the Kingdom as it may be seen on earth; some
expressing the inward spiritual reign of the King over the hearts of
men; and others teaching that those who fail to use their
opportunities as subjects of it here, will lose the glory of sharing
in its perfect state hereafter. And the Parables of the second
division relate to certain special circumstances which affect the
position of its subjects.

The first division consists of the seven Parables collected together
in S. Matt. xiii; and begins with the Parable of "The Sower," which
was one of those which our Lord Himself explained. "Hear ye the
Parable of the Sower. When any one heareth the Word of the Kingdom,
and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one and catcheth away
that which was sown in his heart" (S. Matt. xiii. 18, 19). The good
news about "The Kingdom of Heaven" falls like seed. They who hear
about it are like the different kinds of soil on which seed is sown.
One pays no heed to what he hears, and the birds of folly and
thoughtlessness carry off, at once, "that which was sown in his
heart." Others desire to live as subjects of the Kingdom here, and be
prepared for its perfect state hereafter, only they are like stony
ground, or as soil which is foul with weeds and thorns; they cannot
stand against the scorching heat of temptations or petty persecutions,
or else the cares and riches of this world choke the word and make
them unfruitful. Whilst other men accept the good news of the Kingdom
of Jesus Christ, and bear fruit, by living as useful subjects of their
King (S. Matt. xiii. 18-23).

The next Parable--"The Tares"--is a very striking one, because it
describes the state of "The Kingdom of Heaven" as being completely
different from what men would have expected. It was the Lord's own
account beforehand of the sad outward appearance of His Kingdom. It
described the work of God as being maliciously injured and marred by
Satan, so that good and bad would be found together side by side, so
closely intermingled that it would be impossible to separate them, or
to distinguish between them. And the separation would not be made
until the end of the world, however much men might wish to make it at
once (S. Matt. xiii. 24-30, 36-43).

We may well pause here for a moment to think about the meaning of
these words. Our Blessed Lord was preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom.
And when He began to describe the Kingdom which He came to found, He
told His disciples at o