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The parables of our lord and saviour Jesus Christ

Done into familiar verse, with occasional applications, for the use and improvement of younger minds. By Christopher Smart
Smart, Christopher (1722-1771)

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THE PARABLES.
 I. 
PARABLE I. The Sower and the Seed.
 II. 
PARABLE II. The Kingdom of Heaven compared unto a Man who sowed good Seed in his Field.
 III. 
PARABLE III. The Kingdom of Heaven compared to a Grain of Mustard-seed.
 IV. 
PARABLE IV. The Kingdom of Heaven compared unto Leaven.
 V. 
PARABLE V. The Kingdom of Heaven compared unto a Treasure hid in a Field.
 VI. 
PARABLE VI. The Kingdom of Heaven compared unto a Merchantman seeking goodly Pearls.
 VII. 
PARABLE VII. The Kingdom of Heaven compared unto a Net cast into the Sea.
 VIII. 
PARABLE VIII. The Scribes and Pharisees reprov'd.
 IX. 
PARABLE IX. The unmerciful Creditor.
 X. 
PARABLE X. The Lord of the Vineyard and the Labourers.
 XI. 
PARABLE XI. The Father and his Two Sons.
 XII. 
PARABLE XII. The Householder and Husbandmen.
 XIII. 
PARABLE XIII. The Marriage Feast.
 XIV. 
PARABLE XIV. The Fig-tree.
 XV. 
PARABLE XV. The Ten Virgins.
 XVI. 
PARABLE XVI. The Traveller and the Talents.
 XVII. 
PARABLE XVII. The Seed cast into the Ground secretly.
 XVIII. 
PARABLE XVIII. The wealthy Self-deceiver—of taking no Thought of the Body—and of Watching.
 XIX. 
PARABLE XIX. The Barren Fig-Tree.
 XX. 
PARABLE XX. The Lost Sheep.
 XXI. 
PARABLE XXI. The Piece of Silver.
 XXII. 
PARABLE XXII. The Spiritual Œconomist.
 XXIII. 
PARABLE XXIII. The Prophet without Honour in his own Country.
 XXIV. 
PARABLE XXIV. The Prodigal Son.
 XXV. 
PARABLE XXV. The Unjust Steward.
 XXVI. 
PARABLE XXVI. The Rich Man and Lazarus.
 XXVII. 
PARABLE XXVII. Faith as a Grain of Mustard-seed.
 XXVIII. 
PARABLE XXVIII. The Importunate Widow.
 XXIX. 
PARABLE XXIX. The Pharisee and Publican.
 XXX. 
PARABLE XXX. The Camel and the Needle's Eye.
 XXXI. 
PARABLE XXXI. The Good Shepherd.
 XXXII. 
PARABLE XXXII. The True Vine.
 XXXIII. 
PARABLE XXXIII. The Good Samaritan.
 XXXIV. 
PARABLE XXXIV. The Children in the Market-Place.
 XXXV. 
PARABLE XXXV. Christ and Mary Magdalen at the Pharisee's Entertainment.
 XXXVI. 
PARABLE XXXVI. The Kingdom of Christ compared to a Little Child.
 XXXVII. 
PARABLE XXXVII. The Disciples the Salt of the Earth, &c.
 XXXVIII. 
PARABLE XXXVIII. The Beam and the Mote.
 XXXIX. 
PARABLE XXXIX. Pearls not to be cast before Swine.
 XL. 
PARABLE XL. A Stone not to be given for Bread, nor a Serpent for Fish.
 XLI. 
PARABLE XLI. The Strait Gate.
 XLII. 
PARABLE XLII. The Wolves in Sheep's Clothing.
 XLIII. 
PARABLE XLIII. The House built upon a Rock.
 XLIV. 
PARABLE XLIV. A House divided against itself.
 XLV. 
PARABLE XLV. The Whole need no Physician.
 XLVI. 
PARABLE XLVI. The Children of the Bride-Chamber.
 XLVII. 
PARABLE XLVII. The Bearing of the Cross.
 XLVIII. 
PARABLE XLVIII. The Necessity of Self-denial.
 XLIX. 
PARABLE XLIX. The Reed shaken with the Wind.
 L. 
PARABLE L. Leaving all for Christ.
 LI. 
PARABLE LI. The Leaven of the Scribes and Pharisees.
 LII. 
PARABLE LII. Humility recommended.
 LIII. 
PARABLE LIII. The Necessity of Forecast.
 LIV. 
PARABLE LIV. The Advent of Christ's spiritual Kingdom.
 LV. 
PARABLE LV. The Harvest and Labourers.
 LVI. 
PARABLE LVI. Perseverance in Christ encouraged.
 LVII. 
PARABLE LVII. Adherence to the Doctrine of Christ.
 LVIII. 
PARABLE LVIII. The Stability of Christ's Church.
 LIX. 
PARABLE LIX. The Easiness of Christ's Yoke.
 LX. 
PARABLE LX. The Sign of the Prophet Jonas.
 LXI. 
PARABLE LXI. Spiritual Affinity.
 LXII. 
PARABLE LXII. The Woman of Canaan.
 LXIII. 
PARABLE LXIII. The two Sons of Zebedee.
 LXIV. 
PARABLE LXIV. The Head-Stone in the Corner.
 LXV. 
PARABLE LXV. Tribute payable to Cæsar.
 LXVI. 
PARABLE LXVI. The Woman and her seven Brethren.
 LXVII. 
PARABLE LXVII. The Hypocrisy of the Scribes and Pharisees—The straining out a Gnat—The white Sepulchres—The Hen gathering her Chickens, &c.
 LXVIII. 
PARABLE LXVIII. The Ax laid to the Root of the Tree—The Lord's Fan.
 LXIX. 
PARABLE LXIX. The Temple of the Lord's Body.
 LXX. 
PARABLE LXX. The Second Birth.
 LXXI. 
PARABLE LXXI. The Woman of Samaria.
 LXXII. 
PARABLE LXXII. The Bread of God.
 LXXIII. 
PARABLE LXXIII. Many Mansions in God's House.
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[Though the following Passages of the New Testament be not Parables, yet as they are altogether pertinent to our present Design, we have not scrupled to insert them.]
  
CHRIST disputing amongst the Doctors.
  
The Disciples pluck the Ears of Corn on the Sabbath-day.
  
Pilate and the Galileans.
  
Christ delivereth the Woman taken in Adultery.
  
The Story of Zaccheus.
  
The poor Widow commended.
  
The Transfiguration.
  
The fiery Disciples.
  
Martha reproved.
  
Our Saviour washing his Disciples Feet.

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PARABLE XXVIII. The Importunate Widow.

This parable he likewise spoke,
Religious ardour to provoke,
That men their constant pray'r should plead,
Nor e'er grow languid, or recede.
There in a certain city dwelt
A judge, whose heart no pity felt,
Nor did he God Almighty fear,
Or any man on earth revere.
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On him a widow of that place
Attended, and referr'd her case:
“Avenge me of my foe,” she cry'd,
Which for long while the judge deny'd:
But when a certain time was past,
He argued with himself at last,
“Although the Lord I do not fear,
“Nor any man on earth revere;
“Yet since this widow day and night
“Is urgent, I will do her right,
“Lest by her coming without end,
“She weary me to death.”—Attend
To what th'unrighteous judge admits,
And shall not God Supreme, that sits
Enthron'd in righteousness, respect
And vindicate his own elect,
Which day and night prefer their pray'r,
Though for a long time he forbear?
I tell you of a truth, indeed,
It shall be done, and done with speed.
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