Study Desk

they are like children playing together in the street, who cry, we have play'd to you on the flute, but you have not danced: we have sung mournful dittys, but you have not lamented.

"but wisdom is justified by all her different followers."

which the Pharisee, who had invited him, observing, he thus argued with himself, if this man were a prophet, he could not but know that the woman, who is so busy with him, is a person of a loose character.

and turning to the woman, he said to Simon, do you observe this woman? though I am a guest in your house, you never offer'd me any water for my feet: but she has bath'd my feet with tears, and wiped them with the hair of her head.

you did not salute me, but this woman, since she came in, has been continually kissing my feet.

you did not bestow any oil upon my head; but she has poured her rich perfume upon my feet.

wherefore, I tell you, her sins, which are numerous, are forgiven; and that is the reason of all this love: but his love is less, to whom less is forgiven.

but they who sat at table with him, began to ask one another, who is this, that pretends even to forgive sins?

but he said to the woman, your faith hath saved you: go in peace.

some fell upon very stony ground, which no sooner sprung up, but it wither'd away, for want of moisture:

some fell among thorns; but the thorns over-grew it, and starv'd it.

but some of the corn fell into good soil, and grew up, yielding a hundred grains for one. then raising his voice he concluded with these words, he that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

But his disciples having ask'd him the meaning of this parable;

he answered, the secret circumstances of the divine dispensation may be clearly revealed to you, but to others only in parables, so that they don't observe what they see, nor comprehend what they hear.

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.

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 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.

Now, no one lights a lamp to hide it under a vessel, or under a bed: but sets it on a stand, to give light to all the company.

improve therefore what you hear: for he that improves what he has, shall have more; but he that does not, shall lose even that, which he thinks he possesses.

One day the mother of Jesus, and his brethren came to speak with him, but could not get near by reason of the crowd.