Christian Theology - Media Sabda Org

they considered him as BEING, and the cause of all BEING, they might be
preserved from all idolatry for ever. The very name itself is a proof of a
divine revelation; for it is not possible that such an idea could have
entered into the mind of man, unless it had been communicated from
above. It could not have been produced by reasoning, for there were no
premises on which it could be built, nor any analogies by which it could
have been formed. We can as easily comprehend eternity as we can being,
simply considered in and of itself, when nothing of assignable forms,
colours, or qualities existed, beside its infinite and illimitable self.
All time is as nothing before him, because in the presence as in the
nature of God all is eternity; therefore nothing is long, nothing short,
before him; no lapse of ages impairs his purposes, nor need he wait to
find convenience to execute those purposes. And when the longest period
of time has passed by, it is but as a moment or indivisible point in
comparison of eternity.
OMNIPOTENCE.—Every attribute of God is equal. Each is infinite,
eternal, unoriginated, and without bound or limit. Such is the potency of
God, it can do all things that do not imply absurdity or contradiction; it
can do any thing in any way it pleases; and it can do any thing when it
pleases; and it will do any thing, that is necessary to be done, and should
be done, when it ought to be done, and when the doing of it will most
manifest his own glory: and his glory is chiefly manifested in promoting
the happiness, and saving the souls of men.
What is nature but an instrument in God's hands? What we call
"natural effects" are all performed by supernatural agency; for nature, that
is, the whole system of inanimate things, is as inert as any of the particles
of matter of the aggregate of which it is composed, and can be a cause to
no effect but as it is excited by a sovereign power. This is a doctrine of
sound philosophy, and should be carefully considered by all, that men
may see that, without an overruling and universally energetic providence,
no effect whatever can be brought about. But beside these general
influences of God in nature, which are all exhibited by what men call