Part 6 (1/2)

C. Every thing which we have in this life: our strength, and health, and reason, and money, and time.

F. How may we trade with these for the King?

C. By trying to use them all so as to please Him and set forth His glory.

F. Who are those who rose up early to go into the town?

C. Those who begin to serve the Lord even from their youth.

F. What is shewn by their finding the streets easy to pa.s.s, and the markets full of rich goods?

C. That this service of G.o.d is far easier to such as begin to serve Him in youth; and that such are able to offer to Him the best gifts of early devotion, and their first love, and the zeal of youth, and tender hearts, and unclouded consciences.

F. What is taught us by their seeing the beautiful things of the city at their ease, after their diligent trading?

C. That those who serve G.o.d truly in a youthful piety commonly find more than others, that ”G.o.dliness has promise of the life which now is, as well as of that which is to come.”

F. Why were those who were late ready to quarrel with one another?

C. Because companions in sin have no real love for each other, but are always ready to fall out; being all selfish and separate from G.o.d.

F. What were the full streets they met with when they entered the town?

C. The many difficulties and hindrances which beset those who set about serving G.o.d late in life.

F. What were the shows, and the thieves, and the robbers, which troubled them?

C. The different temptations which come from the devil, the world, and the flesh.

F. Who were the crowds who withstood them?

C. Those who love this present world, and who therefore withstand those who seek to live for G.o.d's glory.

F. Who was he who sold the false jewels?

C. One of those who often make a prey of persons beginning, after a negligent youth, to feel earnest about religion, and of whom we read, Rom. xvi. 17, 18, ”Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

F. Who was he who held on through all difficulties to the market-place?

C. A truly humble penitent, who having turned to G.o.d with all his heart, leans not to his own understanding, but follows G.o.d's leading in all things; cleaving close to Christ's Church.

F. What were the sackcloth and ashes which he bought?

C. The true contrition of heart and deep sense of sin, which G.o.d gives to those who seek earnestly to turn away from all iniquity.

F. What was the sound of the trumpet?

C. The call of men to the general judgment.