Matthew Poole and continuators on Mark 4:25

25 For he that hath, to him shall be given, and he that hath not, from him shall be taken, even that which he hath.

Whoso considereth the connexion of these Words. With what measure you Mete, &c. With the first Words in the verse. Take heed what you hear, and compares the former with the Paralel Texts, Matth. 7.2. Luke 6.38. will wonder what the force should be of the Argument. For in both the Paralell Texts, the latter Words in this verse seem to be used as an Argument to perswade them to Iustice, and Charity towards Men, from the Punishments of the Violations of the Law concerning them, by way of Retaliatio[illegible: 1 letter]. Nor are there any Sins so ordinarily as those of that kind, so Punished. But they can have no such force here, following those words, Take heed what you hear. But as I said before, there is nothing more usual then divers applications of the same common saying, or Proverbial expression, the saying is true, whether it be understood of Men, or of God. As we deal with God, so will God deal with us. Take heed what you hear, Luke saith, how you hear. Take heed what you hear, as much as take heed to what you hear, that you may receive the Word not as Seed by the Way side, or in Thorny, or Stony ground, but as in good ground. This seemeth rather to be the sense of our Saviour, then to give a caution by these Words, to Men to examine what they hear, searching the Scriptures, whether what they hear doth agree with them, tho that also be the Duty of all Conscientious Persons, as appeareth from Acts 17.11. For saith our Saviour, God will deal with you as to his Providence, as you deal with him. If you allow the Word of God but a [illegible: 2 letters]ghtly hearing, you shall reap from it heard, a very slightly profit, and advantage, this appeareth to be the sense, from the following Words. And unto you that hear shall more be given, that is, unto you that hear, so as you attend, understand, believe, hearken, and obey. God will give further knowledge of Divine Mysteries. For he that hath, to him shall be given, &c. Another general Proverbial expre[illegible: 1 letter]sion, which the Reader may find opened in the Notes on Matth. 13.12 & 25.29.