Discourses upon the Existence and Attributes of God

Why in the times of our reformation he should choose a Luther out of a Monastery, and leave others in their superstitious nastiness, to perish in the Traditions of their Fathers? Why set up Calvin as a Bulwark of the Gospel, and let others as learned as himself, wallow in the sink of Popery? 'Tis ⟨p. 740⟩his pleasure, to do so. The Potter hath power to separate this part of the Clay to form a Vessel for a more public use, and another part of the Clay to form a Vessel for a more private one. God takes the meanest Clay to form the most excellent and honourable Vessels in his House. As he formed man, that was to govern the Creatures, of the same Clay and Earth, whereof the Beasts were formed, and not of that nobler Element of water, which gave birth to the Fish and Birds. So he forms some, that are to do him the greatest service, of the meanest materials, to manifest the absolute right of his Dominion.

Why in the times of our reformation he should choose a Luther out of a Monastery, and leave others in their superstitious nastiness, to perish in the Traditions of their Fathers? Why set up Calvin as a Bulwark of the Gospel, and let others as learned as himself, wallow in the sink of Popery? 'Tis ⟨p. 740⟩his pleasure, to do so. The Potter hath power to separate this part of the Clay to form a Vessel for a more publick use, and another part of the Clay to form a Vessel for a more private one. God takes the meanest Clay to form the most excellent and honourable Vessels in his House. As he form'd man, that was to govern the Creatures, of the same Clay and Earth, whereof the Beasts were form'd, and not of that nobler Element of water, which gave birth to the Fish and Birds. So he forms some, that are to do him the greatest service, of the meanest materials, to manifest the absolute right of his Dominion.

7. His Sovereignty is manifest in the bestowing much Wealth and Honour upon some, and not vouchsafing it to the more industrious labours, and attempts of others. Some are abased and others are elevated, some are enriched, and others impoverished, some scarce feel any Cross, and others scarce feel any comfort in their whole lives. Some sweat and toil, and what they labour for, runs out of their reach; others sit still, and what they wish for, falls into their lap. One of the same Clay hath a Diadem to beautify his head, and another wants a covering to protect him from the weather. One hath a stately Palace to lodge in, and another is scarce Master of a Cottage where to lay his head. A Sceptre is put into one mans hand, and a spade into another's. A Rich Purple garnisheth one mans body, while another wraps himself in Dunghill rags. The Poverty of some and the Wealth of others is an effect of the divine Sovereignty, whence God is said, to be the Maker of the Poor as well as the Ri