...question which each reader of the Bible should put most jealously to himself; for, as it is said in the parable of the sower, " when any one heareth the...understandeth " it not, then cometh the wicked one and c 2 27 " catcheth away that which was sown in his " heart." The Jews believed in the Divine authority...

...the father of many nations, according to that which was spoken, So shall thy seed be. Matt. xiii. 17. For verily I say unto 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. John...

...was not understood at all. In the second, it was understood but imperfectly. " When any one hearelh the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not,...cometh the wicked one and catcheth away that which is sown in his heart. This ia he which received seed by the highway side." (Verse 190 To them the word...

...should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, [for they see : and your ears,] for they hear. For verily I say unto you, That many...parable of the sower. When any one heareth the word of 16 the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which...

...teach us to estimate duly, when he said, Blessed 1C, 17. are yOur eyes, for they see ; and your cars, for they hear: for verily I say unto you, that many...righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them ; and to hear thosf things which ye hear, and have not heard them. h...

...them up.* This figurative account of these unhappy persons is thus expounded by our Lord himself,! When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and...understandeth it not, then cometh the -wicked one, and catcheih away that which was sown in his heart : this is he wlych received seed by the way-side. We...

...But 18 happy are your eyes, for they see ; and your ears, for they hear. For verily 1 say to you, 17 That many prophets and righteous men have desired...them. *' Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 18 When one heareth the doctrine conceriiingf the 19 ™ i kingdom, and mindeth it not, the wicked...

...above the best men of the preceding times ; " Blessed are your eyes, for they see ; and your ears, for they hear ; for verily I say unto you, that many...righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them ; * It it evident, that the apostles before Christ's resurrection, though...

...the kingdom of heaven ; but to them it is not given, &c. therefore sj>eak I to them in parables, &c. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not ; then cometh the wicked one, &c. — Matt. xiii. 1 1 . 13.16.19.35. Mark iv. 11,12. 15.34. If the blind lead the blind, both shall...

...you, what he says about it. The seed, our Saviour tells us, is the word of God, or of his kingdom. When any one heareth the word of the kingdom and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, or the devil, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is lie, which received seed...