November 15

"And I say unto you, that many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven." — Matthew 8:11.

WE have noticed from these words the act and the number; let us now consider

THE DISTANCE. "From the east and west." The two extremes; thus, when any great distance is intimated, it is said, As far as the east is from the west. Is it not a wonder that God should have a church in our own country, which some centuries ago was only a waste forest, dark and benighted? How unlikely, then, according to human calculations, would it have seemed that many should come from England! He who has destroyed the idolatry of many of the Gentile nations, caused the tyranny of Rome to bend beneath the mighty power of religion, and illuminated the country in which we live with the light of the glorious Gospel, cannot He roll the wheels of his triumphant chariot from east to west, and north to south, till for him the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose?

THE HAPPINESS. "And shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven." Here is the idea of rest, as opposed to the toils and labors of earth. Here the Christian pilgrim is on a journey, he is travelling; there he shall sit down in rest and tranquillity. Provision. They shall sit down at the heavenly feast. It is a feast of redeeming love and sovereign grace, a suitable, soul-satisfying, and abundant feast. Social enjoyment. Men sit down at a feast, not only for the purpose of eating and drinking, but for familiar and friendly intercourse. Part of the happiness of heaven will consist in the communion of saints. Only Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are named, but all the rest of the redeemed are included; a part is put for the whole. Dignity. We have noticed the associates in this happiness:

let us now look at its scene; where is it to be enjoyed? "In the kingdom of heaven." The kingdom to which they shall be advanced has many excellent properties. It is a wealthy, joyful, peaceful, holy, extensive, populous, and everlasting kingdom.

THE CERTAINTY. "I say unto you." This is the authority on which the whole rests. We have the testimony of Jesus, and on it we may with confidence rely. Many of the heathen are pressing into the kingdom of God; are you still loitering about the entrance? Many of them are the subjects of grace; are you still in a state of nature? God forbid that while they shall sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, you should be cast out!