Question 14

Does it extend to all worlds?

Yes. Whatsoever the Lord pleased that did he in heaven and in earth,^b

And to all creatures?

Yes. He upholdeth all things by the word of his power,^c

Does it extend to inanimate creatures?

Yes. He binds the sweet influences of the Pleiades, and looses the bands of Orion,^d

And to the animal creation?

Yes. The stork knoweth her appointed times,^e

Does it order all events relative to particular persons?

Yes. Man’s days are determined, the number of his months are with God,^f

And to kingdoms and societies of men?

Yes. He changeth the times and the seasons, he removeth kings and setteth up^g

Doth God exercise a special providence over some places?

Yes. Thus Canaan was a land that God cared for,^h

And over some persons?

Yes. He is the Saviour of all men, but especially of them that believe,ⁱ

Is it a desirable thing to be interested in God’s special providence?

Yes. Remember me, O Lord, with the favour which thou bearest to thy- people,^j

Doth it extend to all natural actions?

Yes. In him we live and move,^l

And to all fortuitous actions?

Yes. Thus a certain man drew a bow at a venture and smote the king of Israel between the joints of the harness,^m

And to all good actions?

Yes. The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord,ⁿ

And to evil actions?

Yes. It was not you that sent me hither, but God,^o

And can God bring good out of evil?

Yes. You thought evil against me, but God meant it unto good,^p

Are God’s providences mysterious?

Yes. His judgments are a great deep,^q

But are they harmonious?

Yes. They work together,^r

Did God preserve us in our infant state?

Yes. Thou art my God from my mother’s belly,^t

And will he preserve us in declining years?

Yes. To hoary hairs will I carry you,^u

Doth he give us food?

Yes. He filleth our hearts with food and gladness,^v

And rest?

Yes. He giveth his beloved sleep,^w

Doth he preserve us from threatening dangers?

Yes. He keepeth all our bones,^x

And endow us with wisdom for our several trades?

Yes. Bezaleel and Oholiab were filled with the spirit of God in all manner of workmanship,^y

Does God’s care extend to the meanest creatures?

Yes. Not a sparrow shall fall to the ground without your Father,^z

Doth God maintain the laws and ordinances of nature?

Yes. Thus we read of his covenant of the day, and his covenant of the night,^bb

But doth he sometimes suspend and act contrary to them?

Yes. So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven, and hasted not to go down about a whole day,^cc

Doth he uphold all creatures in their operations?

Yes. The eagle mounteth up at his command, and maketh her nest on high,^dd

But can he also restrain those operations?

Yes. He shut the lion’s mouth,^ee

Doth he exercise a peculiar government over the church?

Yes. God ruleth in Jacob,^ff

Is it just and rightful?

Yes. Thine is the kingdom, O Lord,^hh

Is it most wise?

Yes. How unsearchable are his judgments,ⁱⁱ

Is it holy?

Yes. The Lord is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works,^jj

Is it absolute and arbitrary?

Yes. Why dost thou strive against him? for he giveth not account of any of his matters,^kk

Is it effectual and uncontrollable?

Yes. What his soul desireth that he doth,^ll

And for silence and submission?

Yes. Be still, and know that I am God,ⁿⁿ

And for praise and thanksgiving?

Yes. Allelujah, the Lord God omnipotent reigneth,^oo