A Scripture Catechism
in the
Method of the Assembly's

by Matthew Henry

Q.8. How does God execute his decrees.?
A. God executes his decrees in the works of creation and providence.

1. Shall all God's decrees be executed? Yes: for the Lord of hosts hath sworn, surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass, Isa.14:24. Can any of them be defeated? No: for the Lord of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? Isa. 14:27. Did God execute his decree in the work of creation? Yes: he hath created all things, and for his pleasure they are and were created, Rev. 4:11. And does he execute his decrees in the works of providence? Yes: for out of the mouth of the Most High both evil and good proceed, Lam. 3:38.

2. Did God begin to work in the creation of the world? Yes: Thou, Lord, in the beginning didst lay the foundations of the earth, Heb. 1. 10. Is he still working? Yes: for Christ says, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work, John 5:17. Are all his works copied out of his counsels? Yes: for they are what his hand and his counsel determine before to be done, Acts 4: 28.

3. Are God's works many? Yes: 0 Lord, how manifold are thy works! Ps. 104:24. Are they great? Yes: his work is honourable and glorious, Ps. 111:8. Are they perfect in their kind? Yes: God is the Rock, his work is perfect, Deut. 32:4. Can they be amended? No: whatsoever God doth, nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it, Eccl. 3:14. Ought they to be studied? Yes: They are sought out of all them that have pleasure therein, Ps. 111:2. Is it a great sin to neglect them? Yes:

because they regard not the work of the Lord, neither consider the operations of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up, Ps. 28:5.

4. Can all God's works be thoroughly discovered? No: for no man can find out the work that God makes from the beginning to the end, Eccl. 3:11. Can his designs in them be accounted for? No: for his way is in the sea, and his path in the great waters, Ps. 77:19. But is he glorified in them? Yes: all his works do praise him, Ps. 145:10.