HenryWSC 8

Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 8

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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
.
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
.
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,
Eccles. 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:
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,
Eccles. 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
.
HenryWSC 8