Xix. Of The Conservation Of Things And Their Government
XIX. OF THE CONSERVATION OF THINGS AND THEIR GOVERNMENT
What is meant by saying that God is the sovereign lord of all things?
By this is understood that in the world created by God all things are subjected to the exclusive, supreme, and absolute dominion of God Himself (CIII. 1, 3).
What is meant by this?
By this is meant that there is nothing in the spirit world, or in the material world, or in man, which can evade the action of God maintaining and leading all things to the end for which He created them (CIII. 4-8).
What is this end towards which God by His dominion maintains and guides all created things?
This end towards which God by His sway leads and maintains all created things is Himself or His glory (CCIII. 2).
What is meant by saying that God and His glory are the end of the entire universe thus maintained and ruled by Him?
By this is meant that God and His glory are the end of the whole universe because God directs all things therein that He might make known in the very order of the universe the designs of His holy will (ibid.).
It is then in the very order of the universe that the glory of God shines forth and is manifested outwardly?
Yes.
Could there be anything greater and more perfect outside God than this order of the universe which is created, maintained, and ruled by Him?
No, in the present dispensation of things there could be nothing greater or more perfect (XXV. 5, 6).
Why in the present dispensation of things?
Because, since God is infinite and almighty, no created order however perfect could ever exhaust His infinite power (ibid.).