5 Again he went out about the fixth and ninth hour, and Ages of the World made 6, & 7. Lastly, going out at the eleventh hour, be found other Labourers ftanding idle; and them also be hired into the vineyard, promifing to give them what was reafonable: Thus God in the latter Ages of the World, making a new Revelation of his Will by Chrift, admitted the Gentiles, who had before lived in Ignorance and Wicked! nels, to the Conditions of the fame Covenant with the Jews: And (thus also many particular Perfons, who J し 6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others ftanding idle, and faith unto them, Why ftand ye here all the day idle? him, Becaufe no man 7 They fay unto hath hired us. He faith unto them, Go ye alfo into the vineyard,and whatsoever is right, that fhall ye receive. 8 So when even was come, the Lord of the vineyard faith unto his fteward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the laft unto the firft. 9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a peny. for want of Inftruction have lived in Ignorance and Wickedness the greatest part of their Lives, do yet at laft through the Mercy of God come to the Knowledge of the Truth, and Believe, and Obey it. 8. Now when the Evening was come, the Mafter commanded his Labourers to be called, and their Wages to be paid them, without refpect to the order of time when they were hired: So at the end of the World God will reward all his Servants, not in proportion to the times of their being called, but according to the fincerity of their Service. 9, & 10. They who came in at the eleventh hour, because they wrought diligently during that time, received each one a * Note, This part of the Parable does not countenance the late and wilfully deferred Repentance of Chriftians.For fuch Perfons are not called into the Vineyard at the eleventh Hour, as were the ignorant Gentiles) but being called in at the firft Hour by the early preaching of the Gospel,have yet food idle (not in the Market, but) in the Vineyard till the eleventh Hour. Which is plainly a different Cafe; as Origen well obferves upon the Place. Peny i Penny and they who came in at the Morning, though they expected more for having laboured longer, yet, according to their agreement, received each one likewife a Peny: So the Gentiles, and they who are late inftructed in the Knowledge of the Truth, fhall for their Sincerity and Diligence during their Time in the Service of God, receive the Reward of Eternal Life; and the Jews who came in firft, though they expect fome Preheminence over the laft both in the Church here on Earth, and in the World to come, fhall yet only receive equally the fame Reward. 11,& 12.Then they who were bir'd first,murmured, that thofe which came in laft, and laboured but one hour or two, should receive as much wages as they who had wrought all day: Thus the Jews who were firft the People of God, and they who have been longeft in the Church, valuing themselves upon outward Performances, may be apt to think it hard, 13 But he answer ed one of them, and faid,Friend,I do thee no wrong: didft not thou agree with me for a peny? 14 Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this laft, even as unto thee. 15 Is it not lawful for me to do what is thine eye evil, be I will with mine own? cause I am good? that those who came in late fhould be equalled to them in their Reward. 13, & 14, & 15. But the Mafter replied; Is it not just, if I pay you according to your agreement; and at the fame time out of my abundant liberality, give thefe others freely as much? May I not do what I will with mine own, and be bountiful to others for their great diligence and fincerity during their Time, without injuring you? Thus the equity ofGod'sDifpenfations may be vindicated, in that whilft his Reward is not only free,but alfo infinitely greater than any Man's Work deferves,he injures no Man by his extraordinary Liberality to others. 16. After this manner therefore,many of those who are bere later in time, and feem now inferiour in many Refpects, (as the Gentiles,and they which are laft Called,) fhall finally equal or even exceed others in Glory and Dignity: And many of thofe who are here first in time, and જે ક and feem now to have the Precedence in many Advan tages, (as the Jews, and they which are firft Called) fhall then be ranked in as low, or perhaps lower degree than the reft For many indeed are Called early, and know the Will of God, and receive his Mercies, and injoy great Advantages; But there are but few who improve them felves proportionably to thofe Advantages, and ufe them worthily, fo as to attain an excellent and extraordinary Reward. 17. After these things, Jefus knowing that the time of his Sufferings drew nigh, went up towards Jerufalem And that his Apoftles might be prepared against the storm that was coming upon them, he took the twelve afide, as they were going in the way, and reminded them again, Laying: 18. We are going up to Jerufalem, and I would have you remember, that, as I told you before, it is the Will of God that I fhould |