A Scripture Catechism
in the
Method of the Assembly's

by Matthew Henry

Q.10. How did God create man?
A. God created man male and female, after his image, in knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, with dominion over the creatures.

1. Is man God's creature? Yes: for we are also his offspring, Acts 17: 28. Were our first parents the work of his hands? Yes: male and female created he them, and called their name Adam, Gen. 5:2. Was man made with a consultation? Yes: for God said, Let us make man, Gen. 1:26. Do all the children of men descend from Adam and Eve? Yes: for God has made of one blood all nations of men, Acts 17:26.

2. Was man's body at first made out of the earth? Yes: God made man of the dust of the ground, Gen. 2:7. And are our bodies of the earth earthy? Yes: for I also am formed out of the clay, Job 33:6. But are they not curiously wrought? Yes: for I am fearfully and wonderfully made, Ps. 139:14. Is God the former of our bodies? Yes Thou hast clothed me with skin and flesh, and fenced me with bones and sinews, Job 10:11. Is he the author of our senses? Yes: the hearing ear, and seeing eye, the Lord has made even both of them, Prov. 20:12.

3. Is God the Father of our spirits? Yes : for he breathed into man's nostrils the breath of life, Gen. 2:7. Has God given each of us a soul? Yes: The Lord liveth that made us this soul, Jer. 38:16. Is it a rational soul ? Yes for the spirit of a man is the candle of the Lord, Prov. 20:27. Is it immortal? Yes : for the spirit of a man goes upward, Eccl.3:21. Does it die with the body ? No : for when the dust returns to the earth as it was, the Spirit returns to God who gave it, Eccl. 12:7. Is God then the Sovereign of the heart? Yes: for he has said, Behold, all souls are mine, Ezek. 18: 4. Must we therefore commit our souls to him? Yes into thine hand I commit my spirit, Ps. 31:5.

4. Was man made after God's image? Yes: God created man in his own image, Gen. 1:27. Did that image consist in knowledge? Yes: for we are renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created us, Col. 3:10. Did it consist in righteousness and true holiness? Yes: for the new man after God is created in righteousness and true holiness, Eph. 4:24. Was there in man at first a perfect purity and freedom from sin ? Yes: Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, Ezek. 28:15. compare 16:13. Was there in him a perfect rectitude and disposition to good? Yes: for God made man upright, Eccl. 7:29. Are there some remains of God's image still upon man? Yes: for men are made after the similitude of God, Jam. 3:9. Was man made with a dominion over the creatures? Yes: for thou hast put all things under his feet, Ps. 8:6. Have we not reason to admire God's favour to man? Yes: Lord, what is man, that thou art mindful of him? Ps. 144:3.