light is
dim and their witness inarticulate. Peter, for example, was one of the
called, in that he heard and obeyed Christ, and was saved; but he was
not a chosen or choice disciple, when he demanded of his Saviour what he
should get for what he had done; or when in the hour and power of
darkness, he denied all connection with Jesus of Nazareth. Alas! though
there are many Christians, how few there are who forget the things
behind, and press forward till they reach the high calling of God in
Christ Jesus.[38]

[38] In the transaction with the young man from which this parable
remotely springs, an analogous expression is employed to indicate a
chosen or choice disciple; "Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be
perfect, go and sell that thou hast," &c. (xix. 21.) The term
"perfect" in that text seems to be entirely parallel with "chosen."
The meaning of both is determined by the main drift of the parable;
and the meaning thus given accords with the analogy of faith.

Another remarkable confirmation of this exposition is found in the
use of the same term, [Greek: eklektoi], in Rev. xvii. 14. The word
in that passage must have the same meaning that we have attributed
to it in the parable. Two reasons, a supreme and subordinate, are
given to account for the victory of the Lamb,--his own omnipotence,
and the trustworthy character of the instruments whom he employs.
"The Lamb shall overcome them: for he is Lord of lords and King of
kings: and they that are with him are called, and chosen, and
faithful;" [Greek: kletoi kai eklektoi kai pistoi]. If you
understand here by [Greek: eklektoi], chosen by God in the eternal
covenant, the logical arrangement becomes obscure. It would be
strange if, in enumerating the qualifications of soldiers, one
should represent first that they were summoned to the warfare, next
that they were chosen for that purpose before, and last that they
were stanch in the battlefield. If this had been the meaning of
[Greek: eklektoi] it must have stood first in order. The fact that
it stands second suggests another explanation. Take it, in the sense
which it readily assumes and frequently bears, and the order of the
series becomes at once transparent. The soldiers were "called, and
choice, and faithful." They were enlisted in the cause, excellent in
character, and found unflinching when the fight began.

Some obvious practical lessons may be appended to