23. How are the good ground hearers here described? How would you describe such? How is the word to be read and heard that it may become efice. tual to salvation? How is the word made effectual to salvation? LESSON XXVI. MATT. XIII. 24-43. What is this section in Matthew's narrative, (§ 55.) and by whom else is it recorded? 24. What parable is next spoken by our Lord? What is meant by the kingdom of heaven? Why is it like to a field where good seed is sown? Who is here represented by the sower? How doth Christ execute the office of a Prophet? 25. What mischief was done in this field? How does the enemy of souls plant evil like this in the Church? What do we pray for in the sixth petition? 26. What was the result? How do you understand this? 27. What was said to this? How do the Sacraments become effectual to salvation? 23 But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundred-fold, some sixty, some thirty. 24 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: 25 But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. 26 But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. 27 So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? 28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go arther them up? 29. What was the reply? What was now pro posed? 29. How did he answer them? What spirit is here reproved? 30. What did he direct to be done? Why ought the tares to be separated from the wheat at the harvest? Wherein consists Christ's exaltation? What does this parable teach about unworthy members of the Church? What do these two parables about the field teach us about ministers and members? 31. What parables here follow, and with what object? How is the Church further set forth? What is this parable meant to show? 32. How is the Church, at the beginning, like the mustard seed? Who do we pray for in the second petition? How does the church resemble the mustard-tree in its growth? 33. What parable here follows? How is the progress of the Church to be compared with the leaven in meal? What do you understand by the whole being leavened? What doth the conclusion of the Lord's Prayer teach us? 34, 35. Did our Lord employ this kind of teach ing with the multitude? What prophecy was thus fulfilled, and where is it found? 29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also e'w heat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest and in the time of harvest will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bau dles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn. 31 Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of a aven is like to a grain of mustard-seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: 32 Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof. 33 Another parable spake he unto them; The kingdom of heaven is like unto leaven, which a woman took, and hid in three measures of meal, till the whole was leavened. 34 All these things spake Jesus unto the multitude in parables; and without a parable spake not unto them: 36. What did Jesus then do? What did the disciples ask? 37. Who is meant in the parable of the tares by the sower of good seed? What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption? 38. What is "the field" of the visible Church? Who are meant by the good seed sown? Who are here called "the chidren of the kingdom," and why so called? Who are now "the children of the wicked one?" 39, 40. How does the same enemy still sow such tares? What do you understand by the harvest? What will the angels do in the day of judgment? What shall become of all the wicked at the last day? What doth every sin deserve? 41-43. How will the final separation of righteous and wicked take place? What is the meaning here of "things that offend?" What is the punishment of the wicked? What is meant by wailing and gnashing of teeth? What will be the lot of the righteous when the wicked are so removed? 35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will itter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world. 36 Then Jesus sent the multitude away, and went into the house: and his disciples came unto him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the tares of the field. 37 He answered and said unto them, He that soweth the good seed is the Son of man; 33 The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one ; 39 The enemy that sowed them is the devil; the harvest is the end of the world; and the reapers are the angels. 40 As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. 41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; 42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear. What does this parable teach about different kir is of church members? How do the Sacraments become effectual means of salvation? What is required to the worthy receiving of the Lord's Supper? What is Repentance unto Life? What benefits do believers receive from Christ at the resurrection? LESSON XXVII. Parables of the Hid Treasure, Pearl Merchant, and Net. 44. What is the comparison in this verse? Why is true religion like treasure? Why is it like treasure hid? What does this parable teach about the duty of seeking this religion? What is the effect upon any one of finding Christ? How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ? How doth the Spirit apply to us the redemption purchased by Christ? 45, 46. What is the comparison in these two verses? What is a Merchant-man, and what trade is here referred to? What do men naturally seek after? What does this parable teach about those who find the true religion? What is effectual calling? Why are men willing to give up all things else, when they find Christ? What is Faith in Jesus Christ? What is the chief end of man? 44 Again, The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. 45 Again, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant-man seeking goodly pearls: 46 Who, when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it. 47 Again, The kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind 47, 48. What e.se is the kingdom like, and what is here meant by the kingdom? How does this parable differ from the two former? How does it differ from the parable of the tares? How is the Church on earth like this net? (Repeat these two verses.) What is meant by the net being full? What was then done, and what does this represent here? 49, 50. How is the last judgment like this? Who shall do this? What is the meaning of sever? What shall become of all the wicked? What doth every sin deserve? What is meant to be expressed by "wailing and gnashing of teeth?" Wherein consists Christ's exaltation? What doth God require of us that we may escape His wrath and curse due to us for sin ? 51. What did Jesus ask them? What did He mean by these things? What did they answer? How doth Christ execute the office of a Prophet? 52. What did He then say to them? Who was a Scribe, and whom did He mean here? How were they to be like a householder? What is here meant by his treasure? How were they to bring forth things new and old? What are the outward and ordinary means whereby Christ communicateth to us the benefits of redemption? 53. What did Jesus next do? 48 Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. 49 So shall it be at the end of the world: the angels shall come forth, and sever the wicked from among the just, 50 And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth. 51 Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord. 52 Then said he unto them, Therefore every scribe which is instructed unto the kingdom of heaven, is like unto a man that is a householder, which bringeth forth out of his treasure things new and old. |