resently conclude that it is most righteous and holy. If
that evasion of the foreknowledge of men's sins and impenitency had been
found solid, certainly Paul would have answered so, and not have had his
refuge to the absolute will and pleasure of God, which seem to perplex it
more. But he knew well that there could nothing of that kind, whether good
or evil, either actually be without his will, or be to come without the
determination of the same will, and so could not be foreseen without the
counsel of his will upon it and therefore it had been but a poor shift to
have refuge to that starting hole of foreknowledge, out of which he must
presently flee to the will and pleasure of God, and so he betakes him
straightway to that he must hold at, and opposes that will to man's
doings. "It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of
God that showeth mercy." If he had meant only that Jacob and Esau had
actually done neither good or evil, he needed not return to the sanctuary
of God's will, for still it might be said, it is of him that runs and
wills and not of God's will as the first original, because their good and
evil foreseen did move him to such love and hatred. It is all alike of
works of men, whether these works be present or to come; therefore I would
advise every one of you, whatever ye conceive of his judgment or mercy, if
he have showed mercy to you, O then rest not in thyself, but arise and
ascend till thou come to the height of his eternal free purpose! And if
thou conceive the sin, and misery, and judgment, thou mayest go up also to
his holy counsels, for the glory of his name, and silence thyself with
them. But it shall be most expedient for thee in the thought of thy
miseries, to return always within, and search the corruption of thy
nature, which may alone make thee hateful enough to God. If thou search
thy own conscience, it will stop thy mouth, and make thee guilty before
God. Let not the thought of his eternal counsels diminish the conviction
of thy guilt, or the hatred of thyself for sin and corruption, but dwell
more constantly upon this, because thou art called and commanded so to do.
One thing remains fixed,--though he hath fore-ordained man to death, yet
none shall be damned till his conscience be forced to say, that he is
worthy of it a thousand times.

There is another whispering and suggestion of the wicked hearts of men
against the predestination of God, which insinuates that God is an