world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Mat. xix. 16. 21-24. And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the Lord destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah; even as the garden of the Lord, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east; and they separated themselves the one from the other. Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. But the men of Sodom were wicked, and sinners before the Lord exceedingly. Ge. xiii. 10-13. Achan (who had committed a trespass in the accursed thing) answered Joshua, and said, Indeed I have sinned against the Lord God of Israel, and thus and thus have I done. When I saw among the spoils (of Jericho) a goodly Babylonish garment, and two hundred shekels of silver, and a wedge of gold of fifty shekels' weight, then I coveted them, and took them; and behold, they are hid in the earth in the midst of my tent, and the silver under it. Jos. vii. 20, 21. Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought; but as the Lord liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him. So Gehazi followed after Naaman; and when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well? And he said, All is well; my master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. And Naaman said, Be content; take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him. And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house; and he let the men go, and they departed. But he went in and stood before his master: and Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither. And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and olive-yards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and men-servants, and maid-servants? The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow. 2 Ki. v. 20-27. Thus saith the Lord to the men of VOL. II. Lu. Judah and Jerusalem, Break up your fallow ground, and sow not among thorns. Je. iv. 3. How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Mar. x. 23, 24, 25. Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth. So is he (as the rich man in the parable) that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind; for all these things do the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. Lu. xii. 15. 21. 29, 30. Father Abraham (said the rich man in the parable), have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue, for I am tormented in this flame. Lu. xvi. 24. Take heed to yourself, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. xxi. 34. A certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, and kept back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part and laid it at the Apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? Why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? Thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words, fell down, and gave up the ghost; and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost; and the young men came in and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the church, and upon as many as heard these things. Ac. v. 1-11. When Simon (the sorcerer) saw that through S 23 becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which laying on of the Apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money. Ac. viii. 18. They that will be rich fall into temptation, and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition: for the love of money is the root of all evil; which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Ti. vi. 9, 10. But "these" (" the false teachers") having eyes full of adultery, and that cannot cease from sin, beguiling unstable souls; an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; cursed children: which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness. 2 Pe. ii. 14, 15. Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world; if any man love the world, the love of God is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. 1 John ii. 15, 16. Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core. Jude 11. See chap. xxi. 5. The deceitfulness of riches.] Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness. Ps. lii. 7. Trust not in oppression, and become not vain in robbery. If riches increase, set not your heart upon them. Ps. lxii. 10. He that trusteth in his riches shall fall, but the righteous shall flourish as a branch. Pr. xi. 28. Wilt thou set thine eyes upon that which is not? For riches certainly make themselves wings: they fly away as an eagle toward heaven. Pr. xxiii. 5. There is one alone, and there is not a second; yea, he hath neither child nor brother: yet there no end of all his labour, neither is his eye satisfied with riches; neither saith he, For whom do I labour, and bereave my soul of good? This is also vanity; yea, it is a sore travail. Ec. iv. 8. He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver; nor he that loveth abundance with increase. This is also vanity. When goods increase, they are increased that eat them and what good is there to the owners thereof, saving the beholding of them with their eyes? There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. But those riches perish by evil travail. Ec. v. 10, 11. 13, 14. The cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it When becometh unfruitful. Mar. iv. 19. Jesus saw that he (the young man who was very rich) was very sorrowful (when ordered to sell all that he had and distribute to the poor), he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! For it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. Lu. xviii. 24, 25. Charge them that are rich in this world that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches; but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. 1 Ti. vi. 17. Choke the word.] That which fell among thorns are they which, when they have heard, go forth and are choked with cares, &c. L viii. 14. Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia; Titus unto Dalmatia. 2 Ti. iv. 10. These (false teachers) are spots in your feasts of charity, when they feast with you, feeding themselves without fear; clouds they are without water, carried about of winds; trees whose fruit withereth, without fruit; twice dead, plucked up by the roots. Jude 12. 23 That received seed into the good ground.] See verse 8. 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. 20. Good ground.] A wise man will hear and will increase learning, and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels. To understand a proverb, and the interpretation, the words of the wise, and their dark sayings. Pr. i. 5, 6. 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. 2-6. Cast away from you all your transgressions whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Ez. xviii. 31. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you; and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ez. xxxvi. 26. Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. Mar. x. lá He came unto his own, and his own received him not; but as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundred fold, some God, even to them that believe on his name, planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth which were born, not of blood, nor of the will forth his fruit in his season. His leaf also of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of shall not wither, and whatsoever he doeth God. John i. 11, 12, 13. He that is of God shall prosper. Ps. i. 1, 2, 3. Those that be heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them planted in the house of the Lord shall flourish not because ye are not of God. John viii. 47. in the courts of our God; they shall still Ye believe not because ye are not of my bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat sheep, as I said unto you, My sheep hear my and flourishing: to shew that the Lord is upvoice, and I know them, and they follow me. right; he is my rock, and there is no unrightJohn x. 26, 27. I have manifested thy name eousness in him. Ps. xcii. 13, 14, 15. A unto the men which thou gavest me out of good tree bringeth not forth corrupt fruit; the world. Now they have known that all neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good things whatsoever thou hast given me are of fruit; for every tree is known by his own thee; for I have given unto them the words fruit. For of thorns men do not gather figs, which thou gavest me, and they have received nor of a bramble-bush gather they grapes. them, and have known surely that I came out Lu. vi. 43, 44. If it (the fig-tree) bear fruit, from thee, and they have believed that thou well; and if not, then after that thou shalt cut didst send me. John xvii. 7, 8. See chap. xiii. it down. Lu. xiii. 9. I am the true vine, 11. The Lord shall consume with the spirit and my Father is the husbandman: every of his mouth; even him whose coming is after branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh the working of Satan with all power; and with away, and every branch that beareth fruit, he all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them purgeth it that it may bring forth more fruit. that perish; because they received not the love Abide in me, and I in you: as the branch of the truth, that they might be saved. But cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in we are bound to give thanks alway to God for the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in you, brethren, beloved of the Lord, because me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: he God hath from the beginning chosen you to that abideth in me, and I in him, the same salvation, through sanctification of the Spirit, bringeth forth much fruit; for without me ye and belief of the truth: whereunto he called can do nothing. Herein is my Father gloriyou by our Gospel, to the obtaining of the fied, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Th. ii. 8, my disciples. Ye have not chosen me, but I 9, 10. 13, 14. Unto us was the Gospel have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye preached as well as unto them. But the should go and bring forth fruit, and that your word preached did not profit them, not being fruit should remain; that whatsoever ye shall mixed with faith in them that heard it. He. ask of the Father in my name he may give it iv. 2. This is the covenant that I will make you. John xv. 1, 2. 4, 5. 8. 16. The fruit with the house of Israel, after those days, of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, saith the Lord; I will put my laws into their gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temmind, and write them in their hearts; and perance, against such there is no law. Ga. I will be to them a God, and they shall be v. 22, 23. This I pray, that your love may to me a people. He. viii. 10. Wherefore, abound; being filled with the fruits of rightelay apart all filthiness and superfluity of ousness which are by Jesus Christ, unto the naughtiness, and receive with meekness the glory and praise of God. Ph. i. 9. 11. Even ingrafted word, which is able to save your in Thessalonica ye sent once and again unto souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not my necessity: not because I desire a gift, hearers only, deceiving your own selves. Ja. but I desire fruit that may abound to your i. 21, 22. Wherefore laying aside all malice, account. Ph. iv. 16, 17. We give thanks to and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and God for the hope that is laid up for you in all evil speakings, as new-born babes desire heaven; whereof ye heard before in the word the sincere milk of the word, that ye may of the truth of the Gospel, which is come unto grow thereby. 1 Pe. ii. 1, 2. We know you, as it is in all the world, and bringeth that the Son of God is come, and hath given forth fruit, as it doth also in you, since the us an understanding, that we may know him day ye heard of it, and knew the grace of that is true, and we are in him that is true, God in truth. We do not cease to pray for even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the you, that ye might walk worthy of the Lord true God and eternal life. 1 John v. 20. unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God. Col. i. 3. 5, 6. 10. The earth which drinketh in the rain that cometh oft upon it, and bringeth forth herbs meet for them by whom it is dressed, receiveth blessing from God. He. vi. 7. By "him" ("Jesus") let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually; that Beareth fruit.] See chap. iii. 8. 10; xii. 33. Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in his law doth he meditate day and night. And he shall be like a tree 24 sixty, some thirty. Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which 25 sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy is the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to his name. But to do good and to communicate forget not; for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. He. xiii. 15, 16. Some an hundredfold, &c.] See chap. xiii. 8. Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; how that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 2 Co. viii. 1, 2. Now he that ministereth seed to the sower, both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness. 2 Co. ix. 10. Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk, and to please God, so ye would abound more and more. 1 Th. iv. 1. And besides this, giving all diligence, add to your faith, virtue; and to virtue, knowledge; and to knowledge, temperance; and to temperance, patience; and to patience, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly-kindness; and to brotherly-kindness, charity: for if these things be in you and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Pe. i. 5-8. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever, Amen. 2 Pe. iii. 18. 24 Put he forth unto them.] See verse 31. Hear another parable, there was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a wine press in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. Mat. xxi. 33. Samson said unto "them" ("the thirty companions at the feast"), I will now put forth a riddle unto you; if ye can certainly declare it me within the seven days of the feast, and find it out, then I will give you thirty sheets and thirty change of garments. But if ye cannot declare it me, then shall ye give me thirty sheets and thirty change of garments: and they said unto him, Put forth thy riddle, that we may hear it. Ju. xiv. 12, 13. Precept must be upon precept; precept upon precept: line upon line; line upon line: here a little and there a little. But the word of the Lord was unto them, precept upon precept; precept upon precept: line upon line; line upon line: here a little and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. Is. xxviii. 10. 13. Son of man, put forth a riddle, and speak a parable unto the house of Israel. Ez. xvii. 2. See chap. xiii. 31. The kingdom of heaven.] See verses 33. 44, 45. 47. and chap. iii. 2. The kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is an householder, which went out early in the morning to hire labourers into his vineyard. Mat. xx. 1. Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. Mat. xxv. 1. Whereunto shall we liken the kingdom of God? or with what comparison shall we compare it? Mar. iv. 30. Unto what is the kingdom of God like? And whereunto shall I resemble it? And again he said, Whereunto shall I liken the kingdom of God? Lu. xiii. 18. 20. Good seed in his field.] See verses 19. 37. and chap. iv. 23. We give thanks to God, for the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the Gospel. Col. i. 5. See that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently; being born again not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God which liveth and abideth for ever. 1 Pe. i. 22, 23. 25 Men slept.] While the bridegroom tarried" they all” (“the ten virgins") slumbered and slept. Mat. xxv. 5. All ye beasts of the field come to devour; yea, all ye beasts in the forest. His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant; they are all dumb dogs, they can not bark, sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. Is. lvi. 9, 10, Of your ownselves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years, I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. Ac. xx. 30, 31. Neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised, and that because of false brethren, unawares brought in, who came in privily, to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesas, that they might bring us into bondage. Ga. ii. 3, 4. The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears. And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 2 Ti. iv. 3, 4, 5. Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord. Looking diligently lest any root of bitterness springing up, trouble you, and thereby many be defiled. He. xii. 14, 15. There were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But 26 when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also. So the servants of the householder came 27 and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field ? from whence then hath it tares ? among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. 2 Pe. ii. 1. I have a few things against thee (the church in Thyatira), because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants, to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. Re. ii. 20. Enemy came and sowed.] See verse 39. Such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works. 2 Co. xi. 13, 14, 15. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the Devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour. 1 Pe. v. 8. The great dragon was cast out, that old serpent called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. Re. xii. 9. And (the beast with two horns like a lamb, and that spoke as a dragon) deceiveth them that dwell on the earth, by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast, saying to them that dwell on the earth, That they should make an image to the beast which had the wound by a sword, and did live. Re. xiii. 14. Tares.] See verse 38. 26 When the blade was sprung up.] So is the kingdom of God as if a man should cast seed into the ground, and should sleep, and rise night and day; and the seed should spring and grow up, he knoweth not how. For the earth bringeth forth fruit of herself; first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear. But when the fruit is brought forth, immediately he putteth in the sickle, because the harvest is come. Mar. iv. 26-29. 27 The servants of the householder came, &c.] Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one. And every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labour. For we are labourers together He said unto them, An enemy 28 with God; ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building. Co. iii. 5-9. God hath set some in the Church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? 1 Co. xii. 28, 29. All things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation, to wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us. We pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 2 Co. v. 18, 19, 20. We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain (for he saith I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee; behold, now is the accepted time: behold, now is the day of salvation), giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed. But in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, &c. 2 Co. vi. 1–4. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. Ep. iv. 11, 12. Whence then hath it tares?] I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions, and offences, contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. Ro. xvi. 17. It hath been declared unto me of you, my brethren, by them which are of the house of Chloe, that there are contentions among you. Now this I say, that every one of you saith, I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, and I of Cephas, and I of Christ. Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Co. i. 11, 12, 13. Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen; and if Christ be not risen then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God, that he raised up Christ, whom he raised not up; if so be that the dead rise not. 1 Co. xv. 12-15. O |
