The Pulpit Commentary — Mark — Volume 1 — Section 182

often beard the truth, and their calm impassivity will drive you to despair, If it does not drive you to God. He who knows all but feels nothing is represented by the wayside ; for the truth preached to him is gone 88 swiftly from his thoughts as though evil birds bad carried it away. II. TnE SUl'ERFIOUL HEART is also graphically portrayed. The stony ground Is not ground besprinkled with stones, but rocky soil covered with a thin layer or earth, such 88 might often be seen in the rocky abutments which ended the terraces of culti• vated soil on a hillside in Palestine. Seed falling there would take root and grow, but would soon strike rock, and then withering would begin. 'l'his represents those who "receive the Word with gladness." They are interested, instructed, impressed; but they have no understanding of its spiritual meaning or of Christ's requirements. They have no sense of sin, and no conflict with it. Their knowledge and experience a.like are shallow, and they have "no root," because they have no depth of na.ttll'e. Very sig- nificant is the phrase, "They have no root in themselves;" for there is a want o{ individuality about them. Their faith depends upon surrounding excitement and enthusiasm, and they are wanting in the perseverance which can only arise from personal conviction. Let temptation come to them, and they give up at once their poor shreds of faith; let them go among sceptics, and soon their mockery will be the loudest; let persecution arise, and straightway they stumble to their fall. IIL THE CROWDED HEART. "Some fell among thorns;" that is, in soil in which thorns were springing up. The soil possibly was good, and therefore unlike the last, but it was already full. Soon the thorns springing up choke the seed, crowding i, down, and eo depriving it of air and sunshine that the withering stalk can produce no fruit. Every one knows the meaning of this who has pondered the words," Ye cannot serve God and mammon," or who understands the warning against "the cares of the world, the deceitfulness of riches," and inordinate desires after other earthly things. Here is such a one. He was once earnest in work for God ; he made time for the study of his Word; he was eager for the quiet hour when he could speak to his Father in secret. But this is only a memory to him now. And how came the woeful change? There has been no hour when he has deliberately cut himself adrift from holy influence, nor can he recall any special crisis in his history. But the cares of life, the plans he felt called upon to make, thoughts concerning money and the best way to make it or to keep it, obtruded themselves more and more, even on sacred times, till holy thoughts were fairly crowded out. 'fhorns have sprung up, and they have choked the seed, so that it has become unfruitful. IV. THE HONEST HEART. The seed which fell into "good ground" not only sprang up into strong stalk, but brought forth fruit in the golden harvest-time, and over it the sower rejoiced. Our Lord often spoke of the conditions which are essential to the fulfilment of this in the spiritual realm. For example, he said," He that is of the truth heareth my voice;" and he bade his disciples become as little children, that they might rejoice in him. Nathanael was a beautiful example of what Jesus meant. When the truth is thus received, in the love of it, it guides the thoughts, rules the affections, checks and controls the plans, and sanctifies the whole being of the man. "Christ is formed" in his heart "the hope of glory." Abiding in prayer, under the influence of the Holy Spirit, he experiences a quickening and a refreshment like that which the growing corn has when enriched and blessed by showers and sunshine, and "the fruits of the Spirit" appear in him, to the glory of God the Father. "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit."-A. R. Vers. 15-20.-The perils and the prospects of the good seed of the kingdom. The importance of the parable of the sower is shown by the prominence given to it by the evangelists, and by the question of our Lord in the thirteenth verse, "Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables?" In some respects it was the basis of similar teaching, while the key to its interpretation, given by the Lord himself, opens the door of other mysteries. The ill11stration is an 11nalogy, going deeper than many suppose. Husbandry was the appointment of God when man dwea in the bliss of paradise, before the Divine order had been interfored with by human sin and self- will. Even in man's unfallen state, seed had to be sown and cared for, while the blessing of heaven was l\lways essential to its productjveness. He who made the firtt IIT. M.:R:L • l!J  178 THE CJOSPF!L ACCORDING TO ST. MARK. [oa. IV, !.--41.