Chap.t3. according to Si M'Ar r x n vv. 379 Verfe 3. And he ffalee many things to them inparables] A parable, faith Stsidaa , is ó(17Y1t,000 Kcu 6P-61,,gic oPa 7ro, a letting forth of the matter by way of fimilitude from fomething elle that differs in kinde, and yet in tome fort refembleth and illutlrateth it. Chrih, the Prince of preachers, varieth his kindeof teaching, according to the nature and neceflity of his audience,fpeaking as they couldhear, as they could bear, faithSt Mark. Minifters, in likefort, mutt turne themfelves, as it were into all (napes and fafhionsboth of fpirit and ípeech, to win people toGod. Beholdaforcer Wentfirth] Our Saviour flirts them up to at- tention by a Behold. Which though it might feem not fo need- full tobe Paid to fuch ascame far, and now looked throw him, as it were, for a Sermon : yet he, well knowing how dull men are to conceave heavenly myfleries, how weak toremember, hard to believe, and flow to pra&ife, calls for their utmoft attention to his divine doctrine, and gives them a }uft reafon thereof in his enfuing difcourfe. It fares with the bell, whiles they hear, as with little ones, when they are Paying their leflon; if but a bird flie by, they muff needs look after it : betides the devils malice flriving to ditlraft, flupifie, or heal away the good feed, that it may come tonothing. Verfe 4. 4ndwhen hefowtd, forcefeed &C.] Theword is a feed of immortallicy. For, i. As feeds are fatal' things, yet produce great fubfiances, as an acorn an oak, &c. foby the fool- ifhnes of preaching fouls are aved,like as by the blowingof rams- horns the wals ofJericho were fubverted. z. As the feed muff be harrowed into the earth, fo muff the word be hid in the heart, ere it-fru lifte. 3. As the feedfman, cannot make an harveff without the influence of heaven : fo, let us to the wearing of cur tongues. to thehump (as that Martyr exprefled it) preach and praynever ;, Eradford; fo much, men will on in their fins, unlef .e (,od give thehlef;iing, firm.. of Rep. . Paul may plant, &e. 4. As good feed if not call;: into good Meuraet dote ground yeelds no harveft : to the word preached, if not received 7eave ¡11no, auf-. into good and honeh hearts, proves in; I:eat:ail: The, Pharifees Ba rarr,Dei g p Ferfi:ere..Çyril., were not abut on thebetter for all thole heart. piercing Sermons , of.our Saviour, nay, much the worfe. .. As the harveff is poten- tially in the feed : to is eternall life in the word preached, Rom..; 6. As the rain from heaven hattt a fatneffe with it, anal a fpe- ciall influence more thenother handingwaters, fo there is not the like life in other ordinances,as in Preaching: None to that, as Da- 'idfaidofGoliahaftyord, Verte
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy OTcyMjk=