False Pretences in Religion
Matthew 22:11-13
And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:…


I. THE ORIGINAL AND GROUND OF THIS FIGURATIVE EXPRESSION, of having on the wedding garment. The constant and prevailing temper or disposition of any man's spirit, can no way be Set forth more expressively than under the similitude of bodily garments, so investing the person as to be his proper and distinguishing attire.

II. USEFUL AND PRACTICAL OBSERVATIONS.

1. How absolutely and indispensably God expects and requires, that every man who hopes to be admitted into the kingdom of heaven, should have his mind endued, and as it were clothed, with those habitual virtuous qualifications, which can no otherwise be acquired than by righteous practice.

2. There is such a thing as a false or ill-grounded hope; there are deceitful expectations, which may betray men into perdition.

3. The judgment of God will be according to right, in the sense that we understand just and right; in the sense, that even the wickedest of men shall not be able to deny, is according to righteousness and justice. The man convicted was speechless.

4. The reality of the concern God has for the salvation of men.

5. A very moving admonition, how dreadful at last will be the state of those whom the great goodness and long-suffering of God have not been able to bring to repentance, and to effectual amendment of life and manners.

(S. Clarke.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:

WEB: But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man who didn't have on wedding clothing,




Called, But not Chosen
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