05.31. Clear evidence of the three persons
Clear evidence of the three persons of the Godhead
being one God.
1. How express is that text, These three are one. When the apostle speaks of the unity of the earthly witnesses, ver. 8. He says, they ` agree in one,’ acting in unity of consent or agreement only. But the heavenly witnesses are one, viz. in nature or essence. They are not only of a like nature or substance, but one and the same substance ; and if so, they are and must be equal in all essential perfections, as power and glory.
2. There is but one true God, as was before proved, and there can be but one true God. Now, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, are each of them the true God ; and therefore they are one God, the same in substance, equal in power and glory. And this I shall prove by scripture testimony.
First, That the Father is true God, none that acknowledge a God do deny. Divine worship and attributes are ascribed
to him. But, Secondly, That the Son is true God, appears if ye consider,
1. The scripture expressly calls him God, Romans 4:5; John 1:1; Acts 20:28 ; ` the true God,’ 1 John 5:20 ; ` the great God,’ Titus 2:13 ; the ’ mighty God,’ Isaiah 9:6 ’ Jehovah or Lord,’ Malachi 3:1. which is a name proper to the true God only, Psalms 83:1-18 ult.
2. The attributes of God, which are one and the same with God himself, are ascribed to him ; as eternity, Micah 5:2 "Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting" ; independency and omnipotence, Revelation 1:8 ’ The almighty; ’ omnipresence, John 3:13 where he is said to be ’ in heaven,’ when bodily on earth ; and Matthew 28:20 ’ Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world:’ omniscience, John 21:17. " Lord thou knowest all things," says Peter to him ; and unchangeableness, Hebrews 1:11-12. ’ They shall perish, but thou remainest : and they all shall wax old as doth a garment ; and as a vesture shalt thou fold them up, and they shall be changed : but thou art the same, and thy years shall not fail."
3. The works proper and peculiar to God are ascribed to him ; as creation, John 1:3. ’ All things were made by him ; and without him was not any thing made that was made.’ Conservation of all things, Hebrews 1:3.-` upholding all things by the word of his power.’ Raising the dead by his own power, and at his own pleasure, John 5:21. John 5:26. The Son quickeneth whom he will.’ The Father hath given to the Son to have life in himself.’ The saving of sinners, Hosea 1:7 -I will save them by the Lord their God.’ Compare Hosea 13:4 ’ in me is thine help.’ Yea, whatsoever the Father doth, the Son doth likewise.
4. Divine worship is due to him, and therefore he is true God, Matthew 4:10. The angels are commanded to ’ worship him,’ Hebrews 1:8. All must give the same honour to him as to the Father, John 5:23. We must have faith in him, and they are blessed that believe in him, Psalms 2:12. compare Jeremiah 17:5 We are to pray to him, Acts 7:58. ; and we are baptized in his name, Matthew 28:19. Nay, he is expressly said to be ’ equal with the Father,’ Php 2:6. and ’ one with him.’ John 10:30. Now, seeing God ’ will not give his glory to another,’ Isaiah 48:11 because he is true and cannot lie, and he is just, it follows, that though Christ be a distinct person, yet he is not a distinct God from his Father, but one God with him, the same in substance equal in power and glory. And it is no contradiction to this doctrine, when Christ says, ’ My Father is greater than I,’ John 14:28. ; for He is not speaking there of his nature as God, but of his mediatory office ; and hence he is called the Father’s ’ servant,’ Isaiah 13:1.
Thirdly, That the Holy Ghost is true God, or a Divine person, appears, if ye consider,
1. The scripture expressly calls him God, Acts 5:3-4.; 1 Corinthians 3:16. ; Isaiah 6:9. compared with Acts 28:25-26; 2 Samuel 22:2-3. He is called ’ Jehovah, or the Lord,’ Numbers 12:6. compare 2 Peter 1:21.
2. Divine attributes are ascribed to him ; as omnipotence, he ’ worketh all in all,’ 1 Corinthians 12:6, 1 Corinthians 12:9-11. ; omnipresence, Psalms 139:7. ; and omniscience, 1 Corinthians 2:10.
3. Works peculiar to God are ascribed to him; as creation, Psalms 33:6 ; conservation, Psalms 104:30; working miracles, Matthew 12:28. ; raising the dead, Romans 8:11. ; inspiring the prophets, 2 Timothy 3:16. compare 2 Peter 1:21.
4. Divine worship is due to him. We are baptized in his name, Matthew 28:19; we are to pray to him, 2 Corinthians 13:14; Acts 4:23, Acts 4:25 compare 2 Samuel 23:2-3.
Hence it appears,
1. That the Godhead is not divided, but that each of the three persons hath the one whole Godhead, or divine nature.
2. That it is sinful to imagine any inequality amongst the three Divine persons, or to think one of them more honourable than another, seeing they are all one God.