A continuation of the exposition of the Epistle of Paul the Apostle to the…

Again, It is common to the whole Earth often to drink in the Rain that falls upon it, though but some parts only of it prove fruitful, as it will appear in the following distribution of them. Whence we may observe, that

Attendance unto the Word preached, hearing of it with some diligence, and giving of ¹it some kind of Reception, make no great difference among men; for this is common unto them who never become fruitful. This is so plainly exemplified by our Saviour in the Parable of the several sorts of Ground that receive the Seed of the Word, yet on various occasions lose the power of it, and never come to fruitbearing, that it needs no farther consideration. And I intend not those only who merely hear the Word and no more. Such persons are like Stones, which when the Rain falleth on them it makes no impression into them, they drink it not in at all. It is no otherwise I say with many Hearers, who seem not to have the least sense of what customarily they attend unto. But those are intended in the Text and Proposition who in some measure receive it, and drink it in. They give it an Entrance into their Understandings, where they become Doctrinally acquainted with the Truth of the Gospel. And they give it some entrance into their Affections, whence they are said to receive the Word with joy. And moreover they allow it some influence on their Conversations, as even Herod did who heard the preachings of John Baptist gladly and did many things thereon. All these things men may do, and yet at length prove to be that part of the Earth which drinks in the Rain, and yet absolutely is barren, and brings forth Thorns and Briars. There is yet wanting the receiving of it in a good and honest Heart, which what it includes, will afterwards appear. And again, we may observe, that

Attendance unto the Word preached, hearing of it with some diligence, and giving of ¹it some kind of Reception, make no great difference among men; for this is common unto them who never become fruitful. This is so plainly exemplified by our Saviour in the Parable of the several sorts of Ground that receive the Seed of the Word, yet on various occasions lose the power of it, and never come to fruitbearing, that it needs no farther consideration. And I intend not those only who meerly hear the Word and no more. Such persons are like Stones, which when the Rain falleth on them it makes no impression into them, they drink it not in at all. It is no otherwise I say with many Hearers, who seem not to have the least sense of what customarily they attend unto. But those are intended in the Text and Proposition who in some measure receive it, and drink it in. They give it an Entrance into their Understandings, where they become Doctrinally acquainted with the Truth of the Gospel. And they give it some entrance into their Affections, whence they are said to receive the Word with joy. And moreover they allow it some influence on their Conversations, as even Herod did who heard the preachings of John Baptist gladly and did many things thereon. All these things men may do, and yet at length prove to be that part of the Earth which drinks in the Rain, and yet absolutely is barren, and brings forth Thorns and Briars. There is yet wanting the receiving of it in a good and honest Heart, which what it includes, will afterwards appear. And again, we may observe, that