the coming of the Meffiah, by the Prophets, by John the Baptift, and by Jefus himself: But they rejected this gracious offer of the Gospel. 4. Again he fent other Servants, faying; Tell thofe that are invited, that my Feaft is now ready, and that all things are prepared, and bid them haften hither: Thus Chrift, after his RefurreEtion and Afcenfion, fent forth his Apoftles again, and other Difciples, inftructed and affifted with greater measures of the Spirit, to preach to the Jews that all things were now accomplished, that the Kingdom of the Meffiah or the Gospel-Covenant was established, and to invite them to come in and embrace it. 5.& 6. But the Guests Still refused to come, going every one about his own but nefs; and fome were fo ungrateful, as even to abuse and kill the Servants that were fent to call them: Thus the the Jews ftill rejected the repeated offers of the Gofpel, preferring the advantages of this Life to the hopes of a future; and going on obftinately in their own way, and even perfecuting and flaying the Difciples that were fent to preach to them. t 7. But when the King heard this, he was greatly incenfed, and fent out his Army, and destroyed thofe ungrateful Men that murdered his Servants, and he burnt their City: Thus God, highly provoked at the incorrigible obftinacy of the Jews, fent at laft the Roman Army upon them, and deftroyed the City Je-rufalem and their whole Nation. 8 & 9. Then he fent out Servants again, Saying; The Guests that were invi ted, were not worthy to come to my Feaft; Go therefore into the high-ways, and invite fuch as you meet, and urge them to come in: Thus God, rejecting the Jews for T 3 their their impenitency and unbelief,commanded the Gofpel to be preached to the Gentiles. 10. Accordingly the Servants went out, and invited all they met,both good and bad, and the room was filled with guests: Thus the Difciples of Chrift preached the Gofpel to the Gentiles; and they believed and received it, and were admitted into the Church; some of them being good and fincere Chriftians, others Hypocrites and wicked Men. 11 Then the King came in to view his Guests, and Saw a Man among them not having on a Wedding gar ment: Thus God fees fome in the Church, who profeffing themselves to be Chriftians, yet obey not the Gospel, but live unworthily of it. 12 & 13. And when the Man, upon Examination, had nothing to lay in Excufe of his neglect, the King commanded him to be turned out of doors into the dark: 13 Then faid the king to the fervants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and caft him there fhall be weep ing and gnashing of into outer darkness: teeth. 14 For many are Thus wicked Chriftians, who profefs the Gospel,but obey it not; having nothing to plead in excufe for themfelves, fhall be feparated by God from among the Faithful, and be caft into the Regions of Eternal darkness, most remote from the happiness of Heaven. 14. For many indeed called, but few are hear and receive the Gof chofen, pel, and many there are that profefs themselves Chriftians; but there are but few who live fuitable to that holy Profeffion and approve themselves before God, so as to be thought worthy of its Reward. 15 ¶ All these Parables the Pharifees heard: And though thefe Difcourfes referred to many things, which at that time were not yet accomplished, fo that the Pharifees could not fully understand them; yet in general they perceived, that all thefe fimilitudes were directed against I 4 Them. ; Them. Refolving therefore, fome way or other to deftroy Jefus and feeing the People had at prefent fuch an opinion of his being a great Prophet, that they durft not venture to apprehend him by force; they contrived, if poffible, to infnare him in his talk, fo as to draw him in to fay fomething that might give offence to the People. ו' a 16. Sending therefore fome of their own Difciples, together with fome of the followers of He rod, they inftructed them to affault him with a Shew of great Honour and Efteem, faying: Mafter, We believe you to be true and fincere Teacher of the Law of God, and that you have fo much Courage and Freedom, as not to flatter any Man, nor be moved by any Fear or Affection to conceal the Truth: We defire therefore you would folve us this Doubt. |