The Gentiles, who had hitherto been overlooked, were now to be invited at the eleventh hour.]
But it may also be applied to individuals of every description —
[The occasion on which it was spoken relates equally to all''; and persons of different ages or circumstances may fitly represent the different hours. Some, like Samuel and Timothy, enter into the service of their God in very early life' : happy indeed are they ; and thankful should they be for the grace that inclined their hearts. Others have attained a considerable age before they begin their appointed work. What reason have they to bless God for having subdued their reluctant "spirits ! But many are now arrived at " the eleventh hour." All who are far advanced in life are certainly of this description ; they too, who are weak and sickly, are probably drawing to the close of their day : yea, there may be some whose day of grace is nearly terminated, while they are yet in full vigour both of body and mind. Surely all such persons may well conceive them- selves to be addressed in the text.]
To us then is the invitation of the Gospel now sent —
[The Saviour's voice to every one of us is, " Go into my vineyard." He justly expostulates with us, " Why stand ye here all the day idle ?" Nor can any of us offer that excuse that might be justly urged by the Gentiles. We have received numberless calls to enter into the service of our God™. If we delay therefore any longer we shall be utterly without excuse. We know indeed that they, who dislike God's service, will find pleas enough for declining it". But have we provided an excuse that will be accepted in the day of judgment? If so, we may go on securely in our career of sin : but if not, let us not, by hardening our hearts, provoke God finally to exclude us°. It is in vain to urge, that we are incapable of performing the work assigned us. To the weakest person upon earth God wiU assuredly fulfil that promise p — If indeed we attempt to serve him in our own strength, we must expect to fail ; nor, if we only engage occasionally in his work, can we hope to succeed. Every intermission renders our task so much the more difficult. A vineyard long neglected will afford more trovxble to the
k Matt. xix. 29.
' The hours are reckoned firom six in the morning, that is, from sun-rise to sun-set ; so that the third hour is early in the day.
n'^ Rom. X. 21.
" ' I must attend to my worldly business ; I have a family to pro- vide for,' &c.
o Heb. iii. 7 — 11. p Deut. xxxiii. 25.