An explanation of the parables

forward like the parables. So now discern the earthly grandeur and riches he got by his faith in a dream; but how much greater is the spiritual happiness, and every blessing I have in store for man, that lie concealed, like the gold that he digged deep to find: and this is what I likened the Kingdom of Heaven to: a Pearl of great Price a metaphor from the Gospel of Matthew for something of supreme value that requires giving up all else to obtain, that ye must dig deep to find, when I come to bring in your Redemption, and bring the Kingdom of God to man: They are like the treasures hid in a field, or in the garden, concealed from man, like the dream that was shewn to him. So here is the likeness, from the Dream, as well as from the Parables, fables of old that I ordered thee to bring forward, to shew you the end.

And now discern the other dream, of the Master that saved the life of his Servant * ; and this is a likeness of mankind, who are alarmed to give the warning; and on some minds they will prevail to save others from destruction. And now discern deeply the exertion of the man, who listened to persuasions at first; but being warned again and again, his resolution was fixed at last to save the life of his servant, as you see his conduct appear; and perfectly so they will see the end; many like him that will listen to persuasions, and not regard the warning at first, after seeing repeated warnings, and the dangers rolling on, they will be awakened at last; and by so doing awaken others, to snatch men as brands from the burning to save someone from imminent spiritual or physical destruction, referencing a biblical idiom, as he snatched his servant from destruction. So if men discern the Dreams, they will see them like the Fables; for in one likeness they both appear: He that saw his danger at the inn, and he that saw the danger by the dream.

And now discern the other dreams, of those who were careless of the warning, and were destroyed, according to their dreams, by their enemies, that

• See page 71 of What manner of Communications are these.