Friday, February 6, 2009

Section 11: God only is Perfect, so as no Imperfection is in him.

Book 2 Part 1 Chapter 2 Section 11 (p. 49-50)
God only is Perfect, so as no Imperfection is in him.

All created Beings are dependent upon their respective Causes, and therefore the most Perfect of them have their Imperfections, and yet all have Dependence upon God, Acts 17. "In him we live, move, and have our being." It is he that bears up the Universe, Psal. 75.3. "The Earth, and the Inhabitants thereof are dissolved; I hear up the Pillars of the Earth." We have shewed before, that the Perfection of the Almighty, cannot by searching be found out, whereas the perfection of Created Things is comprehensible and finite: Psal. 119.69. "I have seen an end of all Perfection, (saith David) but thy Commandment is exceeding broad." God and his Word, have a Perfection beyond the reach of David. Because therefore we cannot find out the Perfection of God, (though we know he is Perfect) we are referr'd for a competent Discovery thereof, to his Way and Word, Psal. 18.30. "As for God, his Way is Perfect, the Word of the Lord is Tried. Psal. 19.7, 8. The Law of the Lord is Perfect, converting the Soul: The Statutes of the Lord are pure, making Wise the Simple." And to his Works, Deut. 32. "He is a Rock, his Work is Perfect, for all his Ways are Judgment; a God of Truth, and without Iniquity, Just and Right is he."

And indeed, who can contemplate the mighty of Works of God, but must ascribe Perfection to him? whether we consider his Works of Creation, or Providence, the great and wonderful Frabrick of Heaven and Earth; the deep and wide Sea, which innumerable Creatures therein found, do abundantly set forth the Infinite Wisdom and Power of the great Architect, or Builder, of this admirable Fram.

We are referr'd also to his Will, according to the Counsel whereof all Things shall stand, and he will do all his Pleasure, Rom. 12.2. "Be not conformed to this Word, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your Minds; that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect Will of God": And so to acquiese therein, because it is Perfect. "Thy Will be done on Earth, as it is in Heaven", Mat. 6.10.

We are also referr'd to the Gifts of the Spirit of God: for every good and perfect Gift is from him, James 1.17. And as the things of a Man are not know to any Man, but the Spirit of Man which is in Man; so the things of God knoweth none, but the Spirit of God, which searcheth into the deep things of God.

Which Spirit the Servents of God have received, that by it they may know the things that are freely given them of God, and so know more of the Perfection that is in God: Who is absolute in all the Perfections of Wisdom, Power, Mercy, Justice, &c. and none beside him; for there is none Perfect save the Lord.

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