29 Faithfulness Of God
FAITHFULNESS OF GOD
Is that perfection of his nature whereby he infallibly fulfils his designs, or performs his word.
1. It appears, says Dr. Gill, in the performance of what he has said with respect to the world in general, that it shall not be destroyed by a flood, as it once was, and for a token of it, has set his bow in the clouds; that the ordinances of heaven should keep their due course, which they have done for almost 6000 years exactly and punctually; that all his creatures should be supported and provided for, and the elements all made subservient to that end, which we find do so according to his sovereign pleasure, Gen. 9. Isa. 54:9. Ps 145. Deut. 11:14,15. 2 Pet. 3.
2. It appears in the fulfillment of what he has said with respect to Christ. Whoever will take the pains to compare the predictions of the birth, poverty, life, sufferings, death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ, with the accomplishment of the same, will find a striking demonstration of the faithfulness of God.
3. It appears in the performance of the promises which he has made to his people. In respect to temporal blessings, 1 Tim. 4:8. Ps 84:11. Is. 33:16.-2–. To spiritual, 1 Cor. 1:9. In supporting them in temptation, 1 Corinth. 10:13. Encouraging them under persecution, 1 Pet. 4:12,13. Isa. 41:10. Sanctifying afflictions, Heb. 12:4 to 12. Directing them in difficulties, 1 Thess. 5:24. Enabling them to persevere, Jer. 31:40. Bringing them to glory, 1 John 2:25.
4. It appears in the fulfilling of his threatenings. The curse came upon Adam according as it was threatened. He fulfilled his threatening to the old world in destroying it. He declared that the Israelites should be subject to his awful displeasure, if they walked not in his ways; it was accordingly fulfilled, Deut. 28.
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
