§. XXII.
Let us then observe, That this Seed of the Kingdom, this saving, supernatural, and sufficient Word, was really sown in the stony, thorny Ground, and by the Way-side, where it did not profit, but became useless as to these Grounds: It was, I say, the same Seed that was sown in the good Ground. It is then the Fear of Persecution and Deceitfulness of Riches, as Christ himself interpreteth the Parable, which hindereth this Seed to grow in the Hearts of many: Not but that in its own Nature it is sufficient, being the same with that which groweth up and prospereth in the Hearts of those who receive it. So that, though all are not saved by it, yet there is a Seed of Salvation planted and sown in the Hearts of all by God, which would grow up and redeem the Soul, if it were not choked and hindered. Concerning this Parable, Victor Antiochenus, on Mark iv. as he is cited by Vossius, in his Pelagian History, Book 7. saith, “That our Lord Christ hath liberally sown the divine Seed of the Word, and proposed it to all, without Respect of Persons; and as he that soweth distinguisheth not betwixt Ground and Ground, but simply calleth in the Seed without Distinction, so our Saviour hath offered the Food of the divine Word so far as was his Part, although he was not ignorant what would become of many. Lastly, He so behaved himself, as he might justly say, What should I have done that I have not done?” And to this answered the Parable of the Talents, Mat. xxv. he that had two Talents was accepted, as well as he that had five, because he used them to his Master’s Profit: And he that had one might have done so; his Talent was of the same Nature of the rest; it was as capable to have proportionably brought forth its Interest as the rest. And so though there be not a like Proportion of Grace given to all, to some five Talents, to some two Talents, and to some but one Talent; yet there is given to all that which is sufficient, and no more is required than according to that which is given: For unto whomsoever much is given, from him shall much be required, Luke xii. 48. He that had the two Talents was accepted for giving four, nothing less than he that gave the ten: So should he also that gave the one, if he had given two; and no doubt one was capable to have produced two, as well as five to have produced ten, or two four.