lawful. — ^li is not avowed dislike to the Qt)spel which is so much to be feared. It is that pro(arastinatiiig» excuse- making spirit, which is always ready with a reason why Christ cannot be served io-day, — ^Let the words of our Lord on this subject sink down into our hearts. Infidelity and immorality, no doubt, slay their thousauds. But decent, plausible, smooth-spoken excuses slay their tens of thousands. No excuse can justify a man in refusing God's invitation, and not coming to Christ.
We are taught, lastly, in this parable, that God earnestly desires the salvation of souls^ and would haioe all means used to procure acceptance for His Gospel. We read that when those who were first invited to the supper refused the invitation, *^ the master of the house said to bis ser- vant. Go out quickly into the streets, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and tiie halt, and the blind." We read that when this was done, aad there was yet room, ^'the lord said unto his servant. Go out into the high ways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled."
The meaning of these words can admit of little dispute. They surely justify us in asserting the exceeding love and compassion of God towards sinners. His longsuffering is inexhaustible. If some will not receive the truth. He will have others invited in their stead. His pity for the lost is no feigned and imaginary thing. He is infinitely willing to save souls. — ^Above all, the words justify every preacSier and teacher of the Gospel in employing all possible means to awdcen sinners, and to turn them from "their sins. If iikey will not come to us in public, we must visit them in private. If they will not attend