PETER, ANDREW, &c. CALLED

Next the two sons of Zebedee he saw

On the broad lake, who, struck with sacred awe,
And drawn by cords of love at his command,
Leap from their bark and print the yielding sand.

WHEN our blessed Saviour began to preach, disciples were speedily gathered; these were first hearers, but soon became preachers of his doctrine; they were first witnesses of his miracles, and afterwards testified concerning them.

We have an account of the call of two sets of brothers, in Matthew iv. 18, 21,Peter and Andrew, James and John; and the two former, probably the latter also, had known Christ before, but were not till now called into close and constant attendance upon him. They were unlearned men, not bred up to books or literature. Christ sometimes chooses to endow those with the gifts

of grace, who have least to show of the gifts of nature; yet this will not justify the intrusion of ignorant and unqualified men into the sacred work of the ministry. Great gifts of knowledge and utterance are not now to be expected; requisite qualifications must be obtained by diligence and study. They were men of business, who had been bred up to labour. Diligence in an honest calling is pleasing to Christ. Idle people lie more open to the temptations of Satan than to the calls of God. Those who have learned · to bear hardships, are best prepared for the fellowship and discipleship of Jesus Christ.

James and John were with their father Zebedee. It is a happy and hopeful thing to see children careful of their parents, and dutiful They were all employed, and none idle. When Christ comes, it is good to be found doing. Am I in Christ? is a

very needful question to ask ourselves; and, next to that, Am I in my calling? They were differently employed; two of them were fishing, and two of them mending their nets. Ministers of the gospel should be always employed, either in teaching or studying.

The call was, "Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men." (ver. 19.) They had followed Christ before, as ordinary disciples; now they were called to a more close and constant attendance, and must leave their ordinary occupation. It was usual with Christ to speak of spiritual and heavenly things under such allusions, and in such expressions as took rise from common things that offered themselves to his view.

"Follow me." Those who would preach Christ's doctrine, must first learn of him. Those who would get an acquaintance with

Christ, must be diligent and constant in their attendance on him. There is no learning comparable to that which is gained by following so excellent an example as Christ. Those who are to fish for men, must therein follow Christ, and do it as he did, with diligence, faithfulness, and tenderness. Christ is the great pattern for preachers, and they ought to be workers together with him.

Every Christain who would follow Christ aright, must be ready to part with his interest in this world, rather than with his interest in Jesus Christ; and those who are devoted to the work of the ministry are, in a special manner, required to disentangle themselves from the affairs of common life.