"And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth."
Repentance in us is a change of the mind, but in God a change of his
dispensations; for otherwise he repenteth not, neither can he,
because it standeth not with the perfection of his nature. "In him
is no variableness, nor shadow of turning."
Wherefore it is man, not God, that turns. When men reject the mercy
and ways of God, they cast themselves under his wrath and
displeasure; which, because it is executed according to the nature
of his justice and the severity of his law, they miss of the mercy
promised before; which that we may know, those shall one day feel
that shall continue in final impenitency. Therefore God, speaking to
their capacity, tells them he hath repented of doing them good. It
repented the Lord that he had made Saul king; and yet this
repentance was only a change of the dispensation which Saul by his
wickedness had put himself under; otherwise the Strength, the
Eternity of Israel will not lie nor repent.
The sum is, therefore, that men had now by their wickedness put
themselves under the justice and law of God; which justice, by
reason of its perfection, could not endure they should abide on the
earth any longer; and therefore now, as a just reward of their deed,
they must be swept from the face thereof.