The Confession on God
CHAP. II. Of God and of the Holy Trinity.
1. The Lord our God is but (a) one only living, and true God; whose (b) subsistence is in and of himself, (c) infinite in being, and perfection, whose Essence cannot be comprehended by any but himself; (d) a most pure spirit, (e) invisible, without body, parts, or passions, who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light, which no man can approach unto, who is (f) immutable, (g) immense, (h) eternal, incomprehensible, (i) Almighty, every way infinite, (k) most holy, most wise, most free, most absolute, (l) working all things according to the councel of his own immutable, and most righteous will, (m) for his own glory, most loving, gracious, merciful, long suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression and sin, (n) the rewarder of them that diligently seek him, and withall most just, (o) and terrible in his judgements, (p) hating all sin, and who will by no means clear the (q) guilty.
a 1 Cor. 8.4 6. Deut. 6.4.
b Jer 10.10. Isaiah 48.12.
c Exod 3.14.
d Joh. 4.24.
e 1 Tim. 1.17. Deut. 4.15,16.
f Mal. 3.6.
g 1 King. 8.27. Jer. 23.23.
h Ps. 90.2.
i Gen. 17.1.
k Isa. 6.3.
l Ps. 115.3. Isa. 46.10.
m Pro. 16.4. Rom. 11.36.
n Exod. 34.6,7. Hebr. 11.6.
o Neh. 9.32,33.
p Ps. 5.5,6.
q Exod. 34.7. Nahum. 1,2,3.
2. God having all (r) life, (s) glory, (t) goodness, blessedness, in and of himself: is alone in, and unto himself all-sufficient, not (u) standing in need of any Creature which he hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but onely manifesting his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them, he is the alone fountain of all Being, (x) of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things, and he hath most sovereign (y) dominion over all creatures, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever himself pleaseth; in his sight (z) all things are open and manifest, his knowledge is (a) infinite, infallible, and independant upon the Creature, so as nothing is to him contingent, or uncertain; he is most holy in all his Councels, in (b) all his Works, and in all his Commands; to him is due (c) from Angels and men, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience as Creatures they owe unto the Creator, and whatever he is further pleased to require of them.
r Joh. 5.26.
s Ps. 148.13.
t Ps. 119.68.
u Job, 22.2,3.
x Rom. 11.34.35,36.
y Dan. 4.25. and v.34,35.
z Heb. 4.13.
a Ezek. 11.5 Act. 15.18.
b Ps. 145.17.
c Rev. 5.12,13,14.
3. In this divine and infinite Being there are three subsistences, (d) the Father the Word (or Son) and Holy Spirit, of one substance, power, and Eternity, each having the whole Divine Essence, (e) yet the Essence undivided, the Father is of none neither begotten nor proceeding, the Son is (f) Eternally begotten of the Father, the holy Spirit (g) proceeding from the Father and the Son, all infinite, without beginning, therefore but one God, who is not to be divided in nature and Being; but distinguished by several peculiar, relative properties, and personal relations; which doctrine of the Trinity is the foundation of all our Communion with God, and comfortable dependance on him.
d 1 Joh. 5.7. Mat. 28.19. 2 Cor. 13.14.
e Exod. 3.14. Joh. 14.11. 1 Cor. 8.6.
f Joh. 1.14.18.
g Joh. 15.26. Gal. 4.6.
CHAP. III. Of Gods Decree.
1. God hath (a) Decreed in himself from all Eternity, by the most wise and holy Councel of his own will, freely and unchangeably, all things whatsoever comes to passe; yet so as thereby is God neither the author of sin, (b) nor hath fellowship with any therein, nor is violence offered to the will of the Creature, nor yet is the liberty, or contingency of second causes taken away, but rather (c) established, in which appears his wisdom in disposing all things, and power, and faithfulness (d) in accomplishing his Decree.
a Is. 46.10. Eph. 1.11. Heb. 6.17. Rom. 9.15,18.
b Jam. 1.15,17. 1 Joh. 1.5.
c Act 4.27,28. Joh. 19.11.
d Numb. 23.19. Eph. 1.3,4,5.
2. Although God knoweth whatsoever may, or can come to passe upon all (e) supposed conditions; yet hath he not Decreed anything, (f) because he foresaw it as future, or as that which would come to pass upon such conditions.
e Act. 15.18.
f Rom. 9.11.13.16.18.
3. By the decree of God for the manifestation of his glory (g) some men and Angels, are predestinated, or fore-ordained to Eternal Life, through Jesus Christ to the (h) praise of his glorious grace; others being left to act in their sin to their (i) just condemnation, to the praise of his glorious justice.
g 1 Tim. 5.21. Mat. 25.41.
h Eph. 1.5,6.
i Rom. 9.22,23. Jud. 4.
4. These Angels and Men thus predestinated, and fore-ordained, are particularly, and unchangeably designed; and their (k) number so certain, and definite, that it cannot be either increased, or diminished.
k 2 Tim. 2.19. Joh. 13.18.
5. Those of mankind (l) that are predestinated to life, God before the foundation of the world was laid, according to his eternal and immutable purpose, and the secret Councel and good pleasure of his will, hath chosen in Christ unto everlasting glory, out of his meer free grace and love; (m) without any other thing in the creature as a condition or cause moving him thereunto.
l Eph. 1.4.9.11. Rom. 8.30. 2 Tim. 1.9. 1 Thes. 5.9.
m Rom. 9.13.16. Eph. 1.6.12.
6. As God hath appointed the Elect unto glory, so he hath by the eternal and most free purpose of his will, fore-ordained (o) all the means thereunto, wherefore they who are elected, being faln in Adam, (p) are redeemed by Christ, are effectually (q) called unto faith in Christ, by his spirit working in due season, are justifyed, adopted, sanctified, and kept by his power through faith (r) unto salvation; neither are any other redeemed by Christ, or effectually called, justified, adopted, sanctified, and saved, but the Elect (s) only.
o 1 Pet. 1.2. 2 Thes. 2.13.
p 1 Thes. 5.9,10.
q Rom. 8.30. 2 Thes. 2.13.
r 1 Pet. 1.5.
s Joh. 10.26. Joh. 17.9. Joh. 6.64.
7. The Doctrine of this high mystery of predestination, is to be handled with special prudence, and care; that men attending the will of God revealed in his word, and yeilding obedience thereunto, may from the certainty of their effectual vocation, be assured of their (t) eternal election; so shall this doctrine afford matter (u) of praise, reverence, and admiration of God, and (x) of humility, diligence, and abundant (y) consolation, to all that sincerely obey the Gospel.
t 1 Thes. 1.4,5. 2 Pet. 1.10.
u Eph. 1.6. Rom. 11.33.
x Rom. 11.5,6.
y Luk. 10.20.