WLC 14
Westminster Larger Catechism
Q14. How doth God execute his decrees?
God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to his infallible foreknowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will.
Proof texts
- Eph. 1:11 — [11] In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will,
For discussion
- The Assembly cited Eph. 1:11 in support of this answer. Read it in context — how does it bear on what is claimed here?
- WSC Q7 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- BC 5.1 treats the same ground. What does it add, and why might it put things differently?
- The Assembly divided over this: The Order of the Decrees. Did God decree the election of particular persons before or after the fall? What turns on the answer?
Read alongside
Leader's notes
A Body of Divinity (Thomas Ridgley): Quest. XIV., XV. QUEST. XIV. How doth God execute his decrees? ANSW. God executeth his decrees in the works of creation and providence, according to his infallible fore-knowledge, and the free and immutable counsel of his own will. QUEST. XV. What is the work of creation? ANSW. The work of creation is that, wherein God did, in the beginning, by the word of his power, make, of nothing, the world, and all things therein, for himself, within the space of six days, and all very good. Having considered God’s eternal purpose, as respecting whatever shall come to pass, which is generally called an internal, or immanent act of the divine will, we are now to consider those works which are…