Divine Wisdom and Prudence
T. Manton, D. D. Ephesians 1:8 Wherein he has abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; The only difficulty in the words is, What is this wisdom and prudence spoken of? Whether it imply the wisdom of God, or the wisdom wrought in us by the Spirit in conversion? Many interpreters go for the last. The former, I suppose, is here meant, which is eminently discovered in the mysteries of the gospel (Romans 11:33, "Oh the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God!"). Surely it is not meant of wisdom in us; for how little a portion have we of true and heavenly wisdom. Now, the two words used: wisdom noteth the sublimity of the doctrine of the gospel, and prudence the usefulness of it. That in the dispensation of grace by Christ God hath showed great wisdom and prudence. When His grace overflowed to us, He showed therein not only His goodness, but His wisdom. Now, though we can easily yield to this assertion, yet to make it out needeth more skill. "The manifold wisdom of God" is better seen to angels than to us (Ephesians 3:10). They have more orderly understandings, whereas we are confused and dark. Yet to discover it to you in a few particulars, the grace of the Redeemer may be considered three ways. 1. As to the purchase and impetration of it by the Incarnation and death of the Son of God. 2. The publication of it in the gospel or covenant of grace. 3. The application of it to particular believers. In all these God hath shown great wisdom. I. AS TO THE PURCHASE AND IMPETRATION OF GRACE BY THE DEATH AND INCARNATION OF THE SON OF GOD. 1. There is wisdom in this, that in our fallen estate we should not come immediately to God without a mediator and reconciler. God is out of the reach of our commerce, being at such a distance from us and variance with us. The wise men of the world pitched on such a way (1 Corinthians 8:5, 6). 2. That this Mediator is God in our nature. 3. That being m our nature, He would set us a pattern of obedience by His holy life; for He lived by the same laws that we are bound to live by. 4. That He should die the death of the cross to expiate our sins. 5. That after His death He should rise from the dead, and ascend into heaven to prove the reality of the life to come. II. THE PUBLICATION OF IT IN THE GOSPEL OR COVENANT OF GRACE. The wisdom of God is seen — 1. In the privileges offered to us, which are pardon and life. 2. The terms He hath required of us. (1) Faith in Christ. The world thinks faith quits reason, and introduceth fond credulity. No; there is much of the wisdom of God to be seen in it. For faith hath a special aptitude and fitness for this work. (a) Partly in respect of God. For He having designed to glorify His mercy and free grace, and to make our salvation from first to last a mere gift, and the fruit of His love to us, hath appointed faith for the acceptance of this gift (Romans 4:16). (b) As it is fittest to own Christ the Redeemer, the Fountain of life and happiness, and our Head and Husband, whom we receive, and to whom we are united and married by faith. (c) With respect to the promises of the gospel, which offer to us a happiness and blessedness, spiritual, and for the most part future. Unseen things are properly objects of faith, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Hebrews 11:1). (d) It is fittest as to our future obedience, that it may be comfortable and willing. Now, we owning Christ in a way of subjection and dependence, and consenting to become His disciples and subjects, other duties come on the more easily (2 Corinthians 8:5). (2) For repentance. This is the most lively and powerful means of bringing men to new life and blessedness. (a) It is most for the honour of God that we should not be pardoned without submission, confession of past sin, and resolution of future obedience. (b) The duty of the creature is best secured, and the penitent person more bound to future obedience, by the vow itself, or the bond of the holy oath into which he is entered, and the circumstances accompanying it, which surely induce a hatred of sin and a love of holiness. (c) It is most for the comfort of the creature that a stated course of recovering ourselves into the peace and hope of the gospel should be appointed to us, which may leave the greatest sense upon our consciences. Then again, for continuance in the new covenant, and delightful obedience unto God. The remedy is not only suited to the disease, but the duty to the reward. Our duty is to know God and to love Him; and our reward is to see Him, and be like Him (1 John 3:2). There is a marvellous suitableness between the end and means, holiness and happiness, conformity to God, and our communion with Him; the holiness required of us now, and the happiness we expect hereafter; perfect conformity and uninterrupted communion; and they differ only but as the bud and the flower, the river and the ocean; here it is begun, hereafter perfected. III. IN THE APPLICATION OF HIS GRACE TO PARTICULAR BELIEVERS HE HATH ABOUNDED TOWARDS US IN ALL WISDOM AND PRUDENCE. 1. In the way God taketh to convert souls to Himself, there is a sweet contemperation and mixture of wisdom and power. There is a proposal of truth and good to the understanding and the will, and by the secret power of His grace it is made effectual. 2. In the persuasive and moral way the wisdom of God is seen as taking the most likely course to gain the heart of man, discovering Himself to us as a God of love, kindness, and mercy. 3. In the effect itself, the new creature, which is the wisest creature on this side heaven. To evidence this to you, I shall show you that all wisdom and prudence consisteth in three things — (1) In fixing a right end. (2) In the choice of apt and proper means. (3) In a dexterous effectual prosecution of the end by those means. (T. Manton, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; WEB: which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,