sidering in what sense God is called a Father in scripture. The sense of the term Father, as applied to GOD, must be learned by analogy, or we can have no knowledge thereof at all. This is one great evidence, how far the divine Being hath condescended to the weak capacities of men, in making himself known to them in a language which hath analogy to what they know among themselves. And though the analogy in many respects, is but faint, yet where there is none, ideas must fail, and enquiries should cease, in such terms as Father, applied to GOD. What knowledge we pretend to more, if it is not revealed in so many plain words, is mere uncertainty, and cannot be reckoned any part of that system of necessary truth which God intended to teach us. GOD is called a Father, because he is the creator of all things; he brought them into being and existence, preserves them by his power,—and sustains them by his bounty." For* in him we live, and move, and have our being; for we are all his offspring. Have we not all one Father? Hath not one GoD created us all? He‡ maketh his sun to rise on the evil, and on the good, and sendeth his rain on the just, and on the unjust." As children bear the image of their father, so God made man in his image.-" Fors man is the image and glory of God. In the image of God made he him." They are called fathers in scripture, who were the first inventors of things which were for the Acts xvii. 18. † Mal. ii. 10. + Matt. v. 45. § 1 Cor. xi. 7. || Gen. i. 27. general benefit of mankind. This idea may with great propriety be included in the character of God as a Father, who through infinite wisdom found out a method to save sinners,-renew his image in them, and restore them to the enjoyment of his favor, which they were so unmeet for by sin,and all consistent with the absolute strictness of his law, and the divine purity of his revealed perfections. Besides such general ideas of paternity, it will be found, that there is no property or affection which fathers, as such among men, are endowed with, that is not ascribed to GOD, as the Father of his children, which he hath chosen in Christ Jesus. Respect must be had here, to the great difference there is betwixt a property or affection in men, and the same thing as it is applied to God. But where the ascriptions lead, we may safely follow. They are called fathers, who adopt children into their family, and give them the title and privilege of children; in this respect God is called a FATHER," Blessed* be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,--who hath predestinated us into the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself according to the good pleasure of his will, &c. Beholdt what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of GOD.-Andt will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the LORD Almighty." He is their FATHER, as he begets them again by the energy of truth,-makes them to bear his name, and conforms them to the image of his only begotten * Eph. i. 3-5. 2 Cor. vi, 18. + 1 John iii, 1. Son." Blessed* be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. Oft his own will begat he us with the word of truth. And I looked, and lo, a Lamb stood on Mount Zion, and with him a hundred and forty and four thousand, having his Father's name written in their foreheads. Hes that overcometh, I will write upon him the name of my GOD,-new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my GOD: and MY NEW NAME." As a Father he feeds them with spiritual food. 'My Father giveth you the true bread from heaven." He has the love of a Father to them; and permits them to have the freedom and fellowship of children with him.-" If a man love me, he will keep my words, and my Father will love him. The** Father himself loveth you. Truly++ our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ." He bears with their weaknesses, and forgives their offences.-"And‡‡ I will spare them as a man spareth his son that serveth him.-Your§§ heavenly Father will also forgive you." He has the sympathy, care, and tenderness of a father.-"Like as a father pitieth his children; so the LORD pitieth them that fear him. Even¶¶ the very hairs of your head are all numbered. A*** FATHER of the fatherless, and a judge of the widow, is GOD." † Jam. i. 18. || John vi. 32. tt 1 John i. 3. Psa. ciii. 13. * 1 Pet. i. 3. ↑ Rev. xiv. 1. X Ibid. iii. 12. ** Ibid. xvi. 27. §§ Matt. vi. 14. *** Psa. lxviii. 5. He is acquainted with all their wants, and giveth them all necessary things." Your* heavenly FATHER knoweth that ye have need of all these things. How much more shall your FATHER, who is in heaven, give good things to them that ask him." He corrects them in love when they offend."What son is he whom the FATHER chasteneth not? Is will visit their transgressions with the rod, and their iniquities with stripes." He is a pattern to all his children." Be|| ye therefore perfect, even as your FATHER who is in. heaven is perfect." He challengeth paternal authority and respect. "If I be a FATHER, where is mine honor?" He inspects the deportment of his children, and rewards them accordingly.-" Thy** FATHER who seeth thee in secret, himself shall reward thee openly." He provides an inheritance for them, gives it freely to them, and makes them all meet for the enjoyment thereof." Come,†† ye blessed of my FATHER, inherit the kingdom prepared for you.--It is your FATHER'S good pleasure to give you the kingdom. We§§ give thanks to the FATHER, who hath made us meet for the inheritance of the saints in light." He hears their humble prayers, and answers them." As touching any thing that they shall * Matt. vi. 32. Psal. lxxxix. 32. ** Matt. iv. 6. $$ Col. i. 12. + Ibid. vii. 11. ↑ Heb. xii. 7. ¶ Mal. i. 6. tt Luke xii, 32. Matt. xviii, 19. ask, it shall be done for them of my FATHER, who is in heaven. How much more shall your heavenly FATHER give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? He is the object of their worship." Aftert this manner therefore pray ye; Our FATHER, who art in heaven. The true worshippers shall worship the FATHER in spirit and truth; for the FATHER seeketh such to worship him." These, and many other privileges they enjoy, through the well-beloved SON of GOD, by whom they have the knowledge of their FATHER, and in whom they approach acceptably to him." No§ man knoweth the FATHER but the Son, and he to whom the SON will reveal him.-I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the FATHER but by me. Through¶ him we have access by one Spirit unto the FATHER." With respect to Jesus Christ, the scripture represents GoD as a FATHER, in his being God's first-born,-his image,**-the head of all his ways, the repository of all his purposes,-in the ancient love he had to him,-the choice he made of him,— and all the elect in him." Giving†† thanks to the FATHER,-who hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear SoN, (marg. the SON of his love) who is the image of the invisible God, the first-born Luke xi. 18. + Matt. vi. 9. || John xiv. 6. ↑ John iv. 23. ¶ Eph. ii. 18. **By resemblance and representation, for it is a contradiction in terms, to say a Son as such, can be the image of his Father as such. Filiation is no image of paternity; they are specifically different, and can no more be the image of one another, thau light can be the image of darkness. †† Col. i. 12, 13, 15. |