By David Dickson
QUESTION I.
"DID God create, or make of nothing, the world, and all things therein?"
Yes; Genesis first chapter to the end, Heb. 11.3. Col. 1.16. Acts 17.24
Well then, do not the Socinians, and other heretics, with many of the old Pagan philosophers err, who maintain, The world to have been made of some pre-existent matter, not capable of production: and consequently, that creation, or making something out of nothing is simply impossible?
Yes.
By what reasons are they confuted?
1st, From the testimony of Moses, Genesis first chapter.
2d, From the testimony of Isaiah, Isa. 40.28 and 45.18.
3d, From the testimony of the author to the Hebrews, Heb. 11.3. Col. 1.16,17. Rom. 11.36.
4th, Because the Scripture attributeth to God only, eternity, and incorruptibility, Psalm 102. 26,27. Gen. 21.33. 1 Tim. 1.17.
It is reported of Socinus, by a very learned man who had it from one of his disciples, that he privately denied the world to be made of nothing, lest thereby he should be necessitated to acknowledge the infiniteness of God's power: which tenet afterwards was more publicly avowed, and maintained by some of his followers.
Quest. II. "Did God create all things, whether visible or invisible?"
Yes; Col. 1.16. Acts 17.24.
Well then, do not some heretics err, who maintain, That the angels were not created by God?
Yes.
By what reasons are they confuted?
1st, From the psalmist David, Psalm. 33.6. and 147.2,5,6. Col. 1.16. Rom.2.36. Neh. 9.6.
2d, Because they are the servants and sons of God, brethren, and fellow servants with us, willing and ready to obey the commands of God their maker, Rev. 19.10. Rev. 22.9. Psalm 104.4.
3d, Because many of the angels left their first habitation, and did not continue in the truth, and so made defection from the obedience of their creator, and are reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness, unto the judgment of the great day, Jude ver. 6. 2 Pet. 2.4. Mat. 25.41. John 8.48.
Quest. III. "Did God make man male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls?"
Yes; Gen. 1.27, 2.7. Eccl. 12.7. Luke 23.43. Mat. 10.28
Well then, do not the Sadducees and the Epicureans err, who affirm, The souls of men to be extinguished or put out till the resurrection, and then to be brought to life again?
Yes.
Do not likewise the Anabaptists, and many of the Arminians, and some called Arabians err, who maintain, The souls of men, after death, till the resurrection, to fall asleep, (that is, to be without any sense or motion, thought or vital operation,) whether it be in their body or in some caverns of the earth?
Yes.
By what reasons are they confuted?
1st, From our blessed Lord and Saviour's words; Fear not them, says he, which kill the body but are not able to kill the soul, Mat. 10.20.
2d, From the testimony of Solomon; then shall the dust return to the earth, as it was, and the spirit shall return to God who gave it, Ecc. 12.7.
3d, Because Paul desired to be dissolved, trusting that his soul after death, should have more near communion with Christ, Phil. 1.23.
4th, They must be confuted from several and particular instances in the Scripture, as is clear from the souls of Dives and Lazarus, Luke 26.22. From these words of Christ to the thief, Verily, I say unto thee, thou shalt be with me this day in Paradise, Luke 23.43. From the appearing of Moses and Elias upon the mount with Christ, Mat. 17.3.
Quest. IV. "Did God create man male and female, with righteousness, and true holiness, after his own image, as being conatural to him?"
Yes; Gen. 1.26. Col. 4.10. Eph. 4.24.
Well then, do not the Socinians err, who deny this, and the Arminians, who call this righteousness supernatural?
Yes.
By what reasons are they confuted?
1st, From these words spoken by God himself, Let us make man in our own image, Gen. 1.26,27.
2d, From God's own testimony, affirming the same thing, Gen. 9.6.
3d, Because before the fall, both Adam and Eve walked naked, and were not ashamed, Gen. 2.25.
