1 Wherefore let us mark that which is noted in the Scripture of truth, and lay up the words of this book in our heart and in our soul; and let us teach them our children, speaking of them when we sit in our houses, and when we walk by the way, when we lie down, and when we rise up. 2 For the commandment which the Lord thy God commands thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldst say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldst say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it and do it? But the Word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto us. 3 Secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. 4 If therefore thou shalt ask, saying, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? the plain answer is, What is written in the law and in the Gospel? How readest thou? Seek ye out of the Book of the Lord, and read therein all the days of your life; that ye may learn to fear the Lord your God, and to keep all the words of this law, and these statutes to do them. 5 Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this book, and keep those things which are written therein. 1 Dan. x. 21. Deut. xi. 18, 19. 2 Kings xxii. 13. Deut. xi. 18, 19. 2 Deut. xxx. 11, 12, 13, 14. 1 Pet. i. 25. 3 Deut. xxix. 29. 4 Luke x. 25, 26. Isa. xxxiv. 16. Deut. xvii. 19. 5 ¶ Rev. i. 3. CHAPTER II. Concerning God: His Nature, Attributes, and Works. 1 THAT which may be known of God is manifest: for the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament showeth his handy-work. So that we are without excuse, if by the things that are made we do not clearly perceive and understand his eternal power and Godhead. 2 The Lord is also known by the judgment which he executeth. But the Scriptures having given us a plainer and* fuller account of the Divine Being, than the reason of man can discover of itself, the best and easiest way of coming to the right knowledge of God is by his word. From whence we learn, That he is the Maker, Preserver, and Governor of all things: that he is a being every way perfect; the only God; who hath none other like him; and who is greater and more excellent than all other beings that he is a Spirit, eternal and unchange-. able; and fills all places by his presence: that his happiness, knowledge, wisdom, and power, are infinite: that he is perfectly good and gracious, righteous and just, true and faithful, pure and holy: and that after all we can do or know of him, he is incomprehensible. 3 GOD IS THE CREATOR, MAKER, AND FORMER OF ALL THINGS. By him were all things created that are in 1 Rom. i. 19. Psal. xix. 1. Rom. i. 20. 2 Psal. ix. 16. 3 Col. i. 16. heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him and for him. He made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host; the earth, and all things that are therein the seas, and all that is therein. : As for the world, and the fulness thereof, and all things that come forth of it, he hath founded them. " He formed the light, and created darkness, the day is his, and the night also is his; he hath prepared the light and the sun; and by his Spirit he hath garnished the heavens. 3 He gave the sun for a light by day, and ordained the moon and the stars for a light by night. 4 He hath made summer and winter; the north and the south, he hath created them.. 5 The Lord hath founded the earth, and hung it upon nothing. He created it not in vain; he formed it to be inhabited. 7 He shut up the sea with doors, and said, Hitherto shalt thou come, but no farther; and here shall thy proud waves be stayed. * He formed the mountains, and createth the wind. God made every living creature, beast and cattle, and creeping thing of the earth; every winged fowl and moving creature which the waters bring forth; and every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew. 1 Neh. ix. 6. Psal. Ixxiv. 16. Jer. xxxi. 35. Job xxvi. 7. Psal. lxxxix. 11. Isa. xxxiv. 1. 2 Isa. xlv. 7. Psal. viii. 3. 3 Jer. xxxi. 35. 5 Prov. iii. 19. Psal. lxxxix. 12. • Isa. xlv. 18. 7 Job xxxviii. 8. 11. 9 Gen. i. 21. 24, 25. Gen. ii. 5. 8 Amos iv. 13. 1 God created man; male and female created he them. Thou, O Lord, art our Father, and we are all the work of thy hand. We are the clay, and thou our potter. Thy hands have made us and fashioned us. Thou hast clothed us with skin and flesh, and hath fenced us with bones and sinews. Thine eyes did see our substance, yet being imperfect; and in thy book were all our members written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them. 2 The Lord hath formed the spirit of man within him, he hath made us this soul. 3 He made of one blood all nations of men, for to dwell on the face of the earth. * The Lord he is God, it is he that hath made us and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. * He hath created us for his glory; he hath formed us for himself, that we should show forth his praise. 6 By the word of the Lord were the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. 7 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the Word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. * He spake, and they were made; he commanded, and they were created. He said, Let them be, and it was so. • The Lord hath made all things for himself: and for his pleasure they are and were created. For 1 Gen. i. 27. 2 Zech. xii. 1. Psal. cxxxix. 10. Isa. lxiv. 8. Job x. 8. 11. 5 Isa. xliii. 7. 21. 4 Psal. c. 3. 7 Heb. xi. 3. 9 Prov. xvi. 4. of him, and through him, and to him, are all things. 1 Why then hath the fool said in his heart, there is no God? Understand, ye brutish among the people, and ye fools, when will ye be wise? Shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? 2 Every house is builded by some man, but he that built all things is God. GOD IS THE PRESERVER OF ALL THINGS. 3 By him all things consist. 4 He preserveth and upholdeth all things by the word of his power; and they continue this day according to his ordinances. 5 The Lord hath established the heavens, and the earth, and they abide. He hath compassed the waters with bounds until the day and night come to an end: he bindeth the floods from overflowing. And because he hath said it; therefore while the earth remaineth, seed-time and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night, shall not cease. 8 The earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God. 9 With thee, O Lord, is the fountain of life. Thou preservest man and beast. Thou givest food to all flesh in whose hand is the soul of Psal. xciv. 8. Isa. xxix. 16. 2 Heb. iii. 4. Psal. cxix. 91. 4 Neh. ix. 6. Heb. i. 3. Psal cxix. 90. 6 Job xxvi. 10. 8 Heb. vi. 7. 1 Psal. xiv. 1. 3 Col. i. 17. 5 Prov. iii. 19. 7 Gen viii. 21. 22. Psal. cxxxvi. 25. Job xii. 10. Job xxviii. 11. 9 Psal. xxxvi. 9. 6. |