Of GOD’s WISDOM

1. Is not omniscience, or infinite knowledge and understanding, inseparably connected with infinite [wisdom?]

Yes: “For the Lord is a God of knowledge, by him actions are weighed,”

2. What is God’s omniscience?

It is that perfection of his nature, whereby he knows all things most perfectly in himself, by one eternal act.

3. How do you prove from scripture, that he knows all things?

From 1 John iii. 20.—“God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things.”

4. How doth God’s omniscience appear from reason?

He who made all things, cannot but know and comprehend his own workmanship.

5. How doth it appear, that he hath a perfect knowledge of intelligent creatures?

If he did not perfectly know them, and their actions, he could not be their supreme governor and judge.

6. What is the object of the divine knowledge or omniscience?

God himself, Matthew 11:27 and all other things whatsoever. John 21:17

7. How is it evident, that God has a most perfect knowledge of himself, and his own glorious excellencies?

Because otherwise his understanding would not be infinite, as it is asserted to be, Psalm 147:5 in regard all other objects, beside himself, are but finite.

8. Is the knowledge of God absolutely independent upon the creature?

It is so independent upon the creature, “as nothing is to him contingent or uncertain,” [Confession, Chap. ii. § 2.]

9. How doth it appear, that God has a certain and infallible knowledge of contingent actions, or of such things as seem casual and accidental to us?

It appears from this, that future events which depend upon the freedom of man’s will, or upon second causes, are expressly foretold in scripture, and therefore certainly foreknown by God; such as, Joseph’s preferment, and Israel’s oppression in Egypt; Ahab’s death, though by an arrow shot at a venture; Cæsar’s decree, that all the world should be taxed, bringing about Christ’s birth at Bethlehem; and many other instances.

10. How doth God know things that are only possible?

He knows them in his power, which could easily bring them to pass, if he had so decreed.

11. How doth he know things future, or such as actually come to pass in time?

He knows them not only in his power, as able to effect them; but in his will, as determining their futurition, or after-existence.

12. Is God’s knowledge of things general, or particular?

It is a particular knowledge of every individual creature, and of every circumstance about it.

13. Is there any succession in his knowledge, or doth he know one thing before another?

As there is no succession in his essence, so there is none in his knowledge: he knows all things eternally, infallibly, and immutably, by one single act of his infinite understanding: “All things are naked and opened, unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”

14. What conception may we have of the difference betwixt the infinite knowledge and wisdom of God?

His infinite knowledge comprehends all things in heaven and earth, by one intuitive glance of his infinite mind; but his infinite wisdom directs all these things to the proper ends, for which he gave them their being.

15. How doth the wisdom of God appear in the work of creation?

It appears in the excellent order, beauty, and harmony that is to be seen in all the parts of the creation; Psalm 19:1–7 in the subserviency of one thing to another; Hosea 2:21–22 and the tendency of the whole, to manifest the glory of God; Revelation 4:11 and calculate also for the good of man as his peculiar favourite. Psalm 115:16

16. How does the wisdom of God appear in the work of providence?

In adjusting the whole of his administrations according to the plan laid in his infinite mind from eternity; or his most judicious and regular putting his counsels into execution.

17. How doth the wisdom of God shine in the work of redemption?

In making an honourable egress and vent for his mercy and love to sinners of mankind, in the way of satisfying his justice to the full, by the obedience and death of the blessed Surety.

18. What encouragement ought we to take from the wisdom of God?

That he will make all things work together for our good; Romans 8:28 and that no plot can be so deeply laid for our ruin, but his wisdom can easily frustrate and disappoint. Job 5:13