[ Whom Satan hath bound.] This expression is remarkable. It would seem to imply that Satan has a permissive power to inflict bodily disease and infirmity. It should be compared with the two first chapters of Job, and with St Paul's expression, "to deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh.** (1 Cor. V. 5.)
LUKE Xra. 18-21.
18 Then said he, Unto what is the kingdom of God like ? and wherennto ■hul I resemble it ?
19 It is like a grain of mustard seed, ▼hich a man took, and cast into his garden; and it grew, and waxed a great tree ; and the fowls of the air
lodged in the branches of it.
20 And again he said, Wherennto shall I liken the kingdom of God ?
21 It is like leaven, which a woman took and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
There is a peculiar interest belonging to the two parables contained in these verses. We find them twice delivered by our Lord, and at two distinct periods in His ministry. This fact alone should make us give the more earnest heed to the lessons which the parables convey. They will be found rich both in prophetical and experimental truths.
The parable of the mustard seed is intended to show the progress of the Oospel in the world.
The beginnings of the Gospel were exceedingly small. It was like 'Hhe grain of seed cast into the garden.'' It was a religion which seemed at first so feeble, and helpless, and powerless, that it could not live. Its first founder was One who was poor in this world, and ended His life by d}ring the death of a malefactor on the cross. — Its first adherents were a little company, whose number pro- bably did not exceed a thousand when the Lord Jesus left the world. — Its first preachers were a few fishermen and publicans, who were, most of them, imleamed and ignorant men. — Its first starting point was a despised