“All I can say is that the essence of God is His eternal self-existence. . . . Whoever wishes to know more concerning God’s essence should join me in worship as we close our eyes before this unapproachable light. It is in some measure revealed to the soul; however, we can only perceive the uttermost fringes of His Being by reflecting upon the divine attributes” (Wilhelmus Á Brakel, The Christian’s Reasonable Service, Vol. 1, 88).