조나단 에드워드의 설교원고이다.

예수님의 비유 가운데 "씨뿌리는 자의 비유"를 가지고 한 설교인데
마태복음 13장을 본문으로 하고 있다.


The Parable of the Sower: Preachers of the Gospel Compared to Husbandmen Sowing Seed

+ April 56 (No I.) Novem . 1740  

¶ Scripture

Math 13. 3. 4. Behold a sower went forth to sow and when he sowed some seeds fell by the way side and the fowels came and devoured them up .  

There are scarce any parts of the Holy Scripture that are fuller of Instruction than Christs Parables . There are these things to be observed Concerning the Instruction that is given in them that the In- structions given are very Comprehensive there is much more Contained in those similitudes that are used in these parables than could be plainly and particularly expressed in so many words without a similitude and then when the similitude is understood Instruction is held forth with Greater Light for the openness of the similitude greatly illustrates the truth taught and not only illustrates but Confirms it the similitudes used dont only shew the manner of things but the Reason of them and then the Instruction given in these parables is given in such a way as does especially tend to engage the attention and help the memory

L. 1v.
and tis observable that Christ in his Instructions contained in his Parables does insist on the most Important things of Relig. that do most nearly concern our Et. salvation. The words that have been now Read is the beginning of the Parable of the sower and the seed which you are all well acquainted with . . I propose by the help of God to raise several observations from this Parable and make some Improvement of Each of them.  

OBS. Those that God sends forth to Preach the Gosp. may fitly be compared to Husbandmen going forth to sow their seed . Christ has probably a special Respect to himself in this Parable who is the Lord of the Harvest the owner of the field. He went forth unto all parts of the Land of Canaan preaching the Gospel of the Kingd. and multitudes were want to Resort to him. he was conti- nually preaching the Gosp. of the K. from town to Town and wherever he went the multitude Thronged him and he preached the


L. 2r.
word to all sorts of Persons  

But Christ has Respect not only to himself but to others that are sent by him that Come to preach the word in his name . ministers of the Gosp. are the servants of the owner of the field that are sent forth to sow his seed. and when such an one comes to a people either as being Re- gularly called to office among them as their settled pastor or is providentially sent among them they ought to be Looked upon as sent by the owner of the field of the world to sow his seed.  

when a sower Goes forth to sow there are four things . there is the Husbandman and the seed that he bears and the Ground in which it is sowen . and his work which is to sow.  

1. There is the Husbandman. The work of ministers of the Gosp. is often in Scripture compared to the work of an husbandman so they are called Matthew 21: 34 and2 Timothy 2: 6 sometimes Labourers in Gods vineyard. ministers are not called to be Idle but to La- bour the Husbandman Calling is a Labourious calling . he eats his bread

L. 2v.
with the sweat of his face and so is the business of a faithfull minister tis a business of Great and continual Labour in a husbandman is required not only hard Labour but Constant care or continual oversight of his fields and the state of his husbandry and also a Great deal of Prudence in the manage ment of his business improving the Proper season for plowing sowing Reaping etc. and so it is also with the work of a Gosp. minister .  


2. There is the seed that they bear which is the word of God sometimes ministers of the Gospel are Compared to vessels that contain a precious treasures as 2. Cor. 4. 7. they are Earthen vessels in which God sends and offers inesti mable treasures to the Chil. of men This Treasure is the word of God the Glorious Gospel of Christ Contains many Glorious doc. excellent counsels Gracious calls and inclinations and pre- cious promises which are all as so many precious

L. 3r.
precious Jewels . but in this parable the word of God is compared to seed that they go forth with this is that precious seed spoken of Psalms 126: 7  

The word of God is fitly compared to seed in the Heart as its end is bringing forth fruit and this fruit is not brought forth any otherwise than by abiding in the Ground in which it is sowen and taking Root there . being well Received making deep impression being understood taking hold of the Affec- tions having a durable Effect in the temper and dispo sition of the soul and it is Like seed in this Respect that seed sowen in the Ground fin ally produces perfect fruit the first thing is the seed begins to be warmed and quickened by the beams of the sun and to be expanded by being moistened by the Rain and then it begins a little to put forth sprouts and these Grow at first under Ground then as it Grows bigger it appears Plainly above Ground and so by the beams of the sun and the benefit of the Rain it gradually

L. 3v.
grows more and more puts forth Leaves appears more and more Conspicuous and beautifull Grows taller and spreads more and then the tender fruit is put forth till at Length it is ripened and then Gathered in.  

so it is with the seed of the word. it is first quickened in Conversion by the blessed beams and warmingInfluences of the son of Righ. and by the Spirit ^ of God as the dew of Heaven and pourd out in the soul like a Spirit shower in the dry and thirsty Ground then the seed begins to put forth roots and sprouts and oftentimes at first Conversion Grace is very small Like the sprouts in a seed when it first begins to sprout and Grace when it is small is diffi- cultly seen and Leaves persons in doubt whe- ther they have any grace or no . like the small sprouts of the seed when first quickened they bent big enough to get above Ground and so they are not seen but Grace in the Hearts of the saints Grows more and more the New Creature grows fuller and taller and at Length is very Conspicuous and plain to

L. 4r.
be seen and the fruit Ripens more and more till it is Gathered into Christs barn.  

3. Here is the Ground in which the seed is sown viz the Hearts of the hearers . the Hearts of men are fitly compared to the Earth .  

andtherefore God calling in men to hear his word calls em Earth . O Earth Earth . Earth  

they are fitly compared to the Earth because of mens meer original which is of the dust of the Ground . for we are made of the dust of the Earth dust we are and unto dust we must Return . the first man was of the Earth Earthy .  

and then this fitly Represents the state of the hearts of all men by nature they are Earthly . They are debased from their primi tive Excellency and sink down to the Earth are of Earthly dispositions are cold and stony and lifeless like the Earth and naturally inclined to bring forth ill weeds briars and thorns an useless and Evil Growth  

L. 4v.
Earth is . The Earth without tillage will be dreadfully overrun with every manner of thing that is unprofitable and detrimental in a field so will the soul of man if neglected and Let alone  

4. Here is the work of the husbandman which bears the seed which is to sow the seed in that Ground . the work of a minister of the Gosp in Preaching the word is very fitly compared to sowing of seed he delivers that precious word of God which he brings un to the People he is sent to as the Hus bandman scatters the seed forth out of his hand . a faithfull minister is Care full to give every one his portion of meat and to accomodate his Instructions and Exhortations to all sorts of persons persons in all Circumstances as the Husbandman endeavours to scatter his seed Equally all over his field  

He that sows the seed is not the author of the fruit that the field brings forth all that he Can do is but to cast forth the seed out


L. 5r.
out of his hand but he is not the au thor of the Effect there is of the seed. when he has sown the seed he must leave it and tis not he but the sun and the Rain that Cherishes and Enlivens the seed and Causes it to put forth Roots and sprouts and afterwords to Grow and Come to perfection . all this is what the husbandman has no hand in it is not he that quickens the seed and makes it Grow so far forth that he dont so much as Know how it is done so it is with the preachers of the Gospel. Mark 4: 26-27

28. ministers Can but deliver their message  

IMPROVEment 1 Hence ministers should be faithfull in there work and should Leave the Event with God he should do as the prudent husband- man who is carefull to observe the proper season of sowing his seed and is carefull to sow the seed well to scatter it equally in his


L. 5v.
field and then to Leave to the sun and Rain and Influences of the Heaven to make it spring and Grow and Carry it to Perfection . so ministers must do their work and be prudent and dili- gent in it should Labour to observe the Circum stances of his hearers and to watch for the most opportune and advantageous seasons of setting home such and such warnings and counsels and to give every one his portion of meat and this he must not forbear to do whatever discouragement he Labours under and however dark things appear when he has done his duty he must Leave the Rest with God . The Husband- man cant command the Rain or the sun he may sometimes sow the seed and the seed may rot in the Ground with the Cold for want of the warm influences of the sun to Cherish it as the produce of the field may Perish through drought and for want of the dewes and showers of Heaven upon it but yet the husbandman


L. 6r.
if he be unsuccessfull sometimes for want of his seeds being thus blessed prospered yet wont Leave off his husbanding but will still continue to sow his field at the Return of the proper season . a minister must deliv. the message with which God has sent him whether they will hear or whether they will forbear they are called to be fishers of men and tho it may sometimes be so that they may toil all night and Catch mothing may Let down the net and draw it up again empty time after time yet at Christs Command they must still Let down the net . and tho it may seem Long before they have a harvest yet they must do as the Husbandman does after he has sown his seed he waits paitently for the Harvest till Gods time Comes James 5: 7 behold the Husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the Earth and hath Long patience for it un- til he receives the Early and the Latter rain.


L. 6v.

2. Hence a People that hear the word should earnestly pray for the Warm influences of the sun of Righ. andand for Spirit showers to succeed it  

2. what has been said holds forth that which ought to be matter of Humbling to us as it teaches what our Hearts are by nature They are like the Earth . our souls at first were noble and Excellent they shone in the Image of God and then they were full of Light and heat the soul of man then was like a star of Heaven Glittering in its brightness . our Hearts then were full of an Holy sa- vour and a divine flame but we have lost all that heat and brightness our souls are dreadfully debased and have become as the vile dirt of the Earth having nothing in them of any Heavenly Light or warmth or Glory what is esteemed more vile than the Ground . but the vile dirt the dark cold stony Ground is not more destitute of Life Heat and Light in it self than our hearts naturally are . they are

L. 7r.
are altogether dead. senseless of Spirit things wholly unfit for spiritual and vital acts . wholly dark . wholly without any form or Comliness . such are we by nature . what Reason therefore have we to Abhor in our selves how unbecoming a sight is it to see the vile dust of the Earth lifting up it self in pride extolling it self as tho it were something very worthy and precious and selfsuffi cient .  

3. Hence a People that Hear the Word preached should Earnestly pray for the warm Influences of the son of Righ. andSpirit showers to prosper the seed sown It was the manner of the Heathen to worship the sun and this Kind of Ido- latry is supposed to be the first Idolatry that ever was in the world . they worshipped the sun because they found they very much depended upon it they saw that all their tillage their plowing and sewing was in vain without its Influ ences they saw that it was the benign Influ ences of the sun that caused their seed to sprout and the Corn to Grown and that brought it to

L. 7v.
perfection . that was an unreasonable Kind of worship . because the material sun is but a Creature of God and an Instrument in his hand to Cherish the fruits of the Earth and Cause em to Grow. But we ought to worship the s. of Righ. for on that we absolutely depend that sun is indeed the hightest fountain of Light and heat and the fountain of Life in vain are all means and all Instruments without it . when the seed is sown we should Look up to this Spirit sun and beg its blessed Influences to Quicken it to cause it to send forth for otherwise it will as it were rot in the Ground.  

Hither ministers should have their Eye in some of themScripture are called burning and shining Lights but they have neither Light nor heat any further than as they derive it from the sun of Righ. and Can Communicate no Light nor Life nor fruitfullness to their hearers any further than they are made use of as Glasses to Convey and Reflect the beams

L. 8r.
of the Light of the world  

Hither it is that a people should Look when they have heard the word preached especially after they have heard it powerfully preached after God has sent an messinger with extraordin ary fervency to deliv. his Message to them  

a People in such a Case should Cry Earnestly to that Glo. sun. who is the brightness of Gods Glory and the express Image of his person. who is full of Light and divine heat . in whom dwells all the fuln. of the Godnead bodily and is more full of Spirit Light and of Grace than the sun is of light. We see that the sun tho it has been shining for many ages has every day and Every moment been pouring forth of its light and warm beams upon all the world yet the fountain is not Exhausted there is enough still for ought appears there is as much Light and heat in the sun now as there was the first day it was made and such is its fullness that there is Enough for all there are thous.

L. 8v.
and millions of fields that are made fruitfull by it and because One field receives so much there is never the Less for another this is some Image of the fullness of Christ where there is Power and Light and Grace and Love enough for all . which should En- courage us to Look up to him and pray that he would send down of his blessed Influences and Cherish the seed that is sowen in our Hearts and make it to Grow and become fruitfull there.  

we often pray for Rain to water the seed that we sow in our fields because we Know that our sowing will be in vain without if there bent showers of Rain upon our fields all the seed sowen there will come to nothing . How much should we pray for Heavenly showers to water the seed of the word sowen in Our Hearts is it not of Greater Importance that our Hearts should be fruitfull than our fields shall

L. 9r.
shall we Lament it when we see our fields barren and shall we be Easy when we carry about with us barren Hearts Hearts that bring forth nothing but briars and thorns an unprofitable and noxious Growth fit for nothing but to be burnt  

when Rain is witheld in the summer time but for a few weeks and the produce of our seed begins to Languish and wither what concern are we in how do we will for rain and Keep observing every Cloud that rises . hoping that we shall have some rain from it and we are forward in such a Cause to set apart some time to pray to God for Rain because we see that if we have none we are like to Go Hungry and we shall pinch for want of the Comforts of this Life and shall we be easy when we see that Spirit showers are witheld not only for some weeks but year after year shall we be sensibly Grievd and concerned when we see the Leaves of the corn

L. 9v.
turn yellow and wither up . and shall we not be grievd when we see our souls perishing and Languishing and appearing as if they were almost dead when you go forth into the fields at the time of Harvest and find your crops very thin and Light and bring but a little Home . with what grief of Heart do you bring home your few blasted sheaves and shall be it with no Great Con- cern that you see very little fruit of the word brought forth in your Hearts and lives if it should be so at any time that your fields should bring forth so little that you should not have enough for Your families and at the End of the year you Know not which way your Chil should be provided for and Kept from starving would not this be a Great Exercise [Illegible text] to you would not the bowels of Parents yearn towards their Children in such a Case and yet you that are parents see the souls

L. 10v.
of your Chil in a Famishing Languishing condition and ready to sink into Eternal perdition for want of Spirit showers and yet be easy without those spiritual showers. Let the Consideration of these things set us up in this place earnestly to look to God for those Heavenly Influences of his Spirit that we need to Give success to the preaching of the word.  

How Lamentable have been our Circum stances of Late the Circumstances of them that Look upon themselves to be Godly here many of them yea most of them seem very Lamentable dead and cold and dry Like that dust of the Earth their Hearts have had very little of the showers of Heaven very little of the warmth of the sun of Righ. in them when we Consid. what profession they have Made tis a most Lamentable thing to think of it tis Lamentable for them and Lamentable for the Interest of Relig . wounding to

L. 10v.
its Reputation and wounding and Ruinous to the souls of others  

and the Case of those that are yet in a natural condition has been very Lamentable exceeeding Hard . - nothing that can be said or done suffic. to move dreadfully Hardend There are Great numbers amongst us that we have no Reason to think any other of them than that they are in the Gall of Bitterness how many of the young People . how many of our poor Children out of Christ and in a demna- ble state and Condition the seed has been sown the word has been preached again and again but to what purpose  

where have been any that have been really awakened that the word has taken fast hold of . never was so dark

L. 11r.
dark a time in Northampton since I dwelt [Illegible text] in it upon that account [Illegible text] and what will become of us unless God is pleased to Return to us and shower down  

what can we expect but awfull Judgmts of Heaven upon us and a more dread- full damnation for multitudes .  

Our Hearts have been so destitute of the warmth of the sun of Righ. of Late years that it has been a Kind of winter with us for several years our Hearts hant only been like the vile Earth the Cold Ground but like the frozen Ground and the Preaching of the word here has for a long time been very much like a mans Going forth from time to time sowing seed upon the frozen Ground it has not sunk in at all but has Rebounded as from a Rock .  

Had not we need therefore Earnestly yo Cry to the sun of Righ . that it would Re-

L. 11v.
turn again to us that it would Come back to us as the sun comes back after its withdrawment in the winter and thaws the frozen Ground and warms and Quickens the seed that lies buried in it . The sun of Righ. now by what we hear shines in the southern Regions in the plantations that are south of us while it is winter with us Let us Cry that it may Come here and shine upon us also that we may not be all shut up as with frost and our Climate disturbed with Jangling and Contention like the air by the violent storms of the winter season . and Let us not only pray prayers alone without a behaviour answerable will signifie nothing but Let us Remove those things that have Long Grieved and Quenched the Holy Spirit such as our Pride our affecting to adorn

L. 12r.
our selves with Gay Clothing. and our Covetousness and our Contentions and Keeping up two parties as we have done In this Town year after year. we can Remove those things there needs nothing but a Real thorough disposition to peace and a suitable abhorence of Contention in order to Remove tho the Case may seem difficult . we find that those diffi- culties that have been amongst us Keeping up a Party Spirit in the Town has been a wall between us andGod for several years and if we were but violent we should break down that wall or Get over tho it be high as Resolute soldiers that ever Resolved to take a city and take it by violence Let mein the name of Christ beseech you to harken to this Exh. that we may have the Pres. of God with us we cant do without the Presence of God we Can do better [Illegible text] a thous. times without our

L. 12v.
our Land without our farms and merchandize about which we Contend . Let the things that have been now spoken sink down into us Let not the seed that has now been sown be Rejected from our Hearts as from frozen Ground as the word Preached has done of Late  

Let us all consider where we have been Going how very wrong we have steared our Course and Let us all with one Consent turn about and set our faces another way and for the time to Come seek Godand not the world