THE Sum of the four Evangelists comprehending both the course of the history, and also the several points of doctrine set forth in the same, pointing forth as it were with the hand, that JESUS is CHRIST, the only, perfect, and sufficient Saviour of all the faithful. Written in Latin by the reverend, learned, and godly father, Master Henry Bullinger Minister of the Church of Zurich. Translated into English for the profit of the unlearned by john Tomkys. Matthew 17.5. This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased, hear ye him. Seen and allowed according to her majesties Injunctions. Imprinted at London for William Ponsonby at the sign of the Bishop's head. 1582. ❧ To the reverend Father in God, William Bishop of Coventrie and Liechfielde. THE material temple at jerusalem, Reverend Father, although it were very stately and sumptuous, yet was it so artificially framed, that when the building came to the setting up, * 1. Kin. 6.7. there was neither hammer, nor axe, nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was in building, because the stone was hewn perfectly already, before it was brought thither. Wherein, although we have in great admiration the wisdom of Solomon, by whose direction the building was taken in hand, the circumspection of the Lords, which over saw the work, the cunning of the masons, which squared the stones, and the plenty of stones, which sufficed so huge a building, yet must it needs be granted, that the office of those, which carried the stone, and transported the same, from the place, where it was framed, to the place, where the temple was erected, was greatly necessary, and to very good purpose in this gorgeous work. The like proportion is observed in the building of the spiritual temple of God, * 1. Cor. 3.16 & 1. Cor. 6.19. 1. Pet. 2.5. which is every faithful Christian, * Mat. 16.16. & 1. Pet. 2.7. builded by faith upon jesus Christ, * 1. Cor. 3.11 being the only foundati-of the same. For Christ, being the wise Solomon in deed, directeth the work by his holy spirit, good christian Princes by wholesome laws, like good overseers, take order that the work may go forward, learned & godly preachers, as cunning masons, continually square plenty of stones, that is, make many godly Sermons, & write sundry learned books perfectly agreeing with the square of god's word, * Gala. 6.16. the only rule of spiritual builders, which being translated from tongue into tongue by the diligence of interpreters, the porters or carriers in this spiritual work, it cometh to pass, that God his elect are builded up by little and little into a spiritual temple for GOD himself to dwell in, with great quietness of conscience, which although it be sensibly felt inwardly by the faithful believer so builded, yet is it not perceived outwardly by the wicked raging world, which is no part of this building. How greatly the ancient Israelites joyed at the erection of the material temple, * Gala. 6.16. the many oblations, * 1. Kin. 8.61 etc. which Solomon offered to the Lord, and the solemn feast, which he and all the people held, most manifestly do declare. How much more than ought we to offer up unto God * Rom. 12.1. the oblations of a godly life, and to joy continually in our hearts, considering that it hath pleased him in jesus Christ to build us up by his holy spirit for an holy temple unto himself? Now forsomuch as it is the duty of every christian man in his calling, and according to his ability received of the Lord, to further this joyful work, I, (acknowledging otherwise mine imbecility,) have transported by painful travel into mine own Country three several stones, well squared in a foreign land by that godly and learned builder master Henry Bullinger Minister of the Church of Zurich; by translating into English: first forth of French a godly Sermon of the lords Supper, than forth of Latin, a learned treatise touching the worthiness of holy Scripture, and lastly forth of the same tongue, this present work ensuing. What moved me to translate the two first treatises, I have sufficiently showed in mine Epistles dedicatory prefixed before the same. It resteth therefore that I declare my purpose in this my present enterprise. I rest in hope, that those my countrymen, which have diligently read over my second travail, (that I say nothing of the profit, which they may gather of the first,) I mean the discourse of the authority of the Scripture etc. have learned thereby to have due regard of God's holy word, as of a most excellent treasure, whereby God sitting in heaven vouchsafeth to talk with us dwelling upon earth: and that they are thereby effectually moved with a fervent desire to read the Scripture. Wherefore following my purpose, which is according to my duty to profit my country, and to further the lords building. I have translated presently for the help of the unlearned in reading the scriptures, The sum of the four Evangelists, whereby we may learn not only the general end of the Gospels, which is, that jesus is Christ, the only, and sufficient Saviour of mankind, but also the particular purpose of every Chapter, yea almost of every verse. By this direction the unlearned are not led, as are superstitious papists, into the labyrinth of obscure schoolmen, to be devoured by that monstrous Minotaurus the Roman Antichrist, but guided in the pathway, that leadeth to life everlasting, to the knowledge of jesus Christ, by whom we are delivered from the tyranny of the Devil, and restored to the favour of God. And that the diligent reader might receive by the reading hereof no small profit, I have noted in the margin, by the direction of the Alphabetical letters, those verses of the text of the Evangelists, from chapter to chapter, whereunto every part of this Sum is answerable, besides other notes, (profitable I trust) which there also I have put down. Much about the time, that I finished this my simple travel, reverend Father, your Lordship was elected by God his providence Bishop of this Diocese. Whereupon, not having determined to whom I might dedicate this work, I resolved with myself to offer it to your Lordship, as a present, wherewith God hath abled me being one of your diocese, to bid you welcome into our country. I doubt not, but as it hath pleased GOD to make you among us the chief patron of his cause, so will you vouchsafe favourably to accept these my labours tending only to the advancement of the same. GOD long preserve your Lordship in good health, increase his gracious gifts in you, and of his infinite mercy so assist you with his holy spirit, that you may carefully look unto us your flock, and prosperously proceed in all your good doings, to our comfort, and to his glory. From mine house in Bilston the fourth of june. 1581. Your Lordships at commandment john Tomkys. ❧ The sum of the Gospel by Saint Matthew. MATTHEW setteth forth in the first chapter the kindred and parentage of Christ the Lord, The first chapter. From the first verse unto the 18. showing of whom he was descended true man after the flesh & according to the oracles of the Prophets. b From the 18. verse unto the end of the chapter. Unto the declaration of his stock he joineth his conception and nativity, proving that Christ the Lord was purely conceived of the holy Ghost, and not of the seed of joseph, and borne of the pure Virgin Marie. * The second chapter. c The sum of the whole chapter. Then he showeth that this Christ was borne for the jews and the Gentiles: and that the jews care not much for Christ, but the Gentiles diligently seek him, find him, and worship him. d From the 1. verse to the 3. For God, to declare by some famous appearance and notable show this mystery of salvation given to the world, immediately after the incarnation of the Lord stirreth up Eastern men, even the * The great learned and wise men among the Persians were called Magi. Magies, that is to say chief and wise men, who journeying from the East by the provocation of a star, come to Jerusalem to seeks the king and redeemer of the world, where when as by their plain report it was made known, that the Messiah the king of Israel was borne, e In the 3. ver. king Herode being afraid f In the 4. ver. calleth together all the wise men of the jews, and commandeth them to search diligently the oracles of the Prophets touching the birth and country of the Messiah. g From the giver. unto the 8. They answer forthwith that the captain of Israel should be borne in Bethlehem a city of jury. h From the 8. ver. unto the 11 Therefore the wise men take their journey to Bethlehem, i In the 11. ve. where they find the Lord his * Masshiah in Hebrew, is as much to say as Anointed in English. Messiah very poor and of small reputation, yet, do they reverently worship him, & honour him with mystical presents, and witness by this their deed, first that this child, although he seem to be of contemptible condition, is the Lord of all men, and the king and deliverer both of the jews & Gentiles: secondly that the same aught to be worshipped and honoured of all men. k From the 16. ver. unto the 19 The mean season that old serpent the Devil practiseth his ancient arts. For he stirreth up Herode the king of the jews, to destroy Christ the true king of Israel in the beginning of his growth. Therefore the cruel and ambitious tyrant through cruelty not heard of before filleth the coasts of Bethlehem with the most innocent blood of infants, if by chance in this slaughter of infants, being two years old or under, he might destroy the king of Israel also: l From the 12. ver. unto the 16 but this abominable and wicked hope deceived that most vile and filthy wretch. For the Lord is conveyed by the counsel of the Angel of the Lord into Egypt, m From the 19 ver. unto the end of the chapter. where he lay hid until the vengeance of GOD had destroyed that wicked murderer. n The mystical sense of the 2. Chapter. which things were forewarning tokens of the kingdom of Christ, and of the affairs to come of the Church, wherein Christ the only salvation, the appointed king over all the world, is always assaulted of the wicked, and yet doth he the mean while work the salvation of the faithful, and by suffering continually obtaineth the victory: and yet so, that the Godly notwithstanding are exercised with continual temptations and afflictions to their own profit and glory. o A brief argument of the third and fourth chapter. The third and fourth Chapter set forth unto thee, reader, a clearer and plainer manifestation of our Lord jesus Christ the Saviour of the world. For the Father doth not now show his Son to a few and to certain chosen for the purpose, or by one or two revelations, as hitherto we saw he did: but made him known to all the world, and that by innumerable and most evident demonstrations and proofs, and proposed him to be beholden most manifestly with all his treasures. The 3. chap. p From the first verse unto the thirtienth. For first he calleth forth john the son of Zacharie the priest, the very Helias promised in the Prophets, a man of most holy life, and of very great authority among the people of the jews, and maketh him his messenger to preach the coming of his son into the flesh, and too prepare the minds of all men, that they might be the more ready to receive Christ, when he came. Therefore this Helias (john the Baptist) cometh forth, and exhorteth all men to repentance, and to prepare themselves for the Lord against his coming. * In the 2. chap. For he addeth expressly, that the kingdom of heaven is at hand, i What is meant by the kingdom of heaven. that is to say, that that time approached, yea was present, wherein GOD by his Prophets had promised, that he would power forth by his Son all the treasures of his grace and gifts upon men, and that he would reign in them. * In the 6. ver. Unto this doctrine he addeth the famous and holy Sacrament of Baptism, whereby he might represent even visibly the mysteries of GOD, to the worshippers of GOD, and gather together into one body the faithful people, and graff them into Christ. q In the verse. And then the heavenly father calleth forth also his own son forth of Galilee, where he lay hid hitherto, into jury, that, because the minds of the common people seemed now sufficiently prepared by the baptist to receive Christ, he himself might come forth in open view now, declaring & showing himself to the world no longer by the testimony of others, but by his own doctrine, and by his own virtues. Therefore the Lord cometh into jury unto jordane, where john taught and baptized into Christ, and he also is baptized of john. r In the 14. & 15. verse. Moreover the Baptist acknowledgeth forthwith the Saviour of the world, and therefore witnesseth in most manifest words, that this very self same is the Son of GOD, the lamb of GOD, which should take away the sins of the world, of whom hitherto he spoke, for whom he commanded all men to wait, and now repeating the very self same thing fervently, he sendeth all men to Christ only. s In the 16. ve. Furthermore the heavenvly father addeth hereunto from heaven his honourable and strange witness. For after that the heavens were opened, and the holy Ghost was lighted upon the head of Christ in the visible likeness of an heavenly dove, he saith, as it were pointing forth his finger toward Christ, t In the 17. ve. and also adding thereunto a most clear voice, This is my dearly beloved Son, yea and so thoroughly beloved, that for his sake only, I am now thoroughly pleased and reconciled to the world, wherewith for their sins I was most grievously offended. * The 4. chap. v From the 1. ver. unto the 12. And he, after so excellent a testimony did not forthwith preach himself, and set forth himself to be beholden and enjoyed of all men, but entering into the barries, or wreastling place of most strong temptations, wherein Adam fight unhappily was subdued, he now the second Adam, contending more happily, both conquereth Satan the conqueror, and taught us also to conquer him being conquered: x From the 12 ver. unto the 18. and now being conqueror, cometh forth at the last with great authority, as the Lord of the Devil, and of all things, and promiseth his worshippers life, and every good thing, yea and the kingdom of heaven also, preaching the grace of GOD, and the forgiveness of sins, and exhorting all men to the amendment of life. y From the 18. verse unto the 23. Furthermore that we might understand, that this promising of life, and preaching of grace doth not only pertain to the men of that age, but also unto all men, which should come after, even to the end of the world, he chooseth to himself Disciples, whom he might appoint witnesses in the world of all things, which he spoke and did, and whom he might thoroughly teach the mystery of life, that they being perfectly instructed, might commend both by lively voice and by writings living for ever, the treasures of the grace of God, bestowed through Christ upon all the world and in all ages, and that they might as it were distribute the same. z From the 23. verse to the end of the chapter. He addeth hereunto notable and great benefits, in curing by his virtue and power all diseases, although uncurable. a The use of the Miracles of Christ. For so doth he declare unto us all, not only in words, but also even by his virtue and power, that he is even such, as his doctrine setteth him forth, that is to say, the Saviour of the world, which both is willing and able to save them which worship him: and therefore they also ought to commit themselves by faith to him only. b A brief remembrance of the contents of these two chapters before going. These be the holy and wholesome documents, which thou learnest in these two chapters, so that the very majesty and profit of so great a matter may cause thee to be studious and diligent, except thou be altogether a stock. c A brief repetition of the fourth chapter. Among other things, which Matthew hath set forth unto us in this fourth chapter before going he hath given us a certain taste of the sermons of the doctrine of Christ touching repentance, and forgiveness of sins, that is to say, of the mystery of the Gospel and grace of GOD, I mean of the acknowledging and confessing of our sins, and of the turning from our sins to the living GOD, through the faith of jesus Christ, whereby we obtain remission of our sins and everlasting life, so many of us as believe with all our hearts: d A brief argument of the 5.6 and 7. chapters. now the same Author Matthew goeth forward and expoundeth in the three chapters following other chief places also of the doctrine of Christ, not using now his accustomed briefness, that is to say, regestring only the sum of the Lord his talk, but setting forth at large, Christ his whole sermon, even as it was made by himself, that we might thereby judge more certainly and rightly of all the doctrine of Christ, and that after repentance and remission of sins, being two chief points of our religion, we might also more fully understand other very excellent places of Christian religion. e The quality of Christ his Sermon. The oration or sermon of Christ is spent in teaching and expounding, and in some places also in giving of precepts, being therefore divers and made of divers matters. * The 5 chap. f From the 1. ver. unto the 17. For first he disputeth plainly of the true blessedness or happiness, showing in what things it doth consist, and in the mean season privily confuting the foolish and corrupt opinions of the common people touching the true felicity. g From the 17. ver. unto the end of the chapter. Then he cometh to purge the law. For the Pharisees had corrupted it with their traditions, and made it obscure with their false expositions. Therefore he showeth manifestly by certain examples taken forth of the law, which is the natural sense of the law, and what the law of GOD requireth of us, setting forth with all the difference of true and counterfeit righteousness. * The 6. chap. h A brief argument of the first part of the 6. chap. From the 1. ver. unto the 19 And because he reasoned of righteousness, and among all the works of righteousness the most excellent are alms, or mercifulness, or bountifulness, also prayer or a fervent talking with God, and fasting, or the chastising of the body, and of our flesh, therefore our Lord purgeth these works of righteousness, or exercises of godliness, from hypocrisy, wherewith the Pharisees had polluted them, restoring them to their ancient and natural beauty, i From the first verse unto the 5. and showing most worthily how we should give our alms aright, k From the 5. verse unto the 16. how we should pray truly, l From the 16. verse unto the 19 and how we should fast religiously. m A brief reason of the treatise against covetousness in the end of the chapter. hereupon forsomuch as it is most manifest, that none other affection doth so greatly withdraw us from all godliness and righteousness, as the desire of having, and the overmuch curious carefulness for meat, drink, and cloth, and other things needful. n From the 19 verse unto the end of the chapter. Therefore in the fourth place he dissuadeth us by his grave speech from covetousness, and plucketh up aptly overmuch carefulness, that is to say, wicked mistrust, forth of the hearts of his servants, and ingraffeth again faith towards GOD, and a faithful desire of religion and righteousness. * The seventh chapter. o From the 1. verse unto the 7. Afterwards signifying with great faithfulness and diligence, that the rash judgement of men touching other men, I mean backbiting and slandering, aught to be avoided, he teacheth us to use our tongue moderately and rightly. For there springeth no less troubles forth of the abuse of the tongue, than forth of covetousness and the desire of having. p From the 7 verse unto the 12. Moreover because all these things are made perfect in us by divine virtue through the benefit of grace, not through our own strength, therefore the Lord doth exhort, profitably and in place, his worshippers to faithful prayers, whereby they may crave, that strength may be given them of God, least at any time they faint in doing their duty. Besides this he maketh most clear and most large promises, promising that he will hear the prayers of the faithful, the thereby he may the more kindle & inflame in the godly the desire to pray. q In the 12. verse. And drawing into a brief sum all these things hitherto most plentifully proposed, he saith: All things, whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law & the Prophets r In the 13. & 14. verses. Then proposing two ways, and showing the manner, the reason, and the end of both the ways, he exhorteth us all to enter into that way, which indeed is the straighter and rougher, but yet leadeth us in unto life everlasting. s From the 15. verse unto the 21. Again because he had spoken of the way, through the which men go to destruction, he giveth diligent warding forthwith, lest any where the godly should be led out of the way to their destruction, by the practices and deceitfulness of false Prophets, whom he painteth forth in their colours, lest they should deceive the simple with their goodly show, and lest the godly should be plucked from the way of truth into the encumbrances of heresies, and unto their utter ruin. t From the 21. vers. unto the 24. At the last concluding this most divine sermon, he showeth plainly in the last place, that none outward show doth profit any man to the making perfect of godliness, v From the 24. verse unto the end of the chap. therefore he giveth us to understand that it is not sufficient for the obtaining of godliness and everlasting life, to hear and understand the word of GOD, or to brag with lofty words, except we express the same also by the most holy works of faith and virtues: and this doth he declare by a feigned narration or a very proper parable, and setteth it forth before all men's eyes, exhorting every one of us to the true study of true godliness, which hath the continuing and most sweet fruit of everlasting life. x The conclusion of the exposition of the sermon. And this is the argument and sum of all the oration, which our Lord and saviour Christ made to all people in the mountain. Thereof Saint Augustine saith: It appeareth that this sermon containeth perfectly all those precepts wherewith Christian life is instructed. Augustine. y Matthew his purpose in the 3. chap. last before going. Matthew hath recited in the three chapters before going the whole sermon of Christ, that he might give us a taste, and as it were gather together the sum of all the doctrine of Christ, z His purpose in the 2. chapters following. and in these two chapters following he setteth forth plainly the virtue and the exceeding great power of Christ, by gathering together very many his miraculous benefits, and proposeth the same power being so set forth to be diligently considered of all men a The use of the miracles of jesus Christ. that thereby all the world may gather that jesus Christ is the living, true, and almighty son, of the living and almighty GOD: and that he is not only almighty, but that he is also most bountiful, which came to convert, to heal, and to save sinners. This doth he prove, I say, most evidently by the most divine and most strange miracles wrought by Christ, whereof this is the sum. * The eight chapter. b From the 1. verse unto the 5. First he cleanseth the Leper, which made suit unto him. c From the 5. verse unto the 14. Then he restoreth to life and perfect health a certain Centurion his servant, being ready to give up the Ghost forthwith, and as it were dead. d In the 14. & 15. verse. After this he healeth Saint Peter his wives mother lying sick of a fever: e From the 16. verse unto the 19 and to be brief cureth all the infirmities of all. f From the 23. verse unto the 28. Moreover rebuking the very Sea, being a most barbarous Element, and raging with cruel tempests, he made it more calm than any oil. g From the 28. verse unto the end of the chapter. Strait way after he draweth unto him by his hid virtue, two possessed with Devils, who breaking into pieces all their bolts and chains, were very troublesome to passengers, and could not be kept in order by the skill or strength of any, forth of these miserable creatures he casteth a whole legion of devils and restoreth them to their first health. * The 9 chap. h From the 1. ver. unto the 9 Furthermore, he so delivered from a most grievous disease, a man sick of a palsy lying in a bed, not a man, but more truly the miserable carcase of a man, that forthwith he standing on his feet walked lustily, which hitherto was borne of others, and to make short, he himself bore his bed strongly on his shoulders, whereby whilst he was sick he was stayed up. i In the 9 ver. And then is Levi (otherwise called Matthew) called to repentance, k From the 10. ver. unto the 14 and also a great hope is opened unto sinners, which turn to Christ. l From the 20. ver. unto the 23. After these things were thus done, the incurable disease of the woman, which was pitifully diseased with an issue of blood, is cured. m In the 18. & 19 ver. & from the 23. ver▪ unto the 27. Also jairus his daughter, which was dead, is called back to life. n From the 27 ver. unto the 32 And two blind men receive their sight, o From the 32. ver. unto the 35. and a certain man in very miserable plight is delivered from a dumb Devil. p In the 35 ver. Neither wrought he these few miracles only, but going through all cities and villages, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdom, he healed all sicknesses and all diseases among the people. q what we must learn by these miracles. By all these miracles Matthew the apostle declareth unto us, & proveth as it were by most strong & unrefutable arguments & testimonies, that Christ is the true son of the true God, the Lord of all things, I mean of all elements, of all diseases and afflictions, of all sins, of the Devil, and of death itself: and that therefore he came into this world, that he might make us the Lords of all things, and the sons of God, namely if we receive him with true faith. r The manner of Matthew his writing. Therefore Matthew his purpose is, not only to describe by the deeds of Christ, the virtue of Christ, and that he is the bountiful and liberal bestower of all good things, but also to paint forth their faith and all their manners which received the benefits of Christ. s What we must learn of them, upon whom Christ wrought his miracles. For of them, as of lively examples, we learn what manner of faith ours ought to be, and how we should behave ourselves; that we may be made partakers of the benefits of God, that is to say, how we may become the sons of God, and the Lords of things, whom neither sin, nor death, nor the devil himself can hurt, if we following their examples, do those things, which they did. t Certain points omitted purposely in the narration before going. Now he intermeddleth among these miracles certain things in the 8. Chapter touching the v In the 8 chap. the 11. and 12. ver. & the 19.20.22. & 22. verse. calling to the faith of the Gospel, and in the 9 chapter concerning x In the 9 cha. From the 14. unto the 18 ver. fasting, and certain other things, which also make to the setting forth of the virtue of faith, and of the power and gentleness of the lord y The deeds and words of Christ. And it is a very evident and familiar kind of doctrine to teach by history or examples, that is to say, rather by deeds then by words: therefore the three first Evangelists do more often handle the doings of Christ then declare his sayings. And in deed Christ seemeth unto us to be much more lively, when he worketh miracles than when he teacheth. For although his doctrine had a divine efficacy and force also, yet do his deeds after a sort excel, exercising and approving that which is taught. Let no man therefore contemn the former Evangelists in comparison of john, because he seemeth to be more often occupied &. more diligent in opening the words of Christ: whose words also have their majesty: for the holy Ghost hath directed the minds and pens of all the Evangelists to this purpose, that we might have, forth of four authors of sufficient credit, a most certain & undoubted history of all the words and deeds of Christ. z What order Matthew useth It appeareth also by those things, which have been handled hitherto, that Matthew in the beginning used a natural order, and somewhat after an artificial, & that he goeth forward now chief in this order, because it is most fit to teach by. For he seemeth to have a care, not so much to set forth faithfully that which was said & done by the Lord, as to place every thing in his own place and order, and fitly to teach by fit order, and chief to move the minds of the hearers, yea and to engraff most deeply Christ, and faith in Christ. a A brief rehearsal of those things which Matthew hath handled hitherto. Hitherto Matthew hath reported a certain abridgement of all the doctrine of Christ the Lord, whereby he plentifully instructed his worshippers in true godliness: hereunto he hath joined certain of his greatest miracles, even divine and wonderful works, whereby he hath declared that he is the mighty and gentle Lord of all things, which can make them also, that stick unto him by true faith, Lords of sin, of death, of Satan, and of all things else. In this business he had chosen to himself witnesses, whom hitherto he made both be holder's and hearers of all his matters, as well of his sayings, as of his doings: to this end verily, that they might afterwards bring forth into all the world the charge of common salvation, now conceived & laid up in their minds. b From the 36. ver. unto the end of the chapter. And now they seemed sufficiently instructed in the rudiments and principles of faith and of Christian religion, therefore it was convenient that they should be further exercised therein, and by the means thereof prepared to greater matters: * The 10. chap. c From the 1. ver. unto the 7. and therefore they are sent forth of the Lord himself to preach the Gospel now to the people of Israel only, d From the 7. ver. unto the 16 and are instructed in certain commandments. For the Lord doth diligently prescribe what they ought to do, & what their office is: e In the 16.17 & 18. verses. And he showeth them also what they shall suffer, yea how perilous a thing it is to be a minister of the word in a corrupt & unthankful age. f From the 19 verse unto the end of the chapter. Therefore he comforteth his disciples worthily & finely with furnished talk, teaching them how they ought to continue constantly in all adversities in true godliness, & to overcome all evils. * The 11. cha. g In the 1. ver. Afterward Matthew showeth, how the Lord jesus himself, who only is commended & enjoined to the true preachers of God his word to be preached by them, disclosed himself, & made himself known to be the true Messiah, the only expected salvation of the world: which verily is the first & most sure foundation of all the Lord his preaching. h From the 2. ver. unto the 16 In the same place also is set forth the praise of john the Baptist, that is to say a most clear example of a very good minister, proposed to all those, which are desirous to do their duty aright. i From the 16. ver. unto the 25 And forthwith is adjoined an excellent example of a sermon of the Lord. First, how he rebuked the stubborn unbelief of his own nation, & left a pattern of accusation & reproof to his ministers. k In the 25. & 26. ver. Then how he preached the kingdom of God to men of a better hope. l In the 27. for He showed that he hath the power of all things, & that he is the fountain of all goodness, which cannot be drawn dry, which is willing & desirous to be drawn, m In the 28.29. & 30. ver. and therefore he inviteth all men unto him, and promiseth to grant rest unto all men, in what distress so ever they be. * The 12. cha. n From the 1. verse unto the 9 Then doth he diligently handle the question of the religious keeping of the Sabbath, & admonishing by the way that bountifulness and the inward worshipping of God, is more allowed of God, than the outward keeping of the Saboth. o From the 9 verse to the 14. Moreover that bountifulness, which lately he commended, he showeth to a certain miserable man very greatly afflicted with a withered hand, which he restored to him sound. p From the 14. verse unto the 22. And because he could soften the hardness of the people of the jews neither by any benefits, nor by any miracles, forsomuch as they did oftentimes conspire against him, he departeth from them for a time, practising nothing more bitter or more sharp against them, if peradventure they might be overcome with gentleness & long suffering, prescribing by the very same deed of his a form to his ministers, what they should do also in the like cases and with such manner of men. But he shrinketh not from his office, he leaveth not off to do good, neither forsaketh he the undertaken defence of the truth, yielding no whit at all in these points to his enemies. q In the 22. & 23. verses. Therefore he delivereth from the Devil one possessed with a Devil, which was brought unto him, being blind and dumb, & restoreth unto him the use of his tongue and of his eyes: r In the 24. verse. and because the Pharisees did detract this divine deed, ascribing it to the working by the Devil, s From the 25. ver. unto the 30 the Lord taketh upon him the defence of the truth, & proveth by most strong arguments, that his miracles, works, yea and all his doings were wrought by the power of God & not of the Devil, and that therefore the kingdom of heaven was now come. And here doth he again most plainly set forth that, which lately we said was the chief point of our religion, namely, that jesus is Christ. t From the 30. ver. unto the 46 And forthwith handling his adversaries, as they deserved, he rebuketh them most gravely. For he showeth at large their want of belief, or rather their ungodliness, & declareth what shall become of the contemners of the kingdom of God. v From the 46 ver. unto the end of the Chapter. Lastly he putteth back his mother & his cousins, which were desirous to speak with him, by a somewhat hard answer, signifying thereby, that the least must not be yielded to carnal affections, so oft as the affairs of the kingdom of God are in handling. x A brief repetition of the 3. chapters last before going. In the three chapters last before going, Matthew hath entreated of the Ministers of God his word, and of certain chief points of our religion: y The matter bandeled in the 2. chapters following. and now doth there follow a more plentiful treatise of the word of GOD, of the virtue, fruit, and price thereof: which is fitly knit to the matter before going. For the ministery of the word of God is occupied in the very word of God. And this treatise is set forth in parabolical speeches and similitudes, that at the least by this means the minds of the godly might be stirred up to the searching forth of the truth and mysteries of God. * The 13. cha. z From the first vers. unto the 24. And the first parable, proposed touching him which sowed seed in the field, showeth that there be divers kinds of hearers of God his word, and that God doth not allow all the hearers of his word, but them only, in whom the seed prospereth until it bring forth due fruit. a From the 24 vers. unto the 31. Forthwith by an other parable, that is to say by the similitude of the tars, he pointeth forth as it were with the finger an other fault also and plague of tilled land, teaching in the mean season, how good seed may be preserved sound. b In the 31.32 &. 33. verses. In the 34. and 35. verses is showed the cause why jesus spoke by similitudes. From the 36 unto the 44. verse christ repoundeth the parable of the tars. After this by two other similitudes, taken from the grain of mustard seed and from leaven, he showeth how great the power of the word of God is, and how evidently it worketh in them by whom it is received, although it seem to the world vile and contemned. c In the 44, 45 and 46. verses. In the fourth place by two other similitudes, proposed touching a treasure hid in the field, and a most precious pearl, he signifieth that the price of God his word is so great, that in comparison hereof we ought to contemn all things in the world, although they be never so precious, yea that we ought, with the very loss of all our goods, to provide us the word of God. d From the 47 verse unto the 51 Again in setting forth the similitude of the net cast into the sea, he showeth plainly what shall become of them especially, which intermeddle themselves in the assembly of the godly, and yet are hypocrites and counterfeit godliness, teaching the mean while that we must not lightly condemn any forthwith, but leave every one to his own judge. e In the 51 and 52. verses. When as he had set forth these things after this manner, he commandeth his ministers also diligently to way the similitudes, and for the plainer setting forth of the truth, and of the glory of the kingdom of GOD, and for the profit of the Church, to use all the kinds of elocution and apt speech. f From the 53. verse unto the end of the chapter. And although the Lord taught in such sort, that no man was able to accuse either his faithful dealing or his diligence, yet was he little regarded and accepted of his country men, which contemned and laughed to scorn the heavenly doctrine of godliness. But he bore this with a valiant mind, giving an example to all his ministers, that they may also take the matter patiently, if the world also little regard them. * The 14. cap g From the first verse unto the 13 And then doth Matthew forthwith set forth the wonderful example of that very good man john the Baptist, who also was very evil rewarded of Herode for his faithful service, being most pitifully beheaded of him. h From the 13 verse unto the 22. After this he fed in the wilderness by his divine power a great multitude of men, which with marvelous ferventness thirsted the preaching of the word: showing by the miracle, that the faithful followers of the word of God shall want nothing at any time, especially of those things which are necessary and not superfluous. And by the same fact he taught his disciples to help the faithful people having need. i From the 22. verse unto the end of the chap. Lastly he delivereth his disciples, which were in peril of the storms of the sea and of a great tempest, and which looked for nothing else but most present death: declaring so unto his, that he is he, which can deliver all from all perils, and can save all men by his power and grace, chiefly the ministers of his word. Therefore if the cruel and fearful example of john did any whit terrify them, these two great and goodly benefits of God do confirm and comfort them again. * The 15. cha. k From the 1. ver. unto the 21. Unto the treatise of the word of God is fitly joined by Matthew the disputation touching the traditions of men, or the ordinances and constitutions of Fathers, as contrary to the word of God. Christ teacheth us manifestly to contemn them, if they tend to the contumely, derogation, and contempt of God his word. And because the Pharisees the patrons and defenders of men's traditions, were offended at this wholesome doctrine of the Lord, the Lord showeth forthwith, that no accounts at all aught to be made of such kind of offence, and of such kind of men: declaring the mean season, that man is not defiled with outward things, but rather with those evil things, which proceed out of the closerts of the heart. l From the 21. verse unto the 29. After that withdrawing himself from those indurate and unthankful men, he departed into the country of the Gentiles, where forthwith a woman of Syrophenissa being endued with a most strong faith made a most earnest request unto him: in whom there is set forth most manifestly both a marvelous example of true faith, and also the effect thereof. For after the reproof of false doctrine, which is the mother of false faith, there is set forth with great diligence in these 15, 16, and 17 chapters, as was also in the 8, and 9 chapters, true faith in the Lord, and the true nature of faith, and also in the same are opened the chiefest articles of our faith. m From the 29. verse unto the end of the chapter. Moreover returning again into Galilee, he feedeth again the common people, which followed him, showing by this benefit also, that it is he, which can feed both the soul and the body, and that therefore this food must be sought for by faith only and most earnestly at the hands of the shepherd Christ. * The 16. chapter. n From the first verse unto the 5. Afterwards he repelleth and putteth back the Pharisees requiring a sign, whereby he might prove himself to be the Messiah, by showing them the sign of his death & of his resurrection: o From the 5. verse unto the 13. then doth he command his disciples to beware of the doctrine of the Pharisees & Sadduces: the which thing although he had taught in the beginning of the 15. chapped. yet both he here speak of it again in the 16 chapter, as a matter very necessary for the Church. p From the 13. verse unto the 21. After that returning to the commendation of faith, he layeth the foundation of faith, buildeth the Church upon the foundation, and pointeth forth as it were with the finger, which is the true faith of the Catholic Church, & which is the true and right confession, showing also how the same may be planted. q From the 21 verse unto the end of the chapter. Where unto he forthwith adjoineth a most manifest doctrine of his passion and resurrection, also of the denying of one his self and of the bearing of his cross after Christ, and of the judgement to come, that is to say, of the greatest articles of our faith, and of the holy duty of Christians, a doctrine altogether pertaining to the perfectness of faith. * The 17. chapter. r From the 1. ver. unto the 14. Again lest any should be offended at this sorrowful doctrine full of labours & pains touching the bearing of the cross, Matthew adjoineth here unto immediately the glorious transformation of Christ the Lord in the mountain, whereby he partly gave us a taste of what sort he should be in his glory, and what the manner of the glory to come is, which is prepared for them, which faithfully and patiently bear the cross of Christ: and partly he showeth also most evidently, that he is very Christ promised in the law and the prophets, that he might confirm the faith of all which believe in him. And he proposed those things so manifestly to his disciples, that they did now plainly understand, that jesus was Christ, and that therefore they did move the question of the coming of Helias the messenger of the Messiah, where unto the Lord answering forthwith, affirmed plainly that he was the Messiah, & that john Baptist was Helias. s From the 14 verse unto the 19 Lastly he restored a certain Lunatic man unto his father, which made suit for him, declaring again by the same benefit, that he is the king of his people, and the conqueror of the Devil: t From the 19 verse unto the 22. showing also how great the power of faith is, and how great the evil of unbelief is, concluding that by temperance and abstinence proceeding from a true faith, the force of the Devil is chiefly broken. v In the 22. and 23. verses And hereunto doth he forthwith adjoin the preaching and forshewing of his death and passion, not without great and plentiful fruit. x Whereof Matthew entreated last, and whereof he speaketh next Faith in the Lord jesus being well taught, and the true knowledge of the kingdom of the Son of God being well obtained, whereof Matthew hath hitherto entreated at large, he passeth now wisely to those things, which almost stand in the outward conversation of man, and which notwithstanding pertain to the kingdom of Christ. y From the 24 verse unto the end of the cha. Of the which kind the question concerning the Magistrate is: What Christians own unto him? The Lord showeth therefore by his own example, what we ought to do herein rightly. * The 18. cha. z From the 1. ver. unto the 7. Like unto this is the question touching ecclesiastical pre-eminence: Who should be the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? Here the Lord withdraweth the minds of his disciples from ambition and from the disputations raised touching the primacy and chief authority, and teaching them most diligently humility. a From the 7. vers. unto the 15. Then doth he adjoin hereunto a profitable admonition for the avoiding of offence: b In the 15. and 16. verses where he entreateth also of brotherly admonition, c From the 17. verse unto the 21. of reproving offenders openly, and d From the 21. verse unto the end of the chapter. of forgiving a trespass, wherein gravely persuading all men, he setteth forth a most goodly parable concerning the same matter. * The 19 cha. e From the first vers. unto the 10. Having finished these things, he disputeth of divorce: he restoreth and reformeth the old and holy institution of holy matrimony: f In the 10.11 & 12. verses. he reciteth the kinds of chaste men, showing that single life is the singular gift of God. g In the 13.14 and 15. verses. And because marriage was ordained of God chiefly for the procreation of children, he showeth next after the restitution of marriage, how children are esteemed of God. h From the 16 verse unto the 21. He bringeth forth also the example of a certain young man, to teach us thereby, that it belongeth to young men also to seek the kingdom of God, and that God his desire is, that youth be well brought up. And there is showed, which is the way to heaven: i From the 21. ver. unto the 27. Also what the use of riches is, and with what mind we must possess earthly wealth. k From the 27. verse unto the end of the chap. Moreover by occasion of the lords talk, there riseth now an other disputation about the reward of virtues, and how modestly they ought to think of themselves, which look for rewards. * The 20 chap l From the 1. verse unto the 17. And that he might fasten this more deeply in the minds of all men, he useth the similitude of a man that was an householder, which hired labourers into his vineyard, whereby he toucheth the jews secretly, and doth somewhat shadow forth the receiving of the Gentiles. m In the 17.18. and 19 verses. Again lest any, being puffed up with pride by the name of reward, should suppose that he is justified by his own works, the Lord preacheth diligently of his own death and resurrection, that we may understand that we are justified thereby. n From the 20 verse unto the 24 And although he often repeated these things with great gravity, yet doth the flesh, aspiring continually to honours, seek not those things which are of God, but which are of men. For the mother of zebedee his children, her sons not being ignorant thereof, asketh chief authority of the Lord for her sons. o In the 24. verse. Hereupon the other disciples envy them, and contend among themselves sharply and most ambitiously. p From the 25. unto the 29. But the Lord reduceth all their minds to humility, drawing out that same most hurtful poison with most evident arguments. q From the 29 verse unto the end of the chapter. Lastly he restoreth sight to the blind, which craved the mercy of God, to this end, that he might declare by all means, that he came into the world to help and save men. r Whereof Matthew spoke before, and whereof he entreateth now. Matthew described last before, what the Lord did hitherto in Galilee, and in his journey from Galilee, as he went up to Jerusalem, and now doth he show what he did in the holy and royal City itself. And the nearer he draweth to his cross and death, the more lively doth he show his wholesome strength, & most holily setteth forth his worthy power & grace. * The 21. cha. s From the 1 verse unto the 8. For entering now into the holy city with a very new and humble pomp, he showeth most clearly that he is the very king and deliverer of Israel looked for. t From the 8. verse unto the 12. He is received with willing minds and honourably of the common people, that we also may learn thereby to receive the Lord truly and religiously. v From the 12. verse unto the 17. And he did in the temple offices very kinglike & priestlike, whereat the Pharisees & priests almost burst in sunder for spite & hatred. For first purging the temple from filth, & reforming the holy worshipping of God, he thrust the buyers and sellers out of the temple: then taking care for the poor, he healeth the sick. x In the 17. verse. And when these things were happily accomplished he goeth forth of the city, y In the 18, & 19 verses. and curseth the fig tree, which brought forth no fruit, which forthwith withering, shadowed forth by a certain token, what was imminent to the holy city. z In the 20, 21 & 22. verses. Although the Lord by occasion thereof doth teach his disciples true faith, and commend unto them faithful prayers. a From the 23 verse unto the 28. And returning to the temple, as belonged unto his princely office, he taught diligently, and sharply contended with the enemies of true religion. For whereas they asked, by what authority the Lord did those things, which he did, he bridleth them with a contrary question, yea he doth most gravely accuse them of disloyalty and impenitent life. b From the 28 ver. unto the 33 For unto this purpose doth he bring forth a parable framed touching two sons, comparing his enemies unto Publicans and harlots, that he might show, that these were more religious and more blessed than they. c From the 33 verse unto the end of the cha. Here unto doth he forthwith adjoin an other similitude of an householder, which let out his vinyeard to husband men or farmers, whereby he doth lively paint forth the benefits of God and the peevish and shameless unthankfulness of the people of the jews, whose punishment forth with he showeth, namely that the jews should be cast off, and that the Gentiles should be received into their place. * The 22. chap d From the first verse unto the 15. And unto the same purpose also pertaineth the similitude, which he put forth touching them that were bidden to the wedding, sharply reproving the disobedience and unbelief of the nation of the jews, for the which they were to be cut off and to be forsaken. e From the 15. verse unto the 23. These things being finished, Matthew goeth forward, and setteth forth plainly certain grave, sharp, and profitable questions or disputations handled between the Lord and the lawyers. First of this: whether tribute ought to be paid to Caesar? f From the 23 verse unto the 34. Then, whether the dead rise again, and how they rise again? g From the 34 vers. unto the 41. Moreover, what the chiefest commandment in the Law is: what the end and matter of the law and of the Prophets is? h From the 41. verse unto the end of the chap. Afterwards, how Christ, for so much as he is the son of David, after the flesh, can be also his Lord? All these things doth our Lord in respect of his priestly office expound most religiously, most learnedly, most plainly, and greatly to the profit of the faithful. * The 23. chap i From the 1. ver. of the chap. end of the same. Lastly, when as he saw the Pharisees and the rest of the rulers of the people to be altogether blind, indurate, and uncurable, he inveigheth most sharply against them, accusing them of most grievous and unruly offences: he addeth the punishment of their mischiudus deeds, & the most terrible destruction of the people and of the city. All these things did our Lord openly, with great authority in the temple, instructing his Church hereby profitably, diversly, & in many points. k A remembrance of those things which have been spoken of before. Our Lord hath hitherto by the way and yet often spoken of the overthrow of the people of the jews and of the city Jerusalem: wherein he comprehended both the casting off of the jews out of the fellowship of God, and also the profanation of the temple, of the priesthood, and of all the worshipping, after the ceremonial law * The 24. cha. l From the first verse unto the 42. ▪ And because these things seemed strange and incredible, namely that God would profane and forsake that people descended from holy parents, and that place, and that worshipping, & that holy preisthoode, he doth more fully expound unto his disciples, which inquired there of, the judgement and destiny hanging over the people and city, lively describing, what wonderful matters and strange tokens, what troubles, calamities, and miseries should go before that destruction: and of what manner, how cruel, horrible, and fearful that ruin should be. Forthwith by occasion of the destruction of the city, he reasoneth also of the destruction of the world, or of the finishing of the world, & of the glorious coming of the son of man to judgement: m From the 42. verse unto the end of the chap. exhorting all men to sober and diligent watchfulness, proposing rewards to the watchful, and threatening punishment to the slothful & sleepy. * The 25 chap n From the first verse unto the 31. Which things forthwith he plainly showeth by most comely and most plentiful similitudes, handling as well the parts of the watchful as of the sleepy. o From the 31. verse unto the 46. Lastly Matthew adjoineth a description, or as if it were a certain figure of the judge to come, and of his last judgement: wherein the last sentence is pronounced by the same judge against all man kind, joyful to the good, but most sorrowful to the evil. For this matter is thus concluded: p In the last ver of the chapter. And these shall go away into everlasting pain: but the righteous into life eternal. q A brief argument of that which followeth. After all these things there is placed, as the finishing & the most perfect accomplishing of all our salvation, the most holy, & most profitable history of the passion & redemption of Christ the Lord: wherein he fully executeth all the offices as well of a priest, as of a king, and in a brief sum doth propose his greatest force to be beholden of all men. For he teacheth diligently both by all his words and by all his deeds, he suiteth his famous sacrament, he prayeth most fervently, he sacrificeth for sin, he purgeth sinners, he delivereth, he pitieth, he defendeth his servants, and he treadeth down and punisheth the wicked, showing every where incredible humility, and declaring sometime no small glory, when as all the elements, being troubled at his death, showed most plain tokens as it were of their great sorrow. Matthew handleth all these things in a goodly order, & in a pure, plain, and lively style. * The 26. chap. r In the 1. & 2 verses. For first he showeth the time wherein he suffered, and proposeth the sum of his passion. s From the 3. ver. unto the 1● Then he describeth some causes of the Lord his death, proceeding partly from the envy & malice of the Priests against Christ, and partly from the covetousness and horrible treason of judas, which sold his Lord to the Senate of Bishops. t From the 17. ver. unto the 26 Having finished the causes, he cometh unto the description of his last supper: wherein above all things he foreshoweth his Disciples both his death, and also that he should be both betrayed and sold of his own: Moreover he provoketh by many means the mind of judas the traitor to repentance: but in vain. v From the 26 ver. unto the 30 After this he suiteth in it the renowned Sacrament of his body and blood, the remembrance of his death, wherein we may see the brief sum of our salvation & of all godliness. x In the 30. ver. When as he had supped, he went out with his disciples unto the mount of Olives, y In the 31. and 32. verses. In the way he foreshoweth the great offence, with should rise among his disciples because of him. z In the 33.34 and 35. verses. But they being bold enough and rash enough, and not acknowledging enough their own infirmity, do promise constancy and great faith, Peter specially, unto whom notwithstanding the Lord foretelleth his most filthy fall. a In the 36.37 and 38. verses. In the garden of the mount of Olives he is marvelously vexed, and pitifully tormented with the fear of death. b In the 39 verse. In the mean season he prayeth earnestly and constantly, commiteing both himself and all his business to God and to his holy will. c From the 40. verse unto the 47. Then doth he diligently waken his Disciples being a steep: d In the 47. verse. and whilst he was occupied therein, judas the traitor cometh, bringing with him a rout of most wicked and most filthy varlets: e In the 48. & 49. verses. forthwith he kisseth his master, and with a kiss betrayeth his Lord to his most wicked enemies. f In the 50. verse. For the chief Priests servants fall upon the Lord, take him, bind him, & oppress him. g From the 51. ver. unto the 55 In the mean season Peter fighteth unhappily for his master, and is stayed by his master: h In the 55. verse. who also forthwith sharply reproveth the open, grievous, and most wicked reproach of the chief priests servants then offered unto him. i In the 56. for And whilst these things were thus in doing, all the Disciples fly from the Lord. k In the 57 & 58. verses. But he is brought away to Caiphas the high Priest into the consistory. l In the 59.60 and 61. verses Two things were chief handled there. The Lord is accused before the Priests and the counsel, false witnesses are brought forth, m From the 62 ver. unto the 65 the Lord his cause is handled most unjustly, n In the 65. and 66. verses and at the last he is condemned, o In the 67. & 68 verses. buffeted, and most unworthily spit upon. p From the 66. verse unto the end of the chapter. And withal the filthy and shameful denying of Peter is plentifully described. * The 27 cap. q In the 1 and 2. verses. And when as the sentence of condemnation was pronounced against him, he is brought forthwith from the Priests, and forth of the Consistory or hall of the high priest, into the judgement Hall, unto Pontius Pilate the Roman Deputy, unto whom he is delivered as the most wicked of all men, and as one having deserved a most vile death. r In the 3.4. and 5. verses. The mean while judas the traitor examining himself more deeply, and weighing his most cruel and wicked offence more rightly, goeth into the temple, restoreth the traitorous money to the Priests, despaireth & most horribly hangeth himself. s From the 6. ver. unto the 11 The Priests with the bloody money buy the potter's field to bury strangers in. t From the 11. ver. unto the 27 Moreover Pontius Pilate the deputy of the Romans inquireth diligently the cause, and the chief points of the accusation laid against the Lord by the Priests: and he understandeth forthwith, that the envy of the Priests was the cause: therefore he both pronounceth him innocent, and judgeth, that he ought to be set fully at liberty: whereupon he trieth sundry and many ways to let him lose, which had committed none evil. The priests are most wickedly earnest to the contrary, they accuse, they urge, they lie, they threaten, yea and they persuade and prick forward the common people, and at the last they overcome the judge being wearied with their importunate cries, to let them do with the Lord what they list, and to deliver him to his soldiers to be crucified. v From the 27 ver. unto the 35 The souldierrs therefore most cruelly and most unworthily whip the son of God with scourges, they crown him with a crown of thorns, they worship him in contempt, they laugh at him, and spit upon him: then they lay his cross upon his shoulders, and lead him being half dead unto the place of execution. x From the 35. ver. unto the 45 There they crucify him in the midst between two most wicked thieves, they part his garments as a certain spoil, and setting all pity and courtesy aside, they mock him suffering most bitter torments, as thoogh he had been deceived of his hope in God. y From the 45. ver. unto the 51. But he, in so many & so great reproaches and torments, continuing constantly in perfect faith and patience, and sacrificing most holily for the sins of all the world, crieth to God the father, unto whom also, at the last yielding up the Ghost, be committeth his most holy soul. z From the 51. ver. unto that 54. And forthwith, after he had given up the Ghost, the vail in the temple of Jerusalem is rend in two pieces, and certain strange wonders are wrought both in heaven and earth: a In the 54, 55 & 56. verses. wherewith the Centurion an Heathen being moved, doth openly witness, that this jesus, although he were crucified, was the true son of God. b From the 57 verse unto the 62 After this joseph of Arimathea, a man of very great credit & dignity, cometh to Pilate, and entreateth, that the body of jesus might be given to him, that he might bury it. Pilate granteth it willingly, therefore the body of the Lord is buried most worthily. c From the 62 verse unto the end of the chapter. Moreover the chief of the jews fearing that the Lord would rise again, request also of Pilate that a band of soldiers might be given them to watch the sepulchre: when they had received this band, they beset the grave most strongly, & lest there might be any deceit wrought, they seal the stone or cover of the sepulchre, namely that they might retain & stay the living Lord among the dead. d The matter contained in the last Chapter. Matthew describeth in this last chapter the glorious resurrection of jesus Christ the Lord from the dead. * The 28. cha. e In the 1. and 2. verses. The Angel of the Lord cometh down from heaven, he rolleth back the stone from the door of the grave, the earth shaketh with an earthquake, & the glorious body of the Lord restored to life cometh out forthwith. f In the 3. & 4. verses. Moreover because the angel did shine like lightning, the keepers being amazed, withstand not the Lord rising again, but think it best to provide for themselves by fleeing away. g In the 5.6. & 7. verses. The mean while come the women to see the sepulchre, bringing with them the sweet odours, which they had prepared. Unto them appeareth the foresaid angel of the Lord, & teacheth them that Christ was risen in deed, commanding them to departed forthwith, & to report the resurrection to the disciples. h In the 8.9. & 10. verses. Whilst they were going their way, the Lord himself met them, showing himself plainly unto them restored to life, & commanding them to declare his true resurrection unto his disciples. i In the 11. verse. Whilst these things were in doing, those soldiers the keepers of the sepulchre, whom lately we said left their standing & fled, came into the city, & declared to the chief Priests those things, which they had seen, how the angel came down from heaven, & rolled back the stone: how Christ came forth alive again, & how bright & fearful the form of the angel was. k From the 12 ver. unto the 16 At with news that priests & pharisees being astonished & raging, bribed the soldiers with money, who lying, as they were taught, spread abroad among the common people this foolish report, that whilst they slept, forsooth the disciples came and stole his body forth of the Sepulchree. l In the 16.17 & 18. verses. But the Lord jesus offering himself to be beholden most manifestly of his Disciples in Galilee, confirmeth them in the truth of faith. m In the 19 & 20. verses. And because all things which hitherto have been declared in this book concerning the doctrine, the deeds, the death and the resurrection of Christ, do pertain to the common salvation of all mankind, therefore he sendeth forth his Disciples as messengers into all the world, commanding them to baptize and to preach the Gospel to every creature, promising the mean while that he, although in body he go up to heaven, will be with his, and with his holy Church continually and unto the end of the world. Hear endeth the Sum of the gospel by Saint Matthew. ¶ The sum of the Gospel by Saint Mark SAint Mark beginneth the history of his Gospel with the baptism and doctrine of john Baptist, The 1. chap. In the 1. & 2. verses. b From the 3 verse unto the 7. showing what he taught, c In the 7. & 8. verses. what he witnessed of Christ the Lord, how he behaved himself, d In the 9 ver. and how he baptized Christ the Lord. e In the 10 & 11. verses. Hear unto he joineth forthwith, how Christ was anointed and revealed or made known, f In the 12 and 13 verses. how he was exercised and provoked with grievous temptation, g In the 14 & 15 verses, lastly how he came abroad, & preached the kingdom of God. h From the 16 verse unto the 21. He taketh unto himself forthwith from the beginning of his preaching witnesses of his deeds and words, calling some of them disciples, whom he might fashion and make instructors of all the world, forsomuch as he came to lighten all the world with the doctrine of truth, and to redeem the same from the power of sin, of death, of hell, and of Satan. i In the 21. & 22. verses. Hereunto he joineth the most great effect and virtue of Christ his doctrine. For all men are astonished at his doctrine. k From the 23. ver. unto the 28. Satan is restrained and cast out, who giveth place to Christ with fear. l From the 28. ver. unto the 40. Afterwards Christ himself, and the almighty power of Christ is described by his deeds. For he healeth all diseases, m From the 40 verse unto the end of the chap. he putteth away all evils, * The 2. cha. n From the 1. ver. unto the 13 he forgiveth sins, o From the 13. ver. unto the 18. he justifieth sinners and restoreth them to their soundness. p In the 1. chap. the 40. ver. and in the 2. chap. the 3, & 4. verse. The mean while divers examples are set forth to the faithful, in them which come to Christ to crave his help, how we also ought to come unto Christ. q From the 18 ver. unto the 23. Forthwith the Lord purgeth the fastings, r From the 23. vers. to the end of the chap. and holy days of his people from the errors of the Pharisees, * The 3. chap. s From the 1. ver. unto the 13. and the mean season he showeth his strength, proving himself to be the Son of God. t From the 13. ver. unto the 20 Now when as by this means he had sufficiently won the hearts of his disciples, that they might now begin to understand the virtue of Christ the Son of GOD, he chooseth forth of them twelve, unto whom he enjoineth the charge of preaching the Gospel, and furnisheth them with the power of working miracles. v From the 20 ver. unto the 31 Then he showeth, that the success of the Gospel, and the miracles of the Gospel ought to be ascribed to the power of GOD, not to Satan, or to magic. x From the 31 ver. unto the end of the chap. And he showeth by his own example, what manner of men the preachers of God his word should be, namely such as have renounced flesh and blood, and which are the sons of God. * The 4. chap. y From the 1. ver. unto the end of the chap. By which occasion he reasoneth forthwith plentifully of the seed, forth of which the sons of God grow, that is to say, of the hearing or learning of God his word, of the effect, force, success, and fruit of GOD his word. All the which things he proposeth enwrapped and covered with most elegant parables. He addeth also the diseases, faults, and perils, whereunto God his seed is subject, setting forth every where in the mean season the virtue of Christ. z A remembrance of that which was spoken before. In the chapters before going many things have been disputed touching the word of God. a The matter contained in the 5 6 & 7 chapters. But the only and most certain purpose of the 5, 6, and 7 chapters is jesus the Saviour of the world, and faith in him. * The 5 chap. b From the first vers. unto the end of the chap. Therefore that the name of Christ the Saviour might be more famous, & that the faith in him might be more commended to all Saints, Mark placeth in the 5. chapter three notable histories, whereby he setteth forth evidently the power and virtue of Christ, and teacheth faith in Christ. * The 6 chap. c From the first verse unto the 4. Then doth he return again to the word of God, & to the preaching of the word. For he bringeth in the Lord preaching in his own country, d In the 4, 5, & 6 verses. who also sharply accused the unthankfulness of his own people. e In the 7 verse Hereunto he joineth in goodly order the sending forth of the disciples to the office of preaching, f From the 8 verse unto the 12. and setteth forth the precepts, wherewith he instructed them being ready to departed. g In the 12 & 13 verses. And then doth he also touch the obedience and diligence of the disciples. h From the 14 verse unto the 30. Forthwith he setteth forth the worthy history of Saint john the Baptist, wherein is proposed a notable example of a good and faithful Preacher, and also declareth what his end was. i From the 30 ver. unto the 45. Again to the comfort of his ministers, and for the instruction of all the faithful, the Lord fed much people in the wilderness, k From the 45. verse unto the end of the chapped. and delivered his disciples being in peril upon the sea. l What may be learned by the doings of christ spoken of in this chap. before going. For so doth the Lord witness, that he is the food of the faithful, that he is the chief shepherd, that he giveth shepherds, that he delivereth those, which call upon him, from all dangers, and that he bringeth them into a quiet haven. And this much touching the doctrine of the truth: * The 7 chap. m From the 1 verse unto the 14. hereunto Mark joineth a treatise of men's traditions. The Lord teacheth to beware of them and to avoid them. n From the 14 ver. unto the 24. Notwithstanding leaving forthwith the teachers of men's traditions, he turneth to the people, and expoundeth to them, which is the true pureness of the mind, which is the end of the doctrine of Godliness, even that the mind of man may be purged. o From the 24 verse unto the 31. Lastly by the example of the woman of Sirophenissa true faith in Christ is taught, p From the 31 ver. unto the end of the chapter. as also by healing the deaf stammerer, is taught how great the goodness and virtue of the Lord is. * The 8. chap. q From the 1. ver. unto the 11 Because faith is the chiefest virtue of Christians, Mark adjoineth certain things, whereby he teacheth again and confirmeth the faith of the godly by the words and deeds of the godly, healing affection, which greatly disturbeth faith, and deeply ingraffeth the care of things present, yea mistrust itself. r In the 11. & 12. ver. Hereunto he joineth an example of the unbelief of the Pharisees, showing that unbelief is a most heinous offence & wickedness. s From the 12. vers. unto 22. He commandeth his disciples to beware of the leaven of the Pharisees. t From the 22. ver. unto the 27 afterward he openeth the eyes of a blind man, that it may appear even thereby, who openeth the eyes of the mind of the godly. v From the 27 ver. unto the 31 After this there is added an example of the true confession of the Christian faith. x In the 31, 32 and 33. ver. Where the Lord discusseth many things touching the mysteries of faith, how salvation is procured for us by his own death: y From the 33 ver. unto the end of the chapter. & he reasoneth also of the denying of one his self, or of the mortification of the flesh. * The 9 chap. z From the 1. ver. unto the 14 Unto these things is adjoined the transfiguration of the Lord, that hereby all they, which contemn this present life, may have a taste of the life to come. a From the 14. ver. unto the 30 afterward it is showed by a notable deed, that jesus is the Messiah the Saviour of the world, which came to deliver forth of the power of the Devil the faithful believers, which watch diligently with prayers and fastings against his lying in wait. b From the 30 ver▪ unto the 38 And now doth he also commend to his disciples, modesty & humility of mind, c From the 38. ver. unto the 42 admonishing the mean while, that we condemn no man, or utterly cast of any: d From the 42 verse unto the end of the chap. where he disputeth also of offence, and of the necessity and use of correction. e The argument of the 10. & 11. chap. Now doth Saint Mark describe in certain chapters, certain chosen and worthy speeches of the Lord, uttered touching hard and very necessary points for the framing of holy life aright, that thereby the godly may learn, how to behave themselves godly in this world. * The 10 cha. f From the 1. ver. unto the 13 And first he disputeth of marriage, which, being defiled with the traditions of the pharisees, he purgeth, restoring it to the natural perfection thereof. g From the 13 ver. unto the 17 Then, because children are the fruit of marriage, in the second place he entreateth of them, showing what we should think of them, as touching their salvation, teaching that they must be brought to God. h From the 17. ver. unto the 23 In the third place is set forth the famous talk of the Lord with a very rich young man: whereby sundry things are learned: namely that God is the chief good: which is the way to heaven: how great the misery and folly of man is. i From the 23 ver. unto the 28 For he teacheth how hardly rich men enter into the kingdom of God. k From the 28 ver. unto the 32 After this he entreateth of the reward of virtues, and of their modesty, which receive the rewards. l In the 32, 33 and 34. verses. Forthwith he putteth his disciples in remembrance of the mystery of his passion. m In the 35, 36, and .37. verses. In the same place it appeareth manifestly in the request of james and john, how haughty the flesh is. For these two request, that primacy may be granted them of the Lord in the kingdom of Christ: n In the 38, 39 and 40. verses. whom notwithstanding he so bridleth, o From the 41. ver unto the 46 that he weedeth out of the rest also ambition and envy, and soweth in them modesty and humility. p From the 46. verse unto the end of the chapter. As also in the history of Bartimeus he beateth into them faith. * The 11. cha. q From the first verse unto the 12. After these things he entering into the city of Jerusalem with royal pomp, showeth that he is the true and expected Messiah, the king and priest of God his people. r From the 15. verse unto the 20. Therefore in discharge of his office he threw the buyers and sellers out of the temple. s In the 13. and 14. verses. Forthwith he curseth the fig tree, wherein he shadoweth forth the sorrowful destinies of jerusalem, t From the 20 verse unto the 27. & teacheth faith again. v In the 27. & 28. verses. The Pharisees and the chief of the jews oppose themselves against him, and ask him by what authority he doth that, which he doth? x From the 29. verse unto the end of the chap. Whom he beateth down most mightily with a contrary question. * The 12. cha. y From the 1. verse unto the 13. Lastly he foreshoweth them the judgement of God, namely their destruction and casting of, which they should suffer for their own fault, & not because God is hard to please. z From the 13. vers. unto the 35. Moreover the Lord answereth with marvelous majesty unto certain questions very profitable and necessary. a From the 13. ver. unto the 18 For first he reasoneth of the magistrate, commanding to pay unto him, that which we own him. b From the 18. ver. unto the 28 Then refuting the Sadduces, being the patriarchs of the Valentinians, and of the Marcionites, he approveth the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. c From the 28. ver. unto the 35 Afterwards he disputeth plainly of the end and argument of all the Scripture or of God his law. d From the 35. ver. unto the 38 Moreover he proposeth a question even unto his adversaries, whereby he proveth evidently, that he is the true Messiah, being of a double nature, namely true GOD and man. e In the 38, 39 & 40. ver. But because his adversaries, I mean the priests and scribes, would be moved with no plainness and manifestness of truth, but went on continually like themselves, both to seduce the common people with their corrupt traditions, and to pill them with their unsatiable desire of having, the Lord admonisheth the common people, and commandeth them to beware of their doctrine. Besides all this he layeth many and great offences to their charges, and among the rest covetousness and sacrileges. f From the 41 ver. unto the end of the chapter. And yet lest any should think, that riches are bestowed in vain for the maintenance of the affairs of the Church, he doth much commend the gift of a certain widow cast into the treasury. * The 13. cha. g In the 1, & 2. verses. Last of all, he foreshoweth and painteth forth the destruction and ruin of the most gorgeous temple of jerusalem, of the most ancient city, and of all the world. h From the 3. ver. unto the 33. He addeth also the signs and calamities, which should go before, to foreshow such evils as can not be expressed. i From the 33 ver. unto the end of the chapter. And because the Lord desireth to save mankind and not to destroy us, he exhorteth all men to prayers and watchfulness. k Whereof Mark speaketh in the 14. and 15. chap. Now Mark cometh to the absolute perfection of our salvation, namely to the description of the wholesome sacrifice, and of our redemption through Christ his death. * The 14. cha. l From the 1. verse unto the 12. Wherein first he reciteth the causes of his death, so far forth as appertaineth to the adversaries of Christ, I mean the priests and judas the traitor, which being blinded with covetousness and envy sold the Lord for a most vile price. m From the 12 ver. unto the 26 Then he speaketh of that last supper, wherein the Lord sharply accuseth the wickedness of judas speaking of it at large, and suiteth the sacrament and memorial of our redemption. n In the 26. for After that he goeth forth into the mount of olives, o From the 27 ver. unto the 32. he reasoneth in the way of that grievous offence, wherein the disciples should fall, chief Peter. p From the 32 ver. unto the 43 He prayeth to his Father humbly in the mount, and awaketh his disciples sleeping. q From the 43. ver. unto the 47 The mean while judas cometh hastily with a band of murderers, and betrayeth the Lord with a kiss, who forthwith is taken by the wicked ministers. r In the 47 for In that hurly-burly Peter draweth his sword, and fighteth in vain. s From the 48. ver. unto the 53 But the Lord rebuketh gravely the unjust force of his enemies. t In the 53. & 54. verses. Notwithstanding Christ is brought bounden to the high priest. The chief Bishop calleth forthwith a counsel of elders and priests against the Lord. v From the 55 ver. unto the 60 Therein false witnesses are sought forth to destroy Christ, but in vain. x From the 60. ver. unto the 66 The high Priest rising up, desireth to pick a cause of death by a question from Christ, and asketh, whether he be the son of God the true Messiah? And when as the Lord had granted it and confirmed it, judgement of death was given out against him by all the council. y From the 66 ver. unto the end of the chapter. The mean while Peter denieth the Lord in the high priest his palace. * The 15. cha. z In the 1. ver. And when the dawning was come, jesus is lead to Pilate the deputy. a From the 2. ver. unto the 12 But he trieth and practiseth many ways, if he might deliver him, whom he knew to be innocent. b From the 12 ver. unto the 22 But being overcome with the wicked cries of the people, he delivered jesus being scourged to the soldiers to be crucified. c From the 22. ver. unto the 27 He is therefore lead away into the place of calvary, that is to say of a skull, d In the 27. & 28. verses. where he is crucified in the midst between two thieves, e From the 29. ver. unto the 33 and having suffered both divers torments and taunts, f From the 33. ver. unto the 38 at the last he giveth up the Ghost. g From the 38. ver. unto the 42 Forthwith strange signs are showed, wherewith the Centurion being moved, pronounceth Christ to be the son of God. h From the 42. verse unto the end of the chap. And in the evening of the same day he is buried most decently by joseph an honourable and a godly man. * The 16. cha. i From the 1. ver. unto the 9 But the third day he riseth again from the dead, having vanquished death, the which thing is expounded most evidently by the angel to the women coming to the sepulchre. k From the 9 ver unto the 15. Afterwards Mark, being about to finish briefly his history begun of Christ, collecteth and knitteth together certain sure arguments, or evident testimonies, whereby he may prove that the Lord is risen in deed from the dead. l From the 15 ver. unto the 19 Last of all, he setteth forth the 3. chiefest points of our religion, that is to say the last deed of the Lord, wherein he ordained the Ecclesiastical order. m In the 19 verse. Then he showeth the Ascension of the Lord into heaven. n In the 20. for After this he declareth the most exact faithfulness of the Apostles of the Lord, and the happy success thereof. For they did all things so as the Lord had commanded, and the Lord wrought with them, so that forthwith the most holy Church rose up in the world. Hear endeth the Sum of the Gospel by Saint Mark. ❧ The sum of the Gospel by Saint Luke. IN the preface placed before this evangelical work, The 1. chap. From the 1. ver. unto the 5 Luke showeth the causes, which moved him to write, and also proposeth the sum of his whole purpose. b In the 5, 6, and 7. verses. Then he beginneth to pen the history, beginning it with the birth of the forerunner of the Messiah. Therefore he describeth diligently the parents of john Baptist, c From the 8. ver. unto the 18 chief how both the conception and the office of the son were showed to his father by Gabriel. d From the 18. ver. unto the 23 which things when as his father believed not, it came to pass, that he was made dumb, for the punishment of his unbelief, e In the 23, 24 & 25. verses. & that his mother notwithstanding, God performing that which he had promised, did conceive. f In the 26. very. Now after the description of the conception of that forerunner, he cometh down to describe the incarnation of the very Messiah also. Therefore after the noting of the time, g In the 27. for he showeth the kindred and condition of his mother, namely that she was a pure virgin of the stock of David: h In the 26. for unto whom the very same Gabriel being the messenger of the eternal GOD came down from heaven, i From the 28. ver. unto the 32 and showed her that it so pleased the eternal Godhead, that she should be made the mother of the Messiah: k In the 32. and 33. verses. and he declareth herewithal, who, and how great this child should be. l In the 34. for And whereas the Virgin did not yet fully understand so hard a matter, m In the 35. ver. the whole reason and manner of the incarnation is expounded unto her by the Angel, that she should conceive by the holy Ghost, and bring forth the very son of God. n In the 36 and 37. verses. And she is confirmed by the example of Elizabeth. o In the 38. verse. The which words when as she believeth, she conceiveth. p From the 39 ver. unto the 46 And forthwith she goeth with all speed to Elizabeth, & they two have divine talk the one with the other. q From the 46. ver. unto the 57 In this communication the incarnation of the son of God is revealed, & the truth of God, his mercy and his power are praised, chief in the virgin Maries song of praise and thanksgiving. r From the 57 ver. unto the 59 Moreover Elizabeth bringeth forth a son, s From the 59 ver. unto the 64 who is named john. t From the 64. ver. unto the 67 Unto his father, hitherto dumb for his unbelief, is now restored the use of his tongue, which he useth forthwith in setting forth the praises of God. v From the 67. ver. unto the 76 For he also singeth a song of praises, wherein he praiseth the truth of God in his promises, his goodness & justice in his deeds. x In the 76. & 77. verses. Then he prophesieth certain things of the office of his son, y From the 78. ver. unto the end of the chapter. and of the benefits to be bestowed upon the world through Christ. * The 2. chap. z The argument of the chapter. Which things being finished, Luke breaketh of the history concerning john, & maketh haste to describe the nativity of Christ. a In the 1.2. & 3. verses. Therefore he showeth the time, b In the 4. & 5. verses. and describeth the place of the nativity of the Lord, c In the 6. & 7 verses and the manner thereof. d From the 8. ver. unto 13. And the angel appeareth again, & publisheth the birth of the Messiah to the shepherds, and expoundeth unto them the fruit of his nativity. e In the 13. & 14. verses. In the which place all the heavenly host flocketh together with marvelous thankful rejoicing, singing a birth song to their new borne King. f In the 15. verse. And the shepherds seek the child, which was borne, with great diligence, as they were commanded, g In the 16. for they find him, h From the 17. verse unto the 21. they wonder, and publish to all men the great works of God. i In the 21. for Now the child is circumcised the eight day, and is named JESUS. k In the 22.23 and 24. verses. Then he is presented also unto the Lord in the temple of Jerusalem after the manner of the first begotten sons. l From the 25. ver. unto the 34 Whereby God his ordinance Simeon the just cometh in, which receiveth the little child into his arms, rejoiceth, & in rejoicing showeth how great things the Father hath given us in his son: m In the 34, & 35 verses. & therewithal he prophesieth of his cross, & the many should stumble at him through unbelief. n From the 36 ver. unto the 40 And there is also Anne a widow of most commendable life, which also herself giveth thanks to God, and praiseth the great benefit of the father in the son given unto us. o From the 40. ver. unto the 51 Afterwards Luke toucheth in few words the childhood, growth, and youth of Christ the Lord. For he declareth how he being twelve years of age, being sought by his parents sorrowfully, was found in the Temple among the Doctors, disputing so of the chiefest points of religion, that all wondered at it. p In the 51, & 52 verses. Whereunto he addeth, that, leaving the disputation, he was obedient unto his parents: leaving it as it were to be esteemed by these most assured tokens, of what sort all his groweing and young age was. And thus hath Luke comprehended in a marvelous brief sum whatsoever seemeth to be profitable and necessary to be known and to be believed touching the Parentage of Christ, his childhood, his growth, & youth. q What went before. In the two chapters before going there is an entrance made into the matter handled in this Gospel: r What followeth. But now Luke setteth forth the beginning of the Gospel, the wonderful progress and success thereof, * The 3. cha. s In the first & 2 verses. showing at what time, t In the 2. & 3 verses. in what place, v In the 2. and 3 verses. by whom, and how, both Christ himself and his Gospel was preached openly, namely by john Baptist, x In the 3 verse also. which baptised and taught in a great assembly of men. y From the 4. verse unto the 10. And he giveth forth certain tastes of the preaching of S. john what he taught all men generally, z From the 10. verse unto the 15. what certain men particularly, a From the 15. ver. unto the 19 to be brief what he taught, & what things he witnessed of b In the 19 & 20 verses Lastly, he noteth, that for the preaching of the truth, he was cast into prison by king Herod. c Whereof he speaketh next. Which things being in deed briefly knit together, (& yet in such sort as might be sufficient for the godly Reader) he passeth over to the description of the affairs of the Saviour himself our Lord jesus Christ, whose forerunner john was: d In the 21. and 22. verses. and forthwith in the beginning he teacheth, who he was, and how great things we have from him, he was anointed and authorized, by the father, the King and Priest of the people of god, namely in that he was anointed with the holy Ghost, that he is the son of of God and of man, e From the 23. ver. unto the end of the chapter. for the which cause he draweth forth along his genealogy or pedigree even unto Adam. * The 4. cha. f From the first ver. unto the 14 Moreover our Lord being authorized in his function, and kingdom, and Priesthood, according to his office beginneth now to work our salvation, and first setting upon Satan, he overcometh him in an hard conflict, & at the last putteth him to flight. g In the 14. & 15. verses. And being a conqueror he cometh forth and publisheth the Gospel of the kingdom and of deliverance throughout all Galilee. h From the 16 ver. unto the 22. He hath left described an excellent taste of his preaching, namely his sermon made in the city Nazareth. i From the 22. ver, unto the 31 But when as his wholesome doctrine was not so received of the Citizens of Nazareth, as had becomed them, leaving them, k In the 31. & 32 verses. he went to the famous city Capernaum, where he teacheth again. l The use of miracles. And he joineth certain wonderful deeds to his doctrine, whereby he approved that which he taught, namely that he is the Saviour of the world. m From the 33 ver. unto the 38 Therefore he delivereth a man possessed with a Devil by casting out the devil: n In the 38. & 39 verses. he restoreth to health Peter his wives mother, which was sick of a fever: o In the 40. & 41, verses. and to be brief he cureth all kind of diseases: p In the 42.43. & 44. ver. But the mean while he preacheth the gospel diligently: * The 5. cha. q From the first ver. unto the 12 the which because his will is, that it should be preached continually in the Church, he chooseth to himself certain witnesses, whom he draweth unto him by working of a miracle. r From the 12 ver. unto the 17 He declareth again by his works that he is the Saviour of the world. For he cleanseth a Leper: s From the 17. verse unto the 27. He healeth a man sick of a palsy, in whom also he declareth that he forgiveth sins to men. t From the 27 vers. unto the 33 And therefore he calleth & justifieth a notable Publican, Levi, and defendeth him justified, and himself also from the malicious detractions of his enemies. v In the 33.34 & 35. verses. Where he joineth aptly certain disputations of fasting and prayers, x From the 36. verse unto the end of the chap. of fit and unfit hearers of the Gospel, * The 6 chap. z From the first ver. unto the 12. of the Sabbath and of holy days, whereby he reproveth errors and abuses, and restoring the true doctrine, maintaineth the same. y Why the Apostles were called. Hitherto our Lord & Redeemer Christ was made known unto his Disciples, called for this purpose peculiarly, that they might be instructed and made the masters and teachers of all the nations in the earth, z From the 12 ver. unto the 17. unto them he adjoineth now certain other also, all the which he consecrating commandeth to be Apostles, that is to say Legates or Ambassadors, whom at the last he might send into the world. a In the 17.18 & 19 verses. But before he sendeth them forth, he instructeth them more fully and more familiarly. For he declareth again to them, who he is, what he is able to do, marking forth moreover what kind of doctrine they should follow. For in his deeds he showeth divine virtue: b From the 20 verse unto the 24. and in his words he teacheth which is the true doctrine, which is the true felicity, c In the 24.25 & 26. verses. which is infelicity, d From the 27. verse unto the 39 which are the duties of godliness of the faithful, and that the Lord doth exact most perfect justice of his servants. For Luke setteth down the whole Sermon of the Lord made in the great assembly of men, and in the midst of his Disciples. e From the 39 vers. unto the 46. In the which Sermon among other things, the Lord warneth us diligently, that we beware of false teachers, of whom he reasoneth not undiligently, f From the 46. vers. unto the end of the chap. adding in the end of the Sermon, that it is not enough to hear the word of God, except we do express in godly deeds, that which we have learned in the word. * The 7. chap. g The use of miracles. Unto this Sermon of the Lord Luke joineth again deeds, whereby the Lord showeth his saving virtue. h From the 1. ver. unto the 11 For he restoreth the Centurion his Servant. i From the 11. ver. unto the 18 Then he raiseth up from the dead the son of a certain widow of Nain, showing thereby that he is the Lord of life & death. k In the 18.19 and 20. verses. And the Disciples of john are there, & propose a question to the Lord: l In the 21.22 & 23. verses. by occasion whereof he declareth himself to be that looked fo Messiah. m From the 24 ver. unto the 29 And then he extolleth john with most ample praises, that he might move the more to believe his witness, which constantly witnessed that jesus was Christ. n From the 29 verse unto the 36. Lastly he most sharply reproveth the want of belief of the Pharisees, whereby he showeth, that it came to pass, that they perished through their own vice and fault. o From the 36 verse unto the end of the chapter. Forthwith he addeth an example, whereby it may evidently appear, how the Pharisees trusting too much in themselves refuse Christ, & how sinners believing receive him, & there is brought in a sinful woman, unto whom her sins be freely forgiven, the Pharisees speaking much against it. * The 8. chap. p From the 1. ver. unto the 22. These things being in this manner set forth, Luke bringeth in again the Lord teaching, and the people flocking to him in very great companies, whereby they give him occasion to teach by a similitude, what the nature of the word of God is, what diversity there is of hearers, and that he doth not approve all hearers, but then only which bring forth fruit. q From the 22 verse unto the 26 After these things is placed the description of a tempest, and how a calm was restored by the Lord to the disciples, which were marvelously troubled, who here also, as well as other where often, doth declare, that he hath power over tempests, r From the 26. ver. unto the 41. and that he is the conqueror of Satan. For with no weapons, but with his word only he casteth out and putteth to flight all the legion of Devils. s From the 41. ver. unto the 49 Moreover he healeth a certain woman being troubled with an issue of blood, which could not be cured, t From the 49. ver. unto the end of the chapter. and raiseth from the dead jairus his daughter. In all these things he instructeth in true faith and godliness the minds of the faithful, and chief of his disciples, * The 9 chap. v In the 1. & 2 verses. whom, being now a good while instructed, he sendeth forth at the last to the office of preaching, x From the 3. ver. unto the 10. giving them certain peculiar precepts, which prescribed unto them how they should behave themselves. y In the 10. for And the Lord very friendly receiveth them returning and having dispatched their business happily, z In the 11. for instructing them now more fully, that he might prepare than for greater matters, and confirm them in the truth. a From the 12 ver. unto the 18. He maketh the people a feast. b In the 18. and 19 verses. He asketh, whom the people say that he is, c In the 20. verse. and what the disciples think of him: d In the 20 ver. also, and in the 21, and 22. verses. where the confession of a true faith is set forth. e From the 23 ver. unto the 28 In the same place he teacheth the denying of one's self: f From the 28 ver. unto the 37 and is transformed in the sight of the chosen disciples. g From the 37 ver. unto the 44 And he overcometh and putteth to flight again the Devil rebelling and most fiercely raging. h In the 44 & 45. verses. He entreateth of his passion and death: i In the 46 47. & 48 ver. And forthwith he teacheth most diligently his disciples humility & modesty, & he plucketh up by the root ambition and pride. k In the 49. and 50 verses. where he teacheth also that no man is to be contemned or rejected, which by any manner of means seateth forward the glory of Christ. And in this wise did he instruct them, whom he purposed to make the teachers of the world, & in them the whole church. l What followeth. Hitherto blessed Luke hath declared copiously & plainly enough, what the Lord said and did in Galilee, but henceforth he will show the Lord his journey to the fatal city of Jerusalem, what fell out in the way, what he taught, and what wonderful and famous things he did. m In the 51.52, & 53. ver. And in the beginning of the journey the Samaritans deny the Lord lodging, n In the 54.55, & 56. ver. but the disciples, which desired that their uncourtesy might be punished, are reproved of the Lord as inflamed with preposterous zeal. o In the 57 & 58 verses. Then the Lord repelleth a certain other man offering the Lord friendship: p From the 59 verse unto the end of the chapter. Forthwith calling two other, he teacheth how he will be received, and how he must be followed. * The 10. chapter. q In the 1. verse. Moreover that the wholesome doctrine of the Gospel might be made known to the more, he chooseth to himself more disciples. For unto those twelve he adjoineth moreover other seventy. These he sent before two & two into every place whether he himself would come. r From the 2 ver. unto the 17 Into them he giveth certain precepts, and by that means he beginneth again to entreat of teachers, and of the doctrine of the Gospel. s In the 17 for The disciples faithfully do the commandments, & returning declare unto the Lord, how happily their business fell out. Here he showeth, that the kingdom of the devil is destroyed by preaching of the Gospel: t In the 18, 19 and 20 ver. he teacheth his disciples humility lest they should be puffed up with pride through the happy handling of their affairs: v In the 21. for and forthwith he showeth who are capable of the word of the Gospel, x In the 22. for and why all things are given unto Christ only by the preaching of the Gospel, y In the 23. & 24. verses. also how great their happiness is, which believe the Gospel of Christ. z In the 25. ver. And being aptly asked by a certain lawyer, what he should do, that he might obtain everlasting life, a In the 26. verse. he teacheth plainly, which is the sincere doctrine, b In the 27 verse. which is the only and certain end of the scripture, c In the 28. verse. which is the true preaching of the truth, which the teacher of the Gospel should deliver to the Church, d From the 29. ver. unto the 38. where he doth chief teach us the love of our neighbour by bringing in a parable of a man slain by thieves, e In the 38.40. & 41. ver. and by commending the duties of Martha, f In the 39, & 42. verses. before whom the mean season he preferreth the faith of Marie. * The 11. cha. g From the 1. ver. unto the 14 And because prayer in the Church is next to the preaching of the word, and as it were adjoined thereunto, therefore doth he also entreat thereof largely and diligently. h From the 14 verse unto the 27. Forthwith by casting forth and conquering the Devil, he declareth, which of the points of the Gospel is chief, that he came into the world to overcome the Devil, and to destroy his works: and that he doth and sayeth all things, not furnished with art Magic, or forced by the power of Satan, but thorough the power of God, seeing he is the son of God and the true Messiah. i In the 27 & 28 verses. He returneth again to the commendation of the preaching of the Gospel, k From th' 29. ver. unto the 33 where he doth most gravely accuse the neglecting and contemning of the word of God, and the unbelief of the jews. l From the 33 ver. unto the 37 Moreover he showeth, what the word of God is, why it is revealed to men, how great the worthiness, profitablens, and necessity thereof is. m From the 37 verse unto the end of the chap. Over against the which is directly placed false doctrine, and the Pharisees and false teachers are most sharply chid of the Lord, * The 12. chapter. n In in the 1.2, & 3, verses. whose doctrine at the last he most diligently commandeth to beware of. o From the 4. ver unto the 13 And because that can not be done without the hatred of the world, he exhorteth his disciples also to boldness & constantness, not to be in fear for themselves, but to behave themselves stoutly, and to confess the truth freely. p From the 13 ver. unto the 35. The desire of gain, and chief covetousness, doth hinder and trouble sincere religion, the Lord therefore bringing many things against covetousness, teacheth every man to be content with his own estate: q From the 35 ver. unto the 41 he setteth forth again watchfulness and soberness of mind, necessary for all truly, but for the apostles chief, r From the 41 ver. unto the 49 unto whom, by proposing a similitude, he shadoweth forth again their duty, s From the 49 verse unto the 54. adding again what the effect of the word of God is, t From the 54 ver. unto the end of the chapter. and admonishing us, that we do not contemn the signs of our salvation, but that we receive it with most ready minds. v What went before. In the chapters before going the Lord entreated of many things, by the report of Luke the historian, touching the Gospel and the preachers of the Gospel. Now the Gospel standeth of Repentance and Forgiveness of sins, as of the parts thereof. x What followeth. And therefore here followeth a most wholesome doctrine of Repentance & forgiveness of sins. * The 13. cha. y From the 1. ver. unto the 6. He exhorteth us to repentance by examples, z From the 6 ver. unto the 10 and by a certain similitude of a fig tree, teaching what lighteth upon the impenitent, a From the 10 ver. unto the 14. & what be the fruits of true repentance, b From the 14 ver. unto the 18 & what the corrupt fruits of false repentance: c From the 18 ver unto the 23 He showeth moreover from whence the power to bring forth the fruits of repentance & to do good works is. d From the 23 verse unto the end of the chap. Forthwith he exhorteth us all, that we would endeavour to enter through the staight and hard way, which leadeth unto life. For he disputeth again of that most famous two ways, bringing in somewhat touching the punishment of the impenitent, and concerning the equity of the judgements of God, which destroyeth the incurable, whom no faithful dealing and diligence could heal. * The 14. cha. Then he taketh from the lovers of godliness errors & certain no light faults, and teacheth them the duties of godliness. e From the 1 ver. unto the 7. For he removeth again the error of the Sabbaths religious observation. f From the 7. ver. unto the 12 He presseth down the pride & loftiness of the Pharisees, & graffeth in modest humility: g In the 12, 13 and 14. ver. & teacheth us also bountifulness. h From the 15 verse unto the 24. Hereupon taking occasion by the outcry of a certain gest, which pronounced him blessed, that may eat bread in the kingdom of God, he exhorteth all men to faith, lest they make themselves unworthy the kingdom of god through unbelief: where the Lord setteth forth also the counsel of God touching the saving of the world, that with he saith is despised of certain through the desire of things present, i In the 24. for unto whom also he threateneth punishment. And these things hath he spoken of those which hinder the calling of God: k From the 25. verse unto the end of the chap. On the contrary part he opposeth the doctrine, how we ought to follow the Lord calling us, & to obey his calling: that is to say, of what sort the disciples of the Lord ought to be, & what they ought to promise to themselves by the gospel. * The 15 chap l From the beginning of the chap. to the end. unto these things he knitteth certain most comely similitudes, whereby he declareth again the reason of true repentance, yea and the reason of the forgiveness of sins chief, namely of the grace and unmeasurable mercy of God, reproving every where the pride and hypocrisy of * They may be called justiciaries, which hold that a man may be justified by his own works. justiciaries. * The 16. cha. m In the whole chapter. After these things he reasoneth plentifully of the duties of the faithful, to wit, of charity, and bountifulness towards our neighbours, to be brief of the contempt of earthly things, against covetousness, in the behalf of pitifulness, & of the use and abuse of earthly things. And all these things doth he shadow forth, and as it were propose to be viewed with our eyes in the parables of the false steward, and of the rich glutton, and of Lazarus the beggar. * The 17. cha. n The occasion of that which followeth. There be not a few wicked men, unto whom, whatsoever is preached concerning heaven and hell, seem fables, and they infect successively not a few with their poisoned and blasphemous tongues. o In the 1. and 2. verses. Our Lord showeth therefore consequently how great their offence is before God. p In the 3. and 4. verses. Again he teacheth thee to forgive trespasses if any be committed against thee. q In the 5. and 6. verses. The which thing because it can not be done without the help of faith, wholesome doctrine touching faith is forthwith adjoined. r From the 7 ver. unto the 12 After the which he placeth straight way doctrine touching the same, that we ascribe nothing unto ourselves, but yield all the glory to the Lord: who only purgeth us, and giveth us strength to work good works, for the which cause we ought to give him great thanks. s From the 12 verse unto the 20. And this point is set forth, as it were to be viewed with our eyes, in the history of the ten lepers, which were cleansed. t From the 20. ver. unto the 26. Now because there is mention made very often times of the kingdom of God throughout all this history, the matter is handled more plainly. v From the 26 ver. unto the 31. Then is it adjoined, what they shall suffer, which will not believe that the kingdom of God is come. x From the 31 ver. unto the end of the chap. Moreover it is showed, what troubles and calamities shall come to pass in the world, even unto the end of the world, and how the faithful aught to bear themselves in the same. * The 18. cha. y From the first ver. unto the 6 Where he exhorteth his disciples earnestly to most fervent prayers, z In the 6.7. and 8 verses. promising that God also will avenge his elect. a From the 9 ver. unto the 15 And because there were many, which trusted in themselves, he proposeth the parable of the Pharisee and the Publican, which went up into the temple, and teacheth which is true righteousness, and how men are justified. b In the 15.16. & 17. ver. Which thing being expounded, he instructeth us, what we should think of the salvation of infants: c From the 18 verse unto the 23. What good thing every one should do, that he may possess the kingdom of God: d From the 23 ver. unto the 28 how hardly rich men enter into the kingdom of GOD: e In the 28, 29. & 30 ver. what inward is prepared for them, that leave their worldly substance for the Lord his sake: f From the 31 ver. unto the 35 In the same place the Lord showeth his disciples what he himself must suffer. g From the 35 verse unto the end of the chap. Then followeth the history of the blind man, which received his sight, * The 19 cha. h From the 1. verse unto the 11. & the calling of Zacheus that famous Publican, and his receiving into the favour of Christ: whereby we are taught, how all men are illuminated, received into favour, and justified, and what they, which are justified, should work, or how they should behave themselves towards God, and towards their neighbours. i The occasion of the parable following. Our Lord jesus executed the priest his office all the time of his dispensation, but chief in those last days, wherein he fully finished our salvation by dying and rising again. Therefore the nearer he cometh unto the city, the more plainly he declareth himself to be the king and priest of God his people, and thoroughly doth the office of the priest and king. And first, because there were some even among his own disciples, which supposed that the kingdom of Christ should be earthly, and that it should rise up forthwith, the Lord taketh away this error, k From the 11. verse unto the 28. and teacheth by a similitude what manner of kingdom the kingdom of Christ is, and when it shall come. l From the 28 ver. unto the 41 Forthwith sitting upon an Ass, and being carried into the city, he declareth by that his glorious coming, although it were humble, that he is that expected king of the people of God. m From the 41 ver. unto the 45 And yet before he entereth into the city he bewaileth with tears the destinies and calamities of the blind city, which he foreshoweth most plainly, and declareth the cause of the calamities. n From the 45 ver. unto the end of the chapter. And because it is the duty of a king, to restore decay, and to reform corruptions, being entered into the Temple, he casteth out the buyers and sellers, and he himself preacheth daily in the Temple. * The 20 chap o From the 1. ver. unto the 9 Being asked of the Priests by whom he was authorized a King and a Priest? he showeth that he hath all his authority from God forth of heaven. p From the 9 verse unto the 19 Moreover he rebuketh most gravely the rebellions, by bringing in the parable of the vinyeard and of the husbandmen, shadowing forth the mean while the destruction, which hanged over them, for their rebellion. q Where of he speaketh in the rest of the chap. To be brief, forsomuch as it belongeth to the Priest his office to teach the people of GOD, and to confute the gayne-sayers, Luke placeth after these things certain disputations and familiar speeches of the Lord had with his adversaries. r From the 19 ver. unto the 27 And first he teacheth what we own to God, and what to the Magistrate. s From the 27 verse unto the 41. Then he reasoneth of the hope of the Saints, and what manner of life is in the world to come. t From the 41 ver. unto the 45 Thirdly, he showeth what only is to be looked for in all the Scriptures, namely Christ true GOD and man the saviour of the world. v From the 45 ver. unto the end of the chapter. Which things being finished the Lord painteth forth, in discharge of his priestly office, counterfeit priests, of whose corruption he diligently admonisheth his disciples to beware, and to avoid. * The 21. cha. x From the first ver. unto the 5. afterward he alloweth the widows gift cast into the treasury in the temple. y From the 5. ver. unto the 25 Where he taketh occasion to entreat most plentifully of the destruction of the city & nation of the jews. z From the 25. ver. unto the 34 From that destruction he cometh to the destruction also of all the world, and to the end of the world, and to be brief defineth & pointeth forth the signs going next before the last day. a From the 34. verse unto the end of the chapter. Where he exhorteth most diligently the faithful to watchfulness & soberness, lest they be overthrown of a sudden with the unfaithful, & perish. * The 22. chap b What went before & what followeth. The Lord hath hitherto fulfilled all the priestlike functions even unto the kill and offering up of the sacrifice, therefore the expiatory and purging sacrifice only remained to be accomplished: wherefore Luke will describe by those things, which follow, the passion and death of the Lord, which is the only and wholesome oblation once offered for the sins of all the world. c In the 1. ver. And first he noteth the time, d From the 2, ver. unto the 7 than he showeth the causes of his death: e From the 7. ver. unto the 17 hereupon he toucheth how he celebrated the passover: f From the 17 unto the 21. after which he placeth the worthy institution of his mystical supper. g In the 21.22 & 23 ver. He addeth, what the Lord spoke of him that betrayed him: h From the 23 ver. unto the 31 & how he quieted the contention of the disciples, raised touching this, which of them seemed greatest in the kingdom of God. i From the 31 ver. unto the 35 He foreshoweth the earnest purpose of the devil against all the disciples, & namely against Peter the denier. k From the 35 verse unto the 39 Forthwith he commandeth them to provide them swords: l In the 39 and 41. ver. & taking his disciples unto him, he goeth out with his chosen unto the mount of Olives. m In the 41. and 42 verses. Here he prayeth unto the father most fervently. n From the 43 ver. unto the 47 There he is tormented with an agony, which wringeth from him a bloody sweat. He receiveth comfort of an angel. o In the 47. and 48 verses. After this he is taken & bounden by the priests servants: p In the 49. and 50 verses. which when Peter would have withstood, he cut off the priest his servant his ear: q In the 51. verse. but the Lord healeth him being wounded, r In the 52 and 53. verses. and most sharply rebuketh them which took him. s In the 54 for Moreover being taken he is led into the city, & brought before the high priest. t From the 55. ver. unto 63 Then did Peter shamefully deny the Lord & that not once. v In the 63.64. & 65 ver. The servants of the high priests & of wickedness mock the Lord almost all the night long, & abuse him most unworthily. x From the 66. ver. unto the end of the chapter. Early in the morning he is condemned by the senate of the priests & of the chief of Jerusalem. * The 23 cha. y In the 1. ver. Being condemned he is delivered to Pilate, z From the 2. ver. unto the 6. certain points of accusation being proposed forthwith against him. a In the 6. & 7. verses. Pilate willing to gratify Herode, sendeth the Lord away unto him. b From the 8. ver. unto the 13 But he sendeth him back being notably mocked and clothed with a white garment, to Pilate. c From the 13. ver. unto the 26 He, after much reasoning had with the jews, & after that he had loosed Barrabbas, delivered jesus to the ministers of wickedness do be crucified. d In the 26. for Therefore is he led away forthwith being innocent, bearing his cross, & behind him one Simon following him, and staying up the same cross. e In the 27. verse. Certain godly women lament his most bitter case. f From the 28. ver. unto the 32 But the Lord, this occasion being offered, commandeth them to lament their own calamity, which he foreshoweth shall come upon the city and people. g In the 32. & 33. verses. The mean while he cometh into the place of execution, where he being crucified is lift up in the midst between two thieves. h From the 34 ver. unto the 40 There he first prayeth, and then suffering many reproaches, he deareth all things patiently. i From the 40 ver. unto the 44 Among other things, he receiveth one of the thieves, which made supplication unto him, into the fellowship and partaking of eternal life, declaring by that example, how great the force of the sacrifice once offered is. k In the 44.45 & 46 verses After this certain wonders followed testifying, that the Son of God suffered. The Lord commending his spirit to God the father gave up the ghost upon the cross. l In the 47. for The Centurion of the Roman soldiers being moved with the wonders, & touched with the patience & death of Christ, doth witness that he was a just man. m In the 48. & 49. verses. The Lord his acquaintance see all these things, God his providence no doubt so ordering the matter, that they might be seeing witnesses, appointed for so great things. n From the 50. ver. unto the 55. Lastly joseph, a most famous Senator of the city, cometh unto Pilate, and beggeth the body of the Lord, that he might bury it: which when he had obtained and taken it down from the tree, he laid it in the grave, and buried it gloriously. o In the 55. & 56. verses. Certain women beheld and marked it, that they might come the next day following to anoint the body. * The 24. cha. p What followeth. jesus Christ our King & Priest, having purged sin, conquered hell, and overcome death, restored to life forth of the grave & from the dead, the third day, riseth again a conqueror and a triumphant Lord. And because the whole matter of our hope and life standeth in the lively resurrection of our Lord jesus, it is proved by evident signs and arguments. q From the first ver. unto 12. And first the resurrection of our Lord is declared by the very Angels of God to certain devout women, which came to anoint the body of our Lord jesus. r In the 12 verse. Forthwith the same is made known to Peter by certain signs. s From the 13. ver. unto the 36 Afterwards, as two of the Disciples were going to Emaus, the Lord joineth himself unto them in the form of a stranger, and proveth unto them most plainly, as well forth of the Scriptures, as by the thing itself, that he was risen again from the dead. t From the 36. ver. unto the 44 Lastly, the Lord cometh in the midst of his Disciples, and showeth to the view of eye his true and lively resurrection. v In the 44.45 and 46. verses. Moreover he confirmeth their minds with the Scriptures. x In the 47. & 48. verses. And that we might all understand, that all Christ his things are ours, he commandeth his disciples to preach the Gospel to all nations, y In the 49. verse. for the accomplishing whereof he promiseth them the holy Ghost, whom he commandeth them to look for in the City of Jerusalem. z In the 50. verse. All the which things being done in deed, he leadeth his disciples forth to the mount of Olives, a In the 51. verse. from thence he ascendeth strait into heaven. b In the 52. & 53. verses. The disciples having worshipped him, return into the City looking for the holy Ghost. Hear endeth the sum of the Gospel by Saint Luke. ¶ The sum of the Gospel by Saint john. THey, The 1. chap. The reason of the entrance into the Gospel by john. which will expound any thing by certain reason and with great profit, place before their exposition a proposition, a mark, or a Sum of the whole matter to be expounded, unto the which the auditors bending the sharpness of wit, and all their understanding, may know whereunto all things tend, which are spoken, and what the use of them is. b What john handleth in his Gospel. john the Apostle therefore about to expound the matters of Christ the Lord, that is to say, his words and deeds, and all the mystery of our redemption, placeth before his historical narration a proposition, plentifully opened, & containing in effect these things. c In the 1. and 2. verses. The word of God, that is to say, the son of God, jesus Christ our Lord, of whom I mind to speak, was with God from everlasting, and is very God, d In the 3. ver. by whom all things were made, e In the 4.5.7 and 8. verses. the same by his own nature is the life & the light. f In the 9 ver. And because we, by our human nature, and through the fault of sin, be darkness & the slaves of death, the word, or son of God descended from heaven, came into the world, was incarnate and made man, that through his life and light, the jews chief, unto whom the Messiah was peculiarly promised, might live and be illuminated. g In the 10. & 11. verses. But because they cast him off, not being willing to believe the life and light given them, h In the 12.13 & 14. verses. therefore he gave power to all men which receive Christ with a true faith, of what nation, sex, age, or condition they be, to become the sons of God, that is to say, heirs of life and of all heavenly good things, and the very fellow heirs of Christ, which is the truth, the grace, the redemption, and the fullness, or the consummation of all believers, in whom only the faithful have all things, which do pertain to godliness and life. i The sum of the Gospel. This is the sum of all the narration of the Gospel: Namely, that through faith in Christ our sins be forgiven, and that everlasting life is bestowed upon us. k In the 6. ver. and from the 15 unto the 19 Unto this head john coupleth the very body of the evangelical narration or history, beginning his history at the preaching & testimony of john the Baptist, as also the other three Evangelists did. l From the 19 ver. unto the 35 And he teacheth of what manner were his testimonies, private, public, and given to the very messengers of jerusalem, all verily of one kind, namely such as taught, that jesus Christ is true God and man, sent into the world for sinners, to save them which believe in him, & that therefore we must believe in Christ. m In the 35.36. & 37. ver. Therefore doth he also send his Disciples unto him, and consecrateth them to Christ the Lord, showing undoubtedly by the very deed itself, that all his doctrine tendeth here unto, that we may believe Christ the only Saviour of all the world. n Why the Evangelist briefly finisheth the history of the Baptist, and speedily cometh to the history of Christ himself. And because the Baptist preached Christ only, & in him only showeth all the points of godliness & life, passing over the matters of the Baptist, john the evangelist maketh haste to describe the very matters of Christ, o The 38.39 and 40 verses. and declareth first how he received them, which by the provocation of john the Baptist followed him: p In the 41. for also what the studies and works of the faithful be, namely to bring very many unto Christ. q From the 42. vers. unto the 51. There is briefly handled the calling of certain of the disciples, in whose examples we may learn, how men are called to the faith of the Gospel, and what manner of men they ought to be, which must be instructed in the doctrine of the Gospel. r In the last verse. The Lord instructeth his Disciples by words and signs. By plain words, witnessing that he is to them, which believe, the ladder and gate to a blessed life. * The 2 chap. x From the first ver. unto the 13. Furthermore he showeth a worthy sign at a marriage, turning water into wine, that by that deed he might declare his power, that it is he, which by his word can do what he will, that they may boldly lean unto him, which trust in him. And these things did he as it were privately amongst his acquaintance and familiar friends. y From the 13 ver. unto the 18. But he came not to be made known in some one place only to a few, but in all jury, yea and to all the world, therefore he goeth to Jerusalem the chief city and head of the country, and maketh himself known to all men by a very great deed, and very fit for his purpose. For whereas he was come into the world the king, and Priest, and Messiah of all the faithful in the world, and because it appertained to the Messiah to purge religion from corruption, and to deliver his from tyranny and superstition, he went strait ways into the holy temple, and cast forth of it the buyers & sellers, purging religion, and so showing himself to be the expected Messiah. z In the 18. ver. But the rulers of religion took this thing very grievously, requiring a sign, whereby he might prove, that he was he, whom he took upon him to be. a From the 19 ver. unto the 22 He reasoneth of his death and resurrection, although somewhat closely. b In the 22 for And not a few believed the Lord, c In the 23. ver. but some again cloaked their faith, following rather the corrupt affection of their mind, than the motion of the holy Ghost, d In the 24. & 25. verses unto whom the Lord would not therefore commit himself, because he was not ignorant of the counsels and cogitations of their hearts, and kept himself for better affairs. These things are handled in the two first Chapters. e What the Evangelist treateth of. The Apostle doth diligently handle those things, which the Lord jesus spoke and did in the beginning of his preaching, that he might so rightly inform the judgement of the Church, to think very well of Christian religion, & of the principles thereof, the which, as else where often, so here also, are wont for the most part to be very hard. f What went before. He showed last before, what jesus did publicly and openly in the temple of God, and what he reasoned of among the common people, what he spoke and did, g What followeth. and now will he show a certain private thing. * The 3. chap. h In the 1, 2. & 3. verses. For the Lord useth private conference with Nicodemus a Doctor of the Law, i The sum of the Lord his talk with Nicodemus. whom he instructeth sound, fully, and simply in the foundation, as they call it, and in the first principles, knitting together the whole method of sincere doctrine, and k In the 3. verse. teaching, that he, which desireth to enter into the kingdom of God, must needs first be borne anew. Because our nature and our first nativity hath in itself no light or life. l From the 4, ver. unto the 13 Moreover that this new birth consisteth in the renovation of the holy Ghost, by whose means he which is to be saved knoweth, that there is nothing in the strength of man, which can deserve justification and blessed life, m In the 13, 14, & 15. ver. that those things are provided by an others deserving, namely by jesus Christ, n In the 16. verse. whom the grace & love of God, & no desert of ours, gave unto us, yea and gave him to the most shameful death of the cross, that every one, which believeth in him, should not perish, but should have everlasting life. o From the 17. ver. unto the 22. There he teacheth that true faith in Christ worketh good works: and contrarily that incredulity and want of faith is the cause of all ungodliness, yea of damnation itself. p From the 22 verse unto the 26 These things being finished, the Apostle handleth forthwith the question touching purifying, sprung up after the matters before going. q From the 27 vers. unto the end of the chap. By occasion whereof he reporteth the fift and most plain testimony of john the Baptist, whereby he witnesseth, that the faithful are fully purged through the grace of Christ. And that he is the true Messiah, in whom the Father hath given to the world, whatsoever appertaineth to true salvation, and that therefore they which believe in Christ are saved, & contrarily that they which believe not are damned. r What followeth. Unto these things he knitteth, by a marvelous & a most wise devise, an other, and a new conference, and the same private also, between the Lord and a woman of Samaria. s What went before. He received and instructed in the third chapter Nicodemus, a famous man, a jew, learned, and a man of holiness not to be despised: t The matter contained in the 4. chap. but now he receiveth & instructeth an obscure woman, a Gentile, unlearned, and very greatly defiled with heinous faults, to this end, lest any should gather by the former example, that the Lord came into the world to save the godly only. For hereby we do understand, that he was borne to save sinners also, and that not only the jews, but the Gentiles also, yea and the very Samaritans. The conference hath in it much pleasantness & sweetness. The Lord insinuateth himself into the mind of the sinful woman marvelously: notwithstanding he goeth about 2. things chief. * The 4. chap. v From the 1. ver unto the 20 First he showeth, that he is the fountain of goodness, and of all graces, of the which whosoever drink, may be most plentifully satisfied. x In the 20.21, and 22, verses. Then having confuted the false worshipping of GOD, y In the 23. and 24, verses. he teacheth which is the true worshipping: z In the 15, 26 & 27. verses. and therewithal he professeth by a most manifest confession, that he is the true Messiah. a In the 28, 29, & 30. ver. Forthwith the sinful woman becometh a preacher of the grace of God. For she calleth forth the Sycharenes or Sychimites to meet the Lord the king or the Messiah. b From the 31 ver unto the 39 The mean while the Lord disputeth among his disciples of the calling of the Gentiles & of the Apostleship to the Gentiles. c From the 39 ver unto the 43 Verily the Samaritans receive the Lord. d In the 43, 44, & 45. verses. But the jews, especially the citizens of the town of Nazareth, do despise & cast him off: d From the 46 ver. unto the end of the chapter. Wherewith the Lord is so little offended, that he is nothing at all less bountiful unto the evil deserving jews. For going to Cana a city of Galilee, he restoreth to health the servant of a certain ruler being at the very point of death, proving by that worthy deed, that he can save their life, which put their trust in him, being the author of life and of all goodness. e What went before. The notable instructions and disputations of Christ the Lord in true Christian religion hitherto had with Nicodemus and the woman of Samaria, were as it were private. f What followeth. In the two next chapters follow public benefits of the same Christ our Lord, which minister occasion of public disputations, very notable, the which disputations do handle the same, that is to say, the greatest points of our faith. * The 5. cha. g From the 1 ver. unto the 10 The one benefit he doth to a man being pitifully afflicted many years with a most grievous disease, whom he healeth most lovingly. h From the 10 ver. unto the 17 But because he had done this upon the Sabbath day, the Pharisees slander the benefit, and accuse the benefactor of breaking the sabbath. i In the 17. for The Lord defending his own cause, showeth, as it were by the example of his father the eternal God, that he broke not the Sabbath. k In the 18. ver. Forth of the which answer they pike a new matter of accusation laying unto the Lord his charge the crime of treason against God, and of blasphemy against God. l From the 19 ver. unto the 40 Whereupon he proveth by many, and the same most lively and most evident arguments, that God is his father, and that he is the son of God by nature, and equal with the father in all things, being the true, the living, and eternal God. m From the 40. verse unto the 44. Notwithstanding in the end of his demonstration he falleth to chide or to expostulate the matter with the jews, n In the 44 verse. and he openeth the causes of man's infidelity and treachery, namely the desire of glory, of riches, and of pleasure, o In the 45, 46, & 47 ver. joining hereunto fearful threatenings, that God the revenger will once undoubtedly most sharply punish them. * The 6. chap. p From the 1. ver. unto the 14 The other benefit is most public. For he maketh a marvelous, and a very kinglike feast, unto certain thousands of men in the wilderness, declaring thereby most manifestly, that he is that son to be honoured of the blessed GOD, by whose virtue and providence all living things are fed and nourished. q In the 14. verse. Now the people not understanding the just end of so great a benefit, according to their grossness, are willing to create the Lord the king of Israel. r In the 15. for But the Lord, which was not come to reign in humility, upon the earth, or in the country of the jews only, or to receive a kingdom of men, but to be a king, crowned by GOD the Father himself, glorious, heavenly, in heaven and in all the earth together, and of all creatures visible and invisible, departeth▪ and hideth himself in a mountain alone. s In the 16, 17 and 18. ver. The disciples, not knowing where the Lord lay hid, or whether he was fled, go by ship to Capernaum: t In the 19 ver. Whom the Lord following walked upon the waves of the Sea, as upon the main land, v In the 20, 21. ver. and holp them being in peril in the lake, x The use of the miracle. setting forth unto them by this proof his divine power. y In the 22, 23 & 24. ver. The next day the common people follow him also in ships, z In the 25. verse. ministering occasion unto him by their words, to reason openly in the school of Capernaum touching the abridgement and sum of our religion, a From the 26 ver unto the 30 namely that he is the true son of GOD, sent down from heaven from the father, to give life unto all mankind, and to conserve them in life, in that he was incarnate for us, in that he offered his flesh and his blood unto the death for us, that every one, which believeth in him, may have life everlasting. b From the 30 ver. unto the 34 And he proposeth this chief mystery of our faith by the continual similitude of bread or meat, and of drink, of eating and also of drinking, being hid in an allegory, that both spiritual things might more rightly be conceived by the similitude of bodily things, and also that they might the more firmly stick in the minds of men. c In the 34 verse. But when as the Capernaites understood these things the wrong way and grossly, d From the 35. ver. unto the 66. the Lord expoundeth himself most clearly, declaring plainly, what he meant by that kind of speech. e In the 66. verse. And when as not a few forsook him, f In the 67. verse. he asketh those his disciples, whom he had called to the office of Apostleship, whether they also purposed to forsake him. g From the 68 ver. unto the end of the chapter. But blessed Peter in the behalf of all the Apostles made a right confession in all points, and comprehending all the sum of a true faith, leaving it to the Church, that she also in all troubles and heresies may so go on to confess Christ. h A brief rehearsal of the sum of the 2. last chap. Thou hast therefore in these two last chapters, two miracles, the third and fourth, which jesus did, and which john hath described: also two chief points of our faith, most copiously and learnedly handled, both that jesus is true GOD, of one substance with the Father, and also that the same jesus is true man, the food of the soul, and the conservation and life of every part of every man which trusteth in him with a true faith. i What went before. john hath hitherto plainly set forth the abridgement, sum, and scope of all the doctrine of the Gospel, k What followeth. and now doth he join hereunto certain peculiar points touching the doctrine and doctors of the Gospel, * The 7. chap. l From the 1. ver. unto the 14 What their duty is: m In the 14, 15, & 16. verse. what their doctrine ought to be: n In the 17, and 18. ver. how doctrines may be proved and known, whether they be of GOD: o From the 19 ver. unto the 25 that Christ the Lord committed none offence against the doctrine of the law: p In the 25, 26 & 27. verses. also how the doctrine of the truth being published is received of the world, and how great troubles are raised for the Gospel, whilst the world goeth about to oppress and cut of the Gospel, by hands, by threatenings, and by murder. q From the 28. ver. unto the 33 And yet in these troubles the Lord goeth on notwithstanding with a bold courage, bearing witness with the truth, r From the 33 ver. unto the 37 admonishing also what evils are kept in store for the despisers of the Gospel, s In the 37, 38, and 39, verses. and inculcating the same kind of doctrine continually, to wit, from whence salvation cometh, even from the only Son of GOD, if we believe in him, and what the force of faith is. t In the 40, & 41. verses. As the godly do with great desire receive and embrace this doctrine, v In the 41, 42, & 43. verses. so are the wicked more and more incensed thereby, endeavouring with taunts to deface it, and by all means to oppress it, x From the 44 ver. unto the end of the chapter. but the power of God is not overcome of the weakness of men, which without GOD always cometh to nothing, and vanisheth away mocked and shamefully confounded. * The 8. chap. y From the 1 ver. unto the 12 After these things john putteth down a notable example of the goodness and mercy of GOD, whereby we may understand, how jesus is the fountain of the water of life, watering the thirsty to everlasting life. z In the 1●. ver. Again under the cover of a certain other similitude, comprehending the sum of sound doctrine, he teacheth, that he is the light and Saviour of all the world: a In the 13, 19 22, & 25. ver. which doctrine of the truth the brawling Iewes endeavouring to pollute, cavil much. b From the 14 ver. unto the 31 But the Lord doth maintain and confirm the said doctrine gravely and firmly, c In the 21 vir denouncing punishment to the contentious, d In the 14, and 15 for Also in the 19, and 22. ver. opening with all the causes of contention and of error, e From the 14. ver. unto the 31 and declaring often times most clearly that he is the Saviour of the world, which can save them, that believe in him, and which can condemn them that believe not in him: that his doctrine is certain, and infallible, the which by repeating often times he doth inculcate. For this must be retained firmly in all contentions. f In the 31, & 32. verses. Moreover he instructeth more fully the faithful and holy, which believed him, what they should do, how they ought to continue in the known truth, and what the freedom of the Sons of GOD is. g From the 33 ver. unto the 48 He confuteth again the wicked bragging of the jews, boasting themselves to be the sons of God, and the seed of Abraham. h In the 39 for For the Lord teacheth, who be the true sons of Abraham, i In the 42, & 43. ver. what the disposition of the sons of GOD, k In the 44, & 45. verse. and of the Devil is, also what the drift and works of the devil are, l In the 46, & 47. verses. and that the hearing of God his word is the most evident mark of the Sons of God. m In the 48 ve The jews receive this faithful and notable disputation of the Lord with taunts, n In the 49, 50, & 51. ver. unto whom the Lord proposeth a new the sum of the true and sound doctrine, namely that the salvation and the life of the world is not obtained, but only by faith in jesus Christ, o From the 52 verse unto the 57 yea and that Abraham himself lived by faith in jesus Christ the Son of God. p From the 57 vers. unto the end of the chap. At the which doctrine, as at extreme blasphemy, they being stirred up, catch up stones, to punish forsooth the blasphemer: but he withdrew himself forth of the troublesome company. q A necessary point of doctrine to be learned in these 2. chap. Now this whole disputation of these two chapters do furnish us with a most beautiful example of a thing most necessary, namely how we ought in all troubles, persecutions, threatenings, disputations, brawls, reproaches, and taunts of this world, to have an eye only to Christ, and to the infallible word of his Gospel, as to the only shipman's star in the tempestuous Sea, and to continue faithful in him most constantly. r What followeth. The Apostle describeth most plentifully and most elegantly hereafter the fift miracle of the Lord, or benefit bestowed upon a certain blind man. s The use of the miracle. Whereby the Lord jesus as by a lively deed, confirmeth and declareth that, which he lately proposed to all the people in the temple, namely, that he is the light of the world, which came to lighten and quicken all believers. * The 9 chap. t From the 1. ver. unto the 8. For now by giving sight to him that was borne blind, he signifieth and proveth manifestly by the thing itself, that he is the giver of light. v In the 39, 40, & 41. verse. Yea a little before the end of the history, extending this his deed most largely to all men, he addeth: I am come unto judgement in this world, that they which see not, might see: and that they which see, might be made blind: which is as it were the state, where unto we may refer the whole history. x From the 8. ver. unto the 35 The mean while, as upon a certain stage, is set forth to the show, a sharp contention of the godly and ungodly, about the matter of religion, and the truth of the confession of the Gospel. y In the 13, 15 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 26, 28, 29 34, & 40 verse. Hear are also painted forth the manners and dispositions, not only of the enemies of the word of GOD, z In the 9, 11, 12, 15, 17.20 25, 27, 30, 31, 32, & 33, verses. but of simple Christians also, whose duty, frank confession, a In the 36. & 38. verses and increase of faith are here described. b The application of the history before going. Therefore thou shalt see, as in a certain lively picture, the counsels and endeavours of the wicked, whereby they persecute the truth, darken it, and endeavour to oppress it. Thou shalt see their marvelous slyness, their wrath, and envy not to be pacified, and their extreme cruelty. Thou shalt see again the faithfulness, simplicity, sincerity, patience, constancy, and truth conquering in all things, which always overcometh by giving place. * The 10. cha. c From the 1. verse unto the 19 After these things he accuseth greatly the blind and unfaithful shepherds of the people of the jews: and with all he showeth, that he is that true shepherd, which quickeneth his sheep with his death, redeemeth them by his power and care from all evils, and refresheth them with wholesome food. And in these things he setteth forth the example of the best shepherd for all faithful shepherds, instructing them what becometh them, and what their duty is: but chief he inculcateth that, which he useth to urge every where, that he is the Saviour of the world, which giveth life to the faithful through his death. d In the 19, 20 & 21. ver. But there riseth a new business and a new dissension about this doctrine, some wilfully cavilling at the proposed truth, and other no whit the less maintaining and defending the same. e In the 22, 23, & 24, ver. In the feast of the dedication the adversaries propose a question to the Lord, whereby they might take a new occasion to cavil. They demand: whether he be Christ, that blessed son of almighty GOD, that is to say, the Messiah? and if he be, that he would confess it openly, plainly, and manifestly. f From the 25 ver. unto the 31 Therefore the Lord jesus professeth, and not only professeth, but also proveth, that he is Christ the blessed, the son of the blessed God. g In the 31 ver. By the which profession they being rather provoked, then instructed, are willing to stone jesus as a blasphemer. h From the 32 ver. unto the 39 But he reasoning friendly with them, showeth that he is the son of GOD in deed, and that he sinned not at all against the majesty of his father. i In the 39, & 40. verse. But because no reasons can prevail with the gross, inflexible, and blind adversaries, leaving them again, and passing over jordane, he returned unto that place, where john first began to baptize. k In the 41 for There he found not a few obedient sheep. l In the last ver For many believed on jesus there. m What went before & what followeth. Hitherto we have heard great and divine things, and yet there follow after a sort greater and more divine things, * The 11. cha. n From the 1. ver unto the 46 and before all the rest, the raising again by Christ of Lazarus, having lain now four days in the grave and stinking. o Why Christ wrought this miracle. The last day of Christ the Lord approached, wherein he offered himself, for the salvation of men, to GOD the father, to be an odour of a good smelling savour. And the nearer he drew unto his death, the more plainly doth the force and fruit of the Lord his death show itself. p What we may learn by this miracle. certainly the Lord showeth most manifestly by this his sixth last sign or miracle, that he is the life of all the world, who although he died upon the cross, yet can he save the souls of the faithful in death, and raise up the dead. And because this thing is hard to be believed of flesh and man's reason, this history is handled both plentifully, and exactly, yea and evidently, so that thou mayest think, that thou beholdest all things with view of eye. In the mean season in Martha and mary we are taught, what manner of faith ours ought to be. And the minds of the Godly are confirmed through all the history against the fear of death, the offence of the Cross is mitigated and utterly taken away, q From the 46 ver. unto the end of the chapter. and the cause of the hatred and envy of the Priests or Senators of the people of Israel is declared, wherewith they being blinded consult to kill Christ. That consultation is touched in few, but yet in evident words. * The 12. cha. r In the 1, 2, 3, and 4. ver. Now hereunto pertaineth the feast solemnized in Bethanie, s From the 5. ver. unto the 12 in the description whereof, the cause is showed whereby judas being moved, purposed to sell and betray jesus to the Priests. t The Evangelists purpose in the rest, which followeth. In those things, which follow, john handleth those matters, whereby the glory and virtue of Christ appeared & shone oftentimes most clearly to the people of Israel: v From the 12. ver. unto the 19 & first, where as he entered into the city with regal pomp, he declareth, that he is the king & the deliverer of the people of God, whom the Prophets foreshowed to come. x In the 19 for This, grieved the Pharisees, who being overwhelmed with the greatness, power, and evidency of Christ his doings, are constrained to despair of their own matters. y In the 20, 21 & 22. ver. Hereunto this also is added, that the Greeks or Gentiles came to jerusalem from countries very far distant to see and salute jesus. z From the 23. ver. unto the 27 Whereby the Lord taketh occasion to speak of his death, of the fruit thereof, and of the great and far exceeding glory following his death immediately. a In the 27, and 28, ver. Also he prayeth, that the father would set forth his glory. b In the 28 and 29 ver. An oracle is given from heaven answering to the prayers of the Lord. c From the 30 ver. unto the 34. Thereupon the Lord teacheth again most clearly, what fruit shall come unto the faithful through his death. d In the 34, verse. Now when the people here upon moved a question, touching the eternity of the Messiah, e In the 35, and 36. ver. He exhorteth them to faith. f In the 37. verse. The jews notwithstanding continue in their unbelief, g From the 38. ver. unto the 44. the which thing john proveth that Esaias foreshowed. h From the 44. verse unto the end of the chap. But to confirm the weak in faith, the Lord maketh a most vehement Sermon, wherein he gathereth a brief rehearsal of his doctrine, hitherto publicly proposed. i What went before. S. john hitherto hath set forth those things, which the Lord spoke and did, privately and publicly, before his Passion, among those which were familiar with him, and in the presence of all the common people, as well by disputing as by preaching, both maintaining and delivering to the Church the most full and perfect doctrine of the Gospel: k What followeth. but in those things, which follow, he describeth certain secret and mystical, as well sayings as doings of the Lord, which he spoke and did, in that his last and mystical Supper, before his Disciples. Hear all things burn and glitter with a certain divine brightness. For here all the mysteries of our faith, and of the kingdom of God are proposed and opened, and the most dainty banquet of the soul and spirit, is most liberally furnished and set forth by the Son of God himself to the Church, so that the faithful hearer diligently considering these things, may seem to hear not a human, but a very divine voice, and not to be at any earthly supper, but being admitted into heaven itself, to be a guest at God his table. Notwithstanding passing over those things, which the other three Evangelists handled both diligently and plentifully touching this last supper, john setteth forth most fully those things, which hitherto were not committed to writing, lest the Church of Christ should want any thing, but that it might have a most full History of the affairs of her Saviour. * The 13. cha. l In the first verse. Therefore in the beginning speaking somewhat in manner of a Preface, m From the 2 ver. unto the 12 he bringeth in forthwith the Lord washing the Disciples feet, n From the 12. ver. unto the 18. and commending by that deed, with certain words added thereunto, both humility, and the duties of charity, expounding also the effect or fruit of his passion. o From the 18 verse unto the 30. After these things is placed a diligent and profitable disputation of judas his treason. p In the 30. for When as judas was departed forth of the holy banquet of the holy Apostles, that he might gather together cutters, which might take jesus, q In the 31, & 32. verses. jesus understood that his last hour now approached, he seethe also that his disciples, being oppressed with great sorrow, are diversly tempted and grieved, r From the 33. verse unto the end of the chap. therefore he maketh a worthy oration unto them with great deliberation, that he might thereby comfort his Disciples, and admonish them and fully instruct them in all his matters. For this are they wont to do, which are at the point of death, namely to comfort theirs, to instruct them in divers things, & gravely to warn them. For in such manner the Lord maketh a large and a most profitable oration unto his Disciples here put down in writing unto the 17. Chapter, which for the more plainness we have divided into two parts. The former part is comprehended in the latter end of the s From the 33 verse 13 Chapter, and in the 14. Chapter throughout. The latter part is contained in the 15. and 16. Chapters. But the Oration or Sermon of the Lord is divers, neither is it referred to any one, and certain mark, except thou respect consolation & instruction. For all things tend hereunto, that the Disciples of Christ be not troubled, and that they may understand the mysteries of Christ, and know what they should do. t In the 31, 32 and 33. verses of the 13. chapter. And first he entreateth of his death, which because it seemed unto the world to be shameful and infamous, he teacheth, that both the father and the son is glorified through his death. v In the 34. & 35. ver. Then because he must leave them, lest they should be ignorant how to behave themselves, and what laws they should keep one with another, he doth not overcharge them with many prescriptions, but commendeth unto them charity only. x In the 36. & 37. ver. Notwithstanding here the lords talk is broken of a little, through the bold brag of Saint Peter, y In the 36.37, & 38. ver. which the Lord cooling, goeth forward in his purpose, * The 14. cha. z In the 1 ver. and professeth openly that he is very God, that he may stay up the faith of his Disciples, wherein is the surest foundation of comfort. a From the 2. ver. unto the 8. He addeth that he therefore departeth hence and dieth, that he may open the way for us into heaven. b From the 8, ver. unto the 15 Afterwards he showeth Philip and the rest more fully, that he is in all things coequal and of one substance with the Father: yea and that the Father cannot be known but by the Son. c In the 15. for And now also he exhorteth them to keep his commandments faithfully: d In the .16 and 17. verses. and promiseth an other comforter. e From the 18. ver. unto the 25 Moreover he useth many reasons, whereby he may both comfort their sorrowful minds, & stir them up to the vehement study of godlidesse. f From the 25 ver. unto the 30 And hereupon he reasoneth more plentifully of the comforter, or holy Ghost, g In the 30 and 31, ver. and saith most plainly that he must shortly be delivered into the hands of sinful men: but yet so that the world should be saved thereby. h What went before. Having finished the former part of the Lord jesus Oration made after the Supper unto his beloved Disciples, i What followeth. we come now to the latter part, which seemeth to be spoken in the journey toward the mount of Olives, and is comprehended in the 15. and 16. Chapters. k How this which followeth, agreeth with that which went before. And it agreeth with those things, which went before in this manner: The Lord had oftentimes said, that he must depart forth of this world to the Father, the mean while lest the Disciples should suppose, that they should utterly be forsaken, he added, that he with the father and the holy Ghost would come unto them, and abide with them, if they continue in keeping his precepts. * The 15 cha. l From the 1. ver. unto the 9 Now as it were repeating the same thing, & after a sort enlarging the same by bringing in the most elegant similitude of the vine & of the branches, he reasoneth most plainly of his remaining, that I may so term it, or of his presence in the Church, yea and of the true Communion of Christ and his Saints, I mean, in that he remaineth wholly in us, by his spirit, by his power, and by his evident operation, if we by faith and by love remain in him. m From the 9 vers. unto 14. And verily for this cause he entreateth more copiously of brotherly love. n In the 14, & 15. verses. And by the way he reasoneth of the worthiness of the faithful, whom he calleth friends, and not servants. o In the 16. for Again lest they should be proud, he addeth, that this is bestowed upon them through the free election of God, which hath chosen them, that they may go and bring forth plentiful fruit. p From the 17 ver. unto the 26. But the Disciples began forthwith to feel, what perils they should be in, and therefore were they not a little afraid of themselves. The Lord therefore confirming their minds, reasoneth much and diversly of the cross and of suffering, q In the 26 and 27, ver. and promiseth again the comforter, which should stir them up, encourage, and confirm them in troubles & persecutions. * The 16. cha. r From the 1. ver. unto the 16. Moreover, he disputeth with much profit many things concerning the effects and strength of the comforter, showing how the holy ghost being given should recompense his corporal presence, which after his death should be no whit at all profitable upon earth, how by him he would prepare his Church in the world, and reign in it. s From the 16 ver. unto the 20. And yet doth he again put them in remembrance that he must first die, t In the 20 ver. and that hereupon his disciples should be oppressed with great sorrow: whom forthwith raising up again by comforting them, he assureth them that their sorrow shall not be long: but that the joy, which shall rise of his resurrection, and follow their sorrow, shall be everlasting. v In the 21, and 22, ver. And this doth he declare by the similitude of a woman travailing. x From the 23 ver. unto the 28. Moreover lest they should be overmuch sorrowful through the departing of his body into heaven, he promiseth his disciples, that he will teach them all the secrets of the kingdom of God by his spirit, and that he will give them whatsoever they shall ask in his name, that is to say, in the name of Christ: y In the 28 verse. and with all he gathereth into a brief sum the whole matter of our redemption, desiring to fasten this deep in their hearts. z In the 29 & 30 verses. The which things when as the disciples received with great rejoicing, and commended, professing, that they did now believe, and plainly understand, that he was the son of God, a In the 31, and 32 ver. he fortelleth them, that they shall forthwith forsake him, and every one provide for himself by flying away. b In the last ver. And in the end, concluding his whole talk continued hitherto from the thirtienth Chapter, and signifying whereunto all things must be applied, he saith: These words have I spoken unto you, that in me you might have peace, for in the world ye have tribulation: but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. c What went before & what followeth. After that our Lord jesus Christ had partly comforted his disciples by these very divine sermons, and partly informed and instructed them against the storm of evils imminent, because he had purposely warned them, that they must not put their trust in any human things, but in the help of God, he doth moreover teach by his own example, that in their afflictions the look no whither else, but to the Father of heaven. d From the 1. ver. unto the 6. * The 17. cha. Now therefore preparing himself to suffer his passion, he beginneth it with making his prayers unto the father, unto whom first he commendeth himself, e From the 6, ver. unto the 20 than his Apostles, f From the 20 ver. unto the end of the chap. lastly all, which believe the doctrine of the Apostles, beseeching him, that he would glorify him, and that he would guide the Apostles, and the Church of the faithful, through this most unpure world, in the study of the truth, of godliness, and of charity, and that he would join them unto him for ever. * The 18. cha. g In the 1. Having finished his prayer, he goeth unto the mount of Olives, entering into a garden, where he might commend himself again to God by his prayers. h In the 2. & 3. verses. The mean while traitorous judas had gathered together a band of most wicked varlets, and approacheth the innocent. i From the 4. ver. unto the 10. The Lord, that he might show that he suffered of his own accord and willingly, and that he was omnipotent, although he suffered himself to be chained, overthroweth often times the band in the graden, and afterwards committeth himself voluntarily unto the wicked to be bound. k In the 10, and 11 verses. There Peter fighteth unhappily enough, and was rebuked of his master. l In the 12.13 and 14 ver. They bring the Lord forthwith to Annas the high priest, and from him to Caiphas, because he was placed that year in the chief dignity of priesthood. m In the 19 for Inquisition is made touching the doctrine of jesus, n In the 20, and 21, ver. and whilst he went about to answer, o In the 22.23, & 24 ver. he is most unworthily beaten of a servant of the high priests. p In the 15, 16 17, and 18. verses, also in the 25, 26, and 27. verses. Whilst these things were in doing, Peter denieth & abjureth the Lord most shamefully. q In the 28, verse. Christ is lead from the high priests court strait ways unto the deputies common hall of judgement, because he seemed worthy of death. r From the 29 ver. unto the 38 He is accused before Pilate, and the chief points of the accusation are discussed, t In the 38. and 39 verses. but Pilate finding no fault in him, goeth about by cunning too set him at liberty. v In the last ver. Which when it fell out unluckily, * The 19 chap x From the 1 ver. unto the 6. he bringeth him torn with whips, and crowned with a crown of thorns, forth unto the common people a beast of many heads. y In the 6. ver. They cry out together, that he may be crucified. z From the 7, ver. unto the 12 But Pilate enquiring of many things, a From the 12 ver. unto the 16 yet at the last overcome with the wicked outcries of the jews, b In the 16 for delivereth jesus to be crucified. He is received of the soldiers, c In the 17 ver. and led forth into a place named of dead men's skulls unto execution. d In the 18 ver. There is he lifted up upon a cross in the midst between two thieves. e From the 19 ver. unto the 23 The title or cause of his death is put upon the cross by Pilate not without great reasoning and controversy. f In the 23, and 24, ver. Moreover the soldiers part the lords garments, and cast lots for his coat, which was without seam, under the cross. g In the 25, 26, & 27 ver. The Lord from the cross committeth his mother to john: h In the 28 for He thirsteth, i In the 29 for and refuseth to drink vinegar offered him in a sponge, k In the 30 ver. and witnessing holily that all things were finished, and that the sacrifice was perfect, he gave up his ghost to God the father. l In the 31, and 32 ver. Afterwards the legs of the thieves are broken, m In the 33▪ and 34. ver. jesus his side is opened, blood and water guisheth out of it. n In the 35, 36 & 37 ver. john which saw it, doth holily witness the truth, o From the 38 ver. unto the end of the chap. And lastly come godly & devout men, which take down the dead body of the Lord from the cross, and spice it most honestly, and bury it. p What followeth, john, in this last part of his Gospel, reckoneth up, with great trust and diligence, the most manifest testimonies and proofs of the glorious resurrection from the dead of our Lord jesus Christ, whereby he showeth fully and plainly, that he rose again from the dead truly with his true & lively body. He was not very careful touching the manner of the resurrection, & concerning the natural order of the revelations. For he saw that the other Evangelists had plentifully handled & plainly enough set the forth therefore he setteth forth the most chosen proofs: * The 20. cha. q In the 1 ver. and from the 11. unto the 18 And in the beginning he showeth, how he showed himself alive to Marie Magdalen. For Mark also saith: r Mark chap. 16 ver. 9 When jesus was risen early, the first day after the Sabbath, he appeared first to Marie Magdalen, out of whom he had cast seven devils. s In the 2 and 18 verse. Now she declareth to the apostles forthwith what she had seen: t From the 3 ver. unto the 11 two of the which running to the sepulchre, find by certain signs & tokens, that she had reported no vain matter. v In the 19 and 20. verses. Now the Lord himself, being willing to show manifestly his manifest resurrection to the ten disciples gathered together, cometh into the midst of them, & showeth them openly his hands and side marked with the prints of the wounds, proving so the truth of his true resurrection. x In the 21, 22. & 23 ver. Forthwith he committeth and enjoineth the apostles the ministery of preaching salvation & redemption, putting them in trust with the keys of the kingdom of heaven. y In the 24. for When these things were in doing, the rest of the disciples being assembled in one place, Thomas only was away, z In the 25 for unto whom returning shortly afterwards, the disciples rejoicing greatly, report that they had seen the Lord. He suspecting that they had been deluded by some phantasm, denieth, that he will believe, except he behold the body of jesus openly with his own eyes, yea and handling it with his hands, touch the truth of his body. a In the 26. & and 27. verses Therefore after eight days, when as all the eleven disciples were come together again into one place, the Lord jesus is present again, and offereth himself most manifestly to Thomas, both to be beholden of his eyes, & to be handled of his hands, b From the 28. verse unto the end of the chap. who being overcome with the evidency & truth of the matter, crieth out, that he doth now acknowledge and worship Christ for his Lord & God. c Where these things were done. And these things were done in the very city of Jerusalem, and about the very grave of the Lord: the which although they might suffice fully to confirm the faith of the resurrection, * The 21. chap d From the 1 ver. unto the 15 yet doth john add a certain notable proof, whereby he declared in Galilee, that he was risen from the dead, by dining also with his disciples. For the Lord had promised, as well by his private promise, as by the promises of Angels, that it should come to pass, that they should see him in Galilee. e In the 15, 16 and 17 ver. And unto this revelation john joineth the talk which the Lord had with Simon Peter immediately after dinner, whom he restored to his ministery, f In the 18, & 19 verses. foretelling him his sorrowful destiny. g From the 20 ver. unto the 24 Peter marveling what should become of john, heareth that every one ought to look unto his own calling. h In the 24, & last verse of the chapter. Lastly john, making a protestation, that he hath described the matters of our lord jesus very faithfully, shutteth up the history of the truth of the Gospel. Here endeth the sum of the Gospel by Saint john. FINIS.