Q. 68. And how many, and what are God's moral

perfections ?*

tended, and the necessity therefore of abridging and simplifying them for the consideration of youth :

Note also, that when all the perfections and attributes of Deity are well understood and collected in the mind's eye, as in a focus, then have we the best idea attainable of the Lord Jehovah. And although none can find out God unto perfection, yet in this way only can we form any tolerable idea of Him, or correct those gross and erroneous ideas of his materiality which are the natural and necessary consequence of ignorance.

It must also be observed here, that in the body of this work, many of these minor attributes of God are not expressed. But the Catechist should frequently enlarge upon them all, as the only just basis of all true spiritual religion. For instance, in explaining the love of God, all the attributes here mentioned may be illustrated by suitable examples taken from Scripture, and most especially by that of our redemption by Jesus Christ, which, as it is the one great object of all the Scriptures to set forth, should be interwoven with all religious instruction; and in this one example, all the perfections and attributes of God are wonderfully displayed, and beautifully harmonise. Hence, Christ is said to be "the image of the invisible God."-Col. i. 15.

* It has not been thought worthy of attention, for the instruction

A. Properly speaking he has but one, viz. his HOLINESS; which includes every other: but for convenience, we may speak of them as four, viz. his holiness, justice, truth, and love.

Q. 69. In explaining the natural perfections of God, tell me, what do you mean by God's self-existence ?

A. I mean that God exists by his own power, independently of all other beings. (a)

(a) Ex. iii. 14. And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.

66

Q. 70. What do you mean by his immutability? A. I mean that he is unchangeably the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever;" or, that God always. was, and always will be, precisely what he now is. (a) (a) James i. 17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Heb. xiii. 8. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever.

Q. 71. What do you mean by the eternity of God? A. I mean that he never had a beginning, and that he will never have an end. (a)

of youth, to distinguish between the terms perfections and attributes, as applied to God. But it may be observed that the former constitute the essence of Deity, and are inseparable from his own nature; and the latter are the results and effects of his inherent and essential excellency. With respect to the former, God cannot deny himself, or alter or restrain any part of his own essence; but with respect to the latter, he can limit and control them, in any way, to effect his purposes, or display his glory.-2nd Ed.

(a) Ps. xc. 2. Even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God.

Q. 72. What is God's omniscience?

A. His perfect and complete knowledge of all things past, present, and future; even the most secret thoughts of our hearts. (a)

(a) Ezek. xi. 5. I know the things that come into your minds, every one of them.-Heb. iv. 13. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight, but all things are naked and open unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.--Jer. xvii. 10. I the Lord search the heart.— 1 Chron. xxviii. 9. The Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts.— 1 John iii. 20; Job xlii. 2; Ps. cxxxix. 1-4, 11, 12. Q. 73. And what is his omnipotence?

A. His almighty power; or his ability to do all things. (a)

(a) Luke i. 37. For with God nothing shall be impossible.Matt. xix. 26. But with God all things are possible.

Q. 74. What is God's omnipresence ?

A. His being present everywhere. (a)

(a) Ps. cxxxix. 7-10. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there; if I make my bed in hell,* behold thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me.-Acts xvii. 28. In him we live, and move, and have our being.

Q. 75. You have now explained the natural perfections of God; can you also explain his moral perfec

*The word hell in this, and some other passages, signifies the

tions; and tell me first what you mean by his holiness ?

A. By the holiness of God, I mean his love of godliness and virtue, and his hatred of every thing vicious and sinful; or, it is his sovereign and absolute will— the essence of his unalterable nature. (a)

(a) Is. vi. 3. And one cried unto another and said, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts.-Rev. iv. 8. And the four beasts had each of them six wings about him; and they were full of eyes within, and they rest not day and night, saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come. Lev. xix. 2.

Q. 76. What do you understand by his justice?

A. The justice of God, considered as an attribute, is that quality of his essence, by which he cannot but govern the universe with equity and righteousness.(a)

(a) Ps. xcviii. 9. With righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity.-Ps. ciii. 6. The Lord executeth righteousness and judgment for all that are oppressed.

Q. 77. What do you mean by the truth of God? A. I mean that attribute of God which binds him to fulfil, in due time, his revealed will; whether it respects his declarations, his promises, or his threatenings.(a)

(a) 1 Sam. xv. 29. And also the strength of Israel will not
lie nor repent, for he is not a man that he should repent.-
Ps. xxxiii. 4. For the word of the Lord is right; and all
his works are done in truth.-Matt. xxiv. 35. Heaven
and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass
away.

Q. 78. What do you mean by the love of God?
A. I mean that attribute or quality of his essence,

which necessarily inclines him to regard the well-being of all his creatures.(a)

(a) 1 John iv. 16. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love, dwelleth in God, and God in him.-Ps. cxlv. 9. The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works.

Q. 79. What is the natural effect upon the mind of man, of the discovery of the natural perfections of God?

A. This discovery, without the assistance of revelation, is calculated to excite our reverence, fear, and dread; but not our love and admiration of his person or moral perfections.

Q. 80. Will the discovery of the natural perfections of God, by the light of nature, teach us our moral duties towards each other?

A. No; these must be learnt from the Holy Scriptures, the precepts of which, right reason cannot but

approve.

SECTION II.

CONCERNING SPIRITS.*

Q. 81. Does not the Bible, in almost every part of it, speak also of ANGELS, or SPIRITS?

A. Yes; the Holy Scriptures throughout speak of the existence of Angels, or Spirits, both good and bad,

* So much is said in Scripture of the agency and intervention of spirits, that it has been deemed advisable to devote one entire section to the subject.-2nd ED.