Stephen Charnock
The Existence and Attributes of God, Volumes 1 and 2
"The Existence and Attributes of God, Volumes 1 and 2" by Stephen Charnock is a theological treatise written in the late 17th century. This work delves deeply into the nature of God, exploring His existence and divine attributes through philosophical and scriptural reasoning. The book is structured in a series of discourses that argue against atheism and highlight the fundamental qualities of God that inform worship and morality. At the start of this profound work, Charnock presents a compelling argument for the existence of God, drawing on biblical texts and rational thought. He begins by addressing the foolishness of atheism, mentioning how the denial of God's existence stems from the corruption of the heart rather than a lack of evidence. Charnock stresses that all of humanity, regardless of culture or time, has an innate recognition of a supreme deity, acknowledging their tendency to suppress this knowledge in favor of sin. This opening sets the stage for a detailed exploration of divine attributes, as Charnock aims to enrich the reader’s understanding of God and encourage genuine worship.