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"And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others:

Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a pharisee, and the other a publican.

The pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself: God, I thank thee that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this pub

lican:

I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

I tell you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth

himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."

1. To whom was the parable of the Pharisee and Publican addressed?

Unto certain which trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others.

2. When the Pharisee went into the temple, how did he stand?

He stood by himself, as if to intimate to the publican: "Stand by thyself, come not near to me, for I am holier than thou." (Isa. lxv. 5.)

3. How did the Pharisee pray?

He thanked God that he was not vicious like other men, especially "as this publican," whom he thoroughly despised; and then he boasted of his own strict attention to the rites of Jewish worship.

4. What is there observable in the Pharisee's prayer? He was right in thanking God, but wrong in boasting of himself, and in condemning others to exalt himself.

5. How did the publican act?

He stood afar off, sensible of his unworthiness; he would not so much as lift up his eyes to heaven to a holy God; but he smote on his breast as a proof of his deep contrition.

6. What was the publican's prayer?

God be merciful to me a sinner.

7. How does Christ declare that the publican was accepted?

I tell you, This man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth

himself shall be abased, and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

8. What evils are censured in the parable of the pharisee and publican?

All pride, boasting, and contempt of others, and all dependance on our own observances or excellencies for salvation.

9. What duties are enforced by the parable of the pharisee and publican?

Repentance, humility, self-renunciation, and entire dependance on the mercy of God, through the atonement of Christ, for the pardon of our sins and the salvation of our souls.

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"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheep-fold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth: and the sheep hear his voice; and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him; for they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake

unto them.

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Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.

The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.

I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.

As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father and I lay down my life for the sheep.

And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.

Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life that I might take it again.

No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father."

1. Who is meant by the shepherd?

The Lord Jesus Christ: faithful Christian ministers are also called shepherds, who enter on their office through Christ, "the door."

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