student. As an example, take the following analysis of his exhaustive exposition of the parable of the Sower.
He explains it “anagogicè,” “allegoricè,” and “moraliter.” I shall give only the first two interpretations, as the moral signification has been given in the Gospel, and Meffreth does little else than repeat it.
I. Anagogicè—
1. God the Father sows seeds of two kinds:
A. Angelic nature, sown in the beginning,
α. On the way; i. e. on Christ, its true resting-place, from which some of the angels were snatched away by pride.
β. On the rock; i. e. on Christ. On this rock Satan fell and was broken. This is the rock which at the last day will fall on him and grind him to powder.
γ. Among thorns; i. e. envy and ambition.
δ. On good ground; this is the angelic nature, which rested unfallen on the good ground of God’s presence, and there ripened into the fruits of love, reverence, and obedience.
B. Human nature, sown on the sixth day of creation. This fell—
α. On the wayside of luxury: for the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasant to the eyes.
β. On the rock of pride: for Eve was tempted by the promise, “Ye shall be as gods.”
γ. Among the thorns of ambition: for the woman saw that the fruit was good to make
