Of Divine Providence
A. The excellency of sanctification, which defaces the image of Satan, and draws the image of God upon the soul of man.
Of Divine Providence Quest. 11. WHAT are God's works of providence?
A. God's works of providence are his most holy, wise, and powerful preserving and governing all his creatures, and all their actions.
Q. 1. How doth it appear that there is a Divine Providence?
A. It appears by plain scripture testimonies. Heb. 1:3. Upholding all things by the word of his power. Col. 1:17. By him all things consist.
Luke. 12:6, 7. Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God; but even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
Q. 2. How else is providence evinced?
A. By scripture emblems; as Jacob's ladder, Gen. 28:12, 13. And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set upon the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; behold the angels of God ascended and descended on it: And Ezekiel's wheels, Ezek. 1:20. Whithersoever the spirit was to go, they went, thither was their spirit to go, and the wheels were lifted up over against them, for the spirit of the living creature was in the wheels.
Q. 3. What farther scripture evidence is there?
A The sure accomplishment of scripture predictions; as Israel's captivity, and deliverance from Egypt and Babylon; Christ's incarnation; the rise and ruin of the four monarchies; Dan. 2:31.
Thou, O king, sawest, and behold a great image, whose brightness was excellent, stood before thee, and the form thereof was terrible.
Dan. 7:3. And four great beasts came up from the sea, diverse one from the other.
Q. 4. What is its first act about the creatures?
A. It sustains, preserves, provides for them; Psalm 145:15, 16. The eyes of all wait upon thee, and thou givest them their meat in due season; thou openest thine hand, and satisfied the desire of every living thing, and defendest them from danger. Psalm 36:6. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains, thy judgments are a great deep; O Lord, thou preservest man and beast.
Q. 5. What is the second act of providence about the creatures?
A. It rules and governs the creatures and their actions; Psalm 66:7.
He ruleth by his power for ever, his eyes behold the nations; let not the rebellious exalt themselves.
Q. 6. How manifold is Divine Providence?
A. It is common and general over all, or special and peculiar to some men; 1 Tim. 4:10. Who is the Saviour of all men, especially of those that believe.
Q. 7. How is providence exercised about sinful actions?
A. In permitting them; Acts 4:16. In restraining them; Psalm 76:10.
Surely the wrath of man shall praise thee, and the remainder of wrath shall thou restrain. And over-ruling them to good; Gen. 50:20.
But as for you, ye thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
Q. 8. What are the properties of providence?
A. It is (1.) Holy; Psalm 145:17. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works. (2.) Wise; Psal. 104:24. O Lord, how manifold are all thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all. (3.)