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shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth; lamentation on the one hand, and rage on the other, at the disappointment and disgrace which will

ensue.

Our Saviour added for the purpose of showing that He was aware how greatly the blessings of His gospel would be neglected: For many are called, but few are chosen. The gospel will be preached to multitudes, but few will be really anxious to partake of its blessings; few will be willing to comply with its requirements. Small, comparatively, will be the number of those who are chosen and faithful, as well as called. 15 How true, alas, has this been found in all subsequent ages of the world! Those have ever appeared to be a little flock, to whom it has been the Father's good pleasure to give the kingdom16 of heaven, by making them partakers of His grace here upon earth. Still however, blessed are they alone who shall be admitted to the marriage supper of the Lamb. All others will lament their folly, and be distracted at their disappointment, in the blackness of darkness for ever."

We may observe that the only qualification for both bad and good at the wedding feast, in order to their acceptance, was their being clothed with a wedding garment, which was provided by the king himself for his guests. So in like

15 Rev. xvii. 14. 16 Luke xii. 32. 17 Rev. xix. 9. 18 Jude 13.

manner our qualification for admission into the presence of the King of kings, whether while we are on earth, or hereafter in heaven, is the robe of our blessed Redeemer's righteousness; which is said to be unto all, and upon all them that believe, who are justified freely by His grace, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; and who being justified by faith have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ; have access to His presence, enjoy His favour, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.19 Pardon, and righteousness, and eternal life, are the gift of God, through Jesus Christ our Lord, to all them that believe in His name. It is therefore said, He hath made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.20 Our Lord Jesus Christ took upon Himself our sins; or rather, the Lord laid upon Him the iniquity of us all, and the merit of His obedience unto death is imputed to them who put their trust in Him; so that for His sake, who is the Lord our righteousness, and by whose obedience many shall be made righteous, believers are admitted to walk humbly with their God, to have access with confidence at all times into His most holy presence, to present their supplications at His footstool, and to offer their thanksgivings before Him, notwithstanding their unworthiness in

22

19 Rom. iii. 22,24, v. 1, 2. 202 Cor. v. 21. 21 Isa. liii. 6. 22 Rom.v. 19.

themselves, as sinners, to partake of His favour: and they are also permitted to look forward in hope that when they have done with all things here below, they shall behold His glory, and rejoice in His salvation for evermore. What earthly enjoyment is to be compared to the blessedness derived from the knowledge of the gospel of Christ, since it admits sinners to the enjoyment of such unspeakable happiness, both here and hereafter? Well might the Apostle say, I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; that I may win Christ, and be found in Him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: that I may know Him.23 This wedding garment, the robe of the Redeemer's righteousness, is offered to

us.

We, to whom the gospel of Christ is preached, are called upon to believe that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth in His name; and, relying upon His righteousness to walk humbly with our God.25 Do we then really believe the doctrine here taught? Do we make use of it continually for our acceptance in His sight, who is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and who cannot look on iniquity ?26

23 Phil. iii. 8, 9. 24 Romans x. 4. 25 Micah vi. 8. 26 Hab. i. 13.

If we reject the robe of Christ's righteousness; if we think that we have no need of it, but that our own obedience or holiness will qualify us to appear in the presence of the great King of heaven and earth, we shall be speechless when the question is put to us, How camest thou hither, not having the wedding garment? Those who have rejected it will be cast out into the regions of darkness and despair. But if we are arrayed in the glorious robe of our Redeemer's righteousness by faith, we shall be admitted to the marriage supper of the Lamb, to partake of the unspeakable blessings of His great salvation throughout the countless ages of eternity. And while we remain here upon earth, we shall take delight in approaching God, in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, making our requests known unto Him through Christ Jesus.27 We shall seek grace from Him to enable us to live and walk as His children in this world, adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.28 We shall also, while we enjoy communion and fellowship with Him, desire and endeavour to please Him in all our conduct; to abound more and more in obedience to His holy will; to avoid what He has forbidden; and to walk in all His commandments and ordinances blameless, 50 to His praise and glory.

27 Phil. iv. 6. 28 Tit. ii. 10. 29 I Thes. iv. 1. 30 Luke i. 6.

SERMON LVI.

FOR

THE TWENTY FIRST SUNDAY AFTER TRINITY.

THE NOBLEMAN'S SON HEALED.

John iv. 50.

JESUS SAITH UNTO HIM, GO THY WAY; THY SON LIVETH. AND THE MAN BELIEVED THE WORD THAT JESUS HAD SPOKEN UNTO HIM, AND HE WENT HIS WAY.

To exhibit the benefit of faith in our Lord Jesus

Christ, appears to have been the object which the Evangelist had chiefly in view, by relating the miracle which is the subject of the Gospel for this day. It was wrought in favour of a person who was attached to the court of King Herod, and perhaps one of his family or relatives. The narrative commences by stating that There was a certain nobleman, or royal personage, as the

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