Not exactly, we see it (hear the Word) but in our sinful state we are unable to see that it is life. It is irrsistable grace for the elect because we see it for what it is and are drawn to the water.
And this would be the strongest of predestinations, no free will at all. Men, created soley for the purpose of populating hell?
Don't get wrapped around this argument. And by the way, what is spelled out in scripture, free will or predestination? Remember Paul is addressing this very thing in Romans, chapter 8: 14What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! 15For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." 16It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy. 17For the Scripture says to Pharaoh: "I raised you up for this very purpose, that I might display my power in you and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth." 18Therefore God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden. 19One of you will say to me: "Then why does God still blame us? For who resists his will?" 20But who are you, O man, to talk back to God? "Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, 'Why did you make me like this?' " 21Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? 22What if God, choosing to show his wrath and make his power known, bore with great patience the objects of his wrath--prepared for destruction? 23What if he did this to make the riches of his glory known to the objects of his mercy, whom he prepared in advance for glory-- 24even us, whom he also called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles?
Read verse 20 again? Isn't that the same question you put forth?
As far as God making souls to populate hell, that can be turned around on the free willers as God knew what decision we would make, and yet created those who would go to hell. Does that sound more plausable/palatable?
Try reading this guy, he gives an awesoome defense of election: http://www.spurgeon.org/calvinis.htm