And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.
And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. None give a naked refusal. Each has some reason of his own why he ought to be held excused. Three excuses are given as specimens of all the rest; and it will be observed that they answer to the three things which are said to "choke the word" in the parable of the Sower (Luke 8:14), - "the care of this world," Luke 14:18; "the deceitfulness of riches," Luke 14:19; and "the pleasures of this life," Luke 14:20. Each differs from the other, and each has its own, plausibility; but all arrive at the same result-`We have other things to attend to, more pressing just now.' So far from saying, I decline to come, each represents himself as only hindered by something in the way just now: when these are removed, they will be ready. But, notwithstanding these plausibilities, they are held as refusers; and when at length they call, the Master in turn will refuse them.