SECTION VII.

HAVING feen the predictions, concerning 289. the Second coming of our Lord, in the light in which they have been here just commented upon; there is a most remarkable Parable, which feems in the next place, in an especial manner, to demand great attention. And the more particularly; because, as it has hitherto been usually explained, it appears to be one of the most unaccountable paffages in Scripture; and almoft inconfiftent with the Gospel Doctrine, or at least inconsistent with that great dignity of fentiment maintained in every other part thereof.

As, however, this failure of perfect confiftency appears to be rather the consequence of misinterpretations, and of mistranslations, than of the parable itfelf; it is well worth our while, now, to examine, whether this allegory may not moft juftly be confidered in a more enlarged and more fublime point of

view, than that in which it hath hitherto been feen.

The parable is that of The Unjust Steward. A parable which hath too frequently, by fome perfons, been thought to imply, that giving of 290. alms was almoft the only means of obtaining falvation; and further, that men might poffibly finally fail of obtaining happiness, notwithstanding the utmoft fincerity of their endeavours to embrace the Gofpel, and to become the fervants of Jefus Chrift; but might yet escape by being very charitable (as it is called). even at the expence of common honesty: and, therefore, that the wifdom of rafcals, in this world, was really deferving of imita tion.

Than all which, nothing can be more derogatory to the truth, or to the word of God.

Without, therefore, maintaining needlefs respect or deference for any perfons whatfoever, (from whofe interpretations fuch inferences as the above muft, and will be drawn, by thofe who dare to think for themselves,) I fhall now attempt a fair and plain interpretation; which appears, I muft think, to be more perfectly confiftent with the original words of the parable itfelf, and with the whole

tenor

tenor of Scripture; and which contains, at once, even a moft humane and fublime doctrine, and fuch as is ftill further explanatory of all that has been hitherto advanced.

Let us confider the whole Parable, with all its concomitant circumftances, verfe by verfe.

This Parable is one of four which our Lord in great mercy fpake, in the first place, exprefsly for the comfort and encouragement of Publicans and Sinners, that they might not be deterred from feeking deliverance by any juft fenfe of their own paft misconduct; and, in the next place, in the prefence alfo of many Scribes and Pharifees, who murmured, because of this good will to Sinners, and because he did eat with them and it was spoken at a time, when thofe very Scribes and Pharifees also were deriding him on account of his doctrine.

For we are exprefsly told, before the beginning of the difcourfe in which he uttered. these parables,

Luke, ch. xv. ver. 1, 2.

1. Ἦσαν δὲ ἐγγίζονες αὐτῷ πάλες οἱ τελῶναι καὶ οἱ ἁμαρ]ωλοὶ, ἀκέειν αὐτε.

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291.

2. Καὶ διεγόγυζον οἱ Φαρισαῖοι καὶ οἱ Γραμματεις, λέγοντες· Οτι ἔτος ἁμαρτωλές προσδέχεται, καὶ συνεσθίει αὐτοῖς.

I. And there were coming near unto Him, all the Publicans and Sinners, to bear Him.

2. And the Pharifees and Scribes murmured, faying, Why this man receives finners, and eats with them.

And at the end of all the four parables we read,

Luke, ch. xvi. ver. 14.

14. Ηκεον δὲ ταῦτα πάν]α καὶ οἱ Φαρισαῖοι, φιλάργυροι ὑπάρχοντες· καὶ ἐξεμυκή ριζον αὐτόν.

14. And the Pharifees alfo heard all thefe things, who were lovers of money; and they laughed fcornfully at Him.

We must therefore neceffarily conclude, that, although he addreffed himself to his difciples, his meaning was, to be understood to fpeak more particularly to the furrounding multitude: first to the Publicans and Sinners, who were more immediately the perfons to

whom