word, into all things in a parable ; but when we have learned the object for which it was comjDOsed, to reap this, and not to busy ourselves about anything further/' Two main lessons appear to stand out on the face of the parable, and to embrace the general scope of its mean- ing. Let us content ourselves with these two.
We learn, in the first place, that in the calling of nations to the professed knoioledge of Himself ^ God ex- ercises^ free, sovereign, and unconditional grace. He calls the families of the earth into the visible church at His own time, and in His own way.
We see this truth wonderfully brought out in the history of God's dealings with the world. We see the children of Israel called and chosen to be God's people in the very beginning of " the day." We see some of the Gentiles called at a later period, by the preaching of the apostles. We see others being called in the present age, by the labors of missionaries. We see others, like the millions of Chinese and Hindoos, still " standing idle, because no man hath hired them." — And why is all this ? We cannot tell. We only know that God loves to hide pride from churches, and to take away all occasion of boasting. He will never allow the older branches of His church to look contemptuously on the younger. His Gospel holds out pardon and peace with God through Christ to the heathen of our own times, as fully as it did to St. Paul. The converted inhabitants of Tinnevelly and New Zealand shall be as fully admitted to heaven as the holiest patriarch who died 3500 years ago. The old wall between Jews and Gentiles is removed. There is nothing to prevent the believing heathen being " a