many-sided precious stones, cut so as to cast lustre in more than one direction/'
Let us observe, in the first place, that tlie salvation of the Gospel is cotripared to a marriage feast. The Lord Jesus tells us that " a certain king made a marriage for his son."
There is in the Gospel a complete provision for all the wants of man's soul. There is a supply of every- thing that can be required to relieve spiritual hunger and spiritual thirst. Pardon, peace with God, lively hope in this world, glory in the world to come, are set before us in ricli abundance. It is "a feast of fat things." All this provision is owing to the love of the Son of God, Jesus Christ our Lord. He offers to take us into union with Himself— to restore us to the family of God as dear children — to clothe us with His own righteousness — to give us a place in His kingdom, and to present us faultless before His Father's throne at the last day. The Gospel, in short, is an offer of food to the hungry — -joy to the mourner — a home to the outcast — a lo'vdng friend to the lost. It is glad tidings. God offers, through His dear Son, to be at one with sinful man. Let us not forget this : " Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins." (1 John iv. 10.)
Let us observe, in the second place, that the invitations of the Gospel are tvide, full, broad, and unlimited. The Lord Jesus tells us in the parable, that the king's servants said to those who were bidden, ^^ all things are ready : come unto the marriage."
There is nothing wanting on God's part for the