symbolics.dev

A Scriptural Exposition of the Baptist Catechism

Question 3

On The Baptist Catechism (1695) Q. 3

API: GET /api/v1/documents/beddome1752/entries/3

Is there a light in man?

Yes. The spirit of man is the candle of the Lord,a

Is this light obscured by the fall?

Yes. Having the understanding darkened,b

Is it sufficient then to teach us anything?

Yes. Doth not even nature itself teach you,c

Doth it instruct us in the being of a God?

Yes. Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, for God hath showed it to them,d

But is that knowledge which it affords attended with many doubts and uncertainties?

Yes. Thus the Athenians are said to seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him and find him,e

And are there many things concerning God, which it neither doth nor can discover?

Yes. For the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God, because they are spiritually discerned,f

May God be known by his works of creation?

Yes. For the invisible things of him from the creation are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made,g

Do the heavenly bodies prove the being of a God?

Yes. The heavens declare the glory of God,h

And our own bodies?

Yes. I am fearfully and wonderfully made,i

And may we learn this from every creature?

Yes. Ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee,j

Is God known by his works of providence?

Yes. Who knoweth not in all these, that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this,k

Is he known by his works of terror?

Yes. The Lord is known by the judgment he executeth,l

And by his works of mercy?

Yes. He hath not left himself without witness in that he did good,m

Is God known by the accomplishment of prophecies?

Yes. I am God, and there is none else, declaring the end from the beginning,n

Do miracles declare the existence of God?

Yes. This is the finger of God,o

But have men by these means attained to a sufficient knowledge of God?

No. For the world by wisdom knew not God,p

Is God known by his word?

Yes. For it is profitable for doctrine,q

Were men in the dark without the word?

Yes. For it is a light that shineth in a dark place,r

Should we then have recourse to the word for the knowledge of God?

Yes. To the law and to the testimony,s

And are those to blame who indulge unscriptural notions concerning him?

Yes. Intruding into the things they have not seen,t

Is the word sufficient to afford us the saving knowledge of God?

No. For some hear and understand not,u

Is this then only to be attained by the Spirit?

Yes. For the letter killeth, but the Spirit giveth life,v

And is the spirit promised for this purpose to all that sincerely ask it?

Yes. Your heavenly Father shall give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him,w

Proofs

Each links to the Scripture index: what else cites the passage.

  1. aProverbs 20:27
  2. bEphesians 4:18
  3. c1 Corinthians 11:14
  4. dRomans 1:19
  5. eActs 17:27
  6. f1 Corinthians 2:14
  7. gRomans 1:20
  8. hPsalm 19:1
  9. iPsalm 139:14
  10. jJob 12:7
  11. kJob 12:9
  12. lPsalm 9:16
  13. mActs 14:17
  14. nIsaiah 46:9–10
  15. oExodus 8:19
  16. p1 Corinthians 1:21
  17. q2 Timothy 3:16
  18. r2 Peter 1:19
  19. sIsaiah 8:20
  20. tColossians 2:18
  21. uIsaiah 6:9
  22. v2 Corinthians 3:6
  23. wLuke 11:13

Cite this

A Scriptural Exposition of the Baptist Catechism (1752) on Q. 3, symbolics.dev/beddome1752/3

Permalink: https://symbolics.dev/beddome1752/3

See a mistake? Report it, with what the printing has.