OK, let's push on with part 2 of Q&A #4:Q: What is God?
A: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
A: God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.
Again, from John Flavel's Exposition of the Assembly's Shoter Catechism:
Of God's Power
Q. 1. What is the Power of God?A. An Essential property of his Nature, whereby he can do all things that he pleases to have done. Jeremiah 32:17. Ah Lord God, behold thou hast made the Heavens, and the Earth by thy great power, and stretched-out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.
Q. 2. What evidence have we before our eyes of the Almighty Power of God?A. It appears in the Creation of the World. Romans 1:20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal Power and Godhead. And its Sustentation. Hebrews 1:3. Who upholdeth all things by the word of his Power.
Q. 3. Did God's Power ever act its utmost?A. No, he can do more than ever he did, or ever will do. Matthew 3:9. God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Matthew 26:53.
Q. 4. Are there not some things which God cannot do?A. Yes, there are, but they are such things as are inconsistent with his truth and holiness. Titus 1:2. ...which God that cannot lie. 2 Timothy 2:13. He cannot deny himself.
Q. 5. What is the first thing inferred from God's Power?A. That all the Creatures necessarily depend on him for what ability they have, and without the permission of the supreme Power they can do us no hurt. John 19:11. Thou couldest have no power against me except it were given thee from above.
Q. 6. What is the second Inference from hence?A. That the difficulties which lie in the way of the Promises, need be no stumbling-blocks to our Faith. Romans 4:20-21. He staggered not at the Promises through unbelief, being fully persuaded, that what he had promised he was able also to perform.
Q. 7. What is the third Inference from this Attribute?A. The Saints need not be scared at the greatness of their sufferings: their God can carry them through. Daniel 3:17. Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace.
Q. 8. What is the fourth Inference?A. That the Salvation of God's People is certain, whatever their dangers be, being kept by this mighty Power. 2 Peter 1:5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith to Salvation.
Q. 9. What is the last Inference hence?A. That the state of the damned is unconceivably miserable. Their Punishment proceeding from the glory of the Almighty. 2 Thessalonians 1:9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of his power.
Q. 1. What is the Power of God?A. An Essential property of his Nature, whereby he can do all things that he pleases to have done. Jeremiah 32:17. Ah Lord God, behold thou hast made the Heavens, and the Earth by thy great power, and stretched-out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.
Q. 2. What evidence have we before our eyes of the Almighty Power of God?A. It appears in the Creation of the World. Romans 1:20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal Power and Godhead. And its Sustentation. Hebrews 1:3. Who upholdeth all things by the word of his Power.
Q. 3. Did God's Power ever act its utmost?A. No, he can do more than ever he did, or ever will do. Matthew 3:9. God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Matthew 26:53.
Q. 4. Are there not some things which God cannot do?A. Yes, there are, but they are such things as are inconsistent with his truth and holiness. Titus 1:2. ...which God that cannot lie. 2 Timothy 2:13. He cannot deny himself.
Q. 5. What is the first thing inferred from God's Power?A. That all the Creatures necessarily depend on him for what ability they have, and without the permission of the supreme Power they can do us no hurt. John 19:11. Thou couldest have no power against me except it were given thee from above.
Q. 6. What is the second Inference from hence?A. That the difficulties which lie in the way of the Promises, need be no stumbling-blocks to our Faith. Romans 4:20-21. He staggered not at the Promises through unbelief, being fully persuaded, that what he had promised he was able also to perform.
Q. 7. What is the third Inference from this Attribute?A. The Saints need not be scared at the greatness of their sufferings: their God can carry them through. Daniel 3:17. Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace.
Q. 8. What is the fourth Inference?A. That the Salvation of God's People is certain, whatever their dangers be, being kept by this mighty Power. 2 Peter 1:5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith to Salvation.
Q. 9. What is the last Inference hence?A. That the state of the damned is unconceivably miserable. Their Punishment proceeding from the glory of the Almighty. 2 Thessalonians 1:9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of his power.
Of God's Holiness
Q. 1. How manifold is the Holiness of God?A. The Holiness of God is twofold: Communicable, or Incommunicable; of his communicable holiness the Apostle speaks. Hebrews 12:10. But he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Of his incommunicable holiness that Scripture speaks. 1 Samuel 2:2. There is none holy as the Lord.
Q. 2. What is the essential and incommunicable Holiness of God?A. It is the infinite purity of his Nature, whereby he delights in his own holiness, and the resemblance of it in his Creatures, and hates all impurity. Habakkuk 1:13. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity.
Q. 3. What is the first property of God's Holiness?A. He is essentially Holy. Holiness is not a separable quality in God, as it is in Angels and Men: but his Being and his Holiness are one thing.
Q. 4. What is the second property of God's Holiness?A. God is essentially Holy, the author and fountain of all communicated Holiness. Leviticus 20:8. I am the Lord which sanctifieth you.
Q. 5. What is the third property?A. That the holiness of God is the perfect rule and pattern of holiness to all Creatures. 1 Peter 1:16. Be ye holy, for I am holy.
Q. 6. What is the first Instruction?A. That the holiest of men have cause to be ashamed and humbled when the come before God. Isaiah 6:3, 5. And one cried unto another, saying, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory. Then said I, Woe is me, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, etc.
Q. 7. What is the second Instruction from God's holiness?A. That there is no coming near to God without a Mediator; for our God is a consuming fire.
Q. 8. What is the third Instruction from God's holiness?A. That holiness is indispensably necessary, to all those which shall dwell with him in Heaven. Hebrews 12:14. And, holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.
Q. 9. What is the fourth Instruction from hence?A. That the Gospel is of inestimable value, as it is the instrument of conveying the Holiness of God to us. 2 Corinthians 3:18. But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord. John 17:17. Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.
Q. 10. What is the last instruction from God's holiness?A. That all the despisers and scoffers of holiness, are despisers of God; for holiness is the very Nature of God; and in the Creature it is his represented Image.
Q. 1. How manifold is the Holiness of God?A. The Holiness of God is twofold: Communicable, or Incommunicable; of his communicable holiness the Apostle speaks. Hebrews 12:10. But he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Of his incommunicable holiness that Scripture speaks. 1 Samuel 2:2. There is none holy as the Lord.
Q. 2. What is the essential and incommunicable Holiness of God?A. It is the infinite purity of his Nature, whereby he delights in his own holiness, and the resemblance of it in his Creatures, and hates all impurity. Habakkuk 1:13. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity.
Q. 3. What is the first property of God's Holiness?A. He is essentially Holy. Holiness is not a separable quality in God, as it is in Angels and Men: but his Being and his Holiness are one thing.
Q. 4. What is the second property of God's Holiness?A. God is essentially Holy, the author and fountain of all communicated Holiness. Leviticus 20:8. I am the Lord which sanctifieth you.
Q. 5. What is the third property?A. That the holiness of God is the perfect rule and pattern of holiness to all Creatures. 1 Peter 1:16. Be ye holy, for I am holy.
Q. 6. What is the first Instruction?A. That the holiest of men have cause to be ashamed and humbled when the come before God. Isaiah 6:3, 5. And one cried unto another, saying, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory. Then said I, Woe is me, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, etc.
Q. 7. What is the second Instruction from God's holiness?A. That there is no coming near to God without a Mediator; for our God is a consuming fire.
Q. 8. What is the third Instruction from God's holiness?A. That holiness is indispensably necessary, to all those which shall dwell with him in Heaven. Hebrews 12:14. And, holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.
Q. 9. What is the fourth Instruction from hence?A. That the Gospel is of inestimable value, as it is the instrument of conveying the Holiness of God to us. 2 Corinthians 3:18. But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord. John 17:17. Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.
Q. 10. What is the last instruction from God's holiness?A. That all the despisers and scoffers of holiness, are despisers of God; for holiness is the very Nature of God; and in the Creature it is his represented Image.
Of God's Justice
Q. 1. What is the Justice of God?A. The Justice of God is the perfect rectitude and equity of his Nature, whereby he is just in himself, and in all his ways towards the Creatures. Deuteronomy 32:4. He is the rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgement; a God of truth, and without equity, just and right is he.
Q. 2. What is the first property of God's Justice?A. That it infinitely excels all humane Justice in the perfection of it. No creature can compare in Justice with God. Job 9:2. How shall man be just with God?
Q. 3. What is the second property of God's Justice?A. That he is Universally Righteous in all his administrations in the world. Psalm 145:17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
Q. 4. What was the greatest demonstration of the justice of God, that ever was given to the world?A. The greatest evidence that ever was given of the Justice of God, was in his exacting satisfaction for our sins upon Christ. Romans 3:25-26. Whom God hath set forth, to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness, that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 8:32. He spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all.
Q. 5. What is the second Discovery of God's justice?A. The second Discovery of the justice of God, is in the Eternal punishment of sin in Hell, upon all that do not repent, and come to Christ by Faith in this World. Romans 2:5. But after thy hardness, and impenitent heart, treasureth up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgement of God.
Q. 6. What is the third Evidence of God's justice?A. The third Evidence of the justice of God is, in making good all the mercies he hath promised to believers, exactly to a title. 1 John 1:19. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 2 timothy 4:8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me at that day.
Q. 7. What is the first Inference from God's justice?A. That sinners have no cause to complain of God's judgments, though they be never so terrible, or durable. Romans 2:5. But after thy hardness, and impenitent heart, treasureth up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.
Q. 8. What is the second Inference from God's justice?A. That without doubt there is a judgment to come in the next Life, otherwise God would not have the glory of his justice. Ecclesiastes 3:16-17. I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there: I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous, and the wicked.
Q. 9. What is the third Inference from God's justice?A. That Penitent and Believing sinners need not doubt of the forgiveness of the Sins. 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Q. 10. What is the last Inference from it?A. The last inference is, That Meekness and Patience under afflictions, is our unquestionable Duty; and murmuring against God, is a great sin and evil. Lamentations 3:39. Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
Q. 1. What is the Justice of God?A. The Justice of God is the perfect rectitude and equity of his Nature, whereby he is just in himself, and in all his ways towards the Creatures. Deuteronomy 32:4. He is the rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgement; a God of truth, and without equity, just and right is he.
Q. 2. What is the first property of God's Justice?A. That it infinitely excels all humane Justice in the perfection of it. No creature can compare in Justice with God. Job 9:2. How shall man be just with God?
Q. 3. What is the second property of God's Justice?A. That he is Universally Righteous in all his administrations in the world. Psalm 145:17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.
Q. 4. What was the greatest demonstration of the justice of God, that ever was given to the world?A. The greatest evidence that ever was given of the Justice of God, was in his exacting satisfaction for our sins upon Christ. Romans 3:25-26. Whom God hath set forth, to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness, that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 8:32. He spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all.
Q. 5. What is the second Discovery of God's justice?A. The second Discovery of the justice of God, is in the Eternal punishment of sin in Hell, upon all that do not repent, and come to Christ by Faith in this World. Romans 2:5. But after thy hardness, and impenitent heart, treasureth up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgement of God.
Q. 6. What is the third Evidence of God's justice?A. The third Evidence of the justice of God is, in making good all the mercies he hath promised to believers, exactly to a title. 1 John 1:19. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 2 timothy 4:8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me at that day.
Q. 7. What is the first Inference from God's justice?A. That sinners have no cause to complain of God's judgments, though they be never so terrible, or durable. Romans 2:5. But after thy hardness, and impenitent heart, treasureth up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.
Q. 8. What is the second Inference from God's justice?A. That without doubt there is a judgment to come in the next Life, otherwise God would not have the glory of his justice. Ecclesiastes 3:16-17. I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there: I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous, and the wicked.
Q. 9. What is the third Inference from God's justice?A. That Penitent and Believing sinners need not doubt of the forgiveness of the Sins. 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Q. 10. What is the last Inference from it?A. The last inference is, That Meekness and Patience under afflictions, is our unquestionable Duty; and murmuring against God, is a great sin and evil. Lamentations 3:39. Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?
Of God's Goodness
Q. 1. What is the goodness of God?A. A. It is an Essential Property of his Nature, whereby he is absolutely and perfectly good in himself, and the Fountain of all communicated goodness to the creature. Psalm 119:68. Thou art good, and dost good, teach my thy statutes.
Q. 2. How doth the goodness of God differ from the mercy of God?A. It differs in its objects; for the Misery is the Object of Mercy; but goodness extends to the Creatures that are happy, as well as miserable: as the Angels. Psalm 145:9. The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works.
Q. 3. What is the first Property of God's goodness?A. That all his other Attributes flow out of it as their Fountain: The other acts of God are but the Effluxes of his goodness. Exodus 33:19. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy unto whom I will show mercy. Exodus 34:6. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.
Q. 4. What is the second Property of the Divine goodness?A. That it is supreme, and perfect in itself. So as the goodness of no Creature is, or can be. Luke 18:19. None is good save one, and that is God: And consequently above all additions from the Creature. Psalm 16:2. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord... my goodness extendeth not unto thee.
Q. 5. What is the third property of God's goodness?A. That it is communicative with Pleasure and delight to the Creature: No Mother draws out her Breast to an hungry Child with more pleasure than God doth his goodness to the Saints. Psalm 145:9. The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works.
Q. 6. In what acts hath God first manifested his goodness?A. He hath manifested it in the Creation and Government of the World. Psalm 104:24. O Lord how manifold are thy works? in wisdom hast thou made them all.
Q. 7. What was the principal work in which God hath manifested his goodness to men?A. The principal manifestation of God's goodness, was in the Work of Redemption by Christ. Romans 5:8. God commended his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 1 John 4:8-9. In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten son into the world, that we might live through him.
Q. 8. But are not the judgements of God on the wicked, and his Afflictions on the Saints, impeachments of his goodness?A. No, It is the property of goodness to hate and punish Evil in the impenitent. Exodus 34:7. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty, etc. And the afflictions of the Saints flow from his goodness, and end in their true and eternal good. Hebrews 12:6. For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Psalm 119:71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes.
Q. 9. What may we infer from the goodness of God?A. The first thing is, that Sin hath made our Natures base, and disingenuous, in that we take no notice of his goodness. Isaiah 1:3. The Ox knoweth his owner, and the Ass his masters crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider; And answer not the design of it. Romans 2:4. Now knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.
Q. 10. What is the second Inference from the goodness of God?A. That therefore God is the fittest Object of our delight and love, and of our trust and Confidence. 1. Of our Delight and Love. Psalm 116:1. I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice, and my supplication. 2. Of our trust and confidence. Psalm 34:8. O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Q. 11. What is the third Inference from God's goodness?A. That Christians have great encouragement to go to God for pardon in case of sin. Psalm 130:4. But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared; and for refuge of dangers. Nahum 1:7. The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; he knoweth them that trust in him.
Q. 1. What is the goodness of God?A. A. It is an Essential Property of his Nature, whereby he is absolutely and perfectly good in himself, and the Fountain of all communicated goodness to the creature. Psalm 119:68. Thou art good, and dost good, teach my thy statutes.
Q. 2. How doth the goodness of God differ from the mercy of God?A. It differs in its objects; for the Misery is the Object of Mercy; but goodness extends to the Creatures that are happy, as well as miserable: as the Angels. Psalm 145:9. The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works.
Q. 3. What is the first Property of God's goodness?A. That all his other Attributes flow out of it as their Fountain: The other acts of God are but the Effluxes of his goodness. Exodus 33:19. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy unto whom I will show mercy. Exodus 34:6. And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and truth.
Q. 4. What is the second Property of the Divine goodness?A. That it is supreme, and perfect in itself. So as the goodness of no Creature is, or can be. Luke 18:19. None is good save one, and that is God: And consequently above all additions from the Creature. Psalm 16:2. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord... my goodness extendeth not unto thee.
Q. 5. What is the third property of God's goodness?A. That it is communicative with Pleasure and delight to the Creature: No Mother draws out her Breast to an hungry Child with more pleasure than God doth his goodness to the Saints. Psalm 145:9. The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works.
Q. 6. In what acts hath God first manifested his goodness?A. He hath manifested it in the Creation and Government of the World. Psalm 104:24. O Lord how manifold are thy works? in wisdom hast thou made them all.
Q. 7. What was the principal work in which God hath manifested his goodness to men?A. The principal manifestation of God's goodness, was in the Work of Redemption by Christ. Romans 5:8. God commended his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 1 John 4:8-9. In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten son into the world, that we might live through him.
Q. 8. But are not the judgements of God on the wicked, and his Afflictions on the Saints, impeachments of his goodness?A. No, It is the property of goodness to hate and punish Evil in the impenitent. Exodus 34:7. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty, etc. And the afflictions of the Saints flow from his goodness, and end in their true and eternal good. Hebrews 12:6. For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Psalm 119:71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes.
Q. 9. What may we infer from the goodness of God?A. The first thing is, that Sin hath made our Natures base, and disingenuous, in that we take no notice of his goodness. Isaiah 1:3. The Ox knoweth his owner, and the Ass his masters crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider; And answer not the design of it. Romans 2:4. Now knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.
Q. 10. What is the second Inference from the goodness of God?A. That therefore God is the fittest Object of our delight and love, and of our trust and Confidence. 1. Of our Delight and Love. Psalm 116:1. I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice, and my supplication. 2. Of our trust and confidence. Psalm 34:8. O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him.
Q. 11. What is the third Inference from God's goodness?A. That Christians have great encouragement to go to God for pardon in case of sin. Psalm 130:4. But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared; and for refuge of dangers. Nahum 1:7. The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; he knoweth them that trust in him.
And finally,
Of God's Truth
Q. 1. What is the Truth of God?A. It is an Essential Property of his Nature, whereby he is perfectly faithful in himself, and in all that he hath spoken. Deuteronomy 32:4. 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. Psalm 119:142. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy Law is the truth.
Q. 2. What is the first Property of Divine Truth?A. The first property of it is, That it is essential and necessary to God; He cannot lie. Titus 1:2.
Q. 3. What is the second property of it?A. The second property is, That it is everlasting, and abiding to all generations. Psalm 100:5. For the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endureth to all generations. Isaiah 25:1. O Lord, thou art my God, I will exalt thee... thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
Q. 4. What is the third property of Divine truth?A. The third property is, that he is universally true in all his words and works. 1. In all his words. John 17:17. Thy word is truth. 2. In all his works. Psalm 25:10. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto such as keep his covenant.
Q. 5. What is the first Lesson from God's truth to be learnt?A. That truth and sincerity of heart is that which is most suitable, and pleasing to God. Psalm 51:6. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts.
Q. 6. What is the second Lesson from God's truth?A. That whatever God hath foretold, shall assuredly come to pass, and be fulfilled in his time. Joshua 23:16. Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord our God spoke concerning you, all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.
Q. 7. What is the third Lesson from the truth of God?A. That a promise from God is full security to the Faith of his People, and they may look upon it as good as a mercy in hand. Hebrews 10:23. For he is faithful that promised.
Q. 8. What is the fourth Lesson from God's truth?A. That whatever God hath threatened in his word against sinners, shall surely come upon them, except they repent. Zechariah 1:6. But my word, and my statutes which I commanded my servants, the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned, and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us. Ezekiel 12:27-28. The word which I have spoken, shall be done, saith the Lord.
Q. 9. What is the fifth Lesson from God's truth?A. That falsehood in words and Actions is contrary to God's Nature, and abhorred by him. John 8:44. Ye are of your father the Devil, and the lust of your father ye will do: he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him; when he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Q. 10. What is the Last Lesson from God's truth?A. The day of judgement will rightly and justly state every man's condition. Romans 2:2. But we are sure that the judgement of God is according to truth, against them which commit such things.
Q. 1. What is the Truth of God?A. It is an Essential Property of his Nature, whereby he is perfectly faithful in himself, and in all that he hath spoken. Deuteronomy 32:4. 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. Psalm 119:142. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy Law is the truth.
Q. 2. What is the first Property of Divine Truth?A. The first property of it is, That it is essential and necessary to God; He cannot lie. Titus 1:2.
Q. 3. What is the second property of it?A. The second property is, That it is everlasting, and abiding to all generations. Psalm 100:5. For the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endureth to all generations. Isaiah 25:1. O Lord, thou art my God, I will exalt thee... thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.
Q. 4. What is the third property of Divine truth?A. The third property is, that he is universally true in all his words and works. 1. In all his words. John 17:17. Thy word is truth. 2. In all his works. Psalm 25:10. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto such as keep his covenant.
Q. 5. What is the first Lesson from God's truth to be learnt?A. That truth and sincerity of heart is that which is most suitable, and pleasing to God. Psalm 51:6. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts.
Q. 6. What is the second Lesson from God's truth?A. That whatever God hath foretold, shall assuredly come to pass, and be fulfilled in his time. Joshua 23:16. Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord our God spoke concerning you, all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.
Q. 7. What is the third Lesson from the truth of God?A. That a promise from God is full security to the Faith of his People, and they may look upon it as good as a mercy in hand. Hebrews 10:23. For he is faithful that promised.
Q. 8. What is the fourth Lesson from God's truth?A. That whatever God hath threatened in his word against sinners, shall surely come upon them, except they repent. Zechariah 1:6. But my word, and my statutes which I commanded my servants, the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned, and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us. Ezekiel 12:27-28. The word which I have spoken, shall be done, saith the Lord.
Q. 9. What is the fifth Lesson from God's truth?A. That falsehood in words and Actions is contrary to God's Nature, and abhorred by him. John 8:44. Ye are of your father the Devil, and the lust of your father ye will do: he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him; when he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.
Q. 10. What is the Last Lesson from God's truth?A. The day of judgement will rightly and justly state every man's condition. Romans 2:2. But we are sure that the judgement of God is according to truth, against them which commit such things.
There is much to take in here. Flavel is a master at disseminating the required knowledge for our understanding of this Q&A. I believe I'll spend some time this week marvelling at what God is.
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