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God appears in the works of creation, and in providence; for all his works answer the most valuable purposes, and his government of the world is calculated to promote the happiness of his creatures. He 66 crowns the year with his goodness; and his paths drop fatness." Ps. lxv. 11. He "is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works." Ps. cxlv. 9.

The mercy of God shines with the brightest splendour in redemption, salvation, and grace; and to this we are indebted for pardon, peace, and holiness. These rich displays, flowing to us through the mediation of Jesus, demand our love and praise; and when we know, by experience, that God delighteth in mercy, we gratefully bless him at all times, and his praise is continually in our mouth. Ps. xxxiv. 1. But goodness is mixed with every other attribute of the Deity; for justice itself is but a certain modification of goodness; and both the wisdom and power of God are continually directed by goodness. Let us be thankful that the world is governed by a good and gracious Being; and let us resemble him in goodness, mercy, and love.

XIII. This great and glorious Being is faithful and true; and we may rely on him with entire confidence.

The word of God never failed, in one instance, since the world began; and it never will fail, in one instance, to all eternity. It is

utterly impossible for God to depart from his word, whether it be a promise, a threatening, or a prediction. This fact is confirmed by our Saviour, in the following passage: "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Matt. xxiv. 35. God loves truth; he hates falsehood; and he could as soon cease to be, as forfeit his word. Hence we conclude, with the royal Psalmist, that "his truth endureth to all generations." Ps. c. 5. All the promises and threatenings are built on the faithfulness of God; they are recorded for our instruction; and may be read by all who have a Bible. "Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him, and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations." Deut. vii. 9. And, as the Apostle Paul observes, "If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful; he cannot deny himself." 2 Tim. ii. 13.

All the promises and threatenings are made to prevent sin, and to promote holiness; for sinners are threatened that they may repent, and promises are given to saints to encourage them in holy living. Men too frequently make promises which they do not intend to fulfil, and threatenings which they do not intend to carry into effect; but God is sincere, both in the one and in the other. When men are sincere, their word may fail for want of power to fulfil their engagements; but God is able to fulfil his word, and

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to accomplish all his purposes. We allow that his promises and threatenings are conditional; that when a good man finally falls from grace he loses the promised reward; and that when a wicked man forsakes his wickedness, he is saved from the threatened stroke of justice. But those who persevere in the path of duty may rely on all the promises, for God cannot depart from his word; and those who persevere in sin cannot escape the damnation of hell, because the threatening is as firm as the promise. In both cases we see the wisdom and the goodness of the Lord; and in both we should rejoice that he is faithful and true.

XIV. Nor is it less encouraging to good men, that God is unchangeable; the same from eternity to eternity; without variableness or shadow of turning. James i. 17.

Men are changeable, in many instances, because they are weak; but God, who is above all, is almighty. Men change when they receive greater degrees of light; but God knows all things, and cannot be affected by any new discoveries. We change, too frequently, from good to bad; but God is, and ever will be, unchangeably good. We change from bad to good, and this is a happy change; but God has no imperfection, nor any property that can be changed for a better. He cannot change in any possible way, because he is absolutely perfect. Whatever happens to angels, to men, or to devils, God is

always the same, and will be everlastingly the same. But does it not follow that all things are fixed in the divine mind, and cannot be altered by any human effort? We reply, that God has not determined that this man shall be saved, do what he will, or that man damned, do what he can. But this is his righteous and unchangeable decree, that salvation shall follow faith and obedience; and that final ruin shall follow unbelief and sin. This, like all his other decrees, is wise and good; nor will he ever depart from it to the end of time; for he that believeth, with his heart unto righteousness, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, abiding in sin, shall be damned. Mark xvi. 16.

On the whole, let us admire and adore the Lord our God, "who created the world by his power; preserves and governs it by his wisdom. and goodness; and will judge it with justice, mercy, and truth: whose glory no eye can behold; whose majesty no thought can comprehend; whose power no strength can resist; from whose presence no swiftness can flee; from whose knowledge no secret can be concealed; whose justice no art can evade; whose goodness every creature partakes of."* To him be honour and glory, might, majesty, and dominion, for ever and ever! Amen.

* Dr. S. Clarke.

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CHAPTER IV.

THE HOLY TRINITY.

The word Trinity is not found in the Bible; but the doctrine is there-The Father is God-the Son is God-the Holy Ghost is God-These three are one: but how we know notFoolish men have attempted to explain the mystery-The best way is to use it practically; and to leave what we cannot understand to a future state.

THE unity of God is allowed by all who believe in his existence; but can this be reconciled to the doctrine of the Trinity, as it is held by all orthodox Christians? This is a question of high importance, and demands our most serious attention. We state our own views of this profound subject, without disguise, in the following general observations.

I. The word trinity is not found in the Bible; but the doctrine of the Trinity is clearly taught in that sacred volume.

The word trinity may be used, or laid aside, as men think best. "I dare not insist on any one's using the word trinity or person. I use them myself without any scruple, because I know of none better. But if any man has any scruple concerning them, who shall constrain him to use them? I cannot; much less would I burn a man alive, and that with moist, green wood, for saying, "Though I believe in the Father as God, the

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