Verklaring van de evangelische parabolen

Matthew 22, was missing. Which original manuscript from Mr. Vitringa, and both these transcripts, were compared by me with each other several times during the revision of the work, regarding matters that might have appeared somewhat doubtful to me.
Since now, after this work was already translated, much labor and time was still required to reread the explanation of each parable anew, more than once, and to add the necessary remarks for clarification; and not so much time remained to me from my public ministry, I judged it would be some useful material if I treated some of the parables in public sermons. As I have done with those from Matthew, and two from the Evangelist Luke. Not at all out of convenience: (for it cost me much more labor to reread the explanation of such a parable several times; to add the notes as they appear here; and then to briefly condense a very extensive explanation that occupied many pages, and finish it in one or two speeches. As, for example, the Weeds sown among the Wheat, Matthew 13:24-30 and 36-43, which I handled in one; and the long parable of the Unmerciful Servant, Matthew 18, which I handled entirely in two sermons.) Besides the introductions and broad applications which I have made for several of the parables. Of which the first, namely the introductions, I have left for some parables because they were not too large in size, and also served for clarification, be it of those or of other places in the Holy Scripture. Being marked at the beginning with two brackets [[ and closed again with two reverse brackets ]]. But the applications I have either left out entirely, or only set down the short content thereof for the use of younger teachers, or also of private Christians, who could easily expand them by themselves.
As for the work of Mr. Vitringa, from what I have said and brought forward previously, one can easily perceive that these drafts for explanation are not polished and completed in all parts as they would have been if the well-mentioned gentleman had rewritten them himself and prepared them for the printing press.

Although I cannot refrain from saying that, during the translation, I have often been amazed how it was possible for his Right Reverend, with and after so little time of preparation, to execute this work as properly and perfectly as one finds it upon trial.
What I have contributed regarding it is, I. the translation, which I have sought to complete as clearly and according to the author's own meaning as has been possible for me. In which I have sometimes inserted a word or a sentence of my own for clarification or expansion. Which I have generally placed between two single brackets [] or two double brackets [[]]. II. The short content of each section § in the margin, for greater convenience and help to the reader. III. The introductions and short applications to some parables, as was just mentioned. IV. The notes Aanteikeningen, which are added below in Roman type. These sometimes contain nothing more than the expression of the scriptural passages, which were only cited with numerals; for the convenience of the reader, so as not to be forced to open the Bible every time: where I then generally also show where the strength of the proof lies; and add some more passages. But elsewhere they contain some remarks or additions for further expansion and clarification of what appears in the text itself. Over whose learning or unlearning, and lightness or weightiness, I leave the judgment to the modest reader. At any rate, it is enough for me that Mr. Vitringa himself was not dissatisfied with them, and was of the opinion that they would not serve to disfigure his work.
I would still have one thing or another to report concerning some parts or parables of this work in particular. However, in that respect, I refer to what I have said in my notes, which I have set down at the head of this or that parable (where I found it necessary).
If someone now asks whether all the Evangelical parables in this
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