Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

6. Again, The Lord is to rejoice in his works, Psal. 104.31. The Glory of the Lord shall endure for ever; the Lord shall rejoice in his works; not hath, but shall rejoice in his works: In the works of Creation; which the Psalmist had enumerated, and which is the whole scope of the Psalm: And he intimates that it is part of the glory of the Lord which endures for ever, that is, his manifestative glory, to rejoice in his ⟨p. 207⟩works: The Glory of the Lord must be understood with reference to the Creation he had spoken of before. How short was that joy God had in his works after he had sent them beautified out of his hand? How soon did he repent, not only that he had made Man, but was grieved at the heart also, that he made the other Creatures which Man's sin had disordered? What joy can God have in them,^* since the Curse upon the entrance of sin into the world remains upon them? If they are to be annihilated upon the full restoration of his Holiness, what time will God have to rejoice in the other works of Creation? 'Tis the joy of God to see all his works in their due order; every one pointing to their true end; marching together in their excellency, according to his first intendment in their Creation. Did God create the World to perform its end only for one day; scarce so much, if Adam fell the very first day of his Creation? What would have been their end, if Adam had been confirmed in a state of happiness as the Angels were; 'Tis likely will be answered and performed upon the complete restoration of Man to that happy state from whence he fell. What Artificer compiles a work by his skill, but to rejoice in it? And shall God have no joy from the works of his hands. Since God can only rejoice in goodness, the Creatures must have that goodness restored to them which God pronounced them to have at the first Creation, and which he ordained them for, before he can again rejoice in his works: The goodness of the Creatures is the glory and joy of God.

6. Again, The Lord is to rejoyce in his works, Psal. 104.31. The Glory of the Lord shall endure for ever; the Lord shall rejoyce in his works; not hath, but shall rejoyce in his works: In the works of Creation; which the Psalmist had enumerated, and which is the whole scope of the Psalm: And he intimates that it is part of the glory of the Lord which endures for ever, that is, his manifestative glory, to rejoyce in his