Luke 14

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XIV.—There is great need of divine instruction how to observe the weekly sabbath, and how to connect works of necessity and mercy with acts of devotion. And at our meals, and every other season, our talk ought to turn upon the important points of religion, and tend to the glory of God. Nor should the presence of enemies, who watch for our halting, deter us from our duty. In their nature and tendency, how base is pride and how valuable humility, both before God and men! And earthly honours and esteem are contemptible when compared with the honours of humble souls at the last day, and in the eternal state. Luxurious feasting marks men’s pride and sensuality, robs the poor, and abuses the bounty of God. But astonishing is the grace of God in preparing a feast, a gospel dispensation, and an eternal happiness, on the flesh and blood of his Son, and the fulness of his covenant; and in inviting and beseeching sinners, Gentile sinners, even the chief, to share thereof! And, however many Jews or others, on the highest carnal pretences, reject it, multitudes, even of the most unlikely, shall be brought in, till Christ’s church on earth, and mansions in heaven, be filled. With great faithfulness and labour ought ministers to teach every man, and warn every man, and call every man, for this effect. For strict is the account they must give of their conduct and success. But redonbled vengeance and tremendous exclusion from God’s mercy await those who refuse Christ. And, if we would be interested in his blessings, he must have the highest preference in our heart above self and every thing earthly. And practical religion must begin on such consideration and principles as will dispose us to endure every thing for his sake. Dreadful and eternal shame shall cover those professors who are at last found empty and graceless. How valuable 2 are the doctrines and graces of our Redeemer, when lodged in the heart and practised in the life! and what a preserving, purifying, and savoury, blessing they render us to all around! But very pernicious are all errors; and unprofitable and hurtful now, and miserable hereafter, are loose, carnal, corrupt, careless, and erroneous, ministers and professors of the true religion. O my soul, consider these things, and take heed that I never draw back unto perdition! And, if I think I stand, let me take heed lest I fall