Sermons preached on several occasionsSermons preach'd on several occasions

I. The Narrative of the Preparations, and the Persons invited to the Feast. II. The Success of the Invitation.

I. The Narrative of the Prepations, and the Persons invited to the Feast. II. The Success of the Invitation.

In unfolding these Generals, I shall consider the Substance of the Parable, without straining it by far fetched Parallels beyond the Intention of our Saviour. 'Tis a curious Folly to turn every Figure in Scripture into an Allegory. The Parable is the same in Substance with that in the 22d Chapter of St. Matthew, from the 2d Verse to the 15th: that indeed has more of Circumstance and Magnificence in the Relation. The certain Man that made the Feast is there styled a King, that is, the blessed God; and the Feast is for the Marriage of his Son: Under this Figure of a Royal Marriage is represented the Mystical ⟨p. 188⟩Marriage between Christ and his Church, and the Type is infinitely excelled by the Reality. If we consider the Persons joined in this Divine Alliance, the Son of God, of the same Nature, of equal and eternal Greatness with his Father, to unite himself to sinful miserable Creatures in a Conjugal Relation, the most tender and entire, What an immense distance was to be overcome? What a seeming Disparagement was it to him? In order to this it was necessary there should be a Conformity of Nature between us: he therefore was made Flesh, that we might be one Spirit with him: he assumed our Nature in a Personal Union to the Deity, that he might marry our Persons in a Spiritual Union. He was a Saviour to redeem us, that he might be a Husband to enrich us. Astonishing Love! The Lord of Glory, higher than the Heavens, stooped ⟨p. 189⟩so low as to espouse poor Dust: he gave his Life for us, and himself to us for ever. What Honour and Happiness accrues to us by this Alliance! the Lord of Angels is our Husband. His Gifts are answerable to his Love: he is Heir of all things, and endows his Church with Heaven and Earth: the Apostle assures Believers all things are yours, and you are Christ's, and Christ is God's. Our Communion with him is so perfect, that he discharges us of all the Evils that we cannot bear, our Sins and the Curse due to them, by taking them upon himself, and bestows upon us all the Blessings and Blessedness we are capable to enjoy, Wisdom, Righteousness, Sanctification and Redemption.