19 Infinity
INFINITY
Infinity is taken in two senses entirely different, i. e. in a positive and a negative one. Positive infinity is a quality of being perfect in itself, or capable of receiving no addition. Negative is the quality of being boundless, unlimited, or endless. That God is infinite is evident; for as Doddridge observes, 1. If he be limited, it must either be by himself, or by another; but no wise being would abridge himself, and there could be no other being to limit God.–2. Infinity follows from self-existence; for a necessity that is not universal must depend on some external cause, which a self-existent Being does not.–3. Creation is so great an act of power, that we can imagine nothing impossible to that Being who has performed it, but must therefore ascribe to him infinite power.–4. It is more honourable to the Divine Being to conceive of him as infinite, than finite.–5. The Scriptures represent all his attributes as Infinite. His understanding is infinite, Psal. cxlvii. 5. His knowledge and wisdom, Rom. 11:33. His power, Rom. 1:20. Heb. 11:3. His goodness, Psal. 16:2. His purity, holiness, and justice, Job 4:17,18. Isa. 6:2,3.—6. His omnipotence and eternity prove his infinity; for were he not infinite, he would be bounded by space and by time, which he is not.
Charles Buck (1771-1815) was an English Independent minister, best known for the publication of his “Theological Dictionary”. According to the “Dictionary of National Biography”, a Particular Baptist minister named John C. Ryland (1723-1792) assisted Buck by writing many of the articles for the aforementioned publication. One may conclude, based not only Buck’s admiration for his friend Ryland, but also on the entries in his Theological Dictionary, that he stood head and shoulders with the High-Calvinists of his day.
Charles Buck on the Biblical Covenants (Complete)
Charles Buck's Theological Dictionary
