## Truth's Victory Over Error
Commentary on the Westminster Confession
## by David Dickson
## Of the Holy Scriptures
## QUESTION I.
## "IS the light of nature, and the works of creation and providence, sufficient to give that knowledge of God, and of his will, which is necessary to salvation?"
No; 1 Cor. 1.21. and 1 Cor. 2.13,14.
Well then, do not the Socinians err, who maintain, That men living according to the law and light of nature may be saved?
1st, Because none can be saved, unless they be born by the incorruptible seed of the word, 1 Pet. 1.23.
2d, Because Christ is the way, the truth, and the life, and no man cometh to the Father but by the Son, John 14:6.
3d, Because there is none other name under heaven, given among men, whereby we must be saved, but by the name of Jesus, Acts 4:12.
4th, Because men cannot believe in Christ, without supernatural revelation: and therefore cannot be sanctified; because all justification, sanctification and remission of sins, are by God's grace, and faith in Jesus Christ, Romans 3:24,25. Acts 26:18. Neither can men be so saved, viz. by living according to the light of nature, because salvation is promised only to believers in Christ, Acts 16:31. John 3:16.
5th, Because all that know not God will be punished eternally, 2 Thes. 1.8. But men without supernatural revelation cannot savingly know God, 1 Cor. 1.21. Mat. 11.27.
6th, Men destitute of supernatural revelation cannot know their own corruption and misery, by the first Adam, nor the remedy which is offered by Christ the second Adam. They are without God, without hope, without the promises, without the church, and covenant of God; and the mysteries of faith are hid, and unknown to them allenarly, that perish and are lost. Ephesians 2:11,12. Romans 9:4. 2 Cor. 4.3. Mat. 13.11,12. Mat. 11.25-27.
## Quest. II. "Are the holy Scriptures most necessary to the church?"
Yes; 2 Tim. 3.15. 2 Pet. 1.19.
Well then, doth not the popish church err, that affirms, The true church to be infallible, in teaching and propounding articles of faith, both without, and against the Scripture; and that their unwritten traditions are of divine and equal authority with the canon of Scripture?
Do not likewise the Libertines and Quakers err, affirming, That God doth teach, and guide the elect into all truth, by the alone instinct and light of the Spirit, without any written word whatsoever?
1st, Because the scriptures are the foundation upon which the church is built, Ephesians 2:20.
2d, Because all things are to be examined by the rule of the word, as the noble Bereans did, Acts 17:11,12.
3d, Because unwritten traditions are subject and liable to many corruptions, and are soon and quickly forgotten.
4th, Because we have life eternal in the Scriptures, therefore they must be necessary to the church, John 5:39.
5th, Because the Scriptures are given that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works, 2 Tim. 3.16,17. and the Scriptures are written that men may believe, John 20:31.
## Quest. III. "Are these former ways of God's revealing his will unto his people now ceased?
Well then, do not the enthusiasts and quakers err, who maintain, That the Lord hath not ceased yet to reveal his will as he did of old?
1st, Because God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners spake in times past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, Hebrews 1:1,2. The apostle calls the time of the New Testament the last days, because under the same, there is no more alteration to be expected, but all things are to abide without adding, or taking away, as was taught and ordained by Christ, until the last day; See also Joel 2:18. Acts 2:17. The ways and manners of old were:
First, By inspiration. 2 Chron. 15.1. Isaiah 59:21. 2 Pet. 1.21. Secondly, By visions, Numb. 12.6,8. Thirdly, By dreams, Job 33:14,15. Gen. 40. 8. Fourthly, By Urim and Thummim, Numbers 27:21. 1 Sam. 33.7,8. Fifthly, By signs, Genesis 32:24. Exod. 13.21. Sixthly, By audible voice, Exod. 20.1. Genesis 22:15.
All which do end in writing, Exod. 17,17,14. which is a most sure and infallible way of the Lord's revealing his will unto his people.
## Quest. IV. "Do the books of the Old and New Testaments come under the name of the Holy Scripture, and Word of God?"
Well then, do not the Quakers err, who maintain, That the scriptures ought not to be called the Word of God?
1st, Because Christ says, If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the Scripture cannot be broken, John 10:35. Here it is evident, that the word of God and the Scriptures are the same.
2d, Because the predictions of the prophets are expressly called the word of God. Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, 2 Chron. 36.22. Here we see it is evident, that the written prophesies of Jeremiah, which are part of the holy Scriptures, are called the word of God.
3d, Because what Christ calls the commandment of God, he calls the word of God, Mark 7:9,10. compared with v. 13.
4th, Because the apostle calls the sword of the Spirit, the word of God. This sword is the sword of the Holy Spirit, which he doth, as it were, put into our hands, to resist Satan, against all his temptations, Ephesians 6:17. Therefore, by the sword of the Spirit must be understood the scripture, not the Spirit himself, as some Quakers affirm. It is evident also, from Mat. 4. where Christ being tempted by the devil, with three different temptations, resists him with three different places of Scripture. And being asked by the Pharisees, why his disciples did pluck the ears of corn upon the Sabbath day, answered by Scripture. Mat. 12.1-4. Teaching us, that Satan's temptations must be carefully answered, and that by Scripture, as the only mean to overcome him, and his instruments.
5th, Because the word of God is quick and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, Hebrews 4:12. This cannot be understood of Christ, because Paul, in his other writings, doth not call the person of Christ by this name, and therefore must be understood of the word of the gospel, the power whereof is described, Romans 1:16.
6th, See these following places of Scripture, Psalms 119:172. 1 Kings 16:12 and 2 Kings 9:36. and 23.16. Isaiah 28:13. Hosea 1:1,2. Isaiah 37:22. Proverbs 30:5. By the Scripture, or the word of God, we do not understand the bare letters, or the several written words, of the holy Scripture, which the adversaries may imagine we call the word of God. These are only the vessels, which carry and convey that heavenly light unto us. But we understand thereby, the doctrine or will of God revealed unto reasonable creatures, teaching them what to do, believe, or leave undone, Deuteronomy 19:29.
## Quest. V. "Are the Scriptures given of God to be the rule of faith and life?"
Yes; Luke 16:29,31. Ephesians 2:20. Revelation 20:18,19. 2 Tim. 3.10.
Well then, doth not the Popish church err, who maintain, Their unwritten traditions to be the rule of faith?
Do not likewise the Enthusiasts, and the Quakers err, who maintain, The Spirit within, that teaches the elect, to be the only rule of faith? And that the dictates of light within, are of as great authority as the Scriptures?
1st, Because the Scriptures are called a rule, Galatians 6:16.
2d, Because nothing is to be added to the Scriptures, Deuteronomy 4:2. and 12.32. Proverbs 30:6. Revelation 22:19,20.
3d, Because we ought rather to follow the Scripture in this life, than a voice spoken from heaven, 2 Pet. 1.19,21.
4th, Because the Scripture is written, that we might believe, John 20:31.
5th, Because the Scripture is given for making the man of God perfect, 2 Tim. 3.17.
6th, Because we must betake ourselves in the whole of religion to the law, and to the testimony, Isaiah 8:20.
7th, Because Christ himself refers the greatest question that ever was, whether he be the son of God, or not, to the Scriptures, John 5:38,39. Search the Scriptures, says he, for they testify of me.
8th, Because the Holy Ghost did never give such a designation to his own word, as an historical rule, and dead letter; or as some Quakers call them, not the "principal fountain of truth and knowledge, not the first rule of faith and manners," but the regula secundaria, subordinate to the Spirit; whence, as they affirm, "the holy Scriptures have all their true worth, excellency, and certainty:" Whereas Paul says expressly, Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God, Romans 10:14
9th, Because the spirits cannot be known by any other rule than by the written word. It is certain, that the devil transforms himself into an angel of light, 2 Cor. 11.14. There is a spirit of the world, 1 Cor. 2.12. A spirit that rules in the hearts of the children of disobedience,
Ephesians 2:2. There is a lying spirit, 1 Kings 22:22. And a spirit of error and delusion, 1 John 4:6. How shall these be known to be such, or the Spirit, which the Quakers obtrude upon us, not to be one of them, but by the rule of the word?
## Quest. VI. "Are the books commonly called Apocrypha, of divine inspiration?"
No; Luke 24:27,44. Romans 3:2. and 2 Pet. 1.21.
Well then, do not the Papists err, who affirm, That the books called Apocrypha, are of divine inspiration, and of equal authority with the undoubted word?
1st, Because they were never written in the Hebrew tongue, nor by any of the prophets.
2d, Because they are never cited in the New Testament by Christ, or by any of the apostles, as books of the canonical scriptures are.
3d, Because they contain many fabulous, and impious doctrines and histories.
Tobit 5.21. The angel says, He was Azariah, the son of Ananias. This was a manifest lie, which cannot be attributed to a good angel; and therefore the Spirit of God hath not dictated this history. It is reported, Tobit 6.6,7,16,17. that the heart and liver of a fish was good to make perfume to drive away the devil, if any man was troubled with him, or with any evil spirit. And it is said, Tobit 12.15. by the angel, I am Raphael, one of the seven holy angels, that present
the prayers of the saints. This is only proper to Christ. Because the act of Simeon and Levi, condemned by Jacob, acted by the Spirit of God, Genesis 34:25. in killing the Shechemites, is commended by Judith, 9.2,3. Because you will read of an offering for the dead, prayers and reconciliation for the dead, that they might be delivered from sin, 2 Maccab. 12.43-45. See what contradictions are in comparing together, 1 Maccab. 6.8. 2 Maccab. 15.16. 2 Maccab. 9.5.
## Quest. VII. "Doth the authority of the holy Scripture, for which it ought to be believed, and obeyed, depend upon the testimony of any man, or church?"
No; 2 Pet. 1.19,21. 2 Tim. 3.16. 1 Thes. 1.13.
Well then, do not the Popish writers err, who maintain, The authority of the Scriptures, to depend upon the testimony of the church, as to us?
1st, Because the word is to be received by us, not as the word of man, but as the word of God. 1 Thes. 2.13.
2d, Because the doctrine of Christ, to be received by believers, dependeth not on man's testimony, John 5:34.
3d, Because God only is true and infallible, and all men are liars, Romans 3:4. Hebrews 6:18. He is of incomprehensible wisdom, Psalms 147:5. Of great goodness, Exod. 18.7. Romans 11:12. Psalms 34:8. Of absolute power and dominion, Genesis 17:1. Psalms 50:1,2. Of infallible truth, who can neither deceive or be deceived, Romans 3:4. Titus 1:2.
Hebrews 6:18. Therefore he ought to be credited in all his narrations, promises, threatenings, and prophesies, and obeyed in all his commands allenarly, because he himself hath said so.
## Quest. VIII. "Is the whole counsel of God concerning all things necessary for his own glory, man's salvation, faith and love, either expressly set down in scripture, or by good and necessary consequence, may be deducted from it? "
Yes; 2 Tim. 3.15. Galatians 1:8,9. 2 Thes. 2.2.
Well then, do not the Popish church err, who maintain, The Scripture to be an imperfect rule, and therefore to stand in need of a supply of unwritten traditions?
1st, Because all Scripture is given, that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished to all good works, 2 Tim. 3.16,17.
2d, Because the psalmist says expressly, the law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul, Psalms 19:7,8.
3d, Because nothing is to be added to the word of God, Deuteronomy 4:2. Proverbs 30:6. Therefore the Scriptures must be a complete and perfect rule of faith, and not an imperfect rule, or but partly a rule, as they teach.
## Quest. IX. "Is it warrantable to argue in articles, or matters of faith, by consequences natively deduced from scripture?
Well then, do not the Socinians, Quakers, Anabaptists, and Arminians err, who maintain, That all matters of faith are set down expressly, and in so many words in Scripture, and that no matters of faith, at least necessary to salvation, can be built upon consequences drawn from the Scriptures?
1st, Because Christ himself proves, that necessary point of faith, the resurrection of the dead, from scripture by a consequence, Mat. 23.29,31,32. To be any one's God, is to give one eternal life, Psalms 33:12. Psalms 144:15. Whence followeth, that those patriarchs lived still with God, in respect of their souls, which these Sadducees also denied, Acts 23:8. and should also rise in respect of their bodies, and live eternally: Seeing he is called a God, not of one part of them only, but of their whole persons. And in that same chapter, v. 43,45. Christ proves his deity by consequence from Scripture, against the Pharisees.
2d, So doth Apollos, Acts 18:28. and Paul, Acts 19:22. prove from the Old Testament, Jesus to be the Christ: But it is not expressly said in the Old Testament, that he is the Christ. Is not that which necessarily follows from scripture, contained in it implicitly, and implicitly revealed by God, infallibly true?
## Quest. X. "Is the inward illumination of the Spirit of God necessary, for the saving understanding of such things, as are revealed in the word?"
Yes; John 6:45. 1 Cor. 2.9-12.
Well then, do not the Socinians and Arminians err, who maintain, That men without the revelation of the Spirit, are able to understand the Scriptures for their salvation?
1st, Because the disciples of Christ were not able to understand the Scripture, before he opened their eyes, Luke 24:45.
2d, Because the Jews to this day cannot understand the Scriptures of the Old Testament, until the vail, by the Spirit of God, be taken away, 2 Cor. 3.14,15,16,18.
3d, Because the psalmist David seeketh from God, the opening of his eyes, that he may behold wondrous things out of his law, Psalms 119:18.
## Quest. XI. "Are all these things, which are necessary to be known, believed, and observed for salvation, so clearly propounded, and opened in some place of Scripture, or other, that not only the learned, but the unlearned, in a due use of the ordinary means, may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them, for their salvation?"
Yes; Psalms 119:105,130.
Well then, do not the Papists err, who maintain, That things necessary to salvation, are obscurely and darkly set down in Scripture; and that without the help of unwritten traditions, and the infallible expounding of the church, the Scriptures cannot be understood?
1st, Because the word is a lamp unto our feet, and a light unto our paths, Psalm 119. 105.
2d, Because the Scripture is a light which shineth in a dark place, 2 Pet. 1.19.
3d, Because the Scripture enlighteneth the eyes, and maketh the simple wise, Psalms 19:7,8.
## Quest. XII. "Hath not the Lord, by his singular providence and care kept pure in all ages the Old Testament in Hebrew, and the New Testament in Greek?"
Yes; Mat. 5.18.
Well then, do not the Papists err, who maintain, The Old Testament in Hebrew, and the New Testament in Greek, which are the fountains, to be corrupted, and that their common Latin version is authentic?
1st, Because Christ says, till heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled, Mat. 5.18.
2d, Because there can be no urgent necessity shown, why the fountains are corrupted.
3d, If any such corruption had been in the Scripture, Christ, and his apostles, and the orthodox fathers had declared so much.
4th, Because they never have nor can make out any manifest corruptions in the fountains, albeit, most manifest and undeniable demonstrations are given of the corruptions of their Latin version, which they make authentic.
## Quest. XIII. "Are the original tongues, viz. the Hebrew and the Greek, to be translated in the vulgar language of every nation into which they come?"
Are we commanded in the fear of God to read and search the scriptures?
Yes; John 5:39. 1 Cor. 14.6,9,11,12,14,24,27,28.
Well then, do not the Papists err, who maintain, There is no necessity of translating the original tongues, the Hebrew, and the Greek, into the vulgar language of every nation, unto which they come, but rather a very great hazard, and danger of errors and heresies?
Do not likewise the same Papists err, who forbid the reading of the Scriptures in the vulgar tongues?
1st, Because the Scriptures were given long since to the Jews, in their own vulgar language, that they might be read publicly and privately by all. Deuteronomy 31:10-12. Deuteronomy 11:18-20.
2d, Because the New Testament was written in the Greek language, which at that time was most generally known to all nations.
3d, Because Christ bids all, promiscuously, search the Scriptures, John 5:29.
4th, Because the prophets and apostles preached their doctrines to the people and nations in their known languages, Jeremiah 46:15,16. Acts 2:6.
5th, Because immediately after the apostles times, many translations were extant.
6th, Because all things must be done in the congregation unto edifying, 1 Cor. 14.26. but an unknown tongue doth not edify.
7th, Because all are commanded to try the spirits, 1 Thes. 5.21. 1 Cor. 10.15.
8th, Because the Scriptures teach the way of life, Proverbs 2:9. Luke 16:19. Acts 24:14.
9th, Because the Scriptures set forth the duty of every man in his place, and estate of his life, Deuteronomy 17:8,19,20. Joshua 1:8. Psalms 119:24. 2 Chron. 23.11.
10th, Because they are the grounds of faith, Romans 4:20. 2 Chron. 20.20.
11th, Because they are the epistle of God sent to his church, Hosea 8:12. Revelation 2:1,8,12.
12th, Because they are his Testament, wherein we may find what legacies he hath bequeathed unto us, 2 Cor. 3.14,16. Hebrews 10:16. John 14:16.
13th, Because they are the sword of the Spirit, Ephesians 6:17.
14th, Because being embraced and known, they make a man happy, Psalms 119:97,98. Luke 10:42. Luke 16:29. Psalms 1:2. Revelation 1:3.
15th, Because when the Scriptures are neglected or contemned, they plunge men into all misery, Hebrews 2:3. Mat. 22.29. Psalms 50:16.
## Quest. XIV. "When there is a question about the true meaning, and full sense of any Scripture, must it be known and searched by other places which speak more clearly?"
Yes; 2 Pet. 1.21. Acts 15:15,16.
Well then, do not the Papists err, who maintain, The Scripture not to be a sufficient interpreter of itself, and that the sense of it cannot be gathered infallibly, when the text is doubtful, from other places which speak more clearly, but only from the magisterial traditions and unwritten opinions of the church of Rome?
1st, Because the noble Bereans compared scripture with Scripture, for finding out the true and sure sense of it, Acts 17:11.
2d, Because the apostle Paul did the same, Acts 28:23.
3d, Because the same was done by the council of the apostles and elders, Acts 15:15-17.
## Quest. XV. "Is the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture, the supreme judge by which all controversies of religion are determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest?"
Yes; Matth. 22.29,31. Ephesians 2:20. Acts 28:25.
Well then, do not the Papists err, who maintain, That the Church of Rome, and the Pope, are the supreme judges of all controversies of faith: And that his decrees and determinations are to be believed without examination, and implicitly to be believed by all believers?
Do not likewise the Quakers err, who maintain, That the light within, which teacheth the elect, is the only judge of all controversies of faith.
1st, Because God commands all men to go to the law and to the testimony, in doubtful matters, Isaiah 8:20.
2d, Because all doubts in religion are to be examined by the rule of the word, Acts 17:11. Galatians 6:16.
3d, Because Christ and his apostles did always dispute and reason from the Scriptures against the enemies of the truth, Mat. 22.31. Galatians 3:13.
4th, Because the church of God is founded on the writings of the prophets and apostles, Ephesians 2:20.
5th, Because we are commanded to prove all things, and to try the spirits, 1 Thes. 5.2. 1 John 4:1,6.
## Of God, and of the Holy Trinity.
## QUESTION I.
## "IS there but one only the true and living God?"
Yes; Deuteronomy 6:4. 1 Cor. 8.4,6. 1 Thes. 1.7.
Well then, do not the Trithetiae err, who maintain, Three Gods numerically distinct, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost?
Do not likewise the Manicheans err, who maintain, That there are two Gods, being diverse and opposite, as to kind, viz. one good, the author and cause of all good things, and of things immaterial, being the God of the New Testament. The other evil, viz. the devil, the author and cause of all evil things, and of things material, being the God of the Old Testament?
1st, Because though there be a plurality of persons mentioned in Scripture, yet it is ever God as one as is evident from the first chapter of the Revelation and the last. For if that one God have in himself all perfections, there can be no perfection beside him, and so no God but this one true God; for if there were, he should not be God, because not infinite in perfection. And if God be infinite in perfection, then surely there cannot be multiplicity of gods, seeing that which is infinite, in that respect, cannot be multiplied.
2d, It is evident from Deuteronomy 32:39. where the Lord speaketh of himself, I even I, am he, and there is no God without me.
3d, Because God is omnipotent, and so cannot be hindered by any other in his working, Revelation 15:3.
4th, It is evident from Christ's words to the young man of the gospel, there is none good but one, that is God.
5th, From the words of Hanna in her song, For there is none beside thee, O Lord, neither is there any rock beside our God.
6th, From the testimony of the apostle, 1 Cor. 8.6. To us, says he, there is but one God.
7th, From what Christ said to one of the scribes, viz. the Lord our God is one Lord, Mark 12:39.
8th, Because God is a most absolute, and most perfect being, and so beyond all other things, one: John 10:29. Psalms 145:3. 147.5.
9th, Because this one blessed God is most absolutely sufficient, and furnished with infinite power, and wisdom, for the production,
conversation, and ruling all things in heaven and earth.
10th, Because he is of all things without himself, the first and supreme cause, from which all the creatures visible or invisible, have their rise and beginning.
11th, It is evident, lastly, from the testimonies of the most wise heathens, who have been necessitated to acknowledge but one God only.
## Quest. II. "Is God infinite in being and perfection?"
Yes; Job 11:7-9. 26.24.
Well then, do not the Vorstians, Socinians, and Anthropomorphitans err, who maintain, That God is finite in being, and perfection?
1st, Because God hath a being from himself, and all things have their dependence from him: And therefore there can be nothing by which he can be limited, Romans 11:36.
2d, Because God is every where present, in heaven and beyond the heavens, Jeremiah 23:24. Isaiah 66:1.
3d, Because the Scripture affirms, that the perfection of God is the highest, is unmeasurable, unchangeable, and infinitely great, beyond all creatures, John 11:7-9. Psalms 115:3. Job 26:14.
## Quest. III. "Is the only living and true God, a most pure Spirit, invisible, without a body and parts?"
Yes; John 4:24. 1 Tim. 1.17. Deuteronomy 4:15,16. Luke 24:39.
Well then, do not the Vorstians, Anthropomorphitans, and Socinians err, who maintain, God to have a body, and endued with parts, and an outward shape and form?
1st, Because God is the Father of spirits, Hebrews 12:9.
2d, Because God is invisible, 1 Tim. 1.17.
3d, Because God is like to no bodily thing, nor can he be represented by any image, or corporeal likeness, Isaiah 40:18. Acts 17:29.
## Quest. IV. "Are there in the unity of the Godhead, three persons, of one substance, power, and eternity? "
Yes; 1 John 5:7. Matth. 3.16,17. Matthew 28:19. 2 Cor. 13.14.
Well then, do not the Arians and Socinians err, and others, Who deny the Godhead of the Son, and Holy Ghost?
Do not likewise the Trithetiae err, Who deny the unity of the divine essence?
Thirdly, Do not the Sabellians err, Who deny the real distinction of the persons?
And lastly, Do not the Quakers err, who maintain, There are no persons in the Godhead?
1st, From the places of Scripture already cited.
2d, From the apostolical benediction in which the three persons of the Godhead are called upon expressly, 2 Cor. 13.14.
3d, From 1 Cor. 12.4-6. Where the three persons are named Spirit, Lord, God. And from John 15:26. But when the comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth.
4th, Because there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, 1 John 5:7. These three must either be three persons, or three gods. This last is the height of impossibility; therefore they must be three persons. here they are put to silence, and have nothing to reply. Such is the strength and power of truth, which is able to stop the mouths of the greatest rebels against religion and reason. But there is good ground for the word Person, Hebrews 1:3. where Christ is said to be the express image or impression of the Father's person. Because the person of the Son, perfectly represents the person of the Father, as an impression doth the seal: wherefore he is also called the image of the invisible God. Colossians 1:15. The Greek word is hypostasis, substance or person, whereby is understood, the person of the Father as distinct from the Son, and subsisting of himself, and in himself, and is, as the original of the
person of the Son, by an eternal and ineffable generation. That there are three persons in the Godhead; it is farther evident,
1st, From all the epistles written to the seven churches of Asia. For, as may be gathered from Revelation 1:1. it is the Father that sends, it is the Son that gives John the commission, and it is the Holy Ghost in the close, that is mentioned as joint speaker.
2d, Because in that epistle written to Thyatira, there are three distinctly named, first, the Father and the Son, in these words, These things saith the Son of God. Next, there is named in the last verse of that second chapter, the Spirit, he that hath an ear let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
3d, Because in the beginning of that epistle to the church of Sardis, they are all three put together, These things, saith he, (viz. the Son) that hath the seven Spirits of God. Here God, that is the Father, is distinctly considered as another person. The seven Spirits are the Holy Ghost.
4th, Because these three persons are most fully and clearly distinguished in the fifth chapter. First, the Father sitting on the throne. Secondly, The Lamb, or the Son of God. And, Thirdly, The seven Spirits, or the Holy Ghost, so called from the pouring out of his gifts upon the churches, in that abundant manner, as if he were seven Spirits, or seven-fold Spirit.
It is evident also, that the Father, Son, and Spirit, are really distinct from one another, and are three persons. They are indeed, in respect of their essence, which is indivisibly communicable to them, one and the same God; but considered personally, they differ really, for the Father is not the Son, neither is he that sits upon the throne the Lamb: Neither the Father nor the Spirit were incarnate, but the Son,
who died, and was buried, which cannot be said of none but of a person: It cannot be said that the Father died, or that the Spirit died. Next, Is not the Holy Ghost the Spirit of God, as the Son is the Son of God? And if that suppose a real distinct personality, this must do it also. Now, if the Father be God, and the Son be God, and the Spirit be God, who have one and the same divine nature and essence, indivisibly communicated to them; and so, if there be but one God, and yet these three really distinct, then they must be distinct persons, in respect of their personal properties, seeing they are persons, and distinct. The Son, as was said, is called the express image of the Father's person, which evidently shews, that the Father, considered as distinct from the Son, is a person, and subsists: If then thus it be, must not the Son, as distinct from the Father, and so lively and expressly representing his person, be a person also, having this from the Father? The same must be true likewise of the Holy Ghost, who is God equal with both, yet different from both; for he who proceedeth from the Father, and from the Son, must differ from the Father, and from the Son; as he who is begotten, must be distinct from him that begat him.
Some Quakers, either ignorantly or perversely, will have the word hypostasis, translated substance, as it is Hebrews 11:1. and thus they read, Hebrews 1:3. The character or image of God's substance, which is to be understood of Christ, say they, not simply as God, but as man: but they might as well have said it signifies confident or confidence, because it is so translated 2 Cor. 9.4 and 2 Cor. 11.17. But they speak here consequentially to their own tenets, who in effect deny the Trinity, and all distinction between the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, not only in words, but in very deed. The apostle in this place is proving Christ the Son of God, to be the lord and heir of all things; because God created the worlds by him, He is the brightness of his glory, the express image of his person, upholdeth all things by the
word of his power. These titles are here given to the Son of God, as a creator, and a preserver of all things, which belong to him only, according to his divine nature: Therefore these titles must be understood of Christ, forasmuch as he is the eternal Son of God, and a light from the eternal light, of one essence and glory with the Father; nevertheless distinguished from the person of the Father, by whom the Father executes his operations, and shews his properties, even as the sun by its light doth shine.
## Quest. V. "Is the Son of God of the same substance, power, and eternity with the Father? "
Yes; 1 John 5:20. Romans 9:5. Isaiah 9:6.
Well then, do not the Arians err, who maintain, The Son to be a creature, brought forth before the foundations of the world?
Do not likewise the Socinians err, who maintain, The Son to have had no existence, before he was conceived in the womb of the virgin Mary?
1st, From the Scriptures above cited.
2d, Because the Son is omnipotent, the creator and preserver of all things, Revelation 1:18. Colossians 1:16,17.
3d, Because he is omniscient, and the searcher of the heart, Mat. 9.3,4. John 2:25. and 21.17.
## Quest. VI. "Is the Holy Ghost God?"
Yes; Acts 5:3. 1 Cor. 6.19,20. 1 Cor. 3.16,17.
Well then, do not the Macedonians, or Pneumatomachians, Arians, Socinians, and many of the Anabaptists err who maintain, The Holy Ghost to be a creature, as do the Macedonians, or a power, virtue, or efficacy of the Father, as many Socinians and others do?
1st, Because the Holy Ghost is to be worshipped as God, Mat. 28.19. 2 Cor. 13.14. Revelation 1:4.
2d, Because he is omniscient and knoweth all things, 1 Cor. 2.10,11.
3d, Because he is omnipotent, the maker, and preserver of all things, the worker of miracles, and it is he that sanctifies, and justifies the believers, Genesis 1:2. Psalms 33:6. Matth. 12.28. Compare Isaiah 6:9. with Acts 28:25-27.
4th, Because Ananias is said to lie to the Holy Ghost, Acts 5:3. and v. 4 he is said not to lie to men, but to God.
5th, Because believers are said to be the temple of God, 1 Cor. 3.16,17. And they are said, 1 Cor. 6.19 to be the temple of the Holy Ghost; therefore the Holy Ghost is God, seeing to be the temple of God, and the temple of the Holy Ghost are the same.
6th, Because none can be properly sinned against but the true God; therefore the Holy Ghost is God, because many have been said to have sinned against the Holy Ghost. Matth. 12.31.
Quest. VII. "Doth not the Holy Ghost eternally proceed from the Father, and the Son?
Yes; John 15:26. Galatians 4:6.
Well then, doth not the Greek church err, who maintain, The Holy Ghost to proceed only from the Father?
1st, Because he is sent by the Son, John 15:16. Acts 2:33.
2d, Because all things which are the Son's are the Father's except the personal properties by which they are distinguished; and all things are communicated from the Father to the Son, and consequently the Holy Ghost, John 16:13-15. Mat. 11.27. John 7:16.
3d, Because Christ gave to his apostles the Spirit by breathing it upon them, John 20:22. to shew that he proceeded from himself.
4th, Because he is the Spirit of the Son, no less than the Spirit of the Father: Galatians 4:6.
5th, Because if the Holy Ghost did not proceed from the Son, as truly as from the Father, he would not be a person really distinct from the Son which is contrary to John 14:16,17.
6th, Because it is said, John 16:14. He shall glorify me (namely, by his testimony, gifts, miracles) for he shall receive of mine, (that is, the doctrine of salvation which I have taught you, he shall also reveal it unto you, seeing he shall receive the same from me) and shall shew it unto you. And Romans 8:9. He is called the Spirit both of the Father
and of the Son. It is said if any man hath not the spirit of Christ; that is, the same Spirit which in the foregoing verse is called the Spirit of God, namely the Father, and is here also called the Spirit of Christ, because he also proceeds from Christ, and is procured for us by Christ, John 14:26. and 16.7.