of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it is ascertained by its effects in all who [truly] believe the gospel; [that it] is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves, demands and deserves our utmost diligence.4 John Gill—Election is “the choice of certain persons by God from all eternity, to grace and glory.”5 James Petigru Boyce notes that election was not of groups, such as nations or churches, but of individuals.