Page:Shorter catechism in verse, with Scriptural references.pdf/4

 Q. And what are God's decrees, can you define? A. They signify th'eternal, grand design, Form'd by the counsel of his will, whereby, For his own glory, from eternity, He fixedly hath fore-ordain'd each thing, That time has brought, or yet to pass shall bring a. a Eph. i. 11, 12

Q. And in what manner doth Jehovah please To execute his sovereign decrees? A. He first did by creation's work commence, And now proceeds by works of providence a. a Rev. iv. 11. Dan. iv. 35.

Q. Work of creation, what doth it imply? A. God's making all things in earth, sea, and sky. He spoke the word,—in six days' space they stood, All form'd from nothing,—and all very good a. a Gen. i. 1—31. Heb. xi. 3.

Q. How did Jehovah first mankind create? A. Both male and female in a happy state; Their minds his glorious image a did express, In knowledge, purity, and righteousness b; And undisturb'd they full dominion sway'd, O'er all the other creatures he had made c. a Gen. i. 27. b Col. iii. 10. Eph. iv. 24. c Gen. i. 28.

Q. What by the works of providence is meant? A. God's holy a, wise b, and all omnipotent, Preserving c still, and over-ruling all His creatures, and their actions, great or small d. a Psal. cxlv. 17. b Isa. xxviii. 29. c Heb. i. 3. d Psal. ciii. 19. Matt. x. 29.

Q. What special act of providence did God Use towards man, while he in bliss abode? A. When God created man, with him then he Did in a covenant of life agree, Upon condition of obedience true a, Forbidding him to eat that fruit which grew Upon a certain tree, which would instil Into the mind the sense of good and ill,