Vers. 24-30, 36:--4J.-~ g1•ea,t Adminisfrator'sforesight. This second parable of t~e seven proceeds 1n a c~rt~m degree upon the lines of the first, ~ut its object is different; and though quite m the nature of an advance on the former, 1t ie more limited in its scope. The first parable manifestly is the foundation of this one and perhaps it may be said of all others. We may, perhaps, judge that to each parable 'as one succeeded another, quickened attention was given, at any rate, by some of tbe h~rers. But thia paralile seems to have specially asked, on the part of the disciples, for explanation. The former spoke broadest truth of broadest application for all the world, whether "received" or "not received." Dut very possibly even the invidious element con- tained in this may have gained for it a quicker ear and a more curious attention on the part of the disciples. Notice-- I. Row THIS PARABLE DATES THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AS AN ORIGINAL PLANTATION IN THE WORLD. lT DOES THIS ALIKE IN FORM AND IN THE NE0EBS.ABY l'MPLIO.ATI0N OF rrs MATTER. In however true a sense Jesus Christ was now himself planting afresh the kingdom of heaven on earth, its foundation was from the beginnin". Long time with most vu.rying rate of growth, had it been growing. In how true, a~d even doubl~ sense true, was it that while men slept the enemy came I .And how naively true, only in one sense, that when he had sowed his tares, he "went his way" I Note also, as some instance of the perpetually recurring evidential coincidences of Scripture, the ministerial function of the " Son of man " is likewise dated to the beginning, creation itself. II. How FRANK Als"'D CALM THE ADJIITSSION OF THE DIVINE HOUSEHOLDER 01' THE DISASTROUS DAM.AGE DONE IN HIS FIELD OF THE WORLD 1 IIL Row SILE1''T-LEFT Al,"'I) UNTOUCHED TO TUE SEBVA.NTB, THE QUE,BTION (THEO· BETIC ONLY, FOB THEM AS IT WOULD APPE.Alt TO BE DEEMED) HOW THIS ·WAS ; AND WHY NO IMMEDIATE STBEl>'U0US STEPS FOB THE DISCOVERY AND CONDIGN PUNISHMENT OF THE EKEMY WERE TAKEN, OR ORDERED, 0B SUGGESTED-THE COUNSELS OF REA VEN, AND ITS HIGHEST OR DEEPEST DECREES BEING HEREIN LEFT, UNQUESTIONED, UNESPIED, IN TREIB PROPER PROFOUND INSCRUTABLE f IV. How WITH PERFECl' PATIENCE, WITH L.AltGE-EYED OBSERVATION, WITH UNPRO- VOKED FORBEARANCE, AND ENDURING LONG-SUFFERING, THE SCENE IS SURVEYED, THE DIRECTIONS TH.AT AL0KE ABE NEEDFUL FOB SEBVANTB ABE SENT FORTH, AND TIME ALLOWED TO FLOW ON. V. Row TRE'MEKDOUS BUT MOST GB.ACIOUB THE WITNESS BORNE TO TIIE LIMITED KNOWLEDGE, LIMITED DISCRIMINATION, AND EVEN VEBY LIMITED SKILL OF HANDIWORK, ABLE TO BE CL.AIMED BY THE SBBVANTB NOW IN QUESTION. VI. How BOLD, TRENCHANT, UNDISMAYED, THE DISTINCT AFFIRMATION, OF THE GREAT PROPHET PRESENT, AS BEG.ARDS THE END, ITS SOLEMN APPORTIONMENTS, AND ITS ERTIBE DETAILED SCENEBY,-B,
Vera. 31, 32 (see also Mark iv. 30-32; Luke xiii. 18, 19).-The herb that is a tree. Note, in introduction, how much of most relevant suggestion is comprised in this very brief parable, not nevertheless of the essence of its direct meaning or direct object. E.g. is it not almost a parable within a parable to be able to observe on the appropriateness of the use of the illUBtration of the small mustard seed, and the seed instanced being Buch kind of seed as the mUBtard seed, to characterize Jesus Christ himself (the Sower of the seed of the kingdom) as well as that kingdom which he sowed? .Another very relevant suggestion, as just intimated, springs out of the character of the mUBtard seed, its own intrinsic quality for fragrance, pungency, power to bring out flavour, either adding to that with which it is used, or counteracting it, or so com- bining with it as to m&ke a new t.ertium quid. And so once more a most relevant suggestion springs out of the descriptive touch respecting the birds that fly to its 11hadow by day and its hospitable lodging by night. The subject, however, of this parable is of course still illuetration of the kingdom of heaven. in some one certain respect or more. .As the first parable was an illuetration of it, ever applicable and on the broadest foundation ; and the second, one still ever applicable, but intensely important as it might be, and that especially in its far-reachingness, yet somewhat more limited in its scope ; so we shall be sure to find the specialty of this third paraLle .itamped unmistakably upon it. Notice that it ii distinctly foretold that- OH, xm. 1-58.) THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO ST. MATTHEW. 35