To believe that God elects a man because he foresees that man will repent and believe, is to make a farce of God's election. In such a case a man elects himself, and this is salvation by works.

      Mr. McKinley was elected President because those who voted for him foresaw that he would favor sound money and a high tariff. Did this make his election a farce? Did he elect himself? Did he save himself from defeat by his future works? If you say no to these questions, why say the opposite in the case of God's election of men to eternal life?

[SEBC 167]