You begin at the wrong end if you first dispute about your election. Prove your conversion, and then never doubt your election. If your cannot yet prove it, set upon a present and thorough turning. Whatever God’s purposes be, which are secret, I am sure His promises are plain. How desperately do rebels argue! `If I am elected I shall be saved, do what I will. If not, I shall be damned, do what I can.’ Perverse sinner, will you begin where you should end? (Joseph Alleine)

People who are not well grounded in the Bible take umbrage at the idea that God actually hardened Pharaoh’s heart. Now, it is interesting to note that Pharaoh did not complain that God had hardened his heart. Pharaoh was quite satisfied. But others complain for him. (Gordon Clark)

If God would have painted a yellow stripe on the backs of the elect I would go around lifting shirts. But since He didn’t I must preach `whosoever will’ and when `whosoever’ believes I know he is one of the elect. (C.H. Spurgeon)

“Christ did not die for any upon the condition, if they do believe; but He died for all God’s elect, that they should believe.” (John Owen)

None can come to Jesus except the Father draws them. Yet sinners do not perish because they cannot come, but because they will not come. (John Berridge)

God…according to his own counsel, ordains such persons as he wills to receive and partake of the mercy preached and offered. This will is not to be inquired into, but to be reverently adored, as by far the most awesome secret of the Divine Majesty. (Luther, Bondage of the Will, p169.)

We do despite to the doctrines of election and predestination when we use them as a kind of theological hand grenade to thrown them at each other. They are not given to us for that purpose; they are given as mighty stabilizers. (Eric Alexander)

‘Some are much troubled because they proceed by a false method and order in judging of their estates. They will begin with election, which is the highest step of the ladder, whereas they should begin from a work of grace wrought within their hearts, from God’s calling by his Spirit, and their answer to his call, and so raise themselves upwards to know their election by their answer to God’s calling. “Give all diligence,” says Peter, “to make your calling and election sure,” your election by your calling. God descends unto us from election to calling, and so to sanctification; we must ascend to him beginning where he ends.’ (Sibbes)

The resolution of divine election and human choice has troubled Christians for centuries. Someone has found an explanation in a picture of the door to heaven. On the side of the door facing the one who was about to enter heaven were written the words, ‘Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved’ (Rom 10:13. On the side of the door facing those who were already in heaven were written the words, ‘called through grace’ (Gal 1:15). (Illustrations for Biblical Preaching, 116)

‘Salvation is from our side a choice, from the divine side it is a seizing upon, an apprehending, a conquest by the Most High God. Our “accepting” and “willing” are reactions rather than actions. The right of determination must always remain with God.’ (A.W. Tozer)

Let a man go to the grammar school of faith and repentance before he goes to the university of election and predestination. (George Whitefield)

‘Election can never become an excuse for failing to exercise faith in Jesus Christ. If you have not yet come to Christ, God holds you responsible for your rebellion. But if you are following Christ, then you really did choose to follow him. But remember that you chose him only because he first chose you, and did so from all eternity.’ (Ryken, The Message of Salvation, 71)

The Bible speaks of election through sanctification, and predestination to tbe conformed to the image of the Son of God. If these are lacking, it is a waste of time to speak of election. (J.C. Ryle)

The doctrines of grace humble a man without degrading him and exalt a man without inflating him. (Charles Hodge)

Eternal love devised the plan; eternal wisdom drew the model; eternal grace comes down to build it. (Henry Law)

Nobody ever came to Christ because he knew he was one of the elect: he came because he needed Christ and because he wanted Christ. (E.F. Kevan)

Election and sovereignty are only sources of good. Election is not a decree to destroy, it is a decree to save. When we elect a president, we do not need to hold a second election to determine that the remaining millions shall be non-presidents. (A.H. Strong)