Works (Vol 4) - Bates - VIII - Sermon VII (The marriage feast)

Required reading
The Works (Vol 4) by William Bates (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Sermon VII (The marriage feast).

My summary
Today we begin the first of five sermons on the text 'And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled' (Luke 14:23).

Firstly Bates makes some initial observations about the parable regarding the:
(i) narrative of the preparations and the persons invited;
(ii) success of the invitation.

Then Bates gives us the proposition that he shall insist on for all the sermons in the series: 'It is the great duty of the ministers of Christ to use their best endeavours, to instruct and persuade men to embrace the saving mercies of the gospel.'

To explicate the doctrine, Bates has three main points and we begin to consider the first point today: 'I. There is an averseness implied in the expression, "Compel them to come in.'

One of the reasons for this is averseness is shown to be due to the world, both the:
(i) natural world;
(ii) corrupt world.

What grabbed me
Bates made some interesting comments on the Roman Catholic interpretation of this verse: ' Compel them to come in.' The papists alledge this text to give colour to their cruelty, in their violent ways of making proselytes to their idolatry. Their convincing arguments are swords, and racks, and gibbets and fires. If this be a proper method of converting men to religion, the greatest tyrants are the most infallible teachers. The vanity and impiety of the pretence will appear by the considering, 1. It is ridiculous to reason, to use forcible means for such an end : for the understanding is a reasonable faculty, and can only be convinced by instructing reasons. It cannot judge of things but as they appear, nor assent against its judgment. Indeed threatenings and tortures may make men infidels, but not sincere believers ; it may make them hypocrites and comedians in religion, but not unfeigned professors. This is abundantly exemplified in France, where the vast number of servile converts have been made by their dragoons, not their doctors. '

Without even considering the command and example of Christ, reason tells you that such methods are abhorrent.

Next week's reading
Read Sermon VIII (The marriage feast).

Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.