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In what respects it is one

QUEST. LX. Of the disadvantages of those who never
hear the gospel.

State of the Heathen considered

No salvation without the gospel-tamen quære
Nor without faith in Christ-tamen quære
Deists; falseness of their hope set forth

False grounds of hope in others
Salvation in none but Christ

This proved

Objections answered

ibid

Its concern for the children of its members

526

Jewish church, its establishment

ibid

Its government

Its power of admission

541

The reformed churches differ about this

ibid

Terms of communion fixed by Christ

ibid

Its power of exclusion

5444

What meant by being delivered to Satan

550

and for what end

THE

DOCTRINES

OF THE

CHRISTIAN RELIGION

EXPLAINED AND DEFENDED.

THE WORK OF CREATION.

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.

H

AVING 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 produced by him, in pursuance thereof. It is inconsistent with the idea of an infinitely perfect Being, to suppose, that any of his decrees shall not take effect, Hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? Num. xxiii. 19. His counsel shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure, Isa. xlvi. 10. This is a necessary consequence, from the immutability of his will, as well as from the end which he has designed to attain, to wit, the advancement of his own glory; and therefore, if he should not execute his decrees, he would lose that revenue of glory, which he designed to bring to himself thereby, which it cannot be supposed that he would do; and accordingly we are to consider his power as exerted, in order to the accomplishment of his purpose. This is said to have been done either in the first production of all things, which is called, The work of creation, or in his upholding and governing all things, VOL. II.

B

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