feast, even if they were admitted to it. But they never can be admitted, nor to all eternity shall they ever " so much as taste " what the favoured guests shall feed upon in the presence of their God.]
But let me once more endeavour to execute my commission —
[Once more in the name of Almighty God I invite you, brethren, to come to the wedding-feast. And O, think who it is that invites i/ou. It is God, and not man: the voice, though the voice of a feeble worm like yourselves, is as truly God's, as if it came in thunder, or in audible sounds from heaven. And will you turn a deaf ear to him ? to him who needs not you, and who invites you only that he may make you a par- taker of his own blessedness and glory ? Think also to lohat a feast you are called. In comparison of that, all that this world
can give is but as the husks that the swine eat of
Think yet further, how vain all your excuses are. What have you to do that can be put in competition with the seeking
and securing the salvation of the soul? Think too
how hitter your regrets ivill soon be. Soon you will behold the company that is set down at the marriage supper : but you will behold them at an unapproachable distance : and these reflec- tions will then irresistibly force themselves upon your mind : * There I also might have been a happy guest, if only I would have accepted the invitations given me, and obeyed the call of Almighty God : but here am I, banished from the Saviour's presence, and without a drop of water to cool my tongue. O ! wretch that I am! I in vain look to rocks and mountains to fall upon me : they cannot perform for me that friendly office; they cannot hide me from the wrath of my offended God.' Lastly, Think how painful must be both your state and mine in the day when I shall give up my accou7it of my present labours. To save your souls alive is now the one object for which I minister, and for which I live. And in that day I must give an account of my ministry. But O ! what an account will it be? ' Did you deliver my message to them? Did you invite them to the wedding-feast ? Did you press and ui-ge them as it became you? Did you warn them of the consequences of declining my invitation ?' What answers must I give? I can say nothing which will not evince your guilt, and aggravate your condemnation. The Lord grant that such may never be the issue of my labours ; but that I may have you all as " my joy and crown of rejoicing in that day ! "]