Robert Traill (Sermons from 1 Peter 1:1-4), Works 4:16-17:
The Lord needed not us, nor any of those creatures that are better than we. His setting his love upon a company of the children of men, and giving them to the Son to be redeemed by him, is an act to be wondered at in time and to eternity. It is wondered at on earth, and will be more and better wondered at in heaven. The Lord now and then takes a few, and picks them up through the nations where they are scattered; they were all of the same mass, of the same lump, lying in the same pit. Peter was no better than Judas, nor Judas any worse than Peter; Cain was no worse than Abel, and Abel was no better than Cain, till grace made the difference. Jacob and Esau were alike till grace made the difference; when they were in the same womb, at the same time, yet, saith the Lord, Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated. Unaccountable love! and unaccountable hatred too! Deep! O how deep are the ways of God, and his judgments past finding out? Who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who being his counsellor hath instructed him? He is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth that he doeth.
The Lord needed not us, nor any of those creatures that are better than we. His setting his love upon a company of the children of men, and giving them to the Son to be redeemed by him, is an act to be wondered at in time and to eternity. It is wondered at on earth, and will be more and better wondered at in heaven. The Lord now and then takes a few, and picks them up through the nations where they are scattered; they were all of the same mass, of the same lump, lying in the same pit. Peter was no better than Judas, nor Judas any worse than Peter; Cain was no worse than Abel, and Abel was no better than Cain, till grace made the difference. Jacob and Esau were alike till grace made the difference; when they were in the same womb, at the same time, yet, saith the Lord, Jacob have I loved, and Esau have I hated. Unaccountable love! and unaccountable hatred too! Deep! O how deep are the ways of God, and his judgments past finding out? Who hath known the mind of the Lord? or who being his counsellor hath instructed him? He is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth that he doeth.
