[The whole Scripture bears testimony that " God worketh all things after the counsel of his own will." He does so in relation to all temporal matters : " He killeth, and maketh alive ; he bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up : he maketh poor and maketh rich; he bringeth low and lifteth up : he raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit a throne of glory e." In relation to spiri- tual matters, also, he exercises no less a sovereign control, " having mercy on whom he will have mercy, and hardening whom he sees good to harden f." This was viewed by St. Paul in so important a light, that when he had once touched upon it, he did not know how to relinquish the subject, but insisted on it with every diversity of expression that language could furnish, and yet with such repetitions as appeared almost to be endless. Having said that God had blessed us with all spiritual blessings, he traces the gift to this as its true source : " He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, having predestinated us to the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the Beloved ; in whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace ; wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he had purposed in him- self; that in the dispensation of the fulness of times, he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth, even in him ; in whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, that we should be to the praise of his glory g." We have often read this passage, but with so little care, as scarcely to get a glimpse of its true import : but, the more minutely and attentively we consider it, the more shall we see the amazing importance of the subject contained in it, and of the character of God as a mighty Sovereign, that does what he will, and " gives not account to us of any of his matters11."]
3. His power is uncontrollable —
[Forcible is that appeal of Elihu, " When he giveth quiet- ness, who then can make trouble? and when he hideth his face, who then can behold him ? whether it be done against a nation or a man only1." He is a mighty "Lawgiver, alike able to save or to destroy k." Hear Jehovah's own declaration
e 1 Sam. ii. 6—8. f Rom. ix. 18.
e Eph. i. 3 — 12. and again in ver. 14.
h Job xxxiii. 13. ; Job xxxiv. 29. k Jam. iv. 12.