The wisdome and knowledge of God.
The doctrine, that we learne hence is that God being most wise, and knowing all things doth not onely see and con∣template them, as they are, or may be, but doth contriue them with singular reason and counsell, and dispose them in most goodly forme, waight, number and measure, so that nothing in his workes may seeme to be wanting or disordered, no∣thing superfluous or ouer much, but all in an excellent temper and symetry. And hence God is sayd, to be wise in heart. Iob. 9.4. nay only wise. Rom. 16.27. 1. Tim. 1.17. For he alone by himselfe is infinitely wise, needing no mans instruction or information. Isa. 40. ver. 12, 13, 14. Pro. 8.12. Iob. 28. cap. ••3. &c. Now this wisdome of God shineth forth chiefely in the principall workes of God, namely in the creation, preser∣uation and gouernment of the world, in the gouerning & or∣dering of man-kinde. Ier. 51.15. Isa. 40.28. But most euident∣ly in the predestination of men and in the wonderfull manner of euerlasting saluation purchased by Christ. Eph. 3. v. 10. in so much that the very Angells desire throughly to behold it. 1. Pet. 1.12.
Vse 1. Here are iustly condemned those men that mutter and murmur against Gods proceedings, & find fault with and condeme any worke or iudgment of God, as though it were not wisely ordained, but wee must reuerence, adore and ad∣mire his excellent wisdome appearing in them and especially in the mistery of eternall saluation, euen then when our blind and vnperfect reason espieth and perceiueth no reason of it. Touching the misteries conteined in Gods reuealed will, let vs by humble and earnest praier beseech and entreate the Lord that he would more cleerely day by day, open them vn∣to vs, Psal. 73. ver. 17. Psal. 119. ver. 18. Ephe▪ 1.17. by the ministery of his word and spirit.