Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

1. It cannot be for want of foresight. What can be wanting to an infinite Understanding? How can any unknown event defeat his Purpose; since nothing happens in the world but what he wills to effect, or wills to permit; and therefore all future events are present with him? Besides, it doth not consist with Gods Wisdom to resolve any thing, but upon the highest reason; and what is the highest and infinite reason, cannot but be unalterable in it self; for there can be no Reason and Wisdom higher than the highest. All Gods purposes are not bare acts of Will, but acts of Counsel, Eph. 1.11. He works all things according to the Counsel of his own Will; and he doth not say so much that his Will, as that his Counsel shall stand Isa. 46.10. It stands because it is Counsel: And the Immutability of a Promise is called the Immutability of his Counsel, Heb 6.17. as being introduced and settled by the most perfect Wisdom, and therefore to be carried on to a full and complete execution: His Purpose then cannot be changed for want of foresight; for this would be a charge of weakness.

1. It cannot be for want of foresight. What can be wanting to an infinite Understanding? How can any unknown event defeat his Purpose; since nothing happens in the world but what he wills to effect, or wills to permit; and therefore all future events are present with him? Besides, it doth not consist with Gods Wisdom to resolve any thing, but upon the highest reason; and what is the highest and infinite reason, cannot but be unalterable in it self; for there can be no Reason and Wisdom higher than the highest. All Gods purposes are not bare acts of Will, but acts of Counsel, Eph. 1.11. He works all things according to the Counsel of his own Will; and he doth not say so much that his Will, as that his Counsel shall stand Isa. 46.10. It stands because it is Counsel: And the Immutability of a Promise is called the Immutability of his Counsel, Heb 6.17. as being introduced and setled by the most perfect Wisdom, and therefore to be carried on to a full and compleat execution: His Purpose then cannot be changed for want of foresight; for this would be a charge of weakness.