God forbid. for he saith to Moses, "I will show favour to whom I will show favour, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion." so that this is a matter not dependent on him that wills or runs, but on God, who shews mercy. read more. for 'tis said in scripture to Pharaoh, "even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might shew my power in thee, and that my name might be declared throughout all the earth." thus some he pursues with his favours, and abandons others to their obduracy, according as he thinks fit. But you will object, why does he then find fault? for "who can resist his will?" nay, but, O man, who art thou, to raise a dust against heaven? shall the pitcher say to him that formed it, "why hast thou made me thus?" is not the potter the master of his own clay, of the same mass to make one vessel for use and ornament, and another for a meaner purpose? if the divine Being has patiently bore with those objects of his displeasure, that had been working out their own destruction, why may he not reveal himself to make them feel his vindictive power, and display his infinite goodness to such objects of mercy, as he had prepared for glory?

"thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory, and honour, and power: for thou hast created all things, by thy WILL they subsist, and were created."