deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things, entering in, choke the word, and it 'becometh unfruitful. And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it; and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred. Mar. iv. 14-20 See chap. xxi. 33.

19 The word of the kingdom.] See chap. iv. 23. and com. And he (Jesus) sent them (his twelve disciples) to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick. Lu. ix. 2. Heal the sick that are therein (in the city that received them), and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you. Lu. x. 9. Now behold (said Paul to the elders of Ephesus), I know that ye all among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Ac. xx. 25. And when "they" ("the chief of the Jews in Rome") had appointed him (Paul) a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. Ac. xxviii. 23. The kingdom of God is not meat, and drink, but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Ro. xiv. 17. Seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not, but have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth, commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God; but if our Gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost. 2 Co. iv. 1-3. Unto me who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ. Ep. iii. 8.

And understandeth it not.] The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction: wisdom crieth without, she uttereth her voice in the streets, she crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates, in the city she uttereth her words, saying, How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity; and the scorners delight in their scorning; and fools hate knowledge? Pr. i. 7. 20-22. My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee, so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding, yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding: if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures, then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.

For the Lord giveth wisdom, out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. Pr. ii. 1-6. Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it? Pr. xvii. 16. Through desire a man having separated himself seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom. A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. Pr. xviii. 1, 2. This is the condemnation (saith Jesus), that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil; for every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. John iii. 19, 20. Why do ye not understand my speech (said Christ), even because ye cannot hear my word. John viii. 43. Pilate saith unto Jesus, What is truth? And when he had said this, he went out again unto the Jews, and saith unto them, I find in him no fault at all. John xviii. 38. And when they (the Athenians) heard (Paul preaching) of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked; and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter. Ac. xvii. 32. If it be a question of words and names, and of your law (of which they accused Paul, said Gallio, the deputy of Achaia to the Jews), look ye to it, for I will be no judge of such matters. Ac. xviii. 15. And as "he" ("Paul") reasoned, of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time, when I have a more convenient season, I will call for thee. Ac. xxiv. 25. The Jews (said Festus to king Agrippa) had certain questions against him (Paul) of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive; and because I doubted of such manner of ques tions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters. Ac. xxv. 19, 20. And when they (the king, the governor, and Bernice, &c.) were gone aside (having heard Paul's modest answer to Festus), they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death, or of bonds. Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cæsar. Ac. xxvi. 31, 32. As they (the ungodly) did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient. Ro. i. 28. Unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness (the Lord will render), indignation, and wrath, tribulation, and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil. Ro. ii. 8, 9. For this cause (because they received not the love of the truth) God shall send them

strong delusion, that they should believe a lie, that they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. 2 The. ii. 11, 12. Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. He. ii. 1. And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true. And we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ; this is the true God, and eternal life. 1 John v. 20.

These

The wicked one.] See verse 38. are they by the way side where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. Mar. iv. 15. Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the Devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe, and be saved. Lu. viii. 12. I write unto you, young men, because ye have overcome the wicked one; I write unto you, fathers, because ye have known him that is from the beginning; I have written unto you, young men, because ye are strong, and the word of God abideth in you, and ye have overcome the wicked one. 1 John ii. 13, 14. We should love one another, not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. 1 John iii. 12. We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not, but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 1 John v. 18. This is he which received seed by the way side.] See verse 4.

20 Received the seed. See verses 5, 6.

Anon with joy receiveth it.] Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day (for the people said to Samuel, Who is he that said, Shall Saul reign over us? Bring the men that we may put them to death), for today the Lord hath wrought salvation in Israel. Then said Samuel to the people, Come and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom there. And all the people went to Gilgal, and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peaceofferings before the Lord, and there Saul, and all the men of Israel, rejoiced greatly. 1 Sa. xi. 13-15. Joash (king of Jerusalem, who was afterwards seduced to idolatry) did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, all the days of Jehoiada the priest. And the king called for Jehoiada the priest, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites, to bring in out of Judah, and out of Jerusalem, the collection, according to the commandment of Moses, the servant of the Lord, and of the congregation of Israel, for the

tabernacle of witness? And when they (the workmen) had finished it (the repairing the temple) they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the Lord. 2 Ch. xxiv. 2. 6. 14. When "he" (“the Lord") slew them (Israel) then they sought him, and they returned, and inquired after God; and they remembered that God was their rock, and the High God their Redeemer. Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues, for their heart was not right with him, neither were they stedfast in his covenant. Ps. lxxviii. 34-37. Then believed they his words (when God saved the Israelites from the hand of him that hated them), they sang his praise, they soon forgat his works, they waited not for his counsel. Ps. cvi. 12, 13. Lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression: yet they seek me daily, and delight to know my ways, as a nation that did righteousness, and forsook not the ordinance of their God; they ask of me the ordinances of justice, they take delight in approaching to God. Is. lviii. 1, 2. They come unto thee (said the Lord to Ezekiel) as the people cometh, and they sit before thee as my people, and they hear thy words, but they will not do them: for with their mouth they shew much love, but their heart goeth after their covetousness. And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song, of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument; for they hear thy words, but they do them not. Ez. xxxiii. 31, 32. These are they likewise which are sown upon stony ground, who when they have heard the word, im mediately receive it with gladness, and have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time; afterward when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. Mar. iv. 16, 17. Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly. Mar. vi. 20. He (John the Baptist) was a burning and a shining light (said Jesus to the Jews), and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. John F. 35. The Pharisees, therefore, said unto him (Jesus), Thou bearest record of thyself: thy record is not true. John viii. 13. My temptation which was in my flesh, ye despised not nor rejected, but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? For I bear you record, that if it had been possible ye would have plucked out your own eyes, and have given them to me. Ga. iv. 14, 15.

21 Root in himself.] See verse 6 and chap. vii. 22, 23. 26, 27. Why persecute we him, seeing the root of the matter is found in me (said Job, in the words of his enemies)? Job xix. 28. A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved. The wicked desire the net of evil men, but the root of the righteous yieldeth fruit. Pr. xii. 3. 12. They on the rock are they which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away. Lu. viii. 13. Ye seek me not (said Jesus to the multitude), because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled. John vi. 26. When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at "it" (that he said, "He that eateth me, even he shall live by me"), he said unto them, Doth this offend you? What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before? It is the spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing; the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life; but there are some of you that believe not. For Jesus knew from the beginning who they were that believed not, and who should betray him. And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me except it were given unto him of my Father. Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a Devil? He spake of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, for he it was that should betray him, being one of the twelve. John vi. 61–65. 70, 71. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and men gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. John xv. 5-7. Thou (said Peter to Simon the sorcerer, who had been baptized) hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent, therefore, of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity! Ac. viii. 21, 22, 23. For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but faith which worketh by love. Ga. v. 6. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Ga. vi. 15. I bow my knees unto the Father, &c. that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye being rooted and grounded in love, may know the love of Christ, which passeth

knowledge, &c. Ep. iii. 17. If these things (the fruits of the Spirit) be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ; but he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. 2 Pe. i. 8, 9. They (the Antichrists) went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us; but they went out, that they might be manifest that they were not all of us; but ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 1 John ii. 19, 20.

Dureth for a while.]

See chap. x. 22. What is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul? Will God hear his cry when trouble cometh upon him?

Almighty?

Will he delight himself in the Will he always call upon God? Job xxvii. 8, 9, 10. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit; he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. Ps. xxxvi. 3. O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? For your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. Ho. vi. 4. (God) will render to every man according to his deeds, to them who by patient continuance in well doing, seek for glory, and honour, and immortality, eternal life. Ro. ii. 7. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you, will perform it, until the day of Christ Jesus. Phi. i. 3. 6. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy, hath begotten us again unto a lively hope, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Pe. i. 3-5.

For when tribulation or persecution ariseth, &c.] See chap. v. 10, 11, 12; x. 37, 38, 39. If any man will come after me (said Jesus), let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his

life shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Mat. xvi. 24, 25, 26. When affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately "they" ("who have no root in themselves") are offended. Mar. iv. 17. Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow me. For whosoever will

save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the Gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul? Mar. viii. 34, 35, 36. Now the brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the son; and the children shall rise up against their parents, and shall cause them to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake; but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. Mar. xiii. 12, 13. If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow me. For what is a man advantaged if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? Lu. ix. 23, 24, 25. If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it; lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish or what king going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage and desireth conditions of peace? So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. Salt is good; but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be seasoned? It is neither fit for the land, nor yet for the dunghill; but men cast it out. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear. Lu. xiv. 26-33. They shall lay their hands on you, and persecute you, delivering you up to the synagogues, and into prisons, being brought before kings and rulers for my name's sake and it shall turn to you for a testimony. Settle it therefore in your hearts, not to meditate before what ye shall answer: for I will give you a mouth, and wisdom which all your adversaries shall not be able to gainsay nor resist. And ye shall be betrayed, both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends; and some of you shall they cause to be put to death. And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake, but there shall not an hair of your head perish. Lu. xxi. 12-18. He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. John

:

xii. 25, 26. As many as desire to make a fair shew in the flesh, they constrain you to be circumcised; only lest they should suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. Ga. vi. 12. Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed into Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; Titus unto Dalmatia; only Luke is with me. 2 Ti. iv. 10, 11. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward; for ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. Now the just shall live by faith; but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe to the saving of the soul. He. x. 35-39. I know thy works (said he which hath the sharp sword with two edges to the angel of the church in Pergamos), and where thou dwellest, even where Satan's seat is; and thou holdest fast my name, and hast not denied my faith, even in those days wherein Antipas was my faithful martyr, who was slain among you, where Satan dwelleth. Re. ii. 13.

Is offended.] See verse 57. and chap. xi. 6. After I am risen again, I will go before you into Galilee (said Jesus). Peter answered, and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended. Mat. xxvi. 32, 33. This thou knowest (said Paul), that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me, of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes. 2 Ti. i. 15.

22 Seed among thorns.] See verse 7. And that which fell among thorns are they which, when they have heard, go forth, and are choked with the cares, and riches, and pleasures of this life, and bring no fruit to perfection. Lu. viii. 14. How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God (said Jesus to the rich ruler). Lu. xviii. 24. Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessa lonica. 2 Ti. iv. 10.

The care of this world.] See chap. vi. 24, 25. Behold, one came and said unto him, Good master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven; and come and follow

me.

But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful; for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again, I say unto you, It is