A32723:1119
Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God
Several discourses upon the existence and attributes of God by that late eminent minister in Christ, Mr. Stephen Charnocke ...
London: printed for D. Newman, 1682
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
6. The World could not be ordered and governed, but by some Principle or Being which were immutable. Principles are alway more fixed and stable, than things which proceed from those Principles; and this is true both in Morals and Naturals. Principles in Conscience, whereby men are governed, remain firmly engraven in their Minds. The Root lies firmly in the Earth, while Branches are shaken with the Wind. The Heavens, the cause of Generation, are more firm and stable than those things which are wrought by their influence. All things in the world are moved by some Power and Virtue which is stable; and unless it were so, no Order would be observed in motion, no Motion could be regularly continued. He could not be a full satisfaction to the infinite desire of the Souls of his People. Nothing can truly satisfy the Soul of Man but Rest; and nothing can give it rest, but that which is perfect and immutably perfect; for else it would be subject to those agitations and variations, which the Being it depends upon is subject to.
6. The World could not be ordered and governed, but by some Principle or Being which were immutable. Principles are alway more fixed and stable, than things which proceed from those Principles; and this is true both in Morals and Naturals. Principles in Conscience, whereby men are governed, remain firmly engraven in their Minds. The Root lies firmly in the Earth, while Branches are shaken with the Wind. The Heavens, the cause of Generation, are more firm and stable than those things which are wrought by their influence. All things in the world are moved by some Power and Vertue which is stable; and unless it were so, no Order would be observed in motion, no Motion could be regularly continued. He could not be a full satisfaction to the infinite desire of the Souls of his People. Nothing can truly satisfie the Soul of Man but Rest; and nothing can give it rest, but that which is perfect and immutably perfect; for else it would be subject to those agitations and variations, which the Being it depends upon is subject to.
The Principle of all things must be immutable*