It is observed, that it is by the ministry of the word, in which Christ is set forth in his person and offices, and sinners are called to come to him; and in so doing, to be made partakers of the blessings which he has purchased. This is the sum and substance of the gospel-ministry; and it is illustrated Matt. xxii. 1, & _seq._ by the parable of the _marriage-feast_, which the _king made for his son, and sent his servants_; by which is signified gospel-ministers, to _call_ or invite, and therein to use all persuasive arguments to prevail with persons to come to it: this is styled their being _called_. And the observation made on persons refusing to comply with this call, when it is said, _Many are called, but few are chosen_, ver. 14. plainly intimates, that our Saviour here means no other than a common or ineffectual call. And in another parable it is illustrated by an _householder’s hiring labourers into his vineyard_, Matt. xx. 1, & _seq._ at several hours of the day: some were hired early in the morning, at the _third hour_; others at the _sixth_ and _ninth_; which denotes the gospel-call, that the Jewish church had to come to Christ before his incarnation, under the ceremonial law; and others were hired at the _eleventh_ hour, denoting those who were called, at that time, by the ministry of Christ and his disciples: that this was only a common and external call, is evident, not only from the intimation that they, who had _borne the burden and heat of the day_; that is, for many ages had been a professing people, _murmured_, because others, who were called at the eleventh hour, had an equal share in his regard; but also from what is expressly said, (the words are the same with those wherewith the other parable before-mentioned, is closed) _Many are called, but few are chosen_, ver. 16. Moreover, the apostle intends this common call, when he speaks of some who have been _called into the grace of Christ_; not called by the power and efficacious grace of Christ, as denoting that the call was effectual; but called, or invited to come and receive the grace of Christ; or called externally, and thereby prevailed on to embrace the doctrine of the grace of Christ: these are said to be _soon removed unto another gospel_, Gal. i. 6. And elsewhere, chap. v. 7. he speaks of some, who, when _the truth_, or the doctrines of the gospel, were first presented to them, expressed, for a time, a readiness to receive it; upon which account he says, _Ye did run well_, or, ye began well; but yet they did not afterwards yield the obedience of faith, to that truth which they seemed, at first, to have a very great regard: upon which occasion the apostle says, _This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you_, ver. 8.