Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

5. It must therefore be an Act of his mere Sovereignty. This can only sit arbitrator in every gracious act. Why did he give Grace to Abel and not to Cain, since they both lay in the same womb, and equally derived from their Parents a taint in their Nature: But that he would show a standing example of his Sovereignty to the future ages of the World in the first posterity of man? Why did he give Grace to Abraham, and separate him from his Idolatrous Kindred, to dignify him to be the root of the Messiah? Why did he confine his promise to Isaac, and not extend it to Ishmael the Seed of the same Abraham by Hagar, or to the Children he had by Keturah after Sarahs death? What reason can be alleged for this but his Sovereign Will? Why did he not give the fallen Angels a moment of Repentance after their sin, but condemned them to irrevocable pains? Is it not as free for him, to give Grace, to whom he please, as Create what Worlds he please; to form this corrupted clay into his own Image, as to take such a parcel of dust from all the rest of the Creation, whereof to compact Adam's body? Hath he not as much jurisdiction over the sinful mass of his Creatures in a new Creation, as he had over the Chaos in the old? And what reason can be rendered, of his advancing this part of matter to the nobler dignity of a Star, and leaving that other part, to make up the dark body of the Earth? To compact one part into a glorious Sun, and another part into a hard Rock; but his Royal Prerogative? What is ⟨p. 734⟩the reason a Prince subjects one Malefactor to punishment, and lifts up another to a place of truth and profit? That Pharaoh honoured the Butler with an attendance on his Person, and remitted the Baker to the hands of the Executioner? It was his pleasure. And is not as great a right due to God, as is allowed to the worms of the Earth? What is the reason he hardens a Pharaoh, by a denying him that Grace, which should mollify him; and allows it to another? 'Tis because he will. Rom. 9.18. Whom he will he hardens. Hath not man the liberty to pull up the sluice, and let the water run into what part of the ground he pleases? What is the reason some have not a heart to understand the beauty of his ways? Because the Lord doth not give it them. Deut. 29.4. Why doth he not give all his converts an equal measure of his sanctifying Grace, some have Mites, and some have Treasures?