Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

3. God is unchangeable in regard of his Will and Purpose. A change in Purpose is, when a man determines to do that now which before he determined not to do, or to do the contrary; when a man hates that thing which he loved, or begins to love that which he before hated: When the Will is changed, a man begins to will that which he willed not before, and ceaseth to will that which he willed before: But whatsoever God hath decreed, is immutable; whatsoever God hath promised, shall be accomplished; The Word that goes forth of his Mouth shall not return to him void, but it shall accomplish that which he pleaseth^*; whatsoever he purposeth, he will do^*; His Decrees are therefore called Mountains of Brass^*; Brass, as having substance and solidity; Mountains, as being immovable, not only by any Creature but by himself, because they stand upon the Basis of infallible Wisdom, and are supported by uncontrollable Power. From this Immutability of his Will published to Man, there could be no release from the severity of the Law, without satisfaction made by the death of a Mediator, since it was the unalterable Will of God that death should be the wages of Sin; and from this immutable Will it was, that the length of Time from the first promise of the Redeemer to his mission, and the daily provocations of men altered not his purpose for the accomplishment of it in the fullness of that time he had resolved upon; Nor did the wickedness of former Ages hinder the addition of several promises as Buttresses to the first.

3. God is unchangeable in regard of his Will and Purpose. A change in Purpose is, when a man determins to do that now which before he determined not to do, or to do the contrary; when a man hates that thing which he loved, or begins to love that which he before hated: When the Will is changed, a man begins to will that which he willed not before, and ceaseth to will that which he willed before: But whatsoever God hath decreed, is immutable; whatsoever God hath promised, shall be accomplisht; The Word that goes forth of his Mouth shall not return to him void, but it shall accomplish that which he pleaseth^*