Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 13:21

21 Yet hath he no root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation, or persecution ariseth, because of the word, by and by he is offended.

Both Mark and Luke have this with no difference, save only in Words, Mark 4.16, 17. Luke 8.13. What Matthew calleth Stony Ground, Luke calls the Rock. By the Sun being up, and Scorching the Seed in the Parable, our Saviour meant Tribulation or Persecution, which Luke c[illegible: 1 letter]lleth a time of Temptation, Ch. 8. v. 13. Stony places, are places where may be a little Earth, but not much; he is here likened to such Ground, who heareth the Word, and anon, the Gr. is [non-Latin text not transcribed] which signifyeth presently, with joy receiveth it, as Herod is said to have heard Iohn the Baptist gladly. The Word of God (as some other Objects) doth often on the sudden affect some Persons in whom it doth not take any deep [illegible: 1 letter]oot. A sudden Pa[illegible: 1 letter]sion surprizeth them, which is but like the over[illegible: 1 letter]lowing of a Brook, which is quickly down. Yet [illegible: 1 letter]ath he no Root in himse[illegible: 1 letter]f, &c. Our Saviour here a[illegible: 1 letter]signeth two Causes of such hearers falling away, the one Internal, the other External, the former is the great cause of the latter. By [illegible: 1 word] in himself, some under[illegible: 1 letter]tand Constancy, or a s[illegible: 1 letter]rious Reso[illegible: 1 letter]ution, and purpose of Heart, but this is doubless, but the Product of this Root, which is the same thing, which the Apo[illegible: 2 letters]le calls The Seed of God, Iob calls the Root of the Matter; a principle of Grace, in an Heart truly touched with the Love of God, and of his Truth. He du[illegible: 1 letter]eth but for a while; no longer, then he thinks that he can by his Profession, attain the end he aimed at, and propounded to himself, be it Riches, or Honour, and Reputation; but when Tribulation or Persecution ariseth for the Words sake, or because of the Word, when he seeth that he cannot own his Profession without the danger of his Estate, Life, Liberty, Places, and Preferments, &c. he is by and by offended, made tp stumble, and fall, he falls off from all his fo[illegible: 1 letter]mer Profe[illegible: 1 letter]sion of the Gospel.