us. But principally let us look unto SERM. Jesus the Author and Finisher of our IV. faith, the Author, as he has prescribed a course of duty to be done, and the Finisher, as he has provided a recompence for our faithful service; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross despising the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Here elevated in glory he still benignantly prosecutes that work for which he came into the world. For as he once hath given us a rule and pattern how we ought to walk, so he still continues to supply us with his holy Spirit, to assist and support us in the way of righteousness: as he once became a propitiatory sacrifice for us upon earth, so also now on the merit of that sacrifice he is become our prevailing Intercessor and Advocate in heaven. Thus the work which he once undertook in the likeness of men, he. continues to carry on in the form of God. Still faithful to that design of grace for which he came into the world, he perseveres in raising us from the human character to the divine, in ad * Heb. xii. 1, 2. vancing SERM. vancing us from an earthly habitation IV. to a heavenly. For all, who truly understand his word and bring forth fruit with patience, he is gone to prepare a place, that where he is they may be also y. ▼ John xiv 2, 3. SERMON SERMON V. THE TARES AMONG THE WHEAT. MATT. XIII. 24, 25. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The Kingdom of Heaven is like unto a Man who sowed good Seed in his Field. But while Men slept, his Enemy came and sowed Tares among the Wheat; and went his way. IT was the usage of our blessed Lord SERM. in discoursing to the people to draw his allusions from the scenery then in view, and to adapt his comparisons to the observation and experience of the people then in hearing. Thus when he discoursed in a series of parables from a ship, in sight lay the country, at the season of approaching harvest, as we learn from the circumstance recorded in the foregoing chapter, of his Disciples plucking K 2 v. SERM. plucking the ears of corn: and before him on the shore was a multitude of people, collected chiefly, we have reason to think, from the walks of rural life. Hence with an eye both to the nature of the scene and the condition of his audience he begins his discourse with the parable of the Sower going forth to sow, and he continues the same vein of similitude in that of the Tares which grew among the Wheat. The Kingdom of Heaven is likened unto a Man who sowed good Seed in his Field. But while men slept, his Enemy came and sowed Tares among the Wheat; and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the Tares also. So the Servants of the Householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst thou not sow good sced in thy field? Whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An Enemy hath done this. The Servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the Tares, ye root up also the Wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will • Mat. xii. 1. say V. say to the Reapers, Gather ye together SERM first the Tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them; but gather the Wheat into my barn. To this as well as the former parable an interpretation is provided by our Lord himself. For as soon as he had sent the multitude away, and was gone into the house, his Disciples came to him, saying, Declare unto us the parable of the Tares in the field. The answer which he gave hereupon to them is left on record in the gospel for a standing instruction to the Christian Church. He that soweth the good seed is the same with the Sower in the preceding parable, namely the Son of God; or as he stiles himself, the Son of Man, with a reference to the nature, which he took upon him when he came among mankind. The Field is the world: herein he planted a Church composed of true Disciples, whome calls the Children of the Kingdom, as well because they acknowledge hini for their King both in their faith and practice, as also because on that acknowledgement they look for a portion with him in the inheritance of the Heavenly Kingdom. |