3. His Wisdom, his Infinite Wisdom, in managing things for his own Glory, and the good of them towards whom he hath §. 16 thoughts of Love. The Lord indeed hath laid out and manifested infinite Wisdom, sin his Works of Creation, Providence, and governing of the World: in Wisdom hath he made all his Creatures, How manifold are his works? in Wisdom hath he made them all; the Earth is full of his riches, Psal. 104. 24. So in his Providence, his supportment and guidance of all things, in order to one another, and his own glory, unto the Ends appointed for them; for all these things come forth from the Lord of Hosts, who is Wonderful in Counsel, and excellent in working, Isa. 28 29. His Law also is for ever to be admired, for the excellency of the Wisdom therein; Deut. 4. 7, 8. but yet there is that which Paul is astonished at, and wherein God will for ever be exalted, which he calls the depth of the riches of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God, Rom. 11, 33. that is only hid in, and revealed by Christ. Hence as he is said to be the tWisdom of God, and to be made unto us Wisdom, so the design of God which is carried along in him, and revealed in the Gospel, is called the Wisdom of God, and a Mystery, even the hidden Wisdom which God ordained before the World was, which none of the Princes of this world knew, 1 Cor. 2. 7, 8. & Ephes. 3. 10. it is called the manifold Wisdom of God: and to discover the Depth and Riches of this Wisdom, he tells us in that verse, that it is such, that Principalities and Powers, that very Angels themselves could not in the least measure get any acquaintance with it, until God by gathering of a Church of Sinners, did actually discover it. Hence Peter informs us that they who are so well acquainted with all the works of God, do yet bow down and desire with earnestness to look into these things; (the things of the Wisdom of God in the Gospel:) 1 Pet. 1. 13. It asks a man much Wisdom to ⟨p. 99⟩make a curious work, fabric and building, but if one shall come and deface it; to raise up the same building to more beauty and glory then ever, this is excellency of Wisdom indeed. God in the beginning made all things good, glorious and beautiful; When all things, had in innocency and beauty, the clear timpress of his Wisdom and Goodness upon them, they were very glorious. Especially man, who was made for his special Glory:
3. His Wisdome, his Infinite Wisdome, in mannaging things for his own Glory, and the good of them towards whom he hath §. 16 thoughts of Love. The Lord indeed hath laid out and manifested infinite Wisdome, sin his Works of Creation, Providence, and governing of the World: in Wisdome hath he made all his Creatures, How manifold are his works? in Wisdome hath he made them all; the Earth is full of his riches, Psal. 104. 24. So in his Providence, his supportment and guidance of all things, in order to one another, and his own glory, unto the Ends appointed for them; for all these things come forth from the Lord of Hosts, who is Wonderfull in Counsell, and excellent in working, Isa. 28 29. His Law also is for ever to be admired, for the excellency of the Wisdome therein; Deut. 4. 7, 8. but yet there is that which Paul is astonished at, and wherein God will for ever be exalted, which he calls the depth of the riches of the Wisdome and Knowledge of God, Rom. 11, 33. that is only hid in, and revealed by Christ. Hence as he is said to be the tWisdome of God, and to be made unto us Wisdome, so the designe of God which is carried along in him, and revealed in the Gospell, is called the Wisdome of God, and a Mystery, even the hidden Wisdome which God ordained before the World was, which none of the Princes of this world knew, 1 Cor. 2. 7, 8. & Ephes. 3. 10. it is called the manifold Wisdome of God: and to discover the Depth and Riches of this Wisdome, he tells us in that verse, that it is such, that Principalities and Powers, that very Angells themselves could not in the least measure get any acquaintance with it, untill God by gathering of a Church of Sinners, did actually discover it. Hence Peter informes us that they who are so well acquainted with all the works of God, doe yet bow downe and desire with earnestnesse to look into these things; (the things of the Wisdome of God in the Gospell:) 1 Pet. 1. 13. It askes a man much Wisdome to ⟨p. 99⟩
- sSi amabilis est sapientia cum cognitione rerum conditarum, quam amabilis est sapientia quae condidit omnia ex nihilo? August. lib. Meditat. c. 18.
- tCor. 1. 20. 30
- tGen. 1. 31.
