have been selected as the objects in which God will display " the riches of his glory." 3. Confidence and peace, under all circumstances, be- cause the purpose of God does not change ; whom he has predestinated, them he also calls, justifies, and glorifies. 4. Diligence in the discharge of all duty, to make our calling and election sure. That is, to make it evident to ourselves and others that we are the called and chosen of God. We should ever remember that election is to holiness, and consequently to live in sin is to invalidate every claim to be considered as one of « God's elect."
3. As God is the immutable standard of right and truth, the proper method to answer objections against the doctrines we profess, is to appeal to what God says, and to what he does. Any objection that can be shown to be inconsistent with any declaration of Scripture, or with any fact in providence, is sufficiently answered, vs. 15, 17.
4. It should, therefore, be assumed, as a first principle, that God can- not do wrong. If he does a thing, it must be right. And it is much safer for us, corrupt and blinded mortals, thus to argue, than to pursue the opposite course, and maintain that God does not and cannot do so and so, because in our judgment it would be wrong, vs. 15 — 19.
5. All cavilling against God is wicked. It is inconsistent with our relation to him as our Creator. It is a manifestation of self-ignorance, and of irreverence to God, v. 20.
6. What proof of piety is there in believing our own eyes, or in receiv- ing the deductions of our own reasoning? But to confide in God, when clouds and darkness are round about him; to be sure that what he does is right, and that what he says is true, when we cannot see how either the one or the other can be, this is acceptable in his sight. And to this trial he subjects all his people, vs. 20 — 24.
7. If the manifestation of the divine glory is the highest end of God in creation, providence and redemption, it is the end for which we should live and be willing to die. To substitute any other end, as our own glory and advantage, is folly, sin, and self-destruction, vs. 17, 22, 23.
8. The fact that God says to some men, " Let them alone ;" that " he gives them up to a reprobate mind ;" that he withholds from them, in punishment of their sins, the influences of his Spirit, should fill all the impenitent with alarm. It should lead them to obey at once his voice, lest he swear in his wrath that they shall never enter into his rest, vs. 17, 18.
9. We and all things else are in the hands of God. He worketh all things after the counsel of his own will. The Lord reigns, let the earth rejoice, vs. 14 — 24.