attributes ?, works ", and worship', as are proper to God only.

Q. 12. What are the decrees of God?

A. God's decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of his willt, whereby, from all eternity, he hath, for his own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time", especially concerning angels and

men,

who will go for us? Then said I, Here what man knoweth the things of a am I, send me. Compared with John man, save the spirit of man that is xii, 41. These things said Esaias, in him ? even so the things of God when he saw his glory, and spake of knoweth' no man, but the Spirit of him. And with Acts xxviii. 25. And God. when they agreed not among them. g Col. i. 16. For by him were all selves, they departed, after that Paul things created that are in heaven, and had spoken one word, Well spake that are in earth, visible and invisible, the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet whether they be thrones, or dominunto our fathers. 1 John v. 20. And ions, or principalities, or powers: all we know that the Son of God is come, things were created by him, and for and hath given us an understanding, him. Gen. i. 2. And the earth was, that we may know him that is true : without form, and void ; and dark. and we are in him that is true, even ness was upon the face of the deep: in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the and the Spirit of God moved upon the true God, and eternal life. Acts v. face of the waters. 3. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath 8 Mat. xxviii, 19. Go ye therefore, Satan filled thine heart to lie to the and teach all nations, baptizing them Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of in the name of the Father, and of the the price of the land ? Ver. 4. Whiles Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 2 Cor. it remained, was it not thine own? xüi. 14. The grace of the Lord Jesus and after it was sold, was it not in Christ, and the love of God, and the thine own power? why hast thou con- communion of the Holy Ghost, be ceived this thing in thine heart ? thou with you all. Amen. hast not lied unto men, but unto God. 12. t Eph. i. 11. In whom also we

9 John i. 1. In the beginning was have oltained an inheritance, being the Word, and the Word was with predestinated according to the purGod, and the word was God. Isa. ix. pose of him who worketh all thing's 6. For unto us a child is born, unto after the counsel of his own will. us a Son is given, and the government Rom. xi. 33. O the depth of the richshall be upon his shoulder: and his es both of the wisdom and knowledge name shall be called Wonderful, Coun. of God! how unsearchable are his sellor, The mighty God, The ever- judgments, and his ways past finding lasting Father, The Prince of Peace. out! Rom. ix. 14. What shall we say John ii 24. But Jesus did not com. then ? Is there unrighteousness with mit himself unto them, because he God? God forbid. Ver. 15. For he knew all men: Ver 25. And needed saith to Moscs, I will have mercy on not that any should testify of man; whom I will have mercy, and I will for he knew what was in man. I have compassion on whom I will have Cor. ii. 10. But God hath revealed compassion. Ver. 18. Therefore hath them unto us by his Spirit: for the he mercy on whom he will have mer. Spirit searcheih all things, yea, the су,

and whom he will he hardenerh. deep things of God. Ver. 11. For u Eph. i. 4. According as he hath

Q. 13. What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men ?

A. God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of his mere love, for the praise of his glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory; and in Christ, hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereofs: and also, according to his sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of his own will, (whereby he extendeth or withholdeth favour as he pleaseth,) hath passed by and foreordained the rest to dishonour and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of his justice y.

chosen us in him before the founda- of the Lord, because God hath from tion of the world, that we should be the beginning chosen you to salvation, holy, and without blame before him through sanctification of the Spirit, in love. Ver. 11. In whom also we and belief of the truth: Ver. 14. have obtained an inheritance, being Whereunto he called you by our gospredestinated according to the purpose pel, to the obtaining of the glory of of him who worketh all things after the Lord Jesus Christ. the counsel of his own will, Rom. ix. 22. y Rom. ix. 17. For the scripture What if God, willing to shew nis wrath, saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this and to make his power known, en- same purpose have I raised thee up, dured with much long-suffering the ves- that I might shew my power in thee, sels of wrath fitted to destruction:Ver. and that my name might be declared 23. And that he night niake known throughout all the earth. Ver. 18. the riches of his glory on the vessels Therefore hath he mercy on whom he of mercy, which he had afore prepa- will have mercy, and whom he will red unto glory? Psal. xxxiii. 11. The he hardeneth. Ver. 21. Hath not the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, porter power over the clay, of the the thoughts of his heart to all ge- same lump to make one vessel unto nerations.

honour, and another unto dishonour? 13. w 1 Tim. v. 21. I charge thee Ver. 22. What if God, willing to shew before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, his wrath, and to make his power and the elec: angels, that thou observe known, endured with much long-suf. these things, without preferring one fering the vessels of wrath fitted to before another, doing nothing by par. destruction ? Matt. xi. 25. At that tiality.

time Jesus answered and said, I thank x Eph. i. 4. According as he hath thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and chosen us in him before the founda- earth, because thou hast hid these tion of the world, that we should be things from the wise and prudent, holy, and without blame before him and hast revealed them unto babes, in love: Ver. 5. Having predesti. Ver. 26. Even so, Father, for so it nated us unto the adoption of children seemed good in thy sight. 2 Tim. ii. by Jesus Christ to himself, according 20. But in a great house there are not to the good pleasure of his will, Ver. only vessels of gold and of silver, but 6. To the praise of the glory of his also of wood and of earth; and some grace, wherein he hath made us ac. to honour, and some to dishonour. cepted in the Beloved 2 Thess. ii. 13. Jude, Ver. 4. For there are certain men But we are bound to give thanks al- crepe in unawares, who were before way to God for you, brethren, beloved of old ordained to this condemnation,

Q. 14. How doth God execute his decrees?

A. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will ?,

Q. 15. What is the work of creation ?

A. The work of creation is that wherein God did in the beginning, by the word of his power, make of nothing the world, and all things therein, for himself, within the space of six days, and all very good

Q. 16. How did God create angels ?

A. God created all the angels spirits, immortal", holy e, excelling in knowledge', mighty in power 8, to executa his commandments, and to praise his name", yet subject to change i

Q. 17. How did God create man?

A. After God had made all other creatures, he created ungodly men, turning the grace of our rection they neither marry, nor are God into lasciviousness, and denying given in marriage ; but are as the anthe only Lord God, and our Lord Je- gels of God in heaven. sus Christ. 1 Pet. 2.8. And a stone e Matt. xxv. 31. When the Son of of stumbling, and a rock of offence, man shall come in his glory, and all even to them which stumble at the the holy angels with him, then shall word, being disobedient, whereunto te sit upon the throne of his glory. also they were appointed.

f 2 Sam. xiv. 17. Then thine hand. 14. z Eph. i. 11. In whom also we maid said, The word of my lord the have obtained an inheritance, being king shall now be comfortable : for predestinated according to the purpose as the angel of God, so is my lord the of him who worketh all things after king to discern good and bad: therethe counsel of his own will.

fore the Lord thy God will be with 15. a (Gen. Chap. i.] Heb. xi. 3. thee. Matt. xxiv. 36. But of that Through faith we understand that the day and hour knoweth no man, no, worlds were framed by the word of not the angels of heaven, but my FaGod, so that things which are seen ther only were not made of things which do ap- g 2 Thess. i. 7. And to you who pear. Prov. xvi. 4. The Lord haih are troubled rest with us, when the made all things for himself, yea, e. Lord Jesus shall be revealed from ven the wicked for the day of evil. heaven, with his mighty angels.

16. 6 Col. i. 16. For by him were b Psal. ciii. 20. Bless the Lord, ye all things created that are in heaven, his angels, that excel in strength, that and that are in earth, visible and in- do his commandments, hearkening visible, whether they be thrones, or unto the voice of his word. Ver. 21. dominions, or principalities, or pow. Bless ye the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ers: all things were created by him, ministers of his that do his pleasure. and for him.

i 2 Pet. ii. 4. For if God spared c Psal. civ. 4. Who maketh his not the angels that sinned, but cast angels spirits ; his ministers a flaming them down to hell, and delivered them fire.

into chains of darkness, to be reserd Matt, xxii. 30. For in the resur- ved unto judgment.

:

t

W

man male and female k; formed the body of the man of the dust of the ground', and the woman of the rib of the man , endued them with living, reasonable, and immortal souls "; made them after his own image o, in knowledge P, righteousness, and holiness 9; having the law of God written in their hearts ', and power to fulfil it', with dominion over the creatures t; yet subject to fall u.

Q. 18. What are God's-works of providence ? A. God's works of providence are his most holy ", wise *, 17. k Gen, i. 27. So God created q Rom. ii. 14. For when the Gen. man in his own image, in the image tiles, which have not the law, do by of God created he him : male and fe nature the things contained in the law, male created he them.

these having not the law, are a law unI Gen. ii. 7. And the Lord God to themselves : Ver. 15. Which shew formed man of the dust of the ground, the work of the law written in their and breathed into his nostrils the hearts, their conscience also bearing breath of life.

witness, and their thoughts the mean m Gen. ii. 22. And the rib, which while accusing or else excusing one the Lord God had taken from man, another. made he a woman, and brought her s Eccl. vii. 29. Lo, this only have unto the man.

I found, that God hath made man upn Gen. ii: 7. And the Lord God right; but they have sought out many formed man of the dust of the ground, inventions. and breathed into his nostrils the + Gen. i. 28. And God blessed breath of life: and man became a them; and God said unto then, Be living soul. Compared with Job xxxv. fruitful, and multiply, and replenish: 11. Who teacheth us more than the the earth, and subdue it: and have beasts of the earth, and maketh us dominion over the fish of the sea, and wiser than the fowls of heaven. And over the fowl of the air, and over with Eccl. xii. 7. Then shall the dust every living thing that moveih upon return to the earth as it was; and the the earth. spirit shall return unto God who gave u Gen. iii. 6. And when the woman ir. And with Matt. x. 28. And fear saw that the tree was good for food, not them which can kill the body, but and that it was pleasant to the eyes, are not able to kill the soul : but rather and a tree to be desired to make one fear him which is able to destroy both wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and soul and body in hell. And with Luke did eat; and gave also unto her husxxiii. 43. And Jesus said unto him, band with her, and he did eat. Eccl. Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt vii. 29. Lo, this only have I found, thou be with me in paradise.

that God hath made man upright; but o Gen. i. 27. So God created man they have sought out many inventions. in his own image, in the image of God 18. w Psal. cxly. 17. The Lord is created he him: male and female righteous in all his ways, and holy in created he them.

all his works. p Col. iii. 10. And have put on the * Psal. civ. 24. O Lord, how.maninew man, which is renewed in know. fold are thy works! in wisdom hast ledge, after the image of him that thou made them all: the earth is full created him.

of thy riches. Isa. xxviii. 29. This q Eph. iv. 24. And that ye put on also cometh forth from Lord of hosts, the new man, which after God is crea. which is wonderful in counsel, and red in righteousness and true holiness. excellent in working.

a

and powerful preserving', and governing? all his creatures; ordering them, and all their actions *, to his own glory b.

Q. 19. What is God's providence towards the angels ?

A. God by his providence permitted some of the angels, wilfully and irrecoverably, to fall into sin and damnation, limiting and ordering that, and all their sins, to his own gloryd; and established the rest in holiness and happinesso; employing them all?, at his pleasure, in the administrations of his power, mercy, and justice 5.

y Heb. i. 3. Who being the bright. Ye are of your father the devil, and ness of his glory, and the express the lusts of your father ye will do: he image of his person, and upholding all was a murderer from the beginning, things by the word of his power, and abode not in the truth, because when he had by himself purged our there is no truth in him. When he sins, sat down on the right hand of speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his

own: the Majesty on high.

for he is a liar, and the father of it. % Psal ciii. 19. The Lord hath pre- d Job i. 12. And the Lord said unpared his throne in the heavens : and to Satan, Behold, all that he hath is his kingdom ruleth over all.

in thy power, only upon himself put a Matt. x. 29. Are not two spar- not forth thine hand. So Satan went rows sold for a farthing ? and one of forth from the presence of the Lord. them shall not fall on the ground with. Matt. viji. 31. So the devils besought out your Father. Ver. 30. But the him, saying, If thou cast us out, suffer very hairs of your head are all num- us to go away into the herd of swine. bered. Ver. 31. Fear ye not therefore, e 1 Tim. v. 21. I charge thee before ye are of more value than many spar. God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and rows. Gen. xly. 7. And God sent me the elect angels, that thou observe before you, to preserve you a posterity these things, without preferring one in the earth, and to save your lives by before another, doing nothing by para great deliverance.

tiality. Mark viii. 38. Whosoever Rom. xi. 36. For of him, and therefore shall be ashamed of me, and through him, and to him, are all of my words, in this adulterous and things; to whom be glory for ever. sinful generation, of him also shall the Amen. Isa. Ixiii. 14. As a beast go. Son of man be ashamed, when he eth down into the valley, the Spirit of cometh in the glory of his Father, the Lord caused him to rest ; so didst with the holy angels. Heb. xii. 22. thou lead thy people, to make thyself But ye are come unto mount Sion, a glorious name.

and unto the city of the living God, 19. c Jude Ver. 6. And the angels the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an inwhich kept not their first estate, but numerable company of angels. left their own habitation, he hath re- f Psal. civ. 4. Who maketh his an. served in everlasting chains under gels spirits; his ministers a flaming darkness, unto the judgment of the fire. great day. 2 Pet. ii. 4. For if God

8 2 Kings xix. 35. And it came to spared not the angels that sinned, but pass that night, that the angel of the cast them down to hell, and delivered Lord went out, and smote in the camp them into chains of darkness, to be of the Assyrians an bundred four. reserved unto judgment. Heb. ii. 16. score and five thousand : and when For verily he took not on him the na- they arose early in the morning, beture of angels; but he took on him hold, they were all dead corpses. Heb. the seed of Abraham. John viii. 44. i. 14. Are they not all ministering

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