Invitations to the Gospel Feast, Sermons · Sermon 5
SERMON V.
6. SErvants are commonly Imploy'd in Inviting to and attending at, a Great and Sumptuous Feaſt. This Practice is known to be common when a Perſon makes a great Feaſt, he commonly ſends Servants to Invite the Gueſts, &c. So in our Text, he that made a great Supper and bade many, ſent his Servant to ſay, Come for all things are now ready. So the Great God, the Lord Jeſus Imploys His Servants to Invite Perſons to the Goſpel Feaſt, to accept the Bleſſings Offered in the Goſpel; and to Diſpenſe Sacred things to thoſe who appear to accept the Invitation. Such Servants were, under the Old Teſtament Prophets, Prieſts, Levites, ſuch as were Imploy'd by God to make known His Will to His People: and under the New Teſtament, extraordinary Meſſengers ſuch as Apostles, Prophets, Evangaliſts; and ordinary ones, Paſtours and Teachers, Eph. 4.11. Our Text ſpeaks of Servant, only in the Singular Number, not Servants, but Servant. Some obſerve from it, that all the Meſſengers or Miniſters of Chriſt ſhould be as one, with reſpect to the Sum and Subſtance of that Meſſage they declare from God to Men. The Scope, Sum and Subſtance of all their Preaching ſhould be, to bring Perſons to Repent of Sin, Believe in Chriſt and Live Obediently to God. All his Servants the Prophets—ſaid, turn ye again now every one from his evil way, and from the evil of your doings, &c. Jer. 25.4, 5. They all agreed in their Meſſage, as to the main Scope of it; and ſo ſhould all the Miniſters of the Goſpel, and ſo they may be collectively ſpoken of as a Servant. By th… Servant ſpoken of in our Text, we may underſtand God's Meſſengers, Miniſters ſent to Invite Sinners to walk in the way of Salvation.
And here we may obſerve,
1. That Goſpel Miniſters are the Servants of God, of Jeſus Chriſt. In a large ſenſe, all God's Profeſſed People are His Profeſſed Servants; they call Him their Lord, Luk. 6.46. So God ſpeaks of His Covenant People Iſrael, Iſai. 41.8. — Thou Iſrael, art my Servant. But as for Goſpel Miniſters, they are in a more ſtrict ſenſe the Servants of God and Chriſt; they are ſo by their Office. The Work of a Biſhop (or Goſpel Miniſter) is an Office, 1 Tim. 3.1. They are called the Miniſters of God, 2 Cor. 6.4. Miniſters of Chriſt, and Stewards of the Myſteries of God, 1 Cor. 4.1, Ambaſſadors for Christ, 2 Cor. 5.20.
2. Theſe Goſpel Miniſters are oblig'd by Office, to Invite Sinners to accept of Chriſt and walk in the way of Salvation. We ſhew'd under a preceeding Head, that Chriſt has appointed a Goſpel Miniſtry and Ordinances to further the Salvation of Sinners. And this is the comprehenſive Subſtance of what Chriſt's Miniſters ſhould declare to Men, viz. He that Believeth and is Baptized ſhall be Saved, he that believeth not ſhall be Damned, Mark 16.16. They ſhould tell Perſons of their Sin and Danger, and urge them to comply with the Terms of Salvation Offer'd to them. The Word of Reconciliation is committed to them, and they ſhould in Chriſt's ſtead Pray Sinners to be Reconciled to God, 2 Cor. 5.19, 20. They ſhould do their utmoſt, to turn Perſons from Darkneſs to Light, from the Power of Satan unto God: do what they can, to ſave themſelves and thoſe that hear them. Therefore they ſhould not be ſlothful or heedleſs, but fervent and diligent in treating with Perſons about their Everlaſting Welfare. So in our Text, Come for all things are ready. They ſhould exhort, preſs, urge, perſwade Sinners to come to Chriſt, who is ready to receive all that come. Knowing the Terror of the Lord, they ſhould perſwade men, 2 Cor. 5.11. They ſhould perſwade them to flee from the Wrath to come, to mind the things of their Peace before they're hidden from their eves. Therefore they ſhould deal very openly, plainly, thoroughly with them, about their Souls and their Duty; not ſhuning to declare all the Counſel of God, keeping back nothing that might be profitable to them, Act. 20.20, 27. They ſhould rightly divide the Word of Truth. Not uſe flattering words, nor handle the Word of God deceitfully, but by manifeſtation of the Truth, commend themſelves to every Man's Conſcience as in the ſight of God, 2 Cor. 4.2. More particularly, they ſhould very plainly declare to Perſons,
1. Their Periſhing Undone Condition by reaſon of Sin. If they dont ſee their Danger they'll not ſeek to eſcape it. The whole need not a Phyſician but the ſick. Men muſt ſee their Maladies before they'll be concerned for Remedies If they are not convinced that they are Poor, Wretched, Miſerable, Blind and Naked; then they wont come to Chriſt for tried Gold and white Raiment, Rev. 3.17, 18. Men ſhould be plainly Informed of their Danger. Hearken then, the great God, that one Lawgiver who alone can Save or Deſtroy, ſays, Rom. 6.23. The wages of ſin is Death. This is the Truth of God, every Sin deſerves Death, Eternal Death and Damnation in Hell. And we are all of us Sinners by Nature as coming from Fallen Adam, and ſo are liable to Death. Rom. 5.12. By one Man ſin entered into the World, and Death by ſin; and ſo Death hath paſſed upon all Men, for that all have ſinned. We are all the Children of Wrath by Nature, Eph. 2.3. Oh Man, Woman, didſt thou ever ſeriouſly Conſider of this, and lay it home to thine own Heart and Conſcience? Whoever thou art, thou, even thou in Particular as coming from Fallen Adam, art a Sinner, a Child of Wrath, an Heir of Death, Bound over by God's Law to ſuffer Everlaſting Vengeance, Eternal Plagues and Puniſhments in Hell. This is thy State by Nature as coming from Apoſtate Adam, and a Doleful Dreadful Condition it is. Nay further, all thy Actual Perſonal Tranſgreſſions in Thought Word and Deed, have increas…d thy Guilt, and deſerv'd yet greater Meaſures of Wrath, greater Degrees of the Inſupportable Torments of Hell. Didſt thou ever ſeriouſly Conſider of, this thy Sinful Guilty, Periſhing, Undone Condition?
2. Without True Repentance of Sin and Faith in Chriſt, there is no poſſibility of eſcaping this Endleſs Inconceivable Miſery. GOD the Judge of all has Declared His Mind in this Matter. Luk. 13.5. Except ye Repent ye ſhall Periſh. Mark 16.16. He that Believeth not ſhall be Damned. We muſt be heartily Aſham'd of our Sins, Grieve and Mourn for them, turn from them with Abhorrence, and Trust in the Blood of Chriſt for Pardon, elſe we cannot be Saved. Be not Deceived, GOD is not Mocked, that which a Man Soweth, that ſhall he alſo Reap. You muſt Repent and Turn from all Your Tranſgreſſions, elſe Iniquity will be your Ruin, Ezek. 18.30. You muſt be Converted, elſe your Sins won't be Blotted out: Born Again, elſe you cannot ſee the Kingdom of God. You muſt be Practically Holy, elſe you cannot be Happy. Believe what God Himſelf ſays, 'tis His Word not Mine. Heb. 12.14. Follow Peace with all Men, and Holineſs, without which no Man ſhall ſee the Lord. They are the Pure in Heart that ſhall ſee God, Mat. 5.8. Your Hearts muſt be Purifyed and Sanctifyed by Faith in Chriſt Jeſus, elſe you muſt Periſh forever. Have you felt, found, experienc'd a Regenerating Sanctifying Change in your Souls? If not, then the Guilt of Sin and Wrath of God ſtill abide upon you. Whoever you are, whatever Character you bear, or Show you make among Men; tho' poſſibly you were Born … Profeſſing Parents, Baptiz'd, well Catechiz'd and Inſtructed, have liv'd Blameleſly to Outward Appearance, have made the Higheſt Profeſſion, and have been often at the Lord's Table; if all this be True of you, yet if you have not had a Converting, Sanctifying Change wrought in you, rendring Sin Hateful, and Chriſt and Holineſs Precious to you, then you ſtill abide Enemies to God, Condemn'd by His Law, and ſo you are every Moment in Danger of dropping into Hell-Strait is the Gate, Narrow is the Way that leads to Life. Your Sins or your Souls muſt Die. Rom. 8.13. If ye live after the Fleſh ye ſhall Die.
3. The Lord Jeſus is ready to Save all Sinners that will come unto Him. The Servant in our Text was bid to ſay, Come, for all things are now ready. So I ſay, Come to Chriſt, for all things are now ready; they are ready now, therefore come now, make no Delays. Behold, now is the accepted Time, behold, now is the Day of Salvation, 2 Cor. 6.2. To Day if you will hear his Voice harden not your Hearts, Heb. 4.7. As you ſhould be plainly told of your Sin and Danger; ſo you ſhould be as plainly told, where Help and Relief may be had: Well, there is enough of it in Chriſt. There is enough in Him to Save all your Souls, to ſupply all your Wants, to heal all your Wounds, to cover all your Unworthineſs, to waſh away all your Sins, if you will but come to Him as your Prince and Saviour. He's able to Save to the Uttermoſt all that come to God by Him: His Blood Cleanſeth from all Sin. And he has ſaid, Joh. 6.37. Him that comes unto me, I will in no wiſe cast out. So, Mat. 11.28. Come unto me all you that Labour and are Heavy Laden, and I will give you Reſt. Oh what a ſweet and bleſſed Invitation is this? Are you ſenſible of your Sin, Guilt, liableneſs to Wrath and Miſery? Are your Sins a grievous Load and Burden to your Guilty Conſciences? Would you fain be rid of your Sins, and eſcape the Wrath Deſerved by them? Why, behold the Bleſſed Jeſus Invites you, to accept ſuch Needful Deliverance. He bids you come, promiſeth Rest, Peace, Deliverance, Salvation if you will come. Then come, for all things we now ready. The Arms of a Merciful Redeemer are Open Ready to Receive you; His Blood is a Fountain Opened, Ready to Waſh and Cleanſe you; nothing ſhall be wanting on His Part, if you will but come unto Him. Come then to this Bleſſed Saviour, there is Salvation in none elſe, there is no Saviour like Him. Indeed none beſides Him; therefore needs no other▪ for it hath Pleaſed the Father that all Fullneſs ſhould Dwell in Him. He is, Truly, the Chief of Ten Thouſand, the Altogether Lovely and Deſirable One. Nothing can hinder the Full Compleat Salvation of any of you all, but your Unwillingneſs to have Chriſt as Prince and Saviour. Heartily Receive Chriſt as Offer'd in the Goſpel, and He will moſt Readily and Certainly Save you from Sin and Miſery, and make you Holy and Happy for ever. This Bleſſed Redeemer will be Abundantly Pleas'd with you, if you thus come to Him, Truſt in Him for Salvation. He takes Pleaſure in thoſe that hope in his Mercy, Pſal. 147 11. He's Glad when you (as it were) put Him upon doing His Office, upon doing the Work of a Saviour for you: 'Tis His Office-Work to ſave His People from their Sin, to Bleſs them in Turning them from their Iniquities, to Purify them and make them Zealous of Good W…ks, to ſave them from Wrath to come, and bring them to Endleſs Glory. You can't poſſibly Pleaſe, Gratify, Honour the Lord Jeſus Chriſt in any thing like Firmly Truſting in Him for ſuch Bleſſings as theſe, for this great Salvation. Therefore come to Him, for all Things are ready on His Part. But if you Refuſe and Reject all ſuch Offers and Invitations as theſe, this will Abundantly Diſpleaſe, Diſhonour, Provoke this moſt Glorious Redeemer He was Grieved for the Hardneſs of their Hearts, Mark 3.5. He Wept over Jeruſalem, for not minding the Things of their Peace in the Seaſon thereof, Luk. 19.41, 42. God has Made you, Preſerves you, Loads you with all the Benefits you receive (though you deſerve none of them) you lie under Numberleſs Indiſpenſible Obligations to Pleaſe and Glorify Him; but this Bleſſed and Glorious God, you Diſobey, Dſpleaſe, Affront, Provoke after the worſt manner that can be, if you refuſe the Gracious Invitations made to you in the Goſpel. God is Wonderfully Provok'd with the Sin of Unbelief. The Lord was Wroth, ſo a Fire was kindled againſt Jacob, and Anger alſo came up against Iſrael. This was Terrible indeed, What is the meaning of it? To find God Provok'd with Idolatrous Heathen, would not ſeem ſtrange; But what could it be that could thus Incenſe Him againſt Iſrael, againſt His own Profeſſing Covenant People? What means the Heat of this Anger, this Fiery Wrath and Indignation, againſt that People whom He had favour'd more than any other in the World? What was it that was thus Provoking? Why the next Verſe tells us, viz. Becauſe they Believed not in God, and Truſted not in his Salvation, Pſal. 37.21, 22. This Sin, this Unbelief, this not Truſting in Gods Salvation; this was the Crime that kindled ſuch Fiery Wrath in God againſt his own Profeſſing People. And if any of you Finally Perſiſt to Reject the Invitations of the Goſpel, then be it known unto you, that Endleſs Eternal Miſeries will be your Portion. That Merciful Redeemer who now waits to be Gracious to You, will count and treat you as Obſtinate Rebels. He that Made you, will not have Mercy on you, and He that Formed you, will ſhew you no Favour; but will Glorify His Juſtice in your Eternal Ruin. He'll ſay, As for thoſe Mine Enemies that would not that I ſhould Reign over them, bring them hither and Slay them before me, The Wicked ſhall he turned into Hell, and all the Nations that forget God, Pſal. 9.17. Thus, Goſp… Miniſters ſhould Invite Sinners to come to Chriſt for Savation.
So,
4. They ſhould Diſpenſe Sacred Things, to thoſe who appear to Accept the Invitation. Miniſters ſhould Indeavour, as to Convert Sinners, ſo to Edify and Build up Saints. They ſhould Indeavour, that thoſe who Profeſs to Accept Goſpel Invitations, ſhould live as becomes the Goſpel; Walk Worthy of the Vocation wherewith they are Called: Walk Worthy of God unto all Pleaſing, being Fruitful in every good Work: that they ſhould grow in Grace and in the Knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt. They ſhould ſtrive to Confirm the Souls of the Diſciples, exhorting them to continue in the Faith; and with full purpoſe of heart to cleave to the Lord, Act 11.23. & 14.22. They ſhould diſpenſe the ſincere Milk of the Word (as well as adminiſter Sacraments) that the Saints may grow thereby, 1 Pet. 2.2. Indeed they ſhould Preach the Word, be Inſtant in Seaſon, out of Seaſon, Rebuke, Reprove, Exhort with all long Suffering and Doctrine, (2 Tim. 4.2.) Comfort the Feeble Minded, ſupport the Weak, (1 Theſ. 5.14.) Exhort the Saints to run their Race with Patience, to Fight the good Fight of Faith; to be ſtedfaſt, unmoveable, always abounding in the Work of the Lord, foraſmuch as they know that their Labour ſhall not be in vain in the Lord, 1 Cor. 15.58. Thus Goſpel Miniſters as the Servants of God, of Chriſt, ſhould Invite Sinners to come to Chriſt for Salvation; and as Faithful Stewards ſhould diſpenſe the Myſteries of God, to build up Saints in holineſs. I have now according to my Office Duty, Invited you to come unto Chriſt that you might have Life, ſhewing you, that all things are ready on His part. I have this Day ſet Life and Death before you, I have deliver'd my own Soul: if you Periſh, your Blood will be on your own Heads, you wont Periſh for want of Faithful Warning. I ſhould be glad to ſee all of you without Exception at Chriſt's Right Hand, in the Laſt Day; if any of you appear at His Left, twont be for want of Faithful Warning given to you. For I have told you of your Sin and Danger, of your Malady, and of your Remedy too; that Chriſt is altogether Able and Willing, to Save to the Uttermoſt all that come unto God by Him. Therefore turn you, turn you from your evil Ways, for why will you Die? Now from the Office Work and Duty of Ministers, refering to Goſpel Invitations, we may Infer a few things, viz.
1. We ſhould count it a great Favour, to have the Miniſters of Chriſt Faithfully Diſpenſing His Word to us. To have His Miniſters plainly Declaring His Mind to us, telling us of our Danger & of our Only & Alſufficient Remedy, Inviting us to Eſcape the worſt of Evils, and to accept the beſt of Bleſſings; this we ſhould eſteem a very great Favour indeed: we ſhould be glad of it and thankful for it. Paul and Barnabas ſaid to the Blaſpheming Jews, Lo we turn to the Gentiles — tis added — When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, Act. 13.46, 48. They were Glad, they Rejoyc'd when thoſe Heraulds, thoſe Ambaſſadors of Peace would Preach the Everlaſting Goſpel to them. Oh count it a very great Mercy, that your Eyes may ſee and your Ears hear your Teachers, that they are not driven into Corners, Pſal. 89.15. Bleſſed is the People that hear the joyful Sound. Prize and Value the Preaching of the Goſpel, yea Obey the Goſpel leſt God be Provoked to take it away.
2. We ſhould not wonder that Ministers are in Earneſt, that they are Preſſing and Urgent with Sinners to come unto Chriſt. If Miniſters even Travail in Birth, if they're moſt Earneſt, Urgent, Preſſing with you to Turn and Live; yet dont think ſtrange of it. Their Office Duty obliges them to this: Chriſt ſends them to Invite Sinners, yea, to Compel them to come in. They can't be Faithful in their Office, not Faithful to God, to their own Souls nor to yours, if they don't do their utmoſt to ſave themſelves and thoſe that hear them. If a Perſon ſaw a Blind Man walking Dangerouſly, within a few ſteps of falling into ſome Deſtructive Pit; would he not earneſtly Cry aloud, ſtop, ſtop, or you will kill your ſelf? Well, Sinners are in Danger of tumbling into the Unquenchible Flames of Hell; don't wonder then if Miniſters are Earneſt and Urgent with them, to make them ſtop, not to go on in Wickedneſs, but that they would turn to God in Chriſt and live for ever. The Charge God has laid on Ministers, the Worth of Precious Immortal Souls, the Account Ministers muſt quickly give of their Stewardſhip, all theſe require them indeed to be in good Earneſt, mighty Sollicitous for the Salvation of all under their Ministry.
3. It's Ungrateful and Abominable, to abuſe Goſpel Miniſters for the Faithful Diſcharge of their Office Work. Some can't bear to have Miniſters Preach againſt and Condemn their Evil Practices. Ahab hated Micajah for thus teſtifying againſt his Wickedneſs, 1 King. 22.8. But it's Abominable to Abuſe Ministers, for Faithfully Witneſſing againſt ſin. What, would you have them ſpeak flattering Words, dawb with untempered Mortar; Cry, Peace, Peace, when their is no Peace? Would you have them thus deceive you, in the moſt Weighty Important Affars that can be? Would you have them heal your Wounds ſlightily, skin them over, and ſuffer them to feſter at the Bottom to your Eternal Ruin? Would not this be the higheſt Unfaithfulneſs in them, and the greateſt wrong they could do you? Would you not have them Obey God? His Command to them is, Iſai. 58.1. Cry aloud, ſpare not, lift up thy Voice like a Trumpet, and ſhew my People their Tranſgreſſion, and the Houſe of Jacob their Sin. Would you have Miniſters Diſobey this Command of God? God threatens them with the Guilt of Blood, to puniſh them as Guilty of the Blood, the Murder of thoſe Souls, who periſh for want of Faithful warning from them, Ezek. 33.8. When therefore Ministers Faithfully tell you of your ſin and danger, Faithfully warn you to forſake your Intemperance, Uncleanneſs, Prophaneneſs, Coveteouſneſs, Lying, Promiſe-Breaking, Fraud, Deceit, Oppreſſion, Pride, Reviling, Backbiting, &c. When they tell you that for theſe things ſake, the Wrath of God comes on the Children of Diſobedience: when they tell you, that if you live after the Fleſh you ſhall Die: when they teſtify to you, Repentance towards God, and Faith towards our Lord Jeſus Chriſt; declaring the abſolute neceſſity of holineſs in Heart and Life, of having clean Hands and a pure Heart in order to your getting to Heaven; I ſay, when they deal thus plainly with you, will you be Angry and Diſpleas'd with them? Will you Revile and Reproach them, for condemning your beloved ways of Wickedneſs? Oh tis Abominable Ingratitude, thus to Abuſe your Faithful Reprovers and Inſtructors. Thoſe who moſt Faithfully indeavour to bring you off from all ways of Wickedneſs, and to quicken you in the Ways of holineſs; are the beſt Friends you have in the World: they ſhew you the trueſt kindneſs, and for you to hate and abuſe them for this, is to return Evil for Good, and that's a black and vile Crime indeed. Again, another General Head of Compariſon may be,
7. Thoſe Bidden to a Feaſt, ſhould be Civil and Social in their Carriage one to another. Much of the Comfort of thoſe Bidden to a Feaſt, does conſiſt not only in Eating and Drinking, but alſo in their Free, Kind Converſe with one another. If they ſhould be Jealous and Suſpicious, Grudging and Contending, Watching for one another's Halting; they would have little or no True Comfort. But the more Open, Free, Kind Cordial they are in their Carriage to one another; ſo much the more Pleaſure and Comfort they would have. So, thoſe Invited to Accept of Chriſt and all Saving Benefits with Him, and who do Accept the Invitation; they ſhould be very Kind, Loving, Courteous to each other. This is the Duty of all Chriſtians. They ſhould love God with all their Heart, Soul, Mind and Strength, and their Neighbours as themſelves, Mat. 22.37, 39. They ſhould Love one another, be Concerned for one another's Welfare, as they have Opportunity doing Good to all Men, eſpecially to thoſe of the Houſhold of Faith, Gal. 6.10. There ſhould be no Grudging or Envying between them. Let all Bitterneſs and Wrath, and Anger and Clamour, and Evil Speaking be put away from you, with all Malice: and be ye Kind one to another, Tender Hearted, Forgiving one another, even as God for Chriſt's ſake hath Forgiven you, Eph. 4.31, 32. They ſhould have Compaſſion one of another, Love as Brethren, be Pitiful, Courteous, not rendring Evil for Evil, or Railing for Railing, but contrariwiſe Bleſſing, 1 Pet. 3.8, 9. And from a Principle of Love and Kindneſs, they ſhould Watch over one another, Inſtruct, Counſel, Exhort, Reprove, Comfort each other as there is Occaſion. Exhort one another Daily, while it as called to Day; leſt any of you be hardened thro' the Deceitfulneſs of Sin, Heb. 3.13. Surely, Chriſtians ſhould Love one another with a Pure Heart Fervently. Brotherly Love ſhould Continue among them. Our Lord ſaid, Joh. 13.35. By this ſhall all Men know that ye are my Diſciples, if ye have Love one to another.
The laſt General Head is,
8. Thoſe who being Invited to a Feaſt, do Accept the Bounty of the Inviter; ſhould be …ery Thankful to him for it. This Truth will be readily Granted, by every one of any Common Ing… nuity. So thoſe who Accept of Goſpel Invitations, ſhould be moſt Thankful to God, to Chriſt for the Bounty, Grace, Salvation they are Favour'd with. All Men ſhould be Continually Thankful to God, for the Unwearied Inſtances of His Common Bounty unto them. Unthankfulneſs to God for the Bounties of Common Providence is mention'd as a very great Sin in the very Heathen, Rom. 1.21. But the greater Benefits any receive, the more Thankful they ſhould be Surely then, of all Perſons in the World, thoſe United to Chriſt by T…u… Faith, ſhould be the moſt Thankful. The Goſpel, Covenant Bleſſings they are in Part Poſſeſſed of, and further Intitled to, are Incomparably Preferable to all the Crowns, Kingdoms, Riches, Honours which can be Injoyed in this World. Surely then, they have Reaſon to ſay, What ſhall I render to the Lord for all his Benefits? Bleſs the Lord, Oh my ſoul, and all that is within me bleſs his holy Name: Bleſs the Lord, Oh my ſoul, and forget not all his Benefits. Who Pardoneth all thine Iniquities, Healeth all thy Diſeaſes, Crowneth thee with Loving Kindneſs and Tender Mercies, Pſal. 103 1.—3. The whole Life of a Chriſtian, ſhould be a Life of Holy Gratitude unto God. … Theſ. 5.18. In every thing give Thanks, for this is t…e Will of God in Chriſt Jeſus concerning you. Eph. 5.20. Giving Thanks always, for all things, to God and the Father, in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jeſus Chriſt. They ſhould be always Thankful to God, and Joyful in God, for His manifold Grace Vouchſafed to them. Phi…. 4.4 Rejoyce in the Lord always, and again I ſay Rejoyce.
Thus I have mention'd ſundry General Heads of Similitude or Compariſon, wherein God's Inviting Sinners to Accept Spiritual Saving Bleſſings in the Goſpel, may be likened to a Great Man's Inviting many to a Sumptuous Feaſt. Would to God, that all who have heard theſe Things, would ſpeedily and heartily Accept the Invitations God makes to them. God Invites you to a Noble Feaſt, A Feaſt of Fat Things full of Marrow, of Wines on the Lees well Refined, Iſa. 25.6. He Invites you to the beſt Feaſt that can be, to Accept the beſt Offers that were ever made to Poor Mortals; O… be ſo Wiſe for your ſelves as to Accept them. There is a Price in your Hands to get Wiſdom, be not ſuch Fools as to Neglect it. You may come and Welcome, come and receive Freely the beſt of Bleſſings. You may come and Feaſt here without any Danger of being Grudg'd what you are Invited to, without any Danger of Surfeiting: The more Readily, Fully, Speedily you Accept the Offers made, ſo much the more it will be to your own Advantage. But if you ſhould Finally Neglect and Refuſe theſe Gracious Offers, 'twould have been good for you that you had never been Born. Therefore Heartily ſubmit to Chriſt on Goſpel Terms without any Delay; Oh come, for all Things are now Ready. Our Lord Jeſus ſaid, Rev. 3.20. Behold, I stand at the Door and knock: if any Man will hear my Voice and open the Door, I will come in to him, and will ſup with him and he with me. Since Chriſt thus ſtands Knocking at the Door of our Hearts, let none be ſo Fooliſh and Wicked as to Bolt the Door againſt him. I'll now end with that Scripture, Rev. 22.17. The Spirit and the Bride ſay, come, and … that heareth, ſay, come. And let him …ha… is Athirst come; and whoſoever will, let him take the Water of Life freely.