2. That God doth continue in his Purpose without change of Mind, there is no doubt of it, if we consider his Eternal, and Unchangeable Nature. Mal. 3.6. I am the Lord, I change not. James 1.17. With him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. And ⟨p. 392⟩what should alter his Purpose? Doth he meet with any thing that he foresaw not, or knew not before? No: This is a weakness incident to Man: God doth never repent and call back his Grant, which he hath by this condescending Act of Grace ensured to the Heirs of Promise. 1 Sam. 15.29. The strength of Israel will not Lye, nor Repent: for he is not as Man, that he should Repent. Psal. 110.4. I have Sworn, and will not Repent; thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek. Christ is by Oath instated in full power of entertaining and blessing his Faithful Servants, which shall never be retracted and reversed. To take off all doubt, he hath given double Assurance, his Word, and his Oath. Heb. 6.17, 18. God being willing more abundantly to show unto the Heirs of Promise the Immutability of his Counsel, confirmed it with an Oath; That by two Immutable things, wherein it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong Consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope that it is set before us. That we might know that the New Covenant is Unchangeable and Irrevocable, and so our Comfort be the more strong, certain, and stable, God was pleased to give sincere Believers this double Assurance, by his Word, and Oath, having regard to our Infirmity, and those many Doubts, wherewith we are haunted about the World to come. God hath ⟨p. 393⟩ever bin tender of his Word; above all that is famed, or believed of him, this is most conspicuous, Psal. 138.2. Thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name. And Matth. 24.35. Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away; And an Oath is [Greek or Hebrew]; and the Apostle tells us, it is [Greek or Hebrew]. It is interposed usually indeed in a doubtful Matter. But though here it needed not, God would show his extraordinary care for our Salvation: We see his good Will in the Promise, his solicitude in the Oath. In short, God wou•d never be so fast bound, but that he doth and will still continue his purpose.
2. That God doth continue in his Purpose without change of Mind, there is no doubt of it, if we consider his Eternal, and Unchangeable Nature. Mal. 3.6. I am the Lord, I change not. James 1.17. With him is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. And ⟨p. 392⟩what should alter his Purpose? Doth he meet with any thing that he foresaw not, or knew not before? No: This is a weakness incident to Man: God doth never repent and call back his Grant, which he hath by this condescending Act of Grace ensured to the Heirs of Promise. 1 Sam. 15.29. The strength of Israel will not Lye, nor Repent: for he is not as Man, that he should Repent. Psal. 110.4. I have Sworn, and will not Repent; thou art a Priest for ever after the order of Melchisedek. Christ is by Oath instated in full power of entertaining and blessing his Faithful Servants, which shall never be retracted and reversed. To take off all doubt, he hath given double Assurance, his Word, and his Oath. Heb. 6.17, 18. God being willing more abundantly to shew unto the Heirs of Promise the Immutability of his Counsel, confirmed it with an Oath; That by two Immutable things, wherein it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong Consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold on the hope that it is set before us. That we might know that the New Covenant is Unchangeable and Irrevokable, and so our Comfort be the more strong, certain, and stable, God was pleased to give sincere Believers this double Assurance, by his Word, and Oath, having regard to our Infirmity, and those many Doubts, wherewith we are haunted about the World to come. God hath ⟨p. 393⟩ever bin tender of his Word; above all that is famed, or believed of him, this is most conspicuous, Psal. 138.2. Thou hast magnified thy Word above all thy Name. And Matth. 24.35. Heaven and Earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away; And an Oath is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉; and the Apostle tells us, it is 〈non-Latin alphabet〉. It is interposed usually indeed in a doubtful Matter. But though here it needed not, God would shew his extraordinary care for our Salvation: We see his good Will in the Promise, his solicitude in the Oath. In short, God woud never be so fast bound, but that he doth and will still continue his purpose.
