distioct and plain. It is the '* kingdom of God," which is like the seed.
[Waxed a great tree.] The growth of the grain of mustard seed into a tree of comparatively great size, ought not to be wondered at, when we remember the rapidity of vegetation in a hot climate. Parkhiu*st'8 Lexicon, on the Greek word translated ** mustard-seed," mentions several facts which prove the correct- ness of our Lord's language.
[Fowls of the air lodged, dc] It is thought by many that this expression was meant to denote the corruption which crept into the Church of Christ, when it grew into a large body, and was favoured by the powers of this world. The idea may possibly be true, though it seems to me more likely tliat the circumstance ifi only mentioned in order to show the size of the tree.
It may be well to remark that there is nothing in this parable to justify the idea that the visible Church shall gradually increaise, till the whole world is converted. It is not said that the mustard tree would bear good fruit, aud be never cut down. The lesson taught, is simply this, that, from a small beginning, the visible Chiu*ch of Christ shall become very large.
21 . — [It is like leaven.] It is thought by many, that " leaven," in this parable, was intended by our Lord to mean, an evil and corrupt priuciple, aud that the object of the parable was to dtiscnbe the silent entrance and rapid growth of corruption and false doctrine in the Church of Christ. In defence of this view it is alleged, that the word "leaven "is always used as an emblem of something evil. The doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees, for example, is called " leaven."
I am quite unable to see the correctness of this view.
For one thing, it seems to me very improbable that our Lord would speak two parables in a breath, both beginning with the expression, " the kingdom of God," and compare this kingdom, in one case, with that which is healthy and prosperous, and in the other case, with that which is poisonous and corrupting. To my eyes His object is both parables seems one aud the same. Had He meant "evil" when He spoke of leaven. He would surely have said, " whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of the evil one."
For another thing, I can see no force in the objection that " leaven" is generally used as an emblem of that which is evil, and therefore must be so used here. I do not see why the word is (o be rigorously tied down to be only au emblem of evil ; and why it may not be in this case an emblem of good.
The goat in the 25th of Matthew is an emblem of the wicked : yet the goat in the Old Testament is a clean animal, and appointed to be used in some sacrifices, as well as the sheep. Tlie serpent is generally regarded as an emblem of evil. Our
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