A Complete Body of Divinity, Sermons · 12 (Question 4)
SERMON XII.
QUESTION IV.
WHAT is GOD?
ANSWER.
GOD is a Spirit, Infinite, Eternal and Unchangeable, in his Being, Wiſdom, Power, Holineſs, Juſtice, Goodneſs and Truth.
GOD being the great & ultimate Object of Religion, and he on whom our faith is to depend, and to whom our Obedience is to return, as being the firſt cauſe and the laſt end, and becauſe faith is the foundation of true Obſervance, the knowledge of him therefore is the firſt thing neceſſary to be ſought after. Hence that of our Saviour, Joh. 17 3. And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jeſus Chriſt whom thou haſt ſent. Now the great deſign of Scripture is to diſcover God to us. We muſt know him, if ever we truſt in him. No other object can make us happy but He; and therefore our faith can reſt with ſafety on no other. This then is the preſent enquiry. It was once a proud enquiry of inſolent Pharaoh, Who is God? But it ought to be the humble inquiſition of all the children of men: and our great requeſt ſhould be, that God would reveal himſelf to us. Before I proceed to the direct explaining of the Anſwer, there are a few things requiſite to be ſpoken to.
1. THAT there is a God. And this is ſuppoſed in the Queſtion: for when we ask, What a thing is, we take it for a granted truth, that there is ſuch a thing; and it will be vain for us to go about to deſcribe the Being of God, except we believe him to be. The Apoſtle therefore takes this to be the firſt Article of faith, which if not entertained, there can be no coming to him, Heb. 11.6. But without faith it is impoſſible to pleaſe him: for he that cometh to God, muſt believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently ſeek him. It may here perhaps ſeem a thing ſuperfluous to go about to prove a truth ſo clear and manifeſt as this, which is the prime dictate of Nature's-light, and is written with ſuch Sun beams, as are ſufficient to convince a meer Gentile, and leave him without excuſe, (Rom. 1.19, 20.) Yet, becauſe there is ſo much of Atheiſm in men's hearts naturally, as tacitly to deny it; (Pſal. 1….1. The fool hath ſaid in his heart, There … to God Pſal 10.4. The wicked through the pride … countenance will not ſeek after God: God is not …n all his thoughts. They deſire there were none, and what they deſire they endeavour to believe) And becauſe it is the Pillar-truth of all Religion give the leave to pick up a few of the many Demonſtrations, by which this Article is confirmed.
(1.) THE works of Creation do undeniably prove the Being of a God. The whole frame of ſecond Beings carries the impreſſion of this truth upon it. The things that are made, lead us by the hand to him that made them. For,
1. THAT the World was not eternal, is evident in the very nature of it; as will more largely appear hereafter. Here let it only be obſerved, that whatſoever is ſubject to change, is a Creature of time; that which may come to an end had a beginning; and before that beginning, it was not. The ſubjection of the the Creature to corruption, proves its generation. Where there is a term in which the thing cen…rs, there was a term in which it began. Where there is a ſecond, third, & fourth generation, there was a firſt: but I inſiſt not here at preſent.
2. THE Creature could not be its own Maker! For a thing, when it had no being, to give being to it ſelf, is unintelligible, yea impoſſible: for nothing to have a power or vertue of Efficiency in it, yea a creating power, which can be nothing leſs than infinite, is a contradiction… Efficiency preſuppoſeth an Exiſtence, which the World had not, when it was not.
3. HENCE there muſt be ſomething b…ſides it, and before it, that muſt give being to it. To look upon a whole World of Beings, and have ſuch a reflection as this, viz. That once all theſe things were not, nor had any Principle of being in nature, but were produced out of nothing, this ſpeaks an Omnipotent power, before & beyond the Creature, that muſt be the Author of this great work; and what can that be but Divine? … power can work, if it hath matter ſutable to work upon; but take that away, and the Operation of the Creature ceaſeth. To bring a World out of nothing, commands our acknowledgment of an Increa…ed power, and that is God.
4. THE curiouſneſs of the compoſure, & exquiſiteneſs of the fabrick, declares an exquiſite workman. As to make a World of nothing, is an evidence of Infinite power; ſo to make ſuch a World, is the diſplay of Infinite wiſdom. Whether we conſider the compoſition of any one Creature, and that the moſt contemptible (ſuppoſe a worm, or a pile of graſs) its nature hath more wonders in it, than the greateſt Naturaliſt that ever was, Solomon himſelf, is able to Analyſe. The Heathen could ſay, Preſenten…que refert, quaelibet Herba Deum. There are ſome Inſects ſo ſmall, that our ſight cannot diſcern them, without the help of a glaſs, and that yet they ſhould have in them all the Organs of ſenſe and motion, is aſtoniſhing. What ſhall we then ſay, to the more ſtupendous pieces of this frame, and the admirable Diſpoſure of them; the vaſt body of this Earth hanging amidſt the Air, and lying faſt there, upon its own Center: the great frame of the Heavens, to which compared, the Earth is little more than an Atome, and thoſe curious Lamps there lighted up & kept burning; eſpecially that glorious Sun in the firmament, but for which the lower world muſt ſuffer a perpetual Night. The Pſalmiſt aſſures us, that theſe preach a God to us. Pſal. 19. beg. The heavens declare the glory of God: and the firmament ſheweth his handy work. Day unto day uttereth ſpeech, &c. Or if we conſider the harmony of the whole in all its parts, or the admirable ſuting of the things that are made one to another, ſo that there is nothing in vain, or uſeleſs, or incapable of being ſerviceable in its place, its nature being every way adapted to the place it bears: every wheel in this curious watch moving aright: and what leſs than Infinite wiſdom, could ſo contrive and compoſe this? This could not poſſibly be chance, but muſt be the work of a curious Artificer; and that can be none but God. Pſal. 104.24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wiſdom haſt thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. The Apoſtle therefore aſſures us, that the things made do give us light enough to diſcover God, in ſuch Attributes as are proper to him and no other. Rom. 1.19, 20: Becauſe that which may be known of God, is manifeſt in them; for God hath ſhewed it unto them. For the inviſible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly ſeen, being underſtood by the things that are made, even his eternal power & Godhead; ſo that they are without excuſe.
(2.) THAT there is a God is alſo witneſſed by the works of Providence. He gives witneſſes of himſelf, no leſs in managing, than he did in making of the world. And this might be convincingly cleared up in many inſtances. A few may … to—.
1. WE …eed to look no farther than the common & daily ordering of, and providing for the Creature. When we ſee the unreaſonable Creatures are guided to attain ſuch ends, that they know not of, in ſuch … and … way, as if they acted by counſel: how the S…n obſerves his ſeaſons, and all his motions diurnal and annual, as if it had knowledge. Pſal. 104.19. He appointeth the moon for ſeaſons; the ſun knoweth his going down. How other Creatures obſerve their ſeaſons of coming and going. Jer. 8.7. Yea, the ſtork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times, and the trutle, and the crane, and the ſwallow obſerve the time of their coming. How rationally and diſcreetly every Creature acts, which have neither reaſon nor diſcretion in them; may we not, nay muſt we not hence infer, that if theſe Creatures act by a Rule they underſtand not, and go to an end which they are ignorant of, they muſt needs be guided by one above them, who knows both their journey's end, and the way to it? And when we conſider the wonderful Proviſion that is made for this great family of the world, daily and ſutably ſupplying all the wants of the ſeveral Creatures, that are in it, it leads us up hither. The Creature cannot provide for it ſelf; it only gathers what is made ready for it. Pſal. 104.27, 28. Theſe wait all upon thee: that thou mayſt give them their meat in due ſeaſon. That thou giveſt them, they gather: thou openeſt thine hand, they are filled with good. And there are ſome Creatures that cannot do that, except it be brought to them. God therefore prove… his own Deity, by that one queſtion, Job 38. ult. Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat. Conſider the lower world, wherein there are ſo many millions of Creatures that muſt be fed every day; and when they ſee they are ſo, muſt we not ſay, There is a great and a wiſe Maſter of this family, who gives them all their meat in due ſeaſon. David concludes his meditation of this point, with that, Pſal. 104.31. The glory of the Lord ſhall endure for ever: the Lord ſhall rejoice in his works. What one Creature, nay what one order of Creatures could have undertaken this? But,
2. WHAT ſhall we ſay to thoſe extraordinary Effects in Providence, which do ſometimes diſcover themſelves in the world? Such as out do the laws of nature, or do invert the common order and courſe of things; needs muſt they ſpeak convincingly, that there is one who is above theſe Laws, holds a ſuperintendency over them, and keeps a liberty in his hands of diſpenſing or ſuſpending them at pleaſure When the Sun ſtood ſtill in the firmament, and moved not for the ſpace of a day, (Joſh. 10.12, 13.) When it went ten degrees backward, (Iſa. 38.8.) When the waters of the red ſea roſe on heaps, and made a way for Iſrael to paſs through, (Exod. 14.27, 28.) when the Sun was Eclipſed for three hours together, at the time of full Moon. (Mat. 27.45.) what do ſuch things ſpeak, but that there is a God that is above Nature, and rules over it with power? Nature it ſelf doth nothing againſt its own Rules, nor divides it ſelf againſt its ordinary way of working, but keeps the beaten road. There is therefore a God over all, to … And we muſt either deny ſuch things to have been, againſt the evidence of unqueſtionable witneſſes, or we muſt needs infer from them, Certainly there is a God.
3. IF we conſider how the Actions of Angels and Men are governed and controlled, it will perſwade us of the truth of a Deity. Theſe are the higheſt order of Created Beings, and are Cauſes by counſel of their own Actions, or voluntary agents; nor do they acknowledge any ſecond Being Superiour to themſelves; but it is certain that their wiſdom & power is not the higheſt that is at work in the World; but there is One above them, and that over rules them. This evidently appears from frequent diſappointments, that befall the ſtrongeſt Policies, and deepeſt deſigns that theſe are managing. There is ſomething that croſſeth them when they have done their utmoſt. They think themſelves their own Carvers; but he makes them ſee and ſay as Nebuchadnezzar. Dan. 4.34. And at the end of the days, …Nebuchadnezzar lift up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine underſtanding returned unto me, and I bleſſed the moſt High, and I praiſed and honoured him that liveth for ever, whoſe dominion is an everlaſting dominion, & his kingdom is from generation to generation. When they have laid in againſt all unforeſeen events, he ſurprizeth them, takes them in their craft, and makes their counſels go head-long. So Eccl 9.11. I returned and ſaw under the ſun, that the race is not to the ſwift, nor the battle to the ſtrong, neither yet bread to the wiſe, nor yet riches to men of underſtanding, nor yet favour to men of skill, but time and chance happeneth to them all. If men did all, then they that have moſt ſtrength on their ſide, would get the day, &c. but it is not ſo: but an unſeeen cauſe comes on things: even their very hearts are under his controll. La…an purſues, Eſau meets Jacob with blo…dy deſigns: yet are they overuled, ſo that one leaves him, the other meets him with a kiſs. The daſhing of the purpoſes of men, extorts from them this Confeſſion, if we will believe the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 58. ult. Verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth. And that Devils themſelves are under ſuch a power, is therein ſufficiently evident, in that the Souls of men are daily taken out of their hands by a powerfull Converſion. There muſt therefore be a ſtronger than they, and this is God.
4. HE that ſhall obſerve how the Church hath been preſerved in all ages, muſt confeſs there is a God. If there were no other Argument to evidence it but this, one would think it would ſtop the mouths of all Atheiſts. It is certain, that the Church of God is the Object of the malice of Men & Devils. The wrath and fury of earth and hell have been armed againſt it, and have in all Ages endeavoured the ſubverſion of it: they have combined together, and taken ſecret counſel, there have been mighty aſſociations, and ſtrong confederacies, and all this againſt the flock, that have been in themſelves indefenſible, and have had none to help them in … forces have nothing prevailed. That is proved true, Pſal. 125.1, 2. They that truſt in the Lord ſhall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever. As the mountains are round about Jeruſalem, ſo the Lord is round about hi… people, from henceforth even for ever. And muſt they not ſay, as Verſe ult. As for ſuch as turn aſide unto their crooked ways; the Lord ſhall lead them forth with workers of iniquity: but peace ſhall be upon Iſrael. How often have the Enemy been ready to ſay, They day is ours, they are ſwallowed up, there is no hope for them, we ſhall have our will upon them; and yet what ſtrange, ſecret & unforeſeen ways have there been to work their deliverance? How have the wa…er…loods riſen up high, winds & ſtorms beaten furiouſly upon, and endeavoured to ſink or overturn this little Ark? and yet it hath weathered and outlived them all! Perſecution hath tired it ſelf in oppreſſing the Church, and yet the gates of hell could never prevail to root it out: and how could this poſſibly have been, if it had not had a God to look after it? I am ſure the Church hath abundant reaſon to ſay as they, Pſal. 124.1, 2.3. If it had not been the Lord who was on our ſide, now …ay Iſrael ſay: If it had not been the Lord who was on our ſide, when men roſe up againſt us: Then they had ſwallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled againſt us. If there had not been a God, where had we been?
5. THE ſtupendous Judgments that have fallen upon ſuch Proud and Atheiſ…c…l Perſons, as have ſet themſelves againſt God, is a further clear witneſs. The fearful ends of ſuch men ſay, There is a God, who vindicates his own honour againſt ſuch as dare to ſet themſelves in oppoſition to it: That he doth not do ſo always, can but declare his wonderful patience; that he doth ſo ſometimes is enough to prove his Being by ſo many monuments of it. The very Heathen have obſerved it, and made an Argument of it to clear this truth, that ſuch as have diſclaimed or ridiculed a Deity, have been overtaken with unwonted Judgments. Thus Di… goras was burnt, Olympius was deſtroyed with Thunder, ſcoffing Lucian was devoured by Dogs. Look into Scripture and ſee: Here we have proud Pharoah inſolently demanding. Who is God, that I ſhould obey him? and what fearful plagues followed him till he was deſtroyed? An Inſolent Human con…onting the moſt high, till he is mounted on the Gallows. A daring Nebuchadnezzar, challenging God to deliver the Three Children out of his hands, ſents grazing with Oxen, till he is made to know that the moſt high reigns. A vain glorious Herod, aſſuming the Divine honour to himſelf, diveſted of his arrogated Deity, and eaten up with Vermine. And ſhall men ſee the Vengeance, and not confeſs there is a God.
(3.) IF man tarry at home, and but look into himſelf, he ſhall there find enough to tell him there is a God: God hath his witneſs in every man, and he muſt ſhut his eyes if he doth not diſcern it: and there are two things which bear teſtimony hereto
1. THE Compoſition of his Being. If we confider his conſtituting parts ſeverally, they beſpeak it. Look upon his Body, it's ſtructure, form, ſymmetry, and harmonious diſpoſure of every part and particle of it; it is enough to raiſe us to take notice of a moſt noble Artificer, whom none of the Creatures are able to imitate. Galen after he had made an Anatomy of an Humane Body, and ſeen the curioſity of all the parts of it, was ſo raviſhed at the contemplation of it, that he made an Hymn to God his Maker. And we may ſee into what a rapture or tranſport of wonder and praiſe this Obſervation put the Pſalmiſt, Pſal. 139.14, &c. I will praiſe thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are thy works, and that my ſoul knoweth right well. My ſubſtance was not bid from thee, when I was made in ſecret; and curiouſly wrought in the loweſt parts of the earth. Thine eyes did ſee my ſubſtance yet being unperfect,—. Or, If we conſider the Soul, how much more will it raiſe our thoughts? whoſe frame is ſuch, as it claims kindred with heaven: the vaſt reach, and large comprehenſion of it declares from what ſtock it is derived. Acts 17.28. For in him …e live and move, and have our being; as certain alſo of your own poets have ſaid, For we are alſo his offspring. Its great knowledge ſaith, that he who made it is of Infinite underſtanding: Its Immortality proclaims, that it derives only from him who hath alone Immortality.—Or, if we conſider theſe two in Conjunction, and Operation, we are here alſo led into Admiration! when we here take as full an account of man as we can, and enquire, Who it was that made ſuch a Being? We muſt ſay, he is a Creature, he did it not, could not make himſelf; no wiſdom or power, that is leſs than Divine could do it.
2. IN the Impreſſions that are made upon the Natural Conſciences of men. The Name of …f God is legibly written & engraved on every mans Conſcience, and tho' many have uſed utmoſt endeavours to raze it out, yet they could never do it altogether. The fool indeed ſaith in his heart, There is no God; but his Conſcience gives him the lye. And let it be well pondered; if man was the ſupream Regulator of his own Actions, it would then be in his own power to dictate ſuch Rules, and preſcribe ſuch Laws to regulate himſelf by, as are moſt ſutable to the approbation of his own fancy; yea, he might be a Rule to himſelf, and in reſpect of any compulſive law, live as he liſt, without being inwardly moved, or poſſibility of having any inward remorſe for what he doth; as having the higheſt appeal within himſelf. When therefore there appears in men, relenting and remorſe at the committing of ſin; and when a Natural man hath gone againſt the light of his Conſcience, and broken a Rule which his own inward Conviction told him he ſhould not have done; and now terrors and amazements ſieze upon him, his Conſcience tells him he hath done amiſs, and deſerves puniſhment for i…, and eſpecially when the deed he hath done is an injury to no man, nor will expoſe him to the danger of humane Laws and Penalties, but (it may be) gain him applauſe of men; when the evil hath been committed by and againſt himſelf alone; yea, and when there is no witneſs in the world againſt him, to accuſe him, not any earthly Tribunal he is in danger of— that yet he ſhould be filled with inward ſelf accuſations, and horrid fear: This plainly declares, that there is a ſupream Surveyor of the Actions of men. For, if there be a law that rules men, which appears from the bruiſes of Conſcience, which men catch by daſhing themſelves againſt it, then there is a law given to ſee it Executed. It is the Pſalmiſts obſervation, Pſal 53.5. There were they in great fear, where no fear was: for God hath ſcattered the bones of him that encampeth againſt thee, thou beſt put them to ſh…me, becauſe God hath deſpiſed them. And whence could thoſe Pannick fears come, when men are at ſeeming peace with the world, and no apparent Judgment near them; but from the impreſſions of a Judgment of God upon them? The witneſs of Conſcience to things lawful … unlawful, the convictions of it upon theſe very Principles, and the ſentence it …ſſeth, and execution it doth upon men accordingly, do plainly ſay, There is a God, who diſpenſeth theſe things.
USE. HOW juſtly then doth the Scripture call the Atheiſt, a Fool!
AND how ſhould we all, Young and Old, labour to get the practical impreſſion of this great truth deeply engraven on our hearts▪ That there is a God!
[DECEMBER 4. 1688.]