The passage itself requires Uttle explanation. In fact, the meaning of the whole picture is so fiilly explained by our Lord Jesujs Christ, that no exposition of man can throw much additional light on it. The parable is pre- eminently a parable of caution, and caution about a most important subject, — the way of hearing the word of Gtoi. It was meant to be a warning to the apostles, not to expect too much from hearers. It was meant to be a warning to all ministers of the Gospel, not to look for too great results from sermons. It was meant, not least, to be a warning to hearers, to take heed how they hear. Preaching is an ordinance of which the value can never be overrated in the Church of Christ. But it should never be forgotten, that there must not only be good preaching, but good hearing.
The first caution that we learn from the parable of the sower, is to beware of the devil when we hear the word. Our Lord tells us that the hearts of some hearers are like "the wayside." The seed of the Gospel is plucked away from them by the devil almost as soon as it is sown. It does not sink down into their consciences. It does not make the least impression on their minds.
The devil, no doubt, is everywhere. That malicious spirit is unwearied in his efforts to do lis harm. He is ever watching for our halting, and seeking occasion to destroy our souls. But nowhere perhaps is the devil so active as in a congregation of Gospel-hearers. Nowhere does he labour so hard to stop the progress of that which is good, and to prevent men and women being saved. From him come wandering thoughts and roving imagi- nations, — listless minds and dull memories, — ^sleepy eyes
LUKEy CHAP. VIII. VBB. 4 — 15. 251
and fidgetiy neryes, — weary ears and distracted attention. In all these things Satan has a great hand. People wonder where they come from, and marvel how it is that they find sennons so dull, and remember them so badly ! They forget the parable of the sower. They forget the devil.
Let us take heed that we are not way-side hearers. Let us beware of the devil. We shall always find him at Church. He never stays away from public ordinances. Let us remember this, and be upon our guard. Heat, and cold, and draughts, and damp, and wet, and rain, and snow, are often dreaded by Church-goers, and alleged as reasons for not going to Church. But there is one enemy whom they ought to fear more than all these things together. That enemy is Satan.
The second caution that we learn from the parable 'of the sower, is to beware of resting on mere iemporary im- pressiona when we have heard the word. Our Lord tells us that the hearts of some hearers are like rocky ground. The seed of the word springs up immediately, as soon as they hear it, and bears a crop of joyful impressions, and pleasurable emotions. But these impressions, unhappily, are only on the surface. There is no deep and abiding work done in their souls. And hence, so soon as the scorching heat of temptation or persecution begins to be felt, the little bit of religion which they seemed to have attained, withers and vanishes away.
Feelings, no doubt, fill a most important office in our personal Christianity.. Without them there can be no saving religion. Hope, and joy, and peace, and confidence, and resignation, and love, and fear, are things