Wherein does it appear that God is the best Father?
(1) In that he is most ancient. 'The Ancient of days did sit.' Daniel 7:
9. A figurative representation of God, who was before all time, which
may cause veneration.
(2) God is the best Father, because he is perfect. 'Your Father which
is in heaven is perfect;' he is perfectly good. Matthew 5: 48. Earthly
fathers are subject to infirmities; Elias, though a prophet, 'was a man
subject to like passions' (James 5: 17); but God is perfectly good. All
the perfection we can arrive at in this life is sincerity. We may
resemble God a little, but not equal him; he is infinitely perfect.
(3) God is the best Father in respect of wisdom. 'The only wise God.'
1 Timothy 1: 17. He has a perfect idea of wisdom in himself; he knows the
fittest means to bring about his own designs. The angels light at his
lamp. In particular, one branch of his wisdom is, that he knows what is
best for us. An earthly parent knows not, in some intricate cases, how
to advise his child, or what may be best for him to do; but God is a
most wise Father; he knows what is best for us; he knows what comfort is
best for us: he keeps his cordials for fainting. 'God that comforts
those that are cast down.' 2 Corinthians 7: 6. He knows when affliction is best
for us, and when it is fit to give a bitter potion. 'If need be you are
in heaviness.' 1 Peter 1: 6. He is the only wise God; he knows how to make
evil things work for good to his children. Romans 8: 28. He can make a
sovereign treacle of poison. Thus he is the best Father for wisdom.
(4) He is the best Father, because the most loving. 'God is love.' I
John 4: 16. He who causes bowels of affection in others, must needs have
more bowels himself; [for he accomplishes the same].
The affections in parents are but marble and adamant in comparison of
God's love to his children; he gives them the cream of his love -
electing love, saving love. 'He will rejoice over you with joy; he will
rest in his love; he will joy over you with singing.' Zephaniah 3: 17. No
father like God for love; if you are his child you can not love your
own soul so entirely as he loves you.
(5) He is the best Father, for riches. He has land enough to give to
all his children; he has unsearchable riches. Ephesians 3: 8. He gives the
hidden manna, the tree of life, rivers of joy. He has treasures that
cannot be exhausted, gates of pearl, pleasures that cannot be ended. If
earthly fathers should be ever giving, they would have nothing left to
give; but God is ever giving to his children, and yet has not the less.
His riches are imparted not impaired; like the sun that still shines,
and yet has not less light. He cannot be poor who is infinite. Thus he
is the best Father; he gives more to his children than any father or
prince can bestow.
(6) God is the best Father, because he can reform his children. When
his son takes bad courses, a father knows not how to make him better;
but God knows how to make the children of the election better: he can
change their hearts. When Paul was breathing out persecution against the
saints, God soon altered his course, and set him praying. 'Behold, he
prays.' Acts 9: 11. None of those who belong to the election are so
roughcast and unhewn but God can polish them with his grace, and make
them fit for the inheritance.
(7) God is the best Father, because he never dies. 'Who only has
immortality.' I Timothy 6: 16. Earthly fathers die, and their children are
exposed to many injuries, but God lives for ever. 'I am Alpha and Omega,
the beginning and the ending.' Revelation 1: 8. God's crown has no successors.
The Dignity of God's Children
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