Matthew Poole and continuators on Luke 14:24

24 For I say unto you, that none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper.

We met with the same Parable, Matth. 22.1, 2, 3. where we had the most of what is here, and many other considerable Circumstances. See the Notes on that Chapter. Christs Primary intention by this Parable, was certainly to foretel the Rejection of the Iews for their Contempt of his Gospel, and the Reception of the Gentiles. They were those who were first bidden, tha[illegible: 1 letter] is called, and invited by the Preaching of Iohn the Baptist, Christ himself, and the Apostles to the Receiving of Christ, that so they might be prepared for the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, mentioned Rev. 19.9. The Gentiles as a more Rustick People, are set out under the notion, of such as were in Lanes, Streets and High-ways. It also informeth us of some great Causes of Mens rejection, of the Grace of God offered them in the Ministry of the Gospel, their Worldly cares, and businesses. 2. Their sensible Enjoyments, and Pleasures, which did not hinder the Jews only, but one or other of which hinders the most of People still from receiving the Grace of Christ tendered in the Gospel. They are either not at leisure to attend their Souls, or they must enjoy things sensible and sensual, in a degree in which the enjoyment of them is inconsistent with that Duty, which God requireth of them who would be saved. Perimus licitis, most Men Perish by their Sinful use (or abuse rather) of things in themselves lawful. It may be observed also, that the two first sorts made a kind of mannerly excuse, saying, I pray thee have us excused; but the last Peremtorily said, I cannot come. Tho secular imployments, be great diversions of us, and so hinderances of our minding things of highest Concernment, yet Sensual satisfactions and pleasures do most Drown, and Swallow up the Soul of Man, and keep it from minding Heaven, and Heavenly things. There have been a great many Words spent about these Words, Compel them to come in, v. 23. It appeareth to be almost the unanimous Sense of the Ancients, That no Man ought by Temporal Punishments to be compelled to the Profession of the true Faith. Some of them have a little differed about such as having once embraced the Doctrine of the true Faith, and afterwards swerved from it, tho the truth of it is, they can be no more Compelled then the other, for the Will admits of no Violence. Be the Truth what i[illegible: 1 letter] will in those points, certain it is that External Compulsion, hath no Colour of Foundation in this Text. They are the Ministers of the Gospel that are thus spoken to, who we know by Christ's Commission had no Civil Power committed to them. Nor do we ever read that they exercised any in order, to the bringing of the Gentiles to the embracing of the Faith, nor do Servants sent out to invite Men to Feasts (as these were) use to pull them in by Head, and Shoulders, or to drive them in by Whips, and Cudgels, only to use the best Arguments they can to perswade them. Christ never prescribed any Spanish Conversions of People. Man is presumed to be a Rational Creature, and taught even by Nature to chuse things, which he sees are or may be of highest Importance and Concern. So that the very opening to Men the Riches of Divine Grace, fitted to their lost and undone State (which must also be shewed them) is a Compulsion of them, or would at least be so, if Men by the fall were not Corrupted as to their Wills, so as they will not follow the Dictate of their understanding. But notwithstanding the depravation and aversness of the Carnal will, yet as many as the Lord will please to shew Mercy to, by joyning the e[illegible: 3 letters]cacious Operations of his Spirit, with the Exteriour call in the Ministry of the Word, shall come in. The Words are [non-Latin text not transcribed] make it necessary for them to come in, which no Cudgels, no bodily punishments can do, for they have their choice, whether they will dye, or do it. It is used, Matth. 14.22. Christ Compelled his Disciples to go into a Ship, [non-Latin text not transcribed] yet it is certain he used no Swords or Sta[illegible: 1 letter]es, or Whips, or pecuniary Mulcts to inforce them. A Word of as high an import is used, Chap. 24.29. of the two Disciples compelling Christ to stay with them [non-Latin text not transcribed] so Gal. 2. 14 [non-Latin text not transcribed] why doest thou force the Gentiles to Judaize, yet it is certain Peter neither exercised, nor called in the Power of the Magistrate to force the Gentiles. But when Men began to spare their pains as to their tongues, to over-power and prevail upon Mens Hearts, then they began to Compel them, by Civil Coercions, and to call in the Civil Magistrate, to the effecting of what they would have, whiles they themselves would do nothing, and thus contrary to all Sense and Reason, they expounded these Words, Compel them to come in.