such names", 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 will, whereby, from all eternity, he hath, 11. P Isa. vi. 3. And one cried unto another, and said, Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory. Ver. 5. Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts. Ver. 8. Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I, send me. Compared with John xii. 41. These things said Esaias, when he saw his glory, and spake of him. And with Acts xxviii. 25. And when they agreed not among themselves, they departed, after that Paul had spoken one word, Well spake the Holy Ghost by Esaias the prophet unto our fathers. 1 John v. 20. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true: and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. Acts v. 3. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Ver. 4. Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. for 9 John i. 1. In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. Isa. ix. 6. For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. John ii. 24. But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all men: Ver. 25. And needed not that any should testify of man; for he knew what was in man. 1 Cor. ii. 10. But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God. Ver. 11. For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man that is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Col. i. 16. For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. Gen. i. 2. And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep: and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. • Mat. xxviii. 19. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. 2 Cor. xiii. 14. The for his own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time, especially concerning angels and men. 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 thereof *: and also, according to his sovereign power, The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. t 12. Eph. i. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. Rom. xi. 33. O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Rom. ix. 14. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid. Ver. 15. For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. Ver. 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. and power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction: Ver. 23. And that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory? Psal. xxxiii. 11. The counsel of the Lord standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. 13. w 1 Tim. v. 21. I charge thee before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things, without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality. * Eph. i. 4. According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy, and without blame before him in love: Ver. 5. Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, Ver. 6. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved. 2 Thess. ii. 13. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, and belief of the truth: Ver. 14. Whereunto he called you by our gospel, 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. 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. gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Rom. ix. 17. For the scripture saith unto Pharaoh, Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth. Ver. 18. Therefore hath he mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardeneth. Ver. 21. Hath not the potter power over the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and another unto dishonour? Ver. 22. What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction? Mat. xi. 25. At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast reveal ed them unto babes. Ver. 26. Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight. 2 Tim. ii. 20. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, Q. 16. How but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. Jude, Ver. 4. For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemna tion, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Pet. ii. 8. And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of of fence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient, whereunto also they were ap pointed. 14. Eph. i. 11. In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. 15. [Gen. Chapter i.] Heb. xi. 3. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which_do_appear. Prov. xvi. 4. The Lord hath made all things for himself; yea, even the wicked for the day of evil. 16. Col. Q. 16. How did God create angels? A. God created all the angels spirits, immortala, holy, excelling in knowledge, mighty in power, to execute his commandments, and to praise his name, yet subject to change1. Q. 17. How did God create man? A. After God had made all other creatures, he created man male and female *; 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 16. Col. i. 16. For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. Psal. civ. 4. Who maketh his angels spirits; his ministers a flaming fire. d Mat. xxii. 30. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels of God in heaven. e Mat. xxv. 31. When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory. 12 Sam. xiv. 17. Then thine handmaid said, The word of my lord the king shall now be comfortable: for as the angel of God, so is my lord the king to discern good and bad: therefore the Lord thy God will be with thee. Mat. xxiv. 36. But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only. 82 Thess. i. 7. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with his mighty angels. h Psal. ciii. 20. Bless the Lord, ye his angels, that excel in strength, 2 Pet. ii. 4. For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment. k 17. Gen. i. 27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him: male and female created he them. 1 Gen. ii. 7. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life. m Gen. ii. 22. And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. "Gen. ii. 7. And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life: and man became a living soul. Com pared with Job xxxv. 11. Who teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven. And with Eccl. xii. 7. Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was; and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it. And with Mat. x. 28. And fear not them made them after his own image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness ; having the law of God written in their hearts, and power to fulfil it, with dominion over the creatures; yet subject to fall. Q. 18. What are God's works of providence? y Z A. God's works of providence are his most holy", wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures; which can kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. And with Luke xxiii. 43. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To-day shalt thou be with me in paradise. • Gen. i. 27. So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him: male and female created he them. P Col. iii. 10. And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge, after the image of him that created him. 1 Eph. iv. 24. And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Rom. ii. 14. For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Ver. 15. Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another. * Eccl. vii. 29. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. t Gen. i. 28. And God blessed them; and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. v Gen. iii. 6. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat; and gave also unto her husband with her, and he did eat. Eccl. vii. 29. Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. 18. w Psal. cxlv. 17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. x Psal. civ. 24. O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. Isa. xxviii. 29. This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, which is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working. y Heb. i. 3. Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high. z Psal. ciii. 19. The Lord hath prepared his throne in the heavens and his kingdom ruleth over all, a Mat. |