(13) And he went forth again by the sea side; and all the multitude resorted unto him, and he taught them. (14) (11 And as he passed by, he saw Levi the son of Alpheus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said unto him, Follow me. And he arose and followed him. (15) And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him. (16) And when the scribes and Pharisees saw him at with publicans and sinners, they said unto his disciples, How is it that he eateth and drinketh with publicans and sinners? (17) When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
We had the relation of the call of Levi, or Matthew, in the preceding Gospel, See Matthew 9:9. to which I refer for the observations also. I only again beg the Reader to remark, the wonderful properties of distinguishing grace. Say what men will concerning it, the truth itself stands where it always did, and always will. For, saith the HOLY GHOST, by his servant Paul, in the case of Jacob and Esau, the children being not yet born, and neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of GOD, according to election, might stand; not of works, but of him that calleth, it was said, the elder shall serve the younger; as it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. Romans 9:11-13; Malachi 1:2-3. Hence Matthew, Mary Magdalene, the Thief on the cross, and multitudes have found CHRIST who sought him not; while Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for. Romans 11:7. What decided testimonies to the doctrine of distinguishing grace?