A Paraphrase on the New Testament, Matthew · Chapter 13
CHAP. XIII.
1. THe ſame day went Jeſus out of the houſe, and ſat by the ſea ſide. 2. And great multitudes were gathered together to him, ſo that he went into a ſhip and ſat, and the whole multitude ſtood on the ſhore. 3. And he ſpake many things to them in parables, ſaying, Behold, a ſower went forth to ſow.
1, 2, 3. N. Chriſt thought a Ship, or a Houſe, or a Mountain no unmeet place to preach in, and yet avoided not the Temple or Synagogues. 2. They that will have the word with Gods bleſſing muſt follow after it. 3. Similitudes were ſuitable to ſuch learners▪ 4. Preaching is like ſowing ſeed.
4. And when he ſowed, ſome ſeeds fell by the way ſide, and the fowls came and devoured them up. 5. Some fell on ſtony places, where they had not much earth; and forthwith they ſprang up, becauſe they had no deepneſs of earth. 6. And when the ſun was up they were ſcorched, and becauſe they had not root, they withered away. 7. And ſome fell among thorns, and the thorns ſprang up and choked them. 8. But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, ſome an hundred fold, ſome ſixty fold, ſome thirty fold. 9. Who hath ears to hear let him hear.
4, &c. Note, The firſt ſort was not earthed. The ſecond ſort had little earth and rooting▪ the third ſort had earth and root, but among thorns which had greater poſſeſſion, and choaked it. Of ſo great weight is it to underſtand this difference of hearers, that it is as much as our ears and underſtandings are worth.
10, 11. And the diſciples came and ſaid to him, Why ſpeakeſt thou to them in parables? He anſwered and ſaid to them, Becauſe it is given to you, to know the myſteries of the kingdom of heaven; but to them it is not given.
10, 11. Becauſe tho God hath given you ſome knowledge already of the myſteries of the Kingdom of the Meſſiah, theſe men are ignorant like children, and muſt be taught by familiar ſimilitudes accordingly, being yet uncapable of other manner of teaching.
12. For whoſoever hath, to him ſhall be given, and he ſhall have more abundance; but whoſoever hath not, from him ſhall be taken away even that he hath.
12. For here it is true, that to him that hath ſhall be given, &c. He that hath already the underſtanding of the rudiments and fundamentals, is thereby capable of receiving and underſtanding more: one truth openeth the way unto another: But they that have no conſiderable knowledge, are hardly taught it, and if it be by their wilfull neglect or contempt, are like by their guilt and folly to loſe all the profitable uſe even of their reaſon.
13. Therefore I ſpeak to them in parables, becauſe they ſeeing ſee not, hearing they hear not, neither do they underſtand. 14. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Eſaias, which ſaith, By hearing ye ſhall hear, and not underſtand, and ſeeing, ye ſhall ſee, and ſhall not perceive. 15. For this peoples heart is waxed groſs, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have cloſed, leſt at any time they ſhould ſee with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and underſtand with their heart, and ſhould be converted, and I ſhould heal them.
13, &c. I ſpeak to them in ſimilitudes, as children muſt be firſt taught to ſpell, becauſe tho they have underſtanding, eyes and ears, they are ſo ignorant that they underſtand not even what eyes and ears and reaſon tell them. As the Prophet Iſaiah ſaith, &c. This people by wilful neglect of knowledge are ſuch, as will not underſtand even what they hear and ſee: For their hearts are ſtupifyed, and their underſtanding ſo dull, and they have ſo ſinfully ſhut their own eyes, for want of care and love to truth, that thus they keep out the knowledge of the Goſpel, and ſhut out my offered grace, which elſe would convince and convert them, and they would be healed.
Note, 1. That the way of Parables is not mentioned as an obſcure way to hide the truth: but as a low familiar way, as ignorant carnal men are capable of. 2. The Prophecy, nor Chriſt, means not that its Gods intent to hide the truth leſt it convert men, but that this is the effect and event of their own wilfull neglect, whereby their converſion is as effectually hindred, as if they did it purpoſely, leſt they ſhould be converted.
16. But bleſſed are your eyes, for they ſee; and your ears, for they hear. 17. For verily I ſay to you, that many Prophets and righteous men have deſired to ſee thoſe things which ye ſee, and have not ſeen them▪ and to hear thoſe things which ye hear and have not heard them.
16, 17. How great is Gods mercy to you, that hath given you both teaching and underſtanding, by which you are made capable of more. I tell you, prophets and righteous men of old, did deſire to ſee and hear what you do, but it was not granted them, but reſerved for you.
18, 19. Hear ye therefore the parable of the ſower. When any one heareth the word of the Kingdom, and underſtandeth it not; then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was ſown in his heart: this is he which receiveth ſeed by the way ſide.
18, 19. Note. 1. By not underſtanding is meant alſo, Not conſidering it to take it in: 2. It is ſaid to be ſown in his heart, only becauſe it was by the ſower ſo intended, but not as there received.
20. But he that received the ſeed into ſtony places, the ſame is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it: 21. Yet hath he not root in himſelf, but dureth for a while; for when tribulation or perſecution ariſeth becauſe of the word, by and by he is offended.
20, 21. Note, That the reaſon why ſuch fall away, was the want of rooting of the word, is plain. But whether ſuch ſhould be ſaved if they had died before they fell away, is a controverſie too long to be here handled, and not ſo needful as ſome think.
22. He alſo that received ſeed among the thorns, is he that heareth the word; and the cares of this world, and the deceitfulneſs of riches choak the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
22. That is, He loveth the wealth and proſperity of this world more than the Word, and ſo that which he moſt loveth doth prevail againſt the other, and he liveth more to the world than unto God; and for the world will forſake his duty, and Chriſt himſelf in ſtrong temptations.
23. But he that received ſeed into the good ground, is he that heareth the word and underſtandeth it, which alſo beareth fruit, and bringeth forth ſome an hundred fold, ſome ſixty, ſome thirty.
23. Note, Qu. What is it that makes the ground called Good before the receiving of the word? Anſw. 1. There was a certain degree of faith which was a ſtate of Salvation before Chriſt was perſonally known or preached as incarnate: Theſe perſons that had this, were good ground, ready to hear the Goſpel when it was preached: Thoſe that truly repented according to Johns Preaching, were prepared to receive Chriſt. 2. And thoſe that faithfully obey that Light of Truth already revealed to them, deſiring more, are better prepared for more, than other men.
24. Another parable put he forth to them, ſaying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a man that ſowed good ſeed in his field. 25. But while men ſlept, his enemy came and ſowed tares among the wheat, and went his way.
24, 25. Another ſimilitude he uſed, to ſhew how the Church will be corrupted with Hereſies and vices.
26. But when the blade was ſprung up and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares alſo.
26. Note, Hereſies and Church corruptions appear not at firſt; but when time and temptation ripen them
27. So the ſervants of the houſholder came and ſaid to him, Sir, didſt thou not ſow good ſeed in thy field, from whence then hath it tares.
27. Note, Seeing God and his word are good, it puzleth men to think, how the Church and world come to be ſo bad.
28. He ſaid to them, An enemy hath done this: The ſervants ſaid to him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?
29. But he ſaid, Nay: left while ye gather up the tares, ye root up alſo the wheat with them.
28, 29. N. 1. Satan is the ſower of Hereſie and Vice (whoever be his Miniſters.) 2. Miniſters and others are more inclined to vindictive ſeverity oft, than Chriſt is. 3. God forbeareth the hypocrites and wicked (not through in difference but) leſt the godly ſuffer by their deſtruction. 4. Chriſt oft denieth the revengeful and ſevere deſires of his ſervants.
30. Let them both grow together till the harveſt; and in the time of harveſt, I will ſay to the reapers, Gather ye together firſt the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.
30. Note, 1. Gods delay to execute his judgment on the wicked, is no ſign of their ſafety; Their miſery will ſurely come at laſt. 2. We muſt not miſinterpret Gods patience with the ungodly.
31. Another parable put he forth to them, ſaying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of muſtard-ſeed, which a man took and ſowed in his field, 32. Which indeed is the leaſt of all ſeeds, but when it is grown, it is the greateſt among herbs, and becometh a tree, ſo that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.
31. As a grain of Muſtard-ſeed is one of the ſmalleſt ſort of ſeeds, and yet becometh a plant like a tree, &c. So the Kingdom of the Meſſiah beginneth in a few poor men, but ſhall become a Kingdom that ſhall flouriſh in the World, ſo that worldly men ſhall obtrude into it for worldly ends, and deſire the protection of Chriſtian Governours.
Note, That the Muſtard-plant was much greater in Judea than it is with us.
33. Another parable ſpake he unto them, The Kingdom of Heaven is like to leaven, which a woman took and hid in three meaſures of meal, till the whole was leavened.
33. As a little leaven doth leaven a great quantity of meal, ſo the Goſpel ſhall convert a few at firſt where it comes, and afterward by the help of thoſe few, whole Towns and Countries ſhall turn Chriſtians, and own the Truth.
34. All theſe things ſpake Jeſus to the multitude in parables, and without a parable ſpake he not to them: 35. That it might be fulfilled which was ſpoken by the prophet, ſaying, I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things which have been kept ſecret from the foundation of the world.
34, 35. Thus Jeſus taught them only by Similitudes, as it is written, &c. I will utter great and excellent Myſteries, which former ages have not known, and that by the way of familiar Similitudes.
36. Then Jeſus ſent the multitude away, and went into the houſe, and his diſciples came to him, ſaying, Declare to us the parable of the tares of the field
36. Note. It is the part of Learners, to ask their Teachers help to underſtand that which they underſtand not.
37. He anſwered and ſaid to them, He that ſoweth the good ſeed is the Son of man: 38. The field is the world, the good ſeed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one: 39. The enemy that ſowed them, is the devil, the harveſt is the end of the world: and the reapers are the angels.
37, &c. It is Chriſt that ſoweth the good ſeed, by Preaching the Goſpel and planting the Churches by himſelf and his ſervants. The World is the firſt object of the Goſpel preached, and out of which believers are gathered: The good ſeed (as ſown is the Goſpel, but) as ſpringing up in fruit, are the faithful, who are properly the members of the Church of Chriſt: The Tares (as ſown are evil doctrines and temptations, but) as ſprung up in fruit are the Children of the Devil, who is the father of wickedneſs; The enemy of God and goodneſs and man that ſowed them, by himſelf and his ſervants, ſignifieth the Devil: the time of harveſt is, the end of this world, even the day of judgment: The reapers or executioners are the Angels.
40. As therefore the tares are gathered and burnt in the fire, ſo ſhall it be in the end of this world: 41. The Son of man ſhall ſend forth his angels, and they ſhall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity. 42. And ſhall caſt them into a furnace of fire, there ſhall be wailing and gnaſhing of teeth.
40, &c. So in the end of this World: Chriſt ſhall ſend forth his Angels as his executing Miniſters; and they ſhall gather out of the world (which he is over) and ſpecially out of the viſible Church, all rebellious unholy, wicked, ſcandalous, carnal men, and ſhall caſt them into hell, which is likened to a lake of Fire; where they ſhall, in torment and a ſelf-afflicting Conſcience.
43. Then ſhall the righteous ſhine forth as the ſun in the kingdom of their Father: who hath ears to hear let him hear.
43. Then ſhall the righteous who are now obſcured by infirmities and malignant ſlanders, and are oppreſſed in the world, ſhine forth in glory in the Kingdom of Love, even of God as their Father in Chriſt, as the Sun ſhineth in the heavens in reſplendent glory. As ever you will uſe your ears or underſtandings, believe and foreſee this glorious bleſſed day to Believers.
44. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a treaſure hid in a field, the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof, goeth and ſelleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.
44. The way of Salvation by Chriſt, ſheweth men the certain hopes of ſo ineſtimable a treaſure in the life to come, as maketh the ſaithful chooſe it for their beſt, and part with all the pleaſure, profit, and honour of the world to obtain it.
45. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant man ſeeking goodly pearls: 46. Who when he had found one of geat price, he went and ſold all that he had and bought it.
45, 46. Note, He that findeth not by faith, enough in the love of God and heavenly glory, and in Chriſt the way thereto, to make him conſent ſincerely and practically to ſell or part with all the world rather than loſe it, is not capable of a juſt title to it, nor ſhall obtain it.
47. Again the kingdom of heaven is like a net which was caſt into the ſea, and gathered of every kind: 48. Which when it was full, they drew to the ſhore, and ſat down, and gathered the good into veſſels, but caſt the bad away.
47, 48. The Church is gathered as men by caſting a net into the Sea gather fiſhes, good and bad: And at the day of judgment, Chriſt will take the good to heaven, and caſt away the bad to hell.
Note, 1. It is not to be wondered at, that the viſible Church hath good and bad. 2. Yet this is not the deſign of the Goſpel, which is fitted to make all good, but by the intruſion of Hypocrites. Nor is it an excuſe for the neglect of diſcipline, and the juſt diſcrimination of the good and bad.
49. So ſhall it be at the end of the world, The angels ſhall come forth, and ſever the wicked from among the juſt. 50. And ſhall caſt them into the furnace of fire: there ſhall be wailing and gnaſhing of teeth.
49, 50. Theſe plain and dreadful words, more need bel…f and deep conſideration, than expoſition.
51. Jeſus ſaith to them, Have ye underſtood all theſe things? they ſay to him, Yea, Lord. 52. Then ſaid he to them, Therefore every ſcribe which is inſtructed to the Kingdom of heaven, is like to a man that is an houſholder, which bringeth forth out of his treaſure things new and old.
51, 52. All that are furniſhed with holy knowledge, and are fitted to teach others, muſt have an habitual treaſure of it in their minds, from whence they may be able to open the truth, exhort, reprove, and confute all the erroneous on all juſt occaſions: as a Houſe-keeper is ſtockt for the proviſion of his family.
53, 54. And it came to paſs that when Jeſus had finiſhed theſe parables, he departed thence. And when he was come into his own countrey, he taught them in their Synagogue, inſomuch that they were aſtoniſhed, and ſaid, whence hath this man this wiſdom, and theſe mighty works? 55, 56. Is not this the carpenters ſon, is not his mother called Mary, and his brethren, James, and Joſes, and Simon, and Jude, and his ſiſters are they not all with us? whence then hath this man all theſe things? And they were offended in him.
53, &c. Note, 1. Familiarity breeds contempt. It is no impediment to our faith, that we ſaw not Chriſts perſon, parentage, and education. 2. Carnal men are not ſatisfied by the evidence of Divine atteſtation, unleſs they can give a reaſon of it, and overcome the difficulty and ſcandal of objections. 3. It is uncertain whether Mary had other Children after Jeſus, or theſe were his brethren, or only his kindred.
57, 58. But Jeſus ſaid to them, A prophet is not without honour, ſave in his own countrey, and in his own houſe. And he did not many mighty works there becauſe of their unbelief.
57, 58. Unbelief made men uncapable receivers of thoſe miracles which elſe Chriſt would have wrought.