4. Be thankful for grace. The whole design of salvation by Christ bespeaketh gratitude. That we by the grace of God should be put into a capacity of life eternal, what should be the whole business of our lives but a thankful obedience to God ? 2 Cor. v. 14, 15, ' For the love of Christ constraineth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead : and that he died for all, that they who live should not henceforth live to themselves, but unto him who died for them, and rose again.'
SERMON UPON MATTHEW XXII. 14.
For many are called, hut few are chosen. — Mat. xxii. 14.
These words contain the reason of the different manner of receiving the gospel-offer of Christ and his benefits. The reason is, because the election of grace is not commensurate or of equal extent with the gospel-offer, as appeareth by the foregoing parable. Many were invited, but some refused to come to the marriage-supper, and slighted and contemned the invitation out of an affection to worldly things ; others, for a pretence and cover, do not flatly deny, but make excuse ; lion vacat, no leisure, is their plea ; non placet, no mind, is their mean- ing. At length some came, but not all with a wedding-garment ; that is, they professed to receive the gospel, but did not walk worthy of it. Here is a plain difference, some refuse, some come, and among those that come, some disgrace the marriage rather than honour it, which is another difference. What is the reason of this variety of success ? I answer — Nothing else but the secret and victorious power of God's grace maketh the difference ; but whence cometh it that it overcometh some men's obstinacy, and the strength of their sensual inclination, but prevaileth not over others ? Because all the invited are not chosen and predestinated to the fruit of God's elective love : ' For many are called, bat few are chosen.' In the words take notice —
1. Of two different sorts of persons; some are 'called' and others ' elected.'
2. The proportion that each sort bears to others, ' many,' ' few.'
3. The particle that connects the observation with the foregoing parable, 'for.'
Now, for the first, it should seem they are of a like extent : Eom. viii. 30, ' Whom he did predestinate, them he also called ; and whom he called, them he also justified/ But we must distinguish of a two- fold calling —
1. External and ineffectual. They are called with an outward and common calling ; as the guests were invited to the feast, who either came not, or came not in a prepared manner ; for calling is an invita- tion to Christ.
2. Calling is put for effectual calling, when God powerfully pursueth his eternal purpose ; a calling, Kara 7rpo9ecnv, according to purpose : Bom. viii. 28, ' And we know that all things shall work together for good
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354 SERMON UPON MATTHEW XXII. 14.
to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.' And so it is of the same extent with election : 2 Tim. i. 9, •Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.' These are not only called outwardly by the preaching of the gospel, but inwardly by the effectual working of his Spirit, according as it pleased and seemed wood to God from everlasting to decree within himself concerning us.
Secondly, For the number and proportion, ' Few are chosen.' There seemeth to be a doubt about the word ' few,' since they are a multitude that none can number ; few not in themselves, for when they are all gathered together, they make a great congregation of righteous ones : Ps. i. 5, ' Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.' But comparatively in regard of the multitude of those that perish in their sins ; some are without the pale, as whole droves of nations spilt upon the great com- mon of the world, that do not own Christ, and are not gathered into his fold, and within the pale. There are few penitent and sincere believers, who are fit to partake of the gospel-feast ; they indeed come, but not with a wedding-garment, do not adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour with a holy conversation, flowing from faith in Christ and love to God.
Thirdly, The causal particle is to be observed, ' For many are called but few are chosen.' This is rendered as a reason of the foregoing difference ; it is the Lord's mercy to call both, but his singular mercy to elect any. They that are only called and act not worthily, bear the just punishment of their neglect and contempt ; they that obey the call must not ascribe it to themselves, but to the grace of God, who giveth them the Spirit, and faith ; and the first rise of this grace that cometh to us is in election.
Doct. The reason why any miss of the grace of the gospel is long of themselves ; and why others receive it in a more worthy manner, is the mere discriminating grace of God.