The unchangeableness of his nature, remaining always one and the same without alteration, is set forth, James 1. 17. when he saith, that with him is neither change nor shadow of turning: and Malach. 3. 6. I am JEHOVAH, and do not change. All this the word Ehieh doth include, being as much to say, as I am or I will be. When therefore the Lord saith, that he is or will be, he meaneth that he is without change, and so will continue ⟨p. 24⟩ever: for I am or I will be, showeth that he is the cause of his own being, and therefore without beginning. To which word, John uin the Revelation alluding, calleth him Alpha and Omega; that is, the first and the last, he that is, and that was, and that is to come, and Isaiah 44. 6. Thus saith JEHOVAH, I am the first, and I am the last. Yea, 1. Sam. 15. 29. he is called Eternity it self, for he that is the Eternity of Israel, will not lye, &c. In the 102. Psalm, all three are joined together, first, propounded in general, Verse 25. Thy years are from generation to generation: then distinguished by his parts. The being before all time, Verse 26. Thou wast before thou diddest found the Earth, and the work of thy hands the Heavens. The continuing for ever, Verse 27. and the latter end of the 28. They shall perish, but thou remainest, they all wax old as a garment, but thy years shall not fail. Last of all, his immutable nature, in the rest of the 27. and 28. Verses. As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed, but thou art (or continuest still) the same. Neither doth it hinder, that which we have said of the unchangeable nature of God, that he is said in many places to repent him, as Gen. 6. 6. It repented God that he had made man. And Jonah 3. 3. he is said to be such a one, that repenteth him of evil: for speaking properly, that is true which Samuel xsaith, The eternity of Israel is not as man, that he should repent him. And yPAUL, The graces of God are without repentance. Repentance therefore, is for our understanding improperly attributed unto GOD in this sense, that when GOD destroyeth that which before he made, as in that place of Genesis, and 1. Sam. 15. 11. and 16. 1. or bringeth not that judgement or punishment which he threateneth, as in that of Jonah, and Exod. 33. 14. and infinite other places;
The vnchangeablenesse of his nature, remayning alwayes one and the same without alteration, is set forth, Iames 1. 17. when hee saith, that with him is neyther change nor shaddow of turning: and Malach. 3. 6. I am IEHOVAH, and doe not change. All this the word Ehieh doth include, being as much to say, as I am or I will bee. When therefore the Lord saith, that hee is or will bee, hee meaneth that hee is without change, and so will continue ⟨p. 24⟩euer: for I am or I will be, sheweth that hee is the cause of his owne being, and therefore without beginning. To which word, Iohn uin the Reuelation alluding, calleth him Alpha and Omega; that is, the first and the last, hee that is, and that was, and that is to come, and Esay 44. 6. Thus saith IEHOVAH, I am the first, and I am the last. Yea, 1. Sam. 15. 29. he is called Eternity it selfe, for he that is the Eternity of Israel, will not lye, &c. In the 102. Psalme, all three are ioyned together, first, propounded in generall, Verse 25. Thy yeeres are from generation to generation: then distinguished by his parts. The being before all time, Verse 26. Thou wast before thou diddest found the Earth, and the worke of thy hands the Heauens. The continuing for euer, Verse 27. and the latter end of the 28. They shall perish, but thou remaynest, they all waxe olde as a garment, but thy yeeres shall not faile. Last of all, his immutable nature, in the rest of the 27. and 28. Verses. As a vesture shalt thou change them, and they shall be changed, but thou art (or continuest still) the same. Neyther doth it hinder, that which we haue said of the vnchangeable nature of God, that hee is said in many places to repent him, as Gen. 6. 6. It repented God that he had made man. And Ionas 3. 3. hee is said to be such a one, that repenteth him of euill: for speaking properly, that is true which Samuel xsaith, The eternity of Israel is not as man, that he should repent him. And yPAVL, The graces of God are without repentance. Repentance therefore, is for our vnderstanding improperly attributed vnto GOD in this sence, that when GOD destroyeth that which before hee made, as in that place of Genesis, and
