Several discourses tending to promote peace & holiness among Christians to which are added,…

WE have done with the first instance of a Scribe that came uncalled, we come now to another: this Man offereth not himself, but is called by Christ. And he said unto another, Follow me, &c. He was already a Disciple at large; for in Matthew 'tis said, Chap. 8. 21. Another of his Disciples said unto him, Suffer me first to go any bury my Father. He was now called to a nearer and constant attendance on Christ. Clemens Alexandrinus, from an ancient Tradition, telleth us, this was Philip. But before he complied with this Call, he desireth a little delay and respite, 'till his aged Father were dead and buried; whether his Father were already dead, and he would do this last ⟨p. 342⟩Office to see him decently interred; or whether his Father were yet living, but not likely long to continue, and he would attend him till his Death and Funeral, and then follow Christ as Theophilact thinketh, it is not much material. Clear it is, he putteth off the matter with an excuse; even the Elect do not at first so readily obey the Heavenly Calling; some of them may put off Christ, but when he intendeth to have them, he will not be put off so, the importunity of his Grace overcoming their unwillingness.

WE have done with the first instance of a Scribe that came uncalled, we come now to another: this Man offereth not himself, but is called by Christ. And he said unto another, Follow me, &c. He was already a Disciple at large; for in Matthew 'tis said, Chap. 8. 21. Another of his Disciples said unto him, Suffer me first to go any bury my Father. He was now called to a nearer and constant attendance on Christ. Clemens Alexandrinus, from an ancient Tradition, telleth us, this was Philip. But before he complied with this Call, he desireth a little delay and respit, 'till his aged Father were dead and buried; whether his Father were already dead, and he would do this last ⟨p. 342⟩Office to see him decently interred; or whether his Father were yet living, but not likely long to continue, and he would attend him till his Death and Funeral, and then follow Christ as Theophilact thinketh, it is not much material. Clear it is, he putteth off the matter with an excuse; even the Elect do not at first so readily obey the Heavenly Calling; some of them may put off Christ, but when he intendeth to have them, he will not be put off so, the importunity of his Grace overcoming their unwillingness.