-
Book 1: Chapter 5, The Knowledge Of God Conspicuous In The Creation, And Continual Government Of The World
This chapter consists of two parts: 1. The former, which occupies the first ten sections, divides all the works of God into two great classes, and elucidates the knowledge of God as displayed in each class. The one class is treated of in the first six, and the other in the four following sections: 2. The latter part of the…
-
Book 1: Chapter 6, The Need Of Scripture, As A Guide And Teacher, In Coming To God As A Creator
Sections. 1. God gives his elect a better help to the knowledge of himself—viz. the Holy Scriptures. This he did from the very first. 2. First, By oracles and visions, and the ministry of the Patriarchs. Secondly, By the promulgation of the Law, and the preaching of the Prophets. Why the doctrines of religion are committed to writing. 3. This…
-
Book 1: Chapter 7, The Testimony Of The Spirit Necessary To Give Full Authority To Scripture. The Impiety Of Pretending That The Credibility Of Scripture Depends On The Judgement Of The Church.
Sections. 1. The authority of Scripture derived not from men, but from the Spirit of God. Objection, That Scripture depends on the decision of the Church. Refutation, I. The truth of God would thus be subjected to the will of man. II. It is insulting to the Holy Spirit. III. It establishes a tyranny in the Church. IV. It forms…
-
Book 1: Chapter 8, The Credibility Of Scripture Sufficiently Proved In So Far As Natural Reason Admits.
This chapter consists of four parts. The first contains certain general proofs which may be easily gathered out of the writings both of the Old and New Testament—viz. the arrangement of the sacred volume, its dignity, truth, simplicity, efficacy, and majesty, sec. 1, 2. The second part contains special proofs taken from the Old Testament—viz. the antiquity of the books…
-
Book 1: Chapter 9, All The Principles Of Piety Subverted By Fanatics, Who Substitute Revelations For Scripture
Sections. 1. The temper and error of the Libertines, who take to themselves the name of spiritual, briefly described. Their refutation. 1. The Apostles and all true Christians have embraced the written Word. This confirmed by a passage in Isaiah; also by the example and words of Paul. 2. The Spirit of Christ seals the doctrine of the written Word…
-
Book 1: Chapter 10, In Scripture, The True God Opposed, Exclusively, To All The Gods Of The Heathen
Sections. 1. Explanation of the knowledge of God resumed. God as manifested in Scripture, the same as delineated in his works. 2. The attributes of God as described by Moses, David, and Jeremiah. Explanation of the attributes. Summary. Uses of this knowledge. 3. Scripture, in directing us to the true God, excludes the gods of the heathen, who, however, in…
