Conclusion 2

Conclusion. II.

A good man is made better by the dispensations of God. It is to him that there is granted the fulfilment of that promise in (Romans 8:28): All things shall work together for good. As for the merciful dispensations of God, these do encline as well as oblige a good man to all manner of obedience; they cause him to think, What shall I render to the Lord? they cause him to say, I will fear the Lord and His goodness, I will never sin against so good a God as He. Thus we are told in (Romans 2:4): The goodness of God leadeth to repentance. It even melts and breaks the heart of a good man, so that he cannot find in his heart after such deliverances again to break his commandments. As for the afflictive dispensations of God, these also cause a good man more than ever to abound in the works of the Lord; they put him upon more thinking on his ways, and upon turning his feet more to the testimonies of God. It was said in (Psalm 119:71): It is good for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn your statutes. A good man gets this good thereby; his wisdom and his virtue is thereby augmented; and he learns obedience by the things which he suffers.