Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 13:12

12 For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not: from him shall be taken, even that he hath.

Mark saith, Ch. 4.11. Vnto you it is given to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God: But unto them that are without, all these things are done in Parables, Luke saith no more then. Vnto you it is given, to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God: But to them in Parables. Only Ch. 8.18. he saith: Take heed therefore, how you hear; for whosoever hath to him shall be given, and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken, that which he seemeth to have, Because it is given to you, &c. Given by my Father, God according to the good Pleasure of his Will, hath given to some Persons to know the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God, more than to others. Some here distinguish concerning the things which concern the Kingdom of God. The Laws of his Kingdom, they say, are delivered plainly, viz. Those things which are necessary to be known in order to our Salvation, are delivered plainly; so as we may understand them. But there are other things that belong to his Kingdom, not so necessary to be known in order to Salvation, these God giveth to some only to know. I cannot agree to this Notion. God manifested in the Flesh, is the Great Mystery of the Gospel, the Mystery hid from Ages, yet I am sure the knowledge of Christ, as such is necessary to Salvation. I therefore think the Emphasis lyeth upon know. There is a more General and confused knowledge of a thing: And there is a more distinct, clear, particular, knowledge. 2. There is a meer Notional knowledge, and there is a more affective, Experimental knowledge. To you my Father hath given Eternal Life, and as means in order to it, to know more clearly, particularly and distinctly, the things that concern the Kingdom of God, to know, and to believe in me, who am the Saviour of the World, my Father hath no such special and particular kindness, for the Generality of this People, and therefore he hath not given to them the same Aids and Assistances. For whosoever hath, to him it shall be given, and he shall have in more abundance: By him that hath, some understand, he that hath, and maketh use of what he hath, and that is plainly the Sense of it. Chap. 25.29. where it is the Epiparobola, or Conclusion of the Parable about the Talents. But tho the preceding Parable, plainly leadeth to such a Sense there, yet the preceeding words seem as directly to lead to another Sense here, and what is the more Natural, and proper Signification of the Word hath, which most naturally signifies to have a thing in our Possession. He that hath therefore in all reason signifies, He that hath that which v. 11. is said to be given. He that hath the saving knowledge of the Mysteries of the Kingdom of God. To him that doth not so much come to hear me out of Curiosity, and comprehendeth by his understanding, something of my Will, but hath an Heart that imbraceth and receiveth me, so as he believeth in me. To him that hath the Seed of God in him as in good Ground. Shall be given, that is expounded by the next words, and shall have in more abundance, he shall have more Grace, a more full, and clear, and distinct knowledge of me, and the things which concern my Kingdom. But from him that hath not, that hath not the Seed of God, a true Root of Grace, in whom the Seed of my word hath not fallen as in good Ground, but only as in the Highway, or in Thorny, or Stony Ground, shall be taken away, even that which he hath, how can that be? Ans. It must not be understood of things in the same Nature and Kind▪ Luk. expounds it Ch. 8.18. by [non-Latin text not transcribed], that w[illegible: 1 letter]ich either to himself, or to others he seemeth to have. He that hath not a truth of Grace, may think he hath: His hope, and Opinon of himself shall fail. Others may from his Gifts, and Parts, think he hath. God shall unmask him, taking away his common Gifts, or suffering him to fall into, and be overcome by foul Temptations. His Gifts, and Parts shall decay, his Moral righteousness will abate by Gods just Dereliction of him, and with-holding his restraining Grace.

Marginal references: Mar. 4.25. Luk. 19.26.