Page:PracticalCommentaryOnHolyScripture.djvu/558

 “Again the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  to  a merchant  seeking good pearls. Who, when  he  had  found  one  pearl  of  great  price, went his  way,  and  sold  all  he  had  and  bought  it.”

“Again the  kingdom  of  heaven  is  like  to  a net  cast  into  the sea, and  gathering  together  of  all  kinds  of  fishes. Which, when it was  filled,  they  drew  out,  and  sitting  by  the  shore  they  chose out the  good  into  vessels,  but  the  bad  they  cast  forth. So shall  it be  at  the  end  of  the  world. The angels  shall  go  out  and  shall separate the  wicked  from  among  the  just;  and  shall  cast  them  into a furnace of  fire:  there  shall  be  weeping  and  gnashing  of  teeth.”

All these  things  Jesus  spoke  in  parables  to  the  multitudes: and without  parables  He  did  not  speak  to  them.

The growth  of  the  Church.  The  parable  of  the  grain  of  mustard-seed  means  this:  Even  as  from  a very  small  grain  there  springs  up  a large  shrub,  so  would  the  Church  of  God  have  a small  and  insignificant beginning, but  would  grow  and  grow  until  she  formed  a mighty  kingdom, embracing all  nations  in  her  fold. In this  parable,  therefore,  our  Lord foretold the  external  increase  of  His  Church. She was  to  be  Catholic or world- wide.

The effects  of  Christianity.  By  the  parable  of  the  leaven  our  Lord described the  manner  in  which  His  doctrine  and  grace  would  affect  the hearts of  men. The woman  signifies  the  Church; the  leaven,  Christian truth and  grace; while  the  meal  denotes  mankind,  both  individuals,  and the whole  race  collectively. Even as  leaven  lays  hold  of  one  particle of meal  after  another,  and  penetrates  everywhere,  until  the  whole  is rendered  good  and  palatable,  so  would  Christianity  penetrate,  purify and sanctify  the  hearts  of  men,  and  govern  all  their  thoughts  and  aims, until the  whole  of  human  society  was  raised  and  sanctified  by  the doctrine and  grace  of  Jesus  Christ.

The greatest  of  treasures.  This  treasure  signifies  the  graces  of Christianity,  which  far  surpass  all  the  riches  of  this  world. He who has found  the  great  treasure  of  faith  and  grace  is  fortunate  indeed. He rejoices, and  guards  his  treasure  jealously,  and  is  willing  to  give  up everything  rather  than  lose  the  faith  and  grace  of  God.