A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 137. Of usefull instructions arising from the immutabilitie of Gods counsell.

1. THe foresaid immutabilitie of Gods counsell putteth a difference betwixt the* 1.1 Creator and creatures: these are changeable, as in their nature, so in their counsels. It is said of the most stedfast of Gods creatures, he charged his Angels with folly, Job. 4. 18.

Object. Good Angels never altered their counsels, nor will glorified Saints in hea∣ven alter theirs.

Answ. That is not simply in the immutability of their counsell, (instance the evill Angels that fell, and Adam in his entire estate) but in the assisting grace of God: So as their immutabilitie in regard of the event is an evidence of Gods im∣mutability: for it commeth from God. See more hereof, in The guide to go to G•…•…, or explanation of the Lords Prayer. §. 227.

2. This gives just matter of humiliation and cause of complaint, in regard of that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which Adam through variablenesse brought upon himself and his posterity: For 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is now variable and inconstant in all his wayes. Variablenesse in religion, •…•…d piety is of all the most grievous. Prophets much complain hereof, Isa. 1. 21, 11. Ier. 2. 11, 13. So the Apostles, Gal. 1. 6. and 3. 1. 2 Pet. 2. 1, 21. Many in cor dayes, who in their youth and former years shewed great zeal and forwardness, •…•…re since changed their counsell. This variablenesse is also blame-worthy in re∣ference to our dealing with men.

3. This is one speciall point, wherein we ought to be followers of God, namely, •…•…utability in our good counsels and purposes. We must be stedfast and unmovea∣•…•…, (1 Cor. 15. 58.) and continue in the faith grounded and setled, &c. Col. 1. 23.

That our counsels may remain immutable, they must be surely, and soundly •…•…ounded on a good foundation, which is Gods revealed will. We may not be* 1.2 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and over-sudden in our counsels. Wise States-men will long consult upon that which they inviolably decree.

Wherein our unchangablenesse must be manifested, See, the Guide to go to God §. 228.

4. Gods immutability is a good ground of submission to the manifestation there∣of. It is impossible that Gods counsell be altered: It is therefore in vain to struggle against it: but to yeeld unto it, is to make a vertue of necessity.

5. This is a point of singular consolation to such as have evidence of Gods eter∣nall counsell concerning their salvation: they may be assured hereupon that they shall attain thereunto. Sanctifying graces do give unto us assured evidence of that good counsell of God, 1 Cor. 1. 7, 8, 9. Phil. 1. 6.

Of Gods immutability in generall. See the Guide to go to God, §. 226, 227, 228.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Creatures va∣riable.
• * 1.2

  Diu deliberan∣dum quod se∣mel statuen∣dum.