and all that belongs to Him, of and from Himself; or in a self-existent manner.- -That He possesses this perfection is evident from the consideration of His other perfections above mentioned, and that He is above all, and over all, creatures and things, and that they are entirely dependant on Him. He, consequently, must be independent of them. The Bible also teaches this perfection of God.(h) Q. 9. What is meant by the unity of God? and how is it proved? A. By His unity is meant His numerical oneness of essence or substance, in opposition to numerical plurality of essence or substance. When it is said God is one, the meaning is, that there is but one self-existent being. This perfection* of God may be argued from His other natural perfections, from the unity of design discoverable in the works of creation and providence, from there being no necessity of more than one God, and from the explicit declarations of Scripture.(i) Q. 10. What is meant by the goodness of God? and how is it proved? A. By His goodness is meant a disposition to bestow, and the actually bestowing upon all His creatures, susceptible of pleasure and pain, both in time and in eternity, every good thing which is proper and best for them, and which it is consistent for Him, in view of the highest good of the universe, to bestow. It is immanent or communicative; benevolence in intention, or beneficence in action. -This perfection of God is proved from the (h) Eph. 4. 6. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. (i) Deut. 6. 4. Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is one Lord. * Unity in God seems to be a mode of existence, rather than a perfection of His nature, though it has generally been considered a per fection. works of creation and providence, and from the Bible.(j) 11. What is meant by the wisdom of God? and how is it proved? A. Wisdom in God is partly a natural, and partly a moral perfection.* It unites the omniscience and goodness of God, in accomplishing the greatest good in the universe; or it consists in knowing and choosing the best ends, and in knowing, choosing, and adopting the best means for the accomplishment of them.This perfection of God is proved from the Divine omniscience and goodness, from creation, providence and redemption, and from the Sacred Scriptures.(k) Q. 12. What is meant by the holiness of God? and how is it proved? A. By His holiness is meant His perfect separateness from all sin-the perfect purity and rectitude of His nature.- That God possesses this perfection, is evident from his works of creation and providence; from His treatment of all moral beings, and from express declarations of His word. (1) Q. 13. What is meant by the justice of God? and how is it proved? A. By His justice is meant a disposition to do, and actually doing, no wrong to any, and a disposition to do, and actually doing, right by every one, or the rendering unto all their due. It is exercised (j) Ps. 119. 68. Thou art good and doest good; teach me thy statutes. (k) Rom. 16. 27. To God only wise be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. (1) Isa. 1. 4. They have forsaken the Lord, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger:-Lev. 19. 2. Speak unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, and say unto them, ye shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy. * Wisdom when applied to God is frequently used as a natural perfection, and then consists merely in his omniscience, or in devising the best means for the accomplishment of the best ends. in conferring rewards on the holy, and inflicting punishment on the unholy, and respects the future state, as well as the present.That God possesses this perfection may be argued from the consideration, that He knows what is right, and has power to do what is right, and has a disposition to do what is right;-from the displays of His justice in the moral world;-and from the Sacred Scriptures.(m) Q. 14. What is meant by the mercy of God? and how is it proved? men.* A. Mercy in God means a disposition to bestow, and the actually bestowing, good upon the illdeserving, or pardon and salvation upon sinful That God possesses this perfection, we have abundant proof from the gift of His Son, His forbearance with sinners, His provision of the means of salvation, His proffers of eternal happiness, and from express declarations of His Word.(") Q. 15. What is meant by the truth of God? and how is it proved? Ꮑ A. Truth in God means the perfect veracity of His disposition, and the accordance of His declarations with the real state of things, His faithfulness in fulfilling His promises, in executing His threatenings, and in accomplishing His predictions.This perfection of God may be proved from His other moral perfections, from His conduct, and from His Word.(*) (m) Ps. 119. 137. Righteous art thou, O Lord, and upright are thy judgments. (n) Eph. 2.4, 5. But God who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. (0) Numb. 23. 19. God is not a man, that he should lie, neither the Son of man, that he should repent; hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good. * Mercy when considered as an act of God is frequently in the Scriptures, and also in the writings of Divines, used as synonymous with grace; though in their strict and natural sense these words differ. And in this sense, mercy means good shown to the miserable, without reference to desert; and grace, good shown to the ill-deserving. Q. 16. Is incomprehensibility a perfection of God? A. It ought not to be considered as such, for it is presumed He is known to Himself. His incomprehensibility arises solely from our incapacity to comprehend Him. God is infinite; we are finite; and it is impossible that finite beings should comprehend the infinite God. He must, therefore, of necessity be incomprehensible to us in His nature, purposes, and works.(P) Q. 17. In what does the greatness of God consist? A. In the infinitude of His natural perfections. Q. 18. 18. What are these perfections? A. They are self-existence, eternity, immutability, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, independence, and unity. Q. 19. In what does the glory of God consist? Å. In His moral perfections. His natural perfections, considered in themselves, are neither morally good nor bad. They derive their real glory from His moral perfections, being exercised under their influence.(4) Q. 20. What are the moral perfections of God? A. They are goodness, wisdom, holiness, justice, mercy, and truth. Q. 21. In what may the whole moral character of God be summed up, or briefly comprised? A. In holiness, benevolence, or love, which may be considered as nearly synonymous. All God's (p) Job. 11. 7. Canst thou by searching find out od? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? (q) Ex. 33. 18, 19. And he said, I beseech thee show me thy glory. And he said I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee, and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. |