Verklaring van de evangelische parabolen

and tool in the whole world that is capable of receiving the truth of the Gospel, to understand it, to stir it through meditations, as it were, and to show it through works in public to the benefit of many. (a) Matthew 5:16. And just as the earth does not receive the seed except through sowing, so also the Word of grace is made known to the soul of men only through preaching; which is brought to the mind through the outward senses by the Preachers appointed by God for that purpose. Romans 10:10, 14. In such a way the Word of grace has the same relationship to the mind of man as the seed has to the earth into which it is thrown by the Sower.

II. In particular. a The word is a seed.

§. XXVI. In particular: I. The Word of Grace or of the Gospel is compared to (b) seed. The seed is something small in itself, which outwardly has and shows no form; which yet has a hidden life-force in and with it; but which nevertheless shows nor exercises no life unless it be thrown into the earth; and specifically into good earth; which, if it shall make the seed grow into corn, must be watered from heaven and warmed by the sun; and being thus watered and warmed, it fosters the seed and makes it strike root, and causes it to rise, and through hidden operation brings forth fruit from it. But if the seed is and remains outside the earth, it becomes corrupted and rots in time. Thus also the Word of the Gospel: I. Has outwardly no appearance of fleshly wisdom and eloquence by which it recommends itself. (c) 1 Corinthians 2:4. II. It is nevertheless something living and that makes alive, insofar as, being received in the mind of man and exculsum driven out/worked upon original: "behandelt" by various operations of the soul, it makes the man, like an earth, bear fruit of good works. (d) James 1:18. 1 Peter 1:23. It is living and powerful.

Hebrews 4:12. III. Which living and life-giving power it nevertheless does not exercise unless it meets a soul that is capable of receiving and containing it, and of fostering it through meditations as if by itself, and moving it back and forth. See Matthew 13:23. He who is sown in the good earth, this is he who hears the Word, and understands, and brings forth fruit. IV. To which end it must be publicly preached and, being received, it must be watered by the Divine grace of the Holy Spirit. (a) 1 Corinthians 3:6. V. Which, when it happens, the man becomes very fruitful in good works, which are brought forth in public to the edification of many. (b) Romans 6:22. VI. And all that happens through a hidden operation of the soul and of the Holy Spirit upon and in the soul, which is not seen by the eyes of the body. (c) 1 Peter 3:4. VII. If this word is not received by men, it spoils and rots, as it were; that is, it becomes to them a fragrance of death unto death. 2 Corinthians 2:16.

§. XXVII. And primarily these properties fit the word of the Kingdom, because the word of the Gospel truly is a living word, in contrast to the Law, which Paul, with respect to the effect it had in the Israelites who were fleshly, calls a killing letter original: "doodende letter". 2 Corinthians 3:6. But the word of the Kingdom of heaven is a word of grace and truth, capable and powerful to make the sinner alive, being paired with the powerful operations of the life-giving Spirit. (d) John 6:63.

b The soul is the earth.

§. XXVIII. II. The Mind of the Listeners of the Word of grace is with great right compared with the earth, or a field. For all earth, after man’s fall in Paradise, according to the fundamental decree of God, brings forth thistles and thorns; Genesis 3:18. which come from the foreign and corrupted particles mixed in the good earth. Then which is planted or sown in the soul. verse 21. And 1 Peter 1:23. You are reborn, not of corruptible, but of incorruptible SEED, through the LIVING and eternally abiding Word of God.

(a) Matthew 5:16. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.
(b) See other places where the Word of God is compared to seed. In our treatise on the Parable Mark 4:26-29. §. 9. As also on Psalm 72:16. (after Psalm 25 and 116) pages 471, 472. 1 Peter 1:23. 1 John 3:9. Compared with Psalm 114:11. as also James 1:21. Jeremiah 23:28. And some Agreements, also pointed out there.
(c) 1 Corinthians 2:4. My speech and my preaching was not in persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the spirit and of power. and 1 Corinthians 1:23. We preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block, and to the Greeks foolishness.
(d) James 1:18. Of his own will he brought us forth by the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
(a) 1 Corinthians 3:6. Where Paul says: I have PLANTED, Apollos WATERED, but God gave the GROWTH.
(b) Romans 6:22. Now, being made free from sin, -- you have your FRUIT unto holiness.
(c) 1 Peter 3:4. where it is spoken of the HIDDEN MAN of the heart.
(d) John 6:63. It is the Spirit that GIVES LIFE, the flesh profits nothing. THE WORDS that I speak to you are SPIRIT and LIFE.