Matthew Poole and continuators on Romans 9:22

22. What if God, willing to shew his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long-suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction ?

q. d. What hast thou to answer or object against God, if He take a severe Course with some? Seeing, 1. He thereby Manifesteth his great displeasure against Sin, and his Power to take Vengeance of Sinners: Seeing, 2. He bears long with them in their Sins; exerciseth great Patience towards them, in the midst of their Provocations; giving them space to Repent, if they can or will: And seeing, 3. They are Vessels of wrath, fitted to Destruction: Partly by themselves, and their own sensual Courses; Partly by God's Righteous Iudgment, who gives them up thereunto.

In this, and the next Verse, is a real Answer to the Cavil, in ver. 19. The Apostle having spoken before of God's absolute Right and Power over his Creatures, to dispose of them at his Pleasure, as the Potter doth his Clay. Lest any should tax God with Tyranny and Partiality towards his Creatures, He sub-joyneth the Reasons of his different proceedings with the one, and with the other.

Marginal references: Or, [illegible: 1 span]