Q. 20. In what manner should the language of Scripture be used in conversation and writing?

A. It should always be used with reverence and sobriety; and should never be quoted in a profane and wicked manner; nor accommodated to trifling subjects. It is highly improper to use the words hell, Lord, God, faith, damnation, vow, curse, and similar expressions; or words of like import, in a light and trivial way. It is not only unpolite and vulgar; but it is profane, and highly displeasing to God.(°)

Q. 21. How should the Bible be regarded and treated?

A. It should be valued above all price; embraced firmly, meekly, and in its purity; perused with reverence and gratitude, diligence and attention, faith and prayer; and reduced to practice in daily deportment. To estimate lightly, to neglect, and thus to abuse the Bible, is highly criminal, for it is to treat the messages of Heaven with contempt, to slight offered mercy, and to trifle with the interests of the soul and the solemnities of eternity.(P)

ets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways, by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of. 2 John 10. 11. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed; for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

(0) Ex. 20. 7. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless, that taketh his name in vain.

(p) Ps. 19. 8, 10. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. More to be desired are they than gold, yea than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and the honey-comb. Eph. 2. 20. And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone. John 8. 24. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins; for if ye believe not

that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. John 5. 39. Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life, and they are they which testify of me. Matt. 22. 29. Jesus answered and said unto them, ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.

CHAPTER III.

The character of God natural and moral, as revealed in the Sacred Scriptures.

Q. 1. What perfections, natural and moral, does God possess?

A. God, who is a pure spirit,(a) that is, an immaterial substance, or an essence distinct from matter, possesses self-existence, eternity, immutability, omnipresence, omniscience, omnipotence, independence, unity, goodness, wisdom, holiness, justice, mercy, and truth.

Q. 2. What is meant by the self-existence of God, and how is it proved?

A. By His self-existence is meant, that He exists not by any extrinsic, relative, or accidental cause, but exists of and from Himself. There is no reason or ground of His existence out of Himself.- -That God is self-existent is evident from the fact, that He is the Author of all creatures and things, and that He Himself could not be created by any other being, nor be the effect of chance; but must be uncaused and eternal; and from the fact, that in Scripture, He is styled "Jehovah," "I Am," "who is, who was, and who is to come." These terms mean self-existence.(b)

(a) John 4. 24. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

(b) Ps. 83. 18. That man may know that thou, whose name alone is Jehovah, art the Most High over all the earth. Ex. 3. 14. And God said unto Moses I Am that 1 Am. And

Q. 3. What is meant by the eternity of God? and how is it proved?

A. By His eternity is meant His existence without beginning, succession, or end. There never was a time, when He did not exist, and there never will be a time when He will not exist.- -That God possesses this perfection is manifest from His selfexistence, and the express declarations of the Holy Scriptures.(c)

Q. 4. What is meant by the immutability of God? and how is it proved?

A. By His immutability is meant His unchangeableness in His essence, perfections, purposes, promises, and threatenings. This perfection of God is proved from His self-existence and eternity, from the unchanging order, exhibited in the works of creation and providence, and from the Bible.(d)

Q5. What is meant by the omnipresence of God? and how is it proved?

A. By His omnipresence is meant His being ever present in every place throughout the universe. He is confined to no part, and excluded from no part.- -This perfection of God may be argued from His infinite nature, from His general and particular agency at all times, in all parts of the universe, and from the Sacred Scriptures.(e)

he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I Am hath sent me unto you. Rev. 1. 4. John to the seven churches which are in Asia; Grace be unto you, and peace from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven spirits, which are before his throne.

(c) Deut. 33. 27. The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.

(d) James 1. 17. Every good gift, and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. Ps. 33. 11. The counsel of the Lord standeth forever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.

(e) Ps. 139. 7-10. Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there, if I make my bed in hell, behold thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in

Q. 6. What is meant by the omniscience of God? and how is it proved?

A. By His omniscience is meant His knowledge of all things possible, and all things actual, without any limitation. His knowledge extends to all times, past, present, and future; and to all places, creatures, things, and events, distinctly, infallibly, and perpetually.- -That God is possessed of this perfection is evident from His purposes and designs, from His being the Creator, Preserver, Governour, and Disposer of all creatures and things, and from the express language of Scripture.(f)

Q. 7. What is meant by the omnipotence of God? and how is it proved?

A. By His omnipotence is meant His almighty power-His ability to do whatever, in the nature of things, is not impossible, or does not imply contradiction.That God is thus powerful is manifest from his creating,* preserving, governing, and disposing of the whole universe-all finite existences, and from the testimony of the Scriptures.(5)

Q. 8. What is meant by the independence of God? and how is it proved?

A. By His independence is to be understood, that He possesses His existence, His perfections,

the uttermost parts of the sea; even there shall thy hand lead me and thy right hand shall hold me.

(f) Ps. 94. 9, 10. He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? he that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? Acts 15. 18. Known unto God are all his works from the beginning of the world. 1 Chron. 28. 9. The Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts.

(g) Rev. 19. 6. And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia; for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. Matt. 19. 26. But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.

*The greatest effort of power known to us is the act of creating.