SU e T. XII. Of Effe6lualCalling. 627 tilAttittegttittvii t T SERMON. C 1. The CJofel Fée, and vhò areDelcomequells, and ho not. MAT. 22. 14. For many are called, bu, few are chofes. THisText though shortin words, is vaft in fenfe, and bath thisground for its fpecial obfervation, that our Saviourufed it twice, Chap. 20.16. And in this place , Mehraflint bí, dicenda. The firft word in the front, For, fheweth its connexion with what was precedent , and is a Parable largely pro- poundedby our Saviour for thisend, to fhew the goodneffeofGod in offering the word ofgrace to a people, and the differentevent ofthis in thehearers,fome rejetling it, and thatwith great malice; others receiving it, but not in the full power andefficacy of it, which makes our Saviour infer this dreadful conclufi- on, that may make our earsto tingle, when We hear k, Many arecalled bat few chofes. Think not it was a fpeech direLtedonely to theJews or Chofe that lived in that time. No, its of perpetual truth ; and we fee it daily experimentally confirmed, that of thofe whoare called few are chofes. My intent is to (peak of external calling, as I have fpoken of internal ; and this Text will give a good occafion. Our Saviour delighted to fpeak Parables, and that was the cuftom ofwife men in theEaftern parts fo to do. For thefe have a popular way of tea- chingby the things offare, reprefenting heavenly matter to theunderltanding," For by the feaft here made, defcribed to bea marriage-feaft of a Kings Sonne, whereall glory and pompufeth tobe (hewn, is meant the priviledges and grace of the Gofpel that are tendered dailyby the preaching of the Word unto you: forbetimes that eternal bleffedneffe and heavenly glory iscompared in the Para- blesto a great feaft, made by a chief and mighty man ; but here the Gofpel- priviledges vouchfafed in the Word ire thus called ; which is plain, becaufe one came to this Feaft without a wedding garment, and wàs afl out; which could not be, ifthis Fealt were eternal glory in heaven, for node (hall be excluded from thence. So then', you feeto what excellent and choice things the prea- chingoftheGofpel is compared. Sometimes it is called The Kingdom of Hea- ven, fometimes The rich Pearlthat 'a man it tofell a//for to obtain, and here to a great Marriage Feaff. Bywhich refemblances the Spirit of God would raife upour thoughtsand hearts, that we fhould have an high and great efteemof the Gofpel preached. Now though thus great and admirable, yet fee the rebellion anddifobedience of the perfons invited ; fome matter it not; fome make excu- fes ; fome malicioufly and cruelly handle the meffengers : If you ask, Why? What is thematter; What is the wrongdone to them ? Nothing at all. Its be- caufe hegives this honour to them, te. invite them to á Marriage Feaft. He Both not comeas an oppreffour to them, requiring their effares, and ,goods, and lives, but hetendersthem all comforts and refrefhments; and for thiskindneffe and condefeention, they do thus ill requite him; but all do not refufe for, Lill a there
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