the salvation which He has wrought out and provided for the needy; to receive it as a free gift, of which they feel themselves to be utterly undeserving. It fills them with wonder and surprise to hear that all things are ready for the reception of such unworthy creatures as they feel themselves to be; and that they shall not be rejected, but be received with a welcome. They take God at His word; and humbly implore for themselves what He has so freely promised to give. They intreat that the blessing may be vouchsafed to them. As long as men remain ignorant of themselves, they slight the message of mercy and salvation. But when they are laid low in their own eyes, when they are truly humbled before God, they are thankful that undeserved mercy is promised to those who earnestly seek it, through Christ Jesus, the only Saviour of lost sinners. Then excuses are no longer formed that other things demand a preference in our regard; or that our attention is more urgently required by the things of this life. Then we desire that our hearts, our talents, our time, may be devoted to the service of God, to whom we owe ourselves, our all; and that His glory may be promoted in us and by us.

When all the poor of the city had been collected together to partake of the feast that had been provided; the servant who had been com

manded to bring them to his master's house, said to him, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. What an encouraging declaration is this, Yet there is room! This is the declaration which the ministers of the gospel of Christ have made in all ages. And until the gospel shall cease to be proclaimed, there will be room for all who are willing to partake of its blessings; so that they may go, without fear of being refused admittance, to the marriage supper of the Lamb. The poor and needy who hear the gracious invitation are welcome to receive the blessing; for Him that cometh unto Me, says the Saviour, I will in no wise cast

out.87

The lord then said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. Those who were wandering about, without house and home, the outcasts from society; poor wandering wretches of every description were invited, that the feast might be furnished with guests. The poorest, the meanest, and vilest, the most dejected and despairing, are invited to come and partake of the blessings of the gospel of Christ. The most unworthy in their own estimation, self-condemned and penitent sinners, will not be rejected on account of their past offences. If you truly

87 John vi. 37.

come to the Lord Jesus Christ, for pardon and salvation, He will not refuse to give you these unspeakable blessings, He will not deny the request of your lips. Though you may have wandered from His fold ever so far, yet the good Shepherd graciously calls you to come back again to Him, that He may bless you. Oh! hear His voice, and come without delay. Make no more vain excuses. But turn to Him with all your heart and with all your soul, while you hear His gracious invitation; lest He swear in His wrath, that you shall not enter into His rest.88

The vain excuses of those who refused to attend the supper to which they were bidden, so displeased the master of the house, that he added, I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. Thus those who reject and despise the blessings of the gospel of Christ, which are set before them, will find too late that it had been better for them if poverty and pain had been their lot through life, rather than that they should have hardened their hearts against the invitations of His mercy and grace, which were sent to them by the ministers of His word. Let those who hear the gospel, beware how they slight its gracious invitations. Let not the lawful employments of life, or its lawful enjoyments, much less its unlawful ones, lead

88 Hebrews iii. 11, 18.

you to neglect the great salvation of the Son of God. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?89 The ministers of Christ invite you, Come, for all things are now ready. Behold, now is the accepted time. Behold, now is the day of salvation.90 Come then to Him, that you may receive pardon, and righteousness, and eternal life. However unworthy you may feel yourselves to be, He invites you, Come unto Me, all уе that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.91 Come at His bidding, that you may be blessed in Him; that walking humbly with Him as your God, you may enjoy the light of His reconciled countenance, and may rejoice in His salvation.

What an extraordinary company was this which was assembled at the great supper: the poor, the maimed, the halt, the blind, and beggars from the highways and hedges. How would those who had refused to come to the supper, despise these wretched outcasts, and think them unworthy to obtain so great a blessing. Mean, however, as was their appearance in the first instance, when the naked were cloathed, and the hungry were fed, a great change would take place in their condition. Then what a grateful company may we suppose them to have been! The change which Divine grace makes in the souls

89 Hebrews ii. 3. 90 2 Corinthians vi. 2. 91 Matthew xi. 28.

of those who partake of its benefits, may be compared to that which took place in these once wretched guests at the supper; and the mercy which they receive, will ever fill their hearts with gratitude and praise to Him who has had compassion upon them; they will show forth His salvation from day to day. Let us act as it became these poor people to do, after they had partaken of the bounty of the lord of the feast. Let us be thankful for the blessings of the gospel, with which we are favoured. Let us use the gifts of Divine bounty to His glory who has bestowed them upon us; and let us look forward in hope, that after having been made partakers of His grace here upon earth, we shall be admitted to His kingdom of glory in heaven; to praise and magnify His holy name, when time shall be no more.