CHAPTER II.
Of God, and of the
Holy Trinity.
I. There
is but one only living and true God, who is infinite in being and perfection,
a most pure spirit, invisible, without body, parts, or passions, immutable,
immense, eternal, incomprehensible, almighty, most wise, most holy, most free,
most absolute, working all things according to the counsel of his own immutable
and most righteous will, for his won glory, most loving, gracious, merciful,
long-suffering, abundant in goodness and truth, forgiving iniquity, transgression,
and sin; the rewarder of them that diligently seek him; and withal most just
and terrible in his judgments; hating all sin; and who will by no means clear
the guilty.
II. God
hath all life, glory, goodness, blessedness, in and of himself; and is alone
in and unto himself all-sufficient, not standing in need of any creatures
which he hath made, nor deriving any glory from them, but only manifesting
his own glory in, by, unto, and upon them; he is the alone foundation of all
being, of whom, through whom, and to whom, are all things; and hath most sovereign
dominion over them, to do by them, for them, or upon them, whatsoever himself
pleaseth. In his sight all things are open and manifest; his knowledge is
infinite, infallible, and independent upon the creature; so as nothing is
to him contingent or uncertain. He is most holy in all his counsels, in all
his works, and in all his commands. To him is due from angels and men, and
every other creature, whatsoever worship, service, or obedience he is pleased
to require of them.
III. In
the unity of the Godhead there be three Persons of one substance, power, and
eternity: God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. The Father
is of none, neither begotten nor proceeding; the Son is eternall begotten
of the Father; the Holy Ghost eternally proceeding from the Father and the
Son.
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