The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1880-03-10
PRESBYTERIANISM.
No. 4.
OF God, the Trinity, and DEGREES

OF God the Trinity, and DEGREES
The right knowledge of God is the foun-
dation of all true religion: The doctrine
OF the Confession of Faith concerning God,
is concisely and yet very completely pre-
sented in the Shorter Catechism, in these
words God is Spirit infinite. eternal.
and Interchangeable, in His being wisdom
power, holiness, justice, goodness, and
truth. 1t will be very difficult, if not
lmpracticable, to express more than is
thus stated, in these eighteen words, Gall
counted.) The definition is eminently
Scriptural To our finite minds, the con
cepnon of a "Spirit" pure and simple, as
to the mode of existence, must be, neces-
sarily, impossible "Who by searching
can find out God? Who can understand
the Almighty to perfection? But this
definition of His nature and Projections
Is one which reveals to US all He has con
descended to teach US, and in which all
truly pious persons of every name must
cordially unite. Here is a perfection, of
which the things that are made, give us
some very satisfactory glimpses, but in
all the works Of His hands, in heaven
above and earth beneath and the waters
under the earth, there is found no teach
ing of the power and wisdom, " the Gus
tice and goodness, revealed in the scheme
Of redemption. Nor indeed has natural
religion so taught men the k,aoaOZeEqe of
Gods other attributes, as to secure in
SHINING fallible men, such apprehensions
Of God as would lead to true penitence.
humility, and sincere obedience. The
Confession then, does not attempt to set
forth the faith, as deduced from the
works, but solely from the word of God
either as expressly stated or by good and
necessary consequence to be deduced
therefrom
2. This great and glorious Being has
revealed Himself to man as existing in
the unity Of three persons, equal in power
and glory as well as at the same time,
the same in substance Without enter
ing into an extended discussion of this
great truth, it is deemed sufficient here to
adduce the salient proof of this article Of
the Christian faith The Apostolic ben
ediction and the form of baptism both re-
cognize this view of Gods triune unity
IN uniting God the Father the Son. and
the Holy Spirit as the authority by which
the baptism is administered and from
whom the benediction is invoked. The
Scriptures also clearly assert the true and
proper divinity Of our Lord Jesus and of
the Holy Spirit The Word" which
John j /, is pronounced God, is in
verse IA, said to have become flesh. "
In John, chap. V, VS.. 1890, we are taught
that the Father and the Son are identical
IN the two great miraculous works of
quickening dead souls and Of raising the
dead and in verses 39-4O, our Lord
ayers for Himself, the power to bestow
eternal life. In Romans j : "a, He is
said to have been made Of the seed Of
David, according to the flesh, (His hui
man nature) and " declared to be the Son
OF Cod with power, according to the
Spirit Of holiness, (the Holy Spirit. or
divine nature by the resurrection from
the dead '-olecLuycd to be- not n,ude-but
was already such In ] Cor. iv: 9. the
tempting of God in the Old Testament.
Nun. xiv o. Ps lxxxxv 9, is described
BY Paul, to be tempting Christ. In Isaiah
9Th chapter, we have the description Of a
most glorious vision Of Jehovah, with all
the attendants Of a divine majesty. and
John XII: Al says expressly, these things