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IX. THE CHAPTER OF THE MARRIAGE OF THE KING'S SON.

THE fate of the disobedient Jews, and of all unprofitable Christians, is set before me in the parable of the Marriage of the King's Son. The state of the Gospel, being intended for the life and happiness of all that are called to it, is thence to be understood as a state of mirth and enjoyment; and it is accordingly represented as a plenteous feast on occasion of a great and honourable marriage, to which people of all sorts are invited. God, the king of kings, ordained the union of his Son Jesus Christ, with the Church; and, at the celebration of this mystical marriage, a feast is prepared of oxen and fatlings; and all things are made ready for the guests. The Gospel hath its feast (for, saith the Apostle, let us keep the feast) in which all the sacrifices of the law are fulfilled in the one sacrifice of Christ, which we commemorate in the Christian Church.

But how do men accept of God's gracious invitation? The Jews, who are the people first bidden to the feast, were men given up

to

to the world, and as such made light of it, and followed their business. Others, full of the pride and spite of false doctrine, rose up against the messengers of God, and persecuted them even unto death; for this wickedness God, in his wrath against them, sent forth the armies of the Romans to destroy those murderers, and burn up their city Jerusalem. They are called murderers because they crucified Jesus Christ, as they had slain the prophets before; and so all the righteous blood shed upon the earth was to be revenged upon them. They were visited, as is here said; and their city was burned with fire.

These, to whom the word of God was first preached, being found unworthy, the Apostles of Jesus Christ were commanded to turn to the Gentiles. The parable saith, the servants of the king were then sent out into the highways, that is, from Judea into all the world, to bring in as many as they could find, without exception of any. The Church of Christ does therefore include persons of all characters, and people of all nations (according to another parable, which compares the kingdom of heaven to a net cast into the sea, which gathereth of every kind, both bad and good) which remain together till the separa

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tion is made. For the day of inquisition cometh, when the King comes in to visit his church, and examine into the character of all his guests. There he finds those who are at a wedding without a wedding garment; who are in the Church of Christ, assembled with other people, and yet are no Christians. Anciently, at baptism, a white garment was put upon those who were admitted into the Church, as a sign of their sanctification, and a lesson to purity: but as the swine, when it is cleansed, returns to its wallowing in the mire; so do many Christians forfeit the purity of the Christian character. When the question shall be put to such, how they came into the church without repenting of their sins; what shall they say for themselves? The case is so plain, that the Christian profession will not consist with a sinful life, that they shall stand speechless, confounded, and self-condemned. Men can make many fair speeches in excuse for themselves now; but they will not dare to say to God what they say to one another. They who walk unworthy of their vocation, will have their lot with those who rejected the Gospel. As the Jews were visited with fire and sword; so the unprofitable Christian, who boasted of his liberty, will be bound

hand

hand and foot, as an unworthy slave, and cast into outward darkness, into the regions of torment, where the blessed light of God's presence doth not reach, to give life and comfort; but misery and despair dwell for ever and

ever.

I am therefore to consider, that all are not Israel that are of Israel; all were not Jews that were circumcised; all are not Christians that have been brought by baptism into the Church; for many are called, but few are chosen. Under the present state of things, bad and good are together at the marriage feast of the Gospel; and many of those who are now called to be among the rest, will not be chosen at last as fit for the kingdom of God. I am therefore not to depend upon any privileges I have at present, unless I use them right and must give all diligence to make my calling and election sure.

THE QUESTIONS.

Q. Who is meant by the King in this pa

rable?

A. God, the King of Heaven.

Q. Who is the King's Son?

A. Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

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Q. What does the marriage signify?

A. The union of Christ with the Church. Q. What is the marriage feast?

A. The feast of the Christian Passover, in which all the sacrifices of the law are fulfilled.

Q. What was meant by the turning of water into wine at the marriage feast in Cana of Galilee?

A. The new doctrine of the Gospel, or the spirit of the law of Moses, kept till the latter time of Christ's coming into the world.

Q. Who were the sercants, whom God sent out to invite men to this feast?

A. The ministers and preachers of the word. Q. How were they received by those to whom they were sent?

A. They were persecuted, and put to death. Q. What makes men despise the invitation which God sends to them by his ministers?

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A. Too much attention to this world; which becomes so important to those who are engaged by it, that they make light of another.

Q. Who were the people to whom the messengers of God were first sent?

A. The Jews.

Q. Which was their city?

A. Jeru

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