he pleaseth: but to the believer he assureth all other necessary good things, with continuance in faith, according to his free Covenant.
Of good things spirituall there be two sorts, as was said, some absolutely necessary, as faith, repentance, pardon of sinne, perseverance, eternall life, and these are all most certainly promised, and assuredly conferred. And though Justification and eternall life be conditionall, promised unto and so bestowed upon the unfained beleever: yet may they be called absolute, because God giveth to the man in Covenant every thing necessary to Salvation. Other things are good in themselves and profitable, as joy and chearfulnesse of heart, deliverance from scandalous and reproachfull evils, wounding conscience, and grieving the Spirit. And these are not promised, nor evermore bestowed upon the faithfull. David may be an instance hereof; He was not preserved from sinne-wasting conscience, and staining the soul, but was recovered from the danger thereof. To repent of the sinne, and to be pardoned of free grace, was necessary to Salvation, God therefore vouchsafed this sure mercy unto him. To be kept from falling was not of that necessity, God therefore suffered him to fall to cure pride of heart, make him know himself, and magnifie the riches of his grace in his recovery.
This is evident from this, that in the Covenant as the Lord promised mercy, which he performed, so he threatned judgement, and destruction against them that did disobey, if they persisted obstinate and would not returne. And therefore both in shewing mercy, and inflicting punishment, the Lord dealt according to promise. Sometimes when the house of David sinned, the Lord spared them, but then he gave them hearts to humble themselves, and so the judgement was prevented. Thus 2 Chron. 12.
5,6,7,8.saith the Lord, Ye have forsaken me, therefore have I also left you in the hands of Shishak. Then the Princes of Israel, and the King humbledSept. ᾐσχύνθησαν themselves, and said. The Lord is just. And when the Lord saw, that they humbledSept. ἐνετράπησαν themselves, the word of the Lord came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves, therefore I will not destroy them, but I will send them deliverance shortly, and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak. Neverthelesse they shall be his servants: so shall they know my service, and the service of the Kings of the earth. And vers. 12.because he humbled himself, the wrath of theLord
