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tempt, with which its bleffings are ufually refifed, is a decifive proof of our extreme depravity: there is fcarcely any thing in life, which is not preferred to grace and falvation.

The parable further declares, that the fervants, who carried their lord's meffages, were treated with fcorn and violence; and fome of them fuffered death. This was, exactly, what the holy Prophets and Apoftles met with from the Jewith nation. Jefus, therefore, held up to his hearers a true picture of their perfecuting fpirit and that of their countrymen: and, while he reprefented the king as utterly deftroying his murderous fubjects, and reducing their city to afhes, he virtually predicted the divine judgments coming upon them, for their rejection of the Gospel. Others, however, have obtained mercy through their unbelief*."

The invitation to the marriage was enlarged. The fovereign, determined that his preparations fhould not be ineffectual, called in the ftrangers and miferable outcafts upon the highways, till the feaft was furnished with guests. Thus the Lord God has fent the glad tidings of falvation to finners of the Gentiles, even to thofe, who through their ignorance and profaneness seem at the greatest distance, and in a state the most deplorably wretched. The minifters of the Gospel are now commiffioned to "bid to the marriage, as many as they fhall find." Whatever, then, may have been your character or condition, we entreat your attendance, and affure you, that the Lord will graciously receive you. O refufe not, as others have done to their perdition.

But if you accept the invitation, you must comply with the rules prefcribed, and be properly habited, while you fit down to this entertainment: for "a wedding garment" is provided for each gueft.

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God himself fes to prop (6 cover you with the robe of righteoufnefs," which will render you beautiful in his fight you cannot ftand in his prefence without it. He will minutely furvey the perfons, who profefs a readiness to partake of his feaft, and fuch are all the outward members of his Church. One is reprefented as fingled out from the reft, not being clothed with the vestment required. He was called forth and examined concerning his pretentions to be admitted to that high banquet: and, having nothing to urge in his own defence, he was caft out with extreme difgrace. The all-piercing eye of God will detect every hypocrite, who may be numbered. among his people. It is not enough to join the affemblies of the faints: have we 66 put on Chrift?" If we are unwilling to appear in his righteoufnefs, and prefume upon our own worthinefs, we cannot be acceptable guefts: nor can we efcape conviction. "How cameft thou in hither?" is a question, which will confound thoufands, who feemed to pay a respect to the Gospel. What, then, is our habit? Are we" clothed with the garment of falvation?" If otherwife, an awful condemnation awaits us: we muft be excluded from God and happinefs, and configned to a place of endlefs and inexpreffible torment, anguifh, and defpair. Ah! what "fearchings of heart" become us, fince few, in comparifon, obtain the efficacious influence of that grace, which is tendered to them in the Gospel!

These folemn admonitions of Jefus did not conciliate, but rather the more exafperate, his enemies. Yet they were afraid to take away his life by force; and, therefore, by various fchemes they endeavoured to find fome plaufible pretext for doing it. Accordingly, they propofed fubtle questions, merely that they might draw from him fuch anfwers, as would furnish them with a heavy charge against him. The Pharifces left him, and, having confulted together on

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the best method of effecting their defign, joined the Herodians in laying a fare for him. There men were of different parties and principles, and yet they could agree in the fame diabolical purpofe. They came with fair, but feigned, profeffions of regard, and requested our Lord's decifion, as to the lawfulness of paying tribute to Cetar, the Roman Emperor. Probably, they were confident of involv ing him in a very ferious difficulty: if he had diffuaded them from fubmitting to the tax, they might have accused him as an enemy to the government; or, if he had commanded it, they might have incenfed the people against him, as hoftile to their liberties.

But how vain are all human devices, in oppofition to God! Jefus perceived their malevolent intentions, and fharply reproved their hypocrify. He replied with peculiar wifdom, fo as to make them judge and condemn themselves in their own caufe. They were forced to confess their fubjection to Cefar, fo long as they received the current coin, which was ftamped with that Emperor's image. He inferred, therefore, without entering into political debates, that they should "render to Cefar the things which were Cefar's." A conclufion undeniably juft: and equally just was the caution, which he fubjoined, that God alfo has demands upon us, which ought, at leaft, to be as much regarded and complied with, as those of our earthly governors. They were altonifhed at the prudence and propriety of this anfwer, and obliged for that time to abandon their purpose.

Let us, then, attend to our Lord's decifion, and feriously confider what we owe both to God and the king. These duties are not incompatible with each other: we cannot plead, that we truly "fear God," if we do not " honour the king." Are we giving

* Mat. xxii. 15-22. Mark xii. 13-17. Luke xx. 20—26.

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that reverence and support, which are due to perfons in authority? Do we utter no contemptuous fpeeches against them? Do we not ftudy fraudulent methods of evading the taxes, which are impofed, or pay them with a peevish difcontent? Surely, fuch a conduct is disgraceful to the profeffion of religion. But, though we have maintained our loyalty and fubmiffion to the reigning powers, have we not neglected the God of heaven? Has He no rights, no claims upon us? Or, fhall we prefume, that he will not affert them? "Will a man rob God?” Would not the attempt imply confummate ignorance, pride, and fool-hardinefs? Yet we all have done it. We have not admired his perfections, honoured his government, obeyed his law, or believed in his gofpel, as we ought. We have not rendered all proper reverence and attention to his name, his fabbaths, his house, or minifters. "Enter not into judgment with thy fervants, O Lord!"

On the fame day, a different fet of men attacked the Saviour. The Sadducees, who denied a future ftate, came and started a difficulty against the refurrection of the body, which they ridiculed. They urged, that feven brethren, having been married in fucceffion to the fame woman, could not all claim her as their wife in the world to come. But Jefus declared, that their opinions evinced an ignorance of the fcriptures, and of the mighty power of God; fince that power can easily reftore life to the dead, however improbable the event may feern, and the fcriptures exprefsly affert, that they fhall rife. He argued, that all the diftinctions and relations, which fubfift among us on earth, will have no place hereafter. There may be a knowledge of thofe, to whom we are now closely united; but all thofe partial attachments and connections, which bind us to one

Mat. xxii. 23-33. Mark xii. 18-27. Luke xx. 27–40.

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another, will then be done away, as inconfiftent with the perfection of the heavenly state. Their objection, therefore, fell to the ground. He fhewed alf, even from the books of Mofes, which they profefied to receive, that Jehovah had given fufficient intimations of a future ftate, by calling himfelf the God of Abraham, Ifaac, and Jacob, long after thofe patriarchs were deceased: we may thence conclude, that departed faints are not perished; but that, as God is their God, their fpirits are now with him, and their duft shall awake again, to live in his prefence for ever. Thus they were completely vanquished, and dared not to renew their attack.

Do not modern free-thinkers, like the ancient Sadducees, betray their ignorance and perverfenefs by the difficulties which they start on the fubject of religion? We would, therefore, addrefs them in the words of Jefus, "Ye do err, not knowing the fcriptures, nor the power of God." We entreat you to relinquish your vain fpeculations, which will certainly turn to your own confufion. If you will gratify your captious difpofition, and fondness for disputation, innumerable queftions may be raised on every point, which do not admit an eafy folution. And, while you refufe to abide by the fimple declarations of God's word, and fuffer your corrupt reafon to give in its arrogant decifions, you may perifh in your own imaginations.

But, though the Sadducees declined the conteft with Jefus, the Pharifees fet upon him again, as if they were confident of fucceeding better*. One of their learned doctors came forward with a question, intending to try his knowledge of divine revelation. It feems to have been difputed among them, which was the most important and neceffary precept: fome preferred ceremonies, and others facrifices,

* Mat. xxii. 34, &c. Mark xii. 28-37. Luke xx. 41—44.

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