"Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called;" _verse_ 30. "God hath not cast away his people which he foreknew;" 11. 2. "For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance;" _verse_ 29. The last passage explains the previous ones. God may have called and chosen men in their first estate, or spiritual existence, but whether they will accept that call and fill it, by repentance and good works in this life, is a matter in which it is their privilege to exercise their free agency. This idea is illustrated in the case of the Roman centurion, who had faith that his sick servant would be healed if Jesus would only speak the word. Jesus said to those around him, "That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven: But the children of the kingdom shall be cast out into outer darkness;" _Matt_. 8. 11, 12. The "Children of the kingdom" evidently refers to Israel, the called and chosen of God. The passages are numerous in which Israel is called the "Chosen of God;" "The elect according to the covenant." "Hearken unto me, O Jacob and Israel, my called;" _Isa_. 48. 12. Jesus, when he predicted the destruction of Jerusalem, and the scattering of the Jews, declared that for the elect's sake those days should be shortened; _Matt_. 24. 22. The elect could only mean according to the covenant with Abraham for the remnant who were saved in the flesh were of a wicked generation, and they and their children became a hiss and a by-word among all nations, consequently they could not have been the elect through faith and good works. David said to the congregation, "Solomon, my son, whom alone God hath chosen;" 1 _Chron_. 29. 1. Yet Solomon did not fully prove himself by good works, for he fell into transgression and corrupted Israel; 1 _Kings_ 11. 9-11. The Book of Mormon is plain on this subject: "Being called and prepared from the foundation of the world, according to the foreknowledge of God, on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil;" _Alma_ 13. 3-7. Their calling and preparation from the foundation of the world were evidently based on their faith and good works, previous to their being called, and not on the possibilities of their future good conduct. This idea is verified by the apostle who, speaking of Christ, says, "And again, when he bringeth in the first-begotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. * * * Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows;" _Heb_. 1. 6, 9. "Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you;" 1 _Pet_. 1. 20. Christ was chosen before the foundation of the world, because he had already proven himself worthy.