ANSW. The work of creation is that, wherein God did, in the
beginning, by the word of his power, make, of nothing, the world,
and all things therein, for himself, within the space of six days,
and all very good.
Having considered God’s eternal purpose, as respecting whatever shall
come to pass, which is generally called an internal, or immanent act of
the divine will, we are now to consider those works which are produced
by him, in pursuance thereof. It is inconsistent with the idea of an
infinitely perfect Being, to suppose, that any of his decrees shall not
take effect, _Hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?_ Num.
xxiii. 19. _His counsel shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure_,
Isa. xlvi. 10. This is a necessary consequence, from the immutability of
his will, as well as from the end which he has designed to attain, to
wit, the advancement of his own glory; and therefore, if he should not
execute his decrees, he would lose that revenue of glory, which he
designed to bring to himself thereby, which it cannot be supposed that
he would do; and accordingly we are to consider his power as exerted, in
order to the accomplishment of his purpose. This is said to have been
done either in the first production of all things, which is called, _The
work of creation_, or in his upholding and governing all things, which
is his _providence_; both which are to be particularly considered. And,
I. We are to speak concerning the work of creation, and so to enquire
what we are to understand by _creation_, and to consider it as a work
peculiar to God.
II. That this work was not performed from eternity, but in the beginning
of time.