(8) Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; (9) Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
In those verses, the Church is brought into the view of the third great branch, of this vast subject, namely, the grace of God the Holy Ghost. The Apostle having gone over the several heads, of God the Father's love to the Church, in choosing, adopting, and accepting the Church in Christ; and God the Son's love to the, Church, in redeeming the Church from her fallen state of sin, by his blood; now brings forward the love of God the Holy Ghost to the Church, in his great office-work, in the vast concern, in those parts of character, which are peculiarly his to accomplish. The words ample use of to express the divine agency of the Holy Ghost, are comprehensive of the whole grace of the Spirit, which he manifesteth towards the Church, from his first Almighty act of grace in regeneration, until grace is finished in glory. H e hath aboundeth towards us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in himself
The first point I beg the Reader to remark with me is, that the same act of free grace and love is here ascribed to God the Holy Ghost, as was ascribed before, both to the Person of the Father, and to the Person of the Son. This is a grand point to observe, For it proves both the Person of God the Holy Ghost, by such an act of a personal nature. It proves also his eternal power and Godhead, in common with the Father and the Son. And it proves no less, the equal at of grace towards the Church, in each of the Per sons of the Godhead, when we are here taught that GOD the Father's choosing, adopting, and accepting, was according to the good pleasure of his will, Ephesians 1:5. that God the Son's redemption of the Church, was, according to the riches of his grace, Ephesians 1:7. and God the Holy Ghost's abounding toward us in all wisdom and prudence, having made known unto us the mystery of his will, was also according to his good pleasure which he purposed in himself. Reader! pause, I pray you, and admire the beautiful order, as well as the wonderful grace, in this manifestation, of the Personalities of the Godhead towards the Church. Behold! here the love of each Person, brought forward in distinct and special acts of favor to the Church. God the Father choosing and appointing, God the Son accomplishing, and God the Holy Ghost making known, and rendering effectual, the blissful mercies! Oh! how are we taught to look up with equal love, and reverence, and praise, to the joint cause of all our blessings, in time, and to all eternity, and with all the heavenly host, sing the song recorded, of blessing, and honor, and glory; and power, unto him that sitteth upon the throne, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and unto the Lamb forever and ever. Revelation 5:13
I must not enter into an extensive view of what may be supposed implied in those aboundings of the Holy Ghost. This Poor Man's Commentary, will not admit it. But we may fairly suppose, that by the expressions of wisdom and prudence, are intended, the whole of God the Spirit's work, in the Covenant of Grace. His is the office to reveal, and, as it is here expressed, to make known the mystery of his will. He is the Almighty Zaph-nath-paaneah; the Revealer of hidden things. Genesis 41:45. And so essential is the work of God, the Spirit, that to him is reserved, the whole efficient ministry, as it relates to the personal enjoyment, of each, and every individual member of Christ's mystical body. His is, to take of the things of Christ, and reveal to the soul. His is, to convince of sin, of righteousness, and judgment. John 16:8. And, all that acquaintance we have, with the Person of Christ, the work of Christ, the glory of Christ, are his special work. Until the Lord the Spirit hath quickened, and regenerated our fallen nature, every child of God is dead in trespasses and sins. See Ephesians 2:1. and Commentary. So that all the actions of the new-born child of God, leadings to the throne, access to the throne, and acceptation at the throne in Christ, are the immediate work of God the Holy Ghost. Hence Paul prays for the Church, that the Lord, (that is, the Spirit), might lead their hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. 2 Thessalonians 3:18
I will only detain the Reader with a short observation, on the work of God the Holy Ghost, in this blessed office, of his when abounding toward us in all wisdom and prudence, and making known to us the Mystery of his will; and will then pass on to the next verse: namely, how blessedly the Lord accomplisheth those gracious purposes; when he makes known to a child of God, the plague and burden of sin, and causeth him to feel it also; and then opens to his view the aboundings of grace, and causeth him to believe the record, that God hath done away the whole of sin, in the blood of Christ; yea, to feel his personal interest in it also. Reader! Is not this, making known to us the mystery of his will ? When we behold the vast pile of sin, reaching up, as Ezra saith, to heaven; Ezra 9:6. and the blood of Christ, washing all away: so that, when the iniquity of Israel shall be sought for, there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, and they shall not he found. Jeremiah 1:19. This is grace indeed, and the aboundings of grace, which, like the ocean, buries in its bosom the loftiest mountains, if cast into it, and covers them over. This sea of mercy, in Christ's blood, riseth above all the highest water-mark of sin, and the aboundings of sin. And is, as the Prophet beautifully expresseth it, casting all our sins into the depths of the sea. Micah 7:18-19; Romans 5:20-21.