An explanation of the parables

thee, for what ends the whole was done: for ends to open the eyes of the blind, and unstop the ears of the deaf, to confound thy adversaries, and thy enemies, and to shame all gainsayers those who speak against or deny the truth, who allude all my power, my wisdom, and my directions, to bring all dark sayings to light, and fulfill my fixed decrees from the foundation of the world, to an evil spirit; for this by ignorant men is placed to the power of the devil; but, from thy history, let them answer, what power kept thee from falling into evil, when the subtle arts of men and devils were laid for thee? These things I ordered to appear to fill men's mouths with arguments, and to confound all gainsayers; so ponder no more of thy foolish life, how simple it appears to mankind. But let them all discern, it was I that directed thee to the house See the account of Mr. Wills's house in page 18 of the book "Flock of Sheep" and page 69 of Mr. J. Southcott's Book., and permitted thee to be tried and tempted, to show thy accusers, by what power thou wast kept from falling into evil; and to bring forward the parable to mankind, how much like him are professed Christians, that boast of their christian love to ME, and with what ingratitude they now act, to turn their pretended love into malice and revenge against ME, now I am coming in the Spirit, to destroy their adversary, and my adversary: for there I tell thee is a parable that stands deep with mankind; and a parable that stands deep for the end, when every truth is brought to light, as I ordered thee to bring to light every thing that was done in that house: and this, every man will find in the end, is like the words I spoke in thee, of the horror and confusion that would be in some, when I come in might, majesty, and power, to complete the whole.

Here I have showed thee, from the words I spoke in thee at first, and all the parables I ordered thee to bring forward, with the history of thy life, how the whole agree together, if men have wisdom to dis-