-01 Chapter 1. Of the Definition or Nature of Divinity

1-01 Chapter 1. Of the Definition or Nature of Divinity

1. Divinity is the doctrine of living to God. John 6:68, the words of eternal life. Acts 5:20, the words of this life. Romans 6:11, Reckon yourselves to be alive to God.
2. It is called a doctrine, not as if the name of Intelligence, Science, Sapience,7 Art, or Prudence did not belong to it; for all these are in every accurate Discipline, and especially in Divinity; but it is called a doctrine because this discipline is not from Nature and human invention (as others are), but from divine revelation and institution. Isaiah 51:4, Doctrine shall proceed from me. Matthew 21:25, If from heaven: why then did you not believe him? John 9:29, We know that God spoke to Moses. Galatians 1:11-12, The Gospel is not according to man: for I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but by Revelation; John 6:45.8
3. The principles of other Arts being inbred in us, may be polished and brought to perfection by sense, observation, experience, and induction; but the solid principles of Divinity, however they may be brought to perfection by study and industry, yet they are not in us from Nature. Matthew 16:17, flesh and blood has not revealed this to you.
4. But seeing that every Art consists of rules whereby some Act of the Creature is directed, and seeing that life is the most noble of all acts, it (that is, Divinity) cannot properly be conversant about anything other than about life.
5. And seeing that the life of the Creature is most perfect which comes nearest to the living and life-giving God, therefore the nature of Divinity-life, is to live to God.
6. Men live to God when they live according to the will of God, to the glory of God, with God inwardly working in them. 1 Peter 4:2; 1 Peter 4:6, that he might live after the will of God, according to God. Galatians 2:19-20, That I may live to God, Christ lives in me. 2 Corinthians 4:10, that the life of Jesus might be manifest in our bodies. Php_1:20, Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether by life or death.
7. This life, as touching its essence, remains one and the same from its beginning to eternity. John 3:36, John 5:24 :9 He that believes in the Son has eternal life. 1 John 3:15, Eternal life remains in him.
8. But even though this life encompasses living happily, as well as living well, yet living well is more excellent than living happily; and what ought to be respected chiefly and finally is not blessedness, which respects our profit, but goodness, which is referred to God’s glory. Therefore Divinity is better defined by that good life whereby we live to God, than by a blessed life whereby we live to ourselves — as by a Synecdoche,10 the Apostle calls it the doctrine which lives according to God, 1 Timothy 6:3.11
9. Moreover, seeing that this life is a spiritual act of the whole man, whereby he is carried on to enjoy god, and to do according to his will — and seeing that it is manifest that those things are proper to the will — it follows that the prime and proper subject of Divinity is the will. Proverbs 4:23, From the heart come actions of life. And Proverbs 23:26, Give me your heart.
10. But seeing that this life and will are truly and properly our most perfect practice, it is manifest in itself that Divinity is a practical, and not a speculative discipline — not only in that common respect whereby other disciplines have their eupraxia, well-doing,12 for their end, but it is practical,13 in a particular and special manner, above all others.
11. Nor indeed is there anything in Divinity which is not referred to that end, or to the means pertaining to that end, all of which directly tend to Practice.
12. This practice of life is so perfectly contained in Divinity, that there is no precept universally true pertaining to living well, contained in the disciplines of household government, morality, political government, or making Laws, which does not properly pertain to Divinity.
13. Therefore of all Arts, Divinity is the supreme, most noble, and the masterpiece, proceeding in a special manner from God, treating of God and divine matters, and tending and leading man to God; in this respect, it may not unfitly be called Qiwzia [Theouzia], or, Qeurgia [Theurgia], as well as Qeologia [Theologia], that is, living to God, or working to God, as well as speaking of God.