offers of mercy. The elect are chosen, not by absolute decree, but by acceptance of the conditions of the call. And as the character of the elect consists of holiness and blamelessness before Him in love, so election is by those means which make men righteous and holy. Hence our Lord says, I have chosen you out of the world (John 15:19). St. Paul explains it by saying, God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth (2 Thess. 2:13).