The Institution of Christian Religion

In which words his unchangeableness is affirmed plainly without any figure. Therefore it is certain that the ordinance of God in disposing the matters of men, is perpetual and above all repentance. And that his constance should not be doubtful,¹ his very adversaries have been compelled to bear him witness. For Balaam whether he would or no could not choose but burst out into this saying: that he is not like a man to lye: nor as a son of man to be changed, and that it is not possible that he should not do that he hath said, and not fulfil what soever he hath spoken.

In which wordes his vnchangeablenesse is affirmed plainly without any figure. Therfore it is certayne yt the ordinaunce of God in disposyng the matters of men, is perpetuall and aboue al repentāce. And that his constance should not be doutefull,¹ his very aduersaries haue been compelled to beare hym witnesse. For Balaam whether he would or no could not choose but brust out into this saying: yt he is not like a man to lye: nor as a sonne of man to be changed, and that it is not possible that he shoulde not doe that he hath sayed, and not fulfill what soeuer he hath spoken.

1. 1Nu, xxiii xix.

What meaneth then this name of Repentance? even in the same sort §13that all the other phrases of speech which do describe God unto us after the manner of men. For, because our weakness doth not reach to his •ienesse, that description of him which is taught us, was mete to be framed low to our capacity that we might understand it. And this is the manner how to frame it low for us, to paint out himself not such a one as he is in himself, but such a one as he is perceived of us. Where as he himself is without all moving of a troubled mind, he yet testifieth that he is angry with sinners. Like as therefore when we hear that God is angry, we ought not to imagine that there is any moving at all in him, but rather to consider that this speech is borrowed of our common sense, because God beareth a resemblance of one chafed & angry so oft as he exerciseth judgement: so ought we to understand nothing ells by this word Repentance but a changing of deeds, because men by changing of their deeds are wont to declare that they mislike them. Because then every change among men is an amendment of that which misliketh them, and amendment cometh of repentance: therefore by the name of repentance is meant that, that God changeth in his works. In the mean time yet neither is his purpose nor his will turned, nor his affection changed, but he followeth on with one continual course that which he had from eternity foreseen, allowed and decreed, howsoever the alteration seem sudden in the eyes of men.