APPENDIX. . 55S

If reasons for the parabolic style of instruction so much employed by our Lord
were found in the condition of His hearers, viewed in connection with the truths
delivered by Him, other reasons are also to be discovered for it in the peculiar
nature of this kind of instruction. An attractive power of the parable as a medium
of religious instruction is found in its historic element. ‘ Nothing,”’ says Lisco, ‘is
so attractive to us as history ; nothing more awakens our attention and interest than
the behavior and the fate of our fellow-men: and are not most of the parables histo- »
ries from human life? This is what makes the Bible so attractive and full of in-
struction, — that it contains so much history. And as God, through means of the his-
tories contained in His word, wishes to nurture and form us as His nourishing grace
is represented to have done in the history of those persons as contained in the Old
and New Testament, so are the parables of Jesus histories of the divine economy
toward us; and as the Father, so also the Son, wishes in this manner to instruct
and train us by the help of history. Besides, for history, at least for short narra-
tives, stupidity itself will give attention ; and they awaken the interest of those who
are most unfeeling. Whoever in his levity and folly has shut his ear and his heart
against instruction, admonition, threatening, and warning, may possibly be disposed
to open them to a narrative ; and thus, through means of the history, the seed of
divine wisdom gains admittance into the heart. Are not the parables, then, on this
account, singularly fitted for being vehicles of instruction? Even if nothing further
were at first accomplished by this form of instruction than impressing the truth
taught more readily and deeply upon the memory, this were of itself an important
benefit, and would greatly recommend its use. But, as the figurative language of
Christ contains in itself eternal truth, there moves in it a living power, which,
being faithfully preserved, will some time manifest itself to the enlightenment of the
understanding, to the improvement of the mind, to the sanctification of the will, and
the blessed satisfaction of the whole man.”

If we direct our attention to the perfectness and beauty of the parables of our
Lord, we shall find them ‘apples of gold in pictures of silver.” ‘In them is
treasured up an inexhaustible store of instruction, consolation, warning, and admoni-
tion. Their meaning is richer than the sea: every new consideration of them dis-
covers to us new relations, gives new solutions, spreads new light over the affairs of
the heavenly kingdom.” — Vide Lisco and Dr. Trench on the Parables.

The number of parables supposed to be contained in the Gospels will depend on
the range given to the application of them by different commentators. Dr. Trench
_ yeckons their number at thirty, Lisco enumerates thirty-seven, and others extend
the number even to fifty. There is reason to believe that there were many of which
we have no record. In those recorded, an order of arrangement and classification
has been noticed. In grouping them, the following classification has been adopted
by recent expositors : —

I. The first group of parables introduced by. the great Teacher relates to the
development of the kingdom of God, its growth, its nature, | its consummation.

Under this head the following are specified : —

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