Invitations to the Gospel Feast, Sermons · Sermon 9
SERMON IX.
LUKE XIV. 21, 22, 23, 24.
So that Servant came, and ſhewed his lord theſe things. Then the Maſter of the houſe being angry, ſaid to his Servant, Go out quickly into the Streets and Lanes of the City, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
And the Servant ſaid, Lord, it is done as thou haſt commanded and yet there is room.
And the lord ſaid unto the Servant, Go out into the high wayes and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my houſe may be filled.
For I ſay unto you, that none of theſe men which were bidden, ſhall taſte of my Supper.
IN the three Verſes Immediately preceeding theſe, we find, that thoſe Invited to the Feaſt excus'd themſelves, and refus'd to come: they mention'd their excuſes to the Servant that Invited them. In our Text now read, we find, that the Servant who receiv'd their Negative Anſwer (or Excuſes) came and told his Lord of it, Inform'd him of what he had met with. Here upon, the Maſter of the houſe was angry, and reſolv'd that thoſe who refus'd his kind Invitation, ſhould never taſte of his Supper: he alſo orders his Servant to Invite others, ſince thoſe firſt bidden refus'd to come. Tho' doubtleſs (as was hinted before) one principle ſcope or deſign of this Parable was, to ſet forth the Rejection of the Jews upon their refuſing to believe in Chriſt, and the Calling of the Gentiles (whom the Jews eſteemed as Poor, Lame, Blind deſpicable wretched Creatures) Yet this part of the Parable now read, may furniſh us with various diſtinct and profitable Obſervations. viz.
DOCTRINE. I. Servants ſhould Obey, and are accountable to their Masters.
The Servant mention'd in this Parable was ready to Go at his Maſter's Sending, and Do at his Bidding. v. 22. Lord, it is done as thou haſt commanded. As he thus did what he was bidden, ſo he as readily gave an account to his Maſter, of what he had done, and what he had met with in the buſineſs he was managing. Tho' what's ſaid about the conduct of this Servant, ſeems to be added to fill up the frame of the Parable, and to render the Parts of it harmonious and agreable; Yet it may plainly Intimate to us the behaviour that becomes Servants, Yea the behaviour of Gods Meſſengers, Miniſters who ſeem to be Principally Intended by the Servant here ſpoken of. We may therefore under this Doctrine take notice:
1. That Servants ought to Obey their Maſters. All Perſons are not on a Level; order muſt be upheld in the World. The Superiors in a Family, ſhould be Obeyed by their Inferiors: Parents, and Maſters, by their Children and Servants. The Centurion witneſs'd for the ready Obedience of his Servants: Mat. 8.9. I ſay — to my Servant, do this, and he doth it. And truly ſuch ready Obedience of Servants to their Maſters, is no more than what Gods word plainly requires. Col. 3.22. Servants, Obey in all things your Maſters according to the fleſh. Tit. 2.9. Exhort Servants to be Obedient to their own Masters, and to pleaſe them well in all things. Thus, God the Maker and Maſter of all Men, requires Servants to Obey all the Commands of their Maſters; that is all lawful Commands. For if Maſters or any Superiors among Men, ſhould command their Servants or Inferiors to Lie, Steal or commit any wickedneſs; ſuch commands ought not to be obeyed. It's a ſtanding rule for ever, concerning all Perſons in the World, that they ought to obey God rather than men, Act. 5.29. But on the other hand, the lawful commands of Maſters ought to be Obey'd by their Servants; and of thoſe Servants who Obey them not, we may ſay as in another caſe: 1 Theſ. 4.8. He that deſpiſeth, deſpiſeth not Man but God. Thoſe Servants who are Proud, Stubborn, diſobedient to the lawful commands of their Maſters; they deſpiſe God, trample on His Authority, trample on that order that He has ſet up among Men: they deſerve not only the diſpleaſure of their Maſters, but alſo the wrath of the Lord God Almighty.
2. Goſpel-Miniſters ſhould faithfully convey the Meſſage, and do the buſineſs that God Orders them. Thoſe employ'd by God, to declare his Mind and Will to the Children of Men; are eſpecially Intended by Servants in this Parable. God requires Miniſters to Invite Sinners to the Goſpel-Feaſt, to Invite them to Chriſt, and Exhort them to live as becomes ſuch. Miniſters ſhould faithfully Obey God, in delivering his Important Meſſages unto Men; they ſhould deliver his whole Counſel to them, with-hold nothing from them that might be profitable to them, teſtifying both Repentance towards God and Faith towards our Lord Jeſus Chriſt. They ſhould teach them to deny Ungodlineſs and World ly Lusts, and to live Soberly, Righteouſly, Godly in this preſent evil World, Tit. 2.12. They ſhould plainly tell Men from Gods word, That it ſhall go well with the Righteous, they ſhall eat the fruit of their doings; but wo ſhall be to the wicked, for the reward of their hands ſhall be given them. Iſai. 3.10, 11. Indeed they ſhould plainly tell Men of their Sin and danger, of their Duty and Incouragements to it: they ſhould faithfully declare Gods Mind and Meſſage to them, whether they will hear or whether they will forbear, (Ezek. 2.7.) And 'tis at their Peril if they neglect thus to warn them.
3. Servants are accountable to their Maſters for what they do. As they ought to go where their Maſters ſend them, do what they bid them, ſo they ſhould as readily make a return, and give an account of what they have done. The Servant in our Text did ſo, v. 21. He ſhewed his Lord theſe things. So, Miniſters of the Goſpel are accountable to God for the whole of their management. Indeed God is the Maker, Lawgiver and Judge of all Men, and therefore every one of us must give an account of himſelf to God, Rom. 14.12. We muſt all appear before the Judgment Seat of God, that every one may receive the things done in the Body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad, 2 Cor. 5.10. Every humane Perſon is thus accountable to God, for the whole of his Behaviour. So Miniſters as well as others are accountable to God for the whole of their Behaviour; yea for the whole of their management in their Office-work. They are Stewards of the Myſteries of God, and it is required of Stewards that a Man be found faithful, 2 Cor. 4.1, 2. And they muſt alſo give an account of their Stewardſhip; muſt be tried by their Great Lord and Maſter whether they have been Faithful or not, and muſt be dealt with accordingly. If they have been Faithful in their Office-work, they have delivered their own Souls, and ſhall receive a gracious Reward. If they are Faithful, they are unto God a ſweet ſavour of Chriſt, in them that are Saved and in them that Periſh, 2 Cor. 2.15. But if any Souls Periſh for want of Faithful warning, the Blood of thoſe Souls will be required at the hands of their Watchmen, Ezek. 33.8.
And ſince Miniſters are thus accountable to God for their Office Acts, all their Official Admin…ſtrations; ſurely they ſhould diligently obſ…v… …hether their Indeavours for the Spiri… good of Men are Succeſsful or not. If they find them Succeſsful, they ſhould be thankful to God for it. 2 Theſ. 1.3. We are bound to thank God always for you Brethren, as it is meet, becauſe that your Faith groweth exceedingly, and the Charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth. And if their Indeavours are Unſucceſsful with Sinners, this alſo they ſhould take notice of, mourn for it, and bear the Matter ſtill on their hearts before God. Our Saviour was grieved for the hardneſs of Mens hearts, Mark 3.5. He Wept over Jeruſalem, for their not minding the things of their Peace in the Seaſon thereof, Luk. 19.41, 42. The Apoſtle ſaid, Rom. 10.1. My hearts deſire and Prayer to God for Iſrael is, that they might be Saved. Thus he Pray'd for them, altho' when he had Preach'd to them, ſome believed the things that were ſpoken by him and ſome believed not, Act. 28.24. Some were bettered by his Preaching, and ſome not. And doubtleſs tis thus, with moſt if not all the Faithful Miniſters of Chriſt; ſome ſubmit to the Divine Meſſage they deliver, and ſome ſubmit not. But Oh, how doleful and dreadful will be the caſe of Unbelievers, when even their own Miniſters muſt make ſuch a report of them to God, as the Servant in our Text did, concerning thoſe who being Invited to the Feaſt refus'd to come? How doleful when their Miniſters thus teſtifie to God of them,
Lord, I Invited theſe Perſons to come to the Goſpel Feaſt (as thou didſt Order me) I urg'd them from thy Word to come to Chriſt, told them that all things were ready on His part; but yet they would not come: they made Excuſes, they made light of the Invitation, and went away one to his Farm & another to his Merchandiſe▪ I did all I could to ſave their Souls, but they were ſo taken up with the Profits, Pleaſures, Honours of a ſinful World, that they would not comply with thy Meſſage which I Faithfully deliver'd to them: as to any good done to theſe Sinners, I have laboured for nought and ſpent my ſtrength in vain.
Oh how terrible will it be to Sinners, to have Faithful Miniſters thus teſtifying againſt them to the Great God! The Apoſtle ſays, Heb. 13.17. Obey them that have the rule over you, and ſubmit your ſelves, for they watch for your Souls as they that must give an account; that they may do it with joy and not with grief, for that will be unprofitable for you. It's matter of Joy to Faithful Miniſters, when their Indeavours are bleſs'd for ſaving good to Souls. 1 Theſ. 2.19, 20. For what is our Hope, or Joy, or Crown of Rejoycing? Are not even ye in the Preſence of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt at His coming? For ye are our Glory and Joy. With what Triumphant Joy and Gladneſs will Faithful Miniſters give up their account of ſuch Pious Souls at laſt? But when Perſons refuſe their wholſom Counſels, and go on obſtinately in ways of Wickedneſs; this is very grievous to them, and the account they muſt give to God will be unprofitable to ſuch Sinners. Unprofitable indeed, when their Faithful Miniſters, as well as their own Conſciences ſhall teſtify againſt them for their Wickedneſs. Hearken, Oh Sinners, the Great God ſends His Miniſters, His Meſſengers to you with this Meſſage, viz.
Oh Repent of all your Sins, Believe on the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, give up your ſelves intirely and continually unto Him, that you may obtain Eternal Salvation by Him.
This is Gods Meſſage to you by His Miniſters, and what return would you have them make to the Great GOD that ſends them? When the Prophet brought a Meſſage from God to David, he ſaid to him, 2 Sam. 24.13— Now adviſe and ſee, what anſwer I ſhall return to him that ſent me. So, Oh Sinner, let thine Heart and Conſcience ſay, what Anſwer ſhall Miniſters give to God, what Account concerning thy entertaining or refuſing the Meſſag… … ſends by them unto thee. Would you have them make unto God ſuch a return as this? viz.
Lord, I faithfully declar'd thy Mind and Meſſage, to theſe Sinners, but they would not hear. In thy Name I call'd to them, but they refus'd; I ſtretched out my hand, but they regarded not; they ſet at nought all my Counſels and would none of my Reproof. I did beſeech them to be Reconcil'd to God, to turn and live; but yet they turn'd a deaf Ear, they continu'd regardleſs of God, of Christ, of the Everlaſting Welfare of their Precious Immortal Souls. They gave more heed to the Temptations of Satan, than to the ſweet alluring Invitations of Christ: they always choſe the Paths of Sin, would not be Reclaimed: they were always more concern'd to gratifie a Luſt, than they were to Save their Souls; this, O Lord has been their Carriage.
Well Sinner, wouldſt thou have Miniſters give to the Great GOD ſuch an Account as this concerning thee. If they ſhould be able (thro' thine obſtinacy) truly to give ſuch an Account of thee in the Judgment Day; ſure I am, 'twould be Unprofitable to thee. For then thy Glorious Judge will treat thee as an obſtinate unreclaimable Rebel. He will ſay of thee, as for that mine Enemy who would not that I ſhould Reign over him, bring him hither and ſlay him before me. He'l ſay to thee, Depart thou Curſed one, into Everlaſting Fire prepared for the Devil and for his Angels. Oh Doleful Sentence!
DOCTRINE II. If ſome Sinners Refuſe the Offers of Chriſt and Salvation through Him, this cannot hinder God from making the like Offers to others.
When the Servant in our Text told his Lord, that thoſe Bidden to the Feaſt Refuſed to come; his Lord then ſends him to Invite others, even the Poor, Maimed, Halt and Blind. God's Grace is Free, He may Offer it to whom He will: He may do what He will with His own. God may take away His Vineyard from thoſe who won't yield Him the Fruit of it, and may let it out to others. If the Jews Refuſe Chriſt (He came to His own and His own Received Him not, Joh. 1.11.) God may Offer Him to the Gentiles. Through their Fall Salvation is come unto the Gentiles — The Fall of them is the Riches of the World — The caſting away of them, is the reconciling of the World, Rom. 11.11, 12, 15. Is he the God of the Jews only; is he not of the Gentiles alſo; yea of the Gentiles alſo, Rom. 3.29. Paul and Barnabas ſaid to the Contradicting Blaſpheming Jews, It was neceſſary that the Word of God ſhould firſt have been ſpoken unto you; but ſeeing ye put it from you, and judge your ſelves unworthy of Everlasting Life, lo we turn to the Gentiles, Act. 13.46. One Nation's Refuſing the Goſpel, cannot hinder God from ſending it to another: One Town or Family Refuſing of it, cannot hinder it's being ſent to another. If Salvation through Chriſt be Refuſed by Parents or Maſters, this cannot exclude Children or Servants from the Offer of it: If Children or Servants Refuſe it, this cannot hinder the Offer being made to their Parents or Maſters. If Salvation be Refuſed by Sober, Civiliz'd Perſons, this cannot hinder the Offer from being made to Publicans and Harlots, to the moſt Groſs, Scandalous Tranſgreſſors: If it be Refuſed by one Neighbour, this cannot hinder the Offer of it to another.
And therefore,
1. Let none think that God would be really Oblig'd or Indebted to them, if they ſhould Heartily Acce…t the Offers of the Goſpel. God is Self-ſufficient, A…ſufficient, He needs none of His Creatures, nor any of their Services: They cannot poſſibly give to Him any thing but His own, but what He had a previous Unalienable Right to. It's of His Pleaſure, that all Things are and were Created, Rev. 4.11. It's of His Free, Sovereign, Overflowing Goodneſs that He has Made Men, that He Preſerves them, beſtows many Outward Benefits on them; and that He Offers to ſome of them Free Salvation thro' Chriſt. Let none think therefore, that God can be Really or Properly Beholden or Indebted to them, for any Submiſſion or Obedience they can poſſibly Yield to Him. Indeed He is Pleaſed with thoſe who Heartily Submit to Chriſt: Takes pleaſure in them that hope in his Mercy, Pſal. 147.11. But it is of His Infinite Sovereign Grace that He does ſo, not that He is Really or Properly Benefitted by their Hoping aright in His Mercy. O Sinner, if thou doſt Heartily Receive Chriſt as Offered in the Goſpel, thou art properly the Gainer (really Bettered and Benefitted) and not God; thou art Inconceivably Indebted to Him, He not at all to thee. And don't think on the other Hand, that God would be Really and Properly a Loſer by thee, if thou ſhouldſt Refuſe Chriſt. For if thou ſhouldſt be thus Wicked, though God would be Diſhonoured and Provoked thereby, yet He would Eternally Glorifie His Juſtice in thine Inconceivable Miſery. And as for His Sovereign Grace in Chriſt, if that be not Glorifi'd in thy Salvation, becauſe thou doſt Wickedly Refuſe it; yet God can and will Glorifie it in the Salvation of others. Thy Refuſing His Offered Grace and Salvation, cannot hinder Him from Glorifying His Grace in the Salvation of many others. If thou wilt not come to Chriſt when Invited, don't think that God muſt therefore loſe the Glory of His Grace. No, No, He can Offer it to others, to the Poor, Halt, Blind (and cauſe them to Accept it too if He will) He won't be Really and Properly a Loſer, a Sufferer by thee, if thou ſhouldſt Refuſe His Gracious Offers. If thou ſhouldſt be thus Fooliſh and Wicked, He'll Damn thee for it; but He'll find other Objects on which to Glorifie His Sovereign Grace.
2. Let not any Neglect coming to Christ meerly becauſe others Refuſe Him. In this Parable containing our Text, when ſome Refuſed the Invitation given them to the Feaſt, the Servant was bidden to Invite others. Oh Sinner, are there ſuch and ſuch of thy Neighbours who Refuſe Chriſt, do they refuſe the Calls of God, the Gracious Invitations of the Goſpel; going on ſtill in their Wickedneſs, Prophaneneſs, Drunkenneſs, Uncleanneſs, Diſhoneſty, or any Unholy Practice? Do they thus Refuſe Chriſt? yet let not this hinder thee from coming. If they Finally Refuſe Chriſt, they ſhall not Taſt of God's Supper, of the Feaſt of Salvation they are Invited to, but ſhall Periſh for ever; howbeit, God calls on thee to come. Their Refuſal cannot Excuſe thee, if thou ſhouldſt Neglect coming Their ill Example, cannot Excuſe thee if thou doſt Imitate it. Exod. 23.2. Thou ſhalt not follow a Multitude to do Evil. If great Multitudes ſhould Neglect Chriſt, yet do not thou follow them, do not thou Act like them. Have no Fellowſhip with the Unfruitful Works of Darkneſs. If none in the ſame Seat or Pew with thee ſhould Submit to Chriſt, yet God bids thee Submit to Him. If thoſe of the ſame Neighbourhood with thee, of the ſame Family with thee; yea if the Wife of thy Boſom ſhould Refuſe to Accept of Chriſt; yet God bids thee Accept of Him, and their Refuſal cannot poſſibly Excuſe thee if thou Neglect Him. If none in an whole Town or Congregation ſhould Heartily Accept of Chriſt, but only one Perſon; then that one would be in the right tho' alone, and all the reſt tho' never ſo numerous, in the wrong. Therefore, Oh Sinner whoever thou art, Man or Woman, Young or Old, Rich or Poor; the Great GOD Calls, Commands, Requires thee, even thee in particular heartily to ſubmit to Chriſt as Prince and Saviour. And whether all or any about thee, do ſubmit to this Call or not, yet tis thine indiſpenſable Duty to Obey it. If they ſhould all Refuſe, yet this cannot Excuſe thee if thou ſhouldſt Refuſe: if they ſhould all Periſh for their Unbelief, yet if thou doſt heartily ſubmit to Chriſt, thou ſhalt ſurely be happy for ever. Whoſoever believeth in Him, ſhall not Periſh but ſhall have Everlaſting Life, Joh. 3.16.
DOCTRINE III. God is very ready and earnect to offer unto Sinners Salvation thro' Chriſt.
When the Maſter of the Houſe (in our Text) was Inform'd, that ſome Refus'd the Invitation to his Feaſt; he bade his Servant to go Quickly, and bring in others, call others to the Feaſt. Though he was Angry with thoſe who refus'd his Offer'd kindneſs, yet he ſeems reſolved to communicate his Bounty: he had made great and coſtly Proviſion, was unwilling it ſhould be loſt, and ſeems uneaſy and in haſt as it were, till he could find thoſe who would accept his Offer'd Bounty. Indeed (as we ſhew'd but now) God needs not any of His Creatures, cannot be properly Indebted to thoſe who accept Goſpel Offers, nor really and properly a Loſer by thoſe that refuſe them. And further, we ſhould not entertain unbecoming Conceptions of God, not think Him ſubject to any Uneaſy, Reſtleſs, Troubleſom Paſſions or Affections as Men are. His Eſſential Glory and Felicity is always the ſame. It can't be Interrupted, Diminiſhed, or Increaſed. He is the Lord and changeth not — There's no variableneſs nor ſhadow of turning with him, Mal. 3.6. Jam. 1.17. Yet many things are ſpoken of and by God, after the manner of Men; the better to help our Conceptions of Him. So when the Maſter of the Houſe (mention'd in our Text) ſays, go Quickly and call others to the Feaſt, it ſeems to Intimate,
As tho' Gods Heart were full of Love and Grace, as tho' He were Earneſtly ſet and bent to communicate of His Salvation to poor Sinners; as tho' He could ſcarce find Eaſe or Reſt in Himſelf, till he could find ſome vent for His overflowing goodneſs and Bounty, and find ſome who would open the Doors of their hearts, to let Chriſt and Salvation into them. Go Quickly, as if He ſhould ſay, Tho' ſome Refuſe my Goſpel Grace, yet it ſhall not be in vain, I wont have it loſt, it ſhall take Effect ſomewhere, go Speedily and make the Offers of it: I'm even in Travail and Pain, as it were, till I am extending and diffuſing of my Goſpel Grace to ſome or other.
And indeed this is but agreable to other Scripture Expreſſions, which tell us, God delights in Mercy, Mic. 7.18. He's greatly delighted and rejoyced, in the Communications of His Mercy. 2 Pet. 3.9. The Lord is not ſlack concerning His Promiſe, as ſome Men count ſlackneſs, but is longſuffering to usward, not willing that any ſhould periſh, but that all ſhould come to Repentance. Iſai. 30.18. And therefore will the Lord wait that He may be Gracious unto you, and therefore will He be exalted that He may have Mercy upon you; for the Lord is a God of Judgment, bleſſed are all they that wait for Him. The Lord waits that He may be gracious, watches and longs as it were, for an Opportunity to extend of His Saving Grace to Poor Sinners. And therefore thoſe who Refuſe it, are repreſented as grieving and troubling of Him. He's griev'd for the hardneſs of their Hearts, (Mark 3.5.) vex'd when they rebel, Iſai. 63.10. He is preſſed under them (by reaſon of their Sins and Rebellions) as a Cart is preſſed that is full of Sheaves, Amos 2.13. Oh the amazing Love, Grace and Patience of God! Lord, what is Man that thou art thus mindful of him! How ſhall we eſcape, if we neglect ſo great Salvation, thus Freely and Frequently Offered? Let us therefore Speedily and Heartily ſubmit to God's Call, Heb. 4.7—To day, after ſo long a time as it is ſaid, to day if ye will hear His Voice, harden not your Hearts.