202 ROMANS 8 : 12—28.

according to the merits of men, but according to the divine purpose. »' Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our w^orks, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," 2 Tim. 1 : 9. Eph. 1 : 11. Rom. 9:11. The design of the apostle, in the introd uction of this clause, seems to have been twofold. First, to show, according to his usual manner, that the fact that some men love God is to be attributed to his sovereign grace, and not to themselves ; and, secondly, that if men are called, according to the eternal purpose of God, their salvation is secure. By this latter idea this clause is associated with the passage that fol- lows, and with the general object of the chapter. That the calling of men does secure their salvation is proved in vs. 29 — 30.