Questions 11–20Providence, the Fall & the Covenant

English text of 1647

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Wikisource transcription of the 1647 English text; source edition not documented; formatting and a known Q85 omission are normalized. Source: Wikisource transcription.

The catechism was first published in 1647; this edition reproduces its historical English text. Rights evidence. Verified 2026-07-14.

What are God's works of providence?

God's works of providence are, his most holy^a, wise^b, and powerful^c preserving^d and governing^e all his creatures, and all their actions^f.

Scripture proofs

aPs. 145:17

bPs. 104:24

cHeb. 1:3

dNeh. 9:6

eEph. 1:19-22

fPs. 36:6; Prov. 16:33; Matt. 10:30

What special act of providence did God exercise toward man in the estate wherein he was created?

When God had created man, he entered into a covenant of life with him, upon condition of perfect obedience; forbidding him to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, upon pain of death.^a

aGen. 2:16-17; Jas. 2:10

Did our first parents continue in the estate wherein they were created?

Our first parents, being left to the freedom of their own will, fell from the estate wherein they were created, by sinning against God^a.

aGen. 3:6-8, 13; II Cor. 11:3

What is sin?

Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God^a.

aLev. 5:17; Jas. 4:17; I John 3:4

What was the sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein they were created?

The sin whereby our first parents fell from the estate wherein thy were created, was their eating the forbidden fruit^a.

aGen. 3:6

Did all mankind fall in Adam's first transgression?

The covenant being made with Adam^a, not only for himself, but for his posterity; all mankind, descending from him by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him, in his first transgression^b.

aGen. 2:16-17; Jas. 2:10

bRom. 5:12-21; ICor. 15:22

Into what estate did the fall bring mankind?

The fall brought mankind into an estate of sin and misery^a.

aGen. 3:16-19, 23; Rom. 3:16; 5:12; Eph. 2:1

Wherein consists the sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell?

The sinfulness of that estate whereinto man fell, consists in the guilt of Adam's first sin^a, the want of original righteousness^b, and the corruption of his whole nature^c, which is commonly called original sin; together with all actual transgressions which proceed from it^d.

aRom. 5:12, 19

bRom. 3:10; Col. 3:10; Eph. 4:24

cPs. 51:5; John 3:6; Rom. 3:18; 8:7-8; Eph. 2:3

dGen. 6:5; Ps. 53:1-3; Matt. 15:19; Rom. 3:10-18, 23; Gal. 5:19-21; Jas. 1:14-15

What is the misery of that estate whereinto man fell?

All mankind by their fall lost communion with God^a, are under his wrath^b and curse^c, and so made liable to all miseries in this life^d, to death^e itself, and to the pains of hell for ever^f.

aGen. 3:8, 24; John 8:34, 42, 44; Eph. 2:12; 4:18

bJohn 3:36; Rom. 1:18; Eph. 2:3; 5:6

cGal. 3:10; Rev. 22:3

dGen. 3:16-19; Job 5:7; Ecc. 2:22-23; Rom. 8:18-23

eEzek. 18:4; Rom. 5:12; 6:23

fMatt. 25:41, 46; II Thess. 1:9; Rev. 14:9-11

Did God leave all mankind to perish in the estate of sin and misery?

God having, out of his mere good pleasure, from all eternity, elected some to everlasting life [a,] did enter into a covenant of grace, to deliver them out of the estate of sin and misery, and to bring them into an estate of salvation by a Redeemer^b.

aActs 13:48; Eph. 1:4-5; II Thess. 2:13-14

bGen. 3:15; 17:7; Ex. 19:5-6; Jer. 31:31-34; Matt. 20:28; I Cor. 11:25; Heb. 9:15