nts, saying, Tell them which are bidden, Behold,
I have prepared my dinner: my oxen and fatlings are killed, and all
things are ready: come unto the marriage. But they made light of it,
and went their ways, one to his farm, another to his merchandise: And
the remnant took his servants, and entreated them spitefully, and slew
them. But when the king heard thereof, he was wroth: and he sent forth
his armies, and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city."

This parable, if we understand it aright, will help to teach us theology-
-that is, the knowledge of God, and of the character of God. For it is a
parable concerning the kingdom of heaven, and the laws and customs of the
kingdom of heaven--that is, the spiritual and eternal laws by which God
governs men.

Now, what any kingdom or government is like must needs depend on what the
king or governor of it is like; at least if that king is all-powerful,
and can do what he likes. His laws will be like his character. If he be
good, he will make good laws. If he be bad, he will make bad laws. If
he be harsh and cruel--if he be careless and indulgent--so will his laws
be. If he be loving and generous, delighting in seeing his subjects
happy, then his laws will be so shaped that his subjects will be happy,
if they obey those laws. But also--and this is a very serious matter,
and one to which foolish people in all ages have tried to shut their
eyes, and false preachers in all ages have tried to blind men's eyes--
also, I say, if his laws be good, and bountiful, and sure to make men
happy, then the good king will have those laws obeyed. He will not be an
indulgent king, for in his case to be indulgent will be cruelty, and
nothing less. The good king will not say,--I have given you laws by
which you may live happy; but I do not care whether you obey them or not.
I have, as it were, set you up, in life, and given you advantages by
which you may prosper if you use them; but I do not care whether you use
them or not. For to say that would be as much as to say that I do not
care if you make yourselves miserable, and make others miserable
likewise. The good king will say,--You shall obey my laws, for they are
for your good. You shall use my gifts, for they are for your good. And
if you do not, I will punish you. You shall respect my authority. And
if you do not--if you go too far, if you become wanton and cruel, and
destroy yo