CHAP. XXVIII.
[Truth.] I shall conclude this controversy about this parable, in this brief sum and recapitulation of what hath been said. I hope, by the evident demonstration of God’s Spirit to the conscience, I have proved, negatively,
First. That the tares in this parable cannot signify doctrines or practices, as was affirmed, but persons.
Secondly. The tares cannot signify hypocrites in the church, either undiscovered or discovered.
Thirdly. The tares here cannot signify scandalous offenders in the church.
Fourthly. Nor scandalous offenders, in life and conversation, against the civil state.
Fifthly. The field in which these tares are sown, is not the church.
Again, affirmatively: First. The field is properly the world, the civil state, or commonwealth.
Secondly. The tares here intended by the Lord Jesus, are anti-christian idolaters, opposite to the good seed of the kingdom, true Christians.
Thirdly. The ministers or messengers of the Lord Jesus ought to let them alone to live in the world, and neither seek by prayer, or prophecy, to pluck them up before the harvest.
Fourthly. This permission or suffering of them in the field of the world, is not for hurt, but for common good,even for the good of the good wheat, the people of God.
Lastly. The patience of God is, that the patience of man ought to be exercised toward them; and yet notwithstanding, their doom is fearful at the harvest, even gathering, bundling, and everlasting burnings, by the mighty hand of the angels in the end of the world.