no more remembered^; and that every thing they do for God shall be accepted of him. If only they believe in Christ, and engage in his service, they need not fear. While unbelieving Pharisees shall be cast out, they sliall find favour in God's sight. O that these blessed tidings may be welcomed as they deserve to be ! Let not any say. To-morrow I will regard my Father's command. His voice to every one is. Go, work to- day in my vineyard. None of us can tell what may be on tlie morrow. Let none then presume to defer this necessary work. God himself most solemnly cautions us against delay™. To every one of you therefore do we address the Apostle's ex- hortation"— and we pray God that ye may not only say. Lord, Lord ! but do his will.]
1 Heb. viii. 12. '" Heb. iii. 10, 15. » 2 Cor. vi. 2.
Matt. xxii. 2, 3. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a certain king, ivhich made a marriage for his son, and sent forth his servants to call them that tvere bidden to the wedding : and they ivould iiot come.
INSTRUCTION and reproof generally irritate those who will not be reformed ; but ministers must '' speak plainly, whether men will hear or forbear." They must present the same truths in various shapes, if by any means they may win the souls of their hearers; nor should they be intimidated even by the most imminent dangers. Jesus had spoken a parable that greatly offended the Pharisees : they even sought to take away his life on account of it : but he still per- sisted in his benevolent labours for their good, and repeated the same offensive truths in the parable before us. In the parable he compares the kingdom of heaven, or the Gospel dispensation, to a king who made a marriage for his son, and sent his servants to invite guests to the marriage-feast. This king was Jehovah : the wedding was between the Lord Jesus Christ, God's only-begotten Son, and his spouse the Church : and the feast instituted in honour of it, contained all the blessings of grace and glory. The Prophets and Apostles were sent forth in Jehovah's