Chapter 83
Of two threats, which God useth to express; One absolute, and the other conditional; and of two kinds of promises, like those threats; and how we are to carry ourselves when they arrive.
Thou art not to be scandalised, in that the word, which was spoken to this King, (Thou shalt dye, and thou shalt not live) was not accomplished. But thou art to know; That sometimes our Lord commandeth that to be declared, which he hath determined to be effected, in his high counsel, and eternal will; and that willbe sure, without all fail, to arrive. In this sort he commanded, that it should be told King Saul, That he would cast him off, and choose a better in his place. And so also, did he threaten Hely the Priest; and accordingly, it was fulfiled. And in the same manner, he also menaced King David, That he would kill that son of his, whom in adultery he had begotten of Bersabee. And notwithstanding the earnest suit, which the King made for the life of the child; by prayers, by haircloth, and by fasts; it was not granted; for God had resolved that the child should dye.
But1 at other times, he commandeth that to be published, upon which he hath not absolutely resolved; but only upon condition, of the mending, or not mending such a fault. And in this sort, he sent word to the City of Ninive, That, within forty days, it should be destroyed. But afterward by their penance, he did revoke that sentence; for he had not determined to destroy them, because he did it not. But he declared what their sins deserved, and what also would have happened, if their lives had not been reform. And although, considering things after an exterior manner, it seemed to favour of inconstancy, to say that it shallbe destroyed, and not to destroy it; yet is it not so, in that high will of God; because he did not absolutely mean to do it. For (as S. Augustine saith) God varieth his sentence; but he changeth not his counsel. Which, in this case, was not, to destroy it; but not to destroy it, by means of their penance; which he resolved to incite them to, by that menace. And this is that, which our Lord saith by2 Heremy, Suddenly will I say to Nations and Kingdoms, That I will destroy them, and root them out; but if that people do penance for their sins, I will also repent myself, of the evil, which I meant to bring upon them; and I will instantly say of Nations, and Kingdoms, That I will plant them, and build them up But if they work wickedness in my sight, and do not hearken to my voice; I also will repent myself, of the good which I said, that I meant to do them.
The3 use which we are to make hereof, is this; That because we know not, when that, wherewith God doth threaten us, is but only a threat, or whether it be a final determination; we must not cast ourselves upon despair; nor forbear to implore his mercy, that so he may be pleased to revoke the sentence, which he gave against us; as he did to this King, and to the city of Ninive; who did, both of them get their suits. And though David did not obtain his; yet did he not sin, in beseeching our Lord to revoke the sentence, concerning him; because it appeared not to him, whether it were a decree or a threat. And in the same manner; if God make a promise to afford us any blessing, we must not use neglect in serving him, by saying, I have a bill, that is written by the hand of God, which can deceive no body. For the same Lord4 saith, That if we depart from doing his will, he will also repent himself of the good he promised. Not that God can repent; since he is not capable of any change; but his meaning is, That as one who repenteth himself; doth undo the thing which he had done, so will he discharge the sentence of punishment, which he had given against a man if he do penance; and he will retract that promise which he made of doing him good, if that man depart from him.
Footnotes
Chapter 85 of 115