GOODNESS OF GOD Relates to the absolute perfection of his own nature, and his kindness manifested to his creatures. Goodness, says Dr. Gill, is essential to God, without which he would not be God, Exod. 33:19. 34:6,7. Goodness belongs only to God, he is solely good, Matt. 19:17; and all the goodness found in creatures are only emanations of the divine goodness. He is the chief good; the sum and substance of all felicity, Ps. 144:12, 15. 73:25. 4:6,7. There is nothing but goodness in God, and nothing but goodness comes from him, 1 John 1:5. James 1:13,14. He is infinitely good; finite minds cannot comprehend his goodness, Rom. 11:35,36. He is immutably and unchangeably good, Zeph. 3:17. The goodness of God is communicative and…

CARE OF GOD Is his attention to and concern for the promotion of the welfare of his creatures, 1 Pet. 5:7. 1. That God does manifest this care is evident from the blessings we enjoy, the ordinances he has instituted, the promises he has given, and the provision he has made, Ps. 84:11. Matt. 7:12.--2. This care is entirely free, and unmerited on our part. Gen. 32:10. Deut. 7:6. Rom. 3:23.--3. It is every way extensive, reaching to all his creatures and to all cases. Ps. 145.—4. It is superior to all human care and attention. He cares for us when others cannot; when others will not care for us; or when we cannot or will not care for ourselves. Ps. 143:4,5. Jer. 49:11. Ps.…

COMPASSION OF GOD Is the infinite greatness of his mercy and love, whereby he relieves the miseries of his people. This perfection of Jehovah is conspicuously displayed in the gift of his Son, John 3:16. the revelation of his will, Hos. 8:12. the bounties of his providence, Ps. 114:9. the exercise of his patience, Rom. 2:4. the promise of his mercy, Ps. 78:38. the manifestation of his presence, Matt. 18:20. and the provision of eternal glory, 1 Pet. 1:4.

MERCY OF GOD Is his readiness to relieve the miserable and to pardon the guilty. 1. It is essential to his nature, Exod. 34:6,7; not, indeed, as a passion or affection, as it is in men, but the result of his sovereign will, and guided by his infinite wisdom.--2. It is free, as nothing out of himself can be the cause of it; for then there would be a cause prior to him, the cause of himself. The misery of the creature is not the cause of mercy, for he is not wrought upon as creatures are, nor are the merits of the creature the cause, Tit. 3:5; nor are even the sufferings of Christ the cause, but the effects of it; but it arises…

LOVE OF GOD Is either his natural delight in that which is good, Is. 61:8. or that especial affection he bears to his people, 1 John 4:19. Not that he possesses the passion of love as we do; but it implies his absolute purpose and will to deliver, bless, and save his people. The love of God to his people appears in his all- wise designs and plans for their happiness, Eph. 3:10.--2. In the choice of them and determination to sanctify and glorify them, 2 Thess. 2:13.--3. In the gift of his Son to die for them, and redeem them from sin, death, and hell, Rom. 5:9. John 3:16.--4. In the revelation of his will, and the declaration of his promises to them, 2…

WRATH OF GOD Is his indignation at sin, and punishment of it, Rom. 1:18. The objects of God's anger or wrath are the ungodly, whom he has declared he will punish. His wrath is sometimes manifested in this life, and that in an awful degree, as we see in the case of the old world, Sodom and Gomorrah, the plagues of Egypt, the punishment and captivity of the Jews, and the many striking judgments on nations and individuals. But a still more awful punishment awaits the impenitent in the world to come; for the wicked, it is said, shall go away into everlasting punishment, where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Matt. 25:46. Rom. 2:8,9. Rom. 1:18.