Now these things Christ said in the parable of the sower, manifesting that he discoursed to all without grudging. For as the sower makes no distinction in the land submitted to him, but simply and indifferently casts his seed; so Christ himself too makes no distinction between rich and poor, wise and unwise, slothful and diligent, brave and cowardly; but he discourses to all, fulfilling his allotted role even though he foreknows the end result. Thus it is to be in his power to say: "What ought I to have done, that I have not done?" (Is 5:4)... But he speaks this parable as though anointing his disciples and to teach them that, even though there are more lost ones than there are those who receive the word, yet they should not despair. For this was the case even with their Lord and he, who fully foreknew that this was how it would be, neverthless did not desist from sowing. But how can it be reasonable, someone says, to sow among the thorns, on the rock, along the wayside? So far as the seeds and the earth are concerned it cannot be reasonable at all! But as regards people's souls and their instruction, it is extremely praiseworthy. For a farmer could indeed be reasonably blamed for doing such a thing, it being impossible for rock to become earth, or the wayside not to be a wayside, or thorns, thorns. But where rational beings are concerned it is not so. There is such a thing as rocky ground being changed and becoming rich land; and the wayside being no longer trampled on, nor lying open to all that pass by, but becoming a fertile field; and thorns being destroyed and the seed securely flourishing. For had it been impossible then this Sower would not have sown. And if the transformation did not take place in all, that is no fault of the Sower but of those who were unwilling to be changed, his task having been accomplished. And if they betrayed what they received from him then he, who demonstrates such love to them, is blameless.