629. Imputation as believed in at the present time is here described as double. This does not mean double as God and mercy extended to all are double, but as God and mercy limited to some are. It is not double as in the case of a parent and his love for all his children, but as in the case of a parent and his love for only one or two of them. It is not double as in the case of God's law and the command it enjoins upon all, but as in the case of God's law and a command restricted to a few. In the one case therefore its double nature is widespread and total, in the other limited and partial. The latter is really double, the former is really single. For the present teaching is that the imputation of Christ's merit is the result of discretionary choice, and it is in these cases that salvation is imputed; some therefore are adopted and the rest are rejected. This is the same as if God were to raise some people into Abraham's bosom, and hand over some as sops to the devil. Yet the truth is that the Lord does not reject or hand over anyone, but it is the person who does this to himself.