November 22

O let me hold communion with him, not only in his word, but in his works: not only in his ordinances, but in his dispensations. Let me cleave to him as my exceeding joy, and my everlasting portion, in all the revolutions of time. And look forward not only to a pure, but a permanent state of blessedness—

"All, all on earth is shadow—all beyond by substance. The reverse is folly's creed. How solid all where change shall be no more!"

NOVEMBER 22.—"Tell them which are hidden, Behold, I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and my fatlings are killed, and all things are ready: come unto the marriage."—Matthew 22:4.

GOD has provided for all his creatures according to their kinds: "the eyes of all wait upon him, and he giveth them their meat in due season." Man is a compound being; for his body there is the storehouse and wardrobe of nature. But in all this there is nothing for his nobler part, the mind. Here the Gospel comes in to meet his exigences—and with nothing less than a feast—and while every other feast is for the body—this is entirely for the soul.

The spirituality of this feast constitutes the excellency of it, and at the same time accounts for the neglect of it. If provision was made to gratify the animal appetites, or the desire for worldly riches and honour, it would easily excite attention. But men are earthly, and sensual; they are governed by things that are seen and temporal. Hence they hear of spiritual and everlasting things with indifference. But is not this folly and madness? Is not the mind the man? Does not he who knew the value of the soul from the price he paid for the redemption of it, does not he ask, "What is a man profited if he should gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"

The feast here is not an ordinary one. It is a royal feast, a royal marriage feast, a royal marriage feast for the king's son. Yet what may we look for in such a feast as this; that is not to be found in the dispensation of the Gospel?

Is it plenitude? Here we have it. We read of "abundant mercy"—of "plenteous redemption"—of a Saviour "full of grace and truth"—of "all the fulness of God." Is it variety? Here we have it. Our wants and hopes are not only numerous, but various; and equally so are our supplies. Here is light for our darkness. Righteousness for our guilt. Strength for our weakness. Renovation for the heart. Peace for the conscience. The supply of the Spirit. The comforts of the Holy Ghost. Is it richness of entertainment? What else can be the meaning of the expressions, "a feast of fat things, a feast of wines on the lees, of fat things full of marrow, of wines on the lees well refined?" God prepares dainties for his guests, and they are all supreme in their kind, and infinitely expensive. The Jews did eat angels' food: but what was the manna in the Desert compared with the bread of life? He that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. "Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." Is it fellowship? A feast is not a private meal, an individual indulgence, but an enter-

tainment designed to promote friendship, and social intercourse, and gratification. And here we have it. We are not solitary partakers, but have companions the most agreeable, and excellent, and numerous. We sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, with prophets and apostles, with the noble army of martyrs; with the general assembly and church of the first-born, whose names are written in heaven. Is it enjoyment? A man at a feast discharges himself from anxieties, and gives up himself to pleasure and delight—"a feast is made for laughter." "Joy becomes a feast," and is promoted by it. But no pleasure, no delight can resemble that which results from an experience of Divine grace. "Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound." What a contrast between them and others! "Behold, my servants shall eat, but ye shall be hungry: behold, my servants shall drink, but ye shall be thirsty: behold, my servants shall rejoice, but ye shall be ashamed: behold, my servants shall sing for joy of heart, but ye shall cry for sorrow of heart, and shall howl for vexation of spirit."

Yet it is lamentable to think that, though all things are ready, and all are invited to the feast, many make light of it, and go their way. We are therefore commanded to "compel" you to come in, that the house may be filled. Not that violence is to be employed. The compulsion is to be suited to a rational nature; and therefore to consist only of the urgency of persuasion by argument and motive. And here the difficulty lies not in convincing the judgment—since no one, unless an infidel, will deny the propriety of complying with this call at some time—but not at present. Go thy way, therefore at this time you really, if not verbally, say to the importunity, when I have a more convenient season I will send for thee. But is not this delay and postponement infinitely dangerous? Your season, your only season, is rapidly passing away. How soon will the bridge be drawn, and the door be shut! And then the things which belong to your peace will be hid from your eyes. Admitting that according to your present feelings you are resolved to seek at some future period, that period may never come. Sickness is not always the forerunner of death. The disease too may render you incapable of thought, and then your purposed repentance will be impracticable. Impracticable it will always be unless the Spirit of God works in you; but if you resist his strivings now, what right have you to expect that he will return then, and by the most wonderful operation conquer your inveterate indisposition?

Yea, the procrastination is as unreasonable as it is dangerous. Your compliance is as necessary to your living comfortably as to your dying safely. Though the happiness of those who receive Christ Jesus the Lord is completed above, it is begun below. They have many present attainments. They do enter into rest. Their souls are satisfied as with marrow and fatness. The Lord is their shepherd. To him they have committed all their concerns. All that is really good for them is secured by his power, love, and promise. Their tormenting fears are removed. Their vain and restless desires are subdued. They have indeed their afflictions, but these are sanctified and softened; and in a little time all tears shall be wiped from their eyes. Can you imagine that God will suffer his enemies to be more happy than his friends? Can a persuasion that