Eternal Matters

The Eternity of God by Thomas Watson

The next attribute is, ‘God is eternal.’ ‘From everlasting to everlasting thou art God’ (Ps. 90:2). The schoolmen distinguish between aevun et aeternum, (“aevum” means an age or an infinite stretch of time. “Aeternum” means forever) to explain the notion of eternity. There is a threefold being. 1. Such as had a beginning; and shall have an end; as all sensitive creatures, the beasts, fowls, fishes, which at death are destroyed and return to dust; their being ends with their life. 2. Such as had a beginning, but shall have no end, as angels and the souls of men, which are eternal a parte post; they abide for ever. 3. Such as is without beginning, and without ending, and that is proper only to God. He is semper existens, from everlasting to everlasting. This is God’s title, a jewel of his crown.