God, a faithful God, whose word can be taken. A God in whom is
no variableness, neither shadow of turning; who keepeth His promise for
ever; true, as man can be true; and truer than the truest man. And I
know it, says he, by experience. God has actually taught me His law: for
if my delight had not been in it, I should have perished in my trouble. I
will never forget His commandments; for by them He has given me life; has
taught me what to do, and enabled me to do it, to prevent the death and
ruin of my body, and soul, and spirit.

Now for the very same reason it is, that St John is so careful, first to
tell us that The Word of God made all things; and then to tell us that He
is full of grace and truth.

He tells us that The Word made all things, that we may be sure that He is
a God of order, because all things which He has made are full of order; a
God who acts by rules and laws which we may trust. He tells us that The
Word made all things, that we may be sure that all things, being His
handy-work, will bear witness of Him and teach us about Him, and shew
forth His glory.

But he tells us moreover--Oh gospel, and good news for blind and weak
humanity!--that The Word's glory is full of grace; gracious; ready to
condescend; ready to teach us, and give us light to see our way through
this world which He has made.

He tells us that The Word's glory is full of truth; that He is truthful,
accurate, and to be depended on; and will tell us nothing but what is
true. That He is a true Word of God, and when He speaks to us of His
Father and of our Father, He tells the truth.

And so do St John and the Psalmist agree in the same gospel, and good
news, of the mystery of Christ The Word.

There is an eternal Being in heaven, who is called The Word of God;
because He speaks of, and reveals--that is, unveils and shews--to men,
and angels, and archangels, and all created beings, that God whom no man
hath seen, or can see; a Word who dwells for ever in the bosom of The
Father, in the light which no man can approach unto: but who for ever
comes forth from thence to proclaim to all created beings--There is a
God, and The Word is His likeness; the brightness of His glory, and the
express image of His person. None hath seen the Father at any time: but
the only-begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He hath
declared Him. None cometh to the Father, but through Him. But he who
hath seen Him, hath seen the Father; and H