Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary: 7

Does God dispose of all things that come to pass? Yes : My times are in thy hand,

Ps. 31:15

. Does he do it according to his own will: Yes: for he hath done whatsoever he pleased,

Ps. 115:3

. Can any control his will? No: for he doth according to his will in the armies of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth,

Dan. 4:35

. Has he determined before what he will do? Yes: for known unto God are all his works, from the beginning of the world,

Acts 15:18

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Is there a counsel then in all the will of God? Yes: for he worketh all things after the counsel of his own will,

Eph. 1:11

. Is it an eternal counsel? Yes: for it was ordained before the world,

1 Cor. 2:7

. Is it free? Yes: Even so Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight,

Matt. 11:26

. Is it unchangeable? Yes: the counsel of the Lord standeth for ever,

Ps. 33:11

. Is it for his own glory? Yes: that we should be to the praise of his glory,

Eph. 1:12

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Can we search out God’s counsels? No: for his judgments are a great deep,

Ps. 36:6

. Ought we not therefore to acquiesce in them? Yes: Here am I, let him do to me as seemeth good unto him,

2 Sam. 15:26

. May we question God’s proceedings? No: for his thoughts are above our thoughts,

Isa. 55:9

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Matthew Henry’s Westminster Shorter Catechism Commentary on Question 7