MAKING LIGHT. OF CHRIST. MATTHEW xxii. 5: BUT THEY MADE LIGHT. OF IT. THE blessed Son of God, that thought it not enough to die for the world, but would himself also be the preacher of grace and sal- vation, loth comprise in this parable the sum of his gospel. By the king that is here said to make the marriage, is meant God the Father, that sent his Son into the world to cleanse them from theii sins, and espouse them to himself. By his Son, for whom the marriage is made, is meant the Lord Jesus Christ, the eternal Son ofGod, who took tohis Godhead the nature of man, that he might be capable of being their Redeemer when they had lost themselves in sin. By,the marriage is meant the conjunction of Christ to the soul of sinners, when he giveth up himself to them to be their Savior, and they give up themselves to him as his redeemed ones, to be saved and ruled by him; the perfection of which marriage will be at the day ofjudgment, when the conjunction between the whole church and Christ shall be solemnized. The word here translated marriage, rather signifieth the marriage-feast ; and the meaning is, that the world is invited by the gospel to come in and partake of Christ and salvation, which comprehendeth both pardon, justifica- tion, and right to salvation, and all other privileges of the members of Christ. The invitation is God's offer of Christ and salvation in the gospel ; the servants that invite them are the preachers of the gospel, who are sent forth by God to that end; the preparation for the feast there mentioned, is the sacrifice ofJesus Christ, and the enactingof a law of grace, and opening a way for revolting sinners to return to God. There is a mention of sending secord messen- . gers, because. God useth not to take the first denial, but to exercise his patience till sinners are obstinate.' The first persons invited are the Jews. Upon their obstinate refusal, they are sentenced to punishment, and the Gentiles are invited ; and not only invited, but, bypowerful preaching, and miracles, and effectual grace, compelled ; that is, infallibly prevailed with to come in. The number of them is so great that the house is filled with guests. Many come sin- VOL. t. 74
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