Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 13:22

22 He also that received seed amongst the thorns, is he that heareth the word, and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.

Mark adds, Ch. 4.19. And the Lusts of other things entering in, choak the Word. Luke saith, Ch. 8.14. And that which fell among Thorns, are they, which when they have heard go forth, and are choked with Cares, and Riches, and Pleasures of this Life, and bring no Fruit to perfection. Under these Terms, The Cares of the World, the Deceitfulness of Riches, and the Pleasures of this Life, or the Lusts of other things, our Saviour comprehendeth all that which St. Iohn calls The Lust of the Eye, the Lust of the Flesh, and the Pride of Life. The immoderate desires of our Hearts after lawful things, or their desires after things prohibited, and unlawful; these he compareth to Thorns, as Thorns in a Ground Choak the Seed, shadowing the Blade when it comes up, and keeping off the warmth of the Sun, and drawing the fatness of the Ground from it; so these divert Mens thoughts, and draw Mens Affections off from the Word of God, so as it bringeth forth no Fruit, or if there be some little appearance of Fruit, it dwindles away, and cometh to no perfection. None of these were profane Godless Persons, who make no Conscience of negl[illegible: 1 letter]cting to hear the Word Preached. They are all Hearers. O how strait is the way? how narrow is the Gate that leadeth to Everlasting Life? how few there be that find it?

Marginal references: Chap. 19.23. Mar. 1[illegible: 1 letter] [illegible: 2 letters] Luke 1[illegible: 1 letter].[illegible: 1 letter]4 1 Tim▪ 6.9.