Matthew 8:11-12 And I say to you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob… The readiest way in the world to thin heaven, and replenish the regions of hell, is to call in the spirit of bigotry. This will immediately arraign, and condemn, and execute all that do not bow down and worship the image of our idolatry. Possessing exclusive prerogatives, it rejects every other claim — "Stand by, I am sounder than thou. The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord are we!" How many of the dead has this intolerance sentenced to external misery, who will shine like stars in the kingdom of our Father! How many living characters does it not reprobate, who are placing in it all their glory! No wonder, if under the influence of this consuming zeal, we form lessening views of the number of the saved: "I only am left — yes, they are few indeed, if none belong to them who do not belong to your party — that do not see with your eyes — that do not believe election with you, or universal redemption with you — that do not worship under a steeple with you, Grin a meeting-house with you — that are not dipped with you, or sprinkled with you! But hereafter we shall find that the righteous were not so circumscribed. (Jay.) Parallel Verses KJV: And I say unto you, That many shall come from the east and west, and shall sit down with Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven. |
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