God the Creator - - Calvin

Catechism of the Church of Geneva (1545)

Being a form of instruction for children in the doctrine of Christ

Creator of Heaven and Earth

Master.---Why do you add "Creator of heaven, and earth ?"

Student.---As he has manifested himself to us by works, (Rom. i. 20,) in these too we ought to seek him. Our mind cannot take in his essence. The world itself is, therefore, a kind of mirror in which we may view him in so far as it concerns us to know.

M.---Do you not understand by "heaven and earth" all creatures whatever that exist?

S.---Yes, verily; under these two names all are included, because they are either heavenly or earthly.

M.---But why do you call God a Creator merely, while it is much more excellent to defend and preserve creatures in their state, than to have once made them?

S.---This term does not imply that God created his works at once, and then threw off the care of them. It should rather be understood, that as the world was once made by God, so it is now preserved by him, and that the earth and all other things endure just in as far as they are sustained by his energy, and as it were his hand. Besides, seeing that he has all things under his hand, it follows, that He is the chief ruler and Lord of all. Therefore, by his being "Creator of heaven and earth," we must understand that it is he alone who by wisdom, goodness, and power, guides the whole course and order of nature: who at once sends rain and drought, hail and other storms, as well as calm, who of his kindness fertilizes the earth, and on the contrary, by withholding his hand, makes it barren: from whom come health and disease; to whose power all things are subject, and whose nod they obey.

M.---But what shall we say of wicked men and devils? Shall we say that they too are under him?

S.---Although he does not govern them by his Spirit, he however curbs them by his power as a bridle, so that they cannot even move unless in so far as he permits them. Nay, he even makes them the ministers of his will, so that unwilling and against their own intention, they are forced to execute what to him seems good.

M.---What good redounds to you from the knowledge of this fact?

S.---Very much. It would go ill with us could devils and wicked men do any thing without the will of God, and our minds could never be very tranquil while thinking we were exposed to their caprice. Then only do we rest safely when we know that they are curbed by the will of God, and as it were kept in confinement, so that they cannot do any thing unless by his permission: the more especially that God has engaged to be our guardian, and the prince of our salvation.