The Incomparableness of God (George Swinnock) (#57)

The Incomparableness of God

In the Puritan Paperbacks Series

George Swinnock is one of the easiest Puritan authors to read. He is theological yet his doctrine is expressed in vivid fashion.  While he is practical, his counsel is marked by a keen sensitivity to the doctrines taught in Scripture.  The Incomparableness of God demonstrates these qualities, a fresh study of the attributes of God, and more.

Thomas Manton commended Swinnock as a writer ‘from one both of a good head and heart.’  In this exposition of Psalm 89:6, which looks at the incomparable being, attributes, works, and word of God, Swinnock is not content to let the truth lie on the surface of the mind. He drives it home to the heart, using powerful arguments, colorful illustrations, and personal applications.

His great desire is for the reader to come to know, enjoy and love the incomparable God of the Bible. ‘He who knows God aright is fully satisfied in him; when he once drinks of the “fountain of living waters,” he thirsts no more after other objects.’

“The holiness and happiness of the rational creature consists in these two: his holiness, in conformity to God; his happiness, in communion with him. And these two have a dependence on each other. They only who are like him, can enjoy him.”

Contents

The Epistle Dedicatory

1. The Preface and Meaning of the Text (Psalm 89:6)
2. God is Incomparable; in His being
3. The incomparableness of God in His being.  It is from itself, for itself, and wholly independent
4. God incomparable in His being, as He is absolutely perfect, universal, unchangeable
5. Eternal and without composition
6. Infinite and incomprehensible
7. Holiness and wisdom
8. Knowledge and faithfulness
9. Mercy and patience
10. In His attributes, as they are from Him, as they are His essence, as they are all one in Him, as they are in Him in an infinite manner
11. In His works, creation and providence
12. The work of redemption; He can do all things
13. He works irresistibly, arbitrarily
14. He does the greatest things with ease and without any help
15. God speaks with incomparable authority, condescension, and efficacy
16. God incomparable in His word: in its purity, mysteries, prophecies
17. His word is converting, affrighting, and comforting
18. How great the malignity of sin, which contemns, dishonors, and opposes this God
19. How great the madness and misery of impenitent sinners
20. How monstrous is their pride who compare themselves to the incomparable God
21. Incomparable service and worship is due Him
22. Labor for acquaintance with the incomparable God; motives to it; the knowledge of God is sanctifying, satisfying, saving
23. The means of acquaintance with God. A sense of our ignorance. Attendance on the Word. Fervent prayer.
24. Exhortation to choose this incomparable God for our portion; with some motives to it.
25. Exhortation to give God the glory of His incomparable excellency; with some considerations to enforce it.
26. Comfort to them that have the incomparable God for their portion

About the Author

Born in Maidstone, Kent in 1627, and having lost his father while a little boy, George Swinnock was brought up in the home of his uncle Robert Swinnock, sometime mayor of Maidstone, in an environment saturated in the Puritan tradition of prayer and family worship. After graduation from Cambridge he remained as chaplain at New College until his appointment as a Fellow of Balliol College, Oxford in 1648. Two years later he became Vicar of Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire where he served until 1660 when he was appointed Vicar of Great Kimble in Buckinghamshire.

Deprived of his living in the Great Ejection of 1662, for the next decade Swinnock served as chaplain in the family of Richard Hampden of Great Hampden in Buckinghamshire. Following the Declaration of Indulgence he returned, in 1672, to minister in his home town of Maidstone, where he died in November 1673.