Charles Buck

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

  • Charles Buck's Theological Dictionary

    24 Greatness Of God

    GREATNESS OF GOD Is the infinite glory and excellency of all his perfections. His greatness appears by the attributes he possesses, Deut. 32:3,4. the works he hath made, Ps. 19:1. by the awful and benign providences he displays, Ps. 97:1,2. the great effects he produces by his word, Gen. 1, the constant energy he manifests in the existence and support of all his creatures, Ps. 145:3, not diminished by exertion, but will always remain the same, Mal. 3:6. The considerations of his greatness should excite veneration, Ps. 89:7. admiration, Jer. 9:6,7. humility, Job 42:5,6. dependence, Is. 26:4. submission, Job 1:22. obedience Deut. 4:39,40.

  • Charles Buck's Theological Dictionary

    22 All-Sufficiency Of God

    ALL-SUFFICIENCY OF GOD Is that power or attribute of his nature whereby he is able to communicate as much blessedness to his creatures as he is pleased to make them capable of receiving. As his self-sufficiency is that whereby he has enough in himself to denominate him completely blessed, as a God of infinite perfection; so his all- sufficiency is that by which he hath enough in himself to satisfy the most enlarged desires of his creatures, and to make them completely blessed. We practically deny this perfection, when we are discontented with our present condition, and desire more than God has allotted for us, Gen. 3:5. Prov. 19:3.—2. When we seek blessings of what kind soever in an indirect way, as though God were…

  • Charles Buck's Theological Dictionary

    21 Independency Of God

    INDEPENDENCY OF GOD Is his existence in and of himself, without depending on any other. "His being and perfections," as Dr. Ridgley observes, (Body of Div. q. 7.) "are underived, and not communicated to him, as all finite perfections are by him to the creature. This attribute of independency belongs to all his perfections. 1. He is independent as to his knowledge. He doth not receive ideas from any object out of himself, as intelligent creatures do. This is elegantly described by the prophet, Is 40:13,14.—2. He is independent in power. As he receives strength from no one, so he doth not act dependently on the will of the creature, Job 36:23.—3. He is independent as to his holiness, hating sin necessarily, and not barely…

  • Charles Buck's Theological Dictionary

    20 Omnipresence Of God

    OMNIPRESENCE OF GOD Is his ubiquity, or his being present in every place. This may be argued from his infinity, Ps. 139, his power, which is every where, Heb. 1:3; his providence, Acts 17:27, 28, which supplies all. As he is a spirit, he is so omnipresent as not to be mixed with the creature, or divided, part in one place, and part in another; nor is he multiplied or extended, but is essentially present every where. From the consideration of this attribute we should learn to fear and reverence God, Psal. 89:7. To derive consolation in the hour of distress, Is. 63:2. Ps. 46:1. To be active and diligent in holy services, Psal. 119:168.

  • Charles Buck's Theological Dictionary

    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…