Q. 172. Is it necessary for God to watch over us?
A. It is necessary for God to watch over us, for without His constant
care we could not exist.

Q. 173. {18} Does God know all things?
A. God knows all things, even our most secret thoughts, words, and
actions.

Q. 174. {19} Can God do all things?
A. God can do all things, and nothing is hard or impossible to Him.

Q. 175. When is a thing said to be "impossible"?
A. A thing is said to be "impossible" when it cannot be done. Many
things that are impossible for creatures are possible for God.

Q. 176. {20} Is God just, holy, and merciful?
A. God is all just, all holy, all merciful, as He is infinitely perfect.

Q. 177. Why must God be "just" as well as "merciful"?
A. God must be just as well as merciful because He must fulfill His
promise to punish those who merit punishment, and because He cannot be
infinite in one perfection without being infinite in all.

Q. 178. Into what sins will the forgetfulness of God's justice lead us?
A. The forgetfulness of God's justice will lead us into sins of
presumption.

Q. 179. Into what sins will the forgetfulness of God's mercy lead us?
A. The forgetfulness of God's mercy will lead us into sins of despair.