But the bad as well as the good were gathered together; not only to those, whose conduct had been honourable among men, and whose characters were fair; but to notorious delinquent, yea, even to the worst of sinners, the door of the guest-chamber is open; all are invited; all, if they will comply with the conditions and rules of the feast, shall be fed; publicans and sinners, extortioners and unjust, disobedient and reprobate, all are the objects of the Saviour’s mercy; “Come unto me, all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” The invitation is free and universal; none who rightly seek admission, shall be excluded. This exactly agrees with the language of the evangelical prophet: “Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat.” “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and He will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” { 243a} “The fountain is opened for sin and for cleanness;” { 243b} “wash you, make you clean;” laden as ye are with iniquity come but to your Saviour, in sincerity and truth, with a contrite and repentant heart; come, as He has invited you; look to the all-sufficiency of His sacrifice; believe in Him for justification and life; be ready to learn of His example and to receive His spirit and His law into your heart, and you shall be admitted to His holy banquet, and be made welcome at His table; you shall find comfort in the presence of your Lord, and in them “that sit at meat with you.”
5. We are now led to the last and most striking part of this parable: the king came in to see the guests; to see whether they conducted themselves worthily of his entertainment, and appeared in the dress which he had provided, for such as were unable to furnish themselves. And thus, with regard to the heavenly feast, the guests are strictly and constantly accountable for their behaviour. Our blessed Lord watches the demeanour of all who profess to accept His invitation in the gospel; observes, how every one, who is “admitted into the fellowship of His religion,” fulfils the conditions required of him. Nor is it the external demeanour alone, which engages His notice and inspection; He sees through the innermost windings of every heart, and will infallibly “judge righteous judgment.” No violation of His will, in thought, or word, or deed; no insincerity or deceitful appearance can possibly remain undetected.