An Exposition of the Assembly's
Shorter Catechism

by

John Flavel

Q4. What is God?
A. God is a Spirit, Infinite, Eternal and Unchangeable in his Being, Wisdom, Power, Holiness, Justice and Truth.

Q. 1. Can the Nature of God be defined, so as men may express properly and strictly what God is?
A. No: Job 11:7. Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection?
We do then conceive most rightly of God, when we acknowledge him to be unconceivable; and therefor one being asked the question, what is God? answered rightly; If I fully knew that, I should be a God myself; for God only knows his own Essence.

Q. 2. How many ways are there by which men may know and describe the nature of God?
A. There are two ways of knowing God in this Life. First, By way of affirmation; affirming that of God by way of eminence, which is excellent in the Creature; as when we affirm him to be Wise, Good, Merciful, etc. Secondly, By way of Negation, when we remove from God in our Conceptions all that is imperfect in the Creature: so we say God is immense, Infinite, Immutable; and in this sense we also call him a Spirit, (i.e.) He is not a gross corporeal Substance.

Q. 3. How many sorts of Spirits are there; And of which sort is God?
A. There be two sorts of Spirits, created and finite; as Angels, and the Souls of Men are. Secondly, Uncreated, and Infinite; and such a Spirit God only is, infinitely above all other Spirits.

Q. 4. If God be a Spirit, in what sense are we to understand all those Scriptures, which speak of the Eyes of the Lord, the Ears and Hand of God?
A. We are to understand them as Expressions of God, in condescension to the weakness of our understandings; even as the Glory of Heaven is expressed to us in Scripture by a City, and the Royal Feast. These shadows are useful to us whilst we are in the Body; but we shall know him in Heaven after a more perfect manner.

Q. 5. What may be inferred from the Spiritual Nature of God?
A. Hence learn, that it is both sinful and dangerous to frame an Image or Picture of God. Who can make an Image of his Soul? which is yet not so perfect a Spirit as God is? And as it is sinful to attempt it, so it is impossible to do it; Deuteronomy 4:15-16. Take ye therefore good heed unto yourselves; for ye saw no manner of Similitude on the day that the Lord spake to 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, etc.

Q. 6. What else may be inferred from thence?
A. That our Souls are the most noble and excellent part of us, which most resembles God; and therefore our chief regard and care should be for them, whatever becomes of the vile Body. Matthew 16:26. For what is a man profited if he gain the whole world, and lost his own Soul. Or what shall a man give in Exchange for his Soul?

Q. 7. What further Truth may be inferred hence?
A. That men should beware of spiritual Sins, as well as of gross and outward Sins; for there is a filthiness of the Spirit, as well as of the Flesh, 2 Corinthians 7:1. Let us cleanse our selves from all filthiness of flesh and spirit; and as God sees them, so he greatly abhors them, as sins that defile the noblest part of man, on which he stamped his own Image.

Q. 8. What also may be inferred from hence?
A. Hence we learn, that spiritual worship is most agreeable to his Nature and Will; and the more spiritual it is, the more acceptable it will be to him. John 4:24. God is a Spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in Spirit and Truth. Externals in worship are of little regard with God; as places, habits, gestures, etc.

Apply this

First, To superstitious men, Isaiah 66:1-3.

Secondly, To Children that say a Prayer, but mind not to whom, nor what they say.

Of God's Infinity

Q. 1. What is the sense and meaning of this Word [Infinity?]
A. It signifies that which hath no bounds or limits, whithin which it is contained, as all created things are.

Q. 2. In how many respects is God infinite?
A. God is infinite or boundless in three respects.
First, In respect of the perfection of his Nature; his Wisdom, Power, and Holiness, exceed all measures and limits; as 1 Samuel 2:2. There is none Holy as the Lord, etc. Secondly, in respect of time and place; no time can measure him, Isaiah 57:15. Thus saith the high, and lofty one, that inhabiteth eternity. 1 Kings 8:27. Behold the Heaven of Heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this House which I have built? The Heaven of Heavens contains all created Beings; but not the Creator. Thirdly, In respect of his incomprehensibleness, by the understanding of all Creatures, Job 11:7. Canst thou by searching find out God? canst thou find out the Almighty to perfection?

Q. 3. If God be thus Infinite, and no understanding can comprehend him, How then is it said in 1 John 3:2. We shall see him as he is?
A. The meaning is not, that glorified Saints shall comprehend God in the understandings; but that they shall have a true apprehensive Knowledge of God: and that we shall see him immediately, and not as we do now through a glass darkly.

Q. 4. What is the first Lesson to be learned from God's Infinity?
A. That therefore men should tremble to sin even in secret. Psalm 139:11. If I say, surely the darkness shall cover me, even the night shall be light about me.

Q. 5. What is the second Instruction from hence?
A. The second Instruction is, That there is an infinite evil in sin, objectively considered, as it is committed against an Infinite God; and therefore it deserves Eternal Punishment; and no satisfaction can possibly be made for it, but by the Blood of Christ. 1 Peter 1:18. Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold but — with the precious Blood of Christ.

Q. 6. What is the third Instruction from God's Infinity?
A. The third Instruction is, That those who are reconciled to God in Christ need not fear his ability to perform any mercy for them; for he is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think. Ephesians 3:20. And those that are not reconciled, are in a very miserable condition, having infinite power set on work to punish them. 2 Thessalonians 1:9. Who shall be punished with everlasting Destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power.

Q. 7. What is the fourth Instruction from God's Infinity?
A. That no place can bar the access of gracious Souls to God. They are as near him in a Dungeon, as when at Liberty; and that he knows their thoughts, when their tongues cannot utter them.

Of God's Eternality

Q. 1. What is it to be Eternal as God is?
A. The Eternity of God is, to be without beginning, and without end, Psalm 90:2. From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.

Q. 2. How doth God's Eternity differ from the Eternity of Angels, and Human Souls?
A. It differs in two respects: First, In this, That though the Angels, and the Souls of men shall have no end; yet they had a beginning, which God had not. Secondly, Our Eternity is by gift from God, or by his appointment; but his Eternity is necessary, and from his own Nature.

Q. 3. In what sense is the Covenant called an Everlasting Covenant?
A. The Covenant is called and Everlasting Covenant, 2 Samuel 23:5. because the mercies of it, conveyed to Believers, as Pardon, Peace, and Salvation, are mercies that shall have no end.

Q. 4. In what sense is the Gospel Everlasting?

A. The Gospel is called the Everlasting Gospel, Revelation 14:6. because the effects thereof upon the Souls it sanctifies, will abide in them forever.

Q. 5. In what sense is the Redemption of Christ called the Eternal Redemption?
A. The Redemption of Christ is called Eternal redemption in Hebrews 9:12 because those whom he redeems by his Blood shall never more come into Condemnation. John 5:24. He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.

Q. 6. Why is the last judgment of the world by Christ, called Eternal judgment?
A. The last judgment is called Eternal judgment, not because God judged men from Eternity, or because the Day of Judgment shall last to Eternity; but because the consequences of it will be Everlasting joy or misery to the Souls of men; therefore it's called Eternal Judgment, Hebrews 6:2.

Q. 7. What may wicked men learn from the Eternity of God?
A. Hence wicked men may seee their own misery in the perfection of it; that they will have an eternal enemy to avenge himself upon them forever, in the World to come. 2 Thessalonians 1:9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord.

Q. 8. What may good men learn from it?
A. That their joy and happiness will be perfect and endless, who have the Eternal God for their portion. Psalm 16:11. In thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.

Q. 9. What may all good men and bad learn from it?
A. All men may learn three things from the Eternity of God. First, That their life is a thing of nought, compared with God. Psalm 39:5. Mine age is nothing before thee. Secondly, That sins, or duties, long since committed, or performed, are all present before God. Thirdly, That God can never want opportunity to do his work, and carry on his designs in the world. All time is in the hand of the Eternal God. Revelation 12:12. The devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.

Of God's Unchangeableness

Q. 1. What Scriptures plainly assert this Attribute?
A. Exodus 3;14. And God said unto Moses, I AM that I AM. Daniel 6:26. For he is the living God, and steadfast forever. James 1:17. With whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

Q. 2. Whence doth God's Immutability flow?
A. The Immutability of God flows from the perfection of his Nature, to which nothing can be added, and from which nothing can be taken away. If anything could be added to make him better than he is; or if anything could be taken away, to make him less good that he is, then he were not the chiefest Good, and consequently not God.

Q. 3. By what other argument prove you his Immutability?
A. I prove it from the Eternity of God. If God be Eternal, he must be Immutable; for if he change by addition of something to him he had not before, then there is something in God which he had not from Eternity. And if he change by diminution, then there was something in God from Eternity, which now is not; but from Everlasting to Everlasting he is the same God, and therefore changeth not.

Q. 4. But it is said, God repents, and Repentance is a change; How then is he Unchangeable, and yet repents?
A. In those Phrases God speaks to us, as we must speak of, and to him; not properly, but after the manner of men; and it only notes a change in his outward Providence, not in his Nature.

Q. 5. But how could God become man, and yet no change be made in him?
A. There is a twofold change, one active, made by God, that we allow. He made a change upon our Nature by uniting it to Christ; but a passive change made upon God, we deny. The Nature of man was made more excellent, but the Divine Nature was still the same.

Q. 6. What is the first Instruction from God's Immutability?
A. That those that are most unchangeable in holiness, are most like God. Let him that is holy, be holy still.

Q. 7. What is the second Instruction from hence?
A. That the happiness of God's people is firm, and sure, being still upon the word of an unchangeable God. Malachi 3:6. For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Hebrews 6:18.

Q. 8. What is the third Instruction from this attribute?
A. That the hopes of all wicked men are vain, being built upon a presumption, that God will not deal with them as he hath threatened he will do.

Q. 9. What is the last Instruction from God's Immutability?
A. That Christians may take as much encouragement now from the nature, word, and providence of God, as the Saints in any former Generation did, or might do; for he is the same now, he was then.

Of God's Wisdom

Q. 1. How manifold is the Wisdom of God?
A. There is a personal and essential wisdom of God; the personal wisdom os the Son of God. 1 Corinthians 1:24. Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God. Colossians 2:3. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. The essential wisdom of God, is the essence of God; of which this Question speaks.

Q. 2. What is the Essential wisdom of God?
A. The Essential wisdom of God, is his most exact and perfect knowledge of himself, and all his Creatures, and his ordering and disposing them in the most convenient manner, to the Glory of his own Name. Ephesians 1:11. According to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will.

Q. 3. What is the first property of God's Wisdom?
A. The first property is, he is only wise. Romans 16:27. To God only wise be glory. And whatsoever wisdom is in Angels, or Men, is all derived, and borrowed from God; but his from none. Isaiah 40:14.With whom took he counsel? And who instructed him, and taught him in the path of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and showed to him the way of understanding?

Q. 4. What is the second property of God's Wisdom?
A. The second property is, That he is incomprehensible in his wisdom. Romans 11:33-34. Oh the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God, etc.

Q. 5. What is the third property of the wisdom of God?
A. The third property is, That God is perfectly wise, which no Creatures, no not the very Angels in Heaven are. Job 4:18. And his Angels he chargeth with folly.

Q. 6. What is the most glorious display and eminent discovery of the wisdom of God?
A. The most glorious display of the wisdom of God was in the work of our Redemption by Jesus Christ. Colossians 2:3. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 1 Corinthians 1:24. Christ the wisdom of God.

Q. 7. What is the first Instruction from God's wisdom?
A. The first instruction is, That God is a fit object of our trust, dependance, and resignation. Isaiah 30:18. And therefore will the Lord wait, that he may be gracious unto you; and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you; for the Lord is a God of judgement; blessed are all they that wait for him.

Q. 8. What is the second Instruction from hence?
A. The second instruction is, That it is a dangerous arrogancy in the Creature, either to prescribe unto God, and direct his Maker Job 21:22. Shall any teach God knowledge, seeing he Judgeth those that are high? Or to quarrel with his providences, as not so fit and convenient as they should be. Job 40:2. Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him? He that reproveth God, let him answer it.

Q. 9. What is the third Instruction from it?
A. That the people of God have much reason to quiet, and encourage themselves, when crafty and subtle Enemies surround them. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man. 1 Corinthians 1:25.

Q. 10. What is the fourth Instruction from God's wisdom?
A. The fourth instruction is, That the true way to wisdom, is to be sensible of our own folly. 1 Corinthians 3:18. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. And to apply ourselves by prayer to God the fountain of it. James 1:5. If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God.

Q. 11. What is the last Instruction from God's wisdom?
A. That the study of Christ, and of the Scriptures, is to be preferred to all other studies in the world. Colossians 2:3. In whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom, and knowledge: And the Scriptures contain all that Wisdom which is for our salvation. 1 Corinthians 2:7. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the world, unto our glory.

Of God's Power

Q. 1. What is the Power of God?
A. An Essential property of his Nature, whereby he can do all things that he pleases to have done. Jeremiah 32:17. Ah Lord God, behold thou hast made the Heavens, and the Earth by thy great power, and stretched-out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee.

Q. 2. What evidence have we before our eyes of the Almighty Power of God?
A. It appears in the Creation of the World. Romans 1:20. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal Power and Godhead. And its Sustentation. Hebrews 1:3. Who upholdeth all things by the word of his Power.

Q. 3. Did God's Power ever act its utmost?
A. No, he can do more than ever he did, or ever will do. Matthew 3:9. God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. Matthew 26:53.

Q. 4. Are there not some things which God cannot do?
A. Yes, there are, but they are such things as are inconsistent with his truth and holiness. Titus 1:2. ...which God that cannot lie. 2 Timothy 2:13. He cannot deny himself.

Q. 5. What is the first thing inferred from God's Power?
A. That all the Creatures necessarily depend on him for what ability they have, and without the permission of the supreme Power they can do us no hurt. John 19:11. Thou couldest have no power against me except it were given thee from above.

Q. 6. What is the second Inference from hence?
A. That the difficulties which lie in the way of the Promises, need be no stumbling-blocks to our Faith. Romans 4:20-21. He staggered not at the Promises through unbelief, being fully persuaded, that what he had promised he was able also to perform.

Q. 7. What is the third Inference from this Attribute?
A. The Saints need not be scared at the greatness of their sufferings: their God can carry them through. Daniel 3:17. Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace.

Q. 8. What is the fourth Inference?
A. That the Salvation of God's People is certain, whatever their dangers be, being kept by this mighty Power. 2 Peter 1:5. Who are kept by the power of God through faith to Salvation.

Q. 9. What is the last Inference hence?
A. That the state of the damned is unconceivably miserable. Their Punishment proceeding from the glory of the Almighty. 2 Thessalonians 1:9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord, and the glory of his power.

Of God's Holiness

Q. 1. How manifold is the Holiness of God?
A. The Holiness of God is twofold: Communicable, or Incommunicable; of his communicable holiness the Apostle speaks. Hebrews 12:10. But he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness. Of his incommunicable holiness that Scripture speaks. 1 Samuel 2:2. There is none holy as the Lord.

Q. 2. What is the essential and incommunicable Holiness of God?
A. It is the infinite purity of his Nature, whereby he delights in his own holiness, and the resemblance of it in his Creatures, and hates all impurity. Habakkuk 1:13. Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity.

Q. 3. What is the first property of God's Holiness?
A. He is essentially Holy. Holiness is not a separable quality in God, as it is in Angels and Men: but his Being and his Holiness are one thing.

Q. 4. What is the second property of God's Holiness?
A. God is essentially Holy, the author and fountain of all communicated Holiness. Leviticus 20:8. I am the Lord which sanctifieth you.

Q. 5. What is the third property?
A. That the holiness of God is the perfect rule and pattern of holiness to all Creatures. 1 Peter 1:16. Be ye holy, for I am holy.

Q. 6. What is the first Instruction?
A. That the holiest of men have cause to be ashamed and humbled when the come before God. Isaiah 6:3, 5. And one cried unto another, saying, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of Hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory. Then said I, Woe is me, for I am undone, because I am a man of unclean lips, etc.

Q. 7. What is the second Instruction from God's holiness?
A. That there is no coming near to God without a Mediator; for our God is a consuming fire.

Q. 8. What is the third Instruction from God's holiness?
A. That holiness is indispensably necessary, to all those which shall dwell with him in Heaven. Hebrews 12:14. And, holiness without which no man shall see the Lord.

Q. 9. What is the fourth Instruction from hence?
A. That the Gospel is of inestimable value, as it is the instrument of conveying the Holiness of God to us. 2 Corinthians 3:18. But we all with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the spirit of the Lord. John 17:17. Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth.

Q. 10. What is the last instruction from God's holiness?
A. That all the despisers and scoffers of holiness, are despisers of God; for holiness is the very Nature of God; and in the Creature it is his represented Image.

Of God's Justice

Q. 1. What is the Justice of God?
A. The Justice of God is the perfect rectitude and equity of his Nature, whereby he is just in himself, and in all his ways towards the Creatures. Deuteronomy 32:4. He is the rock, his work is perfect; for all his ways are judgement; a God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right is he.

Q. 2. What is the first property of God's Justice?
A. That it infinitely excels all humane Justice in the perfection of it. No creature can compare in Justice with God. Job 9:2. How shall man be just with God?

Q. 3. What is the second property of God's Justice?
A. That he is Universally Righteous in all his administrations in the world. Psalm 145:17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.

Q. 4. What was the greatest demonstration of the justice of God, that ever was given to the world?
A. The greatest evidence that ever was given of the Justice of God, was in his exacting satisfaction for our sins upon Christ. Romans 3:25-26. Whom God hath set forth, to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness, that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. Romans 8:32. He spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all.

Q. 5. What is the second Discovery of God's justice?
A. The second Discovery of the justice of God, is in the Eternal punishment of sin in Hell, upon all that do not repent, and come to Christ by Faith in this World. Romans 2:5. But after thy hardness, and impenitent heart, treasureth up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgement of God.

Q. 6. What is the third Evidence of God's justice?
A. The third Evidence of the justice of God is, in making good all the mercies he hath promised to believers, exactly to a title. 1 John 1:19. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 2 timothy 4:8. Henceforth there is laid up for me a Crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will give me at that day.

Q. 7. What is the first Inference from God's justice?
A. That sinners have no cause to complain of God's judgments, though they be never so terrible, or durable. Romans 2:5. But after thy hardness, and impenitent heart, treasureth up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath, and revelation of the righteous judgment of God.

Q. 8. What is the second Inference from God's justice?
A. That without doubt there is a judgment to come in the next Life, otherwise God would not have the glory of his justice. Ecclesiastes 3:16-17. I saw under the sun the place of judgment, that wickedness was there; and the place of righteousness, that iniquity was there: I said in mine heart, God shall judge the righteous, and the wicked.

Q. 9. What is the third Inference from God's justice?
A. That Penitent and Believing sinners need not doubt of the forgiveness of the Sins. 1 John 1:9. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Q. 10. What is the last Inference from it?
A. The last inference is, That Meekness and Patience under afflictions, is our unquestionable Duty; and murmuring against God, is a great sin and evil. Lamentations 3:39. Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins?

Of God's Goodness

Q. 1. What is the goodness of God?
A. A. It is an Essential Property of his Nature, whereby he is absolutely and perfectly good in himself, and the Fountain of all communicated goodness to the creature. Psalm 119:68. Thou art good, and dost good, teach my thy statutes.

Q. 2. How doth the goodness of God differ from the mercy of God?
A. It differs in its objects; for the Misery is the Object of Mercy; but goodness extends to the Creatures that are happy, as well as miserable: as the Angels. Psalm 145:9. The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works.

Q. 3. What is the first Property of God's goodness?
A. That all his other Attributes flow out of it as their Fountain: The other acts of God are but the Effluxes of his goodness. Exodus 33:19. And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy unto whom I will show mercy. Exodus 34:6. 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.

Q. 4. What is the second Property of the Divine goodness?
A. That it is supreme, and perfect in itself. So as the goodness of no Creature is, or can be. Luke 18:19. None is good save one, and that is God: And consequently above all additions from the Creature. Psalm 16:2. O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord... my goodness extendeth not unto thee.

Q. 5. What is the third property of God's goodness?
A. That it is communicative with Pleasure and delight to the Creature: No Mother draws out her Breast to an hungry Child with more pleasure than God doth his goodness to the Saints. Psalm 145:9. The Lord is good to all, and his tender mercies are over all his works.

Q. 6. In what acts hath God first manifested his goodness?
A. He hath manifested it in the Creation and Government of the World. Psalm 104:24. O Lord how manifold are thy works? in wisdom hast thou made them all.

Q. 7. What was the principal work in which God hath manifested his goodness to men?
A. The principal manifestation of God's goodness, was in the Work of Redemption by Christ. Romans 5:8. God commended his love towards us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 1 John 4:8-9. In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only begotten son into the world, that we might live through him.

Q. 8. But are not the judgements of God on the wicked, and his Afflictions on the Saints, impeachments of his goodness?
A. No, It is the property of goodness to hate and punish Evil in the impenitent. Exodus 34:7. Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity, and transgression, and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty, etc. And the afflictions of the Saints flow from his goodness, and end in their true and eternal good. Hebrews 12:6. For whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. Psalm 119:71. It is good for me that I have been afflicted, that I might learn thy statutes.

Q. 9. What may we infer from the goodness of God?
A. The first thing is, that Sin hath made our Natures base, and disingenuous, in that we take no notice of his goodness. Isaiah 1:3. The Ox knoweth his owner, and the Ass his masters crib; but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider; And answer not the design of it. Romans 2:4. Now knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance.

Q. 10. What is the second Inference from the goodness of God?
A. That therefore God is the fittest Object of our delight and love, and of our trust and Confidence. 1. Of our Delight and Love. Psalm 116:1. I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice, and my supplication. 2. Of our trust and confidence. Psalm 34:8. O taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man that trusteth in him.

Q. 11. What is the third Inference from God's goodness?
A. That Christians have great encouragement to go to God for pardon in case of sin. Psalm 130:4. But there is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared; and for refuge of dangers. Nahum 1:7. The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; he knoweth them that trust in him.

Of God's Truth

Q. 1. What is the Truth of God?
A. It is an Essential Property of his Nature, whereby he is perfectly faithful in himself, and in all that he hath spoken. Deuteronomy 32:4. He is the Rock, his work is perfect, for all his ways are judgment; a God of truth, and without iniquity, just and right is he. Psalm 119:142. Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy Law is the truth.

Q. 2. What is the first Property of Divine Truth?
A. The first property of it is, That it is essential and necessary to God; He cannot lie. Titus 1:2.

Q. 3. What is the second property of it?
A. The second property is, That it is everlasting, and abiding to all generations. Psalm 100:5. For the Lord is good, his mercy is everlasting, and his truth endureth to all generations. Isaiah 25:1. O Lord, thou art my God, I will exalt thee... thy counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.

Q. 4. What is the third property of Divine truth?
A. The third property is, that he is universally true in all his words and works. 1. In all his words. John 17:17. Thy word is truth. 2. In all his works. Psalm 25:10. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, unto such as keep his covenant.

Q. 5. What is the first Lesson from God's truth to be learnt?
A. That truth and sincerity of heart is that which is most suitable, and pleasing to God. Psalm 51:6. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts.

Q. 6. What is the second Lesson from God's truth?
A. That whatever God hath foretold, shall assuredly come to pass, and be fulfilled in his time. Joshua 23:16. Not one thing hath failed of all the good things which the Lord our God spoke concerning you, all are come to pass unto you, and not one thing hath failed thereof.

Q. 7. What is the third Lesson from the truth of God?
A. That a promise from God is full security to the Faith of his People, and they may look upon it as good as a mercy in hand. Hebrews 10:23. For he is faithful that promised.

Q. 8. What is the fourth Lesson from God's truth?
A. That whatever God hath threatened in his word against sinners, shall surely come upon them, except they repent. Zechariah 1:6. But my word, and my statutes which I commanded my servants, the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned, and said, Like as the Lord of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us. Ezekiel 12:27-28. The word which I have spoken, shall be done, saith the Lord.

Q. 9. What is the fifth Lesson from God's truth?
A. That falsehood in words and Actions is contrary to God's Nature, and abhorred by him. John 8:44. Ye are of your father the Devil, and the lust of your father ye will do: he was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him; when he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own; for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Q. 10. What is the Last Lesson from God's truth?
A. The day of judgement will rightly and justly state every man's condition. Romans 2:2. But we are sure that the judgement of God is according to truth, against them which commit such things.