He believes that God had chosen him among a few to be his for ever and for his own glory from the foundation of the world.

He did not say that all sin was permitted to the saints, that what the flesh did was no matter, like those wild fanatics, one of whom Scott draws in _Woodstock_; but he did say, that if he sinned it made no matter to his election by God.

Nay, the immanence of God in him turned the poison to health, the filth to jewels.

Goodness and badness make no matter; God's choice is all.

The martyr for truth, the righteous man whose life has saved the world, but who is not elected, is damned for ever in burning hell.