where other seed fell, denotes the man that heareth the word, and at first receives it with pleasure:

in like manner, they who receive seed on stony-ground, are such as upon hearing the word, do immediately receive it with joy.

by the stony ground is understood such persons as receive indeed the doctrines they hear, with joy: but for want of resolution, believe only occasionally, and desert when the trial comes.

he that is meant by the thorny ground, where other seed fell, is one that heareth the word: which by cares of this life, and the deceitful love of riches, is soon stifled, and becomes unfruitful:

as for those, who receive seed as among thorns: they are such as hear the word.

the ground over-run with thorns denotes such as have embraced the doctrine, but are so immerst in the business, enjoyments, and pleasures of life, as not to improve it to any real advantage.

but the ground that received the grain, represents those, who hear the word, and consider it, who all become fruitful, some in one degree, and some in another.

by the beaten road is meant, they who only hear: the word, by the lurking wiles of the devil, being hinder'd from taking root in their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.

they who receiv'd seed by the wayside, are those in whom the word is sown, who no sooner have heard it, but satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in their hearts.

but by the good ground is meant such persons as have received the doctrine with simplicity and sincerity, abide by it, and practise it with perseverance.

they who receive seed as on good ground, are such as hear the word and entertain it, and bring forth fruit, some in one degree, and some in another.

but he answered them, my mother and brethren are these, who attend to the word of God, and practise it.

it is written in the prophets, "they shall be all taught of God." every man therefore that hath heard the father, and been instructed by him, cometh unto me.

then he said, the God of our fathers has singled you out to be acquainted with his will, to see the just one, and to hear the words of his mouth:

this I know, that he was snatch'd up into paradise, and heard such secrets as it is not lawful for a man to reveal.

Don't delusively content your selves with being of the audience, but put what you hear in practice:

for a bare auditor without practice is like one who sees his image form'd by a mirror:

whereas, he that attentively considers the perfect law of liberty, and is attach'd thereto, he is not a forgetful hearer, but reduces it to practice, and his conduct is crown'd with hapiness.

for not the bare hearers of the law, but they who observe the law, are such as shall be justified, before God.

One day, as the people press'd after him to hear his divine preaching, he came near the lake of Gennesereth,

immediately I sent to you; and you have done well to come. now here we are all in the presence of God, to hear whatever he has given you in charge.

The next sabbath-day almost the whole city assembled to hear the word of God.

I reply, have they not heard? on the contrary, "their voice spread thro' all the earth, and their words to the remotest inhabitants thereof ."