First, Grace is not universal, nor all do not receive it, no, not so much as the offer of Grace, (nor an outward calling.) Many, lsaith our Saviour Christ, are called: he saith not all, but many. And so the mKing which made a Marriage Dinner for his Son, sent his Servants to call, not all, but those that he had called: that is, those whose names he had set down in a Calendar or Roll to be his Guests, although of those also some nwere none of his. Neither doth it hinder this which is said after, oGo into the high-ways, and bring in as many as ye shall find. For the scope of the Parable showeth, that by those that were first bid, are meant the Jews, into whose place came the Gentiles, that before were aliens and strangers; so that by calling of the Jews only at the first, it is proved that all men are not made partakers of the outward calling. And this, if we had no word at all for it, experience it self might teach us; for how many hath death over-taken in their Cradles, before they could be called? how many of riper years doth ⟨p. 349⟩darkness cover, that they never can see the Light? Paul verily psaying, that in the ages passed, God suffered all Nations to walk in their own ways, showeth, how many Millions of souls have perished, that never heard of Christ.
First, Grace is not vniuersall, nor all doe not receiue it, no, not so much as the offer of Grace, (nor an outward calling.) Many, lsaith our Sauiour Christ, are called: he saith not all, but many. And so the mKing which made a Marriage Dinner for his Sonne, sent his Seruants to call, not all, but those that hee had called: that is, those whose names he had set downe in a Calender or Roll to bee his Ghests, although of those also some nwere none of his. Neither doth it hinder this which is said after, oGo into the high-wayes, and bring in as many as ye shal find. For the scope of the Parable sheweth, that by those that were first bid, are meant the Iewes, into whose place came the Gentiles, that before were alieus and strangers; so that by calling of the Iewes onely at the first, it is prooued that all men are not made partakers of the outward calling. And this, if wee had no word at all for it, experience it selfe might teach vs; for how many hath death ouer-taken in thier Cradles, before they could bee called? how many of riper yeeres doth ⟨p. 349⟩darknesse couer, that they neuer can see the Light? Paul verily psaying, that in the ages passed, God suffered all Nations to walke in their owne wayes, sheweth, how many Millions of soules haue perished, that neuer heard of Christ.
- lMat. 20. 16.
- mMat. 22. 3, 4
- nVer. 11, 12, 13
- oVer. 9.
- pActs 14. 15.
