Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

He could have conquered the resistance of the Jews, as well as chased away the darkness and ignorance of the Gentiles. No doubt, but he could over power the Heart of the most malicious Devil, as well as that of the simplest and weakest man. But the breath of the Almighty Spirit is in his own power, to breath where he lists. John 3.8. 'Tis at his liberty, whither he will give to any the feeling of the invincible efficacy of his Grace. He did not want strength to have kept man as firm as a Rock against the temptation of Satan, and poured in such fortifying Grace, as to have made him impregnable against the powers of Hell, as well as he did secure the standing of the Angels against the Sedition of their fellows. But it was his will to permit it to be otherwise.

He could have conquered the resistance of the Jews, as well as chased away the darkness and ignorance of the Gentiles. No doubt, but he could over power the Heart of the most malicious Devil, as well as that of the simplest and weakest man. But the breath of the Almighty Spirit is in his own power, to breath where he lists. John 3.8. 'Tis at his liberty, whither he will give to any the feeling of the invincible efficacy of his Grace. He did not want strength to have kept man as firm as a Rock against the temptation of Satan, and pour'd in such fortifying Grace, as to have made him impregnable against the powers of Hell, as well as he did secure the standing of the Angels against the Sedition of their fellows. But it was his will to permit it to be otherwise.

2. Nor is it from any prerogative in the Creature. He converts not any for their natural perfection: Because he seizeth upon the most ignorant. Nor for their moral perfection: Because he converts the most sinful. Nor for their Civil perfection: Because he turns the most despicable.