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The late Assembly of Divines Confession of faith examined.: As it was presented by them unto the Parliament. Wherein many of their excesses and defects, of their confusions and disorders, of their errors and contradictions are presented, both to themselves and others.

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Title
The late Assembly of Divines Confession of faith examined.: As it was presented by them unto the Parliament. Wherein many of their excesses and defects, of their confusions and disorders, of their errors and contradictions are presented, both to themselves and others.
Author
Parker, William, fl. 1651-1658.
Publication
London :: [s.n.],
Printed in the yeer. 1651.
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Subject terms
Theology, Doctrinal
Church of England -- Doctrines -- Early works to 1800.
Westminster Confession of Faith
Cite this Item
"The late Assembly of Divines Confession of faith examined.: As it was presented by them unto the Parliament. Wherein many of their excesses and defects, of their confusions and disorders, of their errors and contradictions are presented, both to themselves and others." In the digital collection Early English Books Online 2. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A91437.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed May 18, 2024.

Pages

Page 17

CHAP. II. Of God and of the Holy Trinity.

THere is but one onely a, living and true God b: Who is infinite in Being and Perfection c; a most pure Spirit d, invisible e, with∣out body, parts, f or passions g, im∣mutable h, immense i, eternal k, incomprehensible l, almighty m, most wise n, most holy o, most free p, most absolute q, working all things according to the counsel of his own immu∣table and most righteous will r, for his own glory s; most loving t, gratious, merciful, long suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving ini∣quity, transgression and sin u; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him w, and withall most just, and terible in his judgments x, hating all sin y, and will by no means clear the guilty. z.

II. God hath all life a, glory b, goodness c, bles∣sedness d, in and of himself; and is alone in, and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creature which he hath made e, nor deri∣ving any glory from them f, but onely manifest∣ing

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his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them: He is the alone fountain of all Being, of whom, through whom, and to whom are all things g, and hath most Sveraign Dominion over them, to do by them; for them, and upon them whatsoever himself plea∣seth h; In his sight all things are open and mani∣fest i; his knowledge is infinite, infallible, and in∣dependent upon the creature k, so as nothing to him is contingent or uncertain l; He is most holy in all his counsels, in all his works, and in all his commands m; to him is due from Angels and men and every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience, he is pleased to require of them. n.

III. In the unity of the Godhead there be three Persons, of one substance, power, and eter∣nity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. o The Father is of none, neither be∣gotten, nor proceeding: The Son is eternally be∣gotten of the Father: p The Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the Son. q.

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CHAP. II. Of God, and of the Holy Trinity, Examined.

IN This Chapter yon present us in the first Section, with a large description of Gods Essence, where we cannot but wonder that you should omit an essential to him, and an essence so bright and glorious in the God∣head, as the Divine light of God is, whereby he mani∣fests himself unto Angels and Men, opposeth himself to the Prince of darkness: And of which glorious Attribute or Nature of his, the word of God maketh so frequent mention.

There are found in the holy Scripture, some short, but excellent descriptions of him; first Hebr 11.6. That God is, (that is) he onely is of, from, by, and in him∣self, and all other things are by, in, and for him. Se∣condly, God is light, 1 John 1.5. that is, a lightful, bright and glorious being. Thirdly, God is a Spirit, John 4.24. that is a most spiritual being, yea that Spirit 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 2 Cor. 3 17. Lastly, God is love, 1 John 4.16. that is, a most holy, good, gratious, kinde, patient, vertuous, and perfect Being; for love is the bond of perfection, Col. 3.14. see 1 Cor. 13.1, 2, to the 13.

Now it seems strange unto us, that you which are, and who would be accounted Seers, should not observe the second of these.

Is not light Gods glorious Robe and Vestment? Psal. 104.2. Who coverest thy self wi••h light, as with a gar∣ment.

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Is not light Gods habitation? Who dwelleth in the light whereunto no man can approach 1 Tim 6.16.

Doth not God distinguish himself, and his work, from Satans, and his Kingdom, by this very thing? 1 John 1.5, 6, 7. This then is the message which we have received of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him dwel∣leth no darkness at all, &c.

Is not God the Father called the light of Israel? Isa. 10.17. And the light of Israel shall be for a fire, and his holy one for a flame.

Is it not said of the Son of God. John 1.9. That was the true light which lighteth every man which cometh into the world?

Is not the Holy Ghost the everlasting light of Gods spiritual Jerusalem? Isa. 60.20. Thy Sun shall no more go down, neither shall thy Moon withdraw it self: for the Lord shall be thine everlasting light, and the daies of thy mourning shall be ended.

Is not Gods work in the regenerate light of this light? Ephes. 5.8. For ye were once darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord.

Yea, Is not our everlasting inheritance a participa∣ting of his living and glorious light? Psal. 36.9. For with thee is the Fountain of life, and in thy light we shall set light; Col. 1.12. Giving thanks unto God the Father, who hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the Saints in light.

Brethren what would you think of him who should undertake to give you a description of the Sun, and should leave out his glorious splendor and light? would you not conclude he had suffered some Ecclipse of his inward and outward senses? But we desire to spare you, and hope the best of many of you.

But here we must not omit to shew our great detestation of a late Diabolical Doctrine, which turns God into a Devil, making him the Author of the evils of sin, aswell as the evils of punishment; and affir∣ming that he is the worker in deeds of darkness aswel

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as in the works of light; yea, maintaining that he is as∣well pleased with the one, as the other; See 1 John 1.5. This then is the Message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. So also Jam. 3.11.

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