,
and the learned, and those who had enjoyed the greatest privileges,
would be the most unwilling to be won over to His Kingdom. And the
prediction has been fulfilled.

It might have been supposed that, when at last Messiah's Kingdom was
set up, all who had enjoyed the privilege of knowing the true God, and
had been taught to expect a Deliverer, as their King, would have
eagerly sought admission into His Kingdom. But to one who made the
remark, "Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the Kingdom of God," He
spoke the Parable of "The Great Supper," teaching that many, who have
the opportunity and the invitation will refuse to enter in, and make
all kinds of excuses; and that others will have their places (S. Luke
xiv. 15-24). And on another occasion He warned the Jews, that many
would come from all quarters of the world, "and sit down in the
Kingdom of God" (S. Luke xiii. 28, 29), whilst they themselves were
thrust out. And we know how literally the warning has come true. And
lest any one should be deceived into thinking that it was an easy
thing to become His subject, He referred again and again to the
difficulties which men must be prepared to meet and overcome in
entering "The Kingdom of Heaven." To those who said that they would
follow Him, He explained that entire devotion of self to God would be
required of His subjects. A man must count the cost beforehand. "The
dead" must be left to "bury their dead," whilst the man fulfils the
commission which God entrusts to him, to "preach the Kingdom of God;"
and "No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is
fit for the Kingdom of God" (S. Luke ix. 57-62). But, on the other
hand, for those who gave up freely all that they loved, "for the
Kingdom of God's sake," the reward should be "manifold more" even "in
this present time, and in the world to come life everlasting." (S.
Luke xviii. 29, 30). And He encouraged the few, who in their hearts
accepted Him as their King, in such words as these, "Him that cometh
unto me I will in no wise cast out" (S. John vi. 37); "Fear not,
little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
Kingdom" (S. Luke xii. 32).

The thought that the difficulties thus described referred in the first
instance to those who were outside of "The Kingdom of Heaven," may
well fill us with thankfulness that we have been brought into the
Kingdom through the piety of our parents, without even an effort on
our parts. We have been