ship are given; "Thou wast slain, and hast "redeemed us to God by thy blood."

It will be proper next to explain what is to be understood by the emblem of the marriage supper of the Lamb. For, it is

said,

In

"let us be glad, and rejoice, for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his "wife hath made herself ready." By this emblem is intended the blessedness of the redeemed beholding the glory of Christ, and enjoying his presence for evermore. holy scripture, the Church is called the spouse, or bride, of Christ; a figure intended to intimate the love he bears to those whom he hath redeemed from death eternal by his precious blood. And agreeably to this figure, these spiritual espousals commence upon earth. The Apostle illustrates this emblem in one sentence. "Christ," saith he," loved the Church, and GAVE HIM“SELF for it, that he might sanctify and

"cleanse it, with the washing of water by "the Word; that he might present it to "himself a glorious Church, not having

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spot or wrinkle, or any such thing."* At the resurrection of the Just, Christ will present to himself this GLORIOUS CHURCH. For, then, in the highest sense," the mar

riage of the Lamb is come; and his wife "hath made herself ready." And, of this his spouse, it is said, "And to her was "granted, that she should be arrayed in "fine linen, clean and white; for the fine "linen is the righteousness of saints." The spouse then, that "hath made herself ready" is the Church; that is those individuals composing the true Church of Christ, "whom he hath redeemed out of every "kindred, and tongue, and people, and "nation." And then it is added, " Blessed

16

are they which are called unto the mar

Eph. v. 27

"riage supper of the Lamb." By a change of figure, not unusual in scripture, the redeemed are here represented as the guests at the marriage Feast; though we have just seen that the Church collectively is set forth under the emblem of the bride.

II. We proceed now to inquire who those are that shall be admitted to the marriage supper of the Lamb; or, in other words, that shall be admitted into heaven, to behold the glory of Christ, and to enjoy his presence for evermore.

On this important question, let us seek first the testimony of our Saviour; for, "the Lamb that was slain," hath himself described the character of those who shall be called to the marriage supper. And, it is remarkable, that, in setting forth the blessings of his spiritual kingdom, and the qualifications of those who should be admitted

to partake of them, he uses the emblem of a marriage feast, and of a wedding garment, which those who are bidden must

wear.

"The kingdom of heaven" (by which he means the dispensation of the Gospel which has its commencement on earth, and its completion in heaven) "is like unto a "certain king, which made a MARRIAGE for "his son; and he sent forth his servants to "call them that were bidden to the wed

ding."* Our Lord then proceeds to shew that some men 66 WOULD NOT COME; but "made light of it, and went their ways,

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one to his farm, and another to his mer"chandize."

These persons,

"who would not come,"

are they who listen not to the invitation of

* Matt. xxii. 1.

the Gospel at all. The trumpet of the Jubilee sometimes sounds in their ears, but they wish not to hear "the joyful sound." The world hath a louder and a sweeter strain ; and they rather obey the call of ambition, of wealth, or of pleasure.

At the end of

the parable, our. Lord saith, “ many are "called but few are chosen." How truly is this exemplified in the case of those, of whom we are speaking! They "are called," by conscience; they "are called" by the word of God; they " are called" by the ministers of nis word. But they will not obey the call. So far from having any hope that they

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are chosen," they wish not (judging from their conduct) to be among the number of "the chosen." They do not even make a profession of religion, and never think of "the Lamb that was slain," or of his spiritual worship, on earth, or in heaven. These are they, to use the remarkable expression of the Apostle Paul, who “judge

K