“M.,” New College, Edinburgh. We do not exactly see how the parable of the mustard seed bears upon the church’s hope of seeing her Lord, and being with Him forever. From the moment of our blessed Lord’s departure from this world until now, it has been the believer’s happy privilege to wait for His coming; nor can we see how the spread of the tares, the progress of the leaven, or the growth of the mustard tree, could ever affect “that blessed hope.” Those three parables refer to the kingdom; whereas the church, its standing, its calling, its hopes, are all heavenly. It is, in our judgment, a great mistake to confound the church and the kingdom.