public_a employment_n and_o enable_v he_o to_o lead_v and_o to_o warn_v other_o by_o become_v a_o burn_a and_o shine_a light_n in_o his_o generation_n and_o inspire_v his_o charge_n by_o a_o pious_a example_n and_o even_o in_o the_o most_o private_a station_n as_o temptation_n and_o trial_n assault_v a_o man_n so_o there_o be_v more_o press_a want_n of_o faith_n and_o of_o a_o great_a steadiness_n and_o abundance_n still_o the_o thick_a those_o dart_n of_o the_o wicked_a be_v shoot_v against_o we_o and_o the_o more_o furious_a and_o fiery_a they_o be_v which_o this_o faith_n alone_o can_v quench_v the_o wisdom_n of_o governor_n do_v not_o think_v the_o same_o preparation_n necessary_a in_o time_n of_o peace_n as_o when_o actual_o in_o a_o state_n of_o war_n but_o provide_v against_o surprise_v and_o be_v content_a to_o defer_v the_o arm_v or_o draw_v out_o their_o force_n till_o action_n call_v for_o they_o and_o thus_o it_o be_v sufficient_a to_o be_v assure_v that_o upon_o great_a emergency_n god_n strength_n shall_v be_v always_o ready_a at_o hand_n and_o make_v perfect_a in_o our_o weakness_n provide_v we_o be_v diligent_a and_o honest_a that_o be_v if_o we_o use_v the_o strength_n we_o have_v and_o do_v not_o indulge_v nor_o industrious_o contribute_v to_o our_o own_o weakness_n let_v it_o be_v allow_v then_o that_o a_o man_n be_v not_o deceive_v in_o these_o apprehension_n of_o himself_o and_o that_o his_o faith_n do_v not_o make_v any_o considerable_a advance_n yet_o if_o his_o condition_n be_v such_o as_o do_v not_o call_v for_o any_o extraordinary_a addition_n the_o case_n be_v still_o well_o enough_o for_o as_o no_o man_n have_v need_n to_o call_v his_o health_n in_o question_n who_o feel_v no_o indisposition_n of_o body_n though_o he_o do_v not_o perceive_v himself_o to_o grow_v every_o day_n strong_a so_o if_o our_o faith_n be_v but_o a_o preservative_n from_o lapse_n and_o error_n and_o secure_v we_o against_o spiritual_a sickness_n and_o death_n if_o we_o do_v not_o languish_v and_o become_v manifest_o cold_a and_o feeble_a in_o god_n service_n nor_o find_v our_o soul_n infect_v with_o sin_n and_o lust_n this_o be_v a_o good_a argument_n that_o our_o spiritual_a health_n be_v good_a and_o though_o a_o great_a degree_n and_o high_a perfection_n may_v be_v desirable_a perhaps_o yet_o still_o they_o be_v not_o necessary_a nor_o shall_v we_o perish_v for_o the_o want_n of_o they_o beside_o where_o all_o these_o blessing_n depend_v upon_o the_o mere_a bounty_n and_o free_a gift_n of_o our_o master_n we_o ought_v not_o to_o disquiet_v ourselves_o with_o reflection_n upon_o what_o we_o have_v not_o but_o rejoice_v and_o be_v thankful_a for_o what_o we_o have_v it_o be_v enough_o that_o we_o be_v admit_v into_o his_o favour_n that_o he_o snatch_v we_o from_o ruin_n and_o allow_v we_o any_o place_n at_o all_o in_o his_o presence_n and_o will_v much_o better_o become_v we_o to_o sit_v down_o please_v and_o take_v the_o low_a room_n than_o to_o discontent_n ourselves_o and_o lose_v the_o comfort_n of_o what_o we_o enjoy_v by_o repine_v that_o we_o be_v not_o take_v to_o sit_v on_o his_o right_a hand_n and_o a_o his_o left_a in_o his_o kingdom_n 2._o but_o then_o we_o be_v to_o consider_v in_o the_o next_o place_n that_o our_o faith_n and_o other_o grace_n do_v very_o often_o increase_v and_o we_o in_o the_o mean_a while_n perceive_v it_o not_o what_o our_o church_n in_o one_o of_o her_o article_n teach_v we_o to_o confess_v be_v most_o certain_a xii_o act_v xii_o that_o good_a work_n do_v natural_o flow_v from_o faith_n so_o that_o by_o they_o a_o true_a faith_n may_v be_v know_v as_o evident_o as_o a_o tree_n by_o its_o fruit._n the_o meaning_n whereof_o be_v this_o that_o what_o we_o call_v faith_n if_o it_o produce_v no_o good_a deed_n be_v no_o better_a than_o dead_a and_o none_o at_o all_o but_o it_o be_v by_o no_o mean_n a_o just_a consequence_n from_o hence_o that_o no_o faith_n be_v lively_a and_o true_a which_o be_v not_o perpetual_o exert_v itself_o in_o new_a instance_n any_o more_o than_o that_o the_o tree_n be_v dead_a which_o be_v not_o always_o green_a and_o always_o bear_v for_o our_o soul_n have_v in_o some_o sense_n their_o winter_n too_o and_o the_o season_n of_o sprout_v again_o into_o verdancy_n and_o fruitfulness_n if_o therefore_o either_o want_n of_o opportunity_n to_o show_v itself_o keep_v it_o hide_v or_o the_o storm_n of_o affliction_n suppress_v and_o put_v it_o back_o for_o a_o while_n we_o have_v no_o reason_n to_o be_v discourage_v or_o despair_v of_o its_o life_n but_o may_v conclude_v that_o as_o the_o corn_n lie_v cover_v and_o yet_o gather_v strength_n when_o under_o ground_n so_o this_o faith_n may_v grow_v and_o flourish_v and_o fit_v itself_o for_o great_a and_o glorious_a undertake_n even_o when_o we_o have_v no_o visible_a sign_n nor_o sensible_a proof_n of_o its_o do_v so_o and_o such_o indeed_o be_v the_o nature_n of_o all_o habit_n whatsoever_o who_o excellency_n consist_v not_o in_o perpetual_a action_n but_o in_o a_o readiness_n and_o masterly_a disposition_n to_o act_v as_o become_v they_o so_o often_o only_o as_o proper_a occasion_n be_v offer_v to_o exercise_v they_o nay_o far_o yet_o i_o add_v that_o though_o some_o thing_n shall_v appear_v to_o we_o which_o look_v very_o suspicious_a and_o seem_v to_o argue_v great_a decay_n at_o least_o if_o not_o absolute_a deadness_n of_o faith_n such_o as_o the_o be_v sometime_o indispose_v to_o the_o duty_n of_o religion_n and_o feel_v our_o zeal_n less_o warm_a and_o vigorous_a than_o former_o yet_o be_v not_o these_o symptom_n of_o so_o fatal_a consequence_n that_o we_o shall_v conclude_v against_o the_o reality_n of_o our_o faith_n or_o at_o all_o despair_n of_o our_o spiritual_a health_n and_o safety_n from_o they_o be_v the_o soul_n indeed_o single_a by_o itself_o and_o in_o a_o condition_n to_o exert_v its_o own_o power_n without_o any_o let_n or_o contradiction_n than_o we_o may_v expect_v that_o it_o shall_v be_v steady_a and_o uniform_a in_o all_o its_o operation_n but_o here_o the_o wise-man_n observation_n take_v place_n that_o 〈◊〉_d that_o wisd_v ix_o 15._o 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d 〈◊〉_d the_o corruptible_a body_n press_v down_o the_o soul_n and_o the_o earthly_a tabernacle_n weigh_v down_o the_o mind_n that_o muse_v upon_o many_o thing_n or_o as_o the_o word_n may_v proper_o enough_o be_v render_v the_o mind_n encumber_a with_o many_o care_n and_o this_o in_o truth_n be_v our_o case_n we_o be_v subject_a to_o all_o the_o necessity_n and_o detain_v by_o all_o the_o clog_n and_o hindrance_n of_o a_o body_n expose_v to_o all_o the_o trouble_v of_o supply_v its_o want_n and_o by_o that_o mean_n to_o all_o the_o uncertainty_n and_o all_o the_o anxiety_n of_o the_o world_n subject_n to_o all_o its_o disorder_n and_o infirmity_n force_v to_o act_n by_o as_o well_o as_o with_o it_o and_o so_o liable_a to_o be_v obstruct_v and_o divert_v by_o its_o passion_n and_o pleasure_n its_o pain_n and_o its_o disease_n this_o be_v the_o very_a reason_n not_o only_a why_o one_o man_n differ_v so_o vast_o from_o another_o but_o why_o the_o same_o man_n differ_v sometime_o so_o strange_o from_o himself_o that_o he_o scarce_o appear_v to_o be_v the_o same_o and_o since_o the_o very_a same_o affection_n be_v the_o spring_n of_o our_o action_n and_o resentment_n in_o religious_a matter_n which_o be_v in_o all_o other_o affair_n it_o must_v needs_o follow_v that_o as_o those_o spring_n be_v different_o set_v and_o we_o different_o move_v by_o they_o the_o alteration_n we_o feel_v in_o point_n of_o duty_n and_o devotion_n as_o they_o belong_v to_o the_o same_o cause_n so_o they_o will_v vary_v in_o like_a proportion_n as_o in_o our_o common_a and_o worldly_a concern_v so_o that_o as_o we_o have_v differ_v constitution_n give_v we_o at_o first_o or_o as_o any_o accident_n afterward_o change_v those_o we_o have_v it_o ought_v not_o to_o seem_v strange_a much_o less_o to_o create_v we_o any_o great_a trouble_n or_o disquiet_v if_o the_o temper_n of_o our_o mind_n and_o our_o disposition_n to_o god_n and_o goodness_n shall_v happen_v to_o vary_v according_o the_o cold_a and_o phlegmatic_a will_v not_o find_v all_o those_o sprightly_a emotion_n of_o heart_n as_o the_o sanguine_a and_o airy_a man_n nor_o will_v this_o man_n again_o feel_v the_o same_o depth_n of_o godly_a sorrow_n and_o sad_a remorse_n nor_o the_o like_a complacency_n in_o the_o austerity_n and_o mortification_n of_o a_o penitent_a state_n with_o one_o of_o a_o black_a and_o more_o heavy_a blood_n thus_o fear_v and_o love_n of_o god_n and_o a_o steadfast_a affiance_n in_o he_o and_o charity_n and_o kindness_n to_o one_o another_o though_o they_o be_v general_a duty_n such_o as_o all_o be_v
success_n of_o this_o life_n be_v literal_o indent_v for_o and_o whatever_o they_o receive_v they_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o debt_n whereas_o the_o gentile_n on_o the_o contrary_a be_v under_o no_o such_o former_a covenant_n these_o when_o call_v into_o the_o vineyard_n throw_v themselves_o at_o their_o lord_n foot_n close_v with_o the_o gospel_n upon_o his_o own_o term_n stand_v entire_o to_o his_o goodness_n go_v cheerful_o to_o work_v and_o be_v content_a with_o the_o prospect_n of_o distant_a and_o unseen_a reward_n and_o whatever_o be_v give_v they_o they_o receive_v it_o as_o the_o effect_n of_o grace_n and_o great_a beneficence_n and_o this_o may_v very_o well_o be_v admit_v for_o one_o good_a consideration_n to_o recommend_v they_o to_o more_o favour_n again_o we_o must_v remember_v that_o the_o value_n of_o any_o service_n or_o obedience_n rise_v in_o proportion_n to_o the_o difficulty_n and_o disadvantage_n which_o the_o person_n break_v through_o to_o pay_v it_o and_o this_o present_v we_o with_o another_o mighty_a disparity_n in_o the_o case_n now_o under_o debate_n the_o jew_n have_v be_v breed_v up_o in_o a_o religion_n which_o have_v little_a else_o in_o it_o but_o shadow_n and_o figure_n of_o the_o christian_a dispensation_n they_o have_v hear_v the_o voice_n of_o the_o prophet_n every_o day_n and_o be_v well_o acquaint_v with_o the_o testimony_n of_o miracle_n by_o which_o our_o jesus_n prove_v his_o mission_n and_o messiahship_n the_o moral_a law_n be_v likewise_o a_o excellent_a preparation_n for_o those_o doctrine_n of_o high_a perfection_n which_o the_o gospel_n build_v upon_o it_o and_o the_o knowledge_n of_o the_o true_a god_n and_o his_o former_a revelation_n make_v the_o passage_n more_o easy_a for_o the_o mystery_n of_o the_o christian_a faith_n for_o person_n therefore_o thus_o qualify_v to_o come_v in_o to_o the_o preach_a and_o the_o church_n of_o christ_n be_v no_o more_o than_o may_v in_o reason_n be_v expect_v and_o they_o who_o do_v it_o not_o be_v just_o reprobate_v as_o past_o all_o excuse_n but_o it_o be_v no_o less_o surprise_v on_o the_o other_o hand_n that_o the_o gentile_n who_o know_v very_o little_a of_o god_n before_o and_o have_v run_v greedy_o into_o all_o manner_n of_o impurity_n and_o excess_n shall_v on_o a_o sudden_a make_v so_o brave_a a_o stand._n that_o they_o shall_v at_o once_o renounce_v all_o their_o pollute_a worship_n and_o licentious_a conversation_n and_o conform_v to_o the_o precept_n of_o a_o most_o holy_a religion_n that_o they_o who_o in_o former_a age_n be_v utter_a stranger_n to_o the_o true_a god_n shall_v receive_v the_o word_n of_o god_n incarnate_a at_o a_o time_n 11._o john_n i._n 11._o when_o he_o come_v to_o his_o own_o family_n and_o his_o own_o receive_v he_o not_o but_o above_o all_o this_o be_v a_o most_o amaze_a instance_n of_o their_o sincerity_n and_o marvellous_a zeal_n that_o man_n who_o live_v so_o much_o in_o the_o dark_a about_o the_o immortality_n of_o the_o soul_n and_o who_o absolute_o deny_v the_o resurrection_n of_o the_o body_n shall_v with_o such_o alacrity_n forego_v the_o enjoyment_n of_o the_o present_a world_n and_o stake_v down_o their_o very_a life_n for_o a_o crown_n to_o be_v obtain_v after_o death_n in_o a_o state_n of_o which_o they_o have_v never_o know_v scarce_o ever_o hear_v any_o thing_n at_o all_o before_o the_o condition_n of_o late_a penitent_n be_v thus_o far_o the_o same_o that_o they_o too_o attain_v to_o a_o through_o reformation_n and_o a_o godly_a life_n very_o hardly_o for_o habit_n of_o the_o mind_n and_o especial_o vicious_a one_o be_v not_o vanquish_v without_o much_o labour_n and_o many_o sharp_a dispute_n the_o power_n of_o custom_n be_v exceed_o great_a but_o in_o wicked_a practice_n the_o difficulty_n be_v double_v because_o there_o corrupt_a nature_n strike_v in_o and_o custom_n be_v strengthen_v by_o inclination_n all_o the_o advances_n that_o a_o man_n thus_o fall_v can_v make_v be_v so_o many_o violence_n commit_v upon_o himself_o and_o the_o bring_v the_o bias_n of_o sensual_a appetite_n to_o draw_v true_a work_v the_o soul_n to_o a_o disrelish_v of_o unlawful_a gain_n and_o pleasure_n and_o make_v one_o self_n a_o new_a heart_n and_o a_o new_a spirit_n be_v long_o and_o laborious_a undertake_n such_o they_o be_v indeed_o as_o nothing_o but_o experience_n can_v give_v we_o any_o just_a notion_n of_o unknown_a to_o those_o happy_a man_n who_o have_v always_o preserve_v their_o good_a principle_n and_o never_o drink_v of_o vice_n nor_o taste_v its_o intoxicate_a pleasure_n these_o have_v nothing_o to_o do_v but_o to_o proceed_v to_o maintain_v their_o ground_n and_o advance_v smooth_o as_o new_a opportunity_n of_o improvement_n shall_v offer_v and_o the_o sensible_a delight_n of_o holiness_n quicken_v they_o up_o to_o it_o and_o if_o the_o god_n of_o mercy_n be_v gracious_a to_o this_o constant_a and_o sedate_v piety_n where_o every_o thing_n be_v agreeable_a and_o invite_a shall_v he_o not_o extend_v his_o bowel_n of_o compassion_n to_o they_o also_o who_o serve_v he_o in_o tear_n and_o groan_n in_o bitter_a remorse_n and_o earnest_a prayer_n will_v he_o despise_v the_o terror_n and_o confusion_n the_o sorrow_n and_o reproach_n of_o a_o self-condemning_a breast_n no_o no._n he_o will_v behold_v such_o anguish_n with_o pity_n and_o assist_v the_o pang_n and_o struggle_n of_o this_o second_o birth_n it_o be_v a_o act_n become_v his_o fatherly_a tenderness_n his_o essential_a goodness_n and_o wisdom_n and_o justice_n to_o make_v those_o gallant_a combatant_n triumphant_a hereafter_o who_o nothing_o less_o than_o a_o undaunted_a zeal_n and_o a_o powerful_a faith_n long_a time_n indefatigable_a pain_n and_o invincible_a resolution_n can_v ever_o have_v render_v victorious_a over_o sin_n here_o and_o upon_o the_o account_n that_o such_o a_o mighty_a change_n argue_v a_o noble_a disposition_n a_o change_n which_o none_o but_o great_a and_o generous_a soul_n have_v the_o courage_n to_o go_v through_o with_o upon_o this_o account_n i_o say_v probable_o it_o be_v that_o our_o bless_a saviour_n declare_v elsewhere_o eton._n luke_n xv._o 7._o 10._o chrysos_fw-la tom._n 5._o serm._n 52._o pag._n 353._o ed._n eton._n there_o be_v more_o joy_n in_o heaven_n over_o one_o sinner_n that_o repent_v than_o over_o ninety_o and_o nine_o just_a person_n that_o need_v no_o repentance_n i._n e._n this_o alteration_n be_v not_o only_o more_o sensible_a but_o in_o some_o respect_v more_o acceptable_a more_o commendable_a than_o a_o easy_a uninterrupted_a course_n of_o steady_a and_o always_o successful_a virtue_n which_o never_o feel_v the_o danger_n nor_o lay_v under_o the_o discouragement_n of_o former_a defeat_v and_o a_o insult_a conqueror_n to_o rally_v and_o make_v head_n against_o with_o force_n often_o beat_v and_o miserable_o break_v 2._o but_o second_o the_o parable_n observe_v another_o difference_n between_o these_o labourer_n after_o the_o work_n be_v over_o that_o they_o who_o be_v hire_v late_o receive_v their_o pay_n with_o all_o due_a humility_n and_o thankfulness_n but_o those_o that_o come_v in_o early_a with_o repine_v and_o indignation_n 408._o chrys_n in_o loc_n t._n 2._o serm._n 64._o pag._n 408._o they_o murmur_v against_o the_o good_a man_n of_o the_o house_n say_v the_o verse_n next_o after_o my_o text_n this_o passage_n st._n chrysostom_n will_v by_o no_o mean_n allow_v we_o to_o understand_v strict_o and_o literal_o it_o be_v a_o contradiction_n to_o all_o our_o notion_n of_o heaven_n that_o any_o grumble_a or_o envious_a disposition_n shall_v be_v admit_v thither_o and_o therefore_o he_o look_v upon_o it_o as_o a_o circumstance_n of_o the_o parable_n pure_o ornamental_a and_o set_v to_o signify_v so_o great_a a_o degree_n of_o happiness_n as_o will_v natural_o provoke_v our_o envy_n in_o this_o world_n and_o thus_o no_o doubt_n with_o regard_n to_o the_o recompense_n of_o another_o life_n we_o be_v oblige_v to_o take_v it_o but_o yet_o as_o he_o observe_v withal_o there_o be_v a_o great_a deal_n both_o of_o energy_n and_o truth_n in_o this_o expression_n so_o far_o as_o the_o parable_n concern_v the_o call_v in_o of_o the_o gentile_n for_o nothing_o be_v more_o remarkable_a than_o the_o implacable_a malice_n and_o proud_a spite_n of_o the_o jew_n upon_o this_o occasion_n which_o carry_v they_o to_o such_o a_o excess_n as_o even_o to_o refuse_v salvation_n and_o think_v it_o beneath_o their_o acceptance_n if_o they_o must_v have_v it_o in_o common_a with_o other_o despise_a nation_n this_o be_v manifest_o the_o fault_n our_o saviour_n aim_v at_o here_o and_o it_o be_v that_o which_o many_o person_n of_o life_n unblameable_a for_o the_o main_a be_v in_o all_o age_n guilty_a of_o a_o overvalue_a of_o their_o own_o righteousness_n and_o a_o think_v scorn_n with_o that_o elder_a brother_n in_o the_o parable_n that_o return_v prodigal_n 30._o luke_n xv._o 28_o
word_n direct_v to_o 13._o to_o 2_o pet._n iii_o 18._o ephes_n iv_o 13._o grow_v in_o grace_n and_o to_o pray_v for_o the_o increase_n of_o grace_n that_o we_o may_v come_v to_o the_o fullness_n of_o the_o stature_n of_o perfect_a man_n in_o christ_n jesus_n a_o man_n may_v languish_v under_o long_a indisposition_n and_o be_v take_v with_o very_o violent_a and_o acute_a disease_n and_o yet_o recover_v again_o and_o so_o he_o may_v commit_v some_o very_a foul_a and_o grievous_a sin_n or_o accustom_v himself_o to_o the_o habit_n of_o other_o that_o be_v less_o without_o cease_v to_o live_v spiritual_o these_o indeed_o dim_a the_o candle_n of_o the_o lord_n and_o eclipse_v the_o brightness_n of_o its_o shine_n but_o they_o do_v not_o put_v it_o absolute_o out_o and_o therefore_o god_n who_o know_v our_o wasting_n and_o our_o fail_n have_v promise_v his_o grace_n to_o we_o upon_o the_o use_n of_o proper_a mean_n such_o as_o repentance_n and_o consideration_n the_o hear_v his_o word_n and_o receive_v the_o sacrament_n of_o his_o death_n these_o be_v spiritual_a food_n and_o sustenance_n these_o be_v our_o remedy_n and_o restorative_n ordain_v to_o make_v those_o that_o be_v sick_a well_o and_o those_o that_o be_v well_o better_a and_o strong_a still_o so_o that_o there_o be_v a_o mighty_a difference_n between_o regeneration_n and_o renovation_n we_o can_v be_v bear_v but_o once_o because_o we_o can_v live_v but_o once_o and_o therefore_o baptism_n which_o give_v life_n can_v be_v repeateâ—_n but_o we_o can_v recover_v often_o and_o grow_v and_o be_v nourish_v often_o because_o we_o may_v sink_v and_o droop_v often_o and_o therefore_o the_o lord_n supper_n and_o other_o holy_a ordinance_n shall_v be_v frequent_v often_o because_o they_o be_v our_o medicine_n and_o our_o meat_n and_o our_o refreshment_n and_o according_o you_o see_v one_o of_o our_o collect_v day_n collect_v collect_v for_o christmas_n day_n beg_v of_o god_n that_o we_o be_v regenerate_v and_o make_v his_o child_n by_o adoption_n and_o grace_n may_v daily_o be_v renew_v by_o his_o holy_a spirit_n so_o mighty_a a_o affinity_n be_v there_o between_o our_o natural_a and_o spiritual_a condition_n so_o true_o we_o be_v say_v to_o be_v bear_v of_o god_n not_o only_o from_o the_o new_a production_n and_o new_a principle_n and_o new_a relation_n that_o attend_v this_o life_n but_o also_o from_o the_o manner_n of_o give_v it_o and_o of_o sustain_v it_o after_o it_o be_v once_o give_v i_o have_v only_a time_n for_o one_o word_n upon_o my_o four_o and_o last_o head_n the_o extent_n of_o this_o benefit_n in_o those_o word_n as_o many_o as_o receive_v he_o to_o they_o give_v he_o power_n to_o become_v the_o son_n of_o god_n and_o what_o a_o comfortable_a reflection_n be_v this_o that_o there_o be_v no_o distinction_n of_o birth_n or_o quality_n of_o sex_n age_n or_o circumstance_n in_o the_o world_n that_o they_o who_o can_v get_v admittance_n so_o much_o as_o into_o the_o presence_n or_o palace_n of_o earthly_a prince_n shall_v be_v capable_a of_o throne_n and_o crown_n with_o the_o great_a lord_n of_o heaven_n and_o earth_n that_o there_o be_v no_o respect_n of_o person_n here_o nothing_o but_o faith_n and_o virtue_n make_v the_o difference_n the_o privilege_n be_v suspend_v upon_o term_n put_v into_o our_o own_o power_n and_o never_o deny_v never_o take_v away_o except_o upon_o some_o personal_a and_o voluntary_a default_n but_o of_o this_o i_o shall_v have_v occasion_n to_o speak_v at_o large_a in_o my_o next_o discourse_n sermon_n ix_o the_o nature_n of_o the_o christian_n call_v and_o election_n state_v from_o the_o parable_n of_o the_o marriage_n feast_n st._n matth._n xxii_o 14._o for_o many_o be_v call_v but_o few_o be_v choose_v these_o word_n be_v the_o moral_a as_o it_o be_v of_o the_o fable_n the_o application_n of_o that_o similitude_n which_o go_v before_o for_o our_o saviour_n who_o have_v to_o deal_v with_o a_o most_o perverse_a generation_n of_o man_n find_v great_a occasion_n to_o exercise_v his_o divine_a wisdom_n in_o choose_v not_o only_o the_o most_o instructive_a but_o the_o soft_a and_o most_o inoffensive_a method_n of_o discourse_n upon_o these_o as_o well_o as_o some_o other_o account_n he_o be_v very_o reasonable_o presume_v to_o have_v deliver_v himself_o so_o often_o in_o parable_n but_o because_o they_o be_v figurative_a and_o somewhat_o dark_a therefore_o he_o frequent_o close_v they_o with_o some_o very_a significant_a sentence_n which_o do_v not_o only_o result_v from_o but_o help_v to_o explain_v the_o comparison_n and_o be_v at_o once_o the_o consequence_n and_o the_o key_n of_o what_o have_v go_v before_o of_o this_o nature_n be_v my_o text_n and_o what_o relation_n it_o bear_v to_o the_o parable_n from_o the_o begin_n of_o the_o chapter_n to_o this_o verse_n i_o shall_v show_v you_o as_o plain_o and_o as_o brief_o as_o i_o can_v by_o the_o kingdom_n of_o heaven_n here_o and_o in_o many_o other_o place_n be_v mean_v the_o dispensation_n of_o the_o gospel_n so_o call_v because_o the_o doctrine_n of_o it_o both_o descend_v from_o thence_o to_o we_o and_o be_v design_v to_o bring_v we_o thither_o as_o also_o because_o this_o be_v that_o peculiar_a province_n which_o god_n have_v choose_v to_o exert_v his_o glorious_a attribute_n in_o his_o justice_n and_o wisdom_n and_o goodness_n and_o power_n and_o truth_n all_o which_o be_v most_o illustrious_o see_v in_o the_o present_a state_n of_o affair_n which_o be_v usual_o call_v the_o kingdom_n of_o grace_n here_o and_o shall_v be_v manifest_v to_o all_o the_o world_n in_o their_o utmost_a perfection_n in_o the_o kingdom_n of_o glory_n hereafter_o now_o of_o the_o several_a step_v take_v to_o bring_v man_n into_o this_o kingdom_n not_o any_o one_o seem_v more_o astonish_a and_o unaccountable_a to_o the_o world_n than_o that_o by_o which_o the_o jew_n god_n ancient_a and_o peculiar_a people_n be_v reject_v and_o postpone_v and_o preference_n give_v to_o the_o idolatrous_a gentile_n who_o know_v not_o the_o true_a god_n nor_o have_v hitherto_o be_v acknowledge_v of_o he_o and_o therefore_o this_o surprise_a difficulty_n be_v what_o our_o saviour_n by_o many_o of_o his_o action_n and_o miracle_n hint_n will_v be_v do_v and_o by_o most_o of_o his_o parable_n do_v not_o only_o foretell_v but_o declare_v how_o and_o why_o it_o be_v do_v of_o those_o declaration_n there_o be_v not_o any_o more_o full_a and_o clear_a than_o this_o conclude_v by_o my_o text._n which_o present_v we_o with_o the_o whole_a process_n and_o mystery_n of_o the_o gospel_n in_o little_a and_o from_o its_o first_o be_v plant_v among_o man_n carry_v our_o eye_n to_o a_o vast_a and_o distant_a prospect_n even_o the_o final_a judgement_n and_o consummation_n of_o all_o thing_n for_o in_o that_o general_a design_n of_o the_o passage_n all_o i_o think_v be_v agree_v however_o they_o dissent_v from_o each_o other_o as_o to_o particular_a and_o less_o material_a circumstance_n in_o which_o difference_n i_o shall_v not_o at_o all_o concern_v myself_o at_o present_a but_o give_v you_o a_o short_a draught_n of_o the_o whole_a according_a to_o what_o i_o apprehend_v to_o be_v the_o most_o natural_a and_o reasonable_a explanation_n of_o it_o by_o the_o king_n 1._o king_n verse_n 1._o here_o we_o be_v to_o understand_v god_n the_o father_n and_o the_o marriage_n he_o make_v for_o his_o son_n be_v the_o propagation_n of_o the_o gospel_n and_o the_o salvation_n of_o mankind_n this_o be_v begin_v when_o he_o first_o take_v upon_o he_o humane_a nature_n and_o join_v his_o divinity_n to_o our_o flesh_n and_o continue_v since_o in_o all_o the_o act_n of_o love_n and_o condescension_n and_o kind_a approach_n to_o his_o spouse_n the_o church_n till_o that_o joyful_a supper_n of_o the_o lamb_n when_o she_o shall_v be_v admit_v into_o the_o fullness_n of_o her_o lord_n joy_n and_o all_o her_o true_a member_n who_o be_v now_o in_o the_o quality_n of_o guest_n only_o be_v from_o thenceforth_o inseparable_o unite_v to_o he_o to_o this_o marriage_n 3._o marriage_n verse_n 3._o some_o be_v bid_v beforehand_o that_o be_v the_o jew_n by_o the_o shadow_n of_o a_o typical_a law_n by_o the_o revelation_n and_o write_n of_o the_o prophet_n have_v notice_n of_o a_o redemption_n and_o messiah_n to_o appear_v and_o to_o these_o when_o the_o time_n of_o the_o wedding_n be_v come_v i._n e._n when_o god_n be_v manifest_v in_o the_o flesh_n the_o king_n send_v forth_o his_o servant_n john_n baptist_n the_o disciple_n and_o our_o bless_a saviour_n himself_o who_o by_o his_o preach_n take_v this_o office_n of_o invite_v the_o company_n upon_o he_o but_o neither_o have_v the_o former_a bid_v prepare_v nor_o can_v the_o present_a invitation_n prevail_v upon_o they_o to_o come_v 4._o come_v verse_n 4._o after_o this_o other_o be_v send_v