A Catechism, Chapter 4
CHAP. 4. Of Gods Decree.
Q. WHat is Gods Decree?
A. That whereby he hath before determined and decreed with himselfe whatsoever shall come to passe.
Q. Doe you say that Gods decree reacheth to all things whatsoever cometh to passe in time?
A. Yea all things whatsoever have been, are, or that shall be hereafter, were before decreed, and determined by God. Eph. 1. 11. Act. 15. 18.
Q. What are some of the principall things that are so decreed?
A. Things that are most casuall aExod. 21. 13. Prov. 16. 33.things that are most freely done by the creature, bProv. 21. 1. Ps. 33. 15.and things wherein the creature commits abundance of sin cAct. 2. 28. & 4. 28.,
Q. What else?
A. Such things as seeme small and little dMatth. 20. 29. 30., are also great, and speciall events.
Q. What are some of those great and speciall events that are decreed by the Lord?
A. The comming and death of Christ, and all the workes of his mediatorship e1 Pet 1. 20. Rev. 13. 18., the salvation of the Godly fEphes. 1. 4. 2 Tim. 1. 9. 1 Thes. 5 9., the damnation of the wicked gIud. 4. Rom. 9. 22., the day of every mans particular death hIob. 14. 5. 14.and the day of the generall judgement iAct. 17. 31.,
Q. When were all these things decreed by God?
A. Before the world was created, even from everlasting, 1 Cor. 2. 7. Eph. 1. 4. & 3. 11. 1 Pet. 1. 20. 2 Tim. 1. 9.
Q. What was the cause of Gods decrees?
A. The cause that moved him to decree was nothing foreseene in the creature, but his own will, and good pleasure. Rom. 9. 11. 18. Matth. 11. 25. 26.
But sith some are appointed by the decree of God to damnation, if his will be the cause of that decree, how is that just?
Yea, it is most just and righteous notwitstanding, Rom. 13, 14.
Q. How may that appeare.
A. Because the will of God is the rule of all righteousnesse kEph. 1. 11. Psal. 115. 3. & 135. 6., and because the Lord hath absolute power over all creatures, as the Potter hath power over his clay lRom. 9. 19, 20..
Q How else may the justice of the Lord in his decrees appeare?
A. Because what ever be the Lords decree, there is no man actually condemned till he be first defiled with sinne. Rom. 3. 9, 19. & 2. 6, 9. Genes. 4. 7.
Q. VVhether is the decree of God certaine, and immutable, or such as may be changed, and not take effect?
A. It is altogether unchangeable, and shall surely be accomplished, Psal. 33. 11. & 135. 6. Isa. 46. 10. & 14. 27. Rom. 9. 11.
Q. If the decree of God be unchangeable, then what needs man to be carefull in the use of means for his owne good?
A. Yes, the meanes must be used notwithstanding God decree; and that partly because the meanes are appointed, and decreed of God as well as the end mActs 27. 24. Eph. 1. 4. 2 Thes. 2. 13. Deut. 29. 29.; and partly because the revealed will and command of God is our rule, and not his secret decree n.
Q. Do you think then that Gods decree doth not excuse men from blame in the sinnes which they do commit.
A. It doth not excuse them at all oLuk. 22. 22. Mat. 18. 7., and the reason is because the decree of God infuseth no Corruption into the hearts of men, not constraineth them to sinne against their will, but they sinne most freely, and willing of their own accord.
Q Is the decree of God secret within himselfe or revealed and made knowne?
A. It is secret within himselfe, till himselfe do reveale it, and therefore further then so it is not to be searched into. Rom. 11. 33. 34 1 Cor. 2… 16. Deut. 29. 29.
Q. How doth God reveale his decree?
A. Partly by his word, wherein this doctrine is plainly, and plentifully taught pRom. 9. 11, &c. Eph. 1. 4, 5, 11. Math. 25. 34, 41, Luk. 10 20., and partly by the execution and accomplishment of things in time.
Q. How doth the execution or accomplishment of things reveale Gods decree?
A. Yea very clearely, because nothing was decreed but he executes the same in time; and whatsoever is brought to passe in time was determined and decreed afore: Ephes. 1. 11. Psal. 135. 6. Isa. 46. 10.
Q. How many wayes may the decree of God be considered?
A. As respecting all the creatures in generall, or as it respects the reasonable Creatures, Angels and men, in speciall.
Q. What are the parts of Gods decree as it respecteth man?
A. Election and reprobation.
Q. What is Election?
A. It is the decree of God or his predestination qEph. 1. 5. 11. Rom. 8. 29.whereby of his owne free love rRom. 9. 3. Ier. 31. 3.and good pleasure sEph. 1. 5. Rom. 9. 15. 2 Tim. 1. 9.he hath from everlasting tEph. 1. 4. Ier. 31. 3.appointed and chosen some certaine men u2 Tim. 2. 19. Act. 13. 48.to the obtaining of grace wEph. 11. 5. Rom. 8. 29., and Salvation x1 Thes. 5. 9. Rom. 9. 23.by Christ yEphes. 1. 3, 4. Ioh. 17. 2., for the praise of his glorious grace zEphes. 1. 6. Rom. 9. 23.,
Q. And what is reprobation?
A. It is the decree of God wherby of his meere will and good pleasure aRom. 9. 11, 15, 18, 21.some certaine men bIude. 4.are not elected and ordained to life cMat. 7. 23. Rev. 13. 8. & 17. 8., but on the on the contrary are appointed to destruction or damnation dIude. 4. Rom. 9. 21, 22.to be inflicted upon them for their sinne eRom. 3. 9, 19., to the praise of Gods glorious justice f9. 17, 22.,