Sexagesima Sunday The Gospel Luc. 8 v.4. Tuesday Meditation: A Plaine Path-way To Heaven Thomas Hill 1634


GOSPEL Luke 8:4-15 
At that time, when a very great multitude was gathered together and hastened out of the cities, unto him, he spoke by a similitude. "The sower went out to sow his seed. And as he sowed, some fell by the way side. And it was trodden down: and the fowls of the air devoured it. And other some fell upon a rock. And as soon as it was sprung up, it withered away, because it had no moisture. And other some fell among thorns. And the thorns growing up with it, choked it. And other some fell upon good ground and, being sprung up, yielded fruit a hundredfold." Saying these things, he cried out: "He that hath ears to hear, let him hear." And his disciples asked him what this parable might be. To whom he said: "To you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God; but to the rest in parables, that 'seeing they may not see and hearing may not understand.' Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. And they by the way side are they that hear: then the devil cometh and taketh the word out of their heart, lest believing they should be saved. Now they upon the rock are they who when they hear receive the word with joy: and these have no roots: for they believe for a while and in time of temptation they fall away. And that which fell among thorns are they who have heard and, going their way, are choked with the cares and riches and pleasures of this life and yield no fruit. But that on the good ground are they who in a good and perfect heart, hearing the word, keep it and bring forth fruit in patience."

Consideration for Tuesday

Before Christ went to expound this parable, he cried out aloud, as is aforesaid, he that hath ears of hearing, let him hear and understand.

Hereby we are taught, before we hear or read the word of God, or the declaration thereof, which as the Prophet David saith, doeth illuminate and give understanding to little ones to prepare ourselves with prayer as well attention, that it may illuminate and give us understanding, and not make ourselves such Idols, as the Prophet David speaketh of, that have ears and hear not: for so we may hear the word of God long enough, & be never the better, but rather sin thereby.

And therefore commonly, before Sermons the preacher premiseth prayer: which even in our private readings or hearing the word of God, or the declaration thereof,we shall do well to put in practice, inciting and stirring up ourselves,with those words of Our Savior Christ aforesaid (to which purpose is likely he spake them. as well as to the people then present) He that hath ears of hearing let him hear, and be attentive.

Moreover we may learn by the exposition of this parable delivered by our Savior Christ;when we read or hear anything in the Scripture,delivered in parables, not expounded (as there be many) to study how to expound it ourselves; knowing that as Christ expounded this: soothers have their expositions, as well as this, And if it be expounded unto us, yet by way of meditation to see what, by further dilating and discourse thereupon,we can find out,for more edification.

For the scripture,(especially parable)may receive so many expositions,(and all good) ae are not repugnant to the Catholic faith, so they conduce unto good manners.


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