§. 130. Of Gods willingnesse to do what he doth.
Wherein God willing more abundantly to shew unto the •…•…eires of promise, the immu∣tability of his counsell, confirmed it by an Oath.
THe application of the former comparison, taken from mens swearing, is in this and the next verse set down: and therein the reasons of Gods swearing are ex∣•…•…sly declared.
This relative, wherein, in Grammaticall construction may have reference to the last word of the former verse, which in Greek is, a 1.1 an Oath. But I rather referre it to the whole sentence going before: or to the point in hand: as if he had said, In which matter, or, in which case. In which case of confirming a matter by oath, God willing more abundantly, &c. This then sheweth that God conformed himself to mans usuall practise, for mans good.
The word translated b 1.2 willing implieth an inclination and readinesse of ones disposition unto a thing: so as he needs no other motive thereunto: it is that which •…•…e desireth to do. Covetous men are thus described, c 1.3 they that will be rich, or they that are willing to be rich (1 Tim. 6. 9.) for it is the same word that is here used. A covetous man needeth no other motive then his own inward disposition to seek after riches. It is said of Pilat, that he was willing to content the people, (Mark, 15. 15.) It was his desire so to do.
Thus, God was of himself ready and forward to do that which is here spoken of: and that of his own meer, free grace: yea, he was desirous to do it. He was no way forced thereunto.
This then setteth down two points,
- 1. The cause of Gods binding himself: his meer will and good pleasure. This is* 1.4 the ground of all the good he doth to man, Matth. 11. 26. see more hereof chap. 2. v. 4, §. 37.
- 2. The manner of Gods binding himself. God did it readily, cheerfully. This* 1.5 shewed that he was willing thereunto. He had in his eternall counsell decreed to do what he did: and yet would by Oath bind himself thereunto; and this he was willing to do. He doth willingly what he hath bound himself to do.
This is a point worthy of all admiration: that God should of his own will wil∣lingly bind himself for our sake to accomplish his own determined counsell.
Should not we now rest with confidence, on this good will and pleasure of God?
This ground and manner of Gods doing what he doth, namely willingly, should be a pattern unto us to do, what we are bound unto, willingly and cheerfully. The Apostle speaking of his duty in preaching the Gospell, thus saith, Necessity▪ is layed upon me: yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospell. But if I do this thing willing∣ly, I have a reward, 1 Cor. 9. 16, 17. God loveth such, (2 Cor. 9. 7.) and accept∣eth what they are able to do, 2 Cor. 8. 12. This David pleaded before God, 1 Chro. •…•…9. 17. Psal. 119. 108.