And this part of the parable also was representative of a future period; for though Christ had received homage from some in the Gentile world, and had signified His favour to others as well as the Jews, it could not be said, that the blessings of His gospel were at that time distinctly offered to the world at large. By St. Peter, in the first instance, in the case of Cornelius, and afterwards more fully by St. Paul, the Apostle of the Gentiles, were the good tidings universally announced and spread. This accords with the invitation in the parable, where we find that no exceptions were to be made: the “servants gathered together all, both bad and good;” thus, to men of all characters and descriptions the gospel was indiscriminately preached: the best greatly needed it; and even to the worst the door of grace and repentance was opened.
Doubtless, there are vast differences in the characters of unregenerate men, of the very heathen “who know not God.” Some will use, more faithfully than others, the feebler light of natural religion; and thus arrive at a higher state of moral rectitude and respectability. But whatever comparative excellence any one may attain, in such a state, he is at best a polluted sinner: fallen from the favour and family of God; without the power to rise and return; the inheritor of sin and death, without the means of salvation. God must be reconciled, and the gate of mercy thrown open; or the sinner must perish. And it is for the offended God alone, to appoint the means of reconciliation; and proclaim the conditions of pardon and mercy. Jesus Christ, the eternal Son of God, is the only means of deliverance; by His incarnation and sacrifice has atonement been made for man; “there is no other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved;” { 242a} “other foundation can no man lay.” { 242b} The moralist must lay aside his vain pretensions, and humble himself at the foot of the cross; must come to the Saviour and learn of Him; come and be “baptised for the remission of sins;” come, that his character may be essentially changed by the Spirit and the word of God; that he may have new desires, new affections, new principles, new prospects: and many of “the children of this world,” amiable in their disposition and reputable in their conduct, deceive themselves in this matter; perceive not their need of a Saviour, “trusting in themselves that they are righteous;” good in their own eyes, good in the estimation of their neighbours, they undervalue and neglect the gospel; and therefore still continue “dead in trespasses and sins.”