Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

3. By an unchangeable disposition to good we should begin the happiness of Heaven upon Earth. This is the perfection of blessed Spirits, those that are nearest to God as Angels and glorified Souls, they are immutable: Not indeed by nature, but by grace; yet not only by a necessity of grace, but a liberty of Will: Grace will not let them change; and that grace doth animate their Wills that they would not change; an immutable God fills their understandings and affections and gives satisfaction to their desires. The Saints when they were below, tried other things and found them deficient: But now they are so fully satisfied with the beatific vision, that if Satan should have entrance among the Angels and Sons of God, 'tis not likely he should have any influence upon them; he could not present to their understandings any thing, that could either at the first glance or upon a deliberate view be preferable to what they enjoy and are fixed in.

3. By an unchangeable disposition to good we should begin the happiness of Heaven upon Earth. This is the perfection of blessed Spirits, those that are nearest to God as Angels and glorified Souls, they are immutable: Not indeed by nature, but by grace; yet not only by a necessity of grace, but a liberty of Will: Grace will not let them change; and that grace doth animate their Wills that they would not change; an immutable God fills their understandings and affections and gives satisfaction to their desires. The Saints when they were below, tried other things and found them deficient: But now they are so fully satisfied with the beatifick vision, that if Satan should have entrance among the Angels and Sons of God, 'tis not likely he should have any influence upon them; he could not present to their understandings any thing, that could either at the first glance or upon a deliberate view be preferrable to what they enjoy and are fixed in.

Well then let us be immovable in the Knowledge and Love of God. 'Tis the delight of God to see his Creatures resemble him in what they are able. Let not our Affections to him be as Jonah's Gourd, growing up in one Night and withering the next. Let us not only fight a good Fight, but do so till we have finished our course, and imitate God in an unchangeableness of holy purposes; and to that purpose, examine our selves daily what fixedness we have arrived unto; And to prevent any temptation to a revolt, let us often possess our minds with thoughts of the immutability of Gods Nature and Will, which like Fire under Water, will keep a good matter boiling up in us, and make it both retain and increase its heat.