Chapter 4: Of Creation

Question 1.

Did God create, or make of nothing the world, and all things therein?

Yes. (Genesis 1; Hebrews 11:3; Colossians 1:16; Acts 17:24.)

Well then, do not the Socinians, and other heretics, with many of the old pagan philosophers err, who maintain the world to have been made of some pre-existent matter, not capable of production: and consequently, that creation, or making something of nothing, is simply impossible?

Yes.

By what reasons are they confuted?

(1) From the testimony of Moses (Genesis 1). (2) From the testimony of Isaiah (Isaiah 40:28 and 45:18). (3) From the testimony of the author to the Hebrews (Hebrews 11:3; Colossians 1:16-17; Romans 11:36). (4) Because the Scripture attributes to God only eternity and incorruptibility (Psalm 102:26-27; Genesis 21:33; 1 Timothy 1:17).

It is reported of Socinus, by a very learned man, who had it from one of his disciples, that he privately denied the world to be made of nothing, lest thereby he should be necessitated to acknowledge the infiniteness of God's power: which tenet afterwards was more publicly avowed, and maintained by some of his followers.

Question 2.

Did God create all things, whether visible, or invisible?

Yes. (Colossians 1:16; Acts 17:24.)

Well then, do not some heretics err, who maintain that the angels were not created by God? Yes.

By what reasons are they confuted?

(1) From the Psalmist David (Psalm 33:6 and 148:2, 5-6; Colossians 1:16; Romans 11:36; Nehemiah 9:6). (2) Because they are the servants and sons of God, brethren, and fellow-servants with us, willing and ready to obey the commands of God their Maker (Revelation 19:10; Revelation 22:9; Psalm 104:4). (3) Because many of the angels left their first habitation, and did not continue in the truth, and so made defection from the obedience of their Creator, and are reserved in everlasting chains, under darkness, to the judgment of the great day (Jude 1:6; 2 Peter 2:4; Matthew 25:41; John 8:48).

Question 3.

Did God make man male and female, with reasonable and immortal souls? Yes. (Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:7; Ecclesiastes 12:7; Luke 23:43; Matthew 10:28.)

Well then, do not the Sadducees, and the Epicureans err, who maintain the souls of all men to perish, and die forever? Yes.

Do not likewise very many of the Socinians, and others err, who affirm the souls of men to be extinguished or put out, till the resurrection, and then to be brought to life again? Yes.

Do not likewise the Anabaptists, and many of the Arminians, and some called Arabians err, who maintain the souls of men, after death, till the resurrection to fall asleep (that is, to be without any sense, or motion, thought, or vital operation,) whether it be in their body, or in some caverns of the earth? Yes.

By what reasons are they confuted?

(1) From our blessed Lord and Savior's words, "Fear not them," says he, "which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul" (Matthew 10:28). (2) From the testimony of Solomon: "Then shall the dust return to the earth, as it was, and the Spirit shall return to God, who gave it" (Ecclesiastes 12:7). (3) Because Paul desired to be dissolved, trusting that his soul after death should have more near communion with Christ (Philippians 1:23). (4) They may be confuted from several and particular instances in the Scripture, as is clear from the souls of Dives and Lazarus (Luke 16:22), from these words of Christ to the thief, "Truly, I say to you, you shall be with me, this day in Paradise" (Luke 23:43), from the appearing of Moses and Elijah upon the mount with Christ (Matthew 17:3).

Question 4.

Did God create man, male and female, with righteousness, and true holiness, after his own image, as being connatural to him?

Yes. (Genesis 1:26; Colossians 3:10; Ephesians 4:24.)

Well then, do not the Socinians err, who deny this, and the Arminians, who call this righteousness supernatural? Yes.

By what reasons are they confuted?

(1) From these words spoken by God himself, "Let us make man, in our own image" (Genesis 1:26-27). (2) From God's own testimony, affirming the same thing (Genesis 9:6). (3) Because, before the fall, both Adam and Eve walked naked and were not ashamed (Genesis 2:25).