Imatges de pàgina
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Who is God, save the Lord? Ps. xviii, 31.

I am the Lord, and there is none else. Isa. xliv, 6, 8; xlv, 5, 6.

xlv, 18, 21; xlvi, 9.

I am the first; I also am the last. Isa. xlviii, 12.

The Lord our God is one Lord; and there is none other but he.

Mark xii, 29, 32.

This is life eternal, to know thee, the only true God. John xvii, 3. There is none other God but one. 1 Cor. viii, 4.

To us there is but one God, the Father. 1 Cor. viii, 6.

One God, and Father of all. Eph. iv, 6.

But are not Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, each of them God?

Rom. ix, 5.

Yes: and the same divine attributes are equally ascribed to them as to God the Father. Christ,--who is over all, God blessed for ever. In him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Col. ii, 9. Jesus Christ existed from eternity, he created all things, he supports and sustains all things, he is omnipresent, and omniscient, and is the object of Divine worship. See Chapter On the Divinity of Christ.

He said to his disciples,

All things that the Father hath are mine. John xvi, 15.
He is Lord of all. Acts x, 36.

And will be the Judge of all.

To the Holy Ghost, creation, omnipresence, and omniscience, are ascribed, and the souls of believers are sanctified by his gracious influence. He also is God. See Chapter On the Holy Ghost.

Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. Acts v, 3, 4.

Now we cannot imagine that a God, who is so jealous of his own honour, that he has declared, (Is. xlviii, 11.) "I will not give my glory unto another," would give so strong testimony in his holy word to the divinity of Jesus Christ, and of the Holy Ghost, if they were created beings, however exalted their nature: we therefore conclude, "that the Father is God, the Son is God, and the Holy Ghost is God; and yet they are not three Gods, but one God." They are three persons in the Godhead, none of which is before or after the other; none is greater or less than another."

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How do you prove a plurality in the Godhead?

And God said, let us make man. Gen. i, 26.

And God said, behold the man is become as one of us. Geu. iii, 22. And God said, let us go down, &c. Gen. xi, 6, 7.

Whereas they [the Holy One, see verse 13.] commanded. Dan. iv, 26.
And they (the Most High God) took his glory. Dan. v, 18, 20,
In what passages of Scripture are the three persons of the
Godhead mentioned?

The form of benediction appointed to be used by the priests under the law, is supposed to allude to the Three Persons in the Godhead.

The Lord bless thee and keep thee---The Lord make his face shine upon thee-The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee. Numb. vi, 24-26.

Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of Hosts. Isa. vi, 3.
It appears from John xii, 41; Acts xxviii, 25; that
this adoration was addressed to the Three Persons of
the Trinity.

Seek ye out of the book of the
manded, and his Spirit, &c. Isa. xxxiv, 16.
The Lord God and his Spirit hath sent me (Christ.) Isa. xlviii, 16.
Baptizing in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the
Holy Ghost. Matt. xxviii, 19.

Lord--for my mouth it hath com

That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ, ministering the Gospel of God, the offering being sanctified by the Holy Ghost. Rom. XV, 16.

The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost. 2 Cor. xiii, 14.

Through him (Christ) we both have access, by one Spirit, unto the Father. Eph. ii, 18.

The Lord (the Holy Ghost) direct your hearts, into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 2 Thess. iii, 5. Christ, through the eternal Spirit, offered himself to God, Heb. ix, 14.

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through

the Spirit, to sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. i, 2. There are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the World and the Holy Ghost. 1 John v, 7.

Divine teaching is ascribed to all the persons of the Godhead.

They shall be all taught of God. John vi, 15.

Neither was I taught it but by the revelation of Jesus Christ Gal. i, 12.

The Holy Spirit will teach you all things. John xiv, 26.

The divine law is the law of the Trinity.

It is called the law of God. Rom. vii, 25.

The law of Christ. Gal. vi, 2.

The law of the Spirit of life.

Rom. viii, 2.

Sin is an offence against the Trinity.

Ye shall not tempt the Lord your God. Deut. vi, 16.

Neither let us tempt Christ. 1 Cor. x, 9.

Ye have agreed to tempt the Spirit of the Lord. Acts v, 9.

The three persons of the Trinity have fellowship with the faithful.

Our fellowship is with the Father. 1 John i, 3.

And with his Son Jesus Christ. 1 John i, 3.

The communion of the Holy Ghost. 2 Cor. xiii, 14.

The three persons of the Trinity are spiritually present in the souls of believers.

God is in you. 1 Cor. xiv, 25.

Jesus Christ is in you. 2 Cor. xiii, 5.

The Spirit dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. John xiv, 17. There are texts to prove, in the same way, that each person is eternal, true, holy, omnipresent, and the fountain of life.

What gratitude ought we to feel towards God for having brought us into existence, and made us capable of so much happiness: but above all, for having redeemed us from sin and hell by the blood of his only Son, and sent his Holy Spirit to sanctify us, and make us fit for eternal glory.

You said that God the Holy Ghost sanctifieth the elect

people of God;-Who are the elect people of God? The Lord hath set apart him that is godly for himself. Ps. iv, 3.

Elect means chosen, and the word is used in Scripture, to denote those persons who are separated from a sinful world, and spiritually united to Jesus Christ, who died to redeem them by his blood out of every kindred, and people, and nation; and to make them kings and priests unto God.

Did Christ then, by his death, redeem none but the elect?

Yes: he tasted death for every man; and "hath redeemed us and all mankind:” but such is the depravity of human nature, that a great portion of men obstinately reject his offered mercy, and refuse to become partakers of the benefits he hath purchased for them.

How may we know whether we are the elect people of God?

By an examination of our hearts and conduct. We can have no evidence that we are of his chosen people, except so far as we show, in our lives and conversation, that we are sanctified by the Holy Ghost: and we may

rest assured, that none will be left to perish, who have not pleasure in unrighteousness.

Is it for any merits of our own that we are thus chosen?
No.

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us. Titus iii, 5.

Are we, then, to use no efforts of our own to attain unto this state?

We are to be as diligent in the use of all the means of grace as if our salvation depended wholly upon ourselves; at the same time that we repose our confidence as entirely on Divine assistance, as if we could do nothing to help ourselves. We must be workers together with God, though He alone can communicate strength, and to him alone must be all the glory.

Give diligence to make your calling and election sure. 2 Pet. i, 10. 1st. Do you believe that "God the Father made you and all the world?"

Serve him then as dutiful and obedient children.-He made you that you should live to his glory.

2. Do you believe that "God the Son redeemed you and all mankind?"

Remember what he paid for your redemption, and continue not the slaves of sin. You are not your own, you are bought with a price; and pray that all mankind may be brought to believe in the Saviour of the world. 3. Do you believe that "God the Holy Ghost sanctifieth all the elect people of God?"

Pray that your souls may be enlightened and sanctified by his influence, that you may make. your calling and election sure.

And remember, that however true the articles of your belief may be, unless your faith in them purifies your hearts, overcomes the world, and works by love, it will profit you nothing.

Collect--Trinity Sunday. Almighty and everlasting God, who hast

given unto us thy servants grace, by the confession of a true Faith, to acknowledge the glory of the eternal Trinity, and in the power of the Divine Majesty, to worship the Unity: we beseech thee to keep us steadfast in this faith,

VIII. On the Commandments, No. 1.

ON OUR OBLIGATION TO KEEP GOD'S LAW.

What was the third thing your Godfathers and Godmothers promised for you?

"That I should keep God's holy will and commandments, and walk in the same all the days of my life."

Tell me how many there be?

Ten; which are otherwise called the Law of God. They were given to Moses on Mount Sinai, written by the finger of God on two tables of stone. They contain the substance of all that is required of man, and instruct him briefly in his duty towards God, and his duty towards his neighbour. But it is not to be supposed, that the Divine commands are so fully revealed in them, as to render the rest of God's word unnecessary or unimportant. All Scripture is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness; and the will of God is to be sought for throughout the whole bible.

Which be they?

"The same which God spake in the twentieth chapter of Exodus, saying, I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage."

God thus reminded his people of the wonders he had wrought for them, in order to display his majesty, and enforce his authority.

Under what obligations were the Children of Israel to keep the Ten Commandments?

"The Lord was their God."

[IIe said to Abram] I am the Lord that brought thee out of Ur of the Chaldees. Gen. xv, 7.

To be a God unto thee, and to thy seed after thee. Gen. xvii, 7.
I will bring you unto the land concerning the which I did swear :---
I am the Lord. Exod. vi, 2, 6, 8, 29.

Ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people:--and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. Exod. xix, 5, 6.

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