THE SCHOOL & FAMILY CATECHIST, on The Westminster Shorter Catechism.

Q.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.

EXPLICATION.

Preserving his creatures.—Keeping, by his mighty power, every living being from returning to nothing.

Governing all his creatures.—God’s keeping them in order, and making them obedient to his authority.

Governing all their actions.—Directing all the doings and motions of his creatures, so as to prevent them from running into confusion.

ANALYSIS.

Here we are taught that God’s providence consists of two parts:

1. The preservation of his creatures.—Heb. i. 3. Upholding all things by the word of his power.
2. His governing his creatures and their actions.—Psal. ciii. 19. His kingdom ruleth over all.—Matt. x. 29. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father

In answer to this question, too, Divine providence is shown, as to its properties, to be

1. Most holy.—Psalm cxlv. 17. O Lord—holy in all his works
2. Most wise.—Psalm civ. 24. O Lord, how manifold are they works! in wisdom hast thou made them all.
3. Most powerful.—Dan. iv. 35. He doth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth; and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?