Nature Set Against Manufactures
Luke 12:27
Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say to you…


"Consider the lilies how they grow Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these." There is nature set against manufactures, and set so as to throw them into pitiable contrast. Solomon was all as to his decorations, manufacture — the decorations were hand made; and the lily is lifted up, and declared to be his superior in tender delicacy of beauty to all the colour that flamed on the shoulders of the king. How are they made? Look at them and you will know. Compare anything which you have made with anything which you find in nature; and you will see that you have either been copying nature or travestying by mean and impotent imitation what nature has done so infinitely well. Can you show me anything so delicate as the bloom upon the cheek of the peach? Touch it. Now put the bloom back again! Look at the meadow in the morning when brightened with dew, and tell me if the hand of man ever made such a scene as that dewy field presents when the sun shines upon it? What gleaming diamonds — what glowing rubles — what glittering emeralds — what a blazing of living and all but speaking colour! How made? "Not made with hands!" Touch one of the jewels. It is goner Restore it t No angel could!

(J. Parker, D. D.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.

WEB: Consider the lilies, how they grow. They don't toil, neither do they spin; yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.




Lessons from the Lilies
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