3. God's Decrees (Qs 12-14)

12 What are the decrees of God? A. God's decrees are the wise, free, and holy acts of the counsel of his will,(1) whereby, from all eternity, he hath, for his own glory, unchangeably foreordained whatsoever comes to pass in time,(2) especially concerning angels and men.

(1)Eph. 1:11 ; Rom. 11:33 ; Rom. 9:14 ,15,18.

(2)Eph. 1:4,11; Rom. 9:22 ,23; Ps. 33:11.

13 What hath God especially decreed concerning angels and men? A. God, by an eternal and immutable decree, out of his mere love, for the praise of his glorious grace, to be manifested in due time, hath elected some angels to glory;(1) and in Christ hath chosen some men to eternal life, and the means thereof:(2) and also, according to his sovereign power, and the unsearchable counsel of his own will, (whereby he extendeth or withholdeth favour as he pleaseth,) hath passed by and foreordained the rest to dishonour and wrath, to be for their sin inflicted, to the praise of the glory of his justice.(3)

(1)1 Tim. 5:21

(2)Eph. 1:4-6; 2 Thess. 2:13,14.

(3)Rom. 9:17 ,18,21,22; Matt. 11:25,26; 2 Tim. 2:20; Jude 4; 1 Pet 2:8.

14 How doth God execute his decrees? A. 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.(1)

(1)Eph. 1:11