1850.
Defense of an Essay, &c.
415
The Confession of England thus speaks on this subject: "We be- lieve that there is one certain nature and Divine power, which we call God,......and that the same one God hath created heaven and earth, and all things contained under heaven." Sec Harmony of Prot Confessions; Conf. of England, p. 30.
2. "We believe and teach that God is one in essence of nature, sub- sisting by himself, all-sufficient in himself, invisible, without a body, infinite, eternal, the Creator of all things both visible and invisible," &c. See ibid. The Latter Conf. of Helvetia, p. 18.
3. "We believe and acknowledge only one God, who is one only and simply essence, spiritual, eternal, invisible, immutable, infinite, in- comprehensible, unspeakable, almighty, most wise, good, just, and merciful." Ibid, Conf. of France, p. 29.
4. "We believe in heart, and confess with the mouth, that there is only one and simple spiritual essence, which we call God, eternal, in- comprehensible, invisible, immutable, infinite, who is wholly wise, and a most plentiful well-spring of all good things." Ibid, Conf. of Belgia, p. 32.
5. "The churches with common consent among us do teach.... that there is one Divine essence, which is called, and is God, eternal, without body, indivisible, of infinite power, wisdom, goodness, the Creator and Preserver of all things, visible and invisible," &c. Ibid, Conf. of Augsburg, p. 36.
These documents all speak one language, and that directly the reverse of the main proposition on which Dr. Legge's argument is founded. But the point is of such great importance, that I trust the reader will pardon my presenting hin some additional quotations from a few eminent theological writers.
Bishop Pearson, commenting on the words of the first Article of the Creed, "I believe in God;" after saying that the name God is attribut- ed unto many, tells us that the excellency which makes it proper to Him "is grounded upon the Divine nature or essence, which all other who are called gods have not, and therefore are not by nature gods. 'Then when ye knew not God (saith St. Paul), ye did service to them, who by nature are not gods.' (Gal. iv. 8) There is then a God by nature, and others, which are called gods, but by nature are not so; for either they have no power at all, because no being, but only in the false opinions of deceived meu, as the gods of the heathen, or if they have any real power or authority, from whence some are called gods in Scripture, yet they have it not from themselves, or of their own na- ture, but from IIim who only hath immortaliy, and consequently,
C