Though the light of nature in man, and the works of creation etc., clearly prove the being of God, and though reason proves that there is but one true God,1 still we cannot know his attributes without a special revelation from himself.2 No one knows God perfectly except himself.3 In the Holy Scriptures we have God’s witness concerning himself; and as he has witnessed in his word, so ought we to think and believe concerning him. The true God is a pure, invisible, self-subsisting Spirit;4 without body, parts, or passions; eternal, without beginning, change, or end; infinite, and incomprehensible; absolute, omnipresent, omniscient, and almighty; perfect in holiness, righteousness, wisdom, and goodness; long-suffering, gracious, and merciful; forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin; but terrible in his wrath; for he will not at all acquit the wicked, but will visit sin with righteous judgement.5
By the attributes of God we are to understand his properties. All his attributes are infinite; and all perfections belong to God, and are his properties.6
1 Rom. 1:20; 1 Cor. 8:4-6; Deut. 6:4. 2 Matt. 11:27; 1 Cor. 2:14. 3 Heb. 1:1; 2 Pet. 1:19; 1 John 5:9; Matt. 22:29. 4 John 4:24; Job 11:7; 1 Tim. 1:17; Luke 24:39; James 1:17; Heb. 1:12; Mal. 3:6; Jer. 23:23,24; Psa. 145:3-17; Gen. 17:1; Rom. 16:26; Isa. 6:3; Exod. 3:14; Eph. 1:11; 1 Kings 8:27; Rom. 11:36. 5 Exod. 34:6,7; Heb. 11:6; Psa. 5:6; Psa. 130:4; Neh. 9:32,33; Nah. 1:2,3. 6 Psa. 89:6; Jer. 10:7; Isa 40:18; Gen. 1:27; Eph. 4:24; Col. 3:10.
