Now what is there here to be offended with? The fact is undeniable: and, if God was at liberty to exercise his sove- reignty in such a way then, he is at liberty to do it still : and if he may justly do it in any case, as that of Ishmael and Isaac, or of Esau and Jacob, or of Pharaoh and Moses, he may with equal justice do it in every case. Let us, then, not ignorantly and proudly deny to him a right, which all of us claim for our- selves—even that of dispensing our favours to whom we will. If no one has a claim on him, no one has a right to complain
0 Rom. ix, 22, 23. See the Greek.
if a favour which he despises is withheld from him: on the other hand, the person on whom that special favour is conferred, must to all eternity adore the sovereign grace that has dispensed it to him.]
2. For the enforcement of a holy practice —
[All of us, whether high or low, rich or poor, are in the station, which God, in his infinite wisdom and goodness, has allotted to us. The rich therefore have no reason to boast; nor have the poor any reason to repine. The different mem- bers of our own body have not all the same office : but God has " placed each member in the body, as it has pleased him;" and for purposes which each is destined to accomplish. One great duty is common to us all ; namely, that of discharging to the utmost of our power our respective offices, and of bringing to God that measure of glory of which he has made us capable. God is, in reality, as much glorified in the sub- mission of the poor, as in the activity of the rich. The eye, and the foot, equally subserve the interests of the body, whilst discharging their respective functions ; and equally display the goodness of our Creator, in so administering to our wants. Let us then simply inquire, what that service is which we are most fitted by capacity and situation to perform ; and let us address ourselves to it with all diligence. If placed, like Pha- raoh, in a post of great dignity and power, let us improve our influence for God, and account it om* honour and happiness to advance his glory. If called, like Moses, to labour for the de- liverance of God's people from their spiritual bondage, let us execute our office with fidelity, and never rest 'till we have " finished the work which God has given us to dop." Thus shall we acceptably fulfil the ends of our creation ; and God will be glorified in us, both in time and in eternity.]
p If there were occasion to speak more fully to Ministers, here the subject might be amplified to advantage.