Chapter 4: Of Creation — Chapter 5: Of Divine Providence
Of Creation
Paras 1 I. The overview of creation
A. The time of creation: "in the beginning"
B. The Author of creation: "the Father, the Son and Holy Spirit"
C. The purpose of creation: "for the manifestation of the glory of his eternal power, wisdom and goodness"
D. The extent (or object or scope) of creation: "the world, and all things therein, whether visible or invisible"
E. The duration of creation: "in the space of six days"
F. The result of creation: "all very good" 2 II. The apex of creation
A. The constitution of man
B. The identity of man
C. The integrity of man 3 III. The fulcrum of creation
From: Samuel E. Waldron, A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, (Evangelical Press, 1989), p. 75. Used by permission. __________________________________________________________________
Of Divine Providence
Paras 1 I. The summary statement of the doctrine
A. The Author of providence: "the good Creator"
B. The foundation of providence: "his infinite power and wisdom"
C. The essence of providence: "uphold, direct, dispose and govern"
D. The objects of providence: "all creatures and things, from the greatest even to the least"
E. The nature of providence: "by his most wise and holy providence"
F. The compatibility of providence (with His creation): "to the end for which they were created"
G. The determining causes of God's providence:
1. God's mind: "his infallible foreknowledge"
2. God's will: "and the free and immutable counsel of his own will"
H. The goal of providence: "to the praise of the glory...." 2-7 II. The major concerns about the doctrine 2-3 A. The relation of providence to the use of means 2(a)
1. A concession
2(b)
2. An assertion
3
3. A qualification
4-6 B. The relation of providence to the fact of sin
4
1. Sin is general
5
2. Sin in his children
6
3. Sin in the ungodly 7 C. The relation of providence to the care of the church
From: Samuel E. Waldron, A Modern Exposition of the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith, (Evangelical Press, 1989), p. 88-89. Used by permission. __________________________________________________________________