lar Providence. What do you mean by particular Providence. The special care which God takes of his believing people. How is that doctrine here illustrated? "Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left." What time is meant by "then"? The time of those judgments so often mentioned in this chapter. Who are supposed to be in the field together, when the Roman armies were marching towards Jerusalem ? Two men who were Jews. Was it likely that any men would be in the field at such a time? Yes; for the enemy would come suddenly.* these men be doing in the field? What would become of them? taken, and the other left." What would Cultivating the land. "The one shall be What is meant by other left"? The "The one shall be taken, and the one shall be slain, and the other allowed to escape. Which of the two would be slain? The unbeliever. And which would be allowed to escape? The disciple of Christ. Would the Roman soldiers know why they slew the one and spared the other? No. How then is such discrimination to be accounted for? By the restraining power of God, put forth on behalf of his servants. Did none of the Christians fall by the sword of the Roman conquerors? No; they were preserved, according to the word of the Lord.† 41. How would the doctrine of a particular Providence be further illustrated? "Two women shall be grind * As lightning, verse 27. + Luke xxi, 18. ing at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left." Who were employed, in the East, to grind corn? The lowest class of female servants. Was it hard work? Yes; very laborious. What kind of mills were used? Hand-mills, composed of two stones. Had they no other kind of mills? The Jews had no windmills, and very few water-mills. What is said of the two women, who would be grinding at the mill ? "The one shall be taken, and the other left." What is meant by "The one shall be taken, and the other left"? See ver. 40. What idea does this verse convey, that was not expressed in the former? That the poorest, and meanest of Christ's followers should not be overlooked and suffered to perish. 42. What exhortation did our Lord then give to his disciples? "Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." Is the exhortation to watch equally applicable to us? Yes. But if this coming of the Lord refers to his coming in judgment upon the Jews eighteen hundred years ago, how can the watchfulness, required in the text, be required of us? Because our Lord will come to us as assuredly as he came to the Jews of old. Did he then come personally, to the Jews? No; he came instrumentally, by the Roman legions.* And will he also come, instrumentally, to us? Yes. How? By death. Is death ever spoken of in See X. 23. Scripture as the coming of the Lord? Not in the prophetic parts of Scripture, but in several of the parables. Mention some parables, in which death is represented as the coming of the Lord. It is so in the following parables of the Steward, the Virgins, and the Talents. 43. What did our Lord say further, to show the necessity of watchfulness? "But know this, that if the good man of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up." What is the truth taught in these words? That when men are aware of danger, they always watch and guard against it. 44. How did our Lord apply that sentiment? "There fore be ye also ready." Ready for what? For death and eternity. What is the consideration urged to prevent delay? "For in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh.” Did our Lord dismiss the subject of watchfulness with these words? No; he enforced it by several parables. 45. Which is the first of these parables? That of The Steward. What is a steward? See xx. 8. How does the parable of the steward begin? "Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?" Who is here meant by the steward? The Evangelist or Pastor, whose office it is to feed the church of God.* What are the proper charac * Acts XX. 28. teristics of such a person? He must be "faithful and wise." What is meant by his being" faithful"? His not shunning to declare the whole counsel of God.* What is the surest proof of his being "wise"? His winning souls to Christ.+ Can a minister win souls to Christ at pleasure? No; God giveth the increase; but every man's work shall be made manifest, of what sort it is. [ 46. Will all be alike approved? No. Who will meet the master's approbation? "Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing." Doing what? The duties of his office. 47. How will the diligent steward be rewarded? "Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods." What does this part of the parable show? That the laborious minister of the Gospel will have a large reward. 48. Are all stewards "faithful and wise"? No. What contrary case is here supposed? That of an evil, or disobedient servant. How is the case "But and if that evil servant shall say in his put? heart, My lord delayeth his coming." say a thing in the heart? To think it. What is it to Would it be right to entertain such a thought of God, as if he were slack concerning his promise?§ No; it is the error of the wicked to think so.¶ 49. Is there a correspondence between what a man says *Acts xx. 27, + Prov. xi. 30. +1 Cor. iii. 6. 1 Cor. iii. 13. § 2 Pet. iii. 9. ¶ 2 Pet. iii. 17, viewed in connexion with ver. 3, 4, & 9. Yes. in his heart, and the quality of his actions? How is the conduct of the evil-minded steward described? "And shall begin to smite his fellowservants, and to eat and drink with the drunken." Would he behave himself thus, if he believed that his lord was at hand? No. What does this part of the parable teach us? To keep in mind that the Of what use coming of the Lord draweth nigh.* will that persuasion be? It will check sin, and quicken holy diligence. 50. How will the idle, worthless steward be surprised ? "The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not When the wicked man sees his 'lord aware of." approach—what will he wish? That he had been prepared for his appearing. 51. Can he not then begin to prepare? No; it will be Will his folly and ill-desert be manifest? What will be his doom? His lord "shall too late. Yes. cut him asunder, and appoint him his portion with What is a hypocrite? See ii. 8. How so? the hypocrites." Was this man a hypocrite? Yes. He pretended to give meat to his lord's household, yet he cared for nothing but his own sinful appetites. How is the place appointed for hypocrites repre"There shall be weeping and gnashing of What does this "weeping" denote? See And what is implied in "gnashing of See viii. 12. sented? viii. 12. teeth"? James v. 8. |