he sum of this gospel is, first he speaks of a husbandman that sowed good
seed; after that he mentions an enemy that sowed evil seed. And these two
manner of seeds, that is, the husbandman's seed that was good, and the
enemy's seed which was naught, came up both together: so that the enemy
was as busy as the other in sowing his evil seed. And while he was busy in
sowing it, it was unknown. And at the first springing up, it all seemed to
be good seed, but at length the servant of the husbandman perceived the
evil seed sown amongst the good; therefore he came and told his master,
showing him all the matter, and required leave to gather the evil seed
from amongst the other. The husbandman himself said, "Our enemy hath done
this. But for all that, let it alone until the harvest, and then will I
separate the good from the evil." This is the sum of this gospel.

First, note that he saith, "When everybody was asleep, then he came and
sowed his seed." Who are these sleepers? The bishops and prelates, the
slothful and careless curates and ministers; they with their negligence
give the devil leave to sow his seed, for they sow not their seed. That
is, they preach not the word of God, they instruct not the people with
wholesome doctrine, and so they give place to the devil to sow his seed.
For when the devil cometh, and findeth the heart of man not weaponed nor
garnished with the word of God, he forthwith possesses the same, and so
getteth victory through the slothfulness of the spirituality, which they
shall one day grievously repent. For the whole scripture, that is to say,
both the Old and New Testament, is full of threatenings against such
negligent and slothful pastors; and they shall make a heavy and grievous
account one day, when no excuse shall serve, but extreme punishment shall
follow, for a reward of their slothfulness.

This gospel gives occasion to speak of many things: for our Saviour
himself expounded this parable unto his disciples after the people were
gone from him, and he was come into the house. For the disciples were not
so bold as to ask him of the meaning of this parable in the presence of
the people; whereby we may learn good manners, to use in everything a good
and convenient time. Also we may here learn to search and inquire
earnestly, and with great diligence, for the true understanding of God's
word. And when you hear a sermon and are in doubt of something, inquire
about it, and be desirous to learn; for