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Q3. What is the word of God?

4. The holy scriptures of the old and new testament are the word of God (e), the only rule of faith and obedience (f).

Q4. How doth it appear that the scriptures are the word of God?

A. The scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of God, by their majesty (g), and purity (h); by the consent of all the parts (i), and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God (k); by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation (1). But the spirit of God, bearing witness by and with the scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very word of God (m).

(e) 2 Tim. 3. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Tim. 3. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

(f) Jeni. 8. 20. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Gal. 1. 8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

(g) Hos. 8. 12. I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. Psal. 119. 129. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

(h) Psal. 12. 6. The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times. Psalm 119. 140. Thy word is very pure.

(Acts 10. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever beHeves in him shall receive remis

sion of sins. Acts 26. 22. Having therefore obtained help of God, continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come.

(k) Rom. 3. 19. Now we know, that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. v. 27. Where is boasting then? it is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay; but by the law of faith.

(1) Psalm 19. 7, 8. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Acts 20. 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

(m) John 16. 15. Howbeit,

Q. 5. What do the scriptures principally teach?

A. The scriptures principally teach, what man is to believe concerning God, and what duty God-requires of man (n).

when he the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak and he will shew you things to come. 1 Thess. 1. 5. For our Gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy

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Ghost, and in much assurance.

(n) John 20. 31. But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing ye might have life through his name. Psalm 119. 105. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

WHAT MAN OUGHT TO BELIEVE CONCERNING GOD.

Q. 6. What do the scriptures make known of God? A. The scriptures make known what God is (o), the persons in the Godhead (p), his decrees (q), and the execution of his decrees (r).

Q. 7. What is God?

A. God is a Spirit (s), in and of himself infinite in being (t), glory (v), blessedness (w), and perfection (x);

(o) Heb. 11. 6. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

(P)1 John 5. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are

one.

(q) Acts 15. 18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world.

(r) Acts 4. 27, 28. For of a truth, against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together for to do whatsoever the hand and thy counsel determined be

fore to be done. (s) John 4. 24. Spirit.

God is a

(t) Job 11.7. Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? v. 8. It is as high as heaven, what canst thou do?, deeper than hell, what canst thou know? v. 9. The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.

(v) Acts 7. 2. The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham.

(w) 1 Tim. 6. 15. The blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.

(x) Mat. 5. 48. Be ye therefore perfect, even as your ther which is in heaven is fect.

Q. 3. What is the word of God?

A. The holy scriptures of the old and new testament are the word of God (e), the only rule of faith and obedience (f).

Q. 4. How doth it appear that the scriptures are the word of God?

A. The scriptures manifest themselves to be the word of God, by their majesty (g), and purity (h); by the consent of all the parts (i), and the scope of the whole, which is to give all glory to God (k); by their light and power to convince and convert sinners, to comfort and build up believers unto salvation (1). But the spirit of God, bearing witness by and with the scriptures in the heart of man, is alone able fully to persuade it that they are the very word of God (m).

(e) 2 Tim. 3. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God. 2 Tim. 3. 21. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.

(f) Isai. 8. 20. To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. Gal. 1. 8. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

(g) Hos. 8. 12. I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. Psal. 119. 129. Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them.

(h) Psal. 12. 6. The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth purified seven times. Psalm 119. 140. Thy word is very pure.

(i)Acts 10. 43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name, whosoever beHeveth in him shall receive remis

sion of sins. Acts 26. 22. Having therefore obtained help of God, Ï continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come.

(k) Rom. 3. 19. Now we know, that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. v. 27. Where is boasting then? it is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay; but by the law of faith.

(1) Psalm 19. 7, 8. The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. Acts 20. 32. And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

(m) John 16. 13. Howbeit,

Q. 10. What are the personal properties of the three persons in the Godhead?

A. It is proper to the Father to beget the Son (m), and to the Son to be begotten of the Father (n), and to the Holy Ghost to proceed from the Father and the Son from all eternity (0).

Q. 11. How doth it appear that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God, equal with the Father?

A. The scriptures manifest that the Son and the Holy Ghost are God, equal with the Father, ascribing unto them such names (p), attributes (q), warks (r),

with you all, Amen. John 10. 30. I and my Father are one.

(m) Heb. 1. 5. For unto which of the angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son.

(n) John 1. 14. And the word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth.

(0) John 15. 26. But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me. Gal. 4. 6. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.

(p) Isa. 6. 3, 5. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy,holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory. Then said I, wo is me, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Compared with John 12. 41. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. 1 John 5. 20. And we know that the Son of

God is come, and hath given us an understanding that we may know him that is true and we are in him that is true, even in his son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Acts 5. 3, 4. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.

(9) Isa. 9. 6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder; and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. John 2. 24. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men. 1 Cor. 2. 10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea the deep things of God.

(r) Col. 1. 16. For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. Gen. 1. 2. And the earth was without form and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.

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all-suficient (y), eternal (z), unchangeable (a), incomprehensible (b), every where present (e), almighty (d), knowing all things (e), most wise (f), most holy (g), most just (h), most merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth (i).

Q. 8. Are there more Gods than one?

A. There is but One only, the ling and true God (k). Q. 9. How many persons are there in the Godhead?

A. There be three persons in the Godhead, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; and these three are one true, eternal God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory; although distinguished by their personal properties (1).

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(a) Mal. 3. 6. For I am the Lord, I change not.

(b) 1 Kings 8. 27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven, and the heayen of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded.

(c) Psal. 139. 1. 13. O Lord, thou hast searched me and known me: Thou knowest my down-sitting, and mine up-rising, thou understandest my thoughts afar off, &c. Whither shall I go from thy Spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence, &c.

(d) Rev. 4. 8. Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.

(e) Heb. 4. 13. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight; but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we

have to do.

(f) Rom. 16. 27. To God

only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever, Amen.

(g) Isa. 6. 3. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts, the whole carth is full of his glory.

(h) Deut. 39. 4. He is the rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right is he.

(i) Exod. 34. 6. And the Lord passed by before him, and pro claimed, the Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.

(k) Deut. 6. 4. Hear, O Israel, The Lord our God is one Lord. Jer. 10. 10. But the Lord is the true God; he is the living God, and an everlasting King.

(1)1 John 5. 7. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. Mat. 28. 19. Go ye there-fore and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 2 Cor. 13. 14. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be

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