Question 11

When God had made the World did he leave it to it self?

No. For he upholdeth all Things by the Word of his Power,^a

Hath he an Eye to the whole Creation?

Yes. For the Eyes of the Lord are in every Place,^b

Doth he condescend to take notice of his Creatures?

Yes. He humbleth himself to behold the Things that are in Heaven, and in the Earth,^c

Is any thing at a distance from him?

No. For he is not far from every one of us,^d

Doth he look on as one unconcern’d?

No. For his Eyes behold, his Eye-lids try, the Children of Men,^e

Doth God look after the World of Angels?

Yes. For he maketh Peace in his high Places,^f

Doth he look after this lower World?

Yes. For the Eyes of all wait upon him,^g

Doth he take care of the Fowls?

Yes. Our heavenly Father feedeth them,^h

What? Even the Sparrows?

Yes. Not one of them shall fall to the Ground without our Father,ⁱ

What! And the Ravens?

Yes. He feeds the young Ravens which cry,^j

Is he the Protector and Benefactor of all the Creatures?

Yes. Thou preservest them all,^k

Is he Man’s Protector and Benefactor?

Yes. For in him we live, and move, and have our Being,^l

Do we depend upon God for the support of our Life?

Yes. For he holdeth our Soul in Life,^m

And for the Comforts of Life?

Yes. For he giveth us Rain from Heaven, and fruitful Seasons, filling our Hearts with Food and Gladness,ⁿ

And do we depend upon him for the safety of our Life?

Yes. He keepeth all our Bones,^o

And for the continuance of Life?

Yes. For he is thy Life, and the length of thy Days,^p

Doth God govern all Things?

Yes. His Kingdom ruleth over all,^q

Doth he govern the Holy Angels?

Yes. For they do his Commandments,^r

Doth he govern the heavenly Bodies?

Yes. For the Stars in their Courses fought against Sisera,^s

Doth he govern the Power of the Air?

Yes. Stormy Winds fulfil his Word,^t

Doth he order what Weather it shall be?

Yes. For he saith to the Snow, be thou upon the Earth,^u

And doth he govern the Inferior Creatures?

Yes. He spake, and Locusts came,^v

Can he command them?

Yes. I have commanded the Ravens to feed thee,^w

Can he controul them?

Yes. He shut the Lions Mouths,^x

Hath he a Sovereign Dominion over the whole Creation?

Yes. For the Lord of Hosts is his Name,^y

Doth God govern the Children of Men?

Yes. The most high ruleth in the Kingdom of Men,^z

Doth he govern Kings?

Yes. For the King’s Heart is in the Hand of the Lord,^aa

And doth he govern Kingdoms?

Yes. For he is the Governour among the Nations,^bb

And Families too?

Yes. For except the Lord build the House, they labor in Vain that build it,^cc

Doth he govern great Men?

Yes. For God is the Judge, he puts down one, and sets up another,^dd

And mean Men too?

Yes. For every Man’s Judgment proceedeth from the Lord,^ee

Can Man make his own Fortune?

No. For the way of Man is not in himself, neither is it in Man that walketh to direct his Steps,^ff

When Man purposeth, doth God dispose?

Yes. A Man’s Heart deviseth his Way, but the Lord directeth his Steps,^gg

Do all Comforts and Crosses come from God’s Hand?

Yes. For he hath said, I make Peace, and create Evil; I the Lord do all these Things,^hh

Doth God’s Providence extend it self to the smallest Things?

Yes. The very Hairs of your Head are all Number’d,ⁱⁱ

Is God’s Government Holy?

Yes. He is holy in all his Works,^jj

Is it Wise?

Yes. He is wonderful in Counsel, and excellent in Working,^kk

Is it Powerful?

Yes. For when he giveth Quietness, who then can make Trouble?^ll

Is it Rightful?

Yes. God is greater than Man,^mm

Is it Just?

Yes. For shall not the Judge of all the Earth do Right?ⁿⁿ

Doth God sometimes Reward and Punish in this Life?

Yes. The Righteous shall be recompenced in the Earth, much more the Wicked, and the Sinner,^oo

But doth he always?

No. For all Things come alike to all,^pp

Doth God govern the World for the good of his Church?

Yes. For Jacob my Servant’s sake, and Israel mine Elect, I have called thee by thy Name,^qq

Is the Government of the World committed to the Lord Jesus?

Yes. For he is Head over all Things unto the Church,^rr

And is all ordered for God’s Glory?

Yes. For the Lord alone shall be exalted,^ss

Is it a comfort to good Men that God governs the World?

Yes. The Lord Reigns, let the Earth Rejoice,^tt

Is it a terror to the Wicked?

Yes. The Lord Reigns, let the People Tremble,^uu

Ought we to give him the Praise of it?

Yes. Hallelujah, the Lord God Omnipotent Reigns,^vv