or unworthiness any ground of exclusion. Let none then )Tield to unbelieving fears. We would " compel" you all, by every argument we can devise. Reflect on the greatness of the host that invites you, and the excellence of the feast he sets before you. Consider the blessedness of partaking of it, and the certain consequences of absenting yourselves from itk. Let all come, and " delight their souls with fatness." The command given to the Church is yet addressed to you1 — ]
k If the Sacrament be administered, it may be observed, that the table is now spread before their eyes, &c. 1 Cant. v. 1.
Luke xiv. 28 — 33. Which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it ? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and ivas not able to finish. Or tvhat king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand ? Or else, while the other is yet a great ivay off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth condi- tions of peace. So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.
MANKIND in general, when they want us to engage in their pursuits, are apt to exaggerate the advantages, and to hide as much as possible the difficulties, that will attend the adoption of their plans Our Lord, on the contrary, declared plainly to his followers, the conflicts they must engage in, and the losses they must sustain, if they would be his Disciples. In the verses preceding the text, he states in very strong language the only terms on which he would admit them into his family ; and, having cau- tioned them by two familiar parables against en- gaging rashly in his service, he again reminds them, that they must forsake all,. if they will follow him. To elucidate the passage, we shall consider,
I. The scope of the parables —