite power set on work to punish them ; 2 Theff. i. 9. Whe shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the pre fence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.
Q. 7. What is the fourth instruction from God's infinity ?
A. That no place can bar the access of gracious fouls te God : They are as near him in a dungeon, as when at liberty; and that he knows their thoughts, when their tongues cannot utter them .
[Eternal.] HAT is it to be eternal, as God is ?
W A. The eternityofGod is, tobewit without beginning, and without end; Psal. xc. 2. From everlasting
Quest. 1 . to everlasting thou art God.
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Q. 2. How doth God's eternity differ from the eternity of angels, and human fouls ?
A. It differs in two respects ; First, In this, that though angels, and the souls of men shall have no end ; yet they had a beginning, which God had not.
Secondly, Our eternity is by gift from God, or by his appointment ; but his eternity is necessary, and from his own nature.
Q. 3. In what sense is the covenant called an everlasting covenant?
A. The covenant is called an everlasting covenant, 2 Sam. xxiii. 5. because the mercies of it, conveyed to believers, as pardon, peace, and salvation, are mercies that shall have no end.
Q.4. Inwhatsense is the gospel everlasting ?
A. The gospel is called the everlasting gospel, Rev. xiv. 6. because the effects thereof, upon the souls it fanctifies, will abide in them for ever.
Q. 5. In what sense is the redemption of Christ called the eternal redemption?
A.. The redemption of Christ is called eternal redemption inHeb. ix. 12. because those whom he redeems by his blood, shall never more come into condemnation ; John v. 24. Не that heareth my word, and believethon him thatfent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.
Q. 6. Why is the last judgment of the world by Christ, calledeternaljudgment?
A. The last judgment is called eternal judgment, notbecauseGodjudgedmenfrom eternity, or because the day of judgment shall last to eternity ; but because the consequences of it will be everlasting joy or misery to the souls of men; therefore it is called eternal judgment ; Heb. vi. 2.
Q. 7. What may wicked men learn from the eternity of God?
A. Hence wicked men may fee their own misery in the perfection of it ; that they will have an eternal enemy to avenge himself upon them for ever, in the world to come ;
2 Theff. i. 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord.
Q. 8. What may good men learn from it ?
A. That their joy and happiness will be perfect and endless, who have the eternal God for their portion ; Psal. xvi. 1F..
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In thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.
Q9. What may all men, good and bad, learn from it ?
A. All men may learn three things from the eternity of God: First, That their life is athing ofnoughtcomparedwith
God ; Psal . xxxix. 5. Mine age is as nothing before thee.
Secondly, That sins, or duties, long since committed, or performed, are all present before God.
Thirdly, That God can never want opportunity to do his work, and carry on his de signs in the world.
All time is in the hand of the eternal God ; Rev. xii. 12. The devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth thathehathbut a short time.
Quest. W Of God's Unchangeableness.
HAT scriptures plainly assert this attribute?
A. Exod. iii. 14. And God said unto Moses, I AM that I AM.
Dan. vi. 16. For he is the living God, and stedfast for ever ; James i. 17. With whom is novariableness, neither shadow of turning.
Q. 2. Whence doth God's immutability flow ?
A. The immutability of God flows from the perfection of his nature, to which nothing can be added, and from which nothing can be taken away.
If any thing could be added to make him better than he is ; or if anythingcouldbe taken away, tomakehim less good than he is, then he were not the chiefest good, and, consequently, not God.
Q. 3. Bywhatother argument prove you his immutability?
A. I prove it from the eternity of God. If God be eternal, he must be immutable : for if he change by addition of something to him he had not before, then there is something in God which he had not from eternity :And if he change by diminution, then there was something in God from eternity, which now is not , but from everlasting to everlasting he is the fame God, and therefore changeth not.
Q. 4. But it is said, God repents, and repentance is a change: How then is he unchangeable, and yet repents?
A. In those phrases God speaks to us, as we must speak of, and to him ; not properly, but after the manner of men ; and it only notes a change in his outward providence, not in his nature.
Q. 5. But how couldGodbecome man, and yet no change madeonhim ?
A. There is a twofold change ; one active, made by God, that we allow: He made a change upon our nature by uniting
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ittoChrift; but a passive change made upon God,we deny.
The nature of man was made more excellent, but the divine nature was still the fame.
Q. 6. What is the first instruction from God's immutability ?
A. That those that are most unchangeable in holiness, are most like God : Lethimthat isholybeholy still.
Q. 7. What is the second instruction hence ?
A. That the happiness of God's people is firm and sure,being stilluponthe word of an unchangeableGod ; Mal. iii. 6.
For I am the Lord ; I change not : therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed, Heb. vi. 18.
Q. 8. What is the third instruction from this attribute ?
A. That the hopes of all wicked men are vain, being built upon a presumption, that God will not deal with them as he hath threatened he will do.
Q. 9. What is the last instruction from God's immutability?
A. That Christians may take as much encouragement now from the nature,word, and providence of God, as the saints in any former generation did, or might do ; for he is the fame now he was then.
Quest. 1. H Of God's Wisdom.
OW manifold is the wisdom of God?
A. There is a personal and essential wisdom of God; the personal wisdom is the Son of God; 1 Cor. i. 24.
Christ, the power of God, and the wisdom of God ; Col. ii. 3.
In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
The essential wisdom of God is the essence of God; of which this question speaks .
Q. 2. What is the essential wisdom of God?
A. The essential wisdom of God is his most exact and perfect knowledge ofhimselfandall his creatures, and his ordering and disposing them in the most convenient manner, to the glory of his own name ; Eph. i. 11. According to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.
Q. 3. What is the first property of God'swisdom?
A. The first property is, he is only wife; Rom. xvi. 27. To God, only wife, be glory: And whatsoever wisdom is in angels, or men, is all derived and borrowed from God, but his from none; Ifa. xl. 14. With whom took he counsel ? and who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?
Q4. What is the second property of God's wisdom ?
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A. The second property is, that he is incomprehensible in his wisdom ; Rom . xi. 33, 34. O the depth of the riches,both of the wisdom and knowledge of God, &c.
Q. 5. What is the thirdpropertyofthe wisdom of God ?
A. The third property is, that God is perfectly wife, which no creatures, no, not the very angels in heaven are ; Job iv. 18.
And his angels he chargeth with folly.
Q. 6. What is the most glorious and eminent discovery of the wisdom of God ?
A. The most glorious display of the wisdom of God, was in the work of our redemption by Jesus Christ ; Col. ii. 3. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge;
1 Cor . i. 24. Christ the wisdom of God.
Q. 7. What is the first instruction from God'swisdom ?
A. The first instruction is, that God is a fit object of our trust, dependance, and resignation;Ifa. xxx. 18. And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you; and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you ; for the Lord is a God of judgment; blessed are all they that wait for him.
Q. 8. What is the second instruction from hence ?
A. Thefecondinstruction is,that it is a dangerous arrogancy in the creature, either to prescribe unto God, and direct his
Maker ; Job xxi. 22. Shall any teach God knowledge, seeing he judgeth those that are high ? Or to quarrel with his providences, as not fo fit and convenient as they should be; Job xl.
2. Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him?
He that reproveth God, let him answer it.
Q.9. What is the third instruction from it ?
A. That the people of God have much reason to quiet, and encourage themselves, when crafty and fubtil enemies furroundthem ; for the foolishness of God is wiser than men,
1 Cor. i. 25.
Q. 10. What is the fourth instruction from God's wisdom ?
A. The fourth instruction is, that the true way to wisdom, istobesensible of your own folly ; 1 Cor. iii. 18. If any man among you feemeth to be wife in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wife.
And to apply ourselves by prayer to God the foundation of it, Jam. i. 5. If any man lack wisdom, let him ask it of God.
Q. 11. What is the last instruction from God's wisdom ?
A. That the study of Christ, and of the scriptures, is to be preferred to all other studies in the world ; Col. ii. 3. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. And
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1 Cor. ii . 17. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained, before the world, unto our glory.
Of God's Power.
Quest. 1. What is the power of God?
A.An essential property of his nature, wherebyhecando all things that he pleases to have done; Jer. xxxii.
17. Ah Lord God, behold, thou hast made the heavens and the earth by thy great power, and stretched-out arm ; and there is nothing too hard for thee.
Q. 2. What evidences have we before our eyes of the almighty power of God ?
A. It appears in the creation of the world ; Rom. i. 20.
For the invisible things of him, from the creation of the world, are clearlyfeen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead. And its fuftentation ;
Heb. i. 3. Who upholdeth all things by the word of his power.
Q.3. Did God's power ever act its utmost?
A. No ; he can do more than ever he did, or ever will do ; Matth . iii. 9. God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham, Matth. xxvi. 53 .
Q.4. Are there not some things which God cannot do ?
A. Yes, there are; but they are such things as are inconsistent with his truth and holiness ; Tit i. 2.-which God, that cannot lie; 2 Tim. ii. 13. He cannot deny himself.
را Q.5. What is the firstthing inferred from God's power ?
A. That all the creatures necessarily depend on him for. what ability they have ; and without the permission of the supreme power they can do us no hurt ; John xix. 11. Thou couldest have no power against me, except it were given thee from above.
Q. 6. What is the second inference from hence ?
A. That the difficulties which lie in the way of the promises, need be no stumbling-blocks to our faith ; Rom. iv. 20, 21 .
He staggered not at the promises through unbelief, being fully persuaded, that what he had promised he was able also to perform.
Q. 7. What is the third inference from this attribute ?
A. The saints need not be scared at the greatness of their sufferings ; their God can carry them through ; Dan. iii. 17 .
Our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace.
1 Q. 8. What is the fourth inference ?
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A. That the salvation of God's people is certain, whatever their dangers be, being kept by this mighty power ; 1 Pet. i. 5.
Who are kept by thepowerofGodthrough faith unto falvati 011.
Q. 9. What is the last inference hence ?
A. That the state of the damned is unconceivably mise. rable,their punishment proceeding from the glory of the Almighty ; 2 Theff. i. 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and the gloryofhispower.
Of God's Holiness.
OWmanifoldis the holiness of God?
HOA. The holiness of God is twofold ;; communicable, or incommunicable; of his communicable holiness the apostle speaks, Heb. xii. 10. But he, for our profit, that we
Quest. 1. might be partakers of his holiness. Of his incommunicable holiness that scripture speaks, I Sam. ii. 2. There is none holy as the Lord.
Q. 2. What is the essential and incommunicable holiness of God?
A.It is the infinitepurityofhis nature, whereby he delights in his own holiness, and the resemblance of it in his creatures, and hates all impurity ; Hab. i. 13. Thou art of purer éyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity.
Q. 3. What is the first property of God's holiness ?
A.He is essentially holy: Holiness is not a separablequality in God, as it is in angels and men ; but his being and his holiliness are one thing.
Q. 4. What is the second property of God's holiness ?
A. God is essentially holy, the author and fountain of all communicated holiness; Lev. xx. 8. I am the Lord which fanctifieth you.
Q. 5. What is the third property ?
A. That the holiness of God is the perfect rule and pattern of holiness to all creatures ; 1 Pet. i. 16. Be ye holy, for I am holy.
Q.6. What is the first instruction ?
A. That the holiest of men have cause to be ashamed and humbled, when they come before God ; Ifa. vi. 3, 5. And one cried unto another, saying, holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory. Then said I, Woe is me, for I am undone,because I am am an of unclean lips, c.
Q.7. What is the second instructionfromGod's holiness ?
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A. That there is no coming near to God without a Mediator ; for our God is a consuming fire.
Q. 8.What is thethirdinstruction from God's holiness ?
A. That holiness is indispensibly necessary, to all those which shall dwellwithhim in heaven; Heb. xii. 14. Andholinefs, without which no man shall fee the Lord.
Q. 9. What is the fourth instruction from hence ?
A. That the gospel is ofinestimable value, as it is the instrument of conveying the holiness of God to us; 2 Cor. iii.
18. But we all with open face,beholding as it were in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the fame image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord: Johnxvii. 17.
Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.
Q. 10. What is the last instruction from God's holiness ?
A. That all the despisers of, and scoffers at, holiness, are deIpisers of God; for holiness is the very nature of God; and in the creature it is his represented image.
Quest. 1.W Of God's Fustice.
HAT is the justice of God ?
A. The justice of God is the perfect rectitudeand equity of his nature; whereby he is just in himself, and in all his ways towards the creatures ; Deut. xxxii. 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.
Q. 2.What is the first property of God'sjustice ?
A. That it infinitely excels allhumanjustice in the perfection of it. No creature can compare in justice with God;
Job ix. 2. How shall man bejustwithGod?
Q. 3. What is thesecondproperty of God'sjustice ?
A. That he is universally righteous in all his administrati ons in the world; Psal. cxlv. 17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
Q. 4. What was the greatest demonstrationofthejustice of God, that ever was given to the world ?
A. The greatest evidence that ever was given of the justice of God, was in his exacting full satisfaction for our fins of Christ ; Rom. iii. 25, 26. Whom God hath set forth, to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of fins that are past, through the forbearance of God. To declare, I say,at this time, his righteousness, that he mightbejust, andthejustifier of him which e-
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Q. 5. What is the second discovery of God's justice?
A. The second discovery of the justice of God, is in the eternal punishment of sin in hell, upon all that do not repent, and come to Christ by faith, in this world; Rom. ii. 5. But after thy hardness and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.
Q. 6. What is the third evidence of God's justice ?
A. The third evidence of the justice of God, is in making good all the mercies he hath promised to believers, exactly to tittle ; 1 John i. 9. If we confess our fins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our fins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, 2Tim. iv. 8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness,which the Lord, the righteous Judges will give me at that day.
Q. 7. What is the first inference from God's justice?
A. That sinners have no cause to complain of God's judg. ments, though they be never fo terrible or durable ; Rom. ii .
5. But after thy hardness, and impenitent heart, treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.
Q. 8. What is the second inference from God'sjustice?
A. That without doubt there is a judgment to come in the next life, otherwise God would not have the glory of hisjuftice; Ecclef. iii. 16, 17. I fawunder the fun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there ; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there ; I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous, and the wicked.
Q. 9. What is the third inference from God'sjustice ?
A.That penitent and believing sinners need not doubt of the forgiveness of their fins ; 1 John i. 9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our fins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10. What is the last inference from it?
A. The last inference is, that meekness and patience under afflictions, is our unquestionable duty ; and murmuring against God, is a great fin and evil ; Lam. iii. 39. Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his fins ?
Of God's Goodness.
Hat is the goodness of God ?
Quest. 1.WHat A. It is an essential propertyofhisnature,
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whereby he is absolutely and perfectly good in himself, and the fountain of all communicated goodness to the creature ;
Psal. cxix. 68. Thou art good, and dost good, teach me thy statutes.
Q. 2. How doth the goodness of God differ from the mercy of God?
A. It differs in its objects ; for misery is the object of mercy ; but goodness extends to the creatures that are happy, as well as miserable, as the angels ; Psal. cxlv. 9. The Lord is good to all,and his tender mercies are over all his works.
Q.3. What is the first property of God's goodness ?
A. That all his other attributes flow out of it as their fountain: the other acts of God are but the effluxes of his goodness ;
Exod. xxxiii. 19. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lordbeforethee, and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy unto whom I will shew mercy. Exod. xxxiv. 6. And the Lord paffedbybefore him, and proclaimed,
The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.
Q. 4. What is thesecondproperty of the divine goodness ?
A. That it is supreme, and perfect in itself, so as the goodness of no creature is, or can be; Luke xviii. 19. None is good save one,and that is God: Andconfequently above all additions from the creature ; Psal. xvi. 2. O my soul, thou haft said unto the Lord, My goodness extendeth not unto thee.
Q. 5. What is the third property of God's goodness ?
A. That it is communicative with pleasure and delight to the creature : no mother draws out her breast to an hungry child with more pleasure than God doth his goodness to the saints ; Psal. cxlv. 9. The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works .
Q. 6. In what acts hath God first manifested his goodness ?
A. He hath manifested it in the creation and government of the world ; Psal. civ. 24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works ! in wisdom haft thou made them all.
Q. 7. What was the principal work in whichGodhathmanifefted his goodness to men ?
A. The principal manifestation of God'sgoodness, was in the work of redemption by Christ ; Rom. v. 8. God commended. his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. I John iv. 9. In this was manifested the love of
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God towards us, because thatGodhath sent his only begotten Son into the world,that we might live through him.
Q. 8. But are not the judgments of God on the wicked, and his afflictions on the saints, impeachments of his goodness.
A. No; it is the property of goodness, to hate and punish evil in the impenitents; Exod. xxxiv. 7. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, andtranfgreffion,and fin, and that will by no means clear the guilty, &c. And the afflictions of the saints flow from his goodness, and end in their trueandeternalgood; Heb. xii. 6. For whom theLordloveth, he chaftneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth,
Psal. cxix. 71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes.
Q. 9. Whatmaywe inferfromthegoodness of God ?
A. The first thing is, that fin hath made our natures base, anddisingenuous, in that we take no notice of his goodness ;
Ifa. i. 3. The ox knoweth his owner, and the ass his master's crib ; but israel doth not know, my people doth not consider;and answer not the design of it ;Rom. ii. 4. Not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.
Q.to. What is the second inference from the goodness of God?
A. That therefore God is the fittest object of our delight, and love, and of our trust and confidence.
(1.) Of our delight and love; Psal. cxvi. 1. I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice, and my fupplications.
(2.) Of our truftand confidence; Psal. xxxiv. 8. O taste and fee that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Q. 11. What is the third inference from God's goodness ?
A. That Christians should imitate God in his goodness, in charity to our enemies ; Matth . v. 44, 45. But I say unto you, love your enemies,bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, pray for them which despite fully use you, and persecute you, that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven.
Q. 12. What is the last inference from God'sgoodness ?
A. That Christians have great encouragement to go to God for pardon in case of fin; Psal. cxxx. 4. But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared ; and for refuge in dangers. The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble ; he knoweth them that trust in him, Nahum i. 7 .
Of God'sTruth.
☑Hat is the truth of God ?
Quest: 1.W It is an essential property of his na-
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zure, whereby he is perfectly faithful in himself, and in all that he hath spoken ; Deut. xxxii. 4. He is the rock, his word is perfect, for all his ways are judgment ; a God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right is he, Psal. cxix. 142.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
Q. 2. What is the first property ofDivinetruth ?
A. The first property of it, is, That it is essential and necessary to God ; He cannot lie, Titus i. 2.
Q. 3. What is the second property of it ?
A. The second property is, That it iseverlafting, and abiding to all generations ; Psal. c. 5. For the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endureth to allgeneratiIfa. xxv. 1. O Lord, thou art my God, I will exalt thee -thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
Q4. What is the third property of Divine truth ? ons .
A. The third property is, that he is universally true in all his words and works. (1.) In all his words ; John xvii. 17.
Thy word is truth. (2.) In all his works ; Psal.xxv. 10. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto such as keep his covenant.
Q. 5. What is the firstlessonfromGod's truth to be learnt?
A. That truth and sincerity of heart is that which is most suitable, and pleasing to God; Psal. li.6. Behold thou defirest truth in the inward parts.
Q. 6. What is the second lesson from God's truth ?
A. ThatwhateverGod hath foretold, shall assuredly come to pass, and be fulfilled in his time ; Josh. xxiii. 14. Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord our
Godspake, concerning you ; all are come to pass unto you, andnotonething hath failed thereof.
Q. 7. What is the third lesson from the truth of God?
A. That a promisefromGod is full security to the faith of his people, and they may look upon it as good as a mercy in hand ; Heb. x. 23. For he is faithful that promised.
Q. 8. What is the fourth lessonfromGod's truth ?
A. That whatever God hath threatned in his word against sinners, shall surely come upon them, except they repent;
Zech. i. 6. But my word,and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers ? and they returned and said, like as the Lord of hosts thoughttodounto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, fo hath he dealt with us. Ezek. xii. 27, 28.