Q. 4. If God be a Spirit, in what sense are we to understand all those scriptures which speak of the eyes of the Lord, the ears and hands of God 't
A. We are to understand them as expressions of God, in con- descension to the weakness of our understanding; even as the glory of heaven is expressed to us in scripture by a city, and the royal feast. These shadows are useful to us whilst we are in the body ; but we shall know him in heaven after a more perfect manner.
Q. 5. What may be inferred from the spiritual nature of God ?
A. Hence learn, that it is both sinful and dangerous to frame an image or picture of God. Who can make an image of his soul, which yet is not so perfect a spirit as God is "t And as it is sinful to attempt it, so it is impossible to do it; Deut. iv. 15, 16. Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves ; for ye saw no manner of similitude on the day that the Lord spake to you in Horeb, out of the midst of the fire ; lest ye corrupt yourselves, and make you a graven image, the similitude of any figure, &c.
Q. 6. W^hat else may be inferred from thence ?
A. That our souls are the most noble and excellent part of us, which most resembles God ; and therefore our chief regard and care should be for them, whatever becomes of the vile body ; Matth. xvi. 26. For what is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul ? Or what shall a man mve in exchanfije for his soul 't
Q. 7. What further truth mav be inferred hence ?
A. That men should beware of spiritual sins, as well as of gross and outward sins ; for there is a faithfulness of the spirit, as well as of the flesh ; 2 Cor. vii. 1. Let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit ; and as God sees them, so he greatly abhors them, as sins that defile the noblest part of man, on which he stamped his own image.
Q. 8. What also may be inferred from hence ?
A, Hence we learn, that spiritual worship is most agreeable to his nature and will ; and the more spiritual it is, the more acceptable it will be to him ; John iv. 24. God is a Spirit, and they that wor- sliip him must worship him in spirit and in truth. Externals in wor- ship are of little regard with God; as places, habits, gestures, &e.
Ale EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBlV's CAtECHISM. 147
Apply this. First, To superstitious men, Isa. Ixvi. 1, 2^ 3. Secondly, To children, that say a prayer, but mind not to whom, tior what they say,
Quest. 1. W HAT is the sense and meaning of this word, in- finity ?
A. It signifies that which hath no bounds or limits, within which it is contained, as all created things are.
Q. 2. In how many respects is God infinite ?
A. God is infinite and boundless in three respects.
First, In respect of the perfection of his nature ; his wisdom, power, and holiness, exceed all measures and limits ; as 1 Sam. ii. 2. There is none holy as the Lord, &c. Secondly, In respect of time and place; no time can measure him ; Isa. Ivii. 15. Thus saith the high and lofty One, that inhabiteth eternity; 1 Kings viii. 27. Behold the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built ? The heaven of heavens contains all created things ; but not the Creator. Thirdly, In respect of his incomprehensibleness, by the understanding of all creatures ; Job xi. 7. Canst thou by search- ing find out God ? Canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection ?
Q. 3. *[f God be thus infinite, and no understandmg can compre- hend him, how then is it said in 1 John iii. % We shall see him as he is ?
A. The meaning is not, that glorified saints shall comprehend God in their understandings ; but that they shall have a true apprehensive knowledge of God ; and that we shall see him immediately, and not as we do now through a glass darkly.
Q. 4. What is the first lesson to be learnt from God's infinity ?
A. That therefore men should tremble to sin even in secret ; Psal. cxxxix. 11. If I say, surely the darkness shall cover me, even the night shall be light about me.
Q. 5. What is the second instruction from hence ?
A. The second instruction is, That there is an infinite evil in sin, objectively considered, as it is committed against an infinite God ; and therefore it deserves eternal punishment : and no satisfaction can pos- sibly be made for it, but by the blood of Christ ; 1 Pet. i. 18. Foras- much as ye know that we are not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold but with the precious blood of Christ.
Q. 6. What is the third instruction from God's infinity ?
A. The third instruction is, that those who are reconciled to God in Christ, need not fear his ability to perform any mercy for them ; for he is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think, Eph. iii. 20. And those that are not reconciled are in a very miserable condition, having infinite power set on work to punish them ; 2 Thess. i. 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting des*
148 AN EXPOSITION OF THE ASSEMBLY'S CATECHISM.
truction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of hi3i power.
Q. 7. What is the fourth instruction from God''s infinity ?
A. That no place can bar the access of gracious souls to God ; They are as near him in a dungeon, as Avhen at liberty ; and that he knows their thoughts when their tongues cannot utter them.
Quest. 1. W HAT is it to be eternal as God is ?
A. The eternity of God is, to be without beginning, and without end ; Psal. xc. 2. From everlasting thou art God.
Q. 2. How doth God's eternity differ from the eternity of angels, and human souls ?
A, It differs in two respects ; First, In this, that though angels, and the souls of men shall have no end ; yet they had a beginning, which God had not. Secondly, Our eternity is by gift from God, or by his appointment ; but his eternity is necessary, and from his own nature.
Q. 3, In what sense is the covenant called the everlasting covenant?
A. The covenant is called an everlasting covenant, 2 Sam. xxiii. 5. because the mercies of it, conveyed to believers, as pardon, peace, and salvation, are mercies that shall have no end. "
Q. 4. In what sense is the gospel everlasting ?
A. The gospel is called the everlasting gospel. Rev. xiv. 6. because the effects thereof, upon the soul it sanctifies, will abide in them for ever.
Q. 5. In what sense is the redemption of Christ called the eternal redemption ?
A. The redemption of Christ is called eternal redemption in Heb. ix. 12. because those whom he redeems by his blood, shall never more come into condemnation ; John v. 24. He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath e\'prlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.
Q. 6. Why is the last judgment of the world by Christ called eternal judgment ?