Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

1. The Immutability of God is a Perfection. Immutability considered in it self without relation to other things, is not a Perfection. 'Tis the greatest misery and imperfection of the evil Angels, that they are immutable in malice against God: But as God is infinite in Essence, infinitely good, wise, holy; so it is a Perfection necessary to his Nature, that he should be immutably all this; all excellency, goodness, wisdom, immutably all that he is; without this he would be an imperfect Being. ⟨p. 209⟩Are not the Angels in Heaven, who are confirmed in a holy and happy state, more perfect than when they were in a possibility of committing evil and becoming miserable? Are not the Saints in Heaven, whose Wills by Grace do unalterably cleave to God and goodness, more perfect than if they were as Adam in Paradise, capable of losing their Felicity as well as preserving it? We count a Rock in regard of its stability, more excellent than the Dust of the Ground, or a Feather that is tossed about with every Wind; Is it not also the perfection of the Body to have a constant tenor of health, and the glory of a man not to warp aside from what is just and right, by the persuasions of any temptations?

1. The Immutability of God is a Perfection. Immutability considered in it self without relation to other things, is not a Perfection. 'Tis the greatest misery and imperfection of the evil Angels, that they are immutable in malice against God: But as God is infinite in Essence, infinitely good, wise, holy; so it is a Perfection necessary to his Nature, that he should be immutably all this; all excellency, goodness, wisdom, immutably all that heis; without this he would be an imperfect Being. ⟨p. 209⟩Are not the Angels in Heaven, who are confirmed in a holy and happy state, more perfect than when they were in a possibility of committing evil and becoming miserable? Are not the Saints in Heaven, whose Wills by Grace do unalterably cleave to God and goodness, more perfect than if they were as Adam in Paradise, capable of losing their Felicity as well as preserving it? We count a Rock in regard of its stability, more excellent than the Dust of the Ground, or a Feather that is tossed about with every Wind; Is it not also the perfection of the Body to have a constant tenor of health, and the glory of a man not to warp aside from what is just and right, by the perswasions of any temptations?