loved
you.--"[532] "Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but
the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded."[533] When
Paul and Barnabas preached at Antioch in Pisidia, the Jews spake against
those things which were spoken by Paul, contradicting and blaspheming.
These apostles thereupon expressed their resolution to turn to the
Gentiles. And their warrant they declare, "For so hath the Lord
commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles,
that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth." Nor
was he, who, that he might be a light of the Gentiles, was given for a
covenant of the people,[534] then preached in vain. "When the Gentiles
heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as
many as were ordained to eternal life believed."[535]

The people of God were elected to covenant obedience. Israel were
frequently represented both as his _elect_ and as his _servants_. "For
Jacob, my servant's sake, and Israel mine elect, I have even called thee
by thy name."[536] The elect are spoken of as formed and ordained to
good works. "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto
good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
And those good works include the keeping of the covenant, by Covenanting
and fulfilling the engagements made. "Wherefore, remember, that ye being
in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called uncircumcision by
that which is called the circumcision in the flesh made by hands; that
at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth
of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope,
and without God in the world: but now in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes
were far off, are made nigh by the blood of Christ."[537] The saints are
described as "elect--unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus
Christ."[538] As the sprinkling of blood, signifying the application of
the efficacy of Christ's death by the Spirit of God, was wont to
accompany the exercise of Covenanting by sacrifice, so, under the last
dispensation, the obedience of the people of God, according to election,
is to spring from their acceptance of Christ and his benefits, and
dedication to God in the various acts of personal and social
Covenanting. Finally, they are introduced at once as his witnesses, his
servant, and his chosen. "Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my
servant whom I