glories by such symbols of evil as "leaven", or it frustrates the apostle's insistence upon

grace without works, by misusing the parable of the "pearl" as of a seeking sinner, who

has to "sell all he has" to purchase a free salvation!

The recognition of these features had their cumulative effect, but the item above all

else that broke the shackles of tradition was the fact that expositors actually omitted one

parable. Book after book, and quotation after quotation can be read where "The seven

Parables of Matt. 13:" are spoken of with complete assurance.

Some few years before The Berean Expositor was issued a spiritual crisis in the life

of the Editor made him declare that from henceforth  he would accept no man's

statement--however learned or however good--but would bring every interpretation,

translation or structure, whatever it might be, to the touchstone of the Word. The reader

will consequently understand why this magazine was called "The Berean Expositor".

The need having arisen for an exposition of Matt. 13:, the present writer remembers

some 27 years ago taking a sheet of paper and writing the heading: "The seven Parables

of Matt. 13:" After commencing an examination of the chapter, it occurred to him that

he was allowing to pass unquestioned the number "seven", and though it appeared

foolish, he nevertheless thought it would be good to see for himself. The result was so

illuminating, and the blow to traditional teaching palpable, that not only did it prove the

commandment that "came" to the one upon whose convictions we are now commencing,

but it settled for ever the policy of the Editor as to all subsequent investigations.

Instead of seven parables, Matt. 13: contains eight. These are arranged in perfect

symmetry, and form the only true basis for their exposition. Whoever has once seen this

perfect correspondence realizes that no amount of erudition or ability will ever

compensate for its omission. As some of our readers may not possess Volume II/III

(which, however, is obtainable from the Secretary), we set out afresh the structure of

the parables of Matt. 13:, so that all may see for themselves that this disposition of

subject-matter and this enumeration of the parables is true:--