Romans 9:33

REFLECTIONS

How sure, how certain, and how unalterably fixed, are the ways and purposes of Jehovah. From eternity the whole is ordered in all things, and sure; and through the whole time-state of the Church, God's purposes have been, and must be, fulfilled. As in the eternity of the Lord's nature, so in his ordinations there can be nothing liable to change. His sovereignty is the rule of all his actions, and his will and pleasure the invariable standard of good.

Sweetly, in relation to his Church, all is planned in wisdom; and nothing can arise to alter his ways towards his people. Electing love gave birth to the Church in Christ. And in the instance of Jacob and Esau it hath been shewn, that not only before the children had done any act of good or evil, but, that the purpose of election might stand, it was said, that the elder should serve the younger; so that electing grace preserved what electing love had began. Reader! it is very blessed when the proud sails of human confidence give way to the sovereign decrees of God; and we hail God's appointments as the result of God's favor to his Church in Christ. Oh! the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out!