[We are enjoined to " be followers (imitators) of God as dear children :" " to be merciful as he is merciful, and perfect as he is perfect." Behold then at what expense he has made provision for our needy souls ! "he has not spared even his own Son, but has delivered him up for us all." Let not us then grudge any sacrifice for the comfort and support of our
p Rev. xix. 7 — 9. « Isai. xxv. 6. r Rev. iii. 17, 18.
8 Isai. lv. 1,2. x John vi. 55.
afflicted brethren. Economy should be practised, in order to liberality ; and self-denial, in order to an enlarging of our ability to supply the wants of others. You well " know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for our sakes he became poor, that we through his poverty might be richu : Let the same mind be in you that was in him." Let the happiness of others be your happiness, and the luxury of doing good be your daily food. Thus will every thing you have be sanctified to youx: and the blessing of God will rest upon you in life y, in death2, and to all eternity a.]
u 2 Cor. viii. 9. x Luke xi. 41. x Heb. vi. 10.
z Ps. xli. 1. a Luke xvi. 9.
Luke xiv. 16 — 18. Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many : and sent his servant at supper-time to say to them that were bidden, Come ; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse.
PERSONS, who are very ignorant of true religion, often express a desire to participate its blessings. Wherever we find them thus open to instruction, we should endeavour to teach them the way of God more perfectly. This was the uniform practice of our blessed Saviour3. The person, that addressed our Lord, seemed but little acquainted with the nature of the Messiah's kingdom b. Our Lord took occasion to rectify his apprehensions on that subject, and to shew him, under the idea of a feast, that the provisions of his Gospel would be slighted by that whole nation. The parable in this view declares the rejection of the Jews and the call of the Gentiles ; but it is also applicable to nominal Christians in all ages. Its import, as it respects us, may be comprised in two observations :
I. God invites us to partake of the blessings of his Gospel —
a See John iv. 15, 21. and vi. 34, 35. b ver. 15.