A TREATISE

ON A

NEW, ORIGINAL, AND COMPLETE

SYSTEM OF THEOLOGY.

THE first great cause of all things is Jehovah the Almighty; the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end of all creation who has existed from all eternity, and will consequently exist throughout all eternity. This unchangeable, independent, and self-existent God, is an immaterial being, of everlasting love, infinite goodness and wisdom, and almighty power; by which he created the whole universe, consisting of innumerable worlds: he governs, directs, and sustains the same by his providence.

All that exists lies within the range of his benevolence, omniscience, and omnipotence; hence is known unto him the end of all things previous to the beginning, even from everlasting-he is not eternity nor infinity, but eternal and infinite; neither is he duration or space, but he endures always and is present every where; by which he constitutes duration and space, eternity and infinity: having no cause of his own existence, he is therefore the only self-existent, almighty being, from everlasting to everlasting, without beginning and without end; "with whom there is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James i. 17.

Thus we perceive the Supreme Being exalted on his throne of glory-his attributes forming the

pillars thereof, based on the perfection of bia nature and character-well has he described himself to be a God full of goodness, mercy, and truth-all his works praise him, and glorify his holy name, (with only one single exception, viz. ungrateful man,) and the lustre which the combination of nature and grace sheds upon the Divine attributes, reveals to us in a measure, their glory, harmony, and beauty. The more we consider the works of God, the more must we be convinced of the perfection of his character. From such a being as the Supreme, nothing of an imperfect or impure nature could possibly proceed-imperfection or sin could never have originated, or had any place in his immediate presence, (viz.) in the highest heavens, where his eternal throne is for ever fixed; evil being the exact opposite to his very essence and Divine qualities; similar as darkness is to light, or as cold is to heat, which is likewise opposite. But man in his present imperfect and depraved state, the subject of evils, both moral and physical, also by nature and practice, is evidently not in the original, or same state, in which he came forth from the hands of his perfect creator; otherwise he could not have been heir or subject to these hereditary evils: for which however he is not chargeable or accountable on account of original sin, it not being his actual transgression since the fall.

The Supreme could not possibly have had any selfish motive in creation, as some have vainly imagined; for previous to it, even from everlasting, he was perfectly good, consequently perfectly happy; his own essential glory or happiness could not in any possible way have been enhanced or augmented by it (although his apparent glory certainly is relative to our Salvation,) it being strictly

speaking all eternity, instead of time with him; past, present, and future, "one eternal now:" from which it appears that pure love or benevolence towards those beings whom he intended to create, was the primary and only motive that could induce Jehovah from all eternity, to bring about the creation or derivation of the universe, by and through which his glory would be continually manifested; and likewise to provide in his eternal mind, salvation for fallen man; in order to make a race of intelligent beings ultimately and perfectly happy: he having so much of that pure essence Divine love, overflowing and boundless, did not either wish or desire to keep it to himself; which no doubt was the reason why he has given mankind the intellectual faculties of the immortal Soul, capable of being elevated higher and higher even in this lower world, and likewise in the realms of glory to an infinitely greater extent, to all eternity; by receiving continually additional rays or beanis of heavenly love (which constitute happiness in every being,) and likewise wisdom, from the only source or fountain thereof, Jehovah himself, "the Sun of righteousness.

In order to come more immediately to the subject of the present Treatise, we premise that all natural things proceed from spiritual; (viz.) the whole material universe, including all the innnmerable worlds or earths that are in existence, (by which is to be understood all the planets or stars implanted in that immense expanse, the Firmament, called the starry heavens;) was created by or derived altogether from the Supreme Jehovah, "the spiritual Sun of righteousness," through the medium of his attributes or perfections.

If then, the universe, which includes all universal nature and all natural things, was created by, or

с

derived from Jehovah, "who constitutes the Sun of the heavenly or spiritual world," (which does not admit of even the shadow of a doubt;) it must, as a necessary consequence or result therefrom, bear out an analogical relation or correspondence to the spiritual world, even in the strictest sense, although in a low degree.

Thus all creation and all worlds, whether visible or invisible, are alike derivations or productions, in consequence of an infinite and Divine love, operating and rendering itself fruitful in indefinite variety and inconceivable beauty, by or through its own infinite and Divine wisdom: and which operations of Divine love and wisdom are executed or performed, and carried into effect, by or through Divine power-(viz.)

1 Divine love induced the motive 2 Divine wisdom devised the plan 3 Divine power executed or per

formed the effect

of Creation

and

Redemption,

all nature being stamped or impressed with the attributes of the Almighty according as they operate upon the universe. And thus too, all effects of every description in this lower or external world manifest and point out their corresponding causes in the higher or internal world.

For instance, the natural Sun being the most pure, glorious, and powerful body that our mortal eyes can behold in the material world, is the best type or symbol of the Divine Sun of righteousness.

For the sake of illustration, we might for a moment compare by analogy a very extensive circle or circumference to the whole universe of worlds, and the exact centre of such circle to the Sun of righteousness, or rather the orb or orbit in which Jehovah moves or exists, the intermediate space between the centre and circumference might be

considered as corresponding to the situation of the various orders and degrees of the angelic host, which surround the throne of God.

For confirmation and illustration of the propriety of correspondences, we refer our readers to the inspired writings of that eminent and learned apostle, Paul-Romans i. 19 and 20.-"Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them, (his works ;) for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse." From which authority it is evident and conclusive, that there is a beautiful analogy or correspondence to be deduced from the creation of the universe "clearly seen,' by which we might understand much more of "the invisible things" of God our heavenly Father, who hath in a great measure (speaking after the manner of men,) revealed and made himself manifest in all his glorious works.

The Sun of righteousness mentioned in the holy Scriptures, Malachi iv. 2. "But unto you that fear my name, shall the Sun of righteousness arise, with healing in his wings." clearly signifies Divine love, which is the very esse of Jehovah, it being the very essence of spiritual life, whereby it is altogether constituted; consequently the most innate, interior, and inherent attribute or perfection of the Supreme Being.

We read in 1 Epistle of John iv. 8 and 16. that "God Is Love," (viz.) his very essence, existence, or life; which pure principle appertains and corresponds to the heart or affections of Jehovah : the heart being the seat and spring of all life.

The heart is the proper emblem or symbol of love, Solomon's Song, viii. 6. "Set me as a seal upon