Vol. 2

4*72 ST. LUKE.pious offices, he soon makes us surmount this obstacle.When God accompanies his external wordand commandment with the unction of his Spirit,and the internal power of his grace, it works in theheart that obedience which it requires. It is as dangerousnot to preach the kingdom of God when aman is called to that office, as it is to intrude himselfinto it of his own accord. It is not complying withthe designs of God either way." 61. And another also said. Lord, I will followthee ; but let me first go bid them farewell which areat home at my house."Self-love always finds something to lay hold of,in order to maintain itself in its liberty. The devilthinks he has gained enough, in making a man deferthe good which he cannot altogether prevent. Wenot doing the works of Godrun a very great risk inat the very time when he requires them to be done.The devil desires only a little time ; and a voluntarydelay involves us frequently in difficulties which areinvoluntary, and out of which we shall perhaps neverbe able to extricate ourselves. God certainly welldeserves to be obeyed without the least delay. Thatwhich we object to the execution of his designs, issometimes the very thing from which he would chieflydisengage and set us loose." 62. And Jesus said unto him, No man, havingput his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fitfor the kingdom of God."How dangerous a return is it for a man to seekthe world again, after he has once quitted it ! Ifto have still a fondness and affection for things inthemselves indifferent, be to look back, how criminal