An Help for the Ignorant, WSC Question 8
By John Brown of Haddington
QUEST. 8. How doth God execute his decrees?
ANSW. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence.
Q. What do you mean by God’s executing his decrees?
A. His doing what he purposed in the decree.
Q. When doth God execute his decrees?
A. He begins the execution in time, and continues it through eternity.
Q. Does God fully execute all his decrees?
A. Yes; he worketh all things according to the counsel of his will.
Q. Wherein are God’s decrees executed?
A. In the works of creation and providence.
Q. To which of these doth redemption-work belong?
A. To providence, as the principal part thereof.
Q. Wherein do creation and providence differ?
A. In creation God gives a being to creatures, and works without means; in providence he upholds and directs his creatures, and ordinarily works by means.
Q. Can the execution of God’s decrees be hindered?
A. No; the frequent essays of devils and men to hinder it, are means of promoting it.