IX. The infallible rule of interpretation of Scripture, is the Scripture itself; and therefore, when there is a question about the true and full sense of any scripture, (which is not manifold, but one,) it may be searched and known by other places that speak more clearly. (1)

X. The Supreme Judge, by whom all controversies of religion are to be determined, and all decrees of councils, opinions of ancient writers, doctrines of men, and private spirits, are to be examined, and in whose sentence we are to rest, can be no other but the Holy Spirit speaking in the Scripture. (2)·

CHAPTER II.

OF GOD, AND OF THE HOLY TRINITY.

THERE is but one only (3) living and true

(1) IX. Acts xv. 15. And to this agree the words of the prophets. John v. 46. For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.

(2) X. Matt. xxii. 29, 31. Jesus answered and said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.-But as touching the resurrection of the dead, have ye not read that which was spoken unto you by God. Eph. ii. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. Acts xxviii. 25. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers.

(3) I. Deut. vi. 4. Hear, O Israel; the Lord our God is one Lord. 1 Cor. viii. 4, 6. As concerning therefore the eating of those things that are offered in sacrifice unto idols, we know that an idol is nothing in the

God, (1) who is infinite in being and perfection, (2) a most pure spirit, (3) invisible, (4) without body, parts, (5) or passions, (6) im

world, and that there is none other God but one.-But to us there is but one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him.

(1) 1 Thess. i. 9.-Ye turned to God from idols, to serve the living and true God. Jer. x. 10.-But the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting King.

(2) Job xi. 7, 8, 9, and xxvi. 14. Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is as high as heaven; what canst thou do? deeper than hell; what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth, and broader than the sea.-Lo, these are parts of his ways; but how little a portion is heard of him? but the thunder of his power, who can understand?

(3) John iv. 24. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth.

(4) 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(5) 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 unto 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, the likeness of male or female. Luke xxiv. 39. Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. John iv. 24.

(6) Acts xiv. 11, 15. And when the people saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in the speech of Lycaonia, The gods are come down to us in the likeness of men.-And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from

mutable, (1) immense, (2) eternal, (3) incomprehensible, (4) almighty, (5) most wise, (6) most holy, (7) most free, (8) most absolute, (9) working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable and most righteous will,(10)

these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein.

(1) James i. 17.—The Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Mal. iii. 6. For I am the Lord, I change not.

(2) 1 Kings viii. 27. But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I nave builded! Jer. xxiii. 23, 24. Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.

(3) Ps. xc. 2. Before the mountains were brought forth, or ever thou hadst formed the earth and the world, even from everlasting to everlasting, thou art God. 1 Tim. i. 17. Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

(4) Ps. cxlv. 3.-His greatness is unsearchable. (5) Gen. xvii. 1.-I am the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect. Rev. iv. 8.

(6) Rom. xvi. 27. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever.

(7) Isa. vi. 3.

Amen.

And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts: the whole earth is full of his glory. Rev. iv. 8.

(8) Ps. cxv. 3. But our God is in the heavens: He hath done whatsoever he pleased.

(9) 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.

(10) Eph. i. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose

for his own glory; (1) most loving, (2) gracious, merciful, long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin; (3) the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; (4) and withal most just and terrible in his judgments; (5) hating all sin, (6) and who will by no means clear the guilty. (7)

of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

(1) Prov. xvi. 4. The Lord hath made all things for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. Rom. xi. 36. For of him, and through him, and to him are all things: To whom be glory for ever. Amen. Rev. iv. 11.

(2) 1 John iv. 8. He that loveth not, knoweth not God; for God is love.

(3) Ex. xxxiv. 6, 7. 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; keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty.

(4) Heb. xi. 6. For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.

(5) Neh. ix. 32, 33. Now, therefore, our God, the great, the mighty, and the terrible God, who keepest covenant and mercy, let not all the trouble seem little before thee, that hath come upon us, on our kings, on our princes, and on our priests, and on our prophets, and on our fathers, and on all thy people, since the time of the kings of Assyria, unto this day. Howbeit, thou art just in all that is brought upon us; for thou hast done right, but we have done wickedly.

(6) Ps. v. 5, 6. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

(7) Nahum i. 2, 3. God is jealous, and the Lord

II. God hath all life, (1) glory, (2) goodness, (3) blessedness, (4) in and of himself; and is alone in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures which he hath made, (5) nor deriving any glory from them, (6) but only manifesting 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; (7) and hath revengeth, and is furious; the Lord will take vengeance on his adversaries, and he reserveth wrath for his enemies. The Lord is slow to anger, and great in power, and will not at all acquit the wicked. See Ex. xxxiv. 7.

(1) II. John v. 26. For as the Father hath life in himself, so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself.

(2). Acts vii. 2. And he said, Men, brethren, and fathers, hearken; The God of glory appeared unto our father Abraham, when he was in Mesopotamia, before he dwelt in Charran.

(3) Ps. cxix. 68. Thou art good, and doest good: teach me thy statutes.

(4) 1 Tim. vi. 15. Which in his times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords. Rom. ix. 5.-Who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.

(5) Acts xvii. 24, 25. God that made the world, and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshipped with men's hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.

(6) Job xxii. 2, 3. Can a man be profitable unto God, as he that is wise may be profitable unto himself? Is it any pleasure to the Almighty that thou art righteous ? or is it gain to him that thou makest thy ways perfect?

(7) Rom. xi. 36. For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things: to whom be glory for ever. Amen.