For his words to Moses are-'I will take pity on whom I take pity, and be merciful to whom I am merciful.' So, then, all depends, not on human wishes or human efforts, but on God's mercy. read more. In Scripture, again, it is said to Pharaoh-'It was for this very purpose that I raised thee to the throne, to show my power by my dealings with thee, and to make my name known throughout the world.' So, then, where God wills, he takes pity, and where he wills, he hardens the heart. Perhaps you will say to me-'How can any one still be blamed? For who withstands his purpose?' I might rather ask 'Who are you who are arguing with God?' Does a thing which a man has molded say to him who has molded it 'Why did you make me like this?' Has not the potter absolute power over his clay, so that out of the same lump he makes one thing for better, and another for common, use? And what if God, intending to reveal his displeasure and make his power known, bore most patiently with the objects of his displeasure, though they were fit only to be destroyed, So as to make known his surpassing glory in dealing with the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared beforehand for glory,

'Worthy art thou, our Lord and God, to receive all praise, and honour, and power, for thou didst create all things, and at thy bidding they came into being and were created.'