Withering is the Fearful Fate of All Stony-Ground Hearers
B. Keach. Matthew 13:5 Some fell on stony places, where they had not much earth: and immediately they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: I. As TO THE EVIL OF THE CAUSE THAT PRODUCES SUCH EVIL EFFECTS. 1. The principal cause is the stoniness of their hearts. 2. Privative cause. (1) Want of moisture. (2) Want of earth. (3) Want of taking root. II. THE BADNESS OF THOSE EFFECTS THAT PROCEED FROM SUCH EVIL CAUSES. 1. Barrenness. 2. Another effect that attends these professors is earthliness. 3. Lukewarmness in religious duties. 4. Pride. 5. Uncharitableness. 6. Contention. 7. Inconstancy. 8. Apostacy. (1) In judgment. (2) In affection. (3) In practice. (4) In respect of means. III. THE DANGER AND FEARFUL CONDITION OF SUCH THAT WITHER 1. They disappoint God of His expectation. 2. These persons are hateful to God, as they seem to declare to all the world that there is not that good to be found in God which the Word and ministers do affirm. 3. They bring scandal upon the Church. 4. In respect of the world these men's sin and danger is also aggravated. 5. In respect to the sin itself, none is more odious and dangerous. Relapse more dangerous than the disease. 6. This sin of withering is generally punished with other sins, (1) with blindness of mind; (2) with judicial hardness of heart; (3) with a seared conscience; (4) with final impenitence. 7. How may it be known that a man is withering? 1. Self-confidence. 2. When he cannot bear a searching doctrine. 3. When his conscience is not so tender as it was. 4. When a man's prayers are short. 5. When he cannot stand in the hour of temptation. 6. Deadness of spirit. (B. Keach.) Parallel Verses KJV: Some fell upon stony places, where they had not much earth: and forthwith they sprung up, because they had no deepness of earth: WEB: Others fell on rocky ground, where they didn't have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, because they had no depth of earth.