contents him; his happiness is to know that, and
delight in it, because it comprehends in itself all that is at all
possible, in the most excellent and perfect manner that is
conceivable,--nay, infinitely beyond what can be conceived by any but
himself. So he needs not go without himself to seek love or delight, for
it is all within him, and it cannot be without his own Being, unless it
flow from within him. Therefore ye may find in Scripture what complacency
God hath in himself, and the Father in the Son, and the Son in the Father.
We find, Prov. viii., how the wisdom of God, our Lord Jesus, was the
Father's delight from all eternity, and the Father again his delight, for
he rejoiced always before him, ver. 30. And this was an all sufficient
possession that one had of another, ver. 22. The love between the Father
and the Son is holden out as the first pattern of all loves and delights,
John xvii. 23, 24. This then flows from the infinite excess of perfection
and exundation of self being, that his majesty is pleased to come without
himself, to manifest his own glory in the works of his hands, to decree
and appoint other things beside himself, and to execute that decree. We
may consider in these words some particulars for our edification.

I. That the Lord hath from eternity purposed within himself and decreed to
manifest his own glory in the making and ruling of the world, that there
is a counsel and purpose of his will which reaches all things, which have
been, are now, or are to be after this. This is clear, for he works all
things "according to the counsel of his own will."

II. That his mind and purpose is one mind, one counsel. I mean not only
one for ever, that is, perpetual and unchangeable, as the words speak--but
also one for all, that is, with one simple act or resolution of his holy
will he hath determined all these several things, all their times, their
conditions, their circumstances.

III. That whatsoever he hath from all eternity purposed, he in time
practiseth it, and comes to execution and working; so that there is an
exact correspondence betwixt his will and his work, his mind and his hand.
He works according to the counsel of his will, and whatsoever his soul
desireth that he doeth.

IV. That his purpose and performance is infallible,--irresistible by any
created power. Himself will not change it, for "he is in one mind;" and
none else can hinder it, for "who can turn him?" He desireth and he doeth