Matthew 13

Matthew 13:3

IN parables,] this was a kinde of teaching used amongst the Iewes. A mean betweene an enigma, which was a disguising or covering of the truth in a briefe way, which was therefore the more obscure and a plaine similitude inserted in a proper and naturall discourse, and therefore cleere and intelligible. But a parable was a fained narration (and therefore differing from an allegory which takes its figure from a true history, but drawne to a diverse sense, Gal. 4 24.) to represent morall and spirituall things under the shape of common and corporall ones, serving for an insinuation and preparation to know the truth.

Matthew 13:8

So〈…〉e,] the Italian addeth, some orne,]

Matthew 13:10

Vnto them,] contrary to tht cleere and intelligible way which thou usest to us.

Matthew 13:11

Becaus,] the difference proceedeth from that God will not shew the plaine cleernesse of his word to this people, to whom he hath not given the inward light of his Spirit fo to receav it. For that would no way rofit them, but dazle their eyes with so much the more contradictions. Let it suffice that they have a darke image thereof in these parables which may serve them for a spurre, or for a preparation.

Matthew 13:12

Whosoever,] in spirituall things God gives the externall meanes of his word and other things to them that have receaved the inward gift of internall life by his secret grace and Spirit, that they may increase and strengthen themselves therein: as if he should say, he gives nourishment to them that have life. But from them that have not the inwrd gift he taketh away even the externall light of his word and his other gifts That he hat,] Saint Luke saith, that which he seemeth to have for indeed spirituall gifts do not truly belong to a man, if they be not rooted in him, by faith, love, and spirit.

Matthew 13:19

The word,] namely the Gospell, which is the doctrine of Christs spirituall kingdom, by which also he gathereth together his elect and governeth them. See Mat. 3. 24 Vnderstandeh it not,] doth not recive any lively light thereof in his soule, nor doth not receive any deepe impression by vertue of the Spirit, to the end that his heart may be bound to the obedience of faith and to a spirituall renewment, Romans 12:2. Ephes. 4. 23 In his heart,] which is come to his heart thorow the externall senses, but could not take root there by reason of the hearts hardnesse Or plainely in his understanding.]

Matthew 13:20

But he,] those men which receive the word in a hard heart, signified by the stony part of the field.

Matthew 13:21

Hath he not,] the Gospell doth not unite it selfe to his heart by a lively faith and love. See Hebrews 4:2. Iames 1. 21 Is offended,] growne cold, unwilling, alienated, Matthew 11:6.

Matthew 13:22

Among the,] See Ier. 4. 3.

Matthew 13:23

Beareth fruit,] in confession, good works, new obedience, and perseverance.

Matthew 13:25

Tares,] the Italian, Zizanie,] a kinde of bad and hurtfull plant which spoyled the corne in Palestine, and was great and grew in branches, as appears by verse 30. and is unknown in these dayes.

Matthew 13:31

The kingdome,] these two ensuing parables are both to one sense, namely, to shew that Christs spirituall kingdome and the state of his Church, groweth up out of small beginnings to a supreame greatnesse and power by the secret vertue of the holy Ghost. See Ezekiel 47:15. Dan. 2. 34. 35.

Matthew 13:32

Becommeth,] this was a singularity of that countrey.

Matthew 13:35

That it might,] not that this were an expresse prophesie concerning the Lords mannero teaching; but the meaning is, that as the Prophets did anciently preach heavenly things unto us, under earthly figures (called Enigmas and Parables) so did Christ also, and to the same ends.

Matthew 13:37

The Sonne,] who in his proper person first sowed the Gospell, and afterwards continueth the sowing of it by his servants, working in and by them by his onely power and vertue.

Matthew 13:38

The children,] namely, the faithfull, adopted, and regenerate by God, and made heires of the everlasting kingdome of glory Which are sowne,] that is to say, raised and brought forth in the world by the preaching of the Gospell.

Matthew 13:40

In the end,] then all scandalous people, hypocrites, and prophane men, shall be separated and rooted out of the Church. And that the Lord will not have this done before, ought not to be understood of every particular wicked man (for by the order of policy, and of the Church, many wicked men may and ought to be cut off from the one and the other, Psal. 101. 8. 1 Corinthians 5:7.) but of the generality; because God will not have his Church in this world perfectly purged from all manner of mixture with wicked men: whereof many belonging to his election are converted at their appointed time which the Lord pointed at. V. 29.

Matthew 13:41

Things that offerd,] all persons which by their evill example, serve for nothing but for offence, hinderance, corruption, and turne of others.

Matthew 13:44

The kingdome,] the meaning of these two parables is, that the heavenly glory, and the participation of Christs whole spirituall kingdome, is a thing of such incompatable value, that for to obtain that, all other manner of good things ought to be laid aside and forsaken which is the laudable purchase pointed at Isay 55. 1. Revelation 3:18 He hdeth,] not to signifie a malignant suppression of this knowledge, but the secret keeping of it in ones heart. Luke 2:51.

Matthew 13:47

Is like,] the preaching of the Gospell gathereth together ino the externall body of the Church, not onely all the true elect and beleevers, but many hypocrites also and wicked men with them, who are never quite severed from it, but at the end of the world Of every kinde,] both good and evill. See Matthew 22:10.

Matthew 13:51

Vnto them,] namely to his Disciples.

Matthew 13:52

Threfore,] I have performed my charge in teaching you faithfully, and in this new manner. Now you ought to be faithfull distributers of the Gospell, whose doctrine you ought to joyne with the doctrine of the law, and the Prophets: imitating good fathers of families, who having made plentifull provision of the old, and new fruits of the earth in their storehouses, doe happily fee their famly therewith. See Son 7:13 Scribe,] that is to say Doctor of the law. See Matthew 24:1-51.Instructed unto,] to preach it, to do it service, and further it.

Matthew 13:54

His owne,] namely to Nazareth, where he was brought up. Matthew 2:23 Mighty workes,] namely his miracles, Matthew 7:22.

Matthew 13:57

Ossended,] See upon Matthew 11:6 Save in,] a common proverbe grounded upon the ordinary fault in men, which is to make small account of such things as are born by them, and to give but little respect to their owne countrey-men even in divinest things, because that intimate familiarity and acquaintance breedeth contempt.

Matthew 13:58

Their unbeleefe,] thorow which they made themselves unworthy of Gods favour, and also did nullifie the chiefe use of miracles, which is the confirmation of the faith to heavenly doctrine. See Mark 6:5.