American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-06-22
The farllaer's department.
Short Sermons for Farmers.

fruit Of herseif first the blade then The ef afer that
forth Immediately he putteth In the sickle, besgue the
harvest Is come,-MtaK !: 2o-z9
The parallels are the most difficult
parts of the scriptures to interpret.
They have, by specious, but false
interpretations, been more frequent
ly pressed into the service of error
than any other portion of scripture,
except prophecy. They are not de-
signed to be the first source of doc
trine, but to illustrate and enforce
the truth whichis, in other parts of
scripture, revealed in more formal
manner. 1t is sound principle of
Interpretation, applicable alike to all
writings, that the meaning of fgura-
tive language must be ascertained by
that which is literal. Errorists, of all
ages, who have been unable to bring
the literal to their aid, have resorted
by the fgurative, besause of its great
or susceptibility of perversion. The
principle of Interpretation already
stated is so important to guide us in
our endeavors toundcrstand the scrip
lures and to fortify us against the
arts of errorists, that no pains should
be spared to fix it in our minds and
in the minds of our children. Bible
class and Sabbath school teachers
should understand it, cspcciallywhcn
Christian parents throw the respon-
sibility of the religious instruction of
their children upon them. The lit
cral is ever to control the doctrinal
Interpretation of the fguratiye. We
are not to go to the fgurative as the
first source of doctrinal teaching.
A departure from this principle will
involve us in false Interpretation.
1t will give orrorists scope to propa-
gate false doctrine with apparent
sanction of the Word. By depart
urc from this principle the parable
of the Unmerciful Servant may be
used tc sustain the doctrine that there
is no necessity, in the economy Of
grace, of the interpositon Of a medi-
ator between God and man. The King
in the parable pardoncd his servant
on his own petition and not on ac-
count of any satisfaction made OF
any mediator intervening. Hence it
might inferred, that in the same way,
requiring sacrifice or intercessor, God
pardons sinners simply on the gronnd
of their penitent prayers. Upon the
same principle of Interpretation the
parable Of the sower may be made tc
teach the doctrine, against the eX-
press and literal declarations of scrip
ture, that all men are not naturally
totally depraved. A portion of the
seed fell upon good ground and
brought forth fruit therefore some
men are by nature, and without the
special grace of God, fitted to bring
forth fruit unto holiness. There are
Illustration Of a mode of interpret.
ing parallels which has been Il fruit,
full source of error. 1t proceeds
upon the principle that parallels arc
original sources Of doctrine instead OF
illustrations of truth communicated
in literal form in other parts Of scrip,
ture.
The parable in the text may Will
perfect consistency refer either to tho
origin and progress of christianity il
the world, or to the establishment
growth and perfection of the grace
of God in the soul of individual be
lievcrs. The Kingdom of God, a.
used in the sculptures, sometimes ha!
reference to one, sometimes to tn,
other, and what is said of it in the
parable is in other portions of scrip
ture applied to both.
The origin of christianity and tn,
origin Of personal godinoss arc boil
divine. This is explicitly affirmed
as well as necessarily inferred from
the revealed fact from the natura
alienation of man from God. Will
reference to the origin of christiani
tyit is said: "Him being delivered by
determinatc counsel and forc-knowl
edge of God, yc have taken and by
wicked hands have crucifed anC
slain. This Jesus hath God raiset
up; therefore being by the righ
hand of God exalted, and having
received of the Father the promise
of the Holy Ghost he hath shed fortl
this, which ye now see and hear
God, who at sundry times and il
divers munners spake in time pas
INTO the fathers by the prophets
hath in these last days spoken unit,
us by his Son, whom he hath appoint
ed heir of all things" 1t is clcal
from these passages that ehristianit,
has divine origin. 1t is of God
The same is he origin of the king
dom of God within us. "Whom h,
did sforeknow he also did predesti
nate to be conformed to the imag'
of his Son. | follow after, if tina
/ may apprehend that for which
am apprehended of Christ Jesus
Being born again, not of corruptibiC
seed but incorruptible, by. the wore