Questions —
1. What is the daily object of our pursuit ?
[Are we seeking knowledge, wealth, pleasure, honour, &;c. or the establishment of this kingdom in our hearts ? Let us fear lest we never should obtain this invaluable pearl ; and let us follow the direction of our blessed Lord^ — ]
2. What have we parted with for the Gospel's sake ?
[We are not persecuted now as in former ages ; but every man is called to make some sacrifices. What then have we forfeited for the sake of Christ 'i If we ivere suffered to retain only one thing, what should that one thing be ? Remember, God requires a single eye, and an undivided heart ^.]
3. If you have purchased this pearl, what are you
doing with it ?
[It is not to be locked up, as it were, in a cabinet. You must indeed keep it carefully as a rich treasure ; but you must also wear it about you as an ornament. It should have the effect on you, that converse with God produced on Moses ^ In this way you will commend it to the world, and will most acceptably comply with our Lord's direction "^ — ]
z Matt. vi. 33. ^ Luke xi. 34, 35.
^ Exod. xxxiv. 35. " Matt. v. 16.
Matt. xiii. 47 — 50. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that ivas cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind: which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, atid gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad, away. So shall it be at the end of the world : the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, and shall cast them into the furnace of fire : there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.
MEN are forcibly impressed by similes taken from things with which they are well acquainted. Hence the various parables are suited to those classes of the community, who are conversant in the occupations to which they relate. The greater part of them refer to the different employments of husbandry, because our Lord sojourned chiefly among persons engaged in agricultural pursuits. But he was also frequently