3dly, A conviction that a real interest in, and participation of, these things cannot be obtained any other way but by the actual exercise of faith on the person of Jesus Christ.
These things were necessary to be handled at large with reference unto the end proposed. But, for sundry reasons, the whole of this labour is here declined. For some of the particulars mentioned ] have already insisted on in other discourses heretofore published, and that with respect unto the end here designed. And this argument cannot be handled as it doth deserve, unto full satisfaction, without an entire discourse concerning the life of faith ; which my present de^ sioTi will not admit of.
CHAPTER XVI.
An humble Inquiry Into, and Prospect of, the infinite Wisdom of God, in the Constitution of the Person of Clirist, and the Way of Salvation thereby.
From the consideration of the things before insisted on, we may endeavour, according unto our measure, to take a view of, and humbly adore, the infinite wisdom of God, in the holy contrivance of this great " mystery of godliness, God manifest in the flesh." As it is a spiritual, evangelical mystery, it is an effect of divine ^visdom, in the redemp- tion and salvation of the church, unto the eternal glory of God ; and as it is a " great mystery," so it is the mystery of the " manifold wisdom of God," Eph. iii. 9, 10 — that is, of infinite wisdom working in great variety of actings and operations, suited unto, and expressive of, its own infinite fulness: for herein were " all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" laid up, and laid out. Col. ii. 3. An argu- ment this is, in some parts whereof divers of the ancient writers of the church have laboured, some occasionally, and some with express design. I shall insist only on those things which Scripture light leads us directly unto. The depths of divine wisdom in this glorious Avork are hid from the eyes of all living. " God [alone] understandeth the
THE WISDOM OF GOD IN CHRIST's PERSON, 179
way thereof ; and he knoweth the place thereof ; " as he speaks, Job xxviii. 21, 23. Yet is it so glorious in its effects, that " destruction and death say. We have heard the fame thereof with our ears," verse 22. The fame and report of this divine wisdom reach even unto hell. Those who eternally perish shall hear a fame of this wisdom, in the glorious effects of it towards the blessed souls above, though some of them would not believe it here in the light of the Gospel, and none of them can understand it there, in their everlasting darkness. Hence the report which they have of this wisdom is an aggravation of their misery.
These depths we may admire and adore, but we cannot compre- hend: " For who hath known the mind of the Lord herein, or with whom took he counsel?" Concerning the original causes of his coun- sels in this great mystery we can only say, " 0 the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God ! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out !" This alone is left unto us in the way of duty, that in the effects of them we should contemplate on their excellency, so as to give glory to God, and live in a holy admiration of his wisdom and grace. For to give glory unto him, and admire him, is our present duty, until he shall come eter- nally " to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe," 2 Thess. i. 10.
We can do no more but stand at the shore of this ocean, and adore its unsearchable depths. What is dehvered from them by divine revelation we may receive as pearls of price, to enrich and adorn our souls. For " the secret things belong unto the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong unto us," that we may do " the words of this law," Deut. xxix. 29. We shall not, therefore, in our inquiry into this great mystery, intrude ourselves into the things which we have not seen, but only endeavour a right understanding of what is revealed concerning it. For the end of all divine revela- tions is our knowledge of the things revealed, with our obedience thereon ; and unto this end things revealed do belong unto us.
Some things in general are to be premised unto our present inquiry.
1. We can have no view or due prospect of the wisdom of God in any of his works, much less in this of " sending his Son in the like- ness of sinful flesh," or the constitution of his person, and the work of redemption to be accomphshed thereby, unless we consider also the interest of the other holy properties of the divine nature in them. Such are his hoHness, his righteousness, his sovereign authority, his goodness, love, and grace.
There are three excellencies of the divine nature principally to be considered in all the external works of God. (1.) His Goodness, which is the communicative property thereof This is the eternal
180 THE PERSON OF CHRIST.
fountain and spring of all divine communications. Whatever is good in and unto any creature, is an emanation from divine goodness. " He is good, and he doeth good." That which acts originally in the divine nature, unto the communication of itself in any blessed or gracious effects unto the creatures, is goodness. (2.) Wisdom, which is the directive power or excellency of the divine nature. Hereby God guides, disposes, orders, and directs all things unto his own glory, in and by their own immediate proper ends, Pro v. xvi. 4; Rev. iv. 11. (3.) Power, which is the effective excellency of the divine nature, effecting and accomplishing what wisdom doth design and order.