What is represented by the man sending his servant to call them? Whont has God sent to call on men to return to him? What was the servant to say? How does this apply to the calling of men? 18. How did those who were invited treat the invitation? What did the first say? What excuse like this do men often make? 19. What did another say? What is meant by proving them? Is there any thing of so much importance as to excuse us for neglecting the gospel? 20. What did another say? How does the love of friends keep persons from attending to the gospel? 21. What did the servant do when they all refused? How was the master of the house affected? How does this apply to the rejection of the Jews and the calling of the Gentiles? How may it be applied to the manner in which the rich and worldly, the poor and afflicted treat the gospel? 18 And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. 19 And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them I pray thee have me excused. 20 And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. 21 So that servant came, and showed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. 22. Did these come? Was there room for more? 23. What did the Lord then bid his servant do? What are meant by “highways" and "hedges"? What is meant by "compelling them to come in"? 24. What did the Lord say of those who were bidden ? Who are represented by those who were bidden? How will this prove true of all who excuse themselves and refuse to come to God? 25. Who went with Jesus? 26. What did he say to them? What is meant here by "hating" our near relatives, and even our own lives, for Christ's sake? What is it to be Christ's disciple? 27. What else did our Lord say on this subject? What is meant by "bearing the cross"? Is it ever a disgrace in the opinion of the world to be an humble Christian? How may men show that they are ashamed of the cross of Christ? 22 And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. 23 And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled. 24 For I say unto you, That none of those men which were bidden shall taste of my supper. 25 And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, 26 If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. 27 And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. What is it to come after Christ? 28. What question did Jesus ask? What is a tower? What is meant by his "counting the cost?" 29. Why should a man count the cost first? 30. What would they say? Who would say this? How does this apply to persons who profess to wish to be Christians? What should such first consider? 31, 32. What other case did Jesus mention? What does this teach us? If it alludes to the opposition of the wicked to Christ, how may it be explained? 33. What is the great lesson taught by these examples? What self-denials must you expect if you would be the disciple of Christ? Why should you prefer him to your life, and to all your relatives? 28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? 29 Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, 30 Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. 31 Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? 32 Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. 33 So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. 34 Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall It be seasoned? 35 It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath cars to hear, let him hear. LESSON XXXVIII, Luke xv. 1-10. 1. WHO drew near to Christ? For what purpose? Who are meant by "publicans and sinners"? 2. What did the Pharisees and scribes mur mur against him? What occasioned this murmuring? Why do they particularly mention his " eating with 3, 4. What parable did he speak to them? Why does he forget the ninety and nine in his anxiety for the hundreth? What is meant by "wilderness" ? 5. What does he do when he hath found it? Why does he not drive it before him or call it to follow him? 6. What does he do on reaching home? What does he say to them? 7. How does he use the parable? CHAP. XV.-1 Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him. 2 And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them. 3¶ And he spake this parable unto them, saying, 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? 5 And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. 6 And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. 7 I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sin Are there any persons who do not need repentance? How then is this expression to be taken? 8. What other parable did he speak to them? What is meant by "pieces of silver"? Why should she light a candle ? Why should she sweep the house? 9. What does she do when she finds it? What does she say to her friends and neighbours? Why should she feel such peculiar joy? 10. How did Christ use this parable? What difference of expression may we notice between this and verse 7? What are we to understand by "the presence of the angels of God"? Is there any thing in this expression of our Saviour to justify the Papal doctrine that spirits in heaven have a knowledge of the exercises of the human heart on earth? What general truth may we derive from these parables? What immediate personal duty do they urge on us? ner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. 8 Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? 9 And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. 10 Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. VOL. III. |