ETERNITY OF GOD (6-teeni-tSt Ov gad) is the perpetual continuance of his being, without begin ning, end, or succession.
(1) That he is without beginning may be proved (I) From his necessary self -existence (Exod. iii :14), (2) From his attributes, several of which are said to be eternal (Rom. i :2o; Acts xv ;18 ; Ps. ciii :17; Jer. xxxi :3). (3) From his purposes, which arc also said to be from eternity (Is. xxv ; Eph. ; Rom. ix :it ; Eph. 1:4). (4) From the covenant of grace, which is eternal (2 Sam. xxiii :5 ; Mic. v :2).
(2) That he is without end may be proved from ) His spirituality and simplicity (Rom. i :23). (2) From his independency (Rom. ix :5). (3) From his immutability (1 Pet. i:24, 25; Mal. iii: 6; Ps. cii:26, 27). (4) From his dominion and government, said never to end (Jer. x :to; Ps. x :t6 ; Dan. iv :3).
(3) That he is without succession, or any dis tinctions of time succeeding one to another, as moments, minutes, etc., may be proved from (I) His existence before such were in being (Is. xliii: 13). (2) The distinctions and differences of time are together ascribed to him, and not as succeed ing one another ; he is the same yesterday, to-day and forever (Heb. xiii :8; Rev. i :4). (3) If his
duration were successive, or preceded by mo ments, days and years, then there must have been some first moment, day and year when he began to exist, which is incompatible with the idea of his eternity ; and besides one day would be but one day with him, and not a thousand, contrary to the express language of Scripture (2 Pet. iii :8). (4) He would not be immutable and per fect if this were the case, for he would be older one minute than he was before, which cannot be said of him. (5) As the eternal, supreme cause he must of necessity have such a perfect, inde pendent, unchangeable comprehension of all things that there can be no one point or instant of his eternal duration, wherein all things that arc past, present and to come will not be as entirely known and represented to him in one single thought or view, and all things present and future be equally entirely in his power and direction, as if there was really no succession at all, but all things were actually present at once.