k-' i' ■■■■ ^■"•^j--. ■ 'V. f « • /i/ ' /; , »^ •it? 4(.u^fif y fill '»f»^/l>«T5 ;/AK>i \ 7 rrir^caVdC , si Pii^r J[>. l/^^r4>^^ jLjr^./«tf «^ ^»*^e5 Z^*;^ ^^^ ^on-'h^yfCu^^ «»»D /,**»■ Mt -/uM'i,whichaedmexilefromEngland &other coirn^ tries wcre'catiy recciiiei and entertained among you and that you did noc ondy rclceSc and cafe their hcauie bam(hrnent but that you had alfo a due con- fidcrition of the glory of the fonnc of God, in fo much that you madehs Gof- p,.! ,,) Scfo niedm yoar cirtie,eucnby the tongues of aliants, and that in a llriin^cUa nja^e. The hlcecartefic was (hewed oflatc by the Magiftrates of Ti-urmctotiieafl^iclidcitizcnsofLo.whomthey didnotonelyrecciueand fo!f:r vY.thin the wiUcs of their Citie when at hone theycouldc notworfliip G jJ as they would c : but alfqtfreaed a Temple for them vyhercin they might celebrate Gods holy feruice: neither were they difwaded bythcdiueriiticof ton 'ucf from fuffcrin^ Chrift to fpeake Italian cuen in thc'middeft of Tigurine butl let them pallc to1:omc againe to that I was about to fay of you. As foonc at I fnderdoodc that your carce(ie ftretched fo farrc as to fuffcr uay countrimen to hauc a holy congregation in your citie percciuingmy felfc bound vnto yoa by a priuatc benefit :I thojght good to teltifie my tbankfull hart by this gift which now I prefcnt vnto you . For as the condition of our countrie men is ri^hrlvr-) he Um:fiti:d, who dwelling in their natiuefoylcjfecme by the tyran- ...i; ■;:;. ..l_;c oft'.it Popc to be deane baniihcdfrom Chriftcj kingdomc.v fo on the contrary parte, it is not a little to bee reioyced atthit they haue a rclhng place granted them in a ftrang countrie, where they may render due honourTntothcliuingGDd. And furely this holy hofpitalitie which yon haue V fed , not fo much towarJes men as to Chrift him fclfe, fliall be a meanc as I t:r. ^^tomoucGodtopowcrhiswrcbencfites vpon you,andftil to continue i-.wSberalitic towards yoii which do alreadie florifhinall profperitie. Doubt> l:ircitconlVainedmec(asIfignifieibeforeytodedicatethis my bookc vnto yju, wliich isa ConmcntaricvponthcHirmoniemsdeofthrcc Euangchfts/ inmakinigwliercof Ihauetakcnfomepaincs whith no leflc fidelitie then in- i!j!iry. But ns it is tolmallpurpofc to declare howferioufly I haue trauailed here m.-fodo I fubmitmy fclfe to othcrmcn$iudgcm:nts,for the learned, wire,ancl difcrrcte Rci.icrs,wlio as they take great delight in thecomon vtilitic,fo they ? 'lamcJ lilcc rude and barbarous caytiftsjtolearne and augment their c by rcaJmgauilludie. Cut AS for peruersaadouerthwart wranglers, T little elUcmc, I mc.vic iiot cowled Monkcs, who for ths maintenance of the r ; . V ■ ht m openplaceacrairiftvsibatalfothofe vnnaturall drones ^- . J -J irnong v$,delire nothing motc,thcn cleane to extinguifli ailii.^htoflcarninc»»tothi$mtcntthat they may cloakc and coucr their ownt iporancc. For although like dogsthcy dcfpitcfally barkc atmc, yet will I vfc (his DEDICATORIE, thit exception alwaies,ihat I need not fubmit my ffclfifto their cenfure or fudge ment,eytherbythclawof God orofmen, which are not ontlytobckeptvn- dcrlikc children for their blamefull and infamous vnskilfulncs ; but alfo moft feuercly to bepunilhed for their malicious obftinacie, and too llubborncimpu. dcncic. But what foeucr they fay, I truft the better fort will graunt, thatitis lawfull formeto acknowledge without arrogancie, that faithful labour, which I haue iniployed to the profit of Gods Church. There came forth two yeeres fince the GoffJell of lohn, with my interpretation, which I truft hath not been fruitelcfTe. And thus like an apparitor, Ihaucendeuourcdtomypowcr, tofet forth Ghrift riding princ'dikcinhisfourc wheeled chariot , very glorioufly : By reading of which woikcj when the gentle readers haucprofitcdthemfelucf, they will not loath to confefle, that they hauc not ftudied it m vaine: which E- uangelicallhiftory bcfngdcfcribed and fttforth by fourewitnefles, appointed by God himfelfc, I doe not withoutcaufc compare vnto a chariot ,for of this fwecte and pleafantconfcnt God fccmethpurpofcly to hauc made as it were, a triumphant chariot for his fonne, out ofwnich he might phinelyappcare to be Jfcencof all hisfaithfull peoplc,& by the fwtifnes whereof he mightlightly pafk andasitwereraungeouer the whole world. Neither doth Augulbne vnfitly compare the foureEuangcIiftes to trumpets, the noyfe whereof doth found in alcoaftsjthatthe Church of Chriftc being fummoncd out pfthe foure quarters ofthcworld,mightflocke and gather together from the Eaft and the Weft c, from the South and the North,vnto an holy confent of faith . Wherefore their abfurd curiofitie istheleffe to be borne withal who being not content with thcfe Gofpels ( which be asic were proclamations poceedingfrom heauen) thruft out their owne toy es, and corrupt imaginations, which do nothing but defile the puritic of faith, and caufe Cbriftes name to be fcorncd and had in dcrifionofthcvngodly. As for you, which doc farrc excel the common forte, fince you deteft in minde all that corrupt Icuen, wherewith the true fine critic oftheGofpellisinfeded,and(heweyour felucs to delight in nothing more tben in maintaining an d allowing the plainc and fimple doftrin, as it is fct fot th hy Chrift himfelfe; I am not onely pcrfwaded thatyou will very wdhkc of this n5y watchful worke, which expoundeth the treafure of glad tid/nc$: but alfo I haueagood hope, that this lignc or token of my good wiUand loue to you' ward, will be alwcll acceptable, in that I hauc dedicated the fame vnto you. Thus I bid you farewel, right honorable Lordcs, and wilhe that Chrift may dire5 4J ibid ^7 430 zo 2^0 7 294 48 340 28 lb. rl 251 t ibid 38 l^'. 31 430 ^7 254 XI 2py 38 ibid 33 ibid ^^ ^5S 12 ibid 41 34a 34 432 30 ibid 14 29^ 42 343 3^ ibid J* ibid ly 297 H 2JP 20 303 X3-1 245 1 5 X 433 ij ibid 21 304 9 ibid 2 435 S^ ibid ^3 jojr 10 ib 3 43^ 57 ^f7 ^S 3 op II ib 5 437 i6 3" 12 348 7 ibid 10. I 2^7 27 ibid '3 34P 9 43« a z68 28 313 H ibid 10 439 J ibid ^5> 3H 16 351 li ibid f 3' »y.4 r IS «4 4<^T 468 ibid ibi. 4^^ 471 jbi. 47 i 47J 474 10. 47^ ibid 479 481 48Z 48J J07 J08 484 485 48(5 487 488 490 495 4P7 *I. 49« JOO joa ibid 504 50^ ibid ibid n4 ibid Pf J18 jio Vcrfc. 1(5 17 18 ^9 21 ar a8 »9 3^ X S 16 »7 I) ai ax *? 14 ay 26 23 ^9 i* 34 2 5 6 8 9 xo 32 '3 J4 if 16 18 »^ 21 »J if |o 3f Fol. Ca.Verrc. Fol. Ca. Vcrfc. Foi^ TM fH JI7 ibid 22. ill' n4 us a' n^ J40 HI 54* 54? ibid J4f J4<5 ibid ibid 547*^ 557 55« ibi, SS9 ibid 5^4 S66 j68 5^i? ibid 570 ibid S7l ibid 574 ibid I 2 4 7 x6 J3 S76 M 578 g7 ibid 41 ibi. 4? 581 44 jJ^i 45 58J - 38, ibid 388 ibid 39<5 5^4 is j8r at ibid 22 ^27 2j f88 24 589 19 59^0 30 ib« 38 5P5 35> 5P^ 40 598 42 ^00 4 J ^01 44 60Z 1 604 60J 60S 60^ ibid 2 4 7 9 XX 14 <^I2 X ^ ibid 16 ^xj 18 ^14 2^ 617 24 ibid a J ibid 27 ^18 ap ^xp ^0 do 33 5 and huing left by your parents and in the feat of goucrnment, wherein our Soueraigne and moft gratious Qucenc hath placed you^not falling aflcepe in fecuritiem this lo pcacabic a time. My good L. continue to the cnde/o ilull you bcc fate. I fpeake not this as if it were your ownc Itrcngtli tJMt hath holden you vp al this while,but meditate romtinesJprayyouvpDnthe//, Pfalme,and pray that Lord as D und did, who kept you in your youth that he wil Keep.' you in your old a-e.naw that your head is hoare and iiayrcs .:;ray And I befeech the mighty Lord to thrull them for .vard which arc dravven back by their youthly affeaions • & to raife sy thcin tlmt tell away for feare of troubles & to waK-cn chotc which in this quiet and calme time do llcepe m iccuncie , or waxc wanton with the wealth of the worlde. that we may mcctc the Lordc with true huiiiilitie and car' ncft rcpentauncc,to fee if hcc wiU bee mtreated to continue Eptftle Dedicatorie. Jiis mercies towards vs, Icaft lie turn Ins corre3:!ng rod which he hathfo ofte fliaken ouer vs, into a ueuourba, fwoordtoconfumcvs^Ofmy felfel will (ay nothing, the mouthes of the wicked cannot be ftopt^their falfe tongues I hope fhall teach me to Walke warilicj and I haue learned,! thanke my God,to paHe through good reportc ^ through cuiil and to commit my felFe and my caufe to him that iud-' geth right. The Lord of Lords preferue your honour in fafetie,& multiply all ipintuallbleffinosvponyou & yours.- FromKiltchamptonin Cornewall^this s8,ofIan. 1^84, The Lords mofl Vnloorthie minifter, lame Eufebm Vaget The argument of the Gofpell of Icfus Chrift, according as it iskttefoonh by M ATHEWE, MARKE, and l,VKE, TH A T W€ may read thh Euangelicallhyjiorieto ouv profile and commodithy is pjall not be litis auaiUabk to ynderfiand the ff nee of this word E V A N G E- L I V Mj which rve call in Engllfh the G O S P EL'. for thereby rve /hall eafdy difcernewhat mooned thefe heattenly voitnejjes to commit thefe things to tvryting^ and to •what ends all things that they haue vrytteny art to be referred, Tor thtfe hyfiories vert ttotfs named by other Kien, but that the atithottrs themfeluesdidfo intitle them it is ma-- mfefi by Marl^ : v^hichjnyeth inplaine voordestbat he declareth th'. beginning of th» Gofpel ofIefu.s Chrifi, Moreotter theprefefle andplainedefinitian of^ Gofpd is gathered fpecially out of a certainplace inVauleyXoherehtfaieth that it \»as protnifedofG ODin thefcriptmes by the Vropheti as concerning hisfon r^hich was borneofthefeede ofDauid, ^°"^* ^** and decUred mi^htely to be the fonne of God through thefpirit offanflification by tht fifing agalne of^ deade, firU he/heweth that it it a tefiimonie offaluation offered vhich was promifed longagoeto the fathers by antinuall faccejfe of ages^ wherein doeth appear e a plaine difference hetweme thofe promifes which did hold in doubt the mindes of thefaitbfuU^and thofe glad tidinges Vohereby God rvitnejfeth that he hath nove throughly perfommed allthinges which before he would haue them to hope for. Lihf as a little after thefameVaulefayeththattheiuTiiceof Godis fttte foorth in the fame Gofpell which before Wffsfignified by the lawe and the Vrophets.And therefore in an other place^ the -»^ ^pofile calleth it an ambaffage wherein is daily declaredrntc men a reconciliation which **^^^* J is once for all conceded betweene God and the world J>y the death ofChrifiyHefinvifitth alfo that Chrift is not onely a pledge of all good things that weregrannted ynto ys by God but alfo that in him they arefttlly and wholely off red ynto ys ^according as hcfayeth elfe wherg^that althe promifes of God are fulfilUd in Chrift euenfobeit ^men.^nddoubtlejft that free adoption whereby ipe are made the children ofGodai itprtceedethfrom the euer lafting good will of the father Jo it is opened ynto ys in that that Chrift (who is the' onely natural fon ofGod)taketh ourflejh ypo him did chufe ys to be his brethen.?(either ought ve tofeeke any where elfe^but only in the facrlfice of his death expiation or bleffing when with ourfinnes are blotted out ifothat thecroffe orfentence of death cannot fall ypon f/, J{ighteoufn(jfe^fahation and perfeB felicity haue a fure foundation in his refurreftitn^ IPhere fore ^Gofpell way bedefinedtobeafolemnepuhUfhinge or proclamation^ where in the fonofGod is declared to haue beene offredyppein theflefhtothe intent that hee might renerr the wickfd world and reftore men that were dead^to life.lS^jitheris it with., out caufe called good ^glad tidings fince in it is comprehended ^fumme ofourfelicityei . for the endethereofis that it^ hauing begun in ys the h^ingdome of God and hauing aboli- fhed the corruption ofourflefh might bring ys being renewed through thefpirit ynto the celeftidl ^heauenly glory.Inwhich fenfe it is eft titles called thekjngdomeofheauen^ ^ad 4 reparation of a bliffefullife^atchieued by Chrift ^fotttetimes it is calUd the ki"i:- Mar.r. | 0*.) dm THE ARGVMENT, d^m of God. ^svrhtn Mark^efayeth that lofeph looked for the hjngdome ofGoi^iouhim iejje unto bee yndf/Jioode of thecommmge of Aiijftas.'XvheTeby if is ma/ttfe/} that tht name of the Gofpcl doth properly pertaineto tht 2\eMeT ejiamcnt: and that thofe wry ters 4 C fF'^^>< "^'^Jl '^onfufely,Xfhich thnke it to be lil^e common to all agej, and that the prophets * * * m.xy ns aptly be called miuifien of the Gofpel^as the ^poftUs'.ChnJit wo^rdes found farrt otherwife voho m^kin^ mention that the law and the Vrophets were of force tiU the com- minge oflohn, declareth that then g l^ngdomcofGod be^anto be preached ^nd Marke (^asbeforevas mentionedyi^?n_^eth that the Gefpcl did beginnewnh the preachinve •/ lohn: but this nans and title was not without good aduiftmentgiutnto thefe 4 hyfiorief» wherein is declared,^ Chrijl tool\e ypon him g office ^funtiion of a medtatJur.Forfince in the birth death and rcfurret'tionoj Chrifi is comprifed thefstm ofourfalnation^^ t hty are thtyery matter vrherofit doethcon(t/ieythey mayyery well^ fitly beralied Euan^ gelijls-.that is to fay, hr infers ofmerryenevftSyXvhichtponraite out before our eyes Chrifi fent of his father, [0 that by faith we may acknowledge him to be the only attthourofonr feliutie. The force andeffcfAeofhis comming is more plainely put downein other hookes •ftheT^vreTeff amer.t. ^lid John in this refpefr differeth farre from the other three iPthaii wholely occupied inexl^refiingtheyertueofChrif?,and thefruite thaiwe reaps thereby xchere as the refi fiandmore yppon thispoynt that our Chrifi is the fonne of God whichwaspromiftdtobe theredemeroftheworld. Indeede thejy doe tsache heere and ther e the doCl-r me of C]}^-ifies office, that vemay becertifiedofhisfaucurtowardeys and So what endeh: wasgiuen ynto ys: but this (as lfayde)is thecheefefi matttrthty handle that Chrifi lefus did fully fimfh allthinges inhis owne perfon whatfoeuer was promi'^ fed by Godeuerfince the beginning of the world. For their purpofe and intent Was not by thtir vrytiftgs to aboltfJj dr defiroy the Uxie^^ Vrophtts as diners braineftck^pirfons doe yainclj dreame, that the Old Tefiament hath beene to none effecle eiterfince p ye^ ritie of theheauenlywifcdome hath been repealed yntoy;by Chrijieand his ^pofiles 2^} they rather pointing out Chrifie ynto ys as it were with a finger put ys in minde t» feekeat his handes what foeuer the lawe and the Vrophets haue afcribed ynto him. ffhere" fore then weefljallfruiteful'y and effeflttally read the Gofpell when we fjaliUarn e /• conferre it mththefromifes of tlje oldeTefiametit. ^sco*tcerning the three Euann-elifis which nowe I takj in hand to interpret. Mathewe isfuffrciently l,noxpne,andj'ome thinke Markt to haue liued firm ill arly with Veter as hiffcholltr: and to haitc receiued the Gof- pell which he vrroiewoordby woordout of Peters mouth, fo that he fupplied onely the roumtof the Scribe or 2\otarie. But thii matter needeth no curious dijputation for it little appertaineth ynto vsto k.ncwem'tre, tlxn that he isa lanfi'Al 'witneffe ordained of God and that he publifheth nothing in wrytir.gj)ut that which was repealed ynto him e> putte ints hiJiand by the lioly Ghcfi. But leroma opinion feemeth to hauefmal zrounde who thinkeih his Gofpell to be a briefefumme,dr.iwne0utofthe Gofpell of Mxtherre For he dijferethfromhim in handling his matter euen in the enterance- neither doth he obferue the fame Mcthode that Mathew doeth, -^ he rech^neth yppe diners thimres lefte -yntou^ chedof the other and fame thingesmentianed inMuthtwe,he declareth more atlar^e T thinke it more probable ^and fc may Igatherbytht woorhe itflfe^thathe had neuerfeene Mathewes book^ vrhen he wrot e his 0 rrnf,vjuch leffe did he of purpofe mak^e an Epitome cr abridgement ofit.jindthe yery fame doe liudge of Lul\e. For ^as concerning the cU»fff )rfhrtmthejftmtt9di£«/;: For the which Gofpell I/uffcr amidionas an euill doer, cucn vnto hondes,^ndxvhok^tci»eth not that Vaule vp a s accufed not for any Boo ke he had Cent" piiedy bu t for that kee was aMiniJierofthewoordeand preached openly the Gofpell of Chnfti whereby itappeareththat Eufebius was a man rery painful butoffmaliu dement fince without diltgt ntheed he htapeth yp togither jo manyjenceles notes whertfl thuuzh$ good to admonijh the readers le/fi they chance tofiumble atfuch lih^ blockes ychith He heereand therefcattered tU ctiglmitall his workes. Merecucr^becaufe J haue chofen a iqndeofinterpr£tation,which may perhaps dijpleafediuers atthefirji blufh^ I meanet^ yeeld a reafon ofmydoingtrufiingtherelytofattffie the ynfartial and godly readers ThisfirUii reithoutccntr.Mrfiejthatmne ofthe three Euangel/J^s^can be truely & rifrht ly inter^retedy ynUffehe be conferred with thetno other Mereforefaithfull and sktl%U Interpreter Syh erein take mcjiepair.es^tlat all things may be reconciled trhich arefpoken _ hy f thretEuangeUJis^Butfince that meane wittei cannot eafilyccnferrethe Euangelifii ^ togither ;whikfifi ill they tur ne andretmnefrcm the one place to the other 1 thought thit briefe Methode would feeme pleafant & profitable ^ if by a continuall frecejfe or difcoun likf as it were in one table the t htee hi0'.ries rrere ioyned together, wherin the readert way fee and dijcernt at once what is dtjfonant and agreeable to them all. So 1 will omr* flip nothing which is wrytten by any cm afthe three- and I will declare in one difcottrft whatfoeueris handled by diuns. liow, whether mypainei be well beJiowed{as Ihope)er no Jet ^uery manne iudgeaccorditg to the}roftehe ta^eth in reading. Truly it Wasfo farrefrom my thought to catch after praife and commendation by my neve inuention ? that I freely ccnfcfji{ai he commeth euery good nature yhat in this manner ef interpre- tation 1 haue imitated other, Jnd I mofi tfall menfoUowed Bucer^a man cfholy memorie and a famous teacher in the church of God^who^inmy iud':ment)hath traueled l.eerein to nofmalpurpofe. ^nd Ul^ as he hath had great furtherance hy the diligence cf ancient wryters, which haue tah^en painc sin the fame fiudiebefcre him i fo Ipr^feffetny jelfi to haue beeneas much eaft d by his labour and indufirie. Hut where as 1 differ fnm him injome place {the which liberty I graunted my felfe ofte as fetmed recejfary,)! thinh^thathe himfelfe^ifhe mw liued on earth would not be offended with />» A TABLE OF THOSE THINGES WHICH are expounded in the Harmonic* The iirft nuir.bcr fl^cwctli the page, the other, the verfc of the Chapters. Butif the number be one alone, it fignifieth that thou docftieeke for,tobchadinthc Commentary jwhich next of all follovreth the words of the EuangeIiftes,before which no number of verfes is fct ji they doe condemne- others vnlcarncdiy ABMthe fonneofEliitarthcprieft, j. j. 178.54- They doc wickedly baniai kings ^Z';;aw>w/*o»of dcfolatio whaciti$,643 and magiftratesfrom the Church, 542.25 15. They keepc wrongfully the vfc of ^ fword jlhY4hami^or\T\zs be of two fortes ,j^, 49, & from theChurch,7i4 ^2. they ouerthrov? 40. J5,& 223.U & 54139.400.2 j.& J JO pollitike order and citate, 508.24. 9. The ^nahaptiftei deny that it is lawful! for a ^brahamshoComc, 598. 22. Chrirtianmanne to deuide his goods, 172 ^^rrf/^rfwilaughterditfcrethfromthelaughter 15. of Sara, i J, ' 8. The error of the ^naha^tiJJet, concernin<'e ^;o«5areneceflrary,498* 15. community of goods, 118. u.& 575.15'. Moption^ the key of the kingdome of heauen, The vaine boatting of the ^nabapii/ht, 161. A token of^i/o/>f/o,to deferuc wel ofal 18 5.45 The particle Wput for ^ecaufe, 3 2. 42. and ^dulteriehcfon God, 175. 28* 495. i5. Humane ajfeCtiom are not to bee lay cd away. The ^ngelUs, knowc not the laft day, 6k <«• 287.57, 1$, ^fflidionssCommon to the godly and godles. The ^ngelt arc the keepers or watch men of <^57-9. *hefaithfull,iji.6.and488.io,and7i4. ^jflihions^ very profitab le to the god ly, 5 2 2, 55. 17- One^ngdl^ captaine or leader ofthc whole Thefaithfiill are fubi'cd to 4^/^7/0^2 87. 5 8 people, 2^4.9. Mmei ihefacrificeof a[wcetrauoiir,i75,25 The jingeU are miniftcrsofthe eled orcho- ^OT/i/;o7?,howdaungeiousitis, 1^2, 24.and fen, 598.22. 454.1* The Papiftes fooliflily imitate the M^elles , ^w^///o»immoderate, 57 ^i. 22«28. Ambition in the glory and folemnitics ofafu- Hoyy ^ngelles arethefonnes of God, 24,524 nerall,398,22. Of^»je//w,Chrifteisthehead,474. 5. »/^wt/>/o»alwayesinvertuestobcfeared,i85 -/^w^tfrjfortheiudgementofGou, iiy.7^ I* Holyandiuft^w^er, 520. 8. ^;;;i;fio»is condemned, 125.24* and i8^.i, ^;?»4 the Prop hciefle, 89. ^6, and 584. 7. and 598. 22,aad455. i.and Thefcripture hath foretolde the dcflruaion 404, I. and 48(5, 5. 559. 22. and J41. oijntichrifi^6^-^, z, ^4- w^»f/V/;r//?f<.irni(hca with myarcles, ^47. 25. Theiruewayormancrofeorreaingc^w^j- Thc^/.q/?/« were foliicitedormoued ofthc tion, 559.22* Scribes vnto fallinge away, 244. 1 1 . ihcir The ^»4/4/;?//?« dof wickedly keepc little calling, z^^. 4'^ildrenfrombaptifmc, J21.14, - _ ^ Ur able of the ^po/?les, why r/relue in i\umber chofen of tht liberty of the Jl'oJlUs in citing the places oftheoldteRament,8i..6.&: j24'iO'^"^ Wherein MtfiatU placcth the chicfe good, 571. :?8. ^TYogancy is to be nuoidcdj 78,2 1« Holy ^/^w^iVwarenonobe ncgledcd, 501 The place of y/«*^/'y?/«f, 1^2. 24'^ ^^^- ??• &262.28 &:273.2^&J90-2^3-^400'2'5 and 41 5 . 58. Mfwerei pa: fcr any word orfpcach, ioj.4^. B B Aum, wercin times paft called lefTer LOiS,2«0,i^, ^::pt:j',nci^ not to bcc dcnyed to infants, 511 14 S:8oi.i9. t'^'-r/.w- followeth dodiinCjBoi. 19. The Cndf o" ii Ipf/('r«fj54.22 . T v. vei itic oUdMifne, is in Clirift alonc,ii9 7 he AnflbaptiHs, as much as in the Ii«th,do bloc uutfj.iptifmey^^S.i, The B^pttfme of Iohn,for his whole miniftery ^71. If. The Bapnfme oflohnandof Chriftc, is the fame, I ID. J.& .20. B.fraU>ai is preferred before Chridc, 7^6; Barentxfj'if counted 3S 1 repronch, 20, 2 ^ . Barennejje excluded none out oi the kingdo."n ofhcauen, ibidem. Beel\ebHbj\\hxtiti^,l76.l^.Sc 3' 20. 24. To heleeuc, what it is, g 3 , 4 J . looke faith. Two BetJ)ld'emsj 8 j .6. Why aC;/ ofdiuorcemcntein times paft was permitted, i7<^. 5 i. The BifhojH of Poperic, are not paftours, 1 3 8 18.&.800.19. The B:Jh9(>s of Poperie glory in vair;C in the fucceffionofthc Apollies, 164. i^.'Sc 5S1. 42,&696.2.&80^.20. The Btpjoi>s ofpopcric arc iJummc dogs,! 5^. BUfl>bemie againft the fpiritjWhat it is, ^ 3 1! j J B/tf//?«5isdiuerflytakcn,8of.i9, /i/fj^n^putforhappinefTe, zz 28. 5ifjJ7r;;_5-5forr,iuingoI"thanks,425,ip, the BUj]ingoh\\Q. papiftes godjis magicall.r^z 26, hlejj'ed j}pi\t for chofen or beloucd of God,^7£ ?4' C/f/'Je^M^;to'/vardevSj is flom the free loue of God322.28. two 6/i/j^tf mcnrecciue their fight of Chriflc, Boanerges for Brw-e re^es,yei B^g^Sy 1^6, 16, the Boi;/ muft beerelcruedfor the vvorlhip of God, I j^. io» Boo/^e for Catalogue, 57.1. The carelcfneflc of wryters oibool'^eSy ^ 8.^» Bo;*«t;/K/«jf/eiscommcnded,'i 17.1 1. & i8| 5J.& 20o.ip,& 582.14 &58)-.i2.&^7p. II. Br*4iputfor allkinde ofnourifhtnenr, i^^, II. Dady Brfj<^,howiti$ours, 19^. 11. How the bread of the holy fupper,is called the body ofChrilt, 1 24. i^, B;^rM//,aIigncofthelafirerurre(5lion,237.22 &42j,29.. thcBwr/W/offohnBaptiit, 425.2^. the B»rw// of Cbrift, 768.$ ^^ C C\ Jiaphai, who alfo was called lofe^hut] t 7^^-')9* to be Called^ put for, to be accounted & openly knowne,if8.76. Calling is free, 5 4 1 . 1 1 . CaUinfr is effcduall in the elede, 1 ^. i^. C.illir.'r fufficeth not, vnleiPc there be faithftil- ncfle alfo, 2221 6.Si 580.42. the f4//»«^ of the Gentiles,lookethe Gentiles calling, the fignc of Chriftes Cj//;>j«;, 105.46. the endc of our calUn^y 48. 7 5 .& 1 8 f . 4 j. and 246. 13 .and 522. 18. and 375.15, the worde Camel, for a grew roape pertaining toalhip, 528,25, \ATat;le$fth f rf/»«*»w«>B,Wiiat ma'ner ofcitic, 2 3 ©♦ 5; . the care of this world choaketh the feed of the word, 554.21. Cttre for food e & raymesitjis to be tiken away 204. NaughtieMveisreproouedj 300.4, zWCare is net to be condemned^ 204* txcefsiuecareisfrotninfidelitifjioj.a^.and I JO. 4. the numilitie of the CenturiBtt^z 5 1. 8,his faith ibidem. Why the Centuriom fayth is preferred before thefaythofihcIcwes,2 32.io. the figniHcarion ofCeremomesj is eternally i6^ the externallvfc of Cere wo w^Vj, ibidem. We muft not attribute too much to ceremonies ' Barmonie, 445. ly. Two Cefarea^y 458,13; Chariiy is diftinguilhed from common friend- fhip, l82.42.&2pO,12. Charitie Adiuc and pa[siiip_, 28^. 1 2. C/?4m/f toward cs our neighbour5floweth fro theloueof Godj yp^.39. CW/fje is commended, 382 41.&497.15 & 598.40.&^i5 &^40.i2«672.34. Whether our iinnes be redeemed by rharitie^ 370,50. i^ie^chaunging of perfons, 1 07* the name ofdvWe is diucrfly taken, 39.54, Children were rcceiaed of Chrift, y 2 1 ♦ 1 4. CHRISTE. CTjjv^isGod,! J i7,& 6^.23, and 240.4. & 327, 25. and 368.40.and 507.23.and 557 2.aDd 585. 18. and ^01. 42 -and ^2^.37 & 660,42. 795. 4^. C/;r//? is Lord, 3 2.43. C/^y/y^by nature the (onnc of God, 24 32.and. 124 17 and 43 1, 3 3. hee is true God and ChfiTU m both natures is the fbnne of God, 28.3^, #ri/?thQ(oimcofDauid, ^7. LandiH^^Z and 443.22.and ^00.42, Why Chrifi is called the firft begottc of cucff creature, 124.17. C/?r;y?thefirfl begotten amongfte manybrc- thrcB, 100.23. Chrifi the firft begotten of Afary, 68, 2f. Chrifi the holy fecde, 29, 3 5. Why Chrift i s named lefns^ ^ 3 . 3 1 ♦ Why chrifi is called Emanud, 64. 22. Chrifi muft not be efteemed according to the fenfeofthef]efli5y20,i3 and 5 52.11. Chri(l is the mcdiatour, 29.35,and 67. 3 3. ^ ioi,4o,and 124.17.and ipi.p &428. 23. and45jo,i8.3nd473.5.&52o.i3.and56a 5 and76i.j^i. Chnfle is the ladder by which men climbe vtf vnto God the father, 265. 3 8, C/;n7?e is not to bee ioynedwitluhe common Saints, 47 5. 6. ChriTi is the head and Prince of paftours, 7 1 . o. ChnSi is the true Prieft, 67. 2 3. C/;r/Jjfonelyis the foundation of his church, 461,19, Chrisi is the head of the Church, 131.6. and 150,3 3. and 279.2 j.and 320,24,and 60^ p.and 64^.28. ChriH is the onely teacher of his Church,29i 2.and473.y. Chrifi is the fauiour ofthe Church, 62. 2 1.& 73, 1 1, and 256.36. Chrifi is the onely figne ofconcon^e & peace, 458^10. ChriU by excellency is called a feruaunt, 32 2, 18, Chrtsi is thcminifler of Cjrcumci(Ton,26, 3 j, and53.and89.32.and268.j. Chrlsie is the5onncof righteoufneffe, 49. 79.and 89. 3 2* and i07.7,and 13 5'. 12- and 143, 1 3. and 398.22.and475.y.and634.4, and 663 36, Why Chrisie i$ called thecorncr ftone, " 3:7^0 42. C/?r/J? the rocke of oiFcncc, 295^6. and 659.' 10. A. 2» Chri^ xA Table ffthe Barm9nie. cy,/feoT\c\y enJiiedwiththefulnclTcoftbe ChrJ? v^ a fabkCt to Immune ptif^oiM , 1^5. fpirit, I^'S 17. 18. aaJ 705.57. C/;r//rfrccfromallfinnc,2 8 5 ^.&8^,25.and C/;r//?f willingly fubmitted himfelfc to death, loi 40.iad 116 I. 470,&47r.5 & ^^J^iS. C/;nj'? js thr authojr of our ralu.ition.4 4 .^p . Clmfl of his own accord becane poore^f ^8 f . C/;r/,/? thcauthouio^'perfcabldrcdneircj jo. Why C/pr/i? chiefly choregrolleidiotes for hi« Apoftles,i47.io.& t4i-,9«&Z97- Why C(^j'//?ercapcd by flighty 311. 14, Why r/?n/?e would not make an eadeoftlic ftnfe betw:cne two brethrenj 575.13. f///"/)? was wont to pay tribute, 507.24, To whan piirpofe Chri/ie feat Peter vnto the fcaforpayin^^^ofttibutc, 508,17. Why ChriJ} reicded the confcflion ofdeuils. Chri/i fought a fccret place for to pray ir\j i S^,. 7i>. Con fie '\% t!ic o.iely prcferuer of our life, 158. 1- Chripx\ example cft'ic faithfull, 514. 29. & 545.18. C/;ny? an example of temperance, 245 29. & 299.54. Chriji IS lu Jgc of the whole world, 265 .^. 9.& 500 18, and ^71 52- and 799.13. Chriftt is 3 feucrcmd^ea^iainU- vnbclecucrs, 121 II C'orijh from his iafancic was fabieftc to the Chrifi for diucrs cndes fpakc vnto the people. cro^Fe, 97. 1 5.^^:99 19. Towhatcnde C'nijii was fent of the father, 2 59.8.LookctheofficcofC/jr//?. Why C^ny? wascircumcifed,78. 2r. Chriji by the fecrct co'M\k\\ of God, was ap- pointed vnto die death of the CroOTe, 571, 47.and710.47 aud7i4 55. 3«5 ?y. chriji difclofech the hypocrifie of men by the Gofpell, 29.5^. OV/y? not idle, while the ApoRleslaborjipr.r, Chrifli according to the m. inner of the time, vfed outward fignes, ij2« 29. and 448» WhyC/;r;/?was not baptiled before the thir- Why Chrifle foratiracwouldehauchismy- tieihyeiic of Insane, 125.1^, Why C/;r/y? would bee baptiled, 112.15 Chrift as touching his foalc for our fake,would prohtc, 10 1 .40. Why Chrifi w:nt into th- wddernelTe, 1 1 j . X Why C^;r;7? waste Tjpted of Sachan, i2 7« i. C/jr/y? was tempted j.mancrofwayes 15 if" Why C'orifie faftcd in the wildcrnelTc, i x J. I. WkyCorifle vntill the thirtieth yeare of his age, kept himfelfc in a pnuate hfe, 41J. Chriji had no quiet abiding in any one place, ^07.24. racles concealed, 521. 16. and449, 3^» and 4 J7.26. How Chrifit is made manifeti vnto vs by the Gofpell, 784. 27, C/;r//? is to bee Ibu^ht for in heaucn, 787. jr** chriji did twife catr out of the temple, thefcl- lers and buyers, 5^f ♦ 12. Chrifie was contemptuously receiued of the Ni2arites,i40, 25. When Chrifi kept the paflTeouer with his Dif- ciplcs, ^85.17. chrifie very reproachfully handled of there- probate, 280. 2j. Why Chr:Ji accufed offalfc witncfTe, held hif peace, 710. ^2«. Chrifi \Ni% more in Galilc, then other where. Why ChriJl trembled at death, 51 o. j i. 580.51. C^r//?VTithout finnc, wasfubicfltotheinfir- miticofthcflcfhj 9J. ij.aadxiS.i. and Whit C/;n72 feared in death, 707, 59. C/;r;^/? therefore fuffercd, thatheemight re- concile the worlde vnto GOD, 55^. Ciirif ^ Tabu of the Harmmies Wbyrfeny?arccrarolcmnerite,wascondem- ^/^^^^^^people;who,^3.2i,and2ziaJand ned of an earthly ludgCj jij, i. and 740. ^•^6.^o^ c;;r//?rairedfromtIicclcad,77i. 182.50 and 221 16 and 23/20 CAr/f? honourably buried, 7^8 ^9. f^^-'^^^^voycctothereprobate^deadl'v 420 r/pr/Hhovve Ignorant of the uidgemcnt,^5r J, fheforceofc/;r;r/r/n«poucrtie, 5r^4^^ f^'''y?« death,the renewing of the wcrld,^^^ the difference off/jr/J/ and the Mnificrs,! 20 jo. thcbeholdingofr/;r/y?double,88,50.& 540. f /?r//?« death, why called a taking a way, r;/7cjafcenfionintoheaucn, the fulfilling' of 5 82.45. and 75 2. thencwlife,787.5{^ ° chrsUis kingdom eternal!, 16 5 5 and 459. 1^ f/;)v/?cnmitGtion And cxample,i2^. i.& 205* and 57y,42.6o5.44.> 6.and 4e^7.24.anJ 5^8 14. the perfedion of chrifies kingdom, in the end chri/^ej fccond comming, J 5 5 .27. ofthc world, 670, c^r/(?onelymultbcobeycd/o8.^. //f^«f*afinne,i7J.2?. confffskn o\ Chn^i an cfpccialmorfhip of people,^70H7. Thcc^«>-.'/nioti^roiindeJv7pon Tctcr, 150 Thcfi^.»rf/;thcrpirKuaUhcurcof lacoj , i6. Thc<:/;«tions, 64I.14. an-Jt^jr, The f/;;#)-f/; laid open vnro diners dcccitf^iio Thcc;j«r:/;bour.dtoihc\7or ' ofGodj 5S1. 4-1. Tl-.: f rmrf/; zs yet tro:iMc J with many faultcs, the f';nrf/7,fo- Elder, of the church, 499. 17. tliclbtcoUhcoldi'/;»rcA. li id?. and i J.i7» an! ^9.54. nnj III ^and^^S-ii. The c/;«rc/;o p!cni;r-ii!cr!crcafc, 2^7. i. The churches conJirion,' f what iort. 45.71. and 1 54. 1 ^. and ^(^9 47. the f/;Mrf/;f( warfare with lathaoj 45.71. and 460.18* papiftjabufc thef/\' Tbc (/;Mri7;;;>»;»f/ftherpeci>illgift of God, 518. continuAnci in faith and prayer necellary, pp. 19. & 278 22.& 526.22.&6664P. conuerjion of fathers vnto the fonncs, 13,17. Goi IS the au:hour of co^iffr^'to;;,! 2. 1 6 Jooke repentance. Corbanct,\'^h^t 729 6. the coucmpt o' correfriom in the worldc very great, 1 3 5. 19 and 160 10. Of brcilKrlyt'jrr^(:7;o/>,theedcgrces,497.xy To refule coried-iom, an cxtrcariie cuill,i 3 5 ^9- CouetoufnclTe, Couetotdfneffe, is grc.itly to bee taken hcedc of. 200 19, and 203.24. and 354. 22«* and 374.15.16. and 365 i4and524, 20. Mutuallfo/iforJiscomnicnded, 173,13.100k Thchutt ofCowrfow/rte/Je, 516.11. &517,2J <:h.iritic, and 681. tbfi. ATahUofthe ihcbcft way ofcorrcfting Cctienufnejje, 20 j. Counfellcs. Whether roK«/e/.< may crrc38c;4.20. Courtiers arc cntrsppedinroany finncSj42j« Crates the T/jfi<3we,foolifhly cafl his goods in- tothcfcajfi^.ip. the Crojfje without Chrificaccurfed, 287,284 Cfacltiedtit£icdoiGo6y^c)j^zi. By the wordc Cf^/'ff, Godsprouidcnccisno- tcd,705«3p. C«r/&/mcistobeai"oic]cd,5.i.and 124, i^.& i^p.ip.205'.26,aud 207.29 and zop^ i.& 217.2J.& 342.41.and jpp. 2^,&4oi 27 &485'.i.and 555.12. & 540.23. and648, 2^,and 751. 41. and 793.41. OiCttrfesy which the ScripturecontainetOja twofoldevfe,i(^2.24. f^/?owe not rightly counted for a lawe , 42. Citftome not more to be eftecmed then tructh, I7I«22. f:oaf«y?o»jtf recciued, not two much is to bcc giwen,248.39. C;r«* his place, 493.16. HO w the "Day in times paft was dcuidcd, 534.i-and74(5.2^ the day of iudgcmenteucry moment to be looked for,^ 5" 5 36.657.374 The yearely folemnifinge of abirthD^jy^not cuill542i.6. whereof Ytttr Darl^neffe is to C3lledj2 33.1 2.& r>4«/<^afioureof Chrift, 58.6.and $7p.^i^Sc 74^.3y» Vautds name tranflatcd vnto the Meflias, 2 j. 32. Vauids purpofe in appointingethc orders of the priefies, 5, j.and 8.9, the dead hauc no care of the liuinp, 40 1 .27* ^wt/;nottobefcared3i8i.28,&287.^^. I>«wo/?/3tf;je5 his place, j.^i HarweHie. Deniall of Chrifi how hiirtfi]ll,284.3 2.& 723 Z>e/7/4/of our fclucs is commaundcd, 136. 14. andi93.io.and2i6.ij.and225- 34. and 269.33 and 467.24.and 524 20. and <40. 22, and 575-3iand63i,4, D^r^ .r, for a rou^h and hiliie country, 1 09. 2, DfJifweofthcStoikts confuted ••82,20 the D//r;>//r called of Chrifl, 145,18, why Chrifl fent the feucntie Dtfcpki by two and two, 302.1, the£>//o>'/«'jllriucforruperioritie,484.i.anc(f?r/we netefTary, 142.2 j". Gencrall DoBrine from the perticular, 140. 49 and 142.25, and i64.i3,andi86.i.an4 234.13. 3nd245. 13. the true vfe ofgcnerall Vofirine, 30,37. Perticular jDci^mw neceflary, 1 14.7. Vcflrine to bee applyedtotheperfons, 1 14.7 and 11S.12. diuerf:tic of £>c^r/>;f, brecdcthhatrcd, $iu iH A 4 Contempt \A rMe of the Barmonie, contempt of Doc7r/necxtInguin.ctb the light ofthcrpiritc, 4:5. Q;r/.'y/'idodnnCj79,t OiEuniicheiy orchaft perfons three kindej, yi8,i2. the £.Y4wp/« of the fathers, how farrctobcc followed, I I.I 5. and 41 ij5:4.and ^12. ^5, Eb^ilon onely the headfpringc & caiifc ofour ia!uation,440-i^. £/f(f7/o» the fountamcofall good things, 308 20. theforceof£/t47,52. The PapilUs mixc/rf///; with doubtin", 570; 7?<«/>/;obcainethanythingofGodj25 5 2^. & 21. ' ^ 445,28.3nd48i,25 and 570,21. The/4/>/)of God^what, ibid. TuUh cannot be fepniated fioni aood workes Byfa.th we obtaine rcmiflion of hnncs, 252; gpO.II. 22. J?.^;f/jvnptrfca:,eucnofGodisnotreieaed, The/rf/f/7/"«/iarc the tempksofOod, 290; 250.18. 20.and 555j25,&48i. 24. 18. j4/;^JsnotaI\V3yc5itpui;nanttofearc, 25^. the,^rf//6/«//pIantcdby thehandof God,440 25. 15, Faith the caufe of owr faliiation, 555 i^, The/4/>/;/W/, how the fonncs of God,2 5. 5 z- Our faith grounded in heauen, 24,5 1 • the faithfull, the brethren ofChrift, 540,48. fattb ioyned with Gods eternallpredeftina- The ^«tf/;/«//, the lonnes of light, 265.14. & tion,5i2.27. 393. 8» frf/>/; alone landifiethiuvs the giftcsof God The/4/;/?/;^//oughttobecraItto others, i^f.. 415.19. 50. An other mans faith, how far profitcthothtr, the faith full, hoW heires of the worlds, 1 5^. 259.2. 5. Thc/rf;//?ofthcfathersandoursaIone,ii. Whythc/o.4i- Thc//7/i#//, after this hfe, 599. prayers, 570, 21, tlie analcgie of fayth 22* oughttobeareruleiniudginge faUe Prq^ The /4///;/«/5 good and godly glorying, 679,. phets.221.jf. . 10. F4ufef. obedience, 50,59. ■ the/rt/>/7f«/j,feIicitif, 161.10 & 201.21 F4;>/;j degrees, 598. 29. and 555 25. and. the warfare of the/rf;t/;/«//, 160, 10. & 556. J48.. 45.&696>5i F«m/;fnnfirmitiein the Saintes, 16.18. , theobcJicnce ofthe/4r>//«//i^nperfcd.-,204. i^4;W?«icontirawtionneccfi'aiy,^o. 5^. 24. Af Th§. ^Tahleofths Uarmonie, The fmall number of the faithful], zi6,i^,ec linefTc and religion, j 7, 4^. 2 57,15. and 31^.28-and giji.ii. The imall number of the fanh full, why com- pared to a plcntifull haiucft , ipiocecdcthfromtheloucofGod,ia uucfelicitit commeth of faith, ^53.45. True VcUcitie depcndcthof Chrifte , 148, the chiefeft/(r//a>/c doth cofifl in chrift alone 50.29. ^^cfai'thfJb hfe like gaining by occupyingc, thegreatcft/ How thc/.jr/;rn differ from vs,5 51.24.& 599 Fortune rulcth not the world e, 283, 29: frc^rPiV/ouerthrowne, 333. 33. FreevnUes, defenders and patrons, 202. 2i* and 333, 33, and 598,. 30. and 627. 57. - ' Frowardnei condtvnnca, 505. 21. Fruit fulnes of the wombc commeth from the the Fdith of the fathers and ours all one, 253, 1 1. and 55 1.24. The foohlii imitation of the/4f/;4rf ofthc godly diffcrcth frcnathe fearc ofihe wicked, 235.11^. Tettre not alwaics repugnant to faiih,^^. 1 3,8c 259. 26. & 431.51* tht fearc of ihc Lord comprchcndcih al god;^ blcfTingofGod, G^JnV/.'jWhat it fignifieth, 16. 19. Cadarem couetou> and vnthankfull, 16 f^ ^1' Gaiile %A Tahie efthcHarmoniffl Galikohhc Gentiles, which, I44.1 j. 4^. Gatcscfhc\U6i iS, Whye GOD is called the GoJ of Ilhel! aa Gefe«»wtf/roniwher.ccdcriuedj 172,22. 68^ ' ^^' ThewordGf/?^'»«4tnrinatcdtothehels,i«o Why Go^fonictimcsdefcrrcthhishelpc ^2. -"^^^^Ujp I ^ and 40 5. and 4od?. 7. and 4^0.27. Why Godfonhwlth puniflicth not the wic- tcd,^77 6. ^o\y God is(.\yd to louc !i\l,^i6.zi HowGWisfaydtotemrt, 128. 2. and 2 example^ho.v func to bee followecl,i8 5. 45 vrhatitistohancthctaichofGoJ, 570 21. Go^i coucnant wjh the Fathers cfhis free grace, 40. a.id46.72« and65'. 22. G'jii glory, how much to bee cftecmed, 140. 48.&i9r. G«/igloiy, thefruitcofmyracIcSj 160.27. G«^i grace free, ^^4.8. Goif grace 11 riucth with the malice of mcnnc 41658, eUi grace in Angellcsand men to bee pray- fcd,j9.48. Go name, why called holy, 3 9.49* The hallowing of Gef/ is aboue the lawc^ Gcoimnglcdwichthc bad 5 3^f, 47. and 295.11. 671*1 2. '^be hatred of the G-j/peZ/rom whence 91. 34 The Go/pe/jisth^fcepter of Chiins kingdoc, Of the Gj;/J<'/tvvopa;tcs, 1 3 f .14. 272,* 14* The perfec liters of the Go//'e/ fhallnotcfcapc TheGo^fZjafuIlperftdionofthehw, 166, themdgemcntof God, 273.15. 17^ Why the preaching of the Gof^cl is compared The Go/pe/, was not written ofMatthcwc in toafanne^ui 12. the Hebiew tongue, 8 2.^. The preaching of the G(j//)^/ishke to fowing. Why the Go/fe/ IS compared to fire, 65^. 49. ^344- The Go/ff/ oucrthioweih notpoliitike eftate Theicope or end of the preaching of the ^ojl 11912. jp<'^i3fpel is caufe of diflcntion, 28 $ . p 14. ThcGo//>e/giutthnothbertieto iinnc, 314* The vidorieoftheGo/pW, 221.2^. 20, Spiritual^oMfrwfwew/jwherbydifcerncdfroni Why the Go//?e/ at this day bringcth not forth pohtikeregiment,373 13 &542.25.&48^ fruitinmaay5 346. 2. z-i* TheGo//?e/,accordingtothcflcfhecontcmp-. Gr4C«pmforthefauouro('God,2 2.28, tible,7i.8. It is called the Go/jje/of the kingdomcfro the H. cffed,i48 23. ^-|-^Oo much/^rf/F/n^jf/^istobetakenhccd* WhytheGo/ptf/is preached in the world,^40 I of430.28. 14. He*rf putfor the minde or vnderftan- ThcGo/j;c/ofNicodemusafabie5 2.i. ding,43o.24.& 595. 38. Fourefortcsof hearers of the Go//7e/, 3? 2. Theclcanefleofthe/jf^trt is the mother of all Thet difference of the hearers of the Gc>/}?e//, vertues, 1^0.8. fromwhence5 34<^9. Why /)ei>is, 486 1* Humilitie is commended, 409. i j featofChrift, ii^ 22. why hipocrites 1 eiufc Chrilt-j j i ^ , 2 S, Hipoctitet are grcatobfcruersof ceremoniESjtf 6.& ii7,ii,&382.39.&4j7.7. Htpocrhes doe extenuate or matcc leflTe their ownc finne, 2 1 1 ^. Hipocntes «ioe glory invainc^that Go-i is their father, 36,49. Hpocrite^ are{aucieandproude^377. 36. and 570,49«and4i5,^7,and 374. Hipocritei defpiicallotheii, 367,56, Bipocritcs are addidcd to externallthingSjjif I. H//'<7fntfi arc mixed with the good, joi.i8. How /;//'om>w are to be handled, 114. 7. and 299,51 and 334,34. and 542j9,and39J» I J &489.I7.&567 I5.&62I.33. Bipocrites are to bee caft out of the Church, 22 3,22.and 3 59.41.and 365 47.&439.15 Diucrskindcsof/;/f£ifr//7e, 187 2. the difeafe oihipocrites^ 2 1 1 3, and 2 14, 1 2.5c 6i5.and 617. 24, the (ecure contcicncQ ofhipocrites, 45 2« J7. HHmilitic put for a vile and abiea condition, the nature and dirpofitionof^;;ofr/>«,3 15.x. 55 ^g, &3 18,9 and; 79. 14. and 4 J. 2. and ^67, H«w//;i;> of Chrift.-looke Chrifles humbling. 1 3, and 729. 6, H^i^'m, for ceremonies, 6.6 ^ hipocr/ftehy ^ fccod table is rcuealcd, 596 29 HpHc prophefie o^lacch the Patriarch is Kifofr/j;eislaidopcnbythelightoftheGoI- J[ expounded, 5.5. pel 92.3<. An»is//eword,putforvnproficable,334 Hi/cmy^ealwaycs ambitious, 188, 5. 36. |i//j:a//*cofdecciucrs doth not alwaics lie hid iJUnes isto befliunncd, 362 26. den, 221. 16, Hiptcrijie pat for a fai^ncd and connterfeite fhcvT of wifdome, 454 6. H/fof»'/7«'iscondtmncd, 48. 75, and 114. 7. and 121.12 and 204.24 & 21 1.3 &437« 7.and 524.19. and 617. 24.25. 27 , How outragious Itloufie is, 6 1 « 19, Godly ielotijle, 2 19.29. lejui why fo named, 24.3 1 . and 61. 20. 8c 70 , thc/ew«,thcfirftc begotten in the Church, 268.6, TheYaineboaJlingof/;»^o<:nm, 36.49.& ^6cf Why the lewts vnderlland notthefcripture, 18. 4^70- The fecuritie oihipocritesy 1 1 4.7. & 230.5. Why the Icrres malicioufly depiaiiethc fcrip- The punifhmcnt and dciUiiftion of /^^-pof r/>/, ture,64 22. 3 36.43. & 569,18. the/ewfi being vnbclecucrs^ are caft out of MipocritSi ftagc players, 1 87. 2. the Church, 2 19.39. Uij^oQriHi are to be atcd before the iudgcoicc the Umt vnc^cutable, 299. j 3, Tho ^A Talk of the Harwcmel The eqtialitie of the 7er(>es Be Gentiles, 8p. ^ i. Why lohnwas preferred before the oWe pro-' Thedifl'erfiiceoftheI<5n'fj&Gf«f;7«5 58.6^ pHets, :j9^,ii. * the vaine glorying of the lerves,ii6.^.Sczip. How/o/jofawethe holy Ghoft,i24. 1^. 28. & 579. 1 ^ Howe Jo/;» taught his difciprcstopray^ *ioo: The arrogancyofthel2Vp« beaten down.^a 2 I, r /^ > 34- How lohr, is infcriour to the Icaft in the king- TbclIuggin-inefleofthe/«n'?^j84 8. domeof God, Kj^.ip*. thevnthankfu!nefieofthe/?n(?'5 81. 5 . & 84, VVhy John was called Elins^ 297. 14.& 417; 9.&9^ 13.& i4i,25.&g42.5p.& 3S8.2. Why;o/^;iWascaflintob2ndeSj4,ic). 44g. & 446,2'^.&478. For what purpofe /i 767.24 the pretence of ignorance cxcufeth nct^ 66^^ 47- W/iatmanner of ignorauvce 5s attributedto Chrifle, 102. 40. and '^6^^ i8,8i6^6, 36. theimmottalitieofthcfoule^ 5^88.23. tbcpcrfedc glory ofimmortalitieis deferred vntothedayof redemption, 399* 22, An other manncs fay th profitetci infanti^i^^ 2. Jtifidelitie jthc mother of excefHiic care, 205, 26. The Anabaptifles deny that J«/?enM;>fe is to bedciiidedamongcbrcthren3 373.i3* How Jo4i was the fonnc oiOchoyai, 56, VVhy7o/;«W3sfonamed,9, 12* iierie, 573.2J. The diftt rencc 01 lohn k Chrift, 24, 32; and 299.33. The difciplinc of him more aufterc thcn^ Chriftes5 247.i4, The difciples of ;o/;rj froward^ ibid; theconftancieof7o^», 114.7.& I35'.r9? the modclhe of/c-/;^, 72 3. 14* the death of /o/;», 422.28* the biiriall oilohn^ 423,29; Why /o/;» was commended of Chrifle to the people^ 10, 1 5. & 294.7. The ligne of /c«<»'3 342. ^p, Jofeph^ the fonne of lacob, a figure of Chrift^ 100, 2J» Icfefh Maries husband, vnpropcrly called ih©> fatherofChriftj 103,41. loftph hispoueriie, 70. 7 & 86,24* lohn W.1S appointed to a great and vnaccuilo- The place oilofepkus^^j, 1 6. 1 07, i. 2,8: 341 mcdthing^io 15. 4-'&4i8,&422.26, & 5^11, 5'2,& 632.1. Why io/;» was commended of Chriil, lo, i j The /oj of the faithfully 3^,46, & 7 3. 16, &294.7. Why !://)« was abflinent, 11.15^. lohn w:s aforrunncrof Chrif}, 48. ';6* What ^gelohn was of, when he came abroad 107 !♦ To what end 2o/;» was fcnt, 572. 25'* I6hn counted a manne poficiied with a deuil. 'Perkdioy is from thefauour ol God, 3 5;, 46' &72*io. The place oilrensm^ ioz,^o» Why Inda!, w5s cholen of Chriil to be an A-*^^- poflle,I5^I3. The failing away of ludets did rather con— firme thcnfhakc the layih ol the Church, . Of: jlT^bU ^fthe Harmonie, The vfe of laying on of hand$,448. j i.8r ^ t% Why the Law is deuidcd into two tablc$,598. 40. Tiie L4W containeth perfede rightcoufncflTc, 170 21. & iy6,ii. The Law comprcheddeth a tulc to liuc well^ The Law comprehcndcth the dodrine of the Prophets, 1 06. The Law to manisimpofliblcs 528 2^, Why the Latv is called a heaiiy burdenj^07.4. /Hri/i//it the repentance onniUsyvir.,7^7 h:dxj laChriRes time filled with many cor- rupiions, 253 ^2. Tof.'32;condemned,209.i. & 576.1.678.8. Ii^i^fw'nfbwfull by looking vpon the skie.as ThcL^tvandProphttsputiortheoIdTefta- tou.hingihc weather, 455. 2. mcnt,42.27^ lulun his crafty c-iuiles agaiuft the gofpeI,i 80 The Law and Prophett s put for the precepts ^^ ofthefccond table, 2. 1^.12., -"■ - TherJc^htcoufneffcofthelrfiF, p3,i7* The abrop;ationof thel,4w? is Ictin thsprw* chingoflohn, 106, The fumme oi the I.9. Lihertie to finne is not to bee taken out of the Gofpel, 298 29* Z./Z'fnK is commended, 1 8 2.41. & i8j. 35.5c 200. 19. & 525.19. What the M onks thinkc of the adiuc & con- tcmplariue/»/f, 371.38. The life of the godly 1$ compared to gaining by ociipying, 554.24. li/Veternall is of Gods free mercy, 208. 32. The vprightnelTc of JL»/c conCitcihofgod-* Unes K K £7^; ofthc kingdom ofheauen, 461. 19 & 6 1 5 . 1 ^ . /C/rtj^i and princes,whcrforc called gra- tious, 5434 25. In what fenfe K/««;*j are called the Tonnes of God, 24.32. VVhcnthc/v.;;e;'/ow« ofliida did endc, 5. 5. What the /wi/i'T^om* of he men is, 109. 2« Km^iomt o{\\(L^ucl\J for the newe f^aieof the Cluirch, \6cf.19 ^ ^95'^ ^ ^ 596.23, and 767 43- The k^ey ofthe kingdom of heauen, is the free adoption of God, 339.27. WhatthcK.ni'^i^owofGodis, i95.io.Itrea- chcthfarrc, 296.12. It is firll to be fought for, 208, 5 J. The kingdom of God confifteth of rightcouf- neffeibid* TheA«;tf/>T7to:,etherof the comandements ofGod»6i7 23. O F LatrU and Dnlue^z friuolouJ diftin^on. lytiCsancJrightcoufneffe, 87.25. lAan neceffarily is eyther goodorcuill,? *»« Thevncertaine(l)ortnesofman$//(/«,|74'i^ g^. ^^^ and 39j,p.and6f9.40. Howthcinfirmiticofw«» is to be remedied. Theperpetuiticofablcired/;/Ir, 400.1^. 528,2^. What it is to finde /»/>, 287 ^9. The witlcfTc fancic o^ Manichtus^conctminz the tyrannous law of the vnmarricd ///r, a 8. thebodyofChriftj2 3,ji^ a J« The Manicha hauc faigned two bcginninoj. How farr fole life is acceptable vnto God,f ip 34; ° I a. ^4»yputfordiuers,544«a8. The papifts imagincfole life to be an Angcli- The witlcffc fancic ofMatcion^ touchingthe call cftatc, ibid. body of Chrift, a 5 • ^ i . tight put for rcafon, 102. a 2, Manage pure and holy, 85. 22, Liturpa put for the exccutingc of the Pricftes Mariagt lawful for the minifters cfihe word^ oft]ce5i8,2j. 18,2 J. What it is to/ooA«backe, 117-^^9 The cnemicofiW4r;rf^f is Sathan, $iZi Loue of our fclues, lookc felf e loue, the troubles ofmariage, ibid. Zcweisnotthecaufeofforgiuenes, ^6^^j^j, theductieofthemdnerf, ibid, why Lt^he bcginneth the hyftoricof the Gof- HovfMary the virgin is chofento Elizabeth, pcIlwithIolmBaptift.4. ^9'i^* why Iw^tffetcheththe petegree of Chrift fro WhyMtffjrcame vnto Elizabeth, 31.^9, Nathan, 54. Howe Mar;) is the mother of the Lorde, 3^. Whoarei«w<«r/^^, I48.2^.and47p.i7, 45, Why ikf^rr) isbleffed, 5 5 .45. H ^4r)fVyelexercifcdinthedodrinofthe(crjp- T turc,40.54. ri e place ot Macnhiui^gj.iS. The flocke of Mary is from Dauid, 4 j* The Anabaptiffs doe banifli the Ma^ the thankfulnefle of Mary, 54 46. |;/^r<*f/rfrf/m, 276. ip. The paffions of man in refpcd of themfelues the difference of ChriflcsiWrfrrj'rtj & of wic- noifinfull, 320.8. kedmen^ 160.10. To WAR fomtimcs is giucn that^which h pro* How merueilivg ir ay agree to Chrift^a 32x0 pcrto Godji2,i6.andii9.^nd458,p.and Thedcteftablcabhonunation of ihc Ma£e^ 45>»ji3i; 680.Z6. ^ T^hle of the Harmonic, j«4f^^wdidnorwritethcGofpcUinnhc He What manner Hate of pcrfcAion the Monkis dcuife tothcmrelucs, 525:. 16, The Monkesmzdzofmckcd men,dcuils,^;j After what fort the life ofAIonl'^s isj57i . 3 S« The v^iinc boafting ofMonk^es, ^ip* The fuperftition of ikfon^ff, 1 1 2,4. Monothelitei are hcrctikcs, 706, jp, Howe M9r" appeared in the transfiguration ofChrirt5 47i.5. Whetherit were laweftiU for JWo/ci to permit diuorccmentSjf 15.7. The mt*ltitt:de is not to befollowed^^j^,] 5.» Jii^rf/jer is forbidden of God,7 1 4 f x ♦ N^/'w, what manner citie, 2^4.11. The «««»»• of Tefu honorable, ^^^i*^ Why the name of God is ho\y,^6.^p* What the hallowing of Gods /w/we is, ip2»^ 9- Howe thepaftours muft vfc mildneffej 324. 21tfw«tobeYTrittcninhcaucn,whatitis jot 19. ^o- The MiPificr of the woorde, lookc pa- ^^flm^nnthcdayofcircumcifionjWercgiuca ftour toinfantcs,78,2i. The commendation of the minifierie of the How names arc to be giuen to little children Wordc, 12 16. and 26 19. and ^4. 4?. and 4i-f9- 76. 16. and 77. 17. and 505? 16. and 309. the corruption and wickednesofman$»4f«rr 2y.&: 5^9.27. 86.22. Miraclti are notto be feparated fro the word. Two uaturesin Chrift, 6^6. ^6. 268.1. The myracUi of the Papi(leSj647.2 j. Thcgiccdic ddncoffVfyracles, 228,45". The end of C H R 1 S T E S mjraclej , 152 »7. brew tongue, 8 2 6. ;yf4r/;fw did write the Gofpcllirt the Grcekc tongue, ibid. J^Uthevf was called fro the receite ofwUltomc vntotheApo'.tlclliippc, 242 9. Thepurpofcof/Vf4f/;etr,Lidefcribing the ge nealo.;icofChrift, 57- Merry is promifed to t>,c faithfull. i Jp.T. Mncy is commended, 159 7. and 245 «, 1 3 • 3c 317.7. and 504.21. Merit de con^ruo. 526 21. Merit dt condigno, js a deuilifh dciiife, 404 Merite ofminne is taken away, 49. 77* and 58. 6. and (42. 25. and 185.45. and 197. 13 and 208.32 and 269.8. and 347 11 and 368.4i;.and403.and404.io.and The J cL-ndcrs of winVr, 3 3 5* 37. and 393. 9 and 554. 15.an.d672 34. The Rabbines imagine the comminge of the Aii-/i/W to bee after two manners, 47 6, 10. Thevnthankfulnc^ofthe ^i\driteSyi^i, 24 and 414. 54» Thcm3liccoftheT{4:^dr/V;j.4i4, 53. the Etymologic or true cxpofitionof a T{,4* \arite, 100 27. ThegIoryofGodisthefruiteofm/rac/»/,i6o Fromwhcnce>{ffromd«f;>fprang,402 30, ^7. Thcfruiteof»i/>4f//;6yi/r procccdcth from the loiieofGcd,'596. 39 The Gofpell ofl^cha^emus IS fabulous, 2. i The note yniuerfall is not alwaycs vniuerfally taken, 148. 23. The number of fiiaucnis indefinitely taken, 117 ^^^^ Th©. "U Tahle $fthcB4rm(mitl The plurall mmltr for the fingular, 175 Mary,2i,2^. 20. THc fapifii mixc faith Withdoubting, jyd 21. The p4/>//?tfi doc wickedly fcparate tht OBfrafioHrs^io6.iS^ Pin Mary, 3 J 9. 2 7* Their warfarc,288.2S. ThePu/'.7?«iIeofthe/'4/?(»«r.«, 452.2.rc2,3rdc of 16. them ought to be had, 369 8. and 289,40, ^nownarcthelightof iheworld,i65.i J. and 502.2. Whoisafincereand faithfull paltour, 296. How farrc the ;>4/?o«n ought to bee obeyed, 8. and474.5. and 515.28. 606.2. howethep/ii7o»ri bee fathers of the faithfull. What the /»4n>»f e of the faithfuil is, 468, 609.9. ^^* thepd/?oMrf are fubiedtoflaundersj 549.7, P^f/f«f*commcthoffaiih andthcfearc of how the p4y?o«riforgiuefinnes, 241.6. God, 400. 25. the pajioitrs ought to fend all vnto Chrift,29 1 Vatience i$ neceflary for the godly, 1 58. 5. & 2. 181,40. and 182. 50. and 188.4. and 559 howthe^4y7o«nare the fellovY workers with 2 2. and 659. 19. and 645. 15 and667.and God, 805-20. 971.54, howethe;'4/?oMnofthc Gofpellarc greater T'f/vn.dcfirmgmi. Whoarcpoorcmfpirit, 158.&29J.J, es22i45 TheT'r5;«fccurelycontemncththecomman- Th^vnconftancieofthcpcoplc,7B7.io. . dcmentsofGod,437.?. WhVr maner of pcrfedion the godly haiic m The Topeis not headof the church %, 18 .u-\nrnrM /?? 2? & mS & 2 S^. ?o. and ThePo^ffwithfireandfwordc withholdcth thisworlU,^3?«n-^34^^35 3 . the reading ofthcfcripturesfro the church 404«I0, The ftatc of the perfcaion of Monkes, j 2 j« Th7perf*f«/n>ofableffcaiife,40o* 2^. How tarre/7er/ff«t^o»isto bee fliunned,27S. Ac^cfptionof/'^r/omisfanltie, M^7• Vnitie of j^«r/o» in the two nature s of Ctirilt, TL^dtiinaion o<^mfom in God, 474- f.and The ?;/.; auricular confefsion, 494. ^ The ^o/e is not Peters fucccirour, 800.7^. & 8oj. 20. The Vofe and his cleargie are fharpcly to bee rebuked,ii5.7. The Po/?«featCjof what fort, ^2^.3 7* The Po^jfifidions cannot agree with the gof pel,4j^^* I. Tct^'tTis called a rockc, and not contrary, 4^2 Whether Pmrwasthecheifettofthc Apo- files, 2^8.2. r. 1- u ^ Tettr is not the foundationof the church 462 Pe/fr adorned of Chrifte with a double ho. nour,490.i8, TettT finned not againft the holy Gho{t,7 2 % 74. P^fmfaithvnpcrfea, 430,28.&43i.gi# 5P<'ferhisra{hnes543C 28.725. Whence the Papiftes gather Vettn luprcma . cie, 508.24, 'P«tfrhi$faU,72j» Pctm true repentance, 7 i ^-7 f» I>/74n;^e-5 whence fotearmed, 170* 20. and 454«i'&^oy.2. TheP/;<«r/y>«$prophanersofthc Lawc, 170 20- P/7/7ohisplace4302«x. ViUteyxXit mcceflorof Valerius G ratus, 7 o- X. and 107. 1. Howe muchc ought to be attributed to^/4c« p/:!f(}hisplace,43,75. TPUre^horiii an affurcdpcrfwafion, proceeding ThePof«hyred flattercrs,626.37. The theft of the Tope and his, 3 7 5 • i j . The Po/?«tyrrannie very great, 18 25.5: i^i ii.and J7J. 13 -and 454.1. and46i. x^ and joi. 58. and 6iz, ig. and ^p4» 27. The P6/7*5f4crificers arc butchers, 19. 2 j. How the Topes cleargie is to be handled^ 60$ 2.and^2i.53« Praytr. V/hy prayer is neceflari€ for vs, 1 89.S. To pray is iawfuli in euery place, $67.1^. The right and true way o( praying, 188. f* andi^o.9«and ai4,ii.and|25, 2. and ^4^. 52, J J r Thc prayer of the Lord comprehended in f\t petitions,!^! 9» Trayer without faith vnprohtabic , 2i;, Vrayer requircth a fure confidence, 15? 2,p.« Thehmiiitudeand likencffe ofthcpaitvS of thcLordcsPr^jer,i^2.^. B| The \A TMe of the Harmomf. Thffcndcofthe Tr^er of ihcfaithfiill,i8p 8- Publikc/»r.tjf'«'"^arcnocnmplyco bcc conacm- ncd, 611.14. Tlic madnclfe of the popiflic freachersy la 28 Treceptef Hifftr from iuftifyinos,6.6 24^.29, ThcP;*6/yZ$6.^6. Pr/f/?/;'3oitorne in fuiidcr through arabition, and r)'rannical( power, ic8, 2. ThemifericandwantOi ihz prodigally 49j. 16. Tromifls pertaining to this prefcntlife arc not perpctuall, 210. x. Why the Vropheti arc called holy, 14^ 70. All the Vropheti bcarc witnclle of CiilllST, ibid. Thedo(ftrincolftheP»'o/'/;ff5rometimes co- prehendcd vndcr the name of the lawe, 10^. Which is thelawfull rccciuing of the prophets ?7i.s«. the prophecie of facob i$ expounded, j.j. the name ofprophecu is diucrfly taken, 1 04 22 Wc maynotabufe/>royJ»?r/7/>, jg.ji. & 1^2. 24. and 148 ij and 597. TfOHerbtali feme nee s arc notalwaycs to bee drawac to a generallrule,2 1 2. 16. and ^17 2y,and ^^4^4. and5(>4. 10. and jio» The name of P;#^//f4n odious, joo. 17 • and 548.5. Why VnUicans were conucrrmt vrithnnncis Tythagoroi his fondc opinion concerning the mijjracion of the loules, I j . 1 7. F4rfer» taken for a farthing or fomc o* f ' crpcece of money, 174. ly. "urious qmfiions are 10 be omitted /^^ ytirte\ 68.25. vv ^Hointimepaft were called R^^J l>inc:,6o8.6. The K^t'ubinei imagine two com.» minges o: the Mcfsias, 476. r o. Their iudgement concerning lefii the fonnf cf Maric,24 ^ r How raPmefJ'e is hurtfull, 740 2 j. /^pi^m/'^/o/; could not beewrougt-,t, but onety bythelonneofGod, 107. What the redemption of the faithfull is 6^ 28 7 he force & cffc-a . .f redemption purchafed by ChnU,wJS common to aila^csof the world, 4^.68. ° /^fTfrtfi-^fyVj/i greater then creation, 12.16. VVher-rcinpolitikrcgimentisd-rccrncdfro (pirmiall gouernment, 57^.1 , .and roWj tf^e I4.and 3 22.i9.and4^4«2o.and J05.ZI.& 41. • * * 7j '^^'''^'': , ., .^. ^^ «^cp"'^'^i^entsofther./,ro^4^,horrib!e,i2i rf/'«;f^i,feioynedwithrcmirsionQf rins,i09 i2« and ^59.41. and 598.22. and 299. 2, 2. ^ their blockillincnejy^Si.ji. ^ , „ ,- - deadly vnto 304. 2i,and ^49.8. thern,459i3« the bceginning of repentance isiheoi[t oF the the church isbnrthencdwith reprohatet vntill hoIvGhoitjgi^iS* the end ofthe world, 5^8.59. ' the foundation of repentance^ is the acknow- refmreaion far exccedeth mans capacitic coo iedgingofGodsrriercy3i09.2.and495.i7 29* ' " theabureof)'<'p(?r;M««inPoperyjii6,8. reueUtions are not to bee looked for, 40X. there goeih a difuking before rfptwM^f^j 494 27. ^^' »*^»»''^''^i5rotpro!-niredbutofihcmcerepood. Shame is a companion ofr5/>*«f4«cc, 409. 1 j. will of God, 40^. repreheji^ons^rc neceflarie, 498, i f ♦ Howrewarde ispromifed vnto<»ood workc$ re/'roi^ij/ci/jisofGodswilljj J I 2^. 4^9 27. and 672. 34. the %nc oUeprobation, 3 3 2,3; x. In whatrence revoard is promifed to failings, 1 19. Reprobates. te^ard { s frc ely ofFcred, f ? 4 . i. Howthewordrtf»?rfr(/isto bee vndcrAoodg R<»/>reirff« before they be born CjSre ordained 189 5. todcaih,675,4i.&appoyntcd to deihu- Why thefcripturevfahthcnamcof reirrfrt^a r dtion3 687'24.- 40:^.^6^,1 j, reprobates arc depriued cf :he light oflifc3349 the Papiites abufc the name ohewardj^o^.iZi 14 and 672.54. rrprcidffiperccjuenotthemyflericsof God, Whatitistorcceiuethcrewarde of tbeiu/l^ 547.11. 290.41. Whytherf^ro^'^fffibelecucnot the Gofpcll, Who are r/c/? in God, 57 5^2 1. gi0 25' r/V/»we«notfliutout of the kingdom e of god the r-e/jro^^tf^jalfocarie their cm{Te,287.58. 162.24. and 203. 24,and40o.25.and $2.6 ther«/?roWeiobflinatclyrc^AGod,52i. 14. 21. and 55^08. sher^^/ j*^» The lawfull manner of keeping the Sah- fatUn an enemie to mariagc < 1 8 ^of/;i^7.J^.&^i8 27.&ji5?.io,& A/»^«moftgreed:etodoeharme,2^2-2i& 37^.I4•IJ«&384^ » ^4- »o. and 4 79 1 7. he can doc nothinp TheS-2p 29 Thenatureofthe5^cr4;«fm.,689 2(5. M'^" ra.;eth not at his pleafurc againftc the How farreSucri/jftfi arc acceptable rnto God fonncsofGod,725 71 Thc'/..'.!;«noAh«Pope arc dumbc dog, /'''t'''^°""^-'"°'"''''°'^^"'P"""-'J'. Theimitiiionofthc/4«t,isfoolilh, 126.,. /«(WendeuourethtobringeiheGofpeII in and 251.20. fulpition, 140. From wncncc the Pjpifles gather the patro- f^Unh hyi to goe out of men whw Chrift nageandhelpeof/i,«„,whicharedcad, commeth.jjl^j "ncn v,nntt j«?fk^nfotr;;,wo:'cVf/hcrpirit,..^^ The°Xponies aad all th. faithful! are the/./, ^"co^onely fe^ °" ^^ ''^ ''■""°""' "f of the earth, 1 5 J., J 'hcrubtlaicot/'./Mn,.* .8.and 220 ir » What .t u to haueM, w himfclfe, .6j. 247. ,4. and 54«./..and 6o..4:.;^d L^ t /' , , r, . . ij.'ndfJofi.ji, *' M^t/.,. proceedcth ofthe onelyde.'>;oncf thepoliicieof/iw ,,6., God,440.,j /*'^W pcrpofe m tl . ptmi* Chrifle i» y4//* ^ 5 v-nrnic, I2ir, A£SK-ur„w.a.c Jchrift, ^''>^::;:):l£^r:::''^:;t^^';^ hovf e^ Tahle of the HarfMniel How miferablcit isto bcfubicdto the tyran- Why Chrifie vfcd an outmrdc figne, ^yg, meofSathan^z6i,zS. 12. The defire offathan is to hurt mennc, 4^4. Simeon kncwc Chrifte from his infancic, 87. yrf//;4«; deHrc to oucrihiow the glory of chrift How SimeoMcPfrd Chrifte, 90. 3 4. 57^15. VYhyy?wf7.'fM(/eiareGftenobfcure,346.io.and fathans cunning in opprcfsing the tfuth,i2,i5 J49« M« "°f exactly to be lifted, 4 8 5 , 1. & and455.6.and459.i J. 554-^0. y4//y4»5 cunning in oucnhrowing thcminific ChviHizn fimbhcitie^ 274.1^. rieofthe worde, 12.1^. his dominion or ^/««er4-, put for wicked mcnji8^.46.and 24 j rufjeouermen, 370.18. and ^3^.45. 29. and 368,37. fathans ki'ngdo IS vnder the Empire ot Chrift, whaty/wje is vnpardonablc, 331.31. i6^.6. the confe(&ionof/;«»e is profitable, 494. 2I4 the deiltud^ionof Sathans kingdome, 106. S'/wwejarenottobewaycd byprefentpunilh- 18. ments, 377.2, the fat i.fMons of the PapiOs are ouerthrown fimes after death are not forgiuen, 332. 3 2. J44.28. /wwe^twowayesforgiuen, jof 2i« How much the 5fni« and high pncfts hated Remission OiYt«»« is a part of the Gofpeljio^ Chrift,82.4. 2. thevn:hankfulneflcofthe5cniei,328,28» Remifsion of/?»»fiisfirftofalltobedcfircd, thcpiideofthe5fromthefmaU number of the godly, and 202,22.and 236.13, and 220.i^and 216,13. ^^4-9 and 297. I4and330.30.& 337.4?. /Ji/c/o»ebredinmenbynaturc,287 39r &350.i4.and 39 3.8.and 427 20, and 45'a. Howhurifall/itf, 341439. 23 and 5^0.^, a.nd4j^.i, thfi; A Table of the HarM$ftU, ■the fonnes of the bridcgf om, for the guefts bid Ttm^erance is commended, 597. dcntothcmariagc,248.i^ Chriihs an example of /w/;*WM«,24j.lp.ft the rubtilc difpofition of Sop/;//2erj, concer- ^99 1^* r , , . ning the fire ofheiI,^59.4i. Trwp/Mb taken for the holy pla<:e,8.p.& x«; 5o;er ftqnifieth more with the Grcckcs then ii. theLatins,^4.&7g.ii. r/hich prouoke vnto cuilI,pro«* ij^^i^^ cccdconely from Sathan, ibid, the free operatio or working of the holy fpirii the temptations of chrilt, for g troubles which in men. 1 1. 1 5. he f-iflaincd, 530,28. thc/p/r/ns the teacher ofthefaithfulI,^5P II. theprctcrTtrt/eforthcprefcntT^w/"?, 17. ig^ they;*n/«of difcrction necc0ary for Church, the name oUetra-ck is vnprofitably vfed.108 1 rzi,\6, Thankifgiiting is neceflary for all the godly^ 20 thcy^m/ofvprightnefle, is giuenonly tothc 2 5'& 34,46 &42.64,&74«i4.&227.4.& members of Chri(V,5 26.2 !► 426.ip.& 6Sc},26, /^/rireputforvnderltanding, 34-46. An example of r/74»^f/«/»fy7ir,243-9.and 34^. fprink^elingoiholy water, deuifedofthePa- theword77;df,fbmtimesnotcthoniyaclaur(s piftcS;435.2. following, 92.3 5. the Starr e which appeared to the wife menne, the woordc r/;f«,docth notalwaycs fignific 2 wasextraordinarie, 801. continuance of time, 98.16. lM/*r and fickle arc ofonevalue, 508/27. T/;wfore is a particle fomeimieifupctfluouf, Stf«r»wasflainereditioufly,727.x, 215* thcfatum of the Stoicki^ 1^-^,19, the faith ofthe thiefeytis great, 7 52. 40. whatit ij to fuffer forrightcoufnefie,i6o.io. thcprcfcriptionof long T/tw?, ismalicioufly the Sunnes Echpfc at Chnfles death. Was not pretended for the defence of errours, 171; gcnerall,7 58 45. ii« fuferfiUioH mahtious and obflinatc, 3 16,14. the Tongue is the charrafter or figure of thc fuperPition is irowv:ird^ ^n $1^ mindc,222.i6.and 334.34. fuperfiitkn in meate and drinkc,mufl be aiioi- How hurtfuH a mahcious tovgueis, 678. 8» dcdj299 34. there are diuerskiadcsofmensfr/o»5,43 j theAnabaptiiUkecpcthevfcorthe/w'or(/fr5 2. theChurchc,7i4.5. tht Syrjedrion ofthe the Tr«jf/tf//i$diucrfly vred,5^7.i g. whatthe Wic>^e^ profite by excufc, 687.25. Whether it bee lawfull to repellv;oif»fe with the w;c.W are made woo rfc by the dodrine violence, 713.51. oftheGolpcI, 381.32. f7/?Mi;j«take for the whole reftoring,23 $*i6 their/V/Wabufeprolpcritie, 162,24. how detcftablc-»»«W;f/eiSj 74.1 3^ the icpUk^d albeit againft their will^obey gods Vnhelitfeh blasphemous againft god, 298, 29 prouidenccj686. 24.7 16.56. ynhelitfe after a fort hindc^reih Gods liberaU« the Kv/c/;e<^ agree amongft themfelues to op- tie, 233. i3.and 253.36. preflrcGodstriuh,9i.34and32i. i4tand the facrament of extreme r««/c«, is faigned, 584»and734.i2. 290.12. the nature of thc>ic;V/;5<^ is obftinate, j88. 4, By what meanes holy Vnitit is to be maintai- J 83 , 4 5. ned, 649,28. themuhiuide ofthett'/Vj^(;/;«i$tobeputaway,5i6.«? tfeopM^earctobcregarded, 488*io.&4p5» w//;,looke freewill.. xA TAhle 9fthe Harmenh* What ii is to doc the w// of chc father, iij. and75,io.and i jp.j.and 2io,x«and |«j i2.andH0 48. j.and400. rp. tfifemtn for Altrologcrs & Phi!orophcri,7p. the conuerdo of the ^eoorU is not to be looked J. for, 65 2. 50. hovY the vpife men were dircdcd to come vnto the contempt of the yvorU is nccc/Tary for the ChriftjBp.i, godljr,aoi.ii,and5<5y.and 38p.4.&4(5a. what the wife mem giftcs doc fignifiej84. 1 1. 2,^« the Papifts hauc imagined that three \*tfimen werl<^es of fupcrerogation of the papiftes,40p» camcvntoChrift, 8o.i« lo* whattruc vsfdomeis,^66.ii, hovwpodrtoth^sz^tiohedon^^i^j, 2, bow w//^cwr IS iuftihcdofhcr children, J oo» gocdiror^areofGod, i55,i6. 5 J. good rvork^s are not Teparated from faith, jpo The fountaineofTr/yror/^//j/'/»g, for the bowing of the knee^i Jo. Wffmfnbcnt tofuperfiition, 612. 14, 18. The thankfulncllc of the vomen that followed yprath for the iudgcment of God, x x f . 7« Chrift, J45;. vror^f taken for a thing or fiibflance, ip.^j- 2 the word taken for the will & decree of God, ^^ 1294. ^yTyicharU of the ftockc of the Pricflcs, j . thcvror/fl'fijgiucntothe deceites ofSathan, ^^ 5. 5 2^.29. Z4c/?4n>,howc iuf} and vnreproucablc, 7 Tliewpor/^efubic(flctoihewillofGod, 283. ^. 2p. Why \acharie was fo fcucrdy reprooucd, '1 j» the sror/5. 6. ;;^c/;f«jhisrepentaunce, 5 50.8. the rtorli taken for the vnbclecuers, 487. 7. \acUeus his faith, ^48. the Yror/i/< foraciimcs taken for the Churche, thc:^4»oint t» point, 4 ♦ That thett mighteft ack^r»ledge the certainty I I of thofe things ^ whereof thoHhaftbeeneinftruHed^ Nely Luke doth make a preface to his Gofpell, that breifly he may fhcw - the caufe whereby he was moued to write. That he fpeaketh to one man, it feemeth to bee abfurd ; when that rather it was his dutieby open founde of trumpet to call all men together to the faith. Therefore itfeemeth not to bee conuenient, that hee (houlde dedicate to his Theophilusonely that dodrine which is not proper to one or other, but common for all. Hereeofit came to paffe,thatdiutrs thoughtitto bcanameappellatiuc,andallgodlymen to^bc called Theophilos, ofloumg God : but the Epitheton that is ioyncd with \t diftereth from that opinion/Neyther yetis that abfurditie to be feared, which conllriyned them to feekcfuch refuge. Neythcrdoth thedoarine ofPaulc icfle belong to all n^n, becaufe that of his Epiflles, he direded fome to certain Cities. anJ'iome to ccrtaincra.en. Andtruely ifwee confidered the eftate of dieirtiines,wernouldconfe(rethatLukeheerein did godly and wifely. There were tyrants ready on cuery fide, which with feare and terrors woulde hmder thecourfcofwholelomedoarine. Thisgauean occafionor Jibertie to Sa- thanandhisminifters, to fcattcrcloudes of errors, which might dimmethe purehght. And becaule that in keeping thepuritie of the GofpeU, the com- mon lorte were little carcfull, andfewe did diligently confiderwhat Sathan woulddeuife , and howe much danger lay hidde in luch dec cites . There- fore as eu eric one did cxcell other with rare fayth and lingular giftes of the holy Ghoit, fowith greater Itudic and dshgencc hee ought to apply himfcfe, thathee might asmuch as in himlyeth preferue the dodrme of sodhnes pure and free from all corruption. Such ( as holy layers vpp ot lookes, wheremlawesarewritten;wercchpr€nof GOD, faythiully to ^ Tie Comment ofM. U. CMnt dcliucr to Acirpoftcrltic the heauenly dodnae committed to them. Whj»'^* fo ^Lukc doth dedicate his Gofpcll ta Theophilus, that hee iho.Id l^ithfullf ^ kecpc the fame, which thina$ Paul alfo dotlic.iioyne and chai-e his Timotny With i.Ep. i.i4«&<^^? ^ *4- . „ , 1 r- ru , Tor a. much as mJy. He fecmcth to allcadge tnat, as a caufc of h. j mi- tlna which rather (hould haue w.thdrawne him from writing Font were but a ifccdelelVc labour, to writ againc a hilloric already entreated of by many, if they had done their dutic, Neither doth he charge them with ar.y word , ey- ther of dcccite, or ofneghgencc, or of any other fault: Therefore itis as much as if he iT^ouldc fay, he would doe a thing ah-cadic done. I aafwere, a though hcfnarcththemthathadwrittcnbefore,yetdothhenot tnrough'y adow the labours of all of them. Hee doth notplainely fay, that tney haiicw.ittmof thinos flcnderly proucd. but chaUcnging the certain knowledge of thefe things vnto himfelfc, modcltly doth difable fomc of them of certaiae and vndoabted knowledge. If any doc obied, that if they had erred ,hee lliould haue aiarpely inueicd a^ainft them : I anfwere againc, it may be, that they did ali:t:e offend and that of an vnaduifed zeale, ratlier then of malue ; and thcrefore,that there was no caufe why he ihould more vehemently haue enforced himfelfe againft them. And it is credible, that there were certaine pam^jhletj, wliich were noC then fo hurtful! .• but ifthey hadnotbecnefpecdily preucnted, they mi^ht af- terwar Jt$ hatie more grci joufly annoyed the fayth. But it is worth the labour tonotc,hDwGodby Lukehath applyed a remedic agai ift thofe fupeifiuous W.itini^s, and that by his maruailouj couniell, he hath brought to paflc , tha€ by common confcnt, all other being reiededjthefe onely doe kcepe their cre- dit,in whi:hhisrcuere.umaie{lic molt manifcllly doth ("hine: And (o much IcHe to be borne with ii the doting folly of them, which thruft into the world fond and tilthy fables, vnder the name of Michodcmus, or any othci. We are fully perfwadcd. The participle, which Luke doth vfe, dotli figni« ficthin^csvery well approued and voide of doubt .in the which the olde in« terpictc; hath bcenc oft decciued. And by tliis vnskilfulncflc hcc hath left vs diucrs excellent places corrupted. Amonglt the which is that place of Paule, Rora.14. f . Wnere hee commaundeth, that euery man be fjllyperfwaded in his minde;. Leaft the confcience being tolled with doubtfull opinions, fhould vtancr.and neiicrftand furc. Thereofalfocommeththe nowne P/f ro/j/jonW, which he corruptly hath tranflated plcnitudinem , i. a fulnes, when that it is ^ cert line and ftrong perfwafion grounded of faith, in the which godly mindes doc f-fcly take their reft. And there is, as I f lyd, a fecrct contrariety • For he challcnc;ing vnto himfclfe the credit of a faithfnll witneffe doth take away the credit from others, that dtliucr contraries. This phrafe (I/iter «oj) amongft VSjfignifiethasmuchas Mpitdnos, with vs. Buthecbuildeth fiytk, asitfee- mcth, very flcnderly, th.">t build tth vpon the rcportof men, wliich ought to be built vpon the onely word of God, and the full pcrfwalion and alTurancc o£ fayth is wrought andfcaled by the holy Ghoft. I anfwere, that fayth is not fa- liTKcd with anvtcfti monies of men : except the audontie of G O D doe bold the chictcft places. Yet, where the inward confirmation of the fpirit 4roofe, 7. And they had no cfnld becaafe that FM\aheth was barren^ and both were reellfiricl^en in a^e, 8. And it came to p^jfe ^ at hee executed the ^riejies office before God, as his courfe came in order, 9 « According to the en/tome of th e prij/}es o^ce^ his lot was to burneincenfe when hee went into the temple of the Lord ^ I o . And the xfhole multitude of the people were without in prayerywhilc theincenft vas burnings It. Then appeared ynto him an An^ell of the Lordyfianding on the right fide of the Altar ofincenfe I » . And rrhen %achariasfaw himjje was trouhled^ and feare felly pon him. ij. But the angtll faidynto him feare not T^aeha" ridSy for thy prayer isheard, and thy wife £.li%aheth fimll beart afonne^^tltouflmlt call his name lohn, Luke very aptly doth begin his Gofpell withTohnBaptfft, enenas if hee that (houlde fpeake of the hght of the day, (hould beginne w,th the mornin* .• For like vnto the morning he did ^oc before the fonne of righteoufnes, which now was about to rife. Other aifo make mention of him, but they defcribe him executing of his office. But Lnke doth purchafe authoritie to him not yet borne, when that hee declarcth the wonders of diume power euen in his mfancie, and (heweth him to be appointed of God to bee a Prophet, be« fore that men conlde knowe what manner ofman hee fhoulJc bee. And for this purpofc he doth it, that with greater rcuerence he might be heard, when that he llioulde take vpon him that publike office, to go forth for the aduancc • ftientofthegloryofChnft. y. Jnthe time of Herod. Hecwis the Connc of Antipater, whomhisfa- eherdidpromotccuen to the kmgdome, for the augment nion of the whicH^ hee had fo great care, and did with fo great diligence labour, that therefore thercwasgiucnvnto himthe furnamc of Great . Ccrtainc doe thinkc ihat hee was named heiieofLuke, becaufe hee was the firft foireine King That raijncd there, and thcreforeto bcafittc timcfortheirdcliucrance, be- caufe that their fcepter was nowtranfpofed toaftrange nation. But they that fo fay, doe not very well vnderllind the Prophefieof [acob ; where- 2i the comming of the Mefsi.is ii not limply promifcd after that the lewea iball bcc depnued of their cmpyre.- But after that the fame fliouldcbce ta« vpM the Hammie of the EHAngeBlles* j fecn away from the tribe ofliida.* neither yet in this holy Patriarkcs mindc, fhat the tribe ofludafhould be dcpriued of their Princely goucrnaunce, be fore the comming ot Chrift; But that the rule of the p^-oplcfliouidbec eftablifhed in thatftocke, vntiUChriftesccmming.- in whofc perfon , the furc euerlalling continuance of the fame (hould be . And although that whattimetheMachabeycsfiouriflicd, the tribe of I uda was brought into a narrow ftreight, and (hortly after Duke lohn, the laftof thatltockc wasflainc yetnotwithibndina was not that rule altogether, extinguifhcd : For yet there remained the Synedrion, as it were a cholen counfel of the ftocke and pofteri- tie of Dauid , whofc auftoritie was great .• And did continue to Herod^who withmofl horrible ilaughter of ludges, rcuenged puniOimcnt layd vpon him before •• becaufc that he being condemned of murder, was conftrained to goc into voluntary exile, that he might efcape the loflcof his head. The reignc therefore of Herod?, becaufe hcTvas a ftraiingcr brake not the fcepier of the tribe of luda^but becaufe that whatrcfiduc of renowme foeuer there remained in that ltocke,by his theeuifh dealing was abohfhed tThat the kingly dignity fayled long before, and that the r»ile by little and httle fell almoft downe; that discontinuance doth notrepugne with the prophefie oi Jacob. For to the out- ward (hew God hath promifed two diuerlc thinges, the throane of Dauid to laft for eucr: that after it wcreouerthrownc, he would repayrc the ruines of the fame: the power ofthatkingdome to be cuerlafting: and yet nctwith- ftandinp a young flippefliould rife out ofthe flocke of Icflc: both the which ihin^s ought to be fulfilled. .t r-r i ^ *God did fufFer the rule which he had ercfted in the tribe of luda to bee tept downe for a feafon, that the greater might be the dihgence of the people, to hope for the kingdome of Chrilt . When the hope ofthe faithfull was as it were cut off by the deftruftion of that chofen counfell , fodenly tthc Lordc (hone forth. And now this belongcih to the courfc ofthe hiftoric , whilft that the time of this thing being done, was noted . But not ralhly , vnder the name of the king was alfo noted the miferableftatc ofthe time, that the le wes might know, that they {houldturne their eyes vntothc Meffias, ifthat they aflliredly had in eftimation the league of God« -uchatUs ofthe coiirfe of ^ka. It is kno wnc by facred hiftorie , that the famihcs ofthe Prieftes were deuided by Dauid into certaine orders ♦ In the which thin difference, thit ih: litter name is properly referrcdto the exerci- fesofizotiUnes, and di-.ime worlhippingcs/ thefirltis more vniuerfall, and it doth aTwell appcrraine to the wor("hip of God, as to the dutie of charitie. For /;wi;f>w which with the Hcbrewcs doth fignifie ihtutesor decrees, the Greeke interpretcrhathtranflatcdiuliifications, /M»»» commonly in holy (criptnrc doth flgnific ccremonics,in the which the people exei cifed thtmfclues in wor- shipping or God, and confefsion o^ faith . And although hypocrites in that poynt arc meruulous curious and exquifitc: yet they haue notliing Lke with Zacharias and Eli^abfih, For finccre wor(hippersof God , as thefe two were, doe not greedily fnatch vnto them naked andvainc ceremonies, but being bent vpon the tnieth, they fpirtually obfcruc them; But lewd and counterfcite men , al- though they dayly weary thcmfehies in outwardc ceremonies .-yctbecaufe they do notoblerLiethcm,as they were commaundedofthe Lord, they doe nothing but loofe their labour, ChciHyin thefe twowoo.ds Luke dooth comprehend the whole lavr.But if Zachary and Elizatheth were vnblamablc as concerningthe keeping of the law.thcy hid no need of ChriftFor the full ob- fcming of die Uw doth bring vtitb ic Ufe^ac where there is no uanfgrcirion.tbe arraiaed vpon the H^rmcme of the Euoftgelflei^ 7 irraincd ftatc doth ceafe. Ijniwei c, that thefc reportcs of praife, wherewith- J^: ' ^ allthefe children of God royally are adorned,are to be tiken with lome excep- ^'' tion. For itis expedient toconliderdiligentiy, how God fhould deale with them euen according to his coutnant, which heinidewiththem,whcreof the cheifeil point is free reconciliation, anddayly forgiuenes^wherebyhcepardo- n:th them theiroffenccs. luft andvnreprouable thcrclcrc are they thought, becaufe that all their lite d^o'tHwitncflcthem to be aiiowed to nghteoufnesjthe feaic of God to reigne in thetn, while there is a certainc example of godlynes. But when their godly endeuour did farre differ Irom perfc<5tion, itcoulJenot pleafeood, without forgmcncs and mercie .-Wherefore the lullice whithis prayfed in them, dcpendtth vpon the free meicic of God. Wherel y it com- meth to pafle, that he accountt :h not what vnrighteoujnes fo encr re m iincth inthem. Soicisneceflaiy tovnderOand wh.itfoeucr is lound in fcriptureof theriohteoiilnesof men, thatitoiicrtritow not forgiuenes of liimes, tothc which itleancth, no cthci-wife then th;; L u.K ing to the foundation. I ht y th.t fay that Zachaiy and Ehiabcthwcrefimply iullby taithjbtcuulethatihc) free- ly pitafed God by the mediatou* ,(lot wncih Luks won^s into a toi.tiaiy fer>fc As conccning the mater it fcUc,iheyn< yther f y ncithing, nor yet :.ll I giaunt the righteoufndle which is .ifcribeU to (hem, ouj^ht not to be imputed to the 3etcrt of works, but to the louc Oi' Ch ift The Lc rJ yer notwiihltandine,be- caufc he imjriiced nor finnevntothsm, hath ihoughi thcit holy life , alihoi-gh vnperfefi, to bet v\oorthy the title ot luft- Th-. f'^< lifhnes of^thc P.pifUs wll cafily be rcfelled ; Fcr they lay this, vshch is att; il uted 10 Zachary againlt the iulhce offaith : the which as it is c rtainc 10 procecut from the fan.e : fo oa^hc itto be made fubied: and brought vnder to the fame .- or as ihcy cammo: ly Cjy^ to be brought into a rinke vndcr, toauoydt concer tion bctw.ene thtm And that which they fo pnint in refped f that one wordc is fnuoif u-s They (.ly the commaund^ ments of the Iwnrciuflifications, therefore that thiy lullihe vs* As thoughwe denied true luflice tobetaught inthelaw,cr that we Ihould l^y the taidttobeinthc dodrine, b< cauleitd' th not iuHifie .-andthct rathtr the caufeisnotinourweake flefh Therefore that a hundred times I may frrvUnt life to bee contained in the precepts of the law 'yet notwithftanding nothing thereby (hall come vntomen^which by nature are altogether turned away fro the lame. And now being borne againe by the fpirit of God, yet notwithftan- ding they are farrefrom the pure obfeiuation of the fame .* Albeit, as I flit wed of late, it is a faint and avainc cauilhiion about the wcrde, when itfigi.iticth nothing el!e, then ftatuit sand appointed ceremonies. 7^ ^nd they had no childe. It was appointed by the (ingular prouidcnce of God. that John fliould be borne contrary to the common and accuftomedor- Gcn,i8.l der of nattire.The fame thing rlfo was done in Ifarc,inthc which God deter- mined to fhew a tokpn of his loue, n( t often feene,& wcnhy of remembrance Eh2abethwasbarren,eueninthefiowerothcrage. And old agedothfinifh childbear.ng eucn infruitfull women' therefore in thefe two lets a double nA- tadc of dmine powt r doth appcare, and that to this ende,that the Lord wculd Witncflcthatprophettobefentof him, asit were with ftrttthed hard Jrom heaucn^ And a mortal! man was hee borne of earthly parents .but a meane a- A 4 bouc ^ouc nature, (if I may fofay) no othcrwife commended him, then i/ he had *allen from heauen. 9. ^ccvriingto thecuftrme of theVriffles office. The law did commaund to burnc inccnfe twife dnyly .-thru is to witte,m the nioi ning,and in the eucning. That the Prtefts had their order difpofed among thenijthatDauid did appoint euen as wc haucfaid before. The rfore the law of God doth efpecially comand that, which here is fayd of incenfe . The other things came from Dauid, that cuericfamiliefliouldh.iue their coutfe 5 notwithftandin^Dauid did appoint nothing, bucout of the commaundement of the lawe . For he onelydid (hew the way, whereby they might fulfill their charge enioyned them of God- The name ofthe Temple here is taken for the holy place^ that therefore is to be noted, bccaufe thatfometime it fignifitth the Poarch. It is fayd chat Zachary went into the Temple , into the which it is not lawfull for any to goc 5 but for the Prielks , Therefore Luke doth fay, the peo- ple Itoode a farrc oft'^ betwccne whom and the altar of incenfe was a great diftaunce . For betwecnc thcrawas tUe altar, where vppon the facrificc of bcafteswt re offered . And it is to be noted, that Luke doth fay, before God. For as oft as the Pricft did enter mto the holy place J he did goc as itwere into the fight of God, that he might be a raediatour bctweenehmfi and the people. For the Lord would hauc this thing teihfied vnto his people, tliatthc entrance into heauen was not open to any mortal! men , except the prieft did goc before* Nay how long foeuermen hue here vpon earth, tliey cannot come to the Iieauenly throane, th u they may find fauour thercjbut m the perfon ofthe mc- dia:our. Therefore when there were many Prieftes, itwasnot lawtiillfor two or ih'- m to ^ether to execute the folemne office of intercefsion for the peo- ple • but therefore were they deuided into companies, that one onely iliould en- te* into the fanftua' y . and therefore there was but one Prieft at once. F^urthermorc hither belonged that fweeteperfiime, that the faithful! might beeadn-.oniilied , that the odour of their prayers afcended notinto hea- uen, but by die facrifice ofthe mediatour . And it is to bee fought out of tlw EpilUc to the Hcbrewes, how thefe figures fhall agree to vs. II. x,acharias Wis troubled. Although that therefore God doth not ap- pcare vntohisfcruantcs,thathefliouldrearethem.*yetitis profitable,yeaand ncccfTary for them to be mooued withfeare , that they being difmayed witli thcmfelucs, might learnc to ycelde iuft honour to God. Neyiherdootli Luke onely l"hew Zacharias to haue beene troubled : But he addcth , a fcare fell vpon him. Whereby he declarech to haue beene fo diimaycd, that he was (ubduedtofeare. Ncytherdothfeare ofthe prefcncc of God fomuchltrike men, th?.t it fliould inltruL> them to reuercnce , but that it might humble the pride of ihctlefh, the which is fohautic, that they will ncuerfubmitthemfelues to God, rnleirc they be violently driuen toit. Whereof alfo we doe gather, that men onely in the abfcnce of God, ('thatis, when they hide themfeluet from his fight) are proud, and flatter thcmfelucs. ForifthcyhadGodas a iudgf vfon^the Hdrmente ^fthe EuArigdifies. p Judge before their tyes j it fliould be neceflary for them to fall Jownc ffatte. And if that ihis did befall to Zacharias ( to wh- m the prayie of ricrhteoiif- nefic wajgnicii J:at ihe beholdingof an Angell , which is but .i Ipnrke of di- uine hghc. what (hall become of vs \vretches,if that the maieftie ofGod rhould bring vstohisHiimnp^brightnes? Andnowby the example of holy fathers we are taught, that no other are moued with the liuely feeling of the diuine pre- fence, but that they quake and tremble at his fight, and alio that they are foo- lilli and dull, which doe heare him without fearc. Teart nctxacharias* Ids to be noted,that the glory of G O D is Co fear- fall to the godly , that ihey are not altogether deuoured of feare ^ but onely they are throwne downe from their vame boldenelle , that they might humbly lookevppon him. Affoonc therefore as GOD hath vanqiiifl.ed the pride of the flefh in his faitrifiiH, with his outftretched hand^herayfcth themvpagaine. Heedealeth otherwife with the reprobate . For as oft a^ they arc drawcn to the iinigementfeatc of God^mecre defpcration oucrvvhel- meththcm Add God dothgiueagainethisjr.saiuflrcwjrdevnto theirvainc pleafurcs, in the which they haue made themfelues drunken to wantonnes of finning. Wherefore this comfortistobeeimbraced ofvs, inthatthc Angell doth vpholdZachary, that it is not to be feared, where God is prcfent with vs , For they dcceiue thenifeluts much, who, that they might enioy peace, doe hide themfrom the face of GOD, feeing wee fhould feeke peace at him. Thy prayer is heard. Zachary might feeme to hauc done amifTe, and con- trary to the trade of his office , if hee entring into th e holy place in the name- of all the people , as a priuatc man fliould pray for the obtaining of offpring^ For the Prieft taking vpon him ro bee a common perfon, fhould be as it were forgetfull of himfelfc, and fhould pray for the common fafegard of the congre- gation. If we fhall fay, that it was not inconuenient, that Zacharias hauing perfourmed his cheifeft part of prayer, fhould then fecondly haue fome priuateconfideration of himfelfe, it were not anvnapt anfwere* But it is icarce probable,that Zachary fhould then hauc prayed for the obtayning of aSonnc, whereofhe waspafthopcby theoldeage of his wife, Neyther is there any certaine moment of time gathered of the woordcs ofthe AngelL Wherefore fimply I interpret, that his defire was now heard , which long before he had poured out before God .• Furthermore the defire of h.iuing offpring (fb there be no excefle) is godly and holy, as may be gathered out of Scripture, which efteemeih this not in the lafl place among the blcllings of God. Thou Jhalt call his name. The name of Baptift I thinire wzs giHen vnto him , to declare the effede of his office .• Inchannan For the which the Greekes fay lohn, with theHebrewes doth fignifie the grace of God. But many thinke the Sonne of Zachary fo to bee called , as belo- ued of God. I doe not thinke that fauour heerc to bee corrm.nded, which God thought him priuately to bee woorthy of, but that which his mef^ fage was about to bring to all men* The time doth encrcafe the authontie A J and: X o *!ijf Comment. tfM* /tf • Cahlni and eftimation of his name, bccaufe that before he was bome,God imprinted in him a figne of liis louc. Luke I. Matthew. Harkc* ] M- ^ndthouP?^lthai^ioy and gladnejfe, and manie/hall reioyce at Ins byrtlu I 5 . fur heePjali be gt eat in the fight efthe I Lordej aiid/hali neither drink^ppineynor ffrong drinl^and ht /halbe filled with the holy Ghofiy euenfrom hismothers mcombe^ 1 6 . ^;jd manie tfiUe children oflfrael (hall he turne to their Lord God 4 ij.ForheJhallgo before hint in the fpirit and ' ^o>pper of EHa>yto turne the heartes of the fathers to the children y and the difobedient , to the wife- I dome of the iufi men^ to mak^ readie a people pre- J pared for the Lord* 14 ThoH fhalthane toy. The AngcII doth (ignifie greater ioy, then that Zacharias could comprehendc5ot his new offpring: For hcdcc arcd , that he {honld haue (uch a Tonne, as he du:ft not wifhfor; And ftreight w.^ycs hee roeth further, that that ioy (hould not be priuatc, wheieof onely the parrntcs fhould take then- delegation , or that it might keepe it felfe in priuritc houles, but fliould be common aUo to ftraungcis, to whome the profit of his natiu:tic ihould be declared. Therefore it is like, as if the Angell had fiyd, not a fonnc to haue bcenc borne alone to Zacharia$,but 3 teacher and a prophet to ail peo- ple. The Papiflesabufed this place, that they might bring in aprophane cu- ftome, incelebratmgthcbirthof lohn. I let palle this, that they worfhippe this daytoomuchcontraiyro all good order, withdaunfmgc$,Ie.iping$, and all kind otlafcjuioulneHc.wiihlibertie of banktttiitgjwhich order th.yfaignc to be f Tcred vnto them : and that they fufter ihcmfclues in that celebration to be deluded With magicallartes, and dcuilifli deuifcs, no othei wile then as in the ceremonies of Ceres. AtihisprcfcntitrhnllbefuiTicientfor mcbrcifly to declare the Angel'es words to haue bccnwrvftcdoftliemvnwifelyjto the annnall celebrating of hii byrth day :whentheAngtlinmply did commend the loy which (hould come to all godly men, by the fruit of his dodrine .• For they rcioyced for a prophet to be borne vnto them, by whole minirterie they were broughtin hope of fal- uation. i^' TorhcP)aUbe(nreat. He confirmcth that which hee f-yd of ioy : becaufc that lohn wnsappoint-d toath;nggre.^t,& vnaccouilomed : Neither yet arc the vertues wherein he did excclllo much hcrepra.red,asthe greaines & ex- ccUc ncy of his office is extolled. Like ns Chrill,whc he afhrmeth him to be the cheifeft amog the children of wonien,he hnth not refpedfo much to the holi. Mat, II. 1 1 nes of hii life^asto his miniltery,that which itrcight waies after folio weth He ihaH vpon the Harmenie of the Euangeiifles. j j Aall neither drinkewine nor ftrong drinke^isnot foto be vnJerftoodc as though it were an cfpcciall venue of fohn, to be a rcfiaincr from wine .- but becaufiMhatby thatcfpeciailmarke, God would note Ins feaunt , whereby^ the world might know an eutrIallingN:i'i:nritcr. The pricfts alfo icfrayned from wme and ftrong drinke, when ihLyrupj.'Iyed their courAs in the tem- ple. The iame abiUncnce was prcfcribcd to the Naz:>ntes, vntill their vovv were fufilled. And Go^ would iliew by a notable token, that lohn m all his Num.^. j life was a Nararite , dedicate vnto htm, as we read alfo the fame of Samplon Jiucvndcr this colour there is not to be faigncd a worihipprntyor God^ inab^ fiinence from wine, as Apes, that with ambition Will follow whatfoeucr they may peiceiue of their fathers dccdcs. Onely let all men hauc ttmperauucc lud.i 2.f« in cftimation; they that find hurt in drinking of wme , kt them wil- hngly abihine ; they that iacke, let them take the want of it m good pare. For that which pcrtaynethto the name of Sicera, I willingly aorce to their iudoe- mcnt, which y^ye.-/ With the Hebrewes doe thmke to"" be called euery kind of made wine, Hee/hall bee filled mth the hdy Ghoji. This more inward note, wherewith-. alltheAngcUfaythlohnfiiallbefigned, wasfarre excellentcr, then the out- ward and vilible hgne . In thefe wordes I thinke nothing els to be noted,then his apparanttowardncfi'cj which might mewahope of his excellencieto come Further, I fay notfuchtowardnefie, asisalib inprophanemen,butluchafi might accord to the greatnefle of his office* The fcnie therefore is that the power and grace of the fpiritc fhoiri J not then onely flieweicfelfe inhimj when that liee ihould afpyre to his office: but that eucn from his mothers wombe he Ihould excel! in the eiftes of the fpirite^whichas cenaine fignes ihpulde ttftifie what heefhould bee.- For from his mothers wombe, is as much to fay,as from his firft infancie. Igrant truly the power of the fpirit to haue wroughc in. lohn, when he was yet inclu- ded in his mothers wombe. But in my judgement the AngtUhere meant an other thing , that lohn being yctaninfjnt, fliouldc be broll^htas it were into the theatre with a fingular commendation of the grace of God; of the fulnefle it is not mecte, that we Ihould more fubiily difpute, or rather tri- fle with fophifters* , For the fcripture doth by this name fignifie no other thing, then the ex- ^ ccllent, and not common aboundanceofthegiftes of the fpirite. To Chrift !l!* **^ . alone we know the fpint to haue becne giucii without meafure, that we might **^^'' * ^"^ all drawe of his fulnefle : and to bee giiien to other byacertaine meafure* ,'* *, But they that aboue our common capacicie are indued ^ with more plentiful ^P"^»*'7W grace, are fayd to be full of the holy Ghoft. But as the larger pcwcr of the fpirite was an extraordinaric qy^tQ of GOD in lohn ; fo it is to bee noted, the fpirit not to bee bello- wed vppon all menne by and by in their infancie , but when it fliall pleafc God. lohn from the tvombc did beare the token of his dignitie to come^ Saiile beeiog yet but a Sheepheard , did beare no Kingly ihcwe , yet atr , ^ The Commit, of M. h, Caluifie. at length he bccing chofen King, was fodaincly chaungcd into a ncwe ' By this example the refore let vs learne, that the free woorking of the fpirit is freeui men from the firft mfancie , to the laft poynt of age. 1 9. ^nd many of the children of Ifraell. In thefe wordes he dcclarcth a dc- t-ftablediuifion, which then was in the Church. For it was ncceflary;to haue luch Apoftles, inwbomconuerfiontoGod might haue fome 'place. And trucly there was fo much corruption of dodrinc y fo much dc- prauing of manners , fuch a confufe goucrnment , that it might be ac- counted a miracle, to finde a few to perfift ingodlinefie . Iffuchexcce- dmgdiflennonwas m the olde Church, there is no catife, that the PapilU fhouldwith a vainecloakc defend their fuperftitions, as if it wcrcimpof- fiblc the Church (hould erre ; For becaiife that vnder this name they doc vnderftandnot the true and eled Sonnes of God, but the company of the wicked. But we fee more he ere to be attributed to lohn, then fhould agree to man. For when conuerfionvnto God doth renew in men a fpirituall hfe, it is not only the proper worke of God, hut it doth excel! cuen the creation of men* Therefore by this meanes the minifters may feeme to be cquall with GOD yea, and to bee preferred in as much as he is a creator, feemg it is more to be borne againe into a heauenly life, then to bebonie morcallmcn vponthe earth. TheanfwcrciseafTe.- For the Lord, whcnheattribiiteihfuchpraifcto his outward dodrine, he doth not feperate the fame from the fecret power of his fpirit. For, bccaufe God chufeth men vnto him for minifters, whofc ayde he vfcth in the building of his Church , together by them he woorketh ivith the fecret power of his fpirit, that their labour might be efteduall and fruitfull,as oft as thefcripture commendeth this efficacie in the minifterie of men , kt vncarnc to yeelde the thing receiued to the grace of the fpirit, with- out the which mansvoyce to no etfc^fhould be fpread abroad in the ayre. So Paul, while he reioyccth himfelfe to be the minifter of the fpirite, challengeth I Cor 2 ( nothing apart vnto himfelfe, as though with his voyce he ihoulde pcirce the * * ^ * hcartes of men, but hce declareth in his miniftcrie the power and grace of the fpirit. Ihefelayin^cs arc woorthieto be noted: For. Sathanverv aitificially workethtodiminifluhc efJcdofdoa!ine,thathe might weaken the grace of diefpinteioyncdto it. Igrauntthat cxtcrnall preaching fepcratcly bvit felfc can doe norhin^,but bccaufe it is an inftrumentofdiuine power for faluation, and an effcnonethes, faying: I ^, Thuihath the Lord dealt with me in theJaies vherein heeUokfdonfnceyto take f torn mee my nhnh^ a^YiongmeK^ X I, Jml the people waited, Luke declarcth that the people alfo Was a wdN neffc'ofthisvinon Zacharytaried longer in th^ temple thea tlic wont was: Hecreon fufpition grcwe , fome vnaccuftome J thing to hauc befalne to him.* he be:ncT come out, by oefturcs and fignes doth fhew^thathe is become dumb* And it is credible , tliatfome tokens of fcare rcmayned in his countenaunte, W'herby they oathcrthatGod had appeared to hiai.And'there were in that age few or no \ ilions : but the people did remember that they had beene common before in their fathers tiir.e. Wherefore notwithoutcaiife did ihey iudge of thcfc manifcll fignes For it was not common, that fodenly without flcknefle he fliould be dumbe .- And that after longer delay thenneede was ,hee Ihbuld come fo amazed out of the temple. Furthermore, the name of the temple, as we now fay d, is vftd for the holy place, where the aJtar ofincenfe was : froni thence the Sacrifice bem^finiflied, the preiftes were woont to goe into their porche, and thence they blcfled the people. 2 ^ . JVhen the dayes were fin Ifilled, Luke doth put the woi d titurgian for the exccutincT of the office, which did goe by courfe in order to eiicry one, eiien as wc hauc fayd. That it is fayd, that Zachary returned to his houfe, the time of his charg b eing pa(l:hcreout wc gather the priefts (o long as they were in their I. Reo.tf.*. courfts did rcfram from their houfes, that they might altogether be giuen and ^^ fi\ed to the fcrui:eofGod, For thispurpofc there were Galeries made in the fides ofthe temple m the which they nad chambers. Thelawedid not forbid the prieft fro his own houfe: but that it reflrained them from touchmg of their F,Sam.ii.4 wiuesjwhenthcy fliouldeeate the holy bread.- It is probable thatwhenrhany Leuit. 10.9 with fmall reucrcncc did handle the holy things , this remedie was inuented> that they being reraoued fro al allurememes,might keepethemfelues deane & free fro al polutionmeither was the lying with their wiues only forbidden the but alfo the drinking of wine & Itrong drink. rhcrforc when the order of their diet waschaungedjit was profitable not to departe fiom the temple, that the fight of the place might teach them to fcckc & cfteem of purity,euen as it was appoynted ofthe Lord. It was alio profitable that all occafion of wantonnes fhould thereby be taken away, that with more diligence they might apply their charge. The Papiftcsthis day vndcr this pretcce do defend their tyranous lavt of vnmarried life. For thus they rcafoa fecmg the priefts in limes paft were co- manded to abftainc from their wiues, when they were bufied in holy affayres : now worthily may pcrpetuall continence be required of our priefts,whicn n©t by courfe of times, but dayly, do faciifice; Cheifly,for that the dignitic ofhoikf rites is fymorc excellent thea vnder the law. But I wouldc knovYC, why they dot df, vpw thtf H^rmomc of the Emngeiifits^ i g doe notalfo abftainefrom wine and flrong drinke. For neither is it lawful! to Operate thofe commaundements, which God hath ioyned that onely halfc fliould be obferucd 5 and the other part neoleded. The company with their Wiucs isnotfoexprcfliy forbidden, as the drinkin^ of wine. Ifvndertheco- E2CCi4.i» lour of the law, the Pope dothinioyne to his priefts fingic life, why doth hec permit them wine?. Nay, by this rcafonhee ought to fhutvp his pncftes in fome innermoft roomes of his Temples, that they being Ihut in prifons,might paffe all their hfe without the fellowfhipofwomen and people. Nowwefee piainely they wickedly pretend the law of God, from which they depart ? But notwithftanding a full anfwcredependcth of the difference ofthelawandthe Gofpell. The pried did place himfelfe before God, to purge away the (inn es ofthe people,thathe mightbee as it were a mediatour of God & menat beho- ued him, vpon whom that office was layd, to haue fome note, whereby he be- ino exempted from the common order of men, might be knowne as the figure of^he true mediatour. For this purpofe were appointed the holy garmcntsand annoynting: Now in the pubhke minifters and paftcrs ofthe Church there is no fuchlike thing, I fpeake of the minifters, which Chrift inftituted to feed his flock,notof thofe which the Pope maketh, rather butchers tofacrifice Chrift, thenprieftes. wherefore let vsrepofe our felues in that fcntence of the iioly tt i Ghoft, which pronounceth that matrimony is honourable in all men. •'^•^" 24. Shee hiddeherfdfe. This feemeth to bee abfurd, as though that flieefhoulde bee aihamed ofdiuineblelfing. Some thinke that the thmg being yet doubtfull, fhee durft not come abroad, leaft that fhefliould make her (eJfe a laughingftocke; if her opinion fnould bee made fiultrate, which (he had conccaued ♦ And I doe fo acccmipt ofthe promife made, that fhe was aiTured it fhouldc come to pafle, Foi:yv!(ienflieeperceauedfuchgrieuouspu-. nifhmcnt to bee layde vppon her husbaud, for the vnaduifed fall of his tongue, how coulde jfhee hue monethesfpacenourifhfuch doubt in her heart : and her wordes doe piainely declare that her hope was not wauering,or doubtfull.* For when fhe faith the Lordc hath doonc it, (bee wifely and without feare dc- clareth the Lords knowne f auoiir. There might bee two caufes of her hiding. Firfl that themyradeof GODfhouldenotbee layde open to the diners (peaches ofmen, before it (houlde apparauntly bee knowne. For it is thecuilome of the world to (peake oftentimes raihly and very vnreuerently of ti e workcs of God. The other caufc was , that when men of a fodaine fhouldc fee her great Withchilde, they fhouldc the more bee ftirred to prayfe the Lorde . For thofe workes of God, which by little and little lifevp amongflvs,inproccfrc of time are naught fet by* Therefore Elizabeth hid and abfentedher felfe not for her owne fake, butforthecaufe of others. ay. Thus hath the Lorde delt with ntee. Shce fetteth forth the goodnefTe ^f G O D priuately, vntill the appoynted time fhoulde come of pubhfhingthefamevntothe worlde , It is to bee fuppofed that her huf- oand by writing had enformed her ofthe pronrjied childe, in that the more certain ely and with the chearefnllerminde fhee fheweth that G O D is she authour of this bcnefitte . And that {hc« approoueth in her next B z rrordes. !• Tije Qfmmeftt.oftM. lo. Cahme. woordes. In the dayes rthtuin htt looked on mse, to tak^ from met my rduk^ among men. Shec declarcth^ that the caufc of barrenntfle \wis , for that the fauour of God was turned from her. Amonoft the e rthly blelTinges, which God dcth g.'iie, thcTcripture ac- counteth this as chiefe.thathe vouchfafeth to ome \ s children. For jf thein- afe of bniitbc-ifts is a bleding of God;then how much more excellent man ere is then beaftes/o much more to bectteemcd and accounted of, is the increafe of men then of beaftes. Neither is it a fhght or comon honourjthat when God alonedcfeniethtobenccountedafatherjheyct admitteth earthly men into the fellowibip of this name with him. Therefore thatdo(flrinc is diligently to bee confidered, that children arethemhentanceofthe Lord. Pfalme.iiy.j,. and the frtiite of the womb e his reward e. ButEhzabeth had a farther regard : becaufe that beyond the common order ofnature, {he being barren and oldc^ had now conceaued by a wonderfiill myracle of God . To take from me my rebuke amongmsn. Barr cnnefTe was not without caufe efte • med as a reproach, feeing 'th?.t the bleffingofthewombc was accoimteda- mon^ft the efpecial teftimonies of Gods fauour & loue. 5ome thinke that this did fpeciallyappertaineto the people ofthe old law, becaufe that Chrift was. to come ofthe feede of Abraham. But that belonged onely to the tribe of lu- da. Othersmoreriohtly aftinT>c,thattheincreale ofthe people of God was. profpcrcusandhapp'y,forthatitwasfaid to Abraham, Gta. i^«i ^Thyfecd fhali be as the fand of the fea,& as the ftars of heauen:Bu t the general! blelTme which rcacheth vnto all mankindc, & the promifemade vnto Abraham^which i% peculiar to the Church of God, ought to bee ioyned together. Let parents learnetobethankfullto God for their childre,but let them that wantjearneby the fame to humble th^felues. Elizabeth acccountcth that this reproach is but before men , becaufe that it is but a temporal chiftifementjby which we are nothing the further from thckingdomcof heauen, Luke I. MatthcVf MarkC. I *^» -^ndlntheftxtmoneth the ^ngell Ca^ hriell xpasfentf, omGOD ynto a C ittie ofGaUle^na- med TSla\areth, »7« To a yirgin ajjlanced to a man, xphofe namt waslofepjy, of the houfe of D^nid : andthtyirgim name was Mary, 1 8 . ^nd th e Angell went in ynto hefy and fayde, Hayle, thou art freely beloued, the Lordt is with thee : Blejfed art thou among women. 19. .And wlienflje fawe himyfhee was trotf hied at his fayingyand thought yrhat maner offalut4» tionthdtjhouldbt* JO. ThentheAngill faydt yntoher^lPeart Mt Hmtj .* for thw hope f§ttnd favour with 3j[ ftf- I vponthcHarmwkoftheEHMngelifles, 1 1 J I . ' For lot y thou /halt conceme in thy rwmhe and beare afonne^ and call his name Jefm^ 3 2. Eejhall be^eaty and/hall he called the Son of the moji high: and the Lord GodJhallgi»ehim tht throane ofDauid his father, 3 3 . ^nd he/}}all reigne ouet the houfe lacohfof , euer^ and of his kingdoms fJjall be no ende. r€* In the jixt monetK Theorderof Gods counftll is wonderfullj and much difiereth from the common iudgement of men* In that he woulde that the beginning of the generation {hould be more famous m his forerunner, or cryerj then in his owne fonne. TheprophecieoflohnBaptiitvttered in the temple, is knownc in euery place. But Chrift is promifed to a viroin , in an vnknowne towne of luda, and this prophecie remaineth burred in the bofomc of one maide, But fo it was requiflte to bee, that euen m Chriftes birth that might be fulfilled. That God by foolifhnefle might faue them that btleeue* i«Cor. 1. 1 1 . But fo was this treafuie of this fecretmyfterie layde vpp with the Virgin,'that at the length in his time it might come forth to all the godly. This fecret repofing of it is (^ I graunt) contemptible : butfuchas was molt meetc both for the tryall of the humilitie of our faith, and alfo for the beating downe ofthe pride of the wicked. And let vs (although the rcafon do not at the firft appeare) learn e With modeftie to fubmit our felues to God;neyther in this let it greiue vs to learn of her, that bore Chrilt the eternallwifdome of God, in her womb« Nothing is more to be taken heed of, then that wee through ourproudcontempt bereauc notour felues ofthe knowledge of the incomparable mifterie, which God wi! (hould bee hid in his little ones, and fuch as feeke for knowledge. Thif fee- meth to me t G» be the caufe, why he chofe a virgin efpoufed to a man , The imagination of Origen, that he fo wrought it, thathe might keepe fecrttfrom fathan the faluation, which he prepared to giue to men,hath no liklyhood with it. The vayle of mattimonie was therefore fpread before the eies ofthe world that he whom they commonly fuppofed to be the fonne of lofeph , the godly at length by fay th fhould know to be the fonne of God, And yet Chrift came not foonh in fuch bafe and meane fort , but that the heauenly Father fhewed forth in him euen at the beginning, the glory of his Godhead. For the Angels declared, that the Sauiour was borne. But their voyce being heard ^onely of the Shepheards was not fpread farre. There was one woncer famous amongft the reft , that the wife men Vvhichcamc fiom the Ealt, did euery where reporte, that aftarre appea- red vntothem, ssateftimonie ofthe birth of the great king .* yet wee fee howe GOD kept his Sonne, as it wcreinfeaete, vntill the time came, that hcefhould fully bee (hewed , Then hee ereded, as onefliould fay, a Theatre, from whence he might plainly be beholden. The participle, Menh- ^fieumeneny which the Euangeliftdoeth vfe, doeth fignifie, that fhec then Vfas a Virgin , promifed to ahusbande , but not deliucred asawifetoa B 3 fau5band| a 1 The Comment, of MM Caiume husband. For it wa« a cuftomc amongft the lewcs , that the parentcs fliouldc kecpe their daughters at home with them, fora time, after that they were c- fpoufed vnio men : Or elfe that law for the (laundered wife, which is in Deut 21. ig. were invainc. Luke rayththatlofephwasoftheftockeofDauidjbe- caufe that the families were wont to be accounted by the names of mcnrot the which matter wc will fpeake more in another place. 28. Haile thou that art freely beloved. Bccaufe that the meflagc Was won- derfull , and almoft incredible ; therefore the Angell began with a commen - dationof the fauour and grace of God.- And feeing that by reafon of our dull vnderitanding , our mindes are driucn to fuch a ftraight, that they cannot c6- prchend the wonderfull greatneffeof God his works. This is the beft remedie that wcftirrevp our mindes to meditate and conlider the infiniteneffc of his grace. Therefore fince that the vndcrftanding of God his goodnefle is the gate of fayth : The Angell tooke thi« (and not without caule) as the bed or- der, that by occupying the minde of the Virgin in meditating of the fauour of God, fhee might be the better prepared to receiue and vnderliand that incom^ prehenlible myftcric. For the participle Kecharitomewy which Luke docth vfc, fignifieth the free fauour of God, as appcareth more plainely in the Epiftlc to the Ephefians. 1.6. where Paule intreating of our reconciliation with GOD fayth that God by his beloucd Sonne £f/74nto/e», that is, receiued vt into his gncc, and through his fauour he embraced vs, which before were his ene-" mies. A fterwardes the Angell fayth, that God won among women : For heevfcth this worde Ble/Jtng^s thecffc^andproofc of the. fauour of GO D « Fdr in mine opinion, it is not heere vfed for a prayfing of her , but docth rather fignific a happyneffc or bleflcd- ncfle. So Paule vfeth to pray , that the faythfull might haue firft grace, then peace .• that is^ allkindeof goodthinges, fignifying thereby that we are then become bleilcd and rich , vrhen wee arc belouedof God, the authour r) of all good thinges ♦ Then if the blefledneffe, righteoufnefle and life of Marie doe come of the free loue of God* and that her vertues and all her excellencie is the meerehberaliticofGod.* Then deale they very prepofteroufly , that teach vf to a(ke thofc thingej of her , which dice with vsreceiuethfrom an other. But very groffc is the folly ef the Papiftes, which as it were by a magi« callconiuring, haue turned this falutation into a prayer And by want of reafen they haue bcenethus farrcdrawne, that their Preachers might not pray in the pulpit for the aflillancc andgraceof Godbis fpiritc,but by their Bayle Mary, And bcfides tiiat , this is to bee accounted 2ts a falutation onely they rafhly take vnto thcmfelues the office of an other, which God 'inioyned .not to any but to the Angell : bui tYvifc more foolifh i$ that imitation , that they (aiutc one \h^ u Abient. vpon the Uarmonie •fthe "Eumgelifi^i. ^ • Sf. Hiien/hee f0ti»e him^/hse W4s troMid* Luke doth not fay tha^ the reuerence of GOD, {hce conccaiicd a fodaine feare . Therefore (hec was troubled, for that (hce perceiued, thatitwas notamortall manncthat didfaluteher , but an Angellof GOD, But Lukedooth not fay, that (hee was fo troubled, thatiheewas thereby amax^ed ; but rather fheweth the ligne ofanattentiuc and very ready minde, when that heeprefently addeth that (hce thought with herfelfc what manner of falutation this fliould be: that is whereto it tended , and what it meant* Forprefentlylhcc thought that the AngeU was not fent to her for nothing. And by this example wee are admonKhed ; Firft, that the workes of God arc not flcight y to be paflfed ouer * Then likcwifc wee ought fo to weigh and confidcr them, that reuerence and feare may goc before. JO, Feare not Mary. In thathee wiHethhernotto be afiayde, let vs alwayes remember howcweake ourflefheis , and that it cannot bee, but that wee ihoulde bee afrayde, fo oft as but the Icaft fparke of G O D hig glory doth appcarc . For v/hen wc earneftly confidcr the prcfcnce of God , wee cannot imagine a vainc or ydle prefencc. Therefore when wcc arc all in daungcrofhisiudgemcnt, out of feare there rifeth a trembling, vntillhcc (hcweth himfclf c as a father .The holy Virginne fawe amongft her people fuch a vile heape of finnes, that there was good caufc why flicc (houlde be afrayde of the greater vcngcincc. Wherefore, that the Angell might put this feare away, heefayth, that hec is a witnefle and tydingcsbringcr of that, which is wonderfull good.Lukc yCed this Hebre wc phrafe, to findefattoitr, for t o haue GOD mercifull. For it cannot bee faydc, that hee found fauour, that fought the fame ; but hee to whome it was offered, and feeing that examples ofthe fame are fufficiently knowne, it were but vaine here to alledgc them, }!♦ For loe thti* (halt conceaue in thy vpomhe^ The AngcH fra- meth his woordes , firfte, to the Prophefie of Efaye , and then to other places of the Prophets, that it might thereby the better fincke into the Vir- ginnes minde. For fuch Prophefics weerknowne and common, cuery where among the godly ; yet with all it is to bee noted, that the Angell did not whif* perthatondyinthe care ofthe Virginne, but hee brought that gladde tidingesof faluation, which not long after was to bee fpread throughout the whole world. Wherefore it is not doonc without the counfell of G O D , that hee fo plainely expreflfeth the confent betwccnc the olde Prophefies and the prefent meflage of the comming of Chrifte , The woorde dncea' mingy is fufficient to confute thewitlefTefanae, as well of Marcyon,as of Manicheus. Forthereby may bee eafily gathered, that Maty did not^bnng forth an aiery body or Ghoft> but fuch£uitasiheebcforeh«i4coa€€at]edia bcrvtombc* ^4 ^ t^ The Comment, of Jl^Jo^Ciiume jiadthoHJhaltcallhhnamUfttt. Mat' i. n. rendrcth the cattfe wliy this name was giuen him ♦ For that hee fliouldc fauc his people from their finnes.- fo that in the very name Saluation is promifed, and the caulcis fliewed to what endeChrift was Cent of his Father into the workle . As hee fiyth himlcirc, that hee came not todeftroy , but to laue the world, loha II. 47. Let vs alfo remember that this name was not giuen him by the will of man, but by the Angell, at the cominaundemcnt of God, that our faith mioht be fattened in heauen, and not vppon earth. It is deriiied of lajham which with the Hebrewcs is Saliiation/and from thence commeth that worde, which iigniHeth to faue. Furthermore they doe but fondly reafon^ vvhich endcuour to deriue it of that Hcbrewe nowne ihnjhu^, Ic appeareththattheRabbyncs did dealc very malitioufly, inthntthey nc- usrgiue him that honourable title of Chritl, but in euerypKice write lelu ; or rather imac;ine him to haue bin fome bafe or degenerate lew. Therefore their writing deferueth 3S much credit and authoritie, as doth the barking of a dog. That thty obied thit he iliould be farrc inferior to the dignitie oi the fonne of (^«d, if he '"liould haue a name common with ethers, may alfo be pretended of Chrift. But the anfwer to them both is very cafic. For that which before was fliadowcd vnder the bw, is fully and wholy performed in the Sonne of GOD.» or that he h id the fubftance of that in him, which was before but figured. The other o^Luf don isof no greater force.They deny that the name of lefii is holy & eu.Tent, before whom eueiy knee Philip .2. 9. ought to bow, vnlefTe it did oncly Licio g to the Son of God^Paulc doth not attribute vntohim amagicalf nam :, m whofe fyllables the maicfty were included.-but his words were to this purpofe,asif he fliould haucfaid great power was giuen vnto Chrift of his fa- ther,vnderthewhichal the world fhouldbow. Therfore let vs bidfuch faig- nedinuentions fare well, and let vsknowe that the name of lefu was giuen vnto Chriil, that the faithfi ill might Icarnc to Iceke in him that, which before was li\adowcd vnder the lawe, ^ 3 z . Hee P)all be great. The Angell faide the fam^Iohn Baptift,\vhom yet hee wouUc not make equnll with Chrift . But thcBaptiftwas great in his order • And prefcntly after nededaicth that the greatneffe of Chrift extolled him farre abouc all creatures. For this hath hee alone proper and peculyar to himfelfe, that he fliouldc bee called the fonne of God, as the Apoftlc proueth Heb. I. ^ I graimt that fomctimes in the fcripture the An jelles and kings are ador- ned with this title : but thcfe arc in common caDed the fonnesof God,forthe cxcellcncic which God hath giuen thrm. And it is cleare,and not to be doub- ted,butthat God cxemptethhis fonne from all thereft,whenthathepeculyar- ly faith vnto him, Pfalmc 1,7. Thou art my Sonne : Therefore Chrift is ac- counted here neither among Angels nor men, that he might be accounted one afcommon fort or company ofthe children of God ; for that which is giuen vnto him, it ii lawful! for none other to take to thcmfelues. It istruc that Kingcs arc the children of God , but not by right of ni- turc , but becaufe the Lord c hathbeftowed that honour vpon them. Nei- ther doth this title belong vnto AngcUcs, but as they vnder their chicfe head cxccU vpm the H^rmonU rfthe Eu4Mge!ifies. 2 r fxccll amongft the creatures^ And we alfo are children but by adoption which we obtainc by faith, for we haue it not of nature. But Chrift is the on eV and theonely-begotten fonne.Thatinterptetation ;s very .'alfe & deceitfuUjVvhich thatfilthydogSeruetuswrefteth, the word of thcfuttiretence,thathee might prooue that Chrift w.' snot the ctemalllonneo: God; But thathebeoanthen fo tobe accompted when thathee tooke vpon him our flelh. Hce aroJeth that Chrift was not the fon of God, before that he being clothed with fleflijdidap, peare in the world, becaufc that the angell faid: HefhalJbecalled.i except a- gainft this, &affirme that the words ofthe AngcII do figmfienothmg e!fe,but thatfuch afonneofGod fliould be mademanifeft in thefielh, as was eternall.* For to bee called IS referred to theappannt knowledge. J^ut there js great diflerencehere betweenethefetwoenterpretations, whether heebe^annovv to be thefonnc of God, which wis not before, or that he was madel-nownc vnto men, that they might know him to bee the lame which was promifed in timespaft. And truly, fith that God in all ages ws called a Father ofhis peo- ple,it may thereby begathered, that the bonne was in heiuen : from whome &through whom this fatherhood came to men. Formen (hould arrogate too muchvntothemfelues,iftheydurftbeiobold as bragge, that they were the fonnes of God: but as they are the members ofthe onely bc^^otten fon. where foreitis rertaine that the holy fathers had not the aflurance of that fo honou- rable a calling- But as they had their confidence m the Sonne, the mediatour. But what profit wee haae by this more perfed knowledge, whereofwee novf fpeake, Faule doth teach vsin an other pLce. For thatnowe wee may fiee- ly not onely call, but cry out that God is our Father, Rom. 8. ij.& Gal. 4. $, Godjhallgiueynto him the throane of Daaid.W thauc fud thatthe Angel tookC out ofthe Prophets thefc titles, which he giue.h vnto Chrift, that thehcly vir- gin mightthcreby know the better, thathee flxould bee the Kedeemer, which was in times paft promifed vnto the fathers. When as the Prophets do fpeakfc ofthe reftitution ofthe Church, they call the whole hope ofthe faithful) to the kmgdome of Daiiid So thatit was a common rule amongft the lewes.that thefafegard ofthe Church wasrepofedin theprofper t.eofbauids kingdom. Neither did there any thing more aptly or fitly agree to the offic c ofthe MefTi- as, then that he Ihould agame reftore the Kinadone oFDauid And therefor e the Mefsias is fometimes called by the name of Dauid; a^^in ler. jo.9. They (hallferue ihe Lord their God, and Dauid their kuig: Alfo in Ezechi ^4. 24. and ^7.z4. My feruant Dauid fliall bee prince an^.ongft them • Andin OG:. ^^.Theyftiailfeekethe Lord their God, and Dauid their kina. Theplacesalfowhereasheiscalledthefon ofDanid,arefufRc°entJy knowne and vnderrtood.Infumme, the Angelldeclarech thatthe irophecie of Amos p. • I , of rayfing the tabernacle of Dauid, which was fallen dowae and ouer- ihrowne, was fulfilled in theperfon of Chrift. ? J. Heejhail raigne otter the houfeoflacob. Seeing that faluatfon was peculiarly promifed vnto the lewes , euen asthecouenant was made With: Abraham their Father ; and Chrift, as Paule wituefieth, Rom. i y. 8 , wasaminillerofcircumcifion . the Angell doth not without caufe appoint his kingdome in that nation, as if it were tjie proper featc and abid;ng B. X placft t ^ The Commen$. ofiM. Jo. Cakme, plice of the fame. But this diftereth not from other Prophefies, which do* f n. farg.&ftretchthekmgdoofChnfttothevttermoftparc^softheemh^^^^^^^^^^ by a new and wonderfull adopfoa d,d plant the GcntJes ( which before were t x&T'^'^°''^u°}^'"'°^ • ^•'y^'hattl.e Imes as the firft borne fton dho dtheprmcpall degree.asitisfetdowneinthePftW [Tl The Lord Ihall fende the rod of thy power outof Sion ThcreW,!, L c ChriftwaspIaccdan,on,arhrhddrenofr.acirJm^S:t^^^^^^^ ^hole world fubKfl vnto h,m. But as many as are gathered by fa,th to Aefon ot Abrah.im,are accomnrcd as the true Ifracl Andalthnnof, ^L t "'^*""» .hcird.fea,onrepcrateSthemrclues from the cLtfGo^^ will WIS, that certainc remnants of them Ihoulde remain, ^,„„ ^ t , becauf.that hiscalhngis beyond thepower ofmen ThehJi ?'u''''"''f' in (hewc is vtterly cut off. Butvyee muft remember,hemvr'r°P''. Pat,lef«altethtotl,cRom..,. zf. That at length it ,S ""^"^^^ that God wodde gatherfome of the lewes fror^fhe d fperfnl Tr '° P"®* abroad. In the mcfne feafon the Church whScatrett^*"! '^''".""8 vvorlde, is the fpirituaU hotife oHacob, b«a,Si SSe°i!^^ *' "''°'' of Sion. r,r,Jr The Angelldeclarethin whLfenfX Der't'^'"'^^^ •ft promifed by the Prophets to the kingdoTo/oaiSXd o^f ^^ the times of Dauid and Salomon, in power and rich« Rnlil u 1 , J '" ceffor, fcarfe held a tribe & a halfe L^that time/r'.^.f^ "" *« '^"''f"^- *yith diuersmifer.es, vntillatlength it wrbrofcer/owreNlwT clareththatwheninthepcrfonofChrift itSeeeft^M.V^T u'l"°,l''''- I Matclicw Markc. lukc !♦ her. theh.lj^Gho/f /hall comeypon thee, ami the Jhail be called the fonne of God, * hathairoconce»uedafon,u^ inheroUe are, aXhis " herfixte moneth, ^hich r^as called banen. ble, ^^' ^*^''*^^''^**^i^H'fhaabeynpoJp^ 3 ». TbtnMaryfiide^lchoUi thtjtm4nuf $hi vfonthe Harmonk of the BHangehfiei, ^j II I the Lordy he it done ynto mee according to thy Werdt * I I 5*0 the .Angell departed from her, 54. Horee can this hee. The holy Virgin feemeth as hardly to reftraine the power of God J as Zachary did before • For that doth {he account to be vnpoC- (ible, which IS beyond the common order of nature, for thus fliee reafoneth. I know no man, howethenflioulde I beleeiie that this fhoulde con\e to paflc which thou telleft me ? ItisnotneedfuU that we (hould greatly labor to cleare her of all fault, for by fayth (hee ought to hauerifen to the omnipotent power ofGod, which is not tyed to natur.llmeanes, but furmcunteth the whole world, and yet (hec nowftayeth in the common courfe of generation . yet it as to b e knowne that (hee doth not To doubt or demand, as if (hee would haue the power of God made fnbied or equall to her fenfes, but being flricken with afodame admiration, (hee is onely moucd to askc this queftion. And thatfl^ee obediently and gladly receiueth this promife, may be gathered by this .• That whereas there were many doubts on the contrary part, (lee yet did (lay but at this one. Shee might eafily haue obieded ; where is thatthroane of Dauid be- come, fecmg that all the dignitie of that Empi. e had now a long time binabo- liflied, & all the glorious beauty of the kingly ftocke was extingui(hed- So that if (hee had weighed the matter With the iudgcment ofthe flefh,(he fhould haue taken al that (he heard ofthe Angel but for a fable,wherfore it is not to be doub ted, but (hee eafily ganeplace,& was throughly per(vYaded of thereititution ofthe church,athmg according to the fle{h incredible. And it is probable that the prophefic of Efay 11. !♦ was commonly (poken of eucry where, whereas God promifeth to rayfe a gralfe to grow out ofthe contemned ftocke of Ifay« Faiththerefoiebemg through the grace of God conceiued in the vigins minde taufed her without doubt to beleeue the meflage that was brought her of erec- ting of the throne of Dauid« If any except and fay that there was alfo an other Prophelie,that a virgm (hould beare a fonne, I anfwere that the knowledge o£ that myfterie was as then very darke.The fathers hoped that they (hould haue aking borne, vnderwhomthepeoplcofGodfliould bee blefl'cdand happy* But the meane lay hidden from them, as ifavaylchad beene put beiwcenc them and it. Therefore it is no matueile that the holy Virgin afkcth a que(^i- on of that (hee knowethnot. But thatfome do imagine ofher words,that(h€C had made avow of pcrpetuall virginitic,it is ouer weake and altogether abfurd For then very vnfaithfully had (hec done in that llicefufFered her felfe to bee bcftowed on a husband, and fo making a mocke of God, had defpifcd his ho- ly ordmancc of matrimonie. Although that in Popene there had crept in a barbarous tyrannieinthis matter ofmatrimonie,yet they neuer durft gofo far, as to permit the wife without theconfent of the husband tovowcontmencicj, fiirthcrmore^itis a childi(h inuctionto imagine a kind ofa^onherie amongft the Icws^Yct that obiedion ib to be anfwered,that the virgin had rcfped vnto the time to come, and therfore (hould (ignitie that Ihe (hould not dweUtogethec with her husband. Butthis coniedme is probable and plaine, that the great- nes, or rather die maieftie ofthe matter did foftrike the virgin, that (lice had all her fenfes tyed & bound with admiration. When (hee heareth that the Soa ®f God ihaU bee borne, (hee conddereth amatter not common, Sethis is the rcaioj3* 2 / The Comment, ofM. U. Cahme rcafon why rtiec excludeth the knowledc of man. Thus being amafcd, flice cri €th out, how can this be ? Therefore doeth Godfo gently pardon her, and fo louingly and fauourably anlwcre her rbecaule that hauing Gods workes in admiruion, fhec didreiierently and foberly demand how that could come to pade, which ("he wjs perfwadcd to be far aboue the common and accullomed courfe of nature. Furthcrmore,thisqueftion was not againft faith. Becaiife that it arolc rather of an admiration, then of diftriiii:. Theholy Ghofi (hall come yppon thee^ The An^eJIdoth notfofctthe maner,osithadbeenneedfullhefhould haue done, that would fatisHe the curiofite of many .• But he calleth the Virgin (imply to conlidcr the power of the holy Ghoft, tJiat withfilence and quietly, (he might religne her Iclfe wholy oucr vnto him. The vtordtocome-ypon, doth (ignific that this is an extraordinary worke,vvher the means ofnature do want* And the next pjrt of the fentence is added to expound the former^ The power of the mofi hi^hj}}all otter/hadovee thee. For the fpint is as it were the eflential power of God,throu;hwho(eworkehefliewethandexercirethhimrelfe, as well in the goucrnanc e of the world as in miracles 1 here is in apt Metaphore in the word oiterJl)a.do\». For the Scripture doth 6ft compare the power Oi God(wher %v th he prefer ueth and defend eth his) vnto a lliadow, Butthereleemcthto be an other more peculiar fenle and vnderftanding of thisplace : namely that the Workt of the fpirit fhould be fccret, euen as acloud fetbefore ("houldeitay the eyes of men froTi feeing. And as in working miracles, God doth keepe fecret from vs the counfcll of his workes; So itis our partes with modeftie to reue- rcncethat which he would haue kept hidden from vs. Therefore that holyth:np in their hearts, faying^vhat manner chide JhalL this hee, and the hande of the to)dexta> \vith him. Thcfiimmcofthishiftorieis, that thenatimtieof lohn became famous through diuers myradcs of God, wh'ch promifcd fome ^reat and (ingular thing ( in time to come ) of that infant. For it was the will o! God to fee him tool th with thefe rare tokens fioni his mothers wombe, leaflthatafter- wardcs, as an vnknowneperfon, or as one ofthe common forte, hee ftiouldc goe forth to execute the office of a Prophet. Firft ^ Luke declareth,that Mary wasalmoftthree monethes with her cofine, eucnvnto the dayofherdeliuc- ranncc • for it is probable, thatthercwas no other caufeofhertarrymg, but that (hee might cnioy the fight ofthe heauenly grace, which the Angell toldc her of, for the confirmation of her fay th, 58. ^ndherneigjjbo^rsandcofines. It may bee doubted whether thefe men cfteemcd the great graceof God of the only blefsing of bearing a childjOrwhc thcrthcy had heard before that an Angel had appeared to Z a chary, which had promifed him a fonne. Certainly this was no fmall benefit of God, that a bar- ren woman,whofc courfe of age was now p3fl5(hGuld bcare a child beyond the order of nature. Therforeitmay be,that forthisfogieatacaufe,they extolled the greatnes ofthe goodnes of God; FurthcTmore,on the eight day (as the cu« ftome was)for duty & humanity fake,they came togt ther.But this occaiio doth God vfe, that he might make them witnefTes & beholders of his power, and of his glory. And it is not to be doubted, but that there came a greater con courfe ofthe people, becaufc ofthe extraordinary birth.* for thty accounted it as a wonder, to lee an old and barren woman fodenly to become withchilde. And nowc , when the child was borne,the wonder was renewed and increafed# We gather by the words of Luke,that although they circumcifed their children at home .'yet they did it not without a concourfe& an afTembly of men : and that not without a caufe, for feeing thatit was a pubhke facramet ofthe church, it ought not to bee adminiltred fccretly or priuately. 5 9 . They called him after the name of his father. Wee knowe that in the beginning names were giuen to men, cy ther of the euent of thinges, or elfc by propheticallinflinftion, to declare and note lome fecrete worke of God. ButafterinprocefTc of time, when there was more florcof namcs,lo that conuenicntly they couldc not daily inuentnewe, they bccing content with 4JP The Comment, ifjM. f&, CMta their old & accnftomed namcs.callcd their childrc by thcn^mes of their aua- ceftcrs. So there were many Zacharyes before Iohnhisfathcr,andit may bee that he came of the fonne of Barachias, And wc know,thatinoil comonly that is holder! fcralaw^which isrectiued into vfc & cullome. Therefore thefc mca ftriue,that their ciiftomc might be oblerued in naming of the child. But as there is no rehgion to be pur in name^, fo no wife men will deny the faithfullin this bchalfcjto make a godly and fit choyfpthat they may giue their children fuch names as may teach them & admonilu the ofihcir duties. Furthermore, let the borrow :he names of the holy fathers (that fo they may ptouoke their children to follow their examples ) rather then take them from prophanc men. 60. Hts mother anf^red^ It is vnce;^aine , whether that Elizabeth waj alfo taught of an Oracle .• Butit ism(f)ftlike, that when Zacharyasfaw him- felfepuniChed for hisflacknefleco belecuc, that hcecoldc his wife by writing that, which the Angell had giuen in commandcmcnt as concerning his name: for thar othervMfe iLee wouldc not hauc obeyed the rommandement of God, Why alfo this name was giucn to the Baptift from abouc,! haue before decla- red. The kinsfoJkes although they knew not the caufe, yet they are mooued t%'ith the newnefle of the thing, eipecially becaufe that they fuppofc that this is not vnaduifcdly done. ^4. His rrjotH}) was opened, God rcnowneth the birth day of his Prophet by rclloring the tongue to the father. And it is not to bee doubted^bat that this benefit was differred to this day, for this ende and purpofc, that he miohc turnemens eycsvpponlohn. Ttis AydthatZacharyasprayfed God, not on- ly that hce might declare his thankfulnefTe, but that his kinsfolke 2nd neigh- bours might know that this punifliment was layde vppon him, becaufe that he was fo flacke tobclceue. And hee wasiiotalLamcd withhisowne reproach, to declare and fet foorth the glory of G O D. So it is cucry where knowne to allmen, that there is a childe borne not at aduenture, orafterthe common order, but promifed by heauenly Oracle. 6^, Then feare came o>^ them all. This feare whereofLiike makcth men' tion in this place, fprangofthe fcelingof Gods power ; forthcworkes of God arc w:th fuch reuetencc to be confidered, that they may carneftly mooue vs. ForGodplayethnotwithhismyracIcSjbutheftirrtthvpthefenfesofmen, whichothei-wirehcperceiuethtobeflow and dull. And Luke fayth that this fame w.is (prcad abroad throughout :\ll the hillcountrey of ludea. Although tiiat many tooke no profit by it(yetthey were for a time' touched W;th the povv crot God) forwhen that lohn began to execute his office, few did remem- ber how wonderfull his natiuitie w^s. But God woulde that the fame of thefc thincs lliould be fpread abroad, not for their fakes onely that heard the lame , mit that the myracJc might be of more credit in al ages after, which was the fo famous in cilery placetyer as in a looking giaffe we may here fet before our eyes 1^joiilde not after eame abroad without /ingularcommcndation. In that Luke fayth that the hand of God was with him, this is the meanmg: The grace of God waseui- dent fo many waycs, which openly declared that hce was not a common man. It IS a figuratiue fpcachjwhich affirmeth that the power of God was as plainly f]iCWcd,asifthehandofGodhad bee-.e openly fccne, tliat eucry man mi^ht readily difcerae that God was prcfent, Luke. I. MauIjCW Marke. | ^7« ThmUs father lachari as v as filUdmth the holy Ghoji, a7jcl f>roheciecl yfayijTT^ v 68 . BleJ]}d be the Lordx^GodJlfrael, becaufe hec hath yifited and redeemed his people, 6^. ^nd hath ray fed yp the home of faluation /#• ys in the houfe oflisf.ruant Dan id: ' 70. ^s heefpake by the mouth of his holy prophets j, rohich ¥perefince the rvorld began, fay im : 71; That he would fend ys del iuerance from out enemies, and from the hands of ail that hate ys : 7 i ♦ That he would/heYc mercie toxeardes ourfa" thers,and remember his holy couenant. 7 j ♦ »/4nd the oath xehich hefware ynto our father Abraham : that he wottld grant ys. 7 4 That y>ee being deliueredont of the hands of our enemies^ might ferue him without feare I], 7J» Mlthedayesof our life inholinejfe and ri^i-» I teoufnejfe before him* ^7. Tachariasxeas filled with the holy Ghoft. But a little before it is lliewed what this mancr of (peach meaneth : that is , that the feruantes of God are m- dued with more aboundant grace of the (piriteathe which they yet were not Without before. W e read e that the fpiritc was giuen to the Prophets, not that they were at other times without the fame, but bccaufe that the power of the {pirit did more plentifully and fully (hew it felfe in them, as oft as they (as it were by the hand of God) were brought into the light, to execute their office* ■Therefore this knitting together of thofc two claufes, which Luke vfeth, is to be obferued, that he was filled with the holy Ghofi, and prophecied- For it fignifieth that he was then infpircd from aboue more then ordinarily, (bthat hee fpake- not after thefa(hion of men, as a priuate man,but that he fpakc onely heauenly dodrine. 5o Paul loyncth prophefie and the fpirit together, i. Thell. ^ . ig^ Quench not the fpirite, AtC^ik not prophefie, that vve might knowe that by the contcmptof dodrine, thelight of the fpirite is extinguilhed, Butthis goodncs of God is worthy to be remembrcd , that Zacharias^ hai; a - got I 44 The (Comment, of M^lo, Catnine, not only the vfc of his fpcach reftored to him againe, which for nine moncth* hcc wanted, but alfo his tongue was made an inftrument ofthe holy Ghoft. <58. Blef/ed bee the Lord. Z.ichary beginneth With thankes giuing, but with aprophaicalirpiritc he fettcth foorth the accomplilhed redemption, promife-i before time in Chrift^whcrof thefaluationand fclicitic of the church did depend: why hce ihoulde bee called the God of Ifracil, vnder whole goucrncnient the whole woild is (ubiel by the death of the fleih, feeing that both the Ibulcs are free from death.and alfo that a refurredion doth follow the deltruaion of the fie(h. As therefore neither Abraham, nor any of the Saintcs couldeby their owne power or merits obtaine faluation for thcm- fclucslo there is a common faluation fhcwed forth in Chrift to al the faithful], aiwell to them that arc dead^as to them that arc aliuc. 73 ♦ ^ccordm^ to the oath^ The prepo'ition is not exprefTcd in the Greekc, but It is fufficiently knowne, that it is the common vfc of that tongue, when the novvne is put in the accufatiue cafe, without a word to gouerne it, that the a prcpolition is to bee vndcrftood, whereof it may bee gouerned. He maketh mention of his oath, that hce might the better fet foorthhowe fureand holy his truth is .-for God doihfo much fubmit himklfctoourcapacitic, that hee vouchlafeth to vfc his name as a ftay and hclpe of our infirmitie : wherefore if thebarepromifcdonotfuffice vs, Ltvs yet remember this confirmation, and if that take not all doubt from vs, wee arc too vnthankfull to God, and iniuri- ous to hi s holy name. ThathicwoHlde gihi ys, Zacharydoih not declare yyhat xkc couenant of God vpim the tJArtmnh pfthe EtMngelifieu ^7 GoA Joeth containc in all and euery of the particular pointes of the Tame . But he teachethforwhatpurpofe God in his racrcic dealt fo louingly with his peo- ple, when he redeemed them, th;^t is, that they being redeem e I, fhould addift and vowihcmfehies wholy toworrhiptheauthouroftheirfaluation. There- fore as the free ^oodnes of God is the efficient caufe of mans faination ; fo the finall caiile is, that men by huing agodly and a holy hfe, might glonfiethc name of God; the which isdihgcntly tobenoted,thatweebeeingmindcfuIl ofouc calhng, mightlearnetoieferrethegraccofGodtohistriic vfe. Thefefenten- ces ( I fay^ are to be confidcred, that we are not called to vncleaneSjbut to ho* lincsj that wee areredeemed with a great pricc,not that we ("hoiild beferuants to the defires of the fleili, or that we iliould mane on in vnbridlcd libertie , hct that Chriit might reigne in vs •• that wee by adoption are placed into the houf* hold of God, that we againe, as children, ihould obey our father. For Tit 2» n. In th.s appeaieth the ^oodnesof God,& VhiUnthropia^tlmz denying world- ly Iufte$,v\e Ihould hue fobcrly, nghteouily, and godly. Therefore Paul in the Ep,Rom, I z I. when that he would efteiflually cohort the faithful,thatin new-^ nes oflife they fhould offer vpthemfeluesvnto God, and that by puttino off thcoIdeman,and forfakingtlic former minde, they (Kouldegme vntoh.m a rcalonable fcruice,he propofeth vnto them the bowels of the mercy of God. The (ciipture is full of fuch tcftimonies, which declaic that the grace of Chrift is made of no cftcd, if vv^ bend nor to thispurpofe. But it is to be noted, that he fayth, that we fhould feruc him Without feare. For it (ignifieth tliat GOD cannot be rightly fc rued, but with quiet ft tied minde j ; for they which are not pcrfwaded, but arc in doubt with thcmfelues, whether they {hall linde him niercifulloroffcnded,whctherheeacceptcththeT obedience or refufeth the fame • to befhort, they which vncertainely w.iuer betweene hope and fcare.it may bethatfometimes they carefully bufie themfelues inftruinghim, but they neuer fubmit thenikluc s fincerely, and from the heart vnto him .• for feare and doubtfulncs caufe them to abhorrehim: fo that, ifit were poflible,they would tather wifli that his G odhead were extinguifhed. But wee know that no facri- fie e is acceptable to God, butthat which coinmethofa free will, and which is olrered With a glad heart. Wherefore, that men may worlhip aright, it is ne- cefiarv that their conlciences bcfirftcjuieted-asDauidfa»th,pra.igo.4. Mercie is with thee, that thou maicft be feared^ For God hauinggiuen peace to men, doth cal the louingly tohimj&caufeth them tocomcgla^ly,andwithafree& bold affeiflio to worfhip him.And hereof doth Paul gather that fentence.what foeuer isnot offaith^is fin.Ro.t4,a ^. For feeing that god hath reconciled men to himfclfe in his fon Chrift, feeing he dcfendcth the by the aid of the fame hi» Son, that they might be without all feare,& feeing he hath laid vp their falua- tion in his hand &keeping,Zachary hath goodcaufc to fay.thuby his grace we arc dcliueredfr5 feiire.Therfore the Prophets afcribcthis asapropertie 10 his kingdom,that men fhould haue a cercainpcace,& fhould enioy moft quiet ioy. 7 ? • In hoUneffe and righteoufnejfe. As God hath comprehended in two ta- tlesthc rule ofhuing well .• So Zachary doeth fhcw heere , that wee haue then ferued GOD according to his law,whcn as our life is framed to holines. andtiohtcoufncSpForitis^nottobcjloubtcd^utthatholineflc doth containe diolSL . ^ The Cafftmnt. cfM. M CMumi S^ia' Platowa!notignorant,andnghtcourne5cxt^^^^ al the dutie. of charicie. For God requ'rcth nothing elfc of vs in the fecond table, butthat VY. f]iouldciuctoeueryman,that which IS his due* Th!re i added! before hm. That the faythfull may know, that it is not fuf- ficient for them to ao.4rne rheir rfc well, or chat they keepe their hands, their fecte and thdr whole body from all finnc before the light of men : for it be. hoTelhl-rtoliuetotheiudgementof God wh^ "TV ^M "^f "" ^"'* V^ardhohnedcbutheelpeciallybeholdeththcheart. ^fj>lfl^^^^^ ^"7 "lan thmkethathehathdo .ethisdut:e,whenhe hathierued G^^^^^^^^ Zacharv(avththattheywereixdcemedofthiscoadition,thattheyrhorildfpend their whole hfe in indeuour.ng to ferue God And feeing tliat our redemption isetcrnaU,)t,sourdut.cneuertoforsetit. And feeing GoJ ado^tcth vs vnto himfclfe for euer, our thankcfulncs o.ght notto be tranfitory, or lor a fmal t.me; tobe{hoit,fecingthat Chnttd.ed,and rore^S^'^c for tnem.it is conuenient that he (liould be Lord both of their bfc and death: Therefore Paul in that place which I cited a httlc before, commaimdeth vs tolead aholy and a nshteous hfc^ vntill the comming of the mightie God, looking for(fayth hej the blefied hope, Luke. I Matthew ! Marke. 7^. ^ndthou-haheyPjalthecalltdthe TropheP of the moji high \ for thou^JhaUgoe before the face of the L 0 rd.y to f rebate his wdyes : 7 7. ^nd t«gi»e kjut^Udge offaluathn , ynto his people, by the rtmiffion of their flnnes. 7 8 . Through th € tender mercie of our God: rphere by the day fpring from onhighhath yifitedys* y ^, To gine light to them that fit ih darh^neffe, and in the/hadoxi> ofdeathy and to guide them into the yoay ofpeace* 8 o. ^nd the child grew^andwaxedfi/en'r hfpi- rite, and watin the fnilderneffe till the day came^ that heefhouldfl)ew himfelfs ynto Ifraell. 7^. ^ndthoHchilde. Zachary returneth againe to the commendation of the graccofehriitrbiithec doth this, as it were vndcrthe per[on of bis owne fonne, briefly fcttmgforth the office ofteaching, forthe which he was prepared and appoyDted. And althoir:h that heccouldenotyct difccrne any propheticall fiftcsin the little childe, being but eu'htdayes old, hee yetturning his eyes to eho'.d thcco-infiilcof Godjdoth 'penkeas of a thing pcrfcdiy kno.vne. To be called a Prophet of God, is in this place taken for to beaccounted, and to be openly knownc. 1 he fccret calling of God was gone and pafli:dbcfore,itoneIy refteclthatitfliouldbemadeknownevntomcnwhathc was.*Biit becaufe that the name ofa prophctisgeneralljtherefore by the reuelation brought vnto him by the Angell, he is appoynted to be die forerunner of Chrift. ThuffdU x»« htfore the face of the Lord (fayth hec- )That is,this office thou muft vndertakcjthatby thy preaching thou majeft tumcmcn to hcareihcLorde* But why lohn, when he had ahnoft ended his courfe, denied that hcc wai the Prophet of God, it is declared in that place in lohn- And vf ec fliall hecrcaftcr fee what maner of preparing of a way this is, whereof Zachary here fpeakeih, 77* 7o gine k^wledge offalttathn, Zachary now touchcth the chcifc poynt of the Golpell, in that heeteacheth that the knowledge offaluationisput in the forgiucnes ef (innes* For feeing that by nature wee arc c orne the chil- dren ofwraih , it followeth that by nature wee are condemned and loft.«an it followeth that righ tcculnes cannot any other where be fought. Co the rightcoufnes( which proude men haue forged and framed to thenrfclues, ©fthemcritesofworkes) is nothing elfe but imputation of rightcouihcnip, ifvhilftthat God freely abfolucthvs from the giultines of (inne, Morcouerit is to bee noted, that Zachary fpeaketh not of Itrangers, but of the people bf god.* fvhercof it followeth, that not only the beginning of riahtcoufncffc doth de- pend vpon forgiuenes of finnes t but that the feithlull alio are by imputation or fmputatiuelyCtnat I may fo fpeakc) righteous before God,cuen vntill the end.- feccaufe that otherwife they cannot (land before his tribunall feate^except that dayly they haue recourfe to the free reconciliation in his grace* 7 9 . Thrmgh tlie tender mercie. In this Co great a benefite, Zachary as it is rcquifite, doth fct forth the mercy of God : and hec was not content to call it fimply, the faluation which was brought vs through Chi ift, but he fayth that Itcame out of the tenderneflc or very bowels of Gods mercic , the which ismoreforcibU'. Afterwardcshee metaphorically addeth, that through the ereatmcrcie of God it came topafle, that the day gaue light to them that fate in darkeneflc. Oriem,(^ u the day ijsrmging ) in this place is not a oartid* pie: for in ereeke it is 4» that through Chrift we fhould e madeperfe<5Hy oc wholy blclTed, might reft in him alone. To the fame pur- pofe belong thofe words of Efayas.^o. ip.Thoullialt haue no more funne to ftiinebyday,nor mooncbynight; forthe Lord (hall be thine euerlaftinghght. If that Zacnary by the onely beholding ofhisfonne, thatwas yetachilcle,was lead to fpcake fo notably of the grace and power of ChrHt,before he was borne, arc notthey thrife & foure times vnthankefttll, which after that he is-dead, nfen againe, and afcendcd into heauen ,thathec might fit at the right hand of his fa- ther, do efteemclcfle honourably and rcuerently of Chrift, and they extenuate his power, whofc prayfc the holy Ghoftfet forth, while he was yet in his mo, thers wombe ? For we muft remember that which I touched before, that Za- chary (pake notofhimfelfe, butasrhcfpirite of God gouerned his tongue, 80. ^ndtht chiUegrew^ Luke addeth this to conclude the hiilorie wicli.Fh'flr he dcclareth that lohn was ftrog in the fpirit.-wherby he fignifieth that ther was a rare and vnwonted towardncfle in the child, which was a (ignethat the hea- iienfy (pirite dwelt in him .• yet withallhc fay th that he remained hid as one vn» knowne in the wildernefle, vntili the day camethathe (hould ftiewhimfelfe: lhatis,vntil the Lord appointt^d to bring hirh forth .-whereby wee gather,thac although lohn kncwwell oihis callinc, yet he would notattemptany thing bc- lorethetimcj but taried the calling of God* . 1/ Math. 1 1. The hook^ of the gentration tf iefus chrift , tJ-je fonne ofDauid, •^/wn^ofuhrahain. Markc ;^i>'io?..T a Luke. ^. 25 Tefi^t VPM fuppofed'to lietht fmne vf Jofe^h, vfhkh- whs thefwni ofliUi -U. 14* Tbt; ^^poH the U^monkofth 5, jthraham legate Iftac^and ifjiac he^at lacob^ and lacob b^^at luddSf andbis brethren, I . ^»d ludas begate Thares^ and Zara ofThamar^ and Vhares hegat Efromy^ Efrom beget ^rsi, 4. ^nd ^rambegate ^mi- Hadabyi^fr ^minadab begat ISljtaf- fon^and 2{aajfon begat Salmon, J. And Salmon bcgateBo9X,6f 'B^cbabyand Boo\ begateObedof J^thy4nd Obed begat lejje, 6^ jtnd Jejje begat Dauid tJje J{l?*g,^Dai^Hi the \ing begat Salo mo of her that ys>as the wifeoff^rias jr* And Salomon begate ^obo- am,and ^oboum begate Abia^ and ^bia begate A fa, . 8 . And A fa begate lofaphat, andlofaphat begat Uram^ andlo- ram begat Oxias, p. And 0\ias begate loatham^ il»d loatham begate Acha\ , and s4cha7^ begat JL^^chias* . ID* JL\ecbias begate Manaf- fes^and Ma)vaffeihtgat Amonyand Amon begate lofias' , II. And lofias begate lechonias fjy his hnthren, about the time they Hfjre carried array to Babylon. 1 1. And after they "were carted ttrtayto Babylon, lechonias begate Salathiell , and Salathiell begate Zorobabell, I J. And Zorobabell begate A' hiudy anK Abiud begat EUacim^ ^ 'Wacim begate AXpr. 1 4. And AXpr begat Sadocl^^ And Sadocl{begate Achim^andA" (him begat Eliud, 1 y . And Eliud legate EliaXftr, nnd Elia\ar begate MattJjan , and iHatthan bezat lacob, - o .16. ^nJi Jacob begate lofeph fhe hitfhand of Mary ofwhome >»as \9fiH Jefits^vfhich yfascailed Chrifi 17» S*^ iBuAngelifiiS^ ff «4. The feme tfMdithat^th^ Jonne efteui^the fonne of Melchi^ the fan ofhtnna^tbefonne oflofeph^ 1 J. The fonne of Mattathiat , the fonne ofAmos, the fonne o/2^(4 hum, the fonne of Efliy the fonne of 26, The fonne ofMaath^ tht fonne of Mattathuts ^ the fonne of Semeiy the fonne ofIofeph^thefom9 ofluda, zj^ The fonne of loanmty th^ fonne of Bijefa, the fonne of\oroba^ Ibell^thefonne ofSalathiel^thefonnt oflSjri, 28* The fonne ofMelchi^ thg fonne ef Addi, the fonne ofCofam^ the fonne ofElmadam^thefonofEr, 29. The fonne oflofe, the fonne of Elitfer^tbe fonne oflo rim^thefen of Matthatythe fonne ofLetti, go. The fonne of Simeon, th9 fonne of Inda^the fonne ofIofeph,th§ thefon oflonanytbefon ofEliacim^ g I . The fonne of Melea , the fonne ofMainan^the fonne of Mat- tatha, the fonne ef^iatlntn^ the fan ofDauid, . g2* The fonne of leffe, thefon ofObedy the fonne of Boos, thefott of Salmon ythefonne ofl^affon, g g . The fonne of Aminadab , the fonne of Aram j the fonne ofEf-^ rom,thefeone ofPhares^the fonne of luda, 34. The fonne 9f lacob, thefon ofjfaacythefonneof Abraham, the fonne ofTharc,thefon ofl^chor, gy. The fonne of Sarug,thefon ofB^gau, the fonne ofThaleg^tlj* fonne of Eher,the fonne of Sala. ^6, The fo nne of Cainan, the fonne ofArphaxadithefon of Sent ^ thefon of lioe, thefon ofLamech* g7. Thefenne&f MethtfaUy J> Thi Cmmens, ^fM. to. Calmed red^ the forme of MaUUtUy tht fim tfCaittdtt, 58. The forme of Em^ thefon ifSnhj thefome of Adam^ thefom tf, S$m1} the fetuTMtioru from JthrahMmfoDdMrd, arefourfttrH generations'.^ fro Vattid tntUthey were eaijed away into Babylon four teene generations : and after they X^ere caried away into Babylon, >» of God, till Chrifi^fourteene generations, Bfcaufc that both thefe genealogies, which arc written of Matthew & Lukt doe not a^ree in all things : it muft firft be feene whether chat both of them d» fetch the gcnealogie of Chrift from Tofcph, or whether Matthew do fo oncly, and Luke doth fetch it from Mary. They that are of the latter judgement haue fi good colour for the difference, that is in diuers names. And truly at the firft li^ht feeing ihat Luke dothfo much differ from Matthew, it feemcthn thin» Ic1re,'thcn That they (liouldc declare one and the fame gcnealogic .• For from Dauid vnto Salathielljand againcfrom Zorobabellto lofeph, they name alto- Pcther diuerfc names. Fui thermore, they pretende that it is abfurde to beftowc f) much labour m a matternot ncedefull, as to account the petegree of lo- fcph twife, who yet was not the father of Chrifte . To wh.it purf oTc (fay ihcy) is this repetition whereby there is nothing prooued, that doth much ap» pertiine to the edifying offayth ? For if this thing bee onely knowne,that lo- fcph waf oac ofthc potteritic and houfe of Dauid, yet the line of Chrillc re- jnaiacthdoubtfull -thereforCjby their iudgemcnts it was fuperflwous that both ihc Eia igeliftis (hould imploy ihcmfclues vppon tliis matter. But that Mat- thew icpcatcth the progenie of lofeph^tliey cxcufc thus, that he did it, becaufe «hat many did y tt thinkc him to be the father of Chrift. But it were to be fcor- ned at, ih t with this cockering he (hould nourilh this moft peftileat error, 8c the text doth openly confute the fame. For Matthew aflbone as he commeth to th-cndeofihc genealogie, teachcth that Chrift camcnotofthefeedcof lo- feph, butihatbythc lccrctpow:r ofthcholy Ghoftheewasconcciuedinthe vvombeof the Virgin ; vrherefore if their iudgementcsfhouldftand, Mat- thew might beertprooued offooh(hneflc,andforwant of confederation, a£ one, who in vaine wou'dc recite thegcnealogic of lofeph. But their obi eftion is not yeta; fvvercd, th:Jt the genealogie of lofeph dothnothingappertaine to Chr ft. The anfwcre is olde and commonly known, that in the perfon of lo- feph the petegree of Mary is alfo comprehended .• becaufe that the lawc com- jnaunded that euery man (hould take nim a wife in his ownc tribe. They take exceptions at this lawc , becaufe that it Yvai ncg- lefted almoftein allages : but the argumentes .which they vfe are friuo- Ions. They cite that example 3^ that the clenen tribes promifed with an oath , that they woulde not giue a wife to the men of Beniamin^ If this were prefcribed by lawe (fay they) then nccdc there not a ncwe oath . Butlanfwerthatthey doe yll and vnwifely , to dravte this ex- traordinary fade of theyrs into a common rule : For it was necefTary, one trybc becing cuttc off , that the body of the people (hould e hauebcene maimcda if that by du$ rcinedic there had aoc bccnc fomc hdpc ptouidcd for vpon the Harmpnie of the "Euangenflesl y • ibgr^at a neceflF.tk. Therefore the common law is not in thisto beconflde Tcdl Againe they obiecft, that Mary the mother of Chrift.was cofine to Ehzal bethaWhom Luke before witnefled to hauebcene of the daughters of Aaron" The anfwcre alfo to this is eafie. It was lawfiill for the maidcs of the tribe of ludaor of any othe^tnbe,to marrie into the the tribe of the prieHhoode : be- caufe that, that rea{on which is exprefled in the law, was not thereby hindered which was, kait that the woman fliould cary her inheritance to any other but to them of her owne tribe. Sotheholy hiiforie i*Para.ii,i i.deelarcththat thewifeofloiadathe hjghpiieft came of the kingly ftocke: Therefore it is neither maruaile nor thing vnwonted,if that the mother of Elizabeth was mar xi^d to a Prielt. Butifany denie that thefethinges are not fo fully proued,that itislawfullto determine Mary to be of the fame tribe thnt lofeph was^becaufe that fhee was his wife .- verily I grant, that it cannot limply bee prooued out of the bare hiftorie, as it is here reade, except that other circumltances bee added to the fame. But firlt it is to be noted , that the Euangehftes fpake ofthings well knowne in their age ; fo that when the genealogieof lofeph was drawnc vnto Dauid, it was eafie for cuery man to draw the gcnealogie of Mary from thence alfb. And it is not to bee doubted, but that the Eiiangehltes being occupied in that which was commonly knowne in their age , were therefore the lefle curi- ous about the fame : For if any had doubted, they might eafily and fpcedily haue made inqnifition, Furtherm ore, they take this as a thing grannted, that feeing lofeph was a good man andmodefl, he would not take a wife, but out of his owne tribe ac- cording to the appointment of the law. Although that gcncrall lawefu/ficed not to proue that M ary was ofthe kingly if ocke : for Mary might haue come of the tribe of luda, though fhee came not of the ftocke of Dauid. There- fore the matter beeing thus, the Euangeliffes had a care of the of the godly into dcfperation, it was the will of God that this name fhould bee^ applyedtotheontly redeemer, asitappearcthoutofDaniell,and the Euan* gelicall hiftorie doth declare that after the Tonne of God was giucn in thcflelh that this was the common maner of fpeach in euery place. ^ Mathew. i. 1-8 ♦ 1{oi» the hirth of lefus Chriji XMs thus^whtn as his mother Mary f^tu betrothed to lofeph before they came to- gether^/heevfiaf found vpith child by the hdy Ghofi. 1 9 « Then lofeph her husband being a iufi man ^ and not Xfilling to mak^ herapMk^ example , was minded to pMther awayfecretly.. 2 o But whiles he thought thefe things Jjehold^he ^ngel \ ^ the Lord appeared ynto him in a dreame^ [ay ing^ lofeph \ th& Markc. I Luke. 6o The Conment,ofM, h, Cainme, the Son ofDauid ,fedre not to take Marj> far thy vifty for that rehich h conceiutd in her , is of the holy Ghofi. au ^nd f})eeP}all bring forth a fonne ^ and t hoi* /halt call his name leftiSjfor hee JJmU deliner his peo^ fUfrom their ftnnes. 1 1 ^nd all thu vpos dom^that it might hee fulfilled rohich veasfpok^n of the Lord by thej^rophet, faying : %l . Behold a f^irgine/hall beare afonne ,' and they P>all call hif name Emmanttelly which is hy inter^retati- on, God with ys. 2 4. Then lofeph being rayfed fromjleepe^didas the ^ngell of the Lord had imoyned him , and tooke hit VPife. % f . But he kpe w her not^ tilljhee had brought forth herfirfifonue^ and hee called his name Iefn,s^ 18. ThebirihofJefusCUrifl. Mathew doth not as yet declare, where, or after what maner Chirrt: was borne , but how the heauenly generation was rcuealed vnto lofeph. Firflhc fayththat Mary was found with childeof the holy Ghoft, not that, that fecretworke of God was commonly knowne,buc as It became knowne vnto men, lodoih hee reueale the power of the fpirite, which asyct lay hid. He (heweththetimca when fhcc was betrothed tolo- feph, and yet before that came together : for in refpedofthe afllirance of the •mariage, aflbone as the maide was promifed to a man, the Itwes efteemed her as a lawfidl wife, and therfore the law condemned them of adulterie, which de- filed themfeliies with them that were contrad. The word which theEuange- lifl: doth vie, doth fythermodeftlylignifie a fccrct accompanying together, or it is fimply taken for to dwell together, as husband and wife, ilioulde make one houfe and one fam;lie. So thelenfe is,that the virgine was not yet deliuered by her parents mto the hand o: her husband, but as ytt liucd vnder the cuftodic of her parcr;ts. 1 9 . B'.ing a injf man. Some interpreters vndcrltand , that Tofcph bccaufe that hvc was juft, would hauefparcd his wife, foiuftic-e with them il.OLiide {ignifie humanitie, or a moderation oftheminde bent vnto gentlenes. But they arc of better iudgement which rcadethefe two clatifescontrarily , that lofeph was luft , but yet hee was carefull for the fame of his wife, fo that the iuftice which is hcere commended, was in rcfped of the hatred and detcftati-^ on of the fiiinc. Bccaufe that hccfifpeded her of adultery , nay becaulc that he was per .'waded that (liec was an adultrefl'e,he would not nourilb fuch an of- fence wuh hiS gcntlencflc : and certainly he is his wifes bawde, whofoeuer he is that winkcthathervnchaftitic,r',ood and honeftmindes do nctonelyabhorrc fuch nn offence, but aho the lawes doe (pot with infamieiuch negligent flouth- fulnefle,as t hat is whereof I fpake. Therefore lofeph with a zcale cfiuftice, CO idemnedthc fault which hee fuppofed to be in his wife, yethis minde bent to humanitie, ftayedhiin from executing the extremitieofthe law. This was ameanemorequaLficd , if hee, priuily departing , fliouldc goe to an other place tiponthe Harmme tfthiEHAfigetifieh it ptace,vrhttcby wc gather that he was not offo foft & fo efFeniinate a mmd,that vndcr the pretcnceof mercy he would nourilh the finnc by couering it. Onely he remitted fbmewhat of the extremitie of the law, & would not caft her forth to the infamous reproch: & it is not to be doubted but that his mindc was flay- ed by thefecret inftinde of the fpirit : for we know how outragious ica!o(ic is & how violently it cancth a man away, wherefore although lofeph had endu« red an ouer dangerous inuafion, yet w.is hee wonderfully crofled with diuers pcrilles which were ac handjwhea he tirft be ^an todcltbtratc of the matter. I iudce the fame of Maries fIkTice,thoLigh we graunt thn for lliame (he durft not telllier husband that flie wjs with child by the holy Ghoft, yet flie was rather flayed by the prouidence of God , then by hir owne couafel or wit . io^ iflhet had told him,as it was a matter incredible, fb lofeph fliould haue thought that fhe had mocked him, & that all men would haue laughed at,& haue taken as a mcere fable, neither fhould the Oracle of God haue bin fo much cfteemed of, ifit had followed after. Therefore the Lord fuflcred his fcrnant lofeph to be caried away into a wrong opinion, that with his owae voyce he might reduce him into the way, but itis to be knowne, that it was rather done for our fakes^^ then for his owne priuate caufe, for the Lorde by all meanespreuented, leaft there fhould be any finiftcr fulpition in the Oracle. For feeing the Angcll com* nieth to lofeph as yet ignorant of the whole matter, the wicked haue no occa- fion to cauill : fot he came withoutparciahtie to hear e the voyce of God, hec was not entifed by the flatteries of his wife,the opinion which he had conceiued was net drawne from him by entreaties, he was not bent to the contrary part by humancreafons but whc thefalfe offence ofhis wifeftacke fafl m his mind ^ then did God fhew himfelfc, as Icttc downe from heauen to vs, that he mighr bethe moi-econuenientwitneflc, and haue the greater credit with v$ . We fee that it was God his will to teach his feruant lofeph by an Angcll , to that cndethathehimfelfemightbcaheauenly mcflcngcrto others, and might dc-- dare and tell that which hee heardc neyther ofhis wife, nor of any other moi> tall creature. Thatthis myfterie was not at the firfl reuealed tomoe, thisfc- meth to bee the rcafon,becaufe that it was mcete, that this incomparable trca*^ furc fhould be kept fecrcte, and onely reuealed to the children of God. Fur- thermore, there is no abfiurditie in it , if the Lord ('as hee often vfeth ) would by this meanesproouc and trie the faythand obedience of his children. Cer- tainely except a man malicioully rcfufe to credite GOD, and to yecid him felfe in obedience to him^ he will b e fufficiently fatisficd with thefe tellimonic*. wherewith thisprinciple of our faith is prooued : for the fame caufe alfb did the Lord permit Mary to marry, that the celefliall conception of the Virginnc might be hid vnder the vaile of marriage , vntilthe appointed time of reiiea» lino the fame. In the meane while, the vnfaithfull ( as their vnthankfulne»ac malice deferued ) are blinded and fee none of thcfe mercies, 20, JVhileshee thought thefethinges, Hecre wec fee hovfe the Lorde v(cthtobceprefcntwithhischildreniinconuenienttimc , and (as they lay) eucn in the very point or time of ncede, whereby wc alfo gather, that while heefeemeth to dilTemble at our cares, and forrowcs, he yet hath a regard YnSDvSibuthce fo ftayethandleactlyicilcth, while hee cxaminctb^ourpari. «ncnfr ^2 The Cmwent* ofM* h. Caluinei- ^ v* cncc & then in histime appointed he hclpeth vs. And although hishclpcfee- n^eth to be flow Sciate^yetit is profitable that it Ihould bee fo deferred. The An^el appeared in a dreame this is one of the ordinary maners of reuclations, wherof mention isniadc,Num .11.7. where God fpeaketh thus. To the Pro- phets which arc amona you,I wil ihew my felfc either by a vifion or by a drcac but I will not do lo with my fcriiant Mofes, to whom I will fhcw my felfc face to facet ut It is to be obfcrtied that i hcfe fortes of dreames do much differ from thcwhichcoeofnatiualcaufeSjforthcy haiieamarkeofaffuranccengrauedin tbeni.& tliey are (ealed from aboiie, that wee fliould not doubt of the truth of them. The dreames which men comonly hauc,are woont to rife either of the conflitunon o\ natnre^or through eiiill djfpofition of the bodies^or offuch hire caufes.But fomctimes the fpirit giucthwitnefie to thofe dreames which are of God to alfure vs certainly that jt is God which fpcaketh. Sonne of Dauid bee not «/»WThis exhortation of thcAnoell, declareth that lofeph was carefiill m his mind^leaft he flionld be defiled with any infedionjby bearing with his wifes a- dultei y.Hc therfort taketh away that opinio of the offence which he had con- ceiiicd in his mind ^ to that end that with a quiet confcience hee might remaine & dwell with his wife.- he applieth the epithite of the Sonm ofDa^id to the prc- fent caufe,that he might ftir vp his mind to that high mylf ery » becaiife that he wasofthatfamihe(and thatremaining aliiic butwith a few other) fro whence faluationwaspromifedtothe world. loleph therefore hearing Dauid named, outofwhoIeitockehecamejOughttoremeberthatnotablecouenantofGod, ofthereftitution of the kingdom, &fofhould know thathefpeakes notofany new or ftrang thing • for it is as much as if the Angel by fetting forth the pro- phefiesof the Prophets fhouldc prepare loft-ph his mind to accept this prefent fauoiir. Thoufljalt call hii name lefns^ Of the word it felfel haue before fJ50 - ken briefly but fufhciently. I willnowoncly addeonething* Theirdreamc is confuted by the wordes of the Angell, which deriue this nam.e from lehoua theeflentiall name of G OD .• for the Angell (hewethwhy the Sonne of GOD is to bee fo called , that is, becaiife hee Hiallfaue his people; where- of wee gathcran eiymologie , mcere contrary to thatwhich they imagine* But in vaine do they leeke by this caitiU toihp away ; Chrifte is to bee counted the authour of (aluatton molt properly and moft aptly, becaufe that hee is God eternall « Foi wcc muftenot heerefecke onely, what GOD hathperfor- jned andbcftowcd vpponvs.- butthis name was giuen vnto the fonne, for anefpeciallcaufc, bccaufcofthe commaundementwhich wascnioynedhim from the father, and by rcafon of chc office which he had wlien he dcfc ended to vs« Now It were mc ere madnefle to knitte thefe two wordes, I^fu & hhoaa too ether, as ifthcy werebutonenamc, lecingthat they agree but in two let- ters and djtflrre in all thercff, and which hau- no hkencfleinthcm at all. I Icauc this kind of forging to the Alchumiftes,fr6 whom the Cabalilf es do not niuchdiftcr,who haue inuenrcd for vs thelefilthy and vaine toyes. But the Son ofGodwlienheecrimc tovsinthefleih, had alfo his name giucn him of hi? Father, that by the fan- c it might bee openly liiewed , to what ende hcc came, what his power was , and whatproperly was to be looked for of him • ^r theroote oihis nzmtlcfu, is from the Hcbrcwc vccbe inlnphil^vwhkh figniiietlj vpcH the Harmofiie of the EHdngelifiesl f^ fignificthtormc , andintheHebrcwisaTtet-an other wanner prorioiinced namely Ithbfua, But the Euangeliltes writihg^ in 'Greeke followed the ac- coitomed maner offpcach; for the Gre^ke interpreters as well in ^!ofes as inotherbookesof the oMeTcibrnent , hjuc tranfiatedit lefotm^ whereby theingnoranccisaqnine reproued, which wreft and wruhc, rather thende- riuc thisname lerufrom lehoua: for they accoimtitfor a great abfurditie, if that ai)y mortal! man fliouldhaue this name coninion with the fonne of God^ andthey cry out tragically, that ChriftwiUneiitrTufter his name thus to bed prophancd; As though that itwerenotwcllknowne of the contrary, that th^ name of lefu is as common to thofc men , as that of lehoflia . Nowe fceino- thatitfufficientlyappeareth thatthe Sonne of GoJjVnder the nameof lefu is commended vntovs as the authour of faluationj we wi'l iifte morenecrely the Angels wordes . He lliallfane (fayth htzj his people froni their finnes firft thisistobeobfenied, that'theyofth^mfeliieA-w^reloft, whome Lhr/ft was .itptto fane; and naititly heek called'tbe Sauiour of the Church. If thdy whom God hath ioyncd fo neare vnto himfcl'e, are drowned in death and deflrudion, vntillchriftreftore them life.- then what ihaliwecfayof firart^ gerf, to whom there wasneuer any hope of life appearing. Wherefore it is tobee'concluded, whilelaliuationia Chiiftisreicdcd, that all mankiade is 'fubied to delhudion ♦ But thecaufeof deftrudioniswithalltobee noted j /orthe celeltiall iudgCi^beth notpronoimce the curfe again ft vs raflily and Without acaufe '. Therefore the Angellwitnelleth that wee pcrifiicd and were holden opprefled vnder the mifcrablc yoake of damnation, foe .that by ourfinnes wee were cttranged from life, whereby the corruption and V/ickednefle ofojr nature is reuealed vntovs, for if any man were perfedc and-.^blctoliuc a rightc®iishfe, hee might bee without Chrift the dehiicrer.' but all, Without the exception of any one , hauc neede of his prace. Therefore it followeth that they are all the feruauntes of Sinne, and are deftitut-e of the true righteoufnefl'e . Heercagaine wee' gather, what ma- nerand way it is that Chrilt vfeth in fauing, that is, that he deJiuercth vs fi'omfinnes. ■ Furthermore there are two parts of this deliueraunce : firftj in that hethf facfificchauing made afuliratisfadion,giuethvs free pardon and forgiuenes^ vyheveby wee are exempted from the ouiltmeire of death, and are reconciled to, God. The next, that he fandifying vs with hisfpirit, clialengeth vs from the .tyrannie of Sathan that wee (hould Ime torighteoufncffe .therefore Chnit is. Bpt acknowledged truely as a Sauiour, vnt.li that by faith we learne to embrace .tills free forgiuenes of our linnes,and that we knowe that we are accouiited righ ^e^usbefofe.Godjbecaufcthat we are freed frotnfguiitinellc -then thatwe be- M8?!!Y4hP' call tiuli cythejj ©f oucwoirkes or of oiir"powe!r,aske of him the fpiric ^pfrigh{t^;0^iileil<:andtrL•th. The A ngcll without doabtnamtth the Icwes th& people of ChriftjVVhofc head and kihg he was ordayned. Butbecaufethe Gen^ ti'c^Vvere fjibrtlyafter to be graittd into theilocke of Abraham, this promife , Therefore there was a generall promifc. Whereby God had chofen the children of Abraham as a pcopleforhimfelfc^vp- on the which couenant all the fpcciall promifes had their ground. Againe, the Mefsias was the foundation of this couenant : Now we pcrcciuc that the cai^fe of the dehucfance of this cittie was^ for that it was the fanduary of God , and that the redeemer was to come out fro thence. This refped being taken away, Icmfalemfliouldhaueperilheda loo. times* Now let the godly readers con- £der, feeing that the king had openly rcicded the figne offered him from God Was it not conuenient for the Prophet to goe to the xMefsias ? as if hee (houldc ilaue fayd.-Although this age is vnwoithy of thatdehucrance which I promifed from the Lord, yet God bem^ niindcfl>ll of his couenant,{hall deliucr this city fro the enemies^ That he might therfore ihew them no particular figne to tefti |e his fauor,this one ought to be enough, & more the enough that the Mefsias piuld come of the llock of Dauid. And it is to be notedjthat the prophetcalleih v|ie vnbeleuers to the general couenant, to be a maner ofreproofe,bccaufe that tfaey didadmit no particular figne.Now it is lufficientlyproued as Ithink,that ^hen as the gate was fhut again ft all miracles.it was high time for the Prophet vO repairc to Chrift, thatthc vnbeleeuers might knowe that there was "no o» ihcr caufe of their deliuerance^then the couenant which Wjis made with the fa- jhers. And by this wonderfuU maner ofteaching, it was the yvillof God to Sfftifie to all ages, that he therefore continually was fo merciful to the chidren i>fAbraham,becau(e he had made a free couenant with them in Chrift , and Hot for any of thei r deferts. But the lewcs with an other cauil cndeuour to fhift Iway this our iudgemem, becaufe thatprefcntly itfolloweth in the text of the l^rophet : Afore the childe Ihall haue knowledge to efchew the cuill , and to fhufe the good,the land fhal be forfaken of two kings. &c. Hereof they gather :;hatthe birth of the childe ispromifed, whichfhoiild not bee long delayed, o- •iieiwife that fhould not agree which is (boken of the change of the kingdoms h hard at hand, which the Prophet declared {hould beebefore the infmt had palled the one halfe of his age, I anfwere, when as Efayas had brought him as a fiene which (hould be the authour of raIuation,and,fayd that an infant {hould be borne which ihould b e the true ImmAnmll^ or (that I may vfe Paules word) God manifeited in the fleih, i. Tim. j .16, He then generally fpeaketh of all the infants of thu age, for the which matter, there is a ilrong reafon at hand. For nauingfirftfpoken of the generall couenaunt of G O D , hee returneth to iheefpcciallpromife, forthe which caufe hee was fent : fothefirft place which ^ppcrtayneth to the lafl and fullredemption , noteth one certaync childe «o vyhome the title of G O D fiiould onely belong : but the latter place which ■|5 fe%redtothatlpecialibenefittc which vTa$ then at Jund, appoynjeth the 64 The Cmment.ofM, lo. Calumel time by the infancic of rhem which then were new borne,op (honly arter were to be borne. Hctherto (except I be dccciued) I haue with ftrong and foundc reafons refuted the camls of the Icwes,wherewith they endeuor to ouerwhelm thegioryofChriftJtaftbythispropheficitfhouldfhineforth. Nowitreltcth for v$ to take aw.ay that cauill in the word^^/W;. They very frowardly fhakevp Mathewjwhoproue that ChrlftOioiilde bee borne ofavirgine^ when that the Hebrew word do:h fimply note a young woman,and they fcornc vs,as men dc-*' ceiued with a word wrongfully tranflated, thn we diould beleeue that hee was coicciutd by the holy Gholl, when that the Prophet onely fayththat hee was the'onncofayoingwoiian. But firft therein they Ibewouermiich pleafure in contcndinc^jwhile they vrge that worde to bee vndcrltoode ofa yong woman Jcnowiie vnto aman,whicfitheScriptur,:attributeth euery where to Virgins* The etymolo^ie alfo agreeth w.th the fame which fignifieth a hiding, wherein is noted a maidenly ^Jmeiallnefle, they bring one place out of the Prouerbes, chap. ^ o. w«which yet helpeth them nothing at alljfor th-rc Salomon fpeaketh ofa maide, whom a young man loueth, but it doth not prcfently foUow,that Ihe (hould be defiled whom a young manloueth, nay the coniedturc on the other part is mo; e probable. Furthermore, if I (hould grant that which they require of the w rd^yet the matter it felfe conuinceth them and enforceth them to con feflc that the Prophet fpeakcthofa woiderfulland vnwonted biith. He crietll that he bnn^ethtliem aiigncfrom theLorde , and that no common ligne hue fuchaoieasihoaldexcellallothers ifhehadonelyfaydthat a woman Hioiild beareachilde,thenhowridic'jlousathinghad it beenefbrhinto makefo fo- lemne aprefice ? Wee fee how the I ewes through their ow le frowardnelIe,do not onely fet forth themlelues to befcorned at; but alfothe moftreuerend myfte ries of God. And it is not a vaine argument which is gathered o'^^t of the whole text .• a damfell (hall conceiue .• why is there no mentio i madeof the man ? The Pro.^hetcommendeth and fpcaketh offome vnaccouftomed and vaufuall thing, Furthermorej the commandemeatof giuing the name to the childej was giaen to the damfell, in the which matter the Prophetalfo Ipeaketh of a thing extra- ordinaric , for althoiieh that the fcripture declareth that the mothers ofttimea gaue the names to the cliildren .• yet they did it by the aathoritie of the fathers ; therefore the Prophetdiredinghisfpeach to the damfell, doeth in this child* take from the men what right (beuer the order of nature hath giuen the . Then let this remaine ftedfaft, that the Prophet comendeth this great miracle of Goi that all the goJly might attentiuely&reuerentlyconlider the fame, which the lewes doe vrn worthily prophaac, applying that to a common maner of conceU Wng which is fpoken of the fecret working and power of the fpirite. z^.His name Immanuell. The fcripture vfeth to fpeak thus, that Go J is with vs, »vhen thatheis prefentwith vs,withhis helpe & with hjs grace, and exercifeth the power of his hand to defed vs. But here is the mcaneexpreiTed, wherby god comumcatethwith men.' for without Chriftweareaiicnatedfrom Gol,and by Chriftwcarenotoilyrcjeiuedi itohisfauojr,butwcare alfo made one with him. Andthatwhich Paul teacheth to the Ephe. 1.17. thatthe lewes vnder the law were neerevnto Goi,&thattherwasa deadly hatred betweenehim & the ^cules^Qjeaaethaotiuii^ eij^buiilvii^NiotiAaihadoww&fi^mesgauc fignesof : f ' " ^^ It hi^ f/poft the JJarmem of the lEttAngeltfiei, ' 6j his ptcfcnce vnto this people which hee had adopted, for that promife was in force Godinthemiddeft of thee. Dut.^ 1 5, &7.11. Alio this is my rcft,FfaI. 121 1*4. But feeing that familiar coniundion of the people VTith God, did de- pend of the mcdiafour, bccaufe that in fubftance he was not yet tdly i euealed, byfiencshewasniadowed. His fcate and his dwelling place was placed be- tweenc the Chcrubins, becaufe that the Arke was the figure and the vifiblc pledge of his elory . But in Chrift no more a {liadowcd but a pcrf. ft prefence of God was emeri and (hewed vnto the people : for the which cauf e Pauie faith to the Col. 1 9. that allfulneae of the Godhead doth dwell in him bodily .And truly hecouldnotochcrwifehaucbcenealawfull mediatour, except that vn-* feperable conioyning of both the natures in bm had ioyncd men to God • nei- ther IS there any caufe why the lewes fhouldc langle, that the name of God is often transferred to thofe monuments, wherein hee witnelTeth his prefence to the fay thfiill.- for itconnot bee denyed but that this name contajneth in it a fc- crct contrariety ^whichcowpareth the prefence of God reucaled in Chrift,with the whole maner of his prefence, as hee wjs (hewed to the old people before the comroing of Chrift. Ifthe caufe of this name began then in dccde to bee manifeft, whe that Chrift appeared in the fleih: then it foUowtth that in times paft God was ioyncd to the fathers not fully, but only in parte: whereof againc It is concluded, that Chrift is God manifefted in the flelh. And hee hath ex- crcifed the offiee of a mediatour cuen from the beginning of the world. BuC becaufe all this did depend of the later reuelation, then as though he were cloa- thed with a new perfon, he was worthcly at the length called Immanuel^ when-r ashecamefoorthas aPrieft, whowiththefacrificeofhisownc bodyft.ouldc iva(h away the finnes of men, and with the price of his owne bloud (houlde rc- concilethem to his father,and to bee (hort, (hould fulfill all the partes of mans faluation. So firft in this name the diuine maicftie of Chrift is to be confidcrcd ofvs, that it may haue that rcuerence of vs which is due to the oncly and the ctcrnallGod. But yctncucrthele(re thatfruiteisnotto bccnegkacd, which God would thereof gather and receiue from vs : for as oft as wee behold God and man in the p ei (on of one Chrift,we may certainly dctei mine that Go J pof- fefleth vsjif by fayth we be loyned to Chrift* That the number is changed la thatvcrbc, they Jhall call, it differeih nothing from thofe things vvhifh I fpakc before, the Prophet fpeaketh to one virgin, and therefore he vfeththe fecond perfon, thou/halt calL But for what caufe this name was firft vttercd,thisi$ the common confeflTion ofall the godly, that God gaue himfclfe in Chrift to bcC enioyedofvsalU ,. , , .. i . 1 j 24, hfephbtin^raifed. The rcadineffcofthe obedience which is hccrcdc- fciib^d, doth make no whit lefl'e to teftifie the ccrtaintie of the faith onoi<^v\ then itdothfcr theprayfeof his obedience, for except that euery doubt haddc bin taken away, & his confcience very well ietled, be ncucr fo willingly and lo ibdainlyhadchanocdh.scoun(eIl& takenhiswife, through whofe company helately iudoedhimfclfctohaucbindcfiled,therefore there was (omenotc OK the power oi God imprinted in his dreame,which fuffered not h« mind to wa- ller. Then followedthccffeaotfayth, thai th^wOl of pod being knoWn<^ he prcfcntly^rcparcd himfclfe to obey it, - ai.flb M * ^ — ' 8 5 ♦ Hff kntrv her not tillfhe. Vnder the colour of this place, Heluidius In timers paft moued great trouble s in the Church,for that he would gather thereof^thst Mary w.u a virj^in but vnto her firft birch,& that after llie had other children by hcrhusband.The perpetual virginirieofMary was very {harply&copiouflyde fended by Hierome, let this one thing fuffice vs, that it can be very fondly and ill gathered out of the wordes of the Euangelift what became of her after that Chrift was borne. He is called the firft borne, but not in any other refped, but that we mif;ht know that he was borne of a virgin.It is denied that lofeph had to do with her, vntilKhee had brought foorth; thisalfois rcftrained vnto the iame time,but what followed after he doth not declare.lt is fufficiently knowa that fiich IS the vfc of the fcriptures ; and certainly no man will at any time nooue que ft ion of this matter, except he be curious: & no man will obllinately ftand in the fame, except he bee a contentiousbrabler. Luke ly Matthew I Marke« 1 '• ^^nd a cumt to ^affe mthofe dayesythat there came a cofnmaiindement from^tiguJIuiCeftr y that all the vporldjlyofilde bee taxed. 2. This firfi taxing vpasmadeyneihenCjfremus was gouernour of Syria. /l [ g. Thereforewenialltobe taxedy^etterymantB his owne citie, 4 . ^rtd lofeph alfo ypent ypfrom Galile out of a c it tie calledl^^aT^arethyintoIudea y ynto the citty of Datiidy vhich is called BethUhemy ( becaufe he wa^ sfthehoufe and linage ofDauid ) f* To bee taxed voith Mary^ that wasglueH hlffi to vpifcy vphich yvas with child, 6. .Aadfo it ms that while they \»ere tJjerey the dayes were accomplifhed that/hejhottld be deliutred, 7. Jtndpyee hrought foorth her fir/fe begotten fonnCydnd wrapped him infwadling clothe ^yand laid him in a cratchcybecaufe there was no roome for thenS- in the Inne, Luke dcclarethhotvit cartic to pafle that Chrift fhould be borne in the cittie of Bethlehem,when that Mary his mother dwelt in an other place,and was now ncare vnto her trauell. And firlt he excluueth all humainc counfell, vrhen hee iayth that lofeph and Mary left their houfe and caiic thither, that they might be taxed according to thcirfaiiihc and llocke. If through their owne dcuife & counfell, they haddc chaunged their place that Mary raightbccdeliaercd in Bethlehem, then (liouldcWcconely haueconlldcred the perfonsthcmfclues .• but nowe, when that they hauc no other purpofe , but that they mi"ht obey ahccommaimdemcntof Auguftus, vrccplaincly fee that they as blinde folkej Were led by the hand of God thither, where it bchooued Chrift to bee borne. And this feemethto fall out by fortune, as prophane men afcfibc vnto fortuhe li^cte^hinecs which aic not goucrncd by the determined coUnfcUof mcxB vfon the Barmmh eftUEHangeUfieil 6^ But It Is not {ufficicnt (imply to beholdc what is done, but wee muft zlCo re* member what was forefpoken by the Prophet many ages before . And thi* comparilon (hall euidently fliewe, that this taxe was not commanded by Au" guftus Csefar, and lofcph and Marie remoued not from their houfc, that they might at thattime come to Bethlehem, without thewondefull prouidenceof God : fo we fee that fometime the holy children of God, although they wan« ,not to one, or to other,but to a] the feed of Abraham. And that the Icwes, for die moll parr, were depriued ofthatioy, which *c- longed vnto them, WJsbecaule of their vnbehefe ; as atthjsday Godcalleth generally all to filuation by the Gofpell,but the vnthankhilnelTeof the worldc bringethtopalle.thatfewc enioy this grace equally proftred to all. Therefore this icy bemgmcluded anioneft a few.is yet called common in refped of God. But although the An?e!llpea!«th onely of the e'ecft people, yetnowethat the wall is broken downe^the lame meflagcbelongeth to all mankmd for Chnltc preacheth peace not only to the which are nere; but alfo to them v^hich are far offj&noleflevntoltrangers, thento the that areof thehoulLold. Eph. i.17^ But becaufc that vntiU the comming of Chi ift this couenant vv. s pcculier w.th the kwes^th^refore the Angelfeperateth them from all other nations. 1 1« f^nto you is borne this day. Hecre is exprefled the caufe of the ioy 5 as euennowe wee declared, that is, becaufe the redeemer, whichin times palle was promifed , is borne ; who flioulde leflorethe Churcheof God into hisclhte. And the Angell doth notfpeake, ssof athino vtterly vnknowne, but he takeththe beginiung ofhis melTage out of the lawc and the Propheies .• becaufe that it haddebeene in vameforhun to haue vfed this nianneroffpeachto the Ge -tiles andprophanemen. Chnfle the Lord e to you is borne a Sauiour ; that fame is alfo the caufe why he maketh mention that hee was borne in the Cittic of Datiid, whichhad beene in vaine, but for the renuing of the remembrance of thofe promifes , which were euery where knowne and famous amongfl the lewes ♦ To beefhoit, the Angell ap- plyeth his fpeach to hij, hearers , which were not altogether ignorantof the promifedrcdemption . And hee ioyneth the Gofpcli with the doctrine of the lawe andthe Prophetes, as that which Ipringeth out of that fountaine* But feeing that 5o/erexprelleth more amongft the Greekes, as Cicero wit- nefleth, Veirina 4. 109. thcnSeruatordooth amongft the Lattines: and that there is not extant a lattine word, which anfwercth vnto the fame .Thaue thought it better tofpeake barbaroufly, then todimmiili any thing fron^ the power of Chnlte .* And I doubt not but that the common interpreter, andthe olde do'^tours of the Church ,. haddethe famepurpofe* therefore is Chrifle called Saluator, as hee which bnngeth full faluation « And alfa this pronowne toycu, hath a g reat Emphafiis : For it Ihould but fmally auaylc toheare that a Sauiour was borne, except that euery man might apply ir ^ as that hee was borne to him. In this manner (peaketh Ifayas, chap. 9.^. Achildeisbornetovs, a fbnne is giu en to vs. 5oallo fayth Zacharyas p.^ Beholde thy king commeth vnto thee, poore. * I z. ^nd this fhall bee afigne ynto youy yottjhall finde the childe fvoadled. The Angell anfwereth to that, whereat the bhepheards might haue taken ofJence> and whereby their fiyth might haue beene hindred : for what a mockery is it to ft e him layde in aftall , which was fentfrom GOD, as the kin^ and onely Sauiour. Therefore leaft this vile and abici^ eftate of Chriff,lhoul^ £ 5 fcarit 74 T'iSff Comment: 0fLM. lo, Caluhs, feare the 5hepheardcs fro fayth in Chnft,the Angel foretellcth them whatthey lliall fee. And this order ( which to the iudgementofmati may feeme abfurdc, &almoft ridiculous) doth the Lord daily vfc towardesvs. For by the voyce of the GofpcU fent downe fro heauen he doth command vs to embrace Chrift crucificd.and he fetteth lignes m ea rthly and tranfitorie elemcnts.which might lift vs into the ^lory of bIcfTcd immortalilie:fo he proraifing vs a fpirituall righ- teoufucs,fettct'h a httle w.nc r before our eyes, and hee fcaleth ctcrnallrightc- oufnes to our foulc by a fmali tifte of bread and wine. If that the ftable orfend not the Shepheardes, and that they neuerthcleflefeeketheirfaluation from Chrift, and that they fiibmit themfclues vnder the gouernment ofhim, beeing yet but an mfant, there ought nofigne, be it neuer fo contemptible darken his glory With vs •• but at the leafl: that we mighthumbly worfhip him, fith that he is afcended into heauen, and fitteth at the right hand of the father* I ^ . ^ndfirai'rht way there wns a multitude. Although that in one Angell there was giuen a ihew of Gods glory: yet God would that his fonne fhould be more royally adorned, & that as well for the confirming of vs,as of the (liepheardes. The credit of two or three witneflesisfufficicnt amongft men to take away a doubt buttheheaucniyhoaft with one confent and with one voyce giuetefti- mony to the fon of God. Then what aperuerfnes wcreit,notto credit the ge- ncrall tcftinionie of the angels, whereby our faluation in Chrift is witnefled ? whereby we gather how dcteftable this incredulitie is vnto God,which diftur- bethihisfwcete harmony both of heauen & earth? Againewc are to bee con- demned of more then bcaftly blockiftines, if this fong( which the Angels with one confent hauc fong that they in wordes might begin to vs) do not kindle in vs a fayth & an endeuour to pray fe God. Adde this aifo, that the Lord woulde by this example of heauenly mclodie,commend vnto vs the vnitie of faith,and exhort vs with one confent to fing his prayfes vpon the earth* 14. Glon in the hydjefi* The Angtlles bcginne with thankfgiuing, or with the prayfes of Gjd,jbecaufe that the fcripturecuery where teachethvs thitweearcieJeeiied from death, tothisende, that.aswellincongue as in works wee might tcft.fic ourthankfulnestoGod. Lttvstherefore remember that this isthc Hnall caufe wherefore God reconciled vs tohimlelfe by his on- ly begotten fon, that the rich^.s of his grace & great mercy being made known, his name might bee glorified. And at this day howe much euery one of vs is ilrcgthcned dnough the knowledge of grace to fet forth the glory of God, Co much hath he piofited in the faith of Chrift : yet as oft as mention is made of our faluition,wc muft know that there is as it were a figne giuen vs, to ftirre vs vpto giuingofthankcsand prayfes vnto God, In earti} peace ^ This is the more vfuall reading, that then the third claufe may follow,roir4r^ri men good xviU.And. although for the funiinc of the matter there is no great difference, which of the two thoureadtft; Yet the other interpretation feemcth to agree better, bc- caufe it is not to be doubted^ but that thcfe two claufes agree together. Glory to God on hiqjjyiir i» earth peace : but except thou oppofelt men vnto God, it cannot be afullAntithcfis.Peraducnture this prepofitio Eh deceiued the interpreters : bccaufe that thefenfc of the wordes was very darke,to fay peace to be in men. Butfeeingthat in many plates of the Icripturethisprepoiition is fupertiuous, there vpm the Hdrmffh 9fthe EudngeHflei. •- thereisnocaufewhyitflioiildhindervs. Yet if any had rather plaec 'it in the latter claiife, the fame fcnle (hall ftill remayne, ^s I will prefently declare Now it is to be fcene what the Angels meanebythisworde /'^^ce.- certainely they fpeakenotoftheoitward peace, which men maintaine betweene themfdues but he faythth.it the earth IS appeared, when men are reconciled to God and are quiet in their mindes, Wcknow thatwe are borne the children of wmth and by nature that wee a, e enemies ro God .• fo thitit is then ncceflary that we (ho.jld be vexed with horrible difquictnes,fo long as wee finde God offended with vs : there;ore a fhort and euident definition 'of peace is to bee i^athered of the contraries, that is of the wrath of God, and the terroiir ofdeath", & fo there is a double relation to be had. the one to God, the other to men, becaule that we haue then peace with God, and he blotting out our guiltincs .• & not impiu ting our finnes, beginneth tobe mercifull vnto vs.and we refting m his fatherly loue, doe call vppoa him with afure faith,and without feare wee reioyce m thac faluationpromi(ed vs*And although thatin lob-j. i.thehfe of man vpo earth is called a continuall warfare , and the thing it fclfe dcclareth that there is no- thing more troublefomc then our eftatc, while we remaine here in the world yet the Angels exprefly place peace on the earth, that wee might know that no troubles can hinder vs, butthat we enioying the grace of Chrift, mi^ht haue fetled and quiet minds. Therefore let vs remember that there is a feat of peace placed euen in the midlt of the ftormes of temptations, amon/4m«»i. This place is very ill ex- pounded of the accepting of grace. But that which the Angels fpeake of, doe th rather (hew the fountaine of peace, that we might know that it is a free gifte , and to flow out of the meeremercie of God . Ifyoupleale to reade it Good yvUl in men, it (hall not bee amilfe in reljjede of the fenfe .- for in this manner o£ fpeachthe caufe of rhe peace fhall aUb be noted ; that is,that God freely accep- teth men into his fauour, with whom he b efore had warlike or deadly difcorde.. If thou wilt read peace of good will, for willing,! will not be againft this cxpo- lition .• yet that is the plaineft to haue Eudok^an putappofitiuely, that wee might: Icnowfrom whence peace commetk to vs. Luke a. Mathcw. Marke. if. ^nd it came to pajfe, vphenthe Angels \»ere gone ar^ayfro them into heanen, that the Shephardsfaid ont ta- another,letysgo then ynto Bethlehem^and 'fee this thing th^t is come to pajfe^ i»hich the Lord hath/hewed ynto ys^. I^V 5tf tU^ fam with ^fis andjounde hoth'j ' ^S The Comment, of M,U.€Mne Mary and lofephy and the babe laj>d in the cratch, 17 ^itd vrbenthey had feene it , they fntbhjhed abroad the thinly which was told them of that child, 1 8 . ^nd all that heard it vpondred at the things rrbich vpere told them of the Shepheards. 19. Btft Mary kept all thefefayin^Sf and port- dred them in her heart, ^o. ^ndthe Shepheardes returned ^ glorifying and prayfingGody for all that they had hearde ar.d feency m it rvasfpokenynto them, »i. ,And when the eight dayes were aicompUf P^edy that they fhotild circumcife thechildcyhU name I was then called Ieft*SyWhich vasfo named of the ^n- \ gely before he wasconceauedinther^embe, I f . ^fter the Angels fre/egont away , Heere is the obedienc e of the Shep- heardes dcrcribcd vntovs.-forwhenthc Lord had appointed them as witnef- fcs of his Sonne to all the world, heeefteduallyfpake to them by the Angels, leaftthat (houlde bee forgotten, which was told e them. Itwasnotplainely and by word commaunded them, that they llioulde con-.e to Bethlelicm: but becaufethat theyfufficiently vnderftoodethatthecounfellof GO D wasfo, they make haft t j Chnft, as at this day, when we know that Chrift is Ih ewed vntovs, to this ende, that our hearts by faith might come vntohim, cur loy- tcring cannot bee excufcd. And Luke doth not in vaine declare that the Shepheards tooke counfell of their iourney aflbone as the Angels were departed, leaft wee fuffer ( as many vfe) the word of God to van illi away with the found , but that it may take liufcly rootes in vs, and thereby thatit may bring forth his fruite,when it hath ccafedtofoundinoureares. Furthermore,itistobcc noted, that the Shcp- hcardcs doc mutually exhort one an other; for it is not futficient for euery one of them tolooketothcmfclues, ex'ceptthat alfo there be vfed mutuall exhor- tations. Luke amphfieth the piayfeoftheirobedience ,whenhee fayeththat they madchaft,eueaasapromptnesoffaithis alfo required of vs. if^hidj the Lord hath /Jjewedyntoys. Very skilfully and rightly doc they afcribe that to God, which they heard not but from the Angcll,for,whom they acknowledge as the mini tcr of God : they alfo thinkewoithy of that authorite, as if he had rut on the perfon of our Lord. Therefore for this caufe doth the Lord call v$ backe often vnto hinifclfc, leaft the maieftje of his word fhould become of no cftimarioninthcfightofmcn. Againe weefce heere, that they accountitto beanoftenccinthcmtone^'leathattreafiire fliewcdthtmof theLorde : for oftha: knowledge reucalcd to them they argue that they muft goe to Bethle- hem, that they may fee. And To It bchoueth euery one of vs, accord in<^ to the meafureofhjs faith and vnJerftanding to bee prepared to followwhcther as God calkth. 16, They found Mary. Thattrucly was an vnfeemely fight, and by that oncly they might haue beene driuen from Chrift .- for what is there more vnlikely, then to bdeeue that hcc Ihouldebee king ofall the people, wh3 vfontheUarm&fiteofthEmtJgeTifies, 7^ who W3$ not accounted worthy ofaraeane place among the common peo- ple? and to hope for the reflitwtion and faluation ©rthc kinodome ftom him^ who for bis w.int .md poucrty wns throwne out into a ftibic ? Yet Luke writeth that none of thefcthinpes hindered the Shephcnrdcs , but that with great admiration they prayfed God : namely bcxaufl that the glory of GOl> WJS throughly fixed in thur eyes, & the reucrence of his word^rintcd in their minds, that wratfoeuer they nittte with cithtr infamous or contemptible in Chriftjthey wjth the height oi their faith do eafily pafle ouer the fae. Neither is there any other c.iule why euery of thofe fmall offences doe either hinder or tutne our faith from the right courfe .• but beciufe th.>t wet taking fmall hold vpon God,3re eifily drawn hethcr& thither. Font this one co;^ititio pofleiled aJlourfenfes, thatwjhaueaccitaineand aftithfull witnellcfrcmheaucn, it were a defence flrong and liable enough againft all kinde of temptations^ and it fhoulde well enough fortifie vs againlt all oftences- 17. They fublifljed abroad the thin^yxhichnfai told th(W. Lukecomendeth the faith of the bhcpheardcSjiii that they dehuered fincereiy through their handes that which they rec eiued from the Lord .• & it is profitable that the fame fliould be witnefTed for all ourfakes^ihat they mightbejasftcond Angels for the con- firming ofourfayth, Againe, Luke teacheth that they reported that which they had heard not without profit. And it is not to bee doubted, but that the Lordgaueeftedtotheirwordjleaftitfhould be mocked ordefpiffd. Forthe eftateofthemcndifcredited the mat£cr5& the matter it felfemightfceme to bee btitfabulous.But the Lord fuffeteth not thofe things to be in vaine, which he e cnioyneth them. And although this manner of working finally pleafeih the iudgement of men , that the Lordes will is that his word fhould bee heard of poore & mcane men : yet it is approoued of God himfelfe, and vfed partly to humble the pride offlelli5& partly to prooue the obedience of the fayth. but tha t all men maruailc, and no man mooueth his foote, that he might c©me ta Chrift .• hercofjtmay bee gathered, that they hearing of thepower of God were amazed, not becing flriken With any earaeft afleition of the heart: wher- fore this word was not fo muchfpread abroad' for their faluation, as that the ignorance of all the people might bee inexcufable. i^. Mary h^pt all thofe. The diligence of Marie in confidering the WoorkcsofGOD ispropofedtovs fortwo Cviufes . Firfl, that we might knowethatthe keeping of this treafurewaslaydevp in her heart, that, that which iliee had laydcvp With her , (hee might pubhfli the fame to others in timcconuenient. Next, that all the godly might h.iue an example which they might followc. T^orifwee bee wife, this ought to bee the efpecialltra- iicll, and the chiefc ftudieof our life that wee might bee diligent to confider the woorkcs of God, which fhoulde builde vp our fayth. Fiuthermore,thc wordeo»/er«f is referred to the memorie; and SymhaUein dothelfe/ignifie t» confcrre, as to make vpone perfed body, by gathering all rhingcs toge- ther, which agreed amongltihemfclues to prooue the glory of Chrifte, And Mary coulde not wifely confid or the value of alkhings together, but by coa- ferring fame thinges with others. ao» Glorifjing and^ayJtngofGod'4 This aUb appcrtaincth to the common 7* 1'l>eC<»»meia,cf2H.Ic,Caiume, vfe ofmirfayth. thwthe Shfpheards might ceminly knew it to be the woik- of God.Andthecarneft glorifying of God whichijprayfed in the,isicena re ftcrct reproofc ofour fluggifhneHc,or radicr of »nthanfcfu!nefle:(or ifthTfwi! thing cloutes of Cliriftc fo much prcuailed amonefl them, that thcv could nft outof the ftable and cratch cuen vnto heaue .-howmuch more effcauXuoh! the death and relurrcS.on of Chnft be with vs that wee might bet dvpt God For Chrift w« not onely hfted vp from the earth, thathee m^tilZ all thin^esa ternim: buthee fittcthatthe right handof the pXrihat"! yvhichare pilgrimsmthis world, might withoiirwholeheartsmedkteof^h! heauenly liie. But Luke declareth tlfe true naiure of godlines vSien hi, ffj^u thatthewitneireofthe Angell was in fteedeofaruI?totheSeardef '^ ^ the which they direaed all thmges . For then is fayth righX hofp, hv Z Workesof God,if,td,reaethallthingstothatp„rpofithatThe3^^^ Which IS rcucalcd in his word may morecleareiy (hinc forth ' 1 1. Thuthe cl„lJe//jcM kecin«mc,fed. That which generally is to bee ^onfi dered ofcircumcfion let .he readers fctchout of GeS. , 7. .0 It ihill be fuffi Chrirt.God would that h.s fonnc ihould be circumcifed,,hatl,c St be Tub left tothelaw;for crcumcifionwas afolemnefigne, where" iA!h.Tir" wereinitiated into the obferuation ofthelaw. PaL delreXhe end G^!' 4- when he fayth that he was made vnder the law.tha t he mioht red-^mP ,^ *' Wh.chwcrcvnderthelawTherforeChr.fttabngcirc.mXnplftr^^ Wfe a feruant of the law, that hemight obtainehlertie for vs. And fo bv th^ meanes not onely the feruiwde of thelaw wasabohfhed bybim : bu S^ dow c f the ceremony was applyed to h,jfound and perfea body, that it miohf foone take an end. Foralthough the abrogating of ,t de.endedSeS* refu: region of Cht.ft, yet this was a certaike beginning of the fame that th^ fon o, God fuffcred himfelfe to be circumcifed mnam. L, ,/,? «/W/,A " fes the day of crcumcifion ,hey gaue names to their children" as weS, d!" vfe to doe at baptilme. But .he Euangelift noteth two thmges that the nam. 1'^ lefu was not gmen vnto the fonne o?God. ralhly or for the nlca ur/„f ,!? ^ butthattheAngellbroughtitfromheaue'n: rLntLttf handfc' bayed thecon.maundementof God.- and this is the confcnt ofour fiyth^lS," the worde of God, tliatthat word going before, we fliould fpe ,Le o the fl. and our fayth mouldcanfwer to his promifes. Elpecnllv Luki L j !' ^t?h tL^r^C^' "'^''""P'°'~^^^ Matth. 2. I ♦ If^tn lefus then ttas home 4t Bethlehem ^ in ludea^ »> the dayes ofHerode the k^ng : behold there came wife menfr9m the Ea/i to lerufalent, 2 , Saying where is the h^ng of the Uwei that Uborni fjor ^ hmeftent hitfiam in the JEafi^ Markc* Lukc« vpontheH^rmmcoftheEpMngelifies^ ^p gnddre iome to )»or/hip him^ 3 . H^hen king Herod heard thity htt Vfat trouhledj and aU lemfalem mth him : 4. ^ndgatheringtogether all the chelftVrieftes and Scrihes of the people, he ask^d of them where Chrifi fhoU'ld he borne. J ♦ jind they fayd ynto him,at Bethlehem in ludea forfo it is Yorittfn by the Vrophet : 6. And thou Bethlehem in the land of Itida art not the leaft among the princes ofluda : for of*t of thee Jhall come thegauermm , that /hall feede my people if- raeU u Vf^^enlefus yt^ then home. Matthew concealeth the caufe why Chrift was borne at Bethlehem : but the fpiriteof God; who had appoynted the feuan- geliftes as his Scribes, feemeth aduifedly fo to moderate their ftile, that witH moft notable confent,they all write one and the fame hiftorie, though it be m diuersmaners:thatthcrebythetnithofGodmightbe the more certaine and cuident, when as it was openly manifelt, that his witnefles did not purpofely be fore confent to fpeak, but euery one feperate fro other, nor haoing one refpe^ of an Gther, did (imply and f eely write that, which the fpirit ^^"p^f ^"^^ ^ . Furthermore . heere is a hiltory declared worthy to be remembrcd,that Gocf fetched wifcaienoatofChaldeaorPerfia,whichfhouldcomeinto ludea ta worfhip Chrift, where he lay without honour, and contemned. Truly a won - derfUll counfell of God, that God would his Sonne (houlde come foorth mtoj the world vnder this obfcure humilitie; yet he excellendv adorned hrm as with phrafcs, fowithothertokens,leaftanythingforthe triall of our faith had bin wantinalfrom his diuine maieftie : yet heere istobc noted a notable harmonic ofthinps feeming tobe repugnant.Thc ftarre from heaucn dedareth him to be akina, whcfethrone is the bcaftes ftall, bccaufc that he is denied a place cucn amonaft the common fort of men. His maieftie {liincthintheEaft, which not onely appeared not in Iudea,but is alfo defiled withmany reproches- 1 o what purpofeisthis;namely,theheauenlyfatherswillwastoappoynt rfiat the Itar and the wife men (hould lead vs the right way to his fonnc .• but yet hee itripped him naked of all earthly honour, that we might know his kingdome to belpin- tuil. Wherfore this ftorie is not only profitable,becaufe that god brought thele wifemento hisfonne,asthc firftfruites ofthe Gentiles .-but alfo becaule hcc would fet forrh the kingdomc of his fonne, as with the prayfe of them, lo ot the flarreforrfiehelpeofoiit faith, leaihhcwickcdand malicious delpite ot his owne nation, (hould caufe him to be dcfpifed of vs* .u tUt^ It is fufficientlyknowne, that the Aftrologers and Philofophei-s with tnc PerfeaosandtheChaldeanswerccalledMagifi wifemenOThereforeitis ea- % to eecoiiiedued that thefe came out of Perfia . Furthermore, howe many they were in number, it is better not to knowc, becaufe the buange- liil doth KOt cxprefle it, thett raHily toa£&rmt for ceriaine,thatwhichtt doucc^ &1L . , ^ A chilJiHi ciTOur le.id the Rapines, that they imagined thcTi to bccthrc.c, be^ caufe Mathewfayth ihai th y oHerca goUjfranckeAcenfe aad mirrh as it hee fhoulddiitmaiy afTiancapropcrofficeioeiieryofthem, and thatrathcr hee iiiould not dccbrc tha: :\v k three things were generahy oiiercd oythcm Who foeuer that old writer was, whofe vnpcrfec^ commentarie vpon Muthcw bca- rcth the name of Chrifoitome, & is accounted amonglt Chrdollomes workcs fayth that they were foiii tccne r which hath no more colour,cxceptthat perad- uenture it came by tradition o? the fathers, yet that faiiie alio hath no allurancc But the Papiiles are more th-n ridiculous, which imagined to thcmfelues thac they wcrclcincTs bccaufe they did read that before fayd. Pfal. 7^.10. That the kiiiics of Tharris,of the lies and of Saba Hiould co.r.e,v^hich Oioiild ofter gifts to the Lord -.Verily they arc wife V7orkemen,who that they might giue a newc (hapctomen, they haue begun at the turning of the woridc; forofthe Souih and Wed they huie made the Eaft. r^ 1 1 And it is not to be doubted, but that by the lult reuengc of God, they were fo amazed, that their rroife ignorance might be laid open to the reproie of all men, who made no reli ^ion to corrupt the truth of God, and to turne the fame into a he. But here is fii ft dcmaunded,whethcr this ftarre was one of the num- ber of them, which the Lord m the beginning created, for the garnifhing of heauen .-then whether theknowledge of Aftrologie brought thefcwjfemen hither, thac thereby in minde they concciucd the birth ot Chrift. Although wc may notcontentioully ftriueof thefe matters,yetitis to be gathered cut of the wordes ofMathcw, that it was nota naturallftan-e , but extraordinary .• for it was not by the courfe of nature, that at certaine times it vanillied away,and after fodaincly fhone a^aine ; then that it went a ftraight courfe towards Beth- lehem, and at the length that it ftoode fixed ouer the houfe wherein Chrift was none of which thingcs agreeth to natural ftars Jt'js more probable that itwas like to a Comet, and that it was feene in the ayre, rather then in heauen. And it IS no abfurditie, thac Mathewfpeaking according to the maner ofthe people improperly called it a ftarre ; hereof is almoft gathered an anfwereof the fc- cond queihon. For feeing it is certaine, that Aftrologie is contained within the boundes of nature , the wile mencouldnotby theoncly diredionof the fame hauecome to Chrift therefore it bchoued them to beholpen by afecretc rcuelaiion of the fpirite • yet I deny not but that they had fome beginning or iecdeout o^the arte : but Ifayit wasneceflaiythat the'fame fhoulde bee holpe with fome new and extraordinary rcuelation, leaft it Ihould be in vainc orvanilhaway I . iroere is hee that $4 borne k^ng ? That fomc interpreters thinkc a king borne, tobccfecretlyopporcdaj7ainfta kiagmide orcreatcd , feemeth to mee tobcetoofubtill : thcrcfprc I take it more fimply that the wife men. meane that this king w.ij lately borne , andremayneth yet an infant, that they might make a ditfercncc bctwecne him and a king growne in age, and holding the gouernment ofthe people • for prefently they fay, that they were moou.d neyther with the fame of his adcs , or with his prc- fcnt oreatncfle openly knowne , but by a diuination from heauen, of a thino^that was to come. But feeing that the fight of the ilarrc was fo cf- vfontheHarmonteoftheEHangeRfietl Jj «fe^ of the Wife m^n. Th.it the Scribes and high Prie{l;csdoefincerclyanfWvMe out of the rcripture( who yet after furiouOy endeuouredto corruptthe whole fcrip- turcjlcail thevlhouid giue any tcftimonic or crcditeto Chrift^is therfore done becaurethatasyetClii-ifthadnbttronbledthemwirhhisGofpell ; fo all the wicked ones do eafily fubfcribe t > God in all gencrall principles .- but when the truth of God doth vrge them nccr cr,then they vomit forth the poyfon of their contam.Tcie .-of the whi:h thing at this day we hiue a notable example in the Papifles: for withoiccoatrouerlie they confelle that Chrift h the onely be- gottenfonne of Godjclothcd with our fiefh, and they acknowledge in the two natures oneperfonof Godandman, Butwhcn we come to the power & of- fice of Chrift, there prefently rifeth a conflict .• becaufe they will not fuffcr thc- felues to Be brought into ordcr^muchlefte to be brought to nothing. In fumme as farrc as the wicked thinke that nothing is takenfrom themfelues, fo niucfi reucrence they wdl grant to God and to the fcripture. Butwhen th't Chnft hand to hand itriuethwith anbitionjconetoufnes, priJc,vaine hope, hypo :ri-- fie,anddeceitcsj then forgetfull of all modeftic, they are caried into madnes. Therefore let vs know that wicked affcflions are the cheife caufe of bhadiiicy' the enemies of the truth, which turnc light into darkenefle> - 6, ^ndthouBeihUhem. It is not to bee doubted, but that the Scribes.- Ai'X faithfully cite thewordesofthe text in their owne tongue, asitis in the Prophet .-tut it wis enough f5r'Ma:hewto note the place ? and becaufe that: hee w:it in Grt eke, he followed the allawed cranflation . For by this place and fuch others it is eafily gathered , that the Gofpell was not written by him in the Hebrew tongue. Furthermore, this is alwayestobeeobferued,asofc as the Apoftlesdoe cite any teOimonie of Scripture , although tliey render knot wordtfor worJc; nay,fonietime they are farre from the fame ; yet they are very aotly and fitly apply ed ofthcm to the matter. Wherefore let the reidtfsalwa/esraiarketowhatpurpofethe Euangehftes biinp the places of ScripturCj let them not ftand fcrupuloufly vpon euery word, but let them bee content with this one thing, thatthe Scripture is neuer wrcfted by them in- to-a diuerfcfenfe.- but that it is properly apply ed to the peculiar and proper vfe. And ccrtatnely feeing it was their purpofe to giuemiike to drinkc to in- fants and houices inthefiythj which werenot yet able tp take foundc me.ite:- no religion ft.ude them that lefle diligently & cxathing the dwellers ther^fo that it rather fell into agrieuouferdeHrudion, becaufe thatthc redeemer was worfe the vn- worthily rcceiued thither. Mat. aifo for a rular putteih this word {hepheard;yec he exprefieth bothtwo^for thathc declareth that Chrift{houldbethecaptainc of the peoplcjand that the office of feeding was commit jed vnto him. Matthew, 2. ThtnHerodepriuUy called thevcifsmen^ and Market Luke, diligently en^ttired of them i the time of the Jiar that appeared, 8. ^ndfent the to Bethlehem'JayUgygo ^fearch dili gently for the hahe^ f^y tahenye haue found him bring me word againe, that I may come and vtorfhip him. ^. So when they had heard the king, they departed^ and loe, the fiat v hich they hadfeene in the Eafiy went before them^ till it came^andJioQae ouer the place where the bale was. 10. ^nd when thy fawe the fiarre, tJ?eyxeioyeed Ypith an exceedinggreat toy, • '] r, 'j; .0 : (i i . . 11. ^nd went into theh^ufe^ andfoundetlje habe l»ith Mary his mother ^ and fell downe and mrjhipped him^ and opened their treaf(*resyand ptefcnted ynto him ^ gifts 3 enengoldy and incenfe, and mirrh* 12. ^nd afte r they were warned of God in a dream^ tJjat they /hould not goe againe to HeYody they returned into their countrey another way, 7'iJerodpriuily called the rrife men. The tyrant durft not (hew his fc.irc & care-* fiilnes, Icaft he {hould fo arme the people with audacitic^with whom hec knew himfclfe hatedrthercfore openly he diflembled the caufe as though it pertained notto him. But priuily hee in<]uireth, that he may preuent the prefcnt perill* Butalthoughaneuillconfcicncemadehim fearefull J yet it is not to bee doubted but that ftrok his mind with an vnufualfeare,that being diftitute ofcofi fel,& diftraughtin mind^hce was for the time amazed. For there is no cafier a fnatter^the vndcr the clok of humaitic to fuborne a copanion from amongft the <:ourtiers5which efpying out § whole mattcr^might prefetly return. certainly He rod was woderful lubtU, & ther was in him a rare magnanimityj/b that it is the more to be wodred at,^ now in To cxtreame daunger, whe ashc had a remedy «had,thathc ihould iimbe,/Jjall bee holy yntothcLord^ a 4. ^nd to puenn oblation , as it it commanded in the Uw of the Lord^ a^aireofTnrtle dottet , or tW9 yottn^ Vigeons. If. ^nd beholde there was a man in lerufAletn^ whof: name was Simeon : this man was ittfi^ and feor- rtd Godi and waited for the confolation ofjfraell^ and the holy Ghoji was vpon him^ 16. ^nd a reuelation 'Vfasgiutn him of the holy Ghojiy that he/Jjould mt fee deaths heforehe had fettle the Lord Chrifi* 2 7 . ^nd h e came by the motion ofthefpirhe into the temple. at,d when the parents brought in the childe lefuiy to doe for him after the cufiome of the law : 28* Then he toohf him i» his armesy and pray fid i Cody and fayd» 2^. Lordy now lettefi then thy feruant depart iH peacey according to thy word : 3 o. For mine eyes hauefeene thy faluation, 31. If^nch thou haji prepared before the face of all people, 32. ji light to he reuealed to the Gentiles, and tht glory of the people Ifraell. 1. ^nd when the dayes were accompli/hed. The fourtie day after hei* deLuerance, the rite ofpiirificatio ought to be folcmnifed.-yet Mary and lofephcame alfb to Icrufalem for an other caufe,that they might prefet Chrifl to the Lord^becaufe he was the firlt borne*Now,firft we rouft fpeak ofpuriBcatioXuke maketh the fame comon to M ary & to Chrift : for the pronoune Their can by no meanes be apphed vnto lofeph. And itis not abfurd,that Chrift,who for vs became jccur- fca vpon the crofle, for our fake tookc our vncleanefle vppon hin> , though F 3 ?J5i i6 Th Comment. of M, lo. Calnme, he was free from faultand finne, as concerning t'le guiltin-i : th.nt is, ifthe foa- taineofpuritie would be accounted vncleaae,that he miglu wafli away our vn- clemes. They are deceiaed, .'vh'ch chi ike that ths hvv was hut for po'.licy.as if the woman Ihould be vncleaiie before her husband, a;id not before thu' Lorie .• when rather there was (It before the eyes ofchc [ewjs, afwjll the comiptio o; the;rnaturc,asthcrem,«die of Goi his grace. And this one lawe aboundantly fu.-ficcthtoproueoriginall )!ine,asitco-itaiii2thanobleteftimo;'iieofthegrace of God* And the curie of mviki id canriot be more plainely fhewed, then whe the Lord teihfieth, that the i ifjntc5methvnpure& pointed out of his mothers wo nbe,infomufh as the mother her felfc is defiled by the birch. Certainly ex- cept man were borne a nnncr,& were by nature th: child ofwrath,& th:it there retted ii him fo ne (pot of iinne, he fhoiild not nee le a pur^ati on : wherefore it followeth chitall were cornipt in Adam, feeing thatthey'are by the moith of the Lord coidemnedofvnclemes. And t'lat is lo: a ^aialUt. Ro-n.ti.io.Th.it the I ewes are called holy branches of a holy rootc, bccaufe this ^oo 1 came vnto th.m loco: themfcluesjbntasbyorher meanes. Fora'though tliatbypriac'ed^- ofaJomon they were leueredforachofenpeoMe, yet corruption from AJam was their f^rft inheritance by order. Therefore it is conuenient to diitin^ui'h betwcciicthcfira nature and the peculiar bencfiteofthc coaenaunt , wherein Go ifrecthhis fromthecurfe. And to this purpofc belo.iged thepurificatiui ii the lawc, that the I ewes might know.- that by the grace of GO O th^are cleanfedfrou ihofefilths, whi:h by their birth they brou.^ht with them into thcworld Hereby is alfj to be learned how horrible the infe^ion of h'nne is whichinfomepartedehleththelawfull order of nature. Verily Igrant that neyther matrimonieinitfelfe, nor bearing of children are vncleane.-nay 't grant thatthe fault ofhift is couers-d with the holines of matrimonie : but vet the ouerHowmgoffinneisfodeepeand plentiful], thatalwaiesfome fins flow out from thence, which fprinklcwith blots, wliatfoeuer isotherwife pure •r ?'u ^^*i^i* written in the larv. This was an other parte of godlines which t^ F\' l5!f'^&''''Tl^ '• ^^'^"^'^ commanded. Num. jf, j. thataU the males fhould be offered to him in remembrance of their deliueraunce , bccaufe When the Angell flevv all the firft borne of Egypt, he had Ipared the fird borne of Ifraeli.- after it was law.^ll for eucry man toredeeme his firft borne for a ccr- taine price. Thatwasan old ccrcmonie. Nowfith the Lord is a common redeemer of aU, by rJ.^hthe challcn^cth v. fohimfromtheleaato thegreatcft. Surely it isnotinvamc that Luke'docth oftiepeat,that lofephand Mary did that which was prefcribed in the law of the lord. For by thefc words we are taught, that nothing is to be attempted after our ovvn witin the worfhip oi God,butthatmuftbcobediently followed which he hatli by his word commanded. ' i^^^tn 24. ^ndto.n.ean oblauon. This facrifice belonged to the rite of nu- "/T°c'i?^ '">' ^'T''^" '^^'^'^^ '^^^^ '' ^'^ o^'^^^d for the redeeming Of thefirft borne. When the Euangdift nameth apaireofturtle done" o? twopigeons, heetaketh it for granted, thatthe po.iertie of lofephandMa^ ry was fuch, that their abilici. reachednot tothe offering ofa Lambe For this mepuoais playnely fadownc , Leuit. n.(?.If anyobieathatthere was f;fon the Harmonie of the EHangeliJles^ f^ was goWc offered a little before by the wifeir.cn , wherewith they might haue bought it : I anlwer, wee cannot irragine that there was Inch plentie of golde^as could fodainly make apoore man rich.For we readenotthat they had Camels laden with goldc -. butitismore credible, that it was fotr.efmall portion, which they brouchtonely for honours fake. Neyther didthelawe precifely commaund thst the poore (b.ould confume their fubftance vppon afa- criFcc ; butmaking a dificrence betweene them and the rich, it ealcdthem of charge. Wherefore it fhall bee nothing hurtful], ifwcefay thatlofeph and Mary t^aue a s niuch as their abihtie did b eare, although that they had layde vp fome money, to bearethe charges of the iourney and of their life. 3 5 . Behold, there vras a man in lerufalem. This hiftory is fet downe, that wee miphtknow,that when almoft all thepeoplehad prophancdthemfduts with awickedcontemptof God, yet there remained a few worfltippers of God,and Chrid wasknown cf them from his firft infancie. Theft were thcfe remnantes which (as Paul to the Ro. i f . j. teacheth ) were refcrued, according to the free clcdionof God.Andinthis fmallbvindfiullwai* the Church of God included, alihoHgh the prieftes & Scribes did no leflc proudly then falfly boaft of the title of the church. The tuangehft only maketh mentio of two,which knew Chrift atlerufalem,whe he was brought into the temple,Simeon & Anna. And firft I muft fpeake of Simeon.We read not of what eltate he was, & it may be,that he was fome meanemanjandvnknowr.e : But Luke comiTiCndeth him for godli- ncfle and righteoufiieffe, to the whit h hee addeth the gift of Prophede, Godli- nefic and righteoufnefle are referred to the two Tables of the la we, and foia thefc two poyntes confifteth the integritie o£lik . It was a teftimony of god- linclle that he looked for the comfort cf I fraell .• for without the hope of (alua- tionGodisnot rightly worlhippcdjwhich depend eth partly in belecuinghis promifes,then efpecially by the rcftauration promifed by ChrJft.But now fcing this way ting or looking for is prayfed in Simeon,as a rare vertue,hereof gather, that there were then but few, which truly nourifhed the hope of redemption in their heartcs. All men had in their irouthes the Mefsias, and the bltlled ftate vnd cr the kingdome of D auid ; but in the mcanc while almoft no man did pa* tienily beare the prcftnt miferies, ftayingvpo this comfort^ that the redempti- on ofthe Churchwasathand. AndasthegodlinesofSimeoninthisdidfliewi itlelfe, that hehft vp his mind in wayting for the promifed faluation, fo at this day,as many as will proue thefeliusthcfons ofGod,willfigh with continuall defiresforthe promiiedredemptio. Forfuflcrance is very ncedfuUcuen to the laft coming ol Chrift. The holy GhoJ? was ypo him. He fpeakcth not of thefpint ofadoption,whichisc6mon to all the children of God, though rot in cquall manenbut hefpeaketh of a more pecuhargiftofprophelie, which doth more plainly appeare in the next veife,& by thai which followeth, where it isfayd, that he rccciued anfwcr by the holy Ghcft,& that the (ac Ipirit guiding hiir,hc came into the temple. Therefore although that Simeonexcccdcdnotinany publikc honor, yet he was adorned with many notable gifts; as gcdIincs,irno- cencie of life, fayth & prophcfie. And itis not to be dcubtcd,but that he alone did priuatly receiue this oracle, that it might paflc from him as a conmon con- firmation to all the godly . Icrusis calfcdihcChrifte of GOD. bccaufc thathewajannoyntcd of the Father , and togethci: wiih she holy Gholtc V 4 ^ ^g Ti}e Commem, of/lJ, Jo, Calume> he to Dkc the hortciir of the kinp dome & of the priefthood. 5imcoa is TiiJc t» haiie come into the teinplc by the fnirit : thatis, by fccretinftiiKfl and ccrtainc feiiclationthat he ihoiild nicctc Chnfte, 29, 7^w lette/} thon th f fernant ({ei}^rte. Bythisfonge it appcareth that Si- meon beheld the fonnc oif God with other eyes^then with the eyes of the fiefh.* for the outward beholding of Chrill coulde bring nothing but a contempt, at the Icaft it coald not fohaiie fatisfied the mindc o.'^the holy man, that fa glad as cnioyin^ the fiime of all his dcfircs , he fliould mike hailc to die. Therefore the fpiritofGodhohrnedhis eyes with fayth, that he might difcerne the: glory of the fonne of God m thit vilc & contemned habite.VVhe he fiith that he would depart in peacc,hc vnderftandcth that he would die With a quiet minde, as hec that WIS fiilcd5& had obtamcd his defires. But it is demanded if he fhould haue died before, fliould Simeon haue bin drawne to it with trouble and tumult, as they vfe that are vnwilling ? I anfwere, the circumftance which is added, is to be noitid y^ccordinq to thy word. For feeing God hath promifed liim the fight of his Son,. It was fit he fliould ftay in luf^jence .• nay, it behooued him to hue care- fully ,vntiU that he wis made partaker of his hope. Thjs is thcrforeto beobfcr- ucd, becaufe that many falfly & naughtely doe pretend the example of Simeo, boafting that they would willingly die, if it wei*e granted them to emoy this or that matter, when as yet th.y tike liberty tothemIeliie$ to conceauc vow-s ac- cording to their owac lufts or to fo.-s^c v^inft hopes without the word of God^- If Simeon had fa. d precifdy now wth a ftaied & a quiet minde I will AiZy be- caufe I hiuelecnetnc Tonne of God^n this fpeach he had bewrayed the weake. nes of his fayth •• but becaufe hehad the worrep4red. By th^fe wor Jes Simeon (ignifieth that Ch.rAftcYV,iso:d lined of Oowijthat all people mi;^hc cnioy his grace, and that ihord vponthe Harmem of the Emngehfief^ JJ9 ^-. tly afur Iiee fhoiild be placed vp on high, that hec might tiunc the eyes of alTmcn vnto him. Andinthiswordehecomprchendeth what Prophefics fo- cuer there bee of the encreale of the bnodome of Chnftc Butif Mmcon tm- br xcino the tender infant in h.s armcs coulde yet extend his mind to the vtter bord c?s of the world, that hce acknowledged his prefent power cucry where: howmuchmore doth ubccomevsat this day tothinkemort royaly ofhim, fith that he is lilt as a banner to the Gentilcs^and hath made himaUc knowne to the whole woilde. i ^i -a u l t ^ Uthe Gentiles, that allthcy in common might obtainefaluation in Chr ft A lioht to h^hten, fignifieth as much as if it had beene fayde, to g.ue iTahrtothe Gentiles:whereby weo.t: erthatmenai^^ vn 11 th u Chnft the funne of nghtcoufaefte iWne vnto them^ As concerning Cel although they were endued w.th greathonour fiom God yet Simeon (hemthtLtlll this glory dependcth of this one h^^^^^^^ promifed ^^^"''^ ^^^^ ^ ^. ^ndlofel>b ani his mother marHailed at thofe thhiTes, "which wcrefpok^n tench tng him. 3 4» jind Simeon hleffed them^ c^/^/^O'Wfo Mary his mother : bebolde, this chide is appointed for the fall and riftng againe of many in Ifradl^^irforajigne yvhich PjalUeefpot^na'i^ainft* ' 55. Yea,and a {rrordefhall pierce through thy fottU, that the thoughtes of many hearts may be opened, 3 6. ^nd there xvas a Vrophetejfe, one oinna the daughter of Thanuel, of the tribe of^fer, vphich voas of a 3 7 ♦ ^ndfijee was yviiowe foure fcore and foure yeares, and went not out of the temple, but ferued God vpithfafiings and prayers, night and day^ 3 8 . She then commir.g at the fame infante yppon them, confeffed likewife the Urd,and fpa(e ofhim to al that looked for redemption in lerufalcm. 29, Jndvohen they had performed aUtUnges ac. cordmg to the law of the Lord,the^ returned into Gable, t9 their oytneclttylSl^areth. P f 33«^«a' l^latthew. pO The Commem* efM. lo, Caluine* I J . Jndlofef>h ^ his mnther. Luke doth not fay that they were amazed as at t new or a ttrange matter,but that they rcuciently cofidcred,& with due eitima- tio embraced this prophefie of the holy Gholt,oui6fthe mouth of Sime6,ihat they might more & more profit in the knowledge of Chrift, And we are taught by this exaplejafter v/e arc once infl nided in a right f aithjto gather wiiat fmail helps foeacr may fecme to auaile for the conformation of the fame : for he hath then rightly proHttcd in the word of God,who ceakth not to efteeme whatfo- cuer he daily rcadeth or hearethjfor the continuall itinhct ance of fayth. 54. ^ndStmeonblcOed them. If thourefcrrcft this to lofeph & Maryjihere is no difficultie in the matter, but becaufe Luke (cemcth to comprehend with the Chrii^j it may be demaundcd by what right Simeon tookc vpon him this office of bleffingjfor the Icfle is blefled of the greater ,as the Apoflle teacheth.Heb. 7. 7. Furthermore, it fee meth tobcabfurde,thatany mortallmanfliould coceiue prayers for the fonn of God,I anfvver that the Apoitle doth not (peakc of euery ble/ling, but of the prieftcs only, for men othcrwife do blciTe one another. And it is more probable that Simeon as a priuate man, and as one of the common fort of the people blefled them, rather then as a pubhkeperfon • for as it is faidc before, he was neuer called a prieft. But there is no abfurdiiie ifwc fay that he pr jyed for the happie fiicceflc of the kingdome of Chrifte, becaufe the (pirit in the Pfalme, commaundcth this mancrofblcfling to all the godly. Behold this childeisal>pointed» Simeonproperlydiredeth this fpccch to Mary, yet it ge- nerally belongcthtoali the godly. The holy Virgine had neede of tUis admo- nition, leaft that (he triumphing at thefc pleafant bcginninges, as it commonly commcth to paffe, (houlde bee the Icfle able to beare the forrowes that were tocome.Andalfo, leaft flicefliouldc hope that Chrifte ftiouldc bee receiucd with the gcnerall fauour of all the people , but rather that fhce might bee armed with imuncibleftrcngth of the minde againftall contrary bhftes' But yet the fpirite of God woulde dehuer a generali dodrine to all the godly that they beholdmg the worlde with wicked contumacie rclifting Chrifte, llioulde not bee ft.aken no: broken with fuch harde dcahng . VVec knowe howc guejous and fore a hinderance the vnbeliefe of the worlc is vnto vs J but it behooucth vs to ouercome it , if wee will belceue in Chnft<; Jefu .• for the eftite of menne was neuer bioight to Co good paffe , that the greater parte lliouldcfolLw Chrjfte . Wherefore itisne* ceffary that whoioeuer fliouldegiuc thcirnames to Chrifte fhouldebccin- ftiudedinthcfe principles , and armed with the fe defences, thatthcymay continue m his f lyth. JJut this was a moft grieuous temptation, that Chrifte wasnotknowneofhisowne.Nayhewas contumelioufly rtie,the fpirite doth fo pronounce a puniftimentvpon the vnbeleeuers , that wee mioht Icarne to goe farrc from them, leaft companic (houlde vyrappe s%ia theW deftrudion. And Chrift is notthercfore any letleto^bebeloued for thatheeiiiina, many faUdoyvne: forthefauour of.die Gofpell ^^^afeth noj to bee pleafantandacceptibletoGod, although it be. deadly to the wi.ked ^If any man demaund how Chrift can bee an occallon of falling to the vnbe- lecuers which now arc deftroyed without him; The anfwere is eade .- thhm a dreamejaying: ' XViaiKC^ | LUKC, ^rife^and ukf the babe and hit mother ^andfise in- to Egypt, and bee there till J bring thee worde , fir Herode ^illfeeke the babe to defiroy hinu 14. So hee arofe and took^ the babe and his mo- ther by night, and departed into Egypt. X f . ^nd was there ynto the death of H erode, that it might beefuIJilUd, \phich wa^fpok^nofthe Lorde by the Vrophety faying : otn of Egypt haue I tailed my fonne. 1 6. Then Herode feeing that hee rras mockfd of the wife men, ^as exceeding wroth and fentfoorth and few alt the male children that were in Bethle^ hem, and in all the coafles thereof, from twoyeares olde and ynder, according to the time which he had diligently fearched out of the wife men. 1 7. Then tcai thatfi^fiM whicJ? W4J f^oh^n vpon the H^.rmonie of the 'Eumgelifies^ f^ hy the Vrophet leremiof, faying. 1 8 « In }{ama vctn ay^yce heard , Mourning and "Vreepin^i and great lamentation , l{achell weeping fon her children and vtomU not btcomforttd^ becaufe they r^cre not, 1^4 ^fter their departure. How many dayes there were betwcene the <3e- parture ofthe wife men, and viitiU the time that lofeph was commaunded to flee into Egypt it is vnknown, neyther is it any great matter ; but that it is pro- bable that the Lord fp.ired Marie vntiU fiiee were ftrong out of her childebed, that fhee might be able to take her journey. And this w.u the wonderful conn fellofGod, that heewouidepreferue his Sonne by flight :anditis not to bee doubted but that the minde of lofeph was fuaken with dangerous temptations when ns there was no hope Ihcwedhmi but oneiy by flight; for in 'flight there was no token of the help ot God,thcnit was very vnhkely thathe which ihculd. be the fauiourofall men could notbe preferucd but by the ayd of a mortal ma. But the Lord held this moderation in prefcruing his (onne, that he might flievf feme fignes of his heauenly power, and yet he fliewed not the fame fo euidct- ly, but that it llionld lie hid vnder a forme of infirmitie .• for as yet ihe timcwis not come thatChriii flnonld be openly glorified . It is an cuident (licwc of the Dcitie, in th.it the Angelhoretelieth a matter hid and vnknowiie to men : and it appertameth to the infirmitie of the flerh,wheieunto Chriil was become fub ietfljin that he commandcth to defend the life of the childe by flight and ba- niflimentjbutheercby we are taught that God doth not alwayes prcferue his children by one meane, but now he flieweth his power glonoufly, and now a- gaine he flieweth fome httiefparkes of the fame from vnder obfcure couerings or iliadowes. Now this wonderfuilmaner of preferuing the Sonne of GOD vnder the croirejdoth teach i hat wee doe wickedly , which doe defcribe a cer- taine way to God. Therefore letvs fufferour faluation to be furthered of him by diuersmeanes, neyther let vsrefufe to bee humbled, that thereby hee may the better (hew forth his glory . But cfpecially wcemuit not flee the croffci yvhcrcwitJiiieexercifedhisfonne eucnfromhis firft infancie . Furthermore this flightisaparcof thefoohrhnefl'eof theCrcflVjbut whichexcelleth all the wifedomeofthe worlde. That the fauiour of ludea might come foorth in his time, he is enforced to flee out of the fame, and Egypt nouriflieth him, fronn whence ncuer any tLingcamtbefore^but.thatwhich was deadly to the church. ofGod. Who is not amazed at ibJs fo fodaine a workc of God? Againe hereof gather Hk certaintie of the dreame, in that lofeph prefently obeieth the commande-. mi^ntof the Angell, for his readinefle to obey, doth plainly Ihew that he doub- ted not, but thathchad God for the authour of his flight which hee was about totake. Yet this may feeme to rife vppondiftrulljbecauie that hee hifleth To fpeedily, for this fie eingalfo in thenight cannot be withoutfcare .• buttheex- cufe is eaficHe faw that the meanes which God had ordained for their prefer* ;iation,was very meaneand bafc, therefore hee gathereth that it is lawful! fijrhim fearefuUy to. flie. in the night ,,a$ vfe is in. emcains dsangcrs'. pif rhe Conmtfit. ofM. /#♦ Caluine fo it behooueth vs .^Iwayes to moderate our feare at the vvarningcs of God, ?o the which if the Lord confent, it {hallnotbeagainftour faith Eee there till I brinis a domed, doth fo properly belortg to him as to Chri'ftc •• for the Fathers tafted that grace of redemption, which through Chrirfc is giuenvs tocomprehcnde at thefull . ThatMatthewe placc'thirhisworde Prophets in the plurall number . the anfwcrcis eafie, becaufcthat booke «rf the ludees wascompofcd bydiuers Prophetes. Yet Ithinkc, thatthat whichc IS hecre fctte downe of the Prophetes -doth rcache farther For iwq>h ( whowas a temporal] preferuer of the Church , and many waycs bare 1 « ^fonthe Harwome fffthe Eftangeitfieu joi bare a figure of Chiift, or was rather a iiuely image of himjwas called the Na- xarite of his brethren^ Gcn« 49. i6, and Dcut. jj. 1 6. Therefore God wouldc that the excellent dignitic, whereof he had made a fhewe in lofcph, {houlde ihinc in Sam^-fon, and he gauc him the name of a Nazarite , that the fajthfull being inftruaed with thele fmall beginnings, might more diligently looke for their rcdeemei- which was to come, who was to be fcperate from all, that hec might be the Hrft borne amongft many brethicn. Luke, 24 Matthew Marke. 4° ^ndthechUdgrew^audr^axcd/^ronginfpmt and vrasJilUd xeith wifedome, and the grace of GOD reas "Vfith him, 4 1 . 2^w hii parents nvent to lerufalem (Heryyeart atthefeafi ofthepajfeouer. 4 X-, ^nd vrhen hee was 1 1 .yeare oldcy ^ they wer9 come yp to lerufalem after the cufiome ofthefeaft^ 4 1 ^nd badfni/hed the dayes thereof ^ as they re-' turned y the chtldejefus remained in leriiptlem^ and ifl» feph h^eve not^ nor his mother. 44.- But they fuppofingy that hee had beetle in the companiej went a dayes iourneyyand fought him amom their kinsfolke and acquaintance, 4 y ^fid i»hen they found him notythey turned hacj^ tolerufaUmy and fou^ght him* 4^. .And it came to pajje three daies after, th Infumme, except a man (hould denie Chrift to be made very man,let him not be afhamed alfo to coitfeflc that hee willingly tooke vpon him all thofe thingej which cannot be fcpcratc firom our humane nature. And it isfoolifhiy obieded that ignorance could not light vppon Chrift jbccaufe it was the puniihment of linne,for the fame miy be faid alfo of death .• butrather the fcripture affirmeth that he fulfilled the office ofa mediator, becaufe that what puniOimctsfocuci: wchad deferuedjhe tooke from vs and laid vpon himfclfe, Furthermore they do very grofely and ignorantly, in that they make ignorance a puni ihment of fin .• Ibrit cannot be thoughr,thit Adam when he wasyet found, knew all thinges. Neither do the Angels beare thcpunifhment of fin, when they arc ignorant of any thing: Some conclude more fubtily, that there was no ignorance in Chrift, becaufe that ignorance is a fault. But thefe alfo doe take very euill a falfe and a vaine principle • for otherwifc it were neceilary for the Angels to be like to god that they might be without fault. Blindnefte or ignorance of a mans minde is a faultj and is worthily accounted as apartoforiginallfinne.-butherc is no other ignorance attributed to Chrift, then fuch as may be in a man piu-e from all fpo: offinne. But when Luke fayth that he waxed ftrong in fpirit,& was filled with %viledome, he meancth whatfoeuer wifedome is in men, and dnyly growech in them, that it flowcth out of this oncly fountaine,that is fra.n the fpirit of God ♦ Thatfpeach which follo/veth ( th" grace of God vom xvkU him ) is more gencrall, Ibrit comprehendcth what e^ccUcncic focuer was in him. 41. 2\{pw Jnf ^rents went etterj yeare, Heere is the godUnefte of Mary and lofeph prayfed , becauft that they diligently exercifed thcmfelues irx ^9 ontVYArdc YVOOflhippc of God. Aad ihcy tooke aot this yccrely iour^ " " "- - - ncy. ^cft the H^rmmc of the 'Euafigelifies^ ?> ^5 rcy vpon them rafnly, but by ihc commandementof God : for in that the law onfy coirandeth the irales, that they flionld prefent thcmfclues in tke fidit of Gcd, It doth not wholy exclude women,bi;t by permiflion fparcth thein And by this note is pure religion dircemtdfromvaine& wicked fuperftitions for that fhe keepcth her felfe in obedience to God, and the commandcmcntofhis law; but ihe other wander after their own fanfie befidethewordof God with out any ccrtaine rule. And although the woi (hip ofthe Temple was infcded with many corruption s,& the prieflhood filcable, and the dc drine filled with many errours ; yetbecaufe that the ceremonies of the lawe did as yet flourifh thcre,& they kcepe the outward rite of facrificing,as was appointed in the law itbthooued the faithful to teftifie their fay th by fuchcxercifes.Butthcnam'eof father is after the conr.on opinion of mcnjimproperlygiue vnto lofeph. 44. That het haa heene in tht company. It appcarcth by diuers place's of the Scripture, that they which camion the feaftdaycs to the Temple to worfli'p did Tfc to make their iourney in great companyes. Wherefore it is no maniailc ifthat lofeph and M ary were not fo carefull for the childe the firft day. But af- ter they (he we that they wae not caielefle, tneythcr throughe floth norncpli. gcnce^ ° 4^. Sitting in the middefl of the Doff ours. There muft needs {hme Come beames of Gods glory openly in the childc, that he was allowed to (Itte by thofe proud men. And although it bee probable that hec fate in fomc lower leate rather then in the place ot the Dodours : yet thefe proude diCdainfull men would nc- licrhaue giuen him the hearing in the puMike aflembly , except c that feme diuine power had compelled them, therefore this was but a figneofhis calling whofe full time was not yet come . And thcrcforehccgaue them this oncly tafte , which prefentlymcnhaddc forgotten , butthat.Mary kept it laydc vppe in her heart, that afterward es fhc might bring the fsmc from thence with other trcafurcs for the common vfcof the eodly. And thefe two thinoes arc to Be noted, that all men mariiailed, becauie that they accounted it as a^vonder that a childe fliould frame h,s quellions lo aptly and fitly* Againc in hearing-& demaunding, Chnftc himlelfe rather played the parte of a fchollef then of a maifter. Becaufe that as yet he was not caUed of his Father , that hce might profefle himfelfe a publike Dodour of the Church, he doth oncly moue qu^i- ons modtflly to the Dodours. Yet it is not to be dcubted,but that by this cr- crcife hee nowe beganne to rcproue their corrupt maner of teaching .• for that Khrch Luke addeth after of anfwcrs, I interprcat to bee vfcd aftcj: thcHebrcw maner, for any word orlpeach; Matthew. Klarkc* Lvkci, 48. So when theyfaw him, they urere tcmteifi/iiii his mother fayd ynto him . Some y^hy h^ijit thou tijus dealt with rs ? ^eholde, thy father and jyuejtm^hi thee wkh heauy hearts, 4 9 * Then fayde hee ynto them : Howe is it tUttty fought me^ h^ewyte not that Inwfi go4ihout wyjathen ^hufineffu ^4 f»5 *!! 104 ^^^ QorrmentlofLMlh. Cdum, 50. But they yr.derjioode not the y^oorde that he€ fj^akeyntothem, 5 I . Then he xpent dovfne Xfith them, and cams t9 T^Xareth^an^ vasfi*hieCito themyatd his ntother kept all thefefayings in her heart. 5 1 . jind lefiis increafed in VPifedome andfiatttre and infaaour with God and men. 48. Hii mother fayi^ In my iudgementthey are deceiued which thinke that the holy virgin e fay d foasboaftmgof hcrauthoritie. But it may bee that ihce haiiin^-^ him afide, and no witiiefle being by,rhe began at the length to expoftu- Ltc vv!th her fonne, after that he was come from the aflembly . Howfoeuer the niattei- was, thee was not cariei away with aiibition, but becaufe of her three daycs forrowe, fhe vtterc-1 this complaint vnto him : yet that fhe expollulatcch as it'lhe Wis vniuftly iniuri'^d, doth plainly declare howe ready wee are by na- tue, hailing no regard of God, to defend our ownc right. This holy virgine hid rather haue di'j'd a hundr-d t m,s then off.tpurpofe ofminde fhce woulde prefer her felfe before G.:)d -.but while fiiCecockcrcth her motherly forrowe^ throu:»hinconfidentioafl-e{hdeth into that fault. And truly by this example Wjareadmo.nifhedto fii{p:fl:alltheafFcdionsofthefle(h, and howe necdfu'l ic is for vs to take hired, leaft that we hold our right further then is conuenicnt, & bein? addift to our khcs, we fhould defraud God ofhis honour. 4 9. a:«?w -^emt. Chri ft reprehend eth his mother worthily, yet he doth the (ame foarinsiy &oentiy.ThefLimrneis,!hatthe dutiewhichheowethto God his father, is farre to be preferred before all obedience to men«Therfore thofe earthly parcntes doe ill, which forrowe that they are negledcd in refpede of God.Andhereofisagencralldodrineto begathercdAVh^tfoetieris due vn- to men , ou ^ht to be fubied to the firft tabic of the law, that the power of God may remaine vntouchcd. So obedience is to be giuen to kinr^s, to Parents and to maifterscbut no otherwife then vnder the powerofGod.-thatiSjthat nothing be taken or pulled from God for mans cuifc : neytherisour obedience then broken towardes menne, when as there is an e/peciall regarde hadde of God*. ^boHt my fathers bufinejfe. By this woorde hce dcclareth that hcc hath fomc- whatgreucrthenmanne . Hcealfo declareth the principallcnde why hce Wa^fenc into the worlde .• namely, thathce mightfilfill the office cnioy- ned him ofhis hcaucnly father. But it is marucll that lofeph and Mary vn- derftoodc not this anfwcr who hadde beenc taught by many tcilimonies that Icfus WIS the fonne of God , lanfvvere : Though they were not altogether ignoraiintofthe hcaucnly ftocke of Chrifte, yetthcy vndeiftoode not in c- uery poynte that hce was occupied in fulfilling the comrnaundcir.entes of the Father , becaufe thatasyet his calling was net euidently made knowne vnto them. But in that Mary kccpeth in her heart thofe thinges, which as yet ftieeconcciuethnotin th? vnderftanding of herininde, lettevslearne rc- Sjicrently to take, and (asfcedcconceiuedinthecarth isnourifhcd) to lay rppc mour mindesthofe myfteries of God, which as yet cxccU the capacitic of 0{ur minde. %i^ He was fi*hkCi to them. This humblencs in that the Lord & head of Angels. vfon the Harmmie oftheEuangelifies. j q - Angclles willingly made himfclfe fiibied to moitall creatures, did Chrift take vponhim for ourfaluatio. Forfo had the counfdlof God determined that for a time he (hould be hiddc vnder the name of lofeph, zs vnder a fliadov/. And though no nccefTitie enforced Chrift to this fubu dionjbut that he mioht hauc exempted himfclfe from the fame: yet becaufe that vpon this condition hec had taken the nature of man vpon him^that he might be fubicd to his parentes & withal, hce tooke vpon him the peifon of a man and cf a fcruant, as concer- ning the office of a redeemer, this was his lawfidl condition, fo that it becom- meth euery one of vs more willingly to beare that yoake, that Ihall beUyd vp- on vs of the Lord. Matthew. J ♦ Marke. i. Luke, j. I. ^nd, in thofe day es John the Ba^tiji came and pre a-^ cbed in ihe mldernes ofI$*- dea. 1 . Tipvp in the fifteenth "^eare of the raigne ofTiberh us Ctfar,VontiHi TiUt being 1 ♦ The beginning of the Gofpel ofleft^i Chnjie, the fonne of God. 1* ^sit is vpritten in gof^rnoftroflttdea^Herod 2, ^ndfaid ^repent y for thcVrophets: Behold,! fend j beingtetrarch ofGalile^and the kingdom o^heauen is at my meffenger before thy \hii brother philiptei.rarch of faceypohichfhall prepare thy ' Iturea^^ofthe countrey of way before thee, J. The yoyce of him that iryetl) in the wildernes is, prepare ye the vay of the hand. J . For this is he efr»ho itisfpok^n by the Trophet EfaiaSyfaying^ the yoyce of him that icr^eth in the rril- dernesyisjprepareye thevpay of the Lord, mah^ hispathes Jireight^ ' 4* .And thislohn had hrs garment of camels haire^ knd a girdle of a sJ^n abont hisloynes: his meat was alfo locuf^es and wildhonney. ^. ThenXfentottttohim Jertifalem and all Iudea,cir all the region round about Jordan. 6. jind they vpere hap- ti fed of him in lordan^con^ fijji^g their fnnes^ TrachojHtis, (^ Lyfamas the tetrarch of.Abylene. 1. ff^otn .Annas ^ Caim phas were the high pritjies , Lorde, and mah^ his pathes j the rporde of God came ynto fireight. I John, the /on ofZacharias in 4 ♦ John did haptife in the the wilder nest wildernes ^^ preach the bap\ j . ^nd h«e came t^nto all tifme of amendment oflife, ^ the cofis tfhrdan, preaching forremifftonoffinnes. i^the baptifme of repentance^ J« .And all the countrey 'for the remffton offinnes. ofludea, & they oflerufa- | 4 • ^^ it i% mitten in th e lem went out ynto him, and , hool^ofthe fayings ofEfaias theprophet^whicfjfayth^the yoyce of him that cryeth in the wildernes is, prepare yee the way of the Lorde, mak^ his pathes /freight, ^« JLuery yally/Ijalhe fL led, (^ euery mountaine and hill fhalbe brought lowe,and crooked things /hall be made fireight, and the rough xcaies J?)all he madefmooth. 6 . .And all/le/hjhal/ee ■ ^. . . the/aluationo/God. 'Jllthonghthat is parte of the Gofpell which wee haue fetdowne bre- foreoutof Matthewe and Luke , yet it is not without a caufe that Marke- G 5 31CC0UB* were all baptifed of him in the riuer oflordan^ conf*/- /mgthtir/innes* 6. 1S(ow lohn was cha- thed wiih camels haire, and with a girdle of a skin about his loynes,.^ he did eat lo-. cup; sand wiidhonney^ JO ^ The (/imment. iftjlf. lo . Calume^ accounteth the beginning of the Gofpell at the preaching of Tohn Baptift. For ns it iS recorded in the firft of John , that then the law and the prophetcs wt re ended. The lawand the Prophets to lohn^and fince the kir.gdome of G O D^ Luke. \6 j6. And tothis very aptly agreeth the tcftimony of Malachy, which heealleac^eth. The Lordc that he might the tnoreincenfethemrndcsofmen to the defire of the promifed faluation, had ordayned for a time, th.nihe peo- ple Ihould bee without new rrophefies,and we knew that Malachy was the laft of the law full and certaine Prcphtts , Alfo leait the hungry Tewes flioulde in the meane while faynt, hcc exhoitech them that they ihouldkecpe thcmftlucs vnderihe lawof Mofts, vntiU the promifed reden^ption fiiouldappearc. And heemakcth mention of the law one^.y, becaufe that thedodrineof the Pro- phets doth diflVr nothing from the fame •. but it was only an Appendix & more full expofition, that the whole manner of gouerning the Church might depend vppontheJaw. Anditisnontw or vnaccuitomcd matter in the fcripture, to comprehend the Prophcfics vnder the name of the law : becaufe that ail of the were referred to thcmjas to their fountaine and principall poynt And the Gof- pell was not an inferiour addition to the lavye, but a ncwe manner of teaching, which abiogatcth that firft • Malachy alfodilcerning a double eftate of the Church, appoynteth the one vnder the law, and beginneth the other vndcr the Gofpell.For it is not to be doubted but that he meancth lohn Baptift,when he fiyth .* Behold, I will fend my melTcnger .becaufe ( as it is nowc fayd ) here is an exprelTe diftindion made betwccnethelaw, and the newe order &€ftate o£ the Church, which was tobecinthefameroome. In the fame fence hchaddc layde a little before ( that which is cited by Marke ; for the places are very Lke) Behold I fend Elyas the Prophet to you, before that great day of the Lordc flull come, Alfo, behold I fend my mcfl'enger, who fhall make cleanc the way before me, then fhall the Gouernour,whomyefecke,come to his temple. Bc- caufethat he promifcth in both thefe places a better eftjt of the church,the was vnder the Gofpell, without doubt the beginning of the Gofpel is thereby no- ted • And before the Lorde fhould comefoorth to reflore the Church, it is fayde that a forwarner and cryerfhoiildc come before him, who fhouldc de- clare that hce was athande : whereby wee gather the abrogation of the lavrc and the beginning of the Gofpell, properly to be fet in the preaching of lohn. But (ith lohn declareth that Chrifle was cloathed with flefh, both his nati- uitic, and the whole hiftoryofhis appearance IS contayned vnder the GoC- pclL But here Marke declareth when the Gofpel began to to bcepubliflicd,whcr- forc he doth not without caufc begin at lohn, who was the firfl minifter of the fame. And for this caufc was it the will of the heawenly fatherto bury,as it were in filence, the life oi his fonne,vntil the time of his full reuelation (hould come. Ncy thcr was it done without the determinate prouidencc of God, that the E- uangclifls fliould palle by that whole time, that Chrift lyued priuatly at home: and (hould by and by paflc from his firfl infancy tothc thyrtieyeere of his age, wherein hee endued with the cflatc of a publikc perfon, is openly (hew- ed as ixdcemcr to the worlde ; but that JLuke bricfiy touchcth aboute vpm the Hdrtnonie efthe Emngelifies. joy the twelfeyearcone figne and token what his calling (houldbe. And this cfpe- ciallyappeitaineth for this caufc ; firft, toknowethat Chriftwas very man, and then the fonneoF Abrahamand ofDauid, which the Lord woulde teaific vntovs. 1 t 1 r The reft which we haueretdowne of the {hepheardes,thewirmen,and Si- meon^doeappcrtainctotht^proiiingofhisDeitie. And that which Luke dc- clareth of lohn and his father Zacharias, was as a preface to the Gofpell.Thcr isnoabfurditieinchanaina theperfoninthewordsof Malachy. Thus GOD fpeakethbythc prophet .-ffend my meffcnger, and he (hall prepare the waye before me . But by Marke the father is brought in fpcakmg to the lonne . But we fee thatMarke had no other purpofe,then thathe might more fully declare the mindc of the Prophet. ^ , t , i Marke giueth Chnft the title ofthefonne of God, whom the other Euan- gelifts wittiefled to be borne of the feede cf Abraham and of Dauid , that hec mightalfo be thefonne of man.But Markethereby declareth that no redempti- on can be hoped for, but from the fonne of God* Mat ^ i.Inthofedayes. Lukt. i* I. h.thefifteenthyeere. It cannot be gathe, red out of iviathew and Marke what age Tohn was of, whenhee began to come abroad. But L V K E declareth euidently that he was then thirtic yere oldc or there about. The olde writers of the Church declare almoft with one con« fent, that he was borne fifteene y eare before the dcathof Au^uft us. His facceC^ foar Tyberiushad now inioyed the Empire fifteene ycares when the fame loha began to preach ; therefore that time of thirtie yeares which I fpakc is gathered.* whereby italfo foUoweth, thathe did not long execute the office of a teacher,. but that in fliort time he gaue place vnto Chrill .• for Chrift as a little after wee ihallfee was alfo baptized when he was thirtie yearc olde,and then he was en - tred to the performace of his officc^But when Chrift the Kinnc of right eoufncs, prefcndy followed lohn his morning ftarre^or rather the morning,itisno niar- uailc if that lohn vaniftipd away, that Chriftes oneiy glory might be the more manifeft. LV. V ont ins V Hate. It is probable that this was the fecond yearc of Pilate. For after that Tiberius had obtained the Empire, lofephus declareth in theeighteeenthbooke of Antiquities, that he created Valerius Gratus gouer- nour of ludca, placing him in the roome of Annius Rufas , And this putting onein an others roome, might fall out in the fscond yeare of his gouernment. The fame lofephus declareththat Valerius was gouernour of ludea for the ipace of eleucn ycares, therefore Pilate hadde hold en that prouince .ibouc two yeare, when lohn beoanto preach the Gofpell. This HcrodwhomLukema- keth Tctrarche of Galile, was the fecond heire of Herod the great , who fiic- ceeded his father by will: for the goucrnment of ludea was giuen to Archclaus but when he was banifhed by Auguftus into Vienna, that p®ition fell into the handes of the Romans for a pray. So Luke heererehearfeth two of Herod cs fonnes: namely,Herode Anti- pas, who was made Tctrarch of Galilc, and had in poflefsion, Samaria and PeriBa,and Philip who was Tetrarchof Trachonitisand Iturca, raigned from, the fea of Tiberias or Gencfara,to the foote^ofLibanuSjf*6 whence the fioud lordanariftth. " ^»v , Xhcx^ loS The Comment i of M.U.Calmne They vntmclyinnagiriethatLyfariias wasthefonne ofPcolomeus Mcfl- n2us,whowas kingofChalcis, who had becncllaine before by Cleopatra, about thirtieycercs before the birth of Chrift, aslofephus declar.th in his fitLe-nthbof keofantiqu:ti'.s. Alfohceconldfcarflyhauebeene his nephew, vvhom the fame lof^phus in the firft boolic ofthe warrc of the lewes reportcth to haue beene the kindkr of the Parthian wane. : for then hee ll-ouldc liauc beene aboiic threefcorc yeereold« Furthermore^feeingthathc ftirred the ParthianstowarrevnderAntigonus ^hewasof neccflidcthengiowen to tLeliiteofam:>n. But ProlomeusMennajus died not long after the flaughter cf lulius CxOr, being cntred into the office of the Triumuiu betwecnc Lepi- dus, Antonius,andOthitmay be fully erknowne, howvnfeperably they are loyned together : therefoi e in entreating cfrhisd^^afine I am the Iparer. ^ Butfoirthe b'etteryndcrltandingofthisprefent place , '^ « "lectc ta obftruc that th^ wh6!e€6lpell cdifHteth of two partes .forgmenc^^ oflmnes, andrepenrauncc. And in that Matthe we noteth the fir t parte j^ the kWaome of hcauen , it may hereby bee gathered, that ^crc was hofld^diffention betweenemenneandGod, and that they vvcrc wholy ba nifiicd out of the kmgdomc of heauen , vntiU that God A^^"^'^^ ^f^^^ Iio The Cdrmffenf* tfM. lo, Calftme^ rcceiue tlictn Into his fauour. And though lohn propofing the grace of God, exhortcth men to repentauncc, yet it ii to be noted, that this alfo ii the gift of God, afwell as the inhentauncc of the kinedome of hcaucn. For as hee fi eefy forgiueth'vsour finnes, and by his mercy dchuereth[vs fromthc'gtnltincfl'e of eternall death , fo alfo hec rcpayrcth v$ after his ownc image , that we might liue to righteoufncflc . As hce freely adoptcthvs to bee his fonnes, fohe regenei-aceth vs by his (piiite , that our life might teftifie»that wee do not falf- ly call hire father . And Chrift doth no leflc quicken vs vnto righteoufnefle , by crucifying our oldc man,and by extingui{hing the faults of our flefhe , then he doth wafti away our finnes by his bloud, and appeafe his heauenly Father towardes vs, with the facrificcof his ownc death. Yet this isthe fumme of the GofpelljthatGodembraccthTsinhis Sonne, our finnes beingwaQicdaway t that we denying our f elues, and our ownc nature, might hue hohly & godhly^ and fo (houlde meditate a heauenly hfe vpon the earth. J ♦ L V. Treachin^ the baptifme of repentance. This maner of fpeaking dootb firit generally fliewe , what is the right vfc of the facramentes ; Then for what purpofe Baptifme was inflituted, and what it doth containc. A Sacrament therefore is not a dumbe ceremonie , which (heweth I Wotte not what pompe, without dodrine, but hath the wordcofGOD annexed to 'it , which giueth hfc to the outwarde ceremonie. I meane not that woorde, which fome Exorcift muttereth with magycall whiipe- ringcs.* but that which pronounced with cleare and openvoyce doth auayle to the edifying of fayth . For it is not limply fayde that John baptifci to repentauncc , as if the grace of G O D haddc beene included m the vifible fignc .• but that hec preached what the profitc of Baptifme was, that the fignc might be made effeduall by the wordc preached* And this is peculyar to baptifme, that it is called the feale of repentauncc for forgiucncflc offinne, Nowc feeing that his baptifme hadde the fame fignification , po- wer and manner , which ours haue ; If a figure bee efleemedbythc tructh thereof , itisfalfe, that the baptifme of lolin and Chrifte arc di^ uerfe. MATH. 3. Thtysyceif acrycY inthe-wilierneffe. Although that place oflfaias 40. 1. ought not to be reltrayned onely to Iohn:yet he is one of thcm,of whom that IS there fpoken .• for after the Prophet hath (poiten of the ouerthtow of the CittiCjand tneextreamc calamitieotthe people, hec promifcth anew rtftitu- tion of the people. The words wcrc,thc Lord (hail fay againc,comfort ye,com« fort ye my people. For after the temple was oucrthrowne, and the Sacrificcf abohfhed, the people were leddc into captiuity, andtheiieflatewasalmofte rld» Nay,, Nay it is the purpofe of the Prophet to oppofe the woondcrfu]! «CelI«mcic of faluation , which was to bee reuealed, againilthe former bcnefitts of God, that the faithful! might know that he cneuer dealt lo notably wich the Church, and that the power of God was neuerfo excellently (hewed in the de- liucraunce of his. Flelh in this place doethfignifie men, without the note of finne. t n i t 4. Math. lohn 1 jad. his garment. The Euangelift doetii not account this amonprft his efpeciall v c -tues , that hee was addid to a rude and auitcr e man- ner ofiiiiin^, healfo fled ameane and an accuftomed cleannelTe : But bc- caufe hcc hadfayde before that hee was a man dwelling among the moua- taines» Now headdeth that his mcate and his ipparcU was according to his dwelling place.- And this hee rehcarfeth not onely, that wee might know that he tookc no delicatcs, being content with countrie meate and apparcll; But that in his filthy and contemptible habite he was much elteemcd aironglt men very deli, cateandrenowmcd. Furthermore, as fuperllition appoynted almofta perfeft righteoufnefle m thefe outward {liewcs,they commonly thought that fuch de- cenciewasaheapeofhohiiefle- There was an other fault nearevnto this, that they would imagine that this maji in thisfoIitarielife,abhorred the comoA ma- nerofhuing, as Eremites and Monkesexcell in this one thing 9 ^^^^^Y coulde diflfcrfromthereft. At thelengththercgrewouergrofle ignorance, that they made of his garment of hayres, a whole'skinne. And it is not to be doubted but that the Euangelift defcribeth heere a mountaine man, far re from all vrbanitic fineneflc, and daintineffe, not on ely content with meate that might be gotten, but onely eating naturallmeates .• as wild honie, whereof there was good plen- tie enough in that place,and Loculks^wliereof the country was alfo very fruit- full. Or, becaute it wasprofitiblcj that a man contemned, and not fauou- red for any excellcncic, fliould come forth into the worlde, that the onely raa- ieftie of God might fliine in him, which ytt (hould draw all men to wonder at him. For that is to be noted, which is added, that great concourfe of people came vnto him from eucry place: whereby wee gather howe renowmed his fame was. Or becaufe it was the purpofe ofGod to propose in him a rare ex- ample offrugalitie, that by this meaheshc might allure the lewes to reuerencc his dodrine, or at the Itaft, that hee might conuince the lewes of vnthankfiil- ncflc, according to that faying of Cliriil, lohn came ncyther eating nor drink- ing, &c. Luke 7^5 5^ 6, Mat* %,Mar, They were haptifed, confejjtngtheir finnes. This confeffion was a teftimonie of their repentance. For as the Lord in his facramentes doeth bindehimreUevntovs,.asitwcrebygiiiingvshis hande writing : fo it is alfo mcete thatweflio-ildahfwerehifnagainc. Iiibaptifme he witnefleth that our finnes arc forgiucn vs,and he cnllcth vs to repentance. Therefore that men may rightly offer themfelues vntobaptifmc, they are required to confefle their fins; otherwiie the whole adion (hould be nothing els but a vaine fportc. It is alfo to be noted, that he heere fpeaketh of them that are growne to fome age; who we know ar e notto be admitted without confidcration into the Church,nor by baptifmeto be recducd into ;hc body of Chrift, except tliere bee firft an exa- mination 'vfcnihe Harmcme tfthe Emtigehjles. M^ minatlonhad. Whereby it is manifeft, how ridiculous the PapiftsWere ,tvhich wrcihhis to auricular confcfsion. For the facrificers were not prcfcnt, into fvhofc eares priuily all of them fhould whifper their owne fins .• neither is there mention made of all their finnes, neythcr is it fay d thitlohn commaundcd, or cauc his Difciples an ordinary maner of confef sing : And that wee may graunt: 8ie Papiftesthat, which they require .-Confcfsion ihall belong lo themoncly, that (hall be catechiled.and after Baptifrae it (hall haiic no place. Truely they a. gainft the example of lohn doc prcfcribe a law of Confefsion after Baptifmc. Marke. Luke. j. 7. Then fay d bee to the people that veer e come out to bee baptifiJt of him: 0 generation ofyipers^Vfh^ hath forewarned yoU' to Jlee fro the vcratb to come* 8. Bring forth therefore fruite vporthieamendementoflife^f^ be- gin not to fay with your felues, wee hauejibraham to our father -.for I fay yntoyouy GOD is able of theft Jiones to raife yp children f uSbrd- ham, 9 . T^w alfoit the axe laid ynto the roote of the trees: therefore eue'^ rie tree^ which bringeth notfoorth good fruite ^foall be hewendeiwne^ and cafl into the fire, 10. T hen the people afkfdhint^ fayingywhatjhall wee do: then ? 1 1 . ,And hednfwered^andfaid ynto them: he that hath two coatet, lette him part with him that hath none : and he that hath meate , lei him doe likf wife, 11 Then came there VublicdHt alfo to be baptifed : and fayd yntt him^ maifier, what/hall we doe i Ij* jindhefaydeynto them^ rtquireno^more then that, whith m dppoynted ynto you^ 14. Thefoldiers likfwife demm iedofhimyfayingijind what /hall we doe }jind lie fayd ynto thm^9 yiolence to no man, neyther acemfi ^yfaljly, andhe content withyitr wages^ MAT. T* mlmhef4WMmy$fthnitrife,, mtMiih.%ndUMo Math.j ?♦ I^ow, vphen heefaw many of theVharifes andoftheSadnces come tohisbaptifmeyhee faydynto them^ 0 generation of yy per s , who hath forewarnedyou to flee from the an- ger to corned 8 . Bring foorth therfore fruitet worthy amendment of life, ^. ,4nd thinks not to fay with yourfelues , wee haue Abraham to •ur father :for I fay ynto you, that Cod is able of theft fiones to ray ft yp €hildren ynto jibraham, 10 . jind now alfo it the axe put to the reote of tin trees : therefore e- uery tree,which brinmh not forth good fruit ishevfne Xaiwne, f^caji i»f9thefir«p n ^cchre declare thattoha did not onely generally preach repentance, but a!iat!iat hcs applyed his fpeach tothe perfons. And miely it will bee a cold manner of tea- ching, except the teachers doe wifely confider whatthc time rcquireth,& what is fitte for the perfois: and there is not in this behalfc any thing more vncquall then apcrpetiidl eqiialitie. And for this caufe it is faydc riiat lohi did more fe- li€rcly nandle the Pharifes and the Saduces : becaufethii thiou^h the ho^^ocri- jieand pride, vtherem they fwelled, it feemcd mecte that they Ihoald be more {harpely punilhed then the com non fort of men. Butthatwe may well vndcr- jX2.a^ hispui-pofe, it is to be knowne thatthere is nopcople more without fcafc and fcchn^tnen the hypocrites, which with an outwarde (heweofholincsdc- ceiiie the nlelues and others For as God thunderetheuery where againft th« whale wo:ld.fo they ma faifc ina ;ination frame vntothemfclues a (anduary.* becaufc they are pcrfwaded that they hauc nothing to do w.th the mdgeme t of God If any thiike that lohn dealt prepoUcroufly,that at thefirll ."alutition he cntertayneJ them Co hardly .- I anlwercthat thsy were not vnknown vntohim and the knowledge which he had was not by cultomc or experience, but ra- ther by the lecret reuelation of the fpirit: wherefore they were no whit the lerfe to b e (pared, leafl with the greater pride they fliouldrciiirne home . If any a, gaine llial obied.that they were not to be feared with fofharp a rebuking^, which by baptifme profeflcd that they woulde become other men : an anfwerc is alfo readie, they which are accuftomed to lie to God, and to pleafe theiTifelues,and fliew deceit & difsimulation for the truth, are more hardly to be vrged to true repentance. For there is,a$ I fayd,awonderfullobftinaciein hypocrites^ there* fore vntill they be skoured with violence, they hold very faft their {hew. Now that lohn reproucth and rebuketh them openly before all men, is for an example, in which fenfe Luke reporteth that he fpake this to the people. For though lohn pinched but few men, yet he had regard of all,that he might ftrike afeare intothena • as Paul, i .Tim. j. lo. commandeth, that in open reprouings this profit (hould be lokedfor.Thcrefbre he peailiarly (peaking to the Pharifes and Saduces, doth in their pcrfbn admonilh all the reft, that they Ihoulde not ihew forth a faigned {hew of repentance, for a true affection. Furthermore it was greatly for the profit of all the people to knowe what maner ofmcn the Saducesand the Pharifes were, by whom the worfliippeof GOD wasmiferably corrupted, the Church wafted, and the whole re- ligon ouenhrowne , andtobcelhort, who had with tlieir corruptions es* tinguiftied the lightc of G O D^and wich their finnes had infcdcd all things. Therefore it i$ probable that lohn did openly fette vppon the Pharifes, that bee might prouide for the whole Church of G O D ; that they (hould no morewithavainefhewe holde the cycsofthefimple, noroppieile thepeo-* pie with their wicked tyrannic . And therein was aKb {hcwidhis wonderful! confbncic, thatthough theyetccllei allothcr; yetheefparednottlictrdig- nitie,buc iharpely , as the/ were worthy, he brought them into courfe. S^j it becomneth all go-ily teachers to be bolde* that they ihoald not fcarc any pov» erofmen^butthat without feareth:yihouldifftrme tothrowe downc eucr/ hjghching, whichlifteth vp it (elfc a^^ainft Chrift . If that they which wiUin* III Cftmfi coBaptiihic » cha:; chey lui^hc gine their name to the Gofpetl, rfof! the Harmme of the lEmngeliJles\ I j ^ V«refoiliarpcly falotedly theinflriirr.cntorthe holy Ghoft .• lio^wfru(lwee then doe at this day WJth the proftfTcd enemies of Chrift, which not only ftub- bornly rcfiife all tafle of found do yet the hypocrites doc alway c$ hopie that they arc free. Tojlee the vtrath of Cod, is heare taken in good parte : for it is as much as t(» fcckctothcmeanestoappcafcGod, that he might ccafe to bee angiv with vf. For a grejt number of men, that they might efcape the wrath of Goci dc with- €lraw themfelues fircm his hand and ludgement, but fo the finnei piofiteth no* thing by fleeting from GOD, but doth rather inorc and more cncrcafe his Wrath vpon him. M A T. L V. S* Bring focrththertforefrmtes* He confiimcth that which I faydc before, that the rcpentaunce which is teftificd in woon e$ is of no ▼3Uue, except they prooue the fameindcedcs .• for it i$ a thing more preci- ous, then that thex e fticulde b ce a light and vain* opinion ot the fame. There- fore iohadcnnth, that the open teftimonywhith ^ty gaucn^l fclBcient: 1 1 ^ The Comment, of 2^, lo^ Caiuine, b.it he faith that in procefle of time it (halbe reuealcd by their workes , whe- ther they do caincftly repent. It is to bee noted that good works are called the fruits of repentance; for repentance is inward jwhich is placed in the heart and the minde.but then in the chaiing of the hfe it bringeth forth the fruitcs of the fame And bccaufe that in Popery alhhis point of doctrine was filthily corrwp - tci^ this difference is to be holden^that repentance is an inward renewing of a manjwhich fpringech fonh in outward life,as the tree bringeth forth fruicc out of it. M A T.g.Think^nottofaymthyottrfehei. IN, ^, Begin not to fay. Sithitis cer- t jinc th u there is but one meaning of both thefe fpeaches, we do eafi'y gather w!iat lohn would. The hypocrits doe either lleepe in their fins, or liccntioufly & proudly vaunt thcfelues vntill they be opprefled : but when they are cited to the tribu:iall feat of God, then they carefully fecke mcanes to efcape,& lurking corners,or pretend feme colour; Therfore lohn thus fpeaketh vnto the Phari- ks and Saduccs. Now that you arcfharply reproued of me, doenotasfuch as you are, \(c to do ; that is,(eeke notaremedie by a vaine & falfe pretence. And he wrcfteth fro them that wicked hope, wherewith they were bewitched .- the couenant which God made with Abraha was vnto themmfteadeofaihielde to couer an euil confcience, not that they fctled their hope in the perfon of one man.-but becaufe that God had adopted the whole ftocke of Abraham. In the nieane while they thought not, thatnone are tobceacountcd of the feed ofyv* brahajbut they which follow his fayth,' & the couenant of God is notratifiedj- that it may profit to faluation but by fayth. And that clauft in yow feints is not fuperfluous .• for although in fpeach they did not boaft thcmfelues to be the fon$ of Abraham, yet inwardly they pleafcd thcmfelues with this title : fo that the hypocrites are nothing more aihamed to mocke God then men. - God is able. The lewcs flatter thcfelues almoftfwith the fame pretence, which the Papifts at this day do infolently challen^ to thcmfelues. It is neccflary that xhere ffiould be a Church in the world;for God will bee knowne, and hauc hii name called vpon inthcworldjandthe Church cannot be other where butwith vs, with whom the Lordhath made his couenant.Thc priefts and other,which had the goacrnmct and au:horitie, were cfjjccially puffed vp with this arrogan- cie: for they accounted ihc common peopleprophane and accurfed, as wee readc in lohn, 7«49« And they thought thcfelues to be the holy firft fruits.- as at this day the horned bifliops, Abbots,Canons,MonkSjSorbonifts,& all the fa- crificcrs,being lift vp with the proud title of the Clcargic,doc in comparifbn of thcfelues defpife the laitie. This errour doth lohn rcprouc & refell,in that they doe to ilraightly reftrainc thepromife of God, fhewing that though God had none of them,that y et hcc would not be without a Church.Thcrf ore the mea* ning of the words is,God made acoucnant with Abraha & his fced.Onc things dcceiucth yoj,that whc y oii are more then degcnerat, vou think your felues to be the only fons of Abraha . but god will fro another place ray fc vp a new feed to Abraham, which doth not now appeare.* & he fpeaketh in the datiuc cafe.* He »il raife yp childre ynio jhraham,t\\M they might know the promife of God was nota)noeffcde,andthat Abraham, who obeyed him, fhouldq not bee dc» fidticd i although there vtaatcd fccdc 'in them , fo from the begin- ning vpofi the Harmonic of the Emngelifieu Xiy tiins; of the World, the Lord was trnc to his fcruantss, neither did he euer faylc in performing his promifc of {hewing fauour to their children, although he re- iedcd the hypocrites. That many thinke that lohn fpeaketh this of the callinjr of the ^cntilrs,(cemeth not to niee to be of force:but becaufe that it feemcd in- credible to thefe proud men, that the Church mightbee transferred to any o-» ther place, he admoni(h?th them that God hath meancs to preferue his church which they did not thinke of.* as if he (hould make him children of /tones, MAT. lo. LV. 9.2^0 vprt^/o/it/;tfrfxc. After that lohn had taken that co- wer ofvaine hope from the hypocrites, he prononnceth that the iudgement of God is nigh* Hehadfayd before, that they being caft oft^ thn God (hould not Want apeople . now he addeth that God himlelfe is now in the fame, that hee wight driue the vnworthy out of the Church, as barren trees vfe to be cut vpp. The fummeis,that the hand of God is now flretched forth to purge the church for the grace of God doth neuer fhew it felfe for the faluation ofthe godly t but withal his iudgement commeth forth for the deftrudion ofthe worid,and that fortwocaufcsi becaufe thatthen the Lord feperateth his from the reprobate, and the vnihankefuln es of the world prouoketh his wrath a new Wherefore it is no maniaile, if the preaching ot the Golpell, and the comming of Chrift doe put the axe to cut away the corrupt trees, and fhoulde dayly halt en the vcnge - ance of God againft the wicked* LV. n. The people ap^ed}?im, A true affeftion of repentance cngendieth this carchilnefle, that the finner defiroufly inquire th what God willed and co- manded, and the anfwere of lohn doth breifl v define the fruitcs woorthy of re- pentance. For the world alwayes defireth to bee difcharged ofthe ceremonies towards God, and doth nothing more readily thenfetfaigned and cleuifed vvor Shippings before God, fo oft as he calleth to repentance. But what fruitcs doth ahe Baptift commendcin this place ? The duties of charitie, and ofthe fecondc table,notthat God neglev^'^h arc fairc vndcrncath a Chriftian perfeftion. It wasche of- fcce of John to make the people peifca to the Lord and It is not to be doubted 5.Sffi£t.Vv4gI/ JiicapplycdhimklfciaiEhfttlly in this matter. And trueljrthcy • ' • diflTame vfOH the H^rrmmeofthe EtMngelifies^ 1 1^ ^ZflTamc tlic Gofpell wirh a faery legiousaccuration, which make it contrary to the goucrncmcntef men, as jf Chrift ihould deftroy that,which his hcauca* Jy tathcr had ordayncd ♦ For without the Iword the lawes arc dead , & ihcrc is no power nor authentic in iiidgemenies. Neither hatii thcmagilhate only necde of an execution er,but alfo or other officers,ot which number are loldi- oura, where peace cannot otherwife Dee pi eferued, but by their ayd & hand i onely the cnde is to bee confirmed , that Princes make not a tefting fportc ac mans bloud, that foldiours placed to bellow their helpcsto kill, be notcaritd With the dcfirc ofgaine to cruelty, but that they both becdrawac with ihcnc- ^ciTiticand r^fpe^ of pubhkc profit. l£. Matth.j. Indeede 1 baptife Market. ^nd preached fay^ ^01* with VMter^to amend- 1 ing^Ajir«ngerthenlcem mem of life .• buthtt that i meth after mcywhofe/hooes eommeth after tne^ii migh" j latchet I am not worthy to tier then lytihofejhots lam .fioopedorvne^andynlofe* mt worthy to beare^ he will 8 , True it is J haue bap- lapttfe yot* with the holy [ttfedyof* with water : bttt Chojii and with fire* 11. }yhich bath his ptnne in his hande^and will roak^deanehisjloorey and gather his wheats into Jus garner yhut wil burn yf the shafwith ynquichahlejire hee wil baptifeyoh with the holy Ghofi^ I ' Luke. J* If. ^f the people Waited^ and all menne mttfed tn their heartesy of John, if he werenot the Chrifi, 1 6, John anfwered^ and fayde to them all : Jn deede i baptifeyou with Water i bui one Jironger then I (ommeth , whofejhooes latchet 1 amnoU vrorthy to ynhfe .• he wil bap" 1 tifeyott with the Jfoly Ghofit and with fire, 17* fflnfefannt is inhis handy i^ hee will mak^ cleanc hiifloorty and will gather the wheat into his garner .• but the I chafwiU he bt^rne yp withfirt thatneuerfljalhe qtiemhed, 1 8 . Thus then exhort inr with many other thinges^ ht9. preac hcd ynto the people. The cuangeliftcs repoitcd the fame wordcs of the Baptift . In this one thing Luke is more plcTiufull, in thatthe fiiftjdcclareth vpon whatoccafion thi* Ser* mon W4& made.- namdy, bccauie it was in. daun^crleaft the people through a falfc opinion (hould giue the honour due to Chr.ft, to him. Therefore th.it bee jnightfpccdily takeaway the occafionoftheeirourhc openly iiftififtS that he is not ChiiftjJk fo putt' th a difference bctwccne himfelfe and Chrifi, cat hee might glue him his right. And this hee doch wilhn^ly, that he mi jhtdeliuerhj^ difciples to Chrifi from hand ( as they fay ) to hand hoIamwelpleafed. -j-- ,-'«>, I}. Tobebaptifdofhm. To whit end the fonne of God would be baptifed. We doe partly father by his anIwcrc.Firft there is a fpecial rcafon brought why be was baptifed as we are.that the f aithfull might more certainly be perfwaded that they are orafted into his body^and bur.ed with him through baptifme. But the end which he propofcth here,is larger • for lo it becometh to fulfill all righ- teoufntflc. The word ri^hteoufnefle doth often fignifie as much in the fcrip- ture as the oLfeiuing of thelaw. And fo this place may be cxcounded, thatit became Chrilt, m that he willingly fubmittcd himfelfe to the lawtoperiormc the fame in ttcry point. Ytt I had rather take the fame more limply m this mi- ner as if Chnftdiouldhauefayde, omitnowtof-K-akcofmydign.tie/forthe qucftiOiis not, which of vs two cxcelleth oth. r,but we miift rather looke whae ©urcill ngrequircth,andwhatiseruoyned vsot God the father: for this was the ocncrall caufe why Chnll was baptifcd,thn hemight performc obedience to h^s father, and i he ,peciall cauie was, that he in his own* body might confc- fratcbartiimejthatitmi^htbecommontovswithhiin, ,4. jhuHtneedetohee baptifed of thee . It is ccitamc that John knew© €licift5obcnotonl/anotable|)rophcuifnany4ofooUlhl/drcain,butforthc Luke. J. 2i« T{owitcame topa/feas all thepeo" pie vpere baptifed^ ^ that leftisvas bapti" fed, and did praye ^ that the beauens e* pened» 2 2. ^nd the holy Ghofi came doxvne in a bodily fhape lih^ a Doueyponhimy and there Yeas a yoycefro heanmyfaying -.Th ett art my behttedfonne in thee I am we I plea* fed. l^*>And lefus him felf began to be about thirty yeare of age. i/fm the HdTfffmh if the EmngeUfiesl % 5 • f on of Go(! as be was, Othcrwife he fhould hauc bin iniurious to God fubmit- ting his holy calling to a mortall man. Biichoweheeknew this, ktthe reader* learncoutofthe i.cha i^.oflohn. And this was a probable caufe of refufall, that Chrift had no need of baptifme.-but in. this doth lohn faile,thathe confide reth not that he dcmadeth baptifmc for others fakes. Therfore Chrift coman- dethhimtoconfiderwhatbclongcthtohina ihatoccupieththe place of a fer* uant.becaufe that voluntary fubiedion doth derogate nothing from his glory* And although in that fo great a man fome part of his office was hid for a time: yetthatpeniailarerrorliiOuldnothindertheBaptiftjbutthat rightly & law- fully he (lioiild hauc executed his office. By which example we are taught, that they which haue an office inioynedthe of the Lord, may not do any thmgrafh, ly for any rcuclation,though .it the firft they do not vnderltand euery thmg an- nexed to their office, or depending vpo the fame. His a^odeftie is alio to be no- ted, that he ceafing fro his own opinion,doth prefently obey Chrifl:, 16. Lo the htauens vpere opened. The opening of the heauens isfomtime taken for the mani- feftation of the heauenly glory, and here alfo it fignifieth adiuifio of the vifible heaucn, fo that Tohn might fcefomewhat abouc the planets & the Itars for the meaningofMarkcs words cannot be other, who faith that he (aw the heaucns clouen in twain. But more narrowly to inquire what mancr of diuifion this was it dothneitherappertaine muchtothemater,neitherdcthitprofit.'forit is fuffi- dent to know, that this was a token of the prefence of God. Furthcr,whcn the Euangelifts fay that lohn fawe the holy Ghoft, it is probable that the heaucns Vverc cfpecially opened for his caufe>though I repugn it not, but that Chrilt alfo as he was man, was made more certaine of his calling. And to this purpole the words of Lukefeemc totend,when he faith.that while Chrift praied,thehea-=. ucns opened:for although he poured out his praiers alwaies for the profit of o- thers; yet he had need ashe was man, feeing he was to fight {o hard a b attcII,to bearmed with a fingular power of the fpirit. But here arifci.queftions. Ihfe firft isy why the fpirit then defc ended vpon Chnit, which was m him beefore. This queftioa is anfwered by the plac^of Ifai 61.1 .which is entreated ofm an otherplace. The fpiritofthe Lord vpon mc, therefore hath the Lord^annom- tcdme,topreach?Iadtidingstothepoorehehathrentme . Although Chrift wonderfully ex celled with a fingular grace ot the fpii ite, yetiie kept bimlelfe at homeasapriuateman,vntiUhewasbroughtfoorthbyhtsfather ..Theiefore now when the appointed time is come wherein heaiould prepare himfelfe to fulfil Ithe office if a redeemer, he is indued with a ntw power of the fpime,and that notfo much for his fake as for others. For this was.done of purpofe , that the faithfuamiohte honour and reuercntly imbrace his diuinc power, and that the iafirmitre of the flefh ffiouldnotbecontemnedmhim.^That lame alio was the caufe why he deferred his baptifme to the 30. yearc of his age.Baptilme vras abei;inn,ngofthe Gofpell,and therefore together with the P^^achmg ot the Gofpcll It began. And Chrift preparing himfclfe to preach tl^e Gofpe.l,was by Baptifme as wellentrcd into his office,as inftruftcd by the holy f'^^^^ holy fpirit therefore appeared vnto lohn defcending vpon Chrift, to ^^^/"^""^ that noticing cirnall or carthly,fliould be fought for in Chrift,bui ^^^^ ^^f ^"^ feomhcaucnas a diuinc roan in whom the power of the holy ipirite rai^necn. 1^4 ^^ [omrneni. ofM, lo^CalHtni. Wee cerralnely know him to be God manifefted in the flefli, but in the per- fon of a feruant, and in his humane nature there is alfo a cdeftiall power to bee confidered. Thefeconde qucftionis, why the fpirite appeared in the likenefTc of a Done, rather then offirciwhofeanfweredependeth of an analogic or li- militudeofa thing fi^nified with the figure.We know what the Prophet Efay attributeth to ChriCchap. 4 1 . ^ A brufed reede {hall he not breake , fmoking flaxe Oiall he not quench, hee (liallnot crie,norhisvoyce (hall be he -rd. For this gcntlenes of Chrift, wherein he loiiingly and gently caUcth,and daily bid- dech finners to the hope oflaluation, the lioly fpirite dcfcended vppon him in likenefleof a Done. And in this figne there is a notable pledge of molKweetc comfort i^iiienvnto vs,that we ll\oiild notfeare to come vnto Chrilt, who Co- meth forth vnto vsnotwith a fearefiill power of the fpirite ,but endued with alouincrand pleafant ^race, Heefawethe bolyfiirite; Namely John : for it pre- fentlyfoUoweth that the fpirite defcendedvponChritt. Now here arifah the third queftion, howlohn could fee the fpirite : I anfwere, feeing the fpirite of God isfpread in euery place, and filleththeheaucnand the carth,a defcending is vnproperly atnibiited to it. The fame is to bes accounted ofthe fight , for although in itfelfe it is muifiblc, yet it isfaydtobcfcene, where as there is {hewed fome figne of his prefencc . lohn feeth not the elTence of the fpirite, which faJleth not vnder the fenfeoftheeyc, neyther did hee fee the power it felfe, which is not comprehended by humane fenfe, but onely by thevnder- flanding of faith: but he feeth the hkenefle of a Doue, vnder the which God (hewed^he prefence of his fpirite . Therefore it is a Metonymicall kindc of fpeachjWhereinthenameof afpirituallthingisf iuento a vifiblcfigne. For as theydofohfliy & prepofteroufly vrgc the Icttcr/that they might include the fig nified thing in the figne, fo it is to be noted that in thefe kindes of fpeaking is noted a coniundion of the thing with the figne . According to this meaning the bread of the holy fupper is called thebodyofChrifte ; bcecaufeittcftificth thatitistriicly giuen lovsforfoodc* Yetthatwithailistoberemcbred which I now touched, there muft not be imagined a defccntion of the thing fignificd, that it fhoitld be fought m the figne, as though it were there locally included: but this one thing ought enough, and more then enough to fufticc vs ; that the Lord byhisfecrctpowerwilfperformcwhatfoeucrhehathpromifed vsby fi- gures. Many alfo ratherfiinoufly,then profitably, doc demaund whether this Douc were a perfel>en they yvcre ef^ dedy he was httngry^ J, Then the deuilfaydynt^ himx ifthott be the Sonne of God commaund this JI one that it bee made bread, 4 ^ But leftts anfxverei him^ faying : it is Vfritteti/That man fhail not line by bread onely^bui by euery wordofGod^ i- ¥henhfui)¥aifei'afidi^^^^^ into the defert for two caufcsj Firft that after the faft of forty dayes as a ncwman, or rnther aheauenly, hee might CQmc forth to execute his office : Then that he fhoulde not enter into fa hard and notable an office, except he were tryed With temptations , as if hcc ihould fo lay the foundatio of his firft exercife.Therfore let vs know that Chrift by tl^c dirc^ion of the ipirite was ledirom the company of men, that the great dQ, hee fras afterward hungry* 5 .Then caine to him the temp- ter^ and fay d : if thou be thefonne tfGodyComaund that thefe jiottes bee made bread' 4. Buthe anfweringyfayd: It is written , men/hall not Hue jby ^re'ade onely^but by euery worde that ^rofeedeth out of the mouth Marke i. !!♦ And' iM" mediatiy the fp^ rite driueth him into the wilder -^ neffe. I ^, And he was there in the r^il- dernes forty dayes and was temped of Satan iheeiftas alfo with the wilde beajisy and the an- gels rninijiredytt^ to him. 9? 12 6 The Comment. tfCM. Jo. Caluine^ bee IcfTc then of the lawe : for if the Lorde thought that do<5limeVThIfh war the miniftcrof denhwoithy ofrarc honour, howc much more honour docth thedoarineofhfcdercruc ? And ifthcfliadowcd figure of GO Dhaddefo grcatc light , then with howc perfeftc brightnefTc is itmccteto hnue his countenauncc beautified , which appearctn in the Gofpcll? This fame was the endc of his fad •. for ChriiUabltayncd not from mcate anddrinic, that hec might j;iue an inftnidion of temperance : but thathee might thereby hauc the more authoritie , while hee being exempt from the common {one of men, doeth come foorth as an AngcU from beaucn, and not as a man from the earth. Fori bcleech you what maner of vcrtuewasthcreinth,Ttabftinencic,not to catc meate , whome no hunger mooucd to defire the fame ? Forii iscer- tame, and the Euangeliftes doe plainly pronounce, that hce no oiherw;fc bare the hunger, then if he had not beene cloathed with flefh. Wherefore it Were a ineere folly to cftabUlh aLenten faft,as they call it,as an imitati5 of Chrift.For there is no greater rcafon why wee at this day {hould follow the example of Chrift, then had in times palt the holy Prophets, and other fathers vnderthc law to imitate the faft of Mofes . And wee know that this neuer came in their ininde. God almoft for the fame caufe continued Eiiah faftmg in the mount,bc caufc he was the minifUr that fhould reftorc the law. They faine thcmfclues to be followers of Chriflc, which through the Lent do daily faft ; that is,ihey To ftuffe their belly at dinner,that vnto fuppcr time they eafily pafie the time With- outmeat. What Ukcncffchauethey with the fonnc of God? Greatcrwasthe Iparing of the elders ; but they alfo had noaffinitic with the faft of Chrifte, no more the the abftincncc of men commeth ncerc to the hunger of Angels. Ad dc alfo that neither Chrift nor Mofes did yearly keepe a folemnc faft, but both of them did it onely once in their whole life* And 1 would to God that they had oncly played like apes with thefc folhes.Butit was a wicked & a deicftable fcor- ning of Chrrftjin that they attcm^.tedin their faincdfiil.ng to framcthemfelues after his doing.It is aioft vile fup rftition th^t they perfwade thcfelues that it ig « workc meritorious, and to be feme part of godhiielTe and diuinc worfhippe. But this contumely is not to bee borne: fir ft againlt God, that they obfcure his notable myraclc. Then againft Chnft becauf? they taking his glory firom him, decke thcmfclues with his fpoyle. Thirdly agair.ft he GofpcU, firom the which no fmall creditc i% taken, if this faft of Chriit bee not acknowledged to bee a feale of the f i m«. God fhcwed a finguLir myraclc* when he kcpthis (bnnc from the ncceflitie of eating, and doc they nntina madde boldneflefpitat / O D, when they afFed to doc the fame by their ownc power? Chriit was noted with diumc glory by his faftmg. And ihiU he bee fpoylcdofhis glory and brought in order,whcn as all moitallmen Ihall make thcfclucshis fellowes? this w^i the end whit-h God appointed to Chriflcs fjft, that it fhould be a Icale tothc Go(^ pell .* They that apply: to any ot'ncrvlc : doe they nottakc fo much from the dignity of the Gofpell ? Therefore let this counterfctting ccafc, which peiuertcththecounfcllof God, and the whole order of his workes. But of fcaf^cs in thcrkindelfpcakc not, (which I wilh were more common a« mongft vSj fo that the fame wctt f urc J for it was mccic to fticwc for what vpMtheHarninkoftheEmiielillei Hy purpofe Chrlft faded. AlfoSathantookeoccafionorhis hunger to tempt Chrift\ as a little after (hall be (hewed more at large, now it miift be generally fccne why God would haue him tempted. For the word es of Mathew and Marke doe found thathce was brought into this combate by the determinate counfell of God, which far that hee was led by the fpirice for this caufe into the dcfert, I doubt not but thatGodinthcperfonofhis Sonne, Wouldc fhewe as in amoftcleareglafle Jiow deadly and importune an cnemie ofmans (aliution Sathan is « For whereof commeth ittopafle that heeflioulde affayle Chrift fo fliarptly, and ihouldepoureout allhis forces and violence againtthim atthistimewhicfi the Euangeliites note, butbecaufeheefawc him at thccommaundemcntof his Father, prepared for the redemption of mankinde ? therefore hee then refifted in the pcrfon ofChrilte, ourfaluation, as hee deadly perfecuteth dayly the miniftcrs of the fame redemption , whereof Chrift was the au- thour* But it is to bee noted withall, that the Tonne of God ii^ willingly endure thofe temptations , whereof iti is now entreated, and that hee ftriue with the DeiuU asit wcrehandtohand,thatby his vidorie he might get vs the triumpb. Therefore as oft as Sathan affaylethvs, Ictvs remembcr^hathis violence can no other way bcfaftamed anddriuenbacke,thenby opposing this (bicldc a- gainll him, as for that caufe the fbnne of God fuffercd himfclfc to be e tempted that he might ftand betw^ene vs fo oft as Sathan ftirreth any exercife of temp- tations againflvs. Therefore when heeled a priuatc life at- home, wee doe Stotrc.ide that hee was tempted.' but when hcc vndertooke the office of a Redeemer, then hee in the common name of his Ckirch came into the com- batc« Then ifChrift was tempted as in the publikc pcrfon of all the faithfull , let vsknow that thefe temptations which befall vnto vs, arc notby fortune , or ilirred at the pleafure of Sathan withoutthc permifsion of God .- But that the fpirite of God, gouerneththefeconflids, whereby our faith is excrcifed,wher- hy is gathered a certaine hop€,that God who is the cheife and great captaine fifc gouernour, is not vnmindefiiU of vs,. but that hee w>ll hclpc vs in our fir eighte* wherein heefecthvsonermatched^ The wordesof Lukefecmefomewhat 0tfierwife,ThatIefu$fullofthehota ly Gholt, returned from lordan, in which wordes hee fignifietb, that hee waft thea armed with a more plentifull grace and power of the fpirit, that he mi^'hc be the more ftrong to endure fuch brimts, for the Ipirit did not in yim^ defccd vpon him in a vifible fhapc. And it is'faydc before , that the grace o£ GOD did the more lliine outte , beccaufe that the caufe of our faluation fo required . The fame Euangclifte andM^ke, doe teach that the beginning of his temp- tations wasfooner,for Sathan aflaultcd him fortie dayes alfo beefore hiB. hunger ; buttheeircciall and moll notable conflides are hcere declared.* that wee may knowe that Sathan bceing oucrcomc in many conflides, did wpre^iharpel/ inuade, and layde on more itrongly with his whole force^ i£ ■ tz9 7%i C9f9iiHent^efM,U, Calkme, ifit might be, that at length he might opprcfTt him that yet was inuincibic For aseuery manismoie excrcifed in fpirituailbnttailesjfo much more vehement- ly dorh God fufl'er him to be ftricken. Wherefore let vs Icarne neiier to be wca - ried, vntil'iwcehaueperfoiirmed the whole cotirfe of our warfare, and come to the markc But at the firfl (ieht itfeemcth to bee abfurdc that Chrift fliouldc be fubicd to temptations; for that mcnne may bcc tempted, there mull bee fiiinc andinfirmitic .• I anfwcre, firft thjt Chnft had taken our infirauties, but without finne. T hen it did no more derogate from his glory that he wjs tcmp-« ted then that he tcoke vpon him our flefh- For on this conditio;i was hee made man, that he might take vpoi him our aftcdions together with thefle{h. l^utall the dilhcultie dothconfiit in the former claufc, how Chrift could be compafled about with our ir.fitmitie", that he mi^^ht be tempted of Sathan, and yet be pure and free from all fmnc. But the anfwere (hall not be hard, if we remember the whole nature of Adam, when as yet the pure ima^e of God fhiaed there, & yet was fubied to temptations. How many corporallaftedions there are in man,fb many occafions of tempting them doth Sathan take. And this is worthily ac- counted the infirmitie of humane flelhe , tohauethcfcnfesmooued with the things obicd : but fuch as was not faultie of it lelfe, except that corruption had beene.addcd, whereby it commeth to pafle, that Sathan doethneuer allault v$, butthat he giueth fome wound, or atleaft doth hurt vs with fbme prick. In this point the integritie of nature hath feperate Chrift from vs,yet there is no meanc condition to be imagined to be in him, as was in Adam, to whom it was onely giuen a pofsibiljtic npt tofinne.And wcknowthat Chrifl was armed with that power of the fpirit, that he coulde not bee pearced with the weapons of Sathan. Then came the tempter. The fpirit of purpofe doth giue this name to Sathan,that the faithfull might thereby the more diligently take heede ofhim.W hereby vvc alfo gather that temptations which prouoke vs to euill, co.ne not but from him, Forthatin Geti.zi. ^.Deut 15.3. Godisfaydtotempt, itbelongeth to ano- ther ende, that is, thathemighttrictheirfaith,ormighttakc vcngeanceof the ynbelctuers,orthat hee mightlayc their hypocrifie open, which obey notthc truth from the heart M A T. 3 . 7V;df tJiefeflones. Hcere alfo the oldc writers played with weakc dcuiccs ; for they fay the firft temptation was ofglutt onie, the lecond of ambi- tion, the third of couetoufnefTc . But it is ridiculou*;, if any man that is hungry defirethmeatCj that he might latisfic nature, to referre that to the intemperan- cic of the rhroat. Further, what dainties doe they imagine to be in bread,thac he (hculd bee accounted too delicate, that is content ( is they jfay ) with dric bread ? Butthat wcclofenowordcs invaine, theoncly aniweare of Chrift doth fuflF.ciently declare that Sathans purpofe wasotherwife .* Truely the Son of G O D was not a rude and vnskilfull champion, that hee kne we not howe to auoyde the blovves of his enemie , that becing ftricken on the right fide, hee ft)Ouldiallily holdhisfiiicld to the left. Therefore if Sathan had endc- uoured to driue him to the dclightes of gluttonic,hchad theteftimoniesof fcrip ture readie, wherewith he might driue him away. Buthe vttercd none fuch^but takeihthis kntence, men liucnotbybreade, but by the fccrcte blcfsing of GOD^whcrebywee^achccUiacSachaa ilraighcway aiTauIted the faith of Chrift, ^fon theHarmm ofthcEmngthfieu ,5^ Chim, that the fame being extinoui{hed,hee might driue Chrifl to vdawfi,!! andwickcdwayestofeekehisbreacl. And then doth Sathan wound to r^^t"^ when he attempteth to bring this topafle, thatwe diftiufting God (hould o thei wife prouide for our felues, then by his word is lawful! . Therefore tl meaning of the wordesis.-fith thou feeft thy felfefoifakenofSod nectffi ie compelleth thee that thou fl.ouldeftprouideforthy felfe. Thcreforeaet thee meate, which God prouideth not for thee. And although hcprctcnd thi: diuinc power of Chiift, whereby thofe ftones fhoulde bee turned irto bread • yet this one thing he leekeih, that Chrift departing from the word of God, infidclitie ihould follow whatfoeuer he fl^ould fay. Therefore Chrifte aunfwcreth antiv man {hallnot liue by bread onely,as if he fliould fay : thou commandeft mee to fcckefomc remedy, whereby I might helpe my felfe other wife then God doth permit.- Butthiswereapointofdiftruft, without all reafon,folona as God pro mifeththathcewjlInourilhme^ThouSathantiefthisgraccto br?ad Bu-hec contraiilywitnefletb,ifallmeateswefewanting,hisonelybleffinofu/ficethto htAt vs. Now we vnderftand what kindeof temptation this was .-namely that wherewith Sathan dcth aflault vs dayly.For the fonne of God woulde not Tub 4eahimfeletoanvnaccuftomedairauIt, but hee hadde fightescommon wth vs, thatwebeingdefendcdwiththefaincarmours,fliouldnotdoubtbut that the vidorie is in our hand. 4 Itis ri>ritten,n!AnJhalUotUuehyhreadonely, This is firawoorthy to bee noted, that Chrift vfeth thefcripture for his fhielde. For this is the nohtmancr of fightmg, if wee delire to obtaine the vidoric . F®r Paule docth nSt in vame call the word of God the fpirituall (word, & armeth vs with the {hield of fajth Ephe.6. 15.17 whereby we alfogather,thatthePapifle$,as if they had made a cottcnant with Sathan, gaue ouer foules to be dcftroyed at his pleafurc, when they maliciouflyfuDprefsing the fcripture,fpoylcd the people of God of their Weapons, by the which they coulde onely defend their faiuation . They that Willingly caft from them this armour, and doe not dayly exercifethemfeiues in the fchoole of God,are worthy euery moment to be flaine of Sathan,to whom thcybetiaythemfcluesvnarmed. And truly there is no othacaufe why Sathm IS foweakelywithftood, anldeSathan:fortt is l»ritten. Thou Jha It vfforfhip ihe Lord thy God, ^ him on- l^P^alt thoftferue. 1 1 . Then the demit lefte %im^ and behold the jingeU !Utin« Andmrfiipped h im* ^ , . , I'.r deis Marke I, Luke 4. J Then the Deuill tool^him ypir.. toanhighmountaine , arid Jhexcfd him all the {{tngdoms ofthe rrorld in the t rrink^ ling of an eye, 6, ^nd the demllfayd ynts him: all ' this power voiU Igiue thee , and the glory ofthofe kingdoms .-for that is deliuered to me : ^ torehom foeuer Ixviil I (riue it, 7. If thott therefore Kfilt wor/hipmeej they/hall be all thine ^ &♦ But leftis anfwend him^ and fay d; Hence from me Sathan: for it is written. Thou J}^alt wor/hip the Lord thy Gody and hlmalone thou/J^alt/erue. p « Then hee brought him to lerufalem^ andfet him on a pinaclt ofthe Tempi'', ^ fayd tohim. If thou hethefonne of GOD cafi thyfelfe downefrom hence, 10. For it is written, that he rrillgiue hU Angels charge ouer thee to k^epethee. 1 1 jind with their hands they/hall lift thee yppe, leaJl at any time thou fjouldefi daj]j thy foote againfi a flone. 1 1 . ^nd leftis anfvoered and faid v», to him : It is fayd thotijhalt not tempt the Lord thy God, I J. ^ndwhen the Deuill had ended 4 // hit tempt at ion^ hee departed from him forafeafort, f Thm^ I ^ 4^nd thi Angels mini fired ynto him vpon the Harmenie »fthe Emffgelifles, >« j J* Then thedmill took^ him. .It is r.o great matter that Luke ^oth rehcarfc that temptation in the fecond placcj which Matthew placeth in the laft place ForitwasnotthepurpofcoftheEuangelirtcSj foto^ctdownctheorderofthC' hiftory, as they would alwayes exadly obferue the poynte of time : but to oa- ther the fum of the thinges, ioas they might propofe in a glafie or a table thofe thinges which are moft profitable to be known e of Chrilt. Therefore Ict'itfuf- ficevs to knoWj that Chriftc was tempted j« manner ofwayes. Eutwichwas cither the fecond or the third conflidjtherc is no caufe why we fliould curiouf- lyfceke* In the cxpofition I will follow the text fetdowne by Matthew. It is fay d that Chrifl was fct vpon apinacle of the temple. But it is demanded whe- ther he was caried vp on high in decd^orwhttherjt was done by a vifion.Many do boldly affirm e that it was a true and a rcall cariagc of his body ( as they fay ) for they thmke it a thing vnworthy that Chrift fhould yeeld himfelfe in dancer to Sathans Heights. But this obredion is ealily wiped away, that there is^no abfurditie in the pcrmiffion of God, and voluntary fubiedion of Chriftc fo that we thinke not that he fufiered any thing within, that iSy in minde & foulc^ And that which followeth after, that all the kingdomes of the worldc were fette in the fight of Chrilte, and that alfo which Liikewiyteth, that hec was caried far in the twinkling of an eye, doth rather belong to a vifion,yet in a doubtful mat- ter, & which without daunger a man may be ignorant of, I had rather fufpend my iuHgement, then giue the contentious occafion of quarelling. Alfbitmay beethattheaaemptation did not prefently without diftance of timefoUowe thefirft, northe third the feconde, but is is more probable , thatthere waj fome dillance, though by the woordes of Luke it js gathered that there was no longfpacebctwcene : for hec favth that Chrift hadde reft giuenhim for a fea- fon,But this appertaincth much to the matter, to knowe what Sathan went a- boiit inthiskinde of temptation, which is to bee learned by the an/were of Chrift, aslfaydahttlebeforc. Chrift, that he might mecte with the fubtiltie ofthe enemy, and beatebacke his force, holdcthoutforabuckler,Godisnot to bee tempted. Whereby it appear eth that the deceitcs ofthe enemies tended to this purpofe, th-it he lifting himfelfe vp aboiie mealure, ftioulde raflily rife vppe againft God. Fnft Sathan tryed todrawc Chrift to defperatlon, becaufc hee wanted meate and ordinary meanes ; nowehec proLureth him to avainc and proude confidence, that neglcding the meanes which were at hande, hee fhould throw himfelfe without neceflitie into maniieft daunger, and as though he ftioulde leape beyond hisboundes. Eutasitbecommethvsnottodefpaire, when we are prcfied with the want of all things,but that we fliouId depend vp- on the aflurance of God : fo it is not lawful! for vs to fct vp the combs, that wee fhould lift vp our felues higher then God permitteth. Now we vnderftand that the purpofe of fathan was : namely, that Chrifte malyng a triall of his diuinitie, ^oiild with a fooliftiand awicked rafhncsrifc vp againft God. 6, Heemll gtuehh^ngelUi charge oner thee. This malice of Sathan is to bee noted , thathee abufeth the teftimony of the Scripture , thatmighc make the life of Chrift deadly, and toume his breadctopoyfon . For hec ceafethnottovfethefame craft daily. And the fonne of God ('who is a com- mon cxapk of al the godly)would in his own pcrfon fuficr thi« coiii^^thatthcy J 3 ^ The Q>r9mefft, ofM* lo. Cdmne, allmiglitlcarnc diligently totakehecdctothemfelues, leaflvncJerafalfe pre- tence of the fcripturCjthcy fall into the fnares of Sathan. And it is not to bee doubtedjbutth.itthc Lordegrauntethfomuchlibertyto our enemy, that wc (houldnotreftin feciiritie, but be rather bent to keepe oiirw.uches. Butlecvs not be like to ouerthwart men which reicft the fcripture, as if it might be tour- nedeucrywa/jbecaufe that the deuillabuleth the fame ; fo for the fame caufe we mult ablhmefrom meates, leaft wee be poyfoned. Sathan prophaneth the worde of God,and indeuourcth to wrcft the fame to our deftrudion,but feeing it was ordayned of God for our faluation , fhall the counfell of God bee to no efFcd,excej t that through our flouthfulnes^tbe healthful vfe of the fame fhoulci perilh vnto vs? But this matter ncedeth no long difputationronly letvs fee what Chrjft doth teach vs by his example, which wee muft follow as a cernine rule. Doth he oiue place to (athan, wickedly wrefting the fcripture? Dooth he fuffer the fcripture whcreWJth he armed himfclfe before,to be iTiaken away or to bee taken from him? Nay byobiedingtlie fcripture againejhe mightily ouerthrow» eth the wicked cauill of fathan. Therefore fo oft as fathan by his (ubtlties pre^ tendeth the fcripture, & that vngodly men vnder thisfamc pretence flial fet vp'- on vs, that they might circumuentourfayth,letvs borrow weapons for the de- fence of ourfayth, fro no other place then out of the fcripture. But though this promife, {He wilgiue his ^ngels charge mer thee, ^c, ) doth appertaine to all the faychful,yet it efpccially belongeth to chrift,who as he is the head of the whole Church, fo in his owne right he gouerneth the angels & giucth them charge of vs Whcreforein that,(athan doth not yet decciue, that by this teftimonie hee proueth that the angels were giuen asminiftcrs vnto Chrift, that fhoulde keepe him and beare him in their handes .• but the deceitis this, that he draweth the keeping ofangcls to a vaine and ara(Ti courfe , which is then promifed to the childrc of God,while they kccpe thcfclucs within their bounds, & walke in his Wayes, If this claule haiic any force in it {inallthy x»ayes) then dothfithan ma- licioufly corrupt-and maim the faying of the Prophet, generally & confufedly wrefteth the fame to waridring and erronious courfes God commandcth vs to walke in our waye$,& he fayth that his angels fhail be our keepers. Sathan pre- tending the cuftodie of angels, doth exhort Chrift that hee fhould ralhly pro- cure him danger . As if hee fhoiildhauefayde: Ifin fpiteofGod thou wilt caft thy felfc to death, the Angels {hall defend thy life. 7» It is r»ritten thoufhalt not tempt the horde, Chrift anfvvereth moft aptly, it is not otherwife to bee hopcil that God doeth there promile his helpc, then if the faythfuUdoe modeftly commit themfclues to him to becgouerned :for wee cannot otherwife trult hispromifes, except we obey his command emcnts Further, when God is tempted many wayes, yet in this place he i% fayd to bee tempted, when as we neglede his meanes which he putteth into our hand. For they which negled the meanes which God appoyntcth, do as if they tryed his. power and his ftrength; As if any fhould cut away thearmcs andhandcsfrom 3man,andafrcr bid him WDrkc. Infumme,whDlbeuer defirethtotakeatryall of the diuinc power, when as it is not neceffary, hetempteth God, by bringing \&s promifes to vniuft examination. %• tin demU t9Qk^ h'm imt an hit mQfmtainc, That is co be had in, memory^ which vpontheHarmonieoftheEmngeitfies. j, which I fayd before,that it came not topafic through the imbecillitie of the na- ture of Chrift, that Sathan held his eyes •• but by his free appoyntmentand per« miflion. Furtherjliis fenfes were touched & enticed with the glory of the king- domes which were fct before him, that no inward couetoufnelfe mooned his mind; when as thepleafures of the flelh are caried and do cnrie ys as wilde beafts tothofc things that pi cafe vs.* for Chrift had the like fen fe thatwehaue, but no difordercdappctites.Butitwasakindeoftemptarion5that Chrift (l.ould askc the inheritance which God promifeth to his children, of any other then c f pod himfelfe And heerc the facrilegious boldnefle of the Deuilldoth bewrayc it felfc, in that he taking the goucrnment of the earth from God doth vfurpe it to himfelfe. All thefe things C fay thhej are mine, neither can they bee obtayned otherwise then at my hand. And we miift dayly ftriue with this aflaiilt , which both all the faithfull doe feelc in ihemfclue s, and is more euidently lecne in the whole life of the vngodly. For though wc fet al our defences richelTe and com- modities in the bl effing of God ; yet our fcnfcs prouoke vs therefro, and driuc vs to feekethe afsiftancesof Sathcn, as if one God were no^ fufficient. And a greatpart ofthe world chalcnging the right and goucrnment of the earth from God, doth imagine to themfelues that Sathan is the giuer of al goad thinos.For whercofcommethit.thatalmoftalldoeaddidthemfcluesto cuill Artes, and theftes,and deceits,butthattheyafcribcthatto5athanwhich was the proper- tie of God, to enrich with his blefsingwhomehecpleafcth? They pray with mouth that God would giue them dayly bread, but with the mouth onely . For they make Sathan the cheifc , in. diftbributing the richefle of all the World. 1 o. jiuoyie Sathan. Lukt hath for it. Goe after mee Sathan, W hcrefore Ibmcdceftandinvanie vppon that Aduerbc, when itwasfayd to Peter; Goe behind, Mathew 1^.2 5. as if Sathan himfelfe heard not the fame. But Chrift commaundethhim (imply to depart. And now he goeth forwardesin the(ame kindo. of defence, holding forth the fcripture not as a Iheild of bull rulhcs , but as of right brafle. And hee citeth a teftimonie out ofthe lawe, that one GOD istobeworihippedandfcrued. AllbitiscaCly gathered by the applying and the circumftance ofthe place, to what endc the purpofe of God belongetn, and what itprofiteth When as the Papifts doe deniethat onely God is to be wor- (hiped^they (hi ft off this place andfuchlike withafophifticall Comment. That Worihip which they call Latria^ they grant as due onely to God ; but ditlia they giiietothedead, and to their bones and their images . But this friuolous di'- Hindion of wordes being reieded, Chrift doethcnalenge a falhng dnwne to worfi jip to God alone. Whereby wee are warned to haue confideration rather ofthe matter, then of the word, fo oft as wee haue to doe with the woorihip of God. The Scripture commaundeth to woor(hip one God. It is to beleenc to what endc. If man Ihail take away any thing from his glory , and giuc the fame to creatures , it is a facVilegious violating ofthe woorftiippc of "GOD. And it is moft euidcntthat wee docfb, when as wee giue to crea- tures thofe good thinges which wee haue receiucd, whcreofGOD himfelfe Would bee acknowledged to be the onely authour. But now as religion is pro- perly fpirituail, and ihc outwarde confefsion of the 6mc iipf «iw/n«t"/f 1^4 ^^-^ Commet^, ofM. 1$, Cahtme the body .'So not otiely th2 inward worfhip is due to God alone, butalfo the oucward teftimonie of the fame. Ii4 Then the demll left him, and behold. Luke cxprefleth more,nameIy , rvheu he had ended all the temptation. As if hec (hojlde hauc fiyd that Chrift had no reft nor truce omen hioi, vntill he w is exaftly tried with all ki id of te -nptation. He alfo a Jdctli that he was onely left for a feafon, that wee might kno.-ve th.u the r-ell of his li e was not altogether free from temptations, but that the violence ofSathanwasrcfti-aincdby God^ that heelhoulJe not importunately moleft Chri!^,euenas God vfeth to doe with all his Forif.'omecimehee permitteth them to be more flnrply vexed, af^er he releaf-th t!icm fomswhat of that gre;. t fonflid, that they fhould breath a while, and gather vp their minde*, yet hee ipareth them not, that they ihould no.iriih flouthfahieile , bur onely thas they Should prep.-Jre the mlelues toncwe coafli(5ls. That it foliow^th after that the Angels minillred vnto him : I account it as a comfort, that Chrift Ihould fecle that God the father had a care of him, and by his mi^htie aydc ihouldc bee de- fended agaiaft Sathan. Forthe defert it felfe might haue mcreafed h;s greifc, when as be being depriuedofallcoforts of men, helmed amongft wild beafts %vhichMarke alfbexpreflynoteth. Yetitisnottobe thought that Chrift was atanyti me forfakenofthe Angels .'but that place might be giuento temptati- on. Sometimethegraccof God, though it beprefent, yet ids hidto thefv:n€^ and vnderiUnding of the flefh. Mathew. 4 Marke. IZ. ^nd when /e- fits had heard that John Xfits delim- redrpfhs returned into GaUU' 17* Fro that time J^fm beganne to preachy fay: A- mend your Uttet, for the k^ngdome ofheatte nat hand LVLE. 19. I. 14: T^rif after that Ioh» was committed toprifon^lefm came intoGalile^predching the Gofpell of the i^ingdoms of God ^ I f . Andfaying:The time is ffflfilled, and thekingdomeof God PS at hand : repent ^ beleette the G^fpelU Luke. 5. 19. Btttn^henHerodthe tetrach vfiOi rebum, k^doflohn,for Herodias his brother Vhilips Vfife^^ foral the euils yvhichherod had dont 20. Hee added yt this aboHS ally that h» Jhift yp lohn inprifon* Luke. 4. 14. And lefus returned by the power of the fpirite into Gahle : and there rvent a fame of him throughout all the region round about. I J. For he taught in t!>sir Synagogues,^ xpos honoured of all men. But Herod the Tetrarch. Onely Luke in this place doth fliew the caufewhy Hero. I did caft lohn intoprifon. Yet Matthew and Marke doe snake mention ofit in an other place, lofephus in the 1 8 .boakc of Antiquities layth, becaufe Herod feared a tumult of the people and new ftirres, hee ihut vp lohn in the tower of Mach^rontis, bccaufehe feared the credit of the man.He fayth that Herodias was not giuen to Phillip(who;ne hee atfirmcth maricd Sa- lome) but that ihe was giuen in mariagc to another Herod. But becaufe that in this matter he is taken forgetting himfclfe, and alfo he doth not fee downc the death of Phdlip in his ri.pe, { and as his cuji^me ^as ) xcent into the Synagogue on the Sabboth day, and fl code yp to reade, ^ 1 7. ^nd there was deliuered ynto htm the hooke oftheVrophet Efaias\ aud whenhee had opened the book^^hefottnd the place where it was written l». Thefpiriteofthe Lorde is yppon me 'becaufe hehathanoynted me^ that I JJ^oulde preach tbe Gof^ pelltothe poore: heehath fentmee, that I jhoulde heale the bro{en hearted, that Ijhoulde preach deli* Herancetothecaptiues,^ r^coneringof f.ht to the 1 bUndjhatiPmldfet 4tiibcrtj themth^tarebrufc^ vfontheHarmmeoftheEuMngelifla j,- 19. ^nd that J/henld preach the acceptable leere of the Lord. "^ 20. ^ndheeclofedyppetheboolie ^ and fraue itagaine ts themimfier , and fate do\»ne?and the eyes of all that v^ere in the Sjtia^ogue Xverefafi « nedonhim^ 1 r. Then hee began to fay ynto them. This day is the fcripttire fulfilled in your eares, XX ^nd all hare ypttnefi , and vpondred at the , f I S^^cious wordesyVplnch proceeded »ut of his mouth'.O' I I • fiyd^is not this lofphes (onne f ^6. He came toT^laXareth. The Euangcliftes doe (land vppon this one tb'ms. that they might flicvy by what meanes Chnft was made known, for which pur- pofe Luke here report, th a thing worthy to be remembred .-that is, thac he ex- pounding the pLiceof Ifai^h, and applying it to the prefent vfc, hee turned the eyes of aU men vponhimfelfe.When he laith that he came into the Synaijooue according to the cuftome .-wee hereby gather that hcc did not oncly fpelike to , the people in the ftreetes and hi^h waves, Lut. is m.ich as hee micht, he obftr- uedthevfuull order of the Church. Alfowefeewiihalljthough the lewcs were degenerate, yet in fuch confu!:o:iof thmges, and in the eftate ofthe Chiirchc mifcrably corrupted, this good thing rcmayned,that chey read the (cripture be fore the people, that thereby they might take occafion of teaching and exhor - ting .Whereby it alfoappeareth whatwas the right and lawful] maner of kce* ping the Sabboth For God did not therefore command hispeorlc to keepeho* lydayes, as though that he was (imply picafed with their red: but rather that he might excrcife them in meditating his workes. Alfo becaufe the mindes of men are dim in conlidering the workes of God, it is neceifary that they iliould be direAed by the rule of the fcripture; but though Paul numbreth the Saboth among(t the ihadowcs of the law,Collofl', x. 1 7. Yet in thi? poynt we haue like caufetoobferueit^asthe leweshaddejthatthe people may come top ether, to heare the word, to publike prayers, & to other excrcifesofgodhnefic.* for the which caufe the Lords day came in place of the lewilh Saboth. NoWjifthe time s be copared,tt ihal ea(ily appeare out of this prefent place, that the corrup- tions of the popi(h hierarchy are at this day more filthy & more deform ed,th en they were amongft the lewes vndcr Annas & Cayphas. For the reading of the fcripturejwhich the was vfed,was not only vnder the pope grown outofvre,but Tvithf.vord & fire was driuen out ofthe churches.But that which they fono in aa rnknown tongue, ai it teemed in mockery. Chrift rofe vp to read,not only that his voyce might bee the better heard, but in/igne of reucr^nce. For tlus doth. themaieity ofthe fcripture deferue, that the interpreters of itfliouldeprofeiTc ihcmfelucs to come modeftiy and reuere- :tly to handle the fame. 17. Hee founde the place. It is not to bee doubted but that Chriftc of purpofe chofc this place. Some thinke that it was euen offered to him by GOD.- but fjth hee had graunted him a f'-eeeledion, I do rathe referre ic to liis iudgemem, thathee chofc this place before others. j\]fo Ifaiah pro.^ I J miftth: 1 3 8 The Comment, ofM* Jo. Caluine^ mifcthin that place, that after the captiiiitic of Babylon there fhouWc yethec foniewitncfics ot the fauoiir of God, which (hould gather the people from c'e- ftrudion, and out of the carkeiicflc of death,and (lioiild with a (pirituall power reftore the C hurch anhded with fo miny cahimitics. But becaufc th.it redemp- tion was to beproclaymed in the name & authoritie ot Chrifl a'one •• thertforc he fpe;iketh in the fingular numbcrjand after a fort taketh vpon him the rcrfon of Chnik-, that he might the more eft't dually frirre vp the mindcs of the ^odly to an aflured truih It is certaine that the words which are here fet downe can- not properly be apply ed to any, but to Chrifte alone, and thatfcr two caufes* Firll, becaufe that hce alone was endued with the fulnes of the fpirite, that hec might be a witneflc and a meflenger of our reconciliation wjth God (by which rcafonPaul aliigneih that peculiarly to him, which is common to all the rnini- fiers ot the Gofpcll, Ephe. 1.17. thatis,that they (hould preach peace to as ma- ny as arc nigh and a farrc off ; ) then becaufc he onely worketh ami performcth by.thc power of his fpintjWhailocuer good things are promjfed. 18. The fpirite of the Lordeyponmect This is therefore f'lyde that Wee mioht^ know that Chrift afwell in himfelfe, as in his minifters doth not the worke of man, or any priuate bufines, but thathe wasfcnt of God to reftore the faluati- on of the Church. For he tcftificth that he doth nothing by the motion & coun- fell of man ,but all thingcs by the gouernement ofthe fpirite, that the fayth of the f odly mi«bt bee grounded vppon the authoritie and power ofGod. That claufe that next followcth, Becaufe he hath annoy ntedmcy is added to expound the former. Fc r many doe falfly boalt that they haue the fpirit of God,when they arc without the gittof the fpiritc. ButCbnll by the annoynrmg , as by the effed prooueth that hee is endued with the fpirite of God. Then he iheweth to what end he was endued with the grace ofthe fpirite .• namely, that hec might preach to the poore; whereby we gather, that whofocucr arc fent of G O D to preach the Gofpell, ought firit to bee endued with neccflary giftes , that tiicy may be able to difchar gc fo gre.n an office. Wherefore they are m deed to bee laughed at, which vndcr the pretentce ofthe calling of God , doe vfurpc the place of Palfors, when they ate mofl vnaptto execute the office : as the horned bifhopcs in popery , when they are more ignorant then any Affes , yet they oroudly cry out, that they are the Vicars of Chntt, and that rhcy onely arc the lawful! goucrnours ot the C hurch. It is alfo cxpi efly fayd, that the Lord dcth annoynt his fcruantcs.* becaufc that the true & effeduall preaching ofthe Gof- pell doth not confift in windy eloquence, hut in the ctkftiajl pov\^er ofthe fpi, rite- as Paul fjyth. sXor. i.i.&:4. Toth^poore, The Prophet dedareth what the eflate of the Churchc WIS before the beginning ofthe Goipcll , and what all ourcondiiion is without Chrifte . Therefore hec calleth them poorc, broken, captiues and blind, and brufcd, towhcmc Gud promifcth rcftitution . Butthouoh the body ofthe people wjs opprelTedwith fonuny miferies, thatthcfe titfcs might agree to cucry member ofthe fame, yet becaufe that many intheirpo- uertic, blindnefic, LondaRc, and to bee fl^crtc , in death , doc flatter ihemfclues, orarcfcnlclelic- thcrcforcfcwc are fit ibr the rcceiumg of this gi^ce. And Hrtt we are taught here, to what cnde the prcathing ofthe Gofpcll bdon- vpoft the Hartmnie of the Emngelifles* I ^ p beIong«th, and what it bringcch vs : that is, when we were wholy "oucrvvhcl- mcd with all kind of ciii]s> there God fliincth vnto v$ with his light of Iife,that hec leading vs out of the great depth of death, might reftore vs into a full fcli- citic. Trucly this is no vfuall commendation of the Gofpcll , that wee ga- ther fiich incomparable fruit of it. Secondly wee fee whome Chriit calleth to him, and whom hee maketh partakers of the grace committed to him .- that is, they that arc wretches in all pointes, and are without all hope of faluation. But againc we are admoiU(hcd,that wc cannot any otherwife inioy thefc bentfites ofC hi i{^, except we be humbled with a deepe feeling of our miferies.' and as people hunoarliarued, doe dcfire and fecke for him to be our deliucrer/for who focuerfwellin pride, and iigh not vnder their captiuitie,and are|not difpleafcd. with their owac blindneflc, they doc with dcafe earcs defpile this prophe- 19. That 1/hould preach the acceptable yeare. It fcemtth to many to be an alluricntotheyeareof[ubile,whofeiudgementT doe notrcfufe . Yet it i$ worth the labour to note, how the Prophet taketh paincs to anfwere a doubt, which might trouble.and {hake the weake mind es,Ieeing that the Lord hadfo long differred the promifed filuation, & had holden them in fufpencc. There- fore he appointcth the time of redemption in the counfcll or good will of god, as he (aith,chap.49 .8.1n an acceptable time I haue heard thee, in a day of fal- uation haue I helped thee. Paul to the Gal.4.4,, calleth it the fiilnefl'c of time.* that the faithful may learn not curioufly to enquire further then is expediet but to reft in the will of God .• and this one thing wasfufficient for them , that the faluation in Chrift was piuer?, when God faw itgood* io. ^nd tin eyes ofallthat were in the Synagogue A doubt not butthat God had touched their hearts ,. that the flrangnesof the matter might make them more attcntiue, and fo (hould giue eareto Ghrift (peaking : for it was ncceflary that they fhould bee ftayde, leaft they prefcntly (hould haue made anoyfc, or at the leait that they (hould not breakc off the courfe of the word, feeing that other- Vvife they were more bent andreadie to contcmne Chrift, as we (hall fee, 2 1. This day isfttfilled. Chrift doth not oncly vfe thefe three words •• but pro- ueth in deedc that the time is now come, wherein God would reftore the de- cayed Church, that the expofition of the prophe(ie might be euidcnt and plainc to the hearers, as the interpreters doc rightly and in order handle the fcripturc, . when they apply the fame to the prefent vfe; and hee fay th, that it was MUlkd rather in their earcs then in their eyes; becaufc the bare fight dothlitde profit, except that dodrine had the cheife place. 1 1 . They bare mtnejfe. Hecrc Luke firft commendeth vnto vs the di«- uinegracewhichwasinihcmouthof CHRIST; then hee liuelypayn- teth out the vntliankefulneffc of men. Hee calleth them the wordes of grace, or gracious wordes in the Hebrew phrafe, wherein the power and grace of the holy Ghoft was feene. Therefore the Nazarites are compelled to ac- knowledge withadmiration,GODfpcakingin Chnft --yet they vvjllmgly hinder thcmfelues from giuing the right and due honour to the hcauen- lydoarinc. For when they obii'd that hee is the fonne oflofcph, they doe. aot.amplyficwiththiscircumftancethcgloryof GOP, asitbecaine theni^ 140 The Comment, ofMjcCalftine, but malitioufly they take this as an offence, that they might with t!ie fairer co- lour rcfufe whatfoeuer (halbc faid by the fonne of loieph. So at this day we fee Very many,who though they are enforced to grant that to be the word of god, which they he^re : yec they get them friuolous excufts , wherewith ihey may exempt themfclues from the necefsitie of obedience. Andtrucly the caufewhy wearenotfo touched with the power of th€ Gofrell, as it were mecte, c ommeth not by any other meanes, but that we arc aletvnto our fellies, and with our mahce wee choake the light, by beholding whereof, wee are moued whether we will or no» Luke, !♦ 13. Thenhe fay d yntothentiyou will fiirely fay to mee this prou^rbe, Vhyfition heale thyfelfe : whatfo^ euer we haue heard done in Capernaum, doe it here //7^««« "Prife i» thine owne cottntry 14. ^nd hefaydy yerily I fay yntoyoUy no ^v^^het is accented in his csuntry, 1 J . But I tell you of a troath, many vridoves rvere in Ifrael in the dayes ofEliasy when heauen xvasjhut 3 . yeares and fixe monethsywhen^eat famine was through OHt all the land: a 6^ Bftt ynto none of them Wds Lliasfenty faut t». to Sarepta, a citie ofSydon^ ynto a certaine wido w, 27 . ^Ifo there were many lepers in Ifradl , in the timeof Elifeus theVrophet :yet none 0 J them were made cleane,fatiing l>laaman the Syrian. 1 8 . Then all that wtre in the Synagogue ^when they heard it i were filled with wrath. 29. ^ndrofeyp,andthrufihim out of the citti^y and lead him ynto the edge of the htll, whereon their ci- tie, was Ifuiltyto cafi him downe headlong. 5 o. But hepajfed through the midfi of them , and went his way ^ 15. Thifitionh -ale thyfelfe. By the wordcs of Chriftit is cafily gathered, thathcw:scontemptuouflyreceiuedbytheNazaritcs:for hee vtteicth that, which he knew they thought in their minds. Then he laicth the fault vpon the, why he ftayeth from working miracles amongltthem : and he reproiieth their malice, becaufc they gaiienoieuerencetothe Prophet of God, Theobicdion which he preucntcth is this • It is no marucll,if his countri-men hauc him in no tftimatiouj feeing that he doth not ennoble his owne country, with miracles, as he doth Itrana places: therefore thisisaiuft reiienge, ifheebcreicftedof his, which hf elcfle eltcemcth then any other. To this purpofc belongcth the common prouerbc, thataPhyfition (hould begin firlt with himfelfc and his owncpeople, beforehec fhewchjs skill of curing to ftrangcrs. The fummc vf9n the Harmme of the t^uangelifiei^ jj^ of t^C obieftion is, Chrift tiid prcpofteroiifly, for that with his myrade he re- nowned other Citties cf Gi'ile, and had no refpedl to his ownc country. And thisieemedtothc Nazaritcstobeanhoneft excufe, why they againe mi^ht refufe him. 24. f^erily, I fay ynto yon. He lay eth to th cir charge that it is through their ownc fault, that heefhewcth not his pov\er in myracles amongftthcm,as in other places. For the increduhtie of men, Itayeth God that hecw^rke not for thdrfduation, asweretobewiflied. Matth.i^. ^8. and Mar. 6. 5. Therefore could not Chrift do myracles amongft them,becaufe they hehcued not m him.* not that it is in the will of men to tic the handcs of God . but becaufc he dcpri- ueththemofthtfruircofhis workes, which through infidelity make thefclues vnworthy. Therefore the anfwere is as much, asi^ Chrift llioulde hawe fayde; If you will be pertakers of myraclcs,why doe not you glue place to God?N"iy, why doc you proudly reicct the minifter of his power ? Therefore you haue a inft reward of your contempt, that you beeiiig pafled by, I Hioulde rather fhew my myracles m other places, that I am the M eflias oh God, to whcme the re - ftoring of the Church is committed. And truly that vnthankfulnefie might not be borne, that when God would haue his fonne brought vp in their citty, that they (hould de(pife fuch a nouife. Wherefore of right hee withdrew his hand from thenccjthatit fhould not be fcoined by fo wicked contemners But here weelearnchow muchthe Lorde citeemethhiswordc forthathee may pu- nifh the contemptofthefime,hetakcthfrom amongft them the graces, which are tettimonies of his prefence. For the vnderftanding of this fettence. That * Trophet is not efieemed in his o^ne country. Let the readers loo^e what wee haue fayde in, the fourth Chapter of lohn aboutthe end. z^^There were many rvidowes. After that Chrift had layi the fault vppon themj^ thatthey were without myracle$,he nowproueth by two cxaples,that it fhould notfecme abfurde,if God (hould preferrc ftraungers before his own houfhold people .'and ihey ought not to lay the fiultvponnim, if chat he obeyed the cal- ling of God, as Elyas and EliCxus did in times paft. And ftiarply he reftrayncth their vaine confidence, that they w juld haue him bound to them, becaufc he was brought vppc amongft them. At what time (fay th he) the famine continu- ed for two year es and a halfc, therewcremanywidoweiinthc land of Ifrael: whofe need e the Prophet was not commaunded to hclpe, but heewasfentto '•^l* ^T*^ aftt anger ofthc Citty of Sydon. Likewife Elif^us cured none of the Lepers a Ki,yi^ j of his ownecountry, but Naaman,that man of Syria . And though he pe- cuharly nyppeth the Naxarites : yethcealfo reprooueththevnthankfiilncs of all the nation, for that almoft all were wont fo much the more vnwoithily to defpife the Lord, by how much he came neerc to thcai« For how came it to pafle, that God preferred the ftrange woman before all the Ifraelitcs : but be- caufc that the Prophet being thrown forth of the, r/as enforced tofeeke enter- tainment in a prophane land? And wherfore would God that Naaman the Sy- ria (hould be healed by hhfa?us,but for the rcprofc of the people oflfrael? Ther fore the meaning is,that it now falleth out, as it did in times paft, that God w.U fendhispowcrafarreoffe vntoftrangcrs, becaufc he is driuenbackc by them, that dwell ac home with him. Yet Chrift:edeclareth that notJiing of his; /4 * The Conment, ofTiS. lo^ Caiwne, glory 'sdiminifiicd, in that hee is nought fct by of his countrymen : becauft that God, to theirignominie and fhamc, can otherwhere honour :Knd exalt hs fonne, as in times pafthee honoured his Prophets inthemiddtft ofthcGcn' tiles. In this manner the foohfti glorying otfiefh IS beaten dcwnc, whenwcc fee the Lordraignc not only where and when he Vv'il- but euen in the vttermoft corners, not regarding the land which hee had chofen for a dweUing place for himfclFe. Alfo heere is a gencrall dodrine to bee gathered, that ic bccometh not vs to prefcribe God alawc for the beftowingofhis benefits, but that at his pleafurehccmay rayfethelowe and the moft contemn cdmenne, to honour, the cmcTe being reiefted. Neither is it lawful! for vs to ftirre, if he altogether ouei-throw that order that pleafv-th our iudgemct. And the Antithtfis between Ifraei and the prophane nation s muft be noted But it behooucth vs alwayts to coniiderthisj that hee choofeth none before other for their owncworthineflc but that rather commeth by the wondcrfuUcounfellof God. Yet though thi rcafon be hidden, it is neceflary to honour and worlliip the depth. 1%. They were filled with wrath. They vnderftoodc to what purpofe thofc two examples tended, which Chriftc alieadged ; that is, that the grace of God {hould bee transferred to a place. Therefore they tookc it for their reproach. But whereas their conlciences ought to be touched to the quick that their faults being ccrredcd, they might fecke remedie, they are onely driuen mto a mad- ncffc. So the wicked donotonelyflubbornlyrefifttheiudgementes of G O D, but they cruelly rife againft his ftiuants. Hereby it appeartth what force thcfe reproofes haue, which come fro the (pirit of God. for they cnflame their mindes With madnefle, that willingly do fcorne the fame. Further, when wee fee the mindes ofmientobcerofullofpoyfon,that they Waxe maddc againft God, fo foonc as they arefharpely handled,we muft aske the (pirite of meekcnelTe, that the fame fury carry not vs into this deadly bat- taylc. When Luke fayth that Chnfte went thorow the middeft of them, and fo cfcaped their handcs, he declarcth that he was deliucred by God not without a great myracle from the prefent death. By which example wee are taught, al- though ouraducrfariespreuaile,thatourlifefecmeto bee at their pic afurc; yet the power of God {hall alwjyes be the conquercr, to preferue vs fo long as hee Will keepe vs in this world, either he will bind their handes, or ftrike their tycs Witb bhndnefie, or amaze their heaitcsand mindes. Matth. 4. 13. ^ndUauin^TSla\areth^ went and dwelt in Caper natiw, which ii neere thefea^in the borders ffZabt^lorty and ISspthalimy 1 4 , That it might bee fulfilled which vasffo- hfn by Ifaias, the Trophet faying: 1 J . The land ofxabnlon, and the land ofT{e{> . ^halim by the Way cftlfefea, beyond lor dan, Galile •fthe Gentiles: rf. Tbe^w^U^hichfAtiindarh^Jfe , fawe Markc* I Luke. ^foH the Harmome cfthe Emngclifies\ j^ ^ I •^rent li^Jjh^"^^' to them that fate imhe region and I | [jijxdu'f'f of death yhghtiirifmr ^, y j i; Andlcamna^lSiAXiiYeth. I haue thought good theref^ri' to adde this place of iViathevvto thehiftorie of Luke, becaufc it may be gathered , that Chiilt to this tmjewasaccuftomedto frequent the citie of Nazareth .-hee bidding ihat citie faVewell, that he niiifht auoyd danger, hee went to Capernaum, and the cities thcrcabouLes. This hiftory hathiiO diflicultie, but that M?thev\' fcemech to abufc thet.ftiomnicofthc prophet into an other fcnfe Bi.tifwee weigh the natural! fenfc of the Proph.t, the applying of it to this prcfent caufe , fliall be apt and eaiie. For Erayas,af tcrhe had fpoken of the moft greiuous calamitie of the people, that he might comfort them in fori-oWjpromift. th,when the people (hall be brought tj the lowcit ebbe, prclently deliuerance {hall follow, wliich, darkenes being lliaken off, Hiallreltore the light oHifc. The wordes are , the darknefl'eniallnotbe according to the aftIidion„th:tithad, when at thefirll he touched lightly the land of Zabulon, & the land of Nepihali, nor afterward ^^^X 9' '♦ when he was more gieiuous by the way of the fea, beyond Iorda;i in Galile of ^'-^^i- 15'** the Gcutiljs. Thepeople tliat walked m daiknes,haue feene a great light. The & » 8. ^ Ifraclites weie now opprcOed with a double ca'amitie ; for, firft foure tribes or tliereabouts were lead into cantiuitie by jy.glathVeUfcr. Then wh:n Salmana- far Itroke ail the kingdo.iie of Ifraell, there remained a third plague ; which the Prophet about the end of the eight chapter faith, (lialbe the fliarpeft of all. Euc now in the words, which we haue rchearfed, there follow, th a mittigation .• becaufe God reachethhis hand to his people, death Ihall be eafier to be borne then ficknefles were before. AhhoRgh(faith hejthe whole people Ihall be blot- ted out, yet the Qiining light of grace fhall bring to palle, that there llialbe \d^^ datknes irx this latter dcftrudion, then was in. the double d eftrudion of the tea tribes. Aifo I doubtnot but that the promifc ought to be extendedto thewholc body of the people, which m fliewefeemed to bee inhke miferable and la.- mentable eftatc. Forthe lewcs doe prepolteroufly apply the fame to the de- huerance ofthc citic of lerufalem; as if the light oflile had becnereltored^whe by the flightof king Sennacherib the (lege wasrayfed. Certaynely, it doeth plainely appearc by the text, that the Prophet had a further regard. Therefore, ween he fliall promifc a general! rcftitution of allthe Churt h, it followeth that the land of Zabulon, and all the land of Nepthalim, and Galile of the Gentiles vvhre copr ehcnded m the numb er of them, whofc darknes of death were chan- ced into the! ight of life ♦ Thereturne of the people from Babylon was the beginning of this light, and as the morning. At the length the funneof righ- teoufnefle Chrilt, came forth in his full brightnes, and by his comming hee vt- ttrly abolished the darknes of death Therefore Paul to the. Eph. 5.14.' ^^^ monifiieth that in him was fulfilled^ that which euery wheris found in the pro^ phets Awake thou that flcepeft, and {land vp fiom the dead. Now when w°e know that the kingdome of Chriil is fpirituallj it is neceffary. that the light of faluation, which he bringeth,and what helpe foeuer we receiue fro him,fliould be agreeable to the nature ofthe fame Whereof it followeth that our foules are: drowned in the daiknes of cternall death* vmili he hghten them with his sijjtc. I^ 4 The Cemmem, ofM* Is. Calmm The Prophet fpeakcch ofthe ouerthrowing of a couniric .'but the condition of mankmdc is^efcnbcd as in a glafle, vntill ic be fet at liberiic by the grace oi Chnlh Ihacthey thatfateindarkcnenearcfayd to feeagrcatiijht. iolodeii ixafi To notable a cnange doch amphfic the greatnes of the duiine faluation. The lower Gahle was called Galile of the Gentiles , not onely beecaufc it was fo neare to Tyre and Sydon, but becale the C.;ntiks were there mingled amogll the lewss; clpcciaily for that Dauid had granted certaine cities tokingHirarr. Maf.4» 18. ^nd lejiis walking ' hy thefea ofGalile,fa vrtwo brethren^SimjHj rphich waf called Vetety^ Andrew l.n brotJ)er , cajimganet into tbefea:for they ^ereffhen 19. Andheefayd ynto tl?em, follow mcy and I will makeyoi*fi/heri of men. 20« And they Jiraight way leaning the nety follow- ed him, 2i« And whenhee was gone forth from thence, hee favre other two brethreny lames thefonne ofZebtdemy and lohn his brother in a /hippe with Zebedetts their father ^mmding their netSy and he called them* ai« And they without taryingy leaning the /hip ^ their father, followed him- Z^ So lefi*s went about 4ili Galile^ teaching in their Synagogue , and preaching the Gofpelt of the lingdomty I iind healing eueryfici^es ^ euery difeafe among the peo- ple, 24. And hit fame fpreai abroad through all Syr ta^^ they brought ynto him all ftck^p:ople,that were tak^n with diuers difcafei ^ gri- pngsj^ the that iperepojfef fid Marke i, 16. And.as hewal* k^d by thefea of Galile, he favf Simon, and An- drew his brother, cafiing a net into the fed : for they vrerefi/hers. Luke y. I, Then it came to pajfe, as the people preaffed yponJnmy to hearethe word of God, that he fiood by the lake of Gena\areth, X, Andfaw twojhipsjian^ ding by the lake fide, but the fi-m 17, Th«n lefusfaid fhermen were gone out of them y and were wafhing ther neti^ J, And hee entred into one »f the /hips, which was Simons, and required of him, that hee would thrufl off a little from the landy and hee fate downe, and taught the people out of the/hip, 4« T(ow,vhen hee had left /peaking, heefayde ynto Simon, launch out into the deepe, f^ let downe your nettes ^ tolmak^ 4 draught* J . Then Simon anfwered ^ fayd ynto him : maifier,we haue trauelled all nighty and hauetO' left tUir father tebede- 1 h^nnothing : neuertheleffe at thy Ui in the fhippe with his word I will let downe the net* hyredferuants, dr went 6. And when they hadfo done, they enclofed fa great multitude offjhesyfo that their net brah^* T* And, they beckned to their partners, which were in the other \fhipythattheyfhouldcomey and helpe them: who came then , and filled both the Jhipi,that they did 8 .2^0 tr when Simon Veterfaw it, hee fell downe at lefus k^ees, faying, Lord,goefromme '.for I dmaJinfallmM* ynto them , follow mee, and 1 will mak^ youf,^ fhersofmen, i8. And/lraight- way they forfook^ their nets land folio rred h im 19. And when hee had gone a little further thence, hee fawe James thefonneofZebedeus,ftr lohnhisbrothefyai they were in the /hippe, men-- ding their nets* to. Andanonhee called''^hem : and they their way after him* vpon the Harm&nie oftheEumgehfiti ^d with dtuih 5 Mnd tbtfe tvhicb vokrt Lunatik^, and thofe that had the paljle : and hee healed them, z f . ^nd there fdlo~- Xfied him ^reat multitudes tut of Gallic^ at.d Decapo- its y and lerufalerriy c^ Ith- dea y and from b$jande lordan^ HS 9 For hee was ytterlj aflmied, and all that xcere y»ith him: for she ' draught of f/hes vrhicbthey tookf lOo ^ndfo^asalfo lames ^ lohnythefonnes of ZebedetcSy^hich were companions with Simon.Tbtn lefusfaydynto Simon: Feare not^ from hence foorth tho$t (halt catcU men* It, And when they had brottvht the Jhips to landy theyforfook^ ail, and followed him^ MAT. 18, AndbewaJkin^^ Bccanfe this hiftorie is fetdownc by Lufcc after two miracles, which wee (hall fee aftcrward^itwas commonly thought that the miracle which is reported was wrought by him fomewhat after tScy werccah'ed by Chrift.Butthcreafon \^ich they followhathbutfrnall force: for it was not the purpofe of the Euangelitts to write Chronicles from yearc to yeare in a certaine and diftinft order of times ; whereby it came to paflc , that the order ofdayes being not regarded, they accounted it fufEcicnt to gather fummarily the cheifefl of the deedes of Chrift .- yet they kept an account of the yeares,that it might be cuidentto the readers how Chrift beftowed the coiirfe of three yeares from the beginning of hisprcaching,vnto his death. But thofe miracles, which were wrought at tnattimc, they fct down at hbertie,as hereof'* ter by many examples fhall more plain cly appcarc. But nowit appearcth by many arguments, that this hiftoric is rcponcd by the three / of the which vet this one may fullicc the reader that is not contenti* ous, that the three witn one confcntdoc teach, that Peter & Andrew, lames and lohn, were created Apoftles. Iftbey had beene called before, itfhouldc follow thjt they had bceae Apoftats, that forfaking their maillcr,and dclpifing their calling, had reairned to their oldc mancrof life. This is the onely ditfc- rencc betwcene Luke and the other two that hee onely rchearfeth the miracle Vvhich the other doe omit. But this iyiot vnufiiall amongft the Euangclifts, t© touchone part of a hiftoriCjOmitting many circumftanccs. Whcrcfo. c there isnoabfurditic, ifwee fay that one miracle is left out by two, which is repor- ted by one. And that is to be remembred that John fayth,io. j 1 . that of innu- merable miracles of Chrift, there were fomechofen, which m.ight (uffice for the proouing ot his diuinc power, and for the confirming of our faith "in him. Therefore it is no maruailcjifMatthcwandMarkc doe briefly touch the cal- ling of the foure Apoftles, whofc circumftancc Luke docih more at large fctforth, L V K E . r. Heeficode by the lahf. Matihcw and M arke call it thefca of Gahle, after the olde manner of their tongue . The lake in times paft among the Hebrtwcs was properly called cinduth. Then the language being X corrupted^ 1 4^ 'The Comment, ofM, h, Cai/iine coiTupted,the wra wasturnedintoGenezarcth. The prophanc writers Jot ri". T ^^'**?"'^^^?""^^^^*^''^^''^*^^PP'^" Gallic, the/ called it the Tea ofGalilc, Thebankeihatwasnecrcta Til>crias,wa$ named after that citie In another place there will be a more fittc occaflon to fpeakc of the lar^cnede andfituationofthefame. Now Wcvrill come to the matter it fdfe Lu^elaith thatChria going vpinto Peters (liip, launched out a little ^rom the land ihac he might the more commodioufly teach the people fro n thcticc , which were come out of diucrs places, for the dedre theyhidtohearehiTirand when face had ended his teacnmg, b/ a miracle heeihewed a token of his dininc power; forthoughit isvfuallto fiilierstomake many draughtcs iavaine^and then with aie rood draughtto recompence tlie labour that theyhidfpentin vamc: yet the miracle was fctfoorth by this circumft mnce, that: when they^ had taken nothing all the night ( which yet ismoftfit for catchin^^ )n)denly a^rcatrnultituicoffiflieswifheapedinto thcirnets, which fi:ledth Mr fhips Therefore Peter and his fellowes docea/lly acknowledge, thai (ucKapra/ of God "^"^ » came not to them by c/uunce , but was giucn4ci' LV. %. MxiJiery)Pi>thaue trained all night. It is not to be doubted but thai Peter knowina that Chrift executed the office of a teacher, and touched with arcucrenccof him,didfo call him : yet he hadnot foprodted, as hcc defcrued to bceaccouatcd amongft his difciples. For it is not enough to thinke reue ^' rcntly of Chrift, exceptwe embracing his dodrinc with obedience of faith doe hold that which he rcquircthofvs.- And though hee had no taftc,orverv fmaUtiltcofthcGorpcIhycthefliewethhowmachheattributeth to Chrift whereas being weaned with labour, without profit.that which he in vainc had tried, he againe attempted* Thcrforc itcannot be denied, but that Chrift was great, and that his authoritie much preuayled with him. But this particular faith hadinonconelvconmandementoFChrift, and that ia a phuate earthly bufines, had not made Peter a Chriftian,nor giuen himplacc amon-ft the chil drcnofGod:butthatfromthisbeginningofobedience, hefhoullat Icnnh beleadtoafulobedicnce, Butfith that Peter was fo ready to obey th- com mandcrocnt ofChnft, whom a$ yet he did not know ey ther to bee a Prophet or the Sonne of God. No excufe can rcmc our flouth, that being tau-ht that he ttour Lord, and king, and Uidgc,and being tcnne times codiimanded by him to doc our dutie, doe not yet ftirre a finajf on the Sab. both day hee entred into the Syna- gogitey and taught. X 1 . ^nd they were afionied at his dodrin.'for he tattglH them, as one that had author it} y and nat a* the Scribes^ J J* ^nd there was in their fynagogue a man which had an yn cleaneffirityand hee cryed, l^^Sayin^,ahjWhat haue we to do with thee ^ OJeJhiofT{aXareth^art thou come to deftroy fs^lknowthee vrhat thoU' art ette that holy $ne of God, i^.jind lefus rehuh^dhim^faying hold thy peace ^nd come out of him 16. .And the yndeane fpirit tare him, and cried with a ioude yoyccy and came out of him. 17. .And they were all ama^ fed Jo that they demaunded one of another yf ay ingywhat thing is thii? what new doBrine it this } for hee commandeth thefowlefpirits rritb 3 r* ^nd he came down int§ Capernaumya city ofGaliU ^ thet taught them on the Saboth dayes, 3 J . ^nd they were afionied at his dofhrine.'for his Word was with author itie . 3 J ♦ .And in the Synagogue there was a maHyWhich had afpirit of am yncleane deuilly which cryed with a Ioude yoyce, 34. Sayingyohywhat haue we to doe with thee, thou lefus oflS{a- \areth}Art thou come to dejiroj y$ ik^w who ihott artf etttnthe holy one of Go d^ 3 y; .And lefus rebuild him^ f^yingy hold thy peace, 'and comt out of him. Then the deuill thrown ing him in the midfi of themy camt out ofhitKyandhurt him not. 36. So feare came on themall^ and they fpal^e among themfelues^ fayingywhat thing is this f for with autharitie and power he commaun^ deth thefowle ffitites , and they come out* authoritiCyand they obey him. Itfstobccthoughtthatthismanpofleflcdwithadeuill was one ofthat company, which Matthew made mention of fomewhat before* But the nar-» ration of Marke and Luke is not in vainc ; bccaufc they (hew certaine circum- ftances, which doe not oncly make the miracle more manifeft^butalfo do con tainc profitable dodrine. For the dcuiU doth craftily grant, that Chrift is the holyoneof G O O, that hee might make men fupfed that hee hath fomc fa. miliartie with Chriftc.* by which fubtiltic hee alfo endeuourcdto bring the Gofpell intofufpition , and at th'sday hee ccaftthnotto attempt the fame. This is the caufc why Chrift canfech hmi to hold his peace. Anditmaybec that this confeffion was violently wrerted out of him .• butthefetwo 60c not diflerbciweene themielucs,, that hee being enforced to eiuc place to the pow» er of Chrift, that hee might proclaime him to bee the holy one of God,and yetfubtillyheecnfieuourelth tocouer the glory of Chrift, with his darkncs. Itisalfo tobeenotcd, that hee docthfo flatter Chrift, that hee might rrafte- ly c onucy himfclre from hishand. And after this mancrhc fightcth with him- felfc : for to what purpofe js Chrift fanaificd of the Father, but that deliuering men from the tyrranie of the Ucuill, hee might ouenhrow his kingdome , butbeecaufc Sathan cannot abide that power, which hee pcrccyueth to bee prepared for his deftruaion ,hee cfefircs to make Chnlt ^uict, and I j- $ The Comments ofMJo, CMne to be content Vvith a vaine title. MAR. it. They voere afionied at hisdoflrine. The Euangelifts Jo meane that the power ofthe fpirit did appcare in the vvordcs of Chrilt, which caiifed cuentheprophaneand colde hearers to woonderat them. L VKE faycch, thathisword was with authoritie.- that is,fullofdigMuie. MarkcCttcth it out more fully, and addcth an AntitheliSjthat it was vnhke to the wordes of the Scribes.Biitwhen they were adulterous interpreters ofthe Scripture, their do- Arine was htcrall and dead, which (hei'ved no force ofthe fpirite , and thc.-c wasnomaieitieinit^, butfiich coldefliifFe,asmay at this day b<:efeene in the fcCo.4.28 fpeculatiucdignitieofpoptrie. Thofemailtersdoeimpcrioufly thunder out whatfocuer they thinke good. But when they mprophanemaricrdo brabble ofdiiiinitiejfo that no rchgion appeare thin their disputations , wliatfoeuer they bring is filthy and toyiili : for Paule hath not faydc ia vainc, the kiigdome of God ftandeth not in word, but in power. Infutnme, thcEuangehftesdoe Ihcwc, that when the manor of teaching was degenerate and very corrupt, which touched the minds of men with no re- uerence of God, then the diuinepowcr ofthe fpirit was euidently fccne in the words of Chiift, which gate him credit. Thisis tlK power or rather di^nitie and authoritie, whereat the people weie allonied. L V. 5 ^ . ^ man whichhad an yndeane fpirit. Thisfpcach auaylerh as much as if Luke fhould h.iuefayd, that heewas ftirred vp by the motion ofthe deuill. For by thepermifsionofGod, SathanpofleiTed the pow«;rs of thefoule ; fo that he would enforce them as well to fpeake, as to other motions at his plea- sure. Therefore when men poflefled with diuels do fpeak,the diuels do fpcake in them, and by them, whom they haue authoritie to rule. Itis probable that the title ofthe holy one of God was taken out ofthe common and accuftomed maner of fp caking; and therefore they To called the Mefsias; becaufeheewjs feperate from all other, as one endued witli a fingular aracc^and the head of aU the Church. MAR. !(?♦ The ynJeane fpirite tare him, Luke vfeth a more gentle worde^. yctin fcnCc thev agree very well : becaufe they both would teach, that the de- parture ofthe deuill, was violent and forcible. Therefore hefo threw downe tlic wretched man, as ifhce would haue torne him in fundcr* yet Luke fayeth, that his purpofc was in vainc, not that,that force was alcogether without hurt, or atlcaft without fomepaine ;butthatheewasaftcrdcliueredawhole and a (bunde noan from the deuill. LVKE ^6^ So feare came on them all. The fruite of the miracle is, that they are enforced to thinke thatthere is in C H R 1 5 T fomewhat more- then appertayneth to men. And th-y wifely refcrre the glory andpo.ver of the miracle to the do(fliine. Whatdoftrme is this f fay they) whereto the Dcuils thcmfelucs are enforced 'xo obey ? They call it a newe dodrine, not in rcproch, but becaufe they acknowledge fomc vnufuall and extraordi- nary thing init. Therefore they doe notaccufcit ofnew.ies,that they might difcrcdite it .• but this is rather a poynt of admiration, in that they denic it filler 60 be coouuon^ or mthc power Qf maa. In thi^ die/ ondy offend, shpfc f^fon the H^rmcm of the Emngelifies^ !■ -y that they continue ftill in their doubting, when it becommeth the children of God to go on in further profiting. Matth.8. Mar. I, Luke.4. 384 ^ni he rofe ypg and came out of the Syna- gogue^ and entred into Sh momhoHfe, ^nd Simoni wittet mother was tak^n yvhh a^reatfefter-f^thej required him for her. J9» Then bee Jioodi oner her, and rduk^d the fetter, and it left her : and immediately /he rofe, and mi»ijired ynto them, 40, Thieve when the fimne was downe, all they that had fck^e fol\e of di- ners difeafes, brought the ynto him,andhet layd his bandes yppon ettery one of them,and healed them, 4 1 . ^nd deuilUi aU fo came out of many, cry^* ^^Si^f'^'fig, Thettart the ChrifithefonofGod: htit heereUkidthem,and 14 « ,Jnd Xfihen Je- ftts came to peters honfe heefawe hit wiues mo ~ ther layd dov^n,andfick^ tfafener^ If. jindheetot4'' thed her hand ,and the feuer left her,foJhee 4- rofe and mimjired ynto 16. J^)entheeu«n tvas come, they brought ynto him many that yperspoffejfedvpith di- ueli : andheecafieout thefpirits with his word and healed thofe that verefick^, 17* That it might iefi*lfikd, which was Mar. I. 19* ,And ajfoene as they were comeoHte of the Synagogue, they entred into thehoufe oj Simon and ^ndrew,withlames and lohn, 30. jind Simons rvihes mother, in law layftcke of a fetter, ^ anon they told him of her ^ J I . ^nd hee came and tooh^ her by the hande, and lift her yfpe, and the feuer for fooh^ her by c^ by, and fin miniflred ynto them, 1 2. ,^)td when etten veas come ^thefftnne was down,they brought to him all that were difeafed,and them that were pujjejfed with di' uels* 3 J ♦ .And the whole Citty was gathered together at the dore. 3 4 . ^nd hee haled many that werejic^e efdiuers difeafes : and he fpoked by Ifaias the pro- j <"«/? out many deuilles, andfujfered fhet,rayingjje too]^ our infirmities j^ bare our Jtck^iejfes* iB, ^ndtvhenle- fusfawgreat multitu^ des of people about him, hee commanded them to go omr the Water, not the deuiU to fay, that they k^ew him, 3f, ^nd in the morningyery 5 , , ^/.M. f,^ n,z ,n^j,,nn^ vtry u^f neeretfun^a them,an(t early before day, Iefusarofe,and\fufferedthem nottofay. wente out into a folytary place, and thereprayed, %6, ^nd Simon and they that were with him, followed after him^ 3 7. ,Andwhen they had found him, they fay de ynto him, all men feeh^ for thee, 3 8 . Then hefayde ynto them, let ysgoe into tht next townes, that J may preach there alfo :forJ came out for tljat purpofe^ pX 3 9 ♦ oind hee preached in theyr Synagogues throughout all GaUte, and caft the deuils out. that they hjww him to bee Chriji, 42, ^nd when it rvas daye^ hee departed, and went forth into a de- ferte place, and the peo- ple fought him, and came to him, and kfpt him,that hefhouldmt depart from tliem^ 43* Buthe faydyit^ totheniffurely Jmufial- foprtache theCofpell of the kjngdome of God to Om thercittiet i for therefore am Jfent^ ^9* MAR. Thejf entred into thehoufe, Itmaybcc caiily g^tBcrcd, that K 4 ]^9^ / 5 * ^*^ Comment, ofM^U, Cnhme, Matthew Joth not rebearfe this hiftory in his order, by this, thnt MarkcTayth, that Chrift namely had hue fourc difciples oncly follow.ng him. Alfo when he cameoucofthcSinagogLie, and went Itraight into Peters houfe , it iseafily feene that the time was not exadly obfcrued by Matthew. Alfo the Euangc- liftesfeemeto hauc reported this myraclc for fome fpcciail caufe, not that it was more notable then the relljOr more worthy to be remc nbred.- but becaufe that in it he gane to his difciples a priuite and fccrete token of his grace : then that the healing ofthis one woman gaue an occafion, or was the procurintj of many myracks, fo that they came to him from all places to askc his hclpe. Yet the power, which Chrift (hewed here, Luke doth amplifie in one wordcjCiyincr that Peters mother in law was taken with a great fcucr .• for it was the more certaine and notable declaration of diuine power, in a moment of time, and onely by touchmg, totake away fo vehemet& lo giieuous a difcafe. A id tho?h he could haiie done it onely with abcckc,ycthe touched her hand, eythcrto {hew his affcdion, or for that he knew that this figne was then profitable . for wc know that he freely vfed outward fignes, as the time required* J 9. L V. He« rebu'l^dthefeuer. Though this fpcach may fcemc hard to the reader not fufhcientlyexercifed in theScripture, yet it wanteth not arcafon. For chefcucr and other difeafes, famine, peftdence, and all kind ofmifcry are the officers of God, by whom he cxecuteth his iudgementes. Therefore as at his commaundement and appointment, it is fayd thachee fendethfoDrthfuch melVciigers .• fo alfo doth he rebuke & call backe, when he thinketh good. Mat- thew & Markeco.iceale how he healed others. Luke faythit was by layin" on ofhandcs. And it wis a figne of reconciliation vnder the law, wherefore nei-. thcr without caufe, nor out of time, doth Chrift alfo lay his hands vpon them, who n he abfolucth from the curfe o": God. It was aUo a folemne maner of con - fecration, as fliall more at large be fayd m an other place. But 1 fimply interpret that Chiiil layd his hads vpon the ficke, that commending them to his father, he might obtaine grace and deliuerancefrom difeafes. 17, MAT. ffhichwaifpokenbylfaias* Thisfeemeth to be cited little to the purpofe .* nay, this Prophefie feemeth to be wreftcd into a contrary fenfe. For ECaias doth not fpeake thereof myracles , but of the death of Chrift .- nor oftemporallbenefites, but of the fpirituaUandcternall grace. And that which is certainly fpoken of the vices of the (biile, Matthew applyeth to corporall dif- eafes. The anfwer istiothardjfo that the readers confidcrnot only what Chrift outwardly beftowed vppon thcfe ficke people, but to what end he healed their difeafes. They felt the grace of Chrift in their bodies ; but wc muft looke vp^ on the ende. For it were very prepollcrous to ftay vpon the outw>ird benefite asifthefonncofGodwcreaPhilitionofthebodyes. What then? namely' he gaae light to the blinde, that hee might ihew himfclfe to be the li<7ht of the worlde : he reftored hfe to the dead, that he mi^ht prooue himfelfc to bee the life and the rcfuneftion. The fame is to be thought of the lame, & of the ficke ofthcpalfic: wherefore let vs follow this analogic, that what benefices foeuer Chi'ift beftowed vppon men in th j flcfh, wee may referre the fimc to the fcopc which Matthew propoleth .• that is.that he was fcnt of his fadier, th^at he mi^ht 4cLuei: vs from all euils and txuferies* MAR. 54 vpon the Hatminfe $fthi EfMfJgelifes. i /^ MARKE. ^J^, Heefuffered not the dtuilst» fay e that they kiierve him . There might bee two caufes why heefufJcred them not.- one general], that as yet the appoynted time of his full reuelation was not come . the other fpeciali which we touched a little before, that hce refu'ed them as preachers and witncfles of the Godhead, which through their prayfing, couldc doc nothing elfe hut flaunder anddifcredithim. And ihislaft is witho.t doubt, for the deadly dilcord ought to bee (hewed which the authour of eternail faluat.on and hfc fliould haue with thcf prince of death and his minifters. M A T.iS.fViienlefusfaw great multitudes. I doubt not but thnt Matthew doth briefly touch that which otheis doe more fully & plentifully fct foorch That which is concealed by ^at. the other two do expreiie befoi e it was day Chrift went kcretly intoadefertplace, tofeekercft. Afarkc fayth after ,that Pe;ertold him that all men fought him And Luke fayth that the people camt thithcr.Now that 3iatth fayth that he went ouer to the fu. thtr ihoare, both they fay that he did it that he might goe tl rough all Gaiile, tfiat hot might preach in all places. But the further (hoare in my iudgemenr,is called not that which is light ouer a- painftit on the further fide, but in refpedof that place which was belowe Ca- pernaum. Therefore hefowcnt ouer part ofthe lake, thathcewuuld not leauc Gallic, It is lo be noted that he fayth, that hee went or was fcnt for that ende .• for in thcfe wordes he witneflcth. how reidily hee was bent tu fulfill his office. But if any man Ihall aske whether it were better for the minifters of the Gof- pell, to runiie hither and thither, that they might in all places fparingly & flen- derlytaflthedodrineoFGod, or rcmaine teaching their henreis perfcdly Whomethey haue once wonne . I anfwerc, the purpofc of Chrift wherof men- tion is here made, was grounded vppon a raoft notable caufe, becaufe it w^s a ereeable to the commaundemcnt and caUinc of the father. For Chrille was in Eiort time to goe throughout ludea , that hee might euery where waken the mindes of men, as with the found of a tiumpet, to heare the Gofpell , which matter Ihall more largely be entreated of other where. Matthew. Marke.3. I J . Then he went yppe into a mountainey(^ called >p irnfhim vehome he wottlde, and they came to him* 14 . ^nd heappoynted t^reltte, that thej/houldbe vrith him, and that he might fend them t9 preach X J. And that th«y might haue poller to healefickitejlfesj^o cafi out deuils* I €* And the firji wat Simony dxdhe named SimonfPettr* 17 . Then Umes the finne of \ehedeufti^ lohn, lames brother, (and named the Boanargesywhich it thi fonnesofthHttder.) x8 And Luke 6, 11. And it came topaffe in thofe dayes that hee went int9 a mount aine to pray, and fpent* the night in prater to Cod. 13. Andvohen it v4s day, he9 called his difcipieSy and of them he chofe trceltie, which alfo hee called ApofiUs. 14, SimotiYfhemehe named alfoTetir^ and Andrew hisbro- ther, lames and hhn, Vhtlip and Bartlemewe. 1 J ♦ Matthetc e and Thomas .* lames thefonne of Alphf*ih *nd Simon called Zelous* 16, ladas lames brother, and K 5 liidu ^54 The Commettt. tfM. U, Calmnt l8. ^xd^ndrewj ^ Tijilliffy and Baj» tlemeWjand M^thevp, andThomaSy andla- mesy tJ/efonne »f ^l- pheu-sy aid Thaddetts, and SymontheCaua- nite: 1 9 . ^nd ludas If- cari'jty vrho .ilfobetrai- edhim. Indas Ifcariotywhich matalfo the traitor, 17. Then hee came dovpnt with them, andfioode inapUynepUcey y^ith the com- pany of his difcplesy and a great multUude of people out ofallludeayandlnufalcmy <& from thefea coaji ofTyrm (<^ Suiony which came to heare him, and to be healed of him. I 8, ^nd they that were yexedwiih foulefpirite^yand they were healed^ 19. ^nd the viholemuhittidefottghte to touch him : for there y»em power ont of himy4tid healed them all. MARKE. I J. HettentypintoamdHntaine. By this ekdion he doth not as yet oidameti-cApnftles, that th^^^yfhouidcprefcntly execute their office .• buc only in hope of Apoilklhip, he adopteth them as difciples to keepc him com- pany ,\\ herein the inter prtt. rs bane bin deceiued, which vnaduifedly doe con- found thefc places with ihc teath chapter of Mat, And the wordcs do cuidentiv declare.tha t they were onely appointed tiiat they flioiild after be of that ainba£. fage, which is enioyned them in Matthew.And Marke & Luke do aftcnvardes in the right place fetdowne their fending forth, which -Matthcwe doeth there m ikc n:eiuion of And it is no mnriiclif that the hcauenly mafter would a little frame and accuftomc th.m to fo hard a charge, whofe rudneflb coulde not be reftrayncd by long vfc of difcipiine. Both the Eiiangeliftes fay that Chrift went vp into a mountaine« Luke dcclareth the caufe, that he might the more freely pray out from company, whic h he was wont to do very often, as may be feene in other pip.ces. Buc this example ought to be a pei fede rule to v$, that we doe begin with prayer, fo oft as paftors are to bee chofen for Churches • cthcrwife whatfoeucr wc attempt, (hall not profoer. For the Lord did not pray fo much for his own rakc,.ris that he mightpicfcnbc a law for vs .• for we want wifedomc & counfcll,and though we were moft prouident,yet wc cannot in any thing be eaficr deceiued thenin this. Nowhow canwo beoutofdaungerofoftendfn<7 except the Lordefhoulde moderate our affedions, confiderin« how great tfc force,orrathcrtheviolenceoffauourandloue, or of hatred, o? of ambition is to draw vs away? Furth^rmorejthou^h there bee great diligence vfed in the e ie<5lion,yaallthingcs n^allprofperill , except the Lorde take vppon him to goucrnethofe that arc chofen,andcndcwthem with neccflarygiftes What then? will fomc men fay.- Did not Chrift earncltly require of his father diac hee would rule his c Ica;on? I graiint this, and withall I addc, that by this teftimo! nie he declared how caieftill he was for his Church : therefore he prayed not his father , after a daily manncr,butfpcnt all the night in prayer Butifhre thatwas full ofthc holy r7ho(t did fo earncftly and To carcfuhy pray his father to be gouernour of his elcdion^how much is our neccflltic greater. MARKE. I ^.^nd called ynto him whome hee rPoM. Idoubtnotbut that Ma.ke woulde hereby fignifie that they were taken to this fo hono rable an office by the meere grace of Chrifte , not for thcyr own^ woorthynelTc . For i( thouvndcrlUnde that they Were chofen that were more vponthe Harmonie vfthe Btiangehfies, j^-y more notable thcii others, this cannotagree in ludas. Therefore the mcining is that the Apoftlefhip was not beftowed according to the merits of m: n, wha were nothing worthy to be lift vp into that eftatc,but by the free mercy of God And fo thAt was fulfilled that Chrift layd other where, you haiie not chofcn me but I hane chofen you.Iohn i %^i6.li\ thcfaTcfenceaKbPaul often co:-nmcn- deth the purpofe ofGodinhis Apoftlefliip. Butheerc dccorifemoequcftions, ^P^^« J»7 Firft, why hechofe ludas ofa determinate purpofe, whom hce knew to bee vn- ^^* i^if^ worthy of that honour, and ll-ould become a traitoiir. Then, wliy God btin<; {bearneftly beloughtof hisfonne, fuffered fofaithlelTe and wicked «a man to crcepe into the cheife order o'^his Church, at if he had dcfpifcd Chrilt. Thirdly why hee wou'd that the firlt fraites of his C hurch fhonld bee polli ted with fo vilearerroach Founlily, why Chrift wittingly and willingly preierred ludaS- before honeft and faithtullmimfters. Theflrft obiediunisthus anfwered : Ic was the will of the Lord purpofely to meete with fuch offences that fliould fall out, lead wee (hould be troubled beyond mcafuic, fo oo; as we foe fajfc teachers occupie aplace in the Church Or that of profellours of tht Gofpeil there be- come ApoOates. And alfo in the peifon of one man, hee gaue an example of a horrible defedion Jeait they that are placed in higher eftatc of dignitie, iliould flatterihcmfeiue^too much. Yet let vs not fiy that Chriftfufrercd t!ie repulfe. When the father in wo:iderfull coualell adioyned one deuill to eicuen Anoels,, yet hee fogouerned the falling cut of the matter, that his falhiigawiy fhoulde confirme the faith oFthe Church, rather then {hake the fame. 1 hh fame an- fwere may be giuento the third quefli on. In the firll beginnings it wjs fpeedc- ly {hewed whatthe ertate of the Church ihould be,leaft the weake fhould wave faint at the fall of any o f tzh e reprobate .-for it is vnmeetet^at the liability of the Gofpeil Ihould depend vponmen* As concerning the lall O. iedion, Chriil did notpreferre ludas before the holy and the godly Difciples. but he Hfted him vp on high, from whence hee was tofall, becaufehevvouldeheihould bee a fpedacle to all men, and an in{lrudion to all ages, that no man fhould abufe the honour giuento him of G O D : then the pilltis falling, th.it they that feeme co bee of the common forte of thefaithfuli mightremaine fled- fafl. LVKE. 1^. iriyichalfo he calk d^po files, Thismay bee expounded two wayes, Eythcr that hee after confecrating them intj their office, gaue this name vnto them .'Eyther that he gauethem this title inhopeofthe ciigi.itie to come that they might knowc to what purpofe they werefeperatefroai the common fort, and for wh.it vfe they were ordained. Which latter cxpol^tion docth agree with the wordes ofMarke .-for hee fliith, that Chrift did this, that they fr.ould. be with him, and that he might fend them to preach. Therefore his will was,, tliat they iliould be his companions, vpon whom he would lay a greater charge,, for when he fay th that they {hould be with him, and that hee would; end them forth topreachj he doth not appoynt that they fhould bee both in one moment: of time, as J. hauefayd before. M A R. i6,. yfnd hee named Symon^ Tettr. Although it behoueth all Chriftianr. to beeJiuing flonesof thefpiritualltcmple, yet ClS-ift for the meafttre of grace whichhe would bellow vpou Simon, gJ^ue himapeculi^ivname^neytlKr i!oEh> ' ' hifc 1^5 rheCommcna. afMjo.Ciduine* his tliamefullinfirmitie in denying the Lord hinder this : for with this title his inuiii ciblc power and conlbncic, which continued euen to death, is fet foith, Yetth« Papiites are to belaujhcd at^whichthercofgathcr that the chu;chwas grounded vpon him, as fliabelhewed moreathrgc in the i6. chapter of Mat- thew. Chrill called the lonnesofZcbedcus^the Ions of thunder J tcr that hec would ouic ihem a loanding voycc' wheiwith they Hiould thunder throutjhout allthewjrld And the thunder out ot the mouth otlohn is heard to .this day, and It is noi to be doubted but that his brother fl^oke the earth while hec iiued. But the word is corrupt, for the perfed pronounciation {houldc bee ii £ 21^£ B^^ei or V^^ju^ But it is not vnknowne howe eafily wordcs are changed when they ?.5.e tranilated mio an other tongue. Math J. Markc. I . sAni voJien hcfaw the mnltittide^ he went yp into a mwntaine:^ vehe he wa^ftty hii difcifles came to him* X ^nd bee opened his mouth and tattght thf my faying: J . B lejfed are the po ore infpirite for theirs is the kingdome of heauen. 4. B.ejfeil are they that mourne : for they Jhdbe comforted. ^. Bl'ffedare the meeh*:for they Jhall inlientethe earth. 6, Bleffedare they x^hich hungtr^ thirfi for righteoufnes '.for they Jhall befilled. 7. Bleffedare the merci full: for they Jhall ohaine tnercie. 8. Blejfed are the pure in heart .* fortheyJJjallfte God. 9 . BlJJed are the peacemik^n.'for j theyJJjolb* called the children of God 10. Bl* ffe dare they vthichftijfer ferfecutionfoT r:ghteoi*fnesfal^ : for theirf is the kingdome of heauen. 1 1 , BUjfed are ) 01* when men 1 einle yottyV^ perfecuteyoM^firfay al maner of en it againjiyou for my fakj'^fa IJly 1 1 . B^ioyce 1 fay and he glad ^ for great isyon r reward in heaHen:forfo Luke.^. 20. ^ndhe lifted -vp his e/e$ ypon his difcipleSy andfayde^ Blef- fed bee yeepoore: for y Oars h tl>e kin^dome of heauen, X I . Blejfedareyee that htinm ger noWyfor yeefjall bt fatisfied, Blejftd areyee that weept novr'for yet Jhall laugh. 1 1.. Bleffed areyee when men hateyoUy and when they feperatt you f and reuileyou, and put out your name as eutU, for the fonnt ofmansfak^, 1 5 Bsioyce you in that day^ andbeeglad: for behold your re- warde ii great in heauen : for af" ter this maner their fathers did ta the Trephets. 24, But woe he to you that are rich : for yee haue receiued your confolation. 1 f . H^oe bee to you that art full : for yee Jf^all hunger . Woe bei toyou that now laugh : for ye Jhall waile and weepe, 1 6. U^'ie bee to you when aS. menfpeakewellofyou : for fodtd their Fathers to the falfe VrO" phets. perfecuted they the Vrophets which were h( fore you. M A T. T. Hewentypintoamountaive, Thcy thatfiy this is an other fer-nonof ChrHtes, and not that which is fet downc in the 6. chap of Luke, aie drawcn with too light and friuolous an argument : for that Matthew fayethihatChrift fake in the mountainc to his Difcip^cs , and that Luke feemcthto uotc, that hec /pake vmo them in aplaine place. For they doc vcrjr vpontheHarmonieoftheEHartgelifies^ i^- tery prepoftcroufly read the wordes of Luke, adioyning them iop ether that Chriftcaiv.edowneintoaplainepbce, and there hclifting vp hisrycsvp5h(S difciples, (pake thus. Koritwisthe purpofe of both the tuagdi'tes, to aether together into oneplace,the princip-ill povnttsofthcdodrine of Chnft which did belong to the rule ofgodiyand'holy life. There .^or.- though Luke had firft made mention of a phine place, yet hee doth not m a contmuall courfe profe . cute thefaniehiftory,butfromyiac!eshepallthtododrinejne(thera;sipnincT time nor place. As m Matthew there js no noting of the time, but onely o\ the place. And Jt IS very hkely that Chrift did not T) preach, butatter hechadde chofen the twelue. hJutl wouldenotbee tco curious in keeping the orda of time, which I did fee not regarded bythefpnit ofG^d. Fo this ouoht to luf- fice the godly and modeft readers,* that they haue heere fttte before then- eyes a brcifc funime of thedodrine of Chrill, ga^.hercd out oFmany and diiiers of his. Sermons, whereof this was the firit , whcrehew cntieateth with his dif. iples oftiuefclicitie, 2. Hee opened his momh. Heere in the Hel rewphrafe is the fioitre Vleo- nafmus \(oore in fpirit, I n Luke there is a bare 3/etaplior But ^fatthcwf doth more plainly exprefle the mind of Chrift^becaufethatthc pouerty ofmi- ny is accurfed & vnhappy. Therefore when there be many oppreflcd with cuils, which yetreafe notinwardly tofwellwith pride & cruelty, Chriftc pronoun-. ccth them happy, which being tamed & fubducd withtroubles,dofubmit them felucs wholy vnto God,& being inwardly humbled,thcy comit themfclucs into his cuilody others dointcrprcat the po arc in fpirit^which do arrogate nothing to them felues, but throwmg downe all truft in fle(h, they acknowledge their own need. But bccaufc it is neceflary to be one,& the fame fcnfc m the words of Luke & /Vfatth .It is not to be doubted but they are called poore which arcop- prcfled & aftlided with aduerfities^This only is the difference that Afat. by ad- ding the Epithyte,doth reftrainc thcfehcity to them only, which vnder the diC* ci-^line of the erode haue learned to be humble. For theirs is. We fee that Chrift doth not puffe vp the mindes of his difciples* with a vaincperfwafion, or harden, them with a hard hartedobftmancy,a$ the Stoic ks do. -but he calling the to the hope of ttcrnal lifc,he cncourageth the to patience;becaufc by this mcanesthcy lliould enter into the heauenly kingdoms . But it is worth the labor to note, that no man is poorc in (pirit,but he that is brought to nothing in himfclfe,and repofeth himfelfc in the mercy of God. For they that are broken or oucrwhel* medwith dcfperation, when they fret againft God, arc ofa lofty and proude ipirit. 4 , Blejfed are they that mottrne* This fentcnce is not onely next to that which goeth before, b«t it is an Appendix or confirmation of it. For it was wont to be iudgcd, that troubles make a man vnhappy , bccauic they alwaycs do drawe forrow and griefe w th them, and that nothing is more contrary to felicity then forrow. But Chi ift doth not ontly deny that they that mourne ate milerablc, but hee teacheth that ihey are holpe, euen by that fonowe to happy hfc. For that they arc by this meenes framed to receiue eternall ioy,and pricked forward as withfpurreSjleafl they (hould fcckc any comforte any other whcre.So Paul faythtothe Romames, chapter. 5.3. wee reioyce in tribulations, knowing that tribulat on bringeth foorth paticnce,and patience experience, and experi- ence hope, and hope maketh not alhamed. ^,bleffedarethemeekf, Hcmeaneth thole mcekc&quietjwhich arc not cafily prouoked with iniuries, & are not giiien to frowardncs for euery offence, but are ready rather to fufter any thing, then to do as the wicked do.But it fcemcth very abfurd that chiift promifeth the inheritance of the earth tofiich. For they ra thcr vfurp the gouernmct of «:heearth,which couragiouflyjrcpel all iniuries,Sc if at any time they be hurt, they are ready with the hand to rcucge the fame. And certainly expericnc e teacheth, that the wicked do fo much the more boldly and ftoutly goe on forward, for that they aie the more gently borne with . And hereof rofe chat deuilifh proucrbc. They muft howlc with the woulcs ; bc« caule vpen the Hanmnie of the Euangelifies. I ^g caufc thatwhofoeucr maketh himfelfc ailiecpc, is prefendy to bcc deuoured of of the wolucs. But Chrift oppofing his owne aide and the helpe of his Father, asainil the fury and violence of thofc euils,doth not without caufe declare that the tneeke {halbc Lords and inheritors of the carth.The children of this world doe not thinkc themfelues otherwile m fafcprd, exccptthey (harptly reuengc what cuill focuer is done them, and To with force and armes detende their life* But fith itisccrtaincthat Chrift is the onely keeper of our life, there reniaincrth fiothin<' elfe but that wee (hould hide our fclues vnder the fhadowof his wings. Alfo itiehooueth v$ to be (heepc, if we coutt to be accounted of his flocke, 1 f any Obicd , that this heere fpoken is againit experience ; Firft I woilde hee (hould weioh how vnquietthofecruell men be,fo that they cuen trouble them- felues , So that in fo troublefomc alife, though tlicy were the Lordes of the earth a hundred times, yet in poffefsing all things they pofTeffe nothing. But forthc children of God I anfwere, though they can in no place fet their foots vpon their owne ground, yetthey quietly inioy a dwcUing vpon the earth. And thisisnotanima^inedpoHefsion, for they dwell vponthc earth, which they knowisgrantedthcmfio.il God. Alfothey arc armed with the handc of God againft the tempeft and rages of all mifcheifcs, and though they be fet foorth a- eainll all the dartes of Fortunc,and fiibieft to all inconueniencc of cuj1s,& co« paflcd about withall dangers ; yet they dwell fifely vnder the defence of God» jo that atleaft they may tatte now thcfauour of God. And this is fuflficicnt for them, vntiU at the lalt day they enter into the inheritance of the world. 6. BUffed are they thatbunTer. Tohungerandtothirft,is by thcfigurc Sy. necdochc;takenforwant,to be widiout things nccefldrie,and alio to be de.'rau. ded of their owne ri-ht. That which ^athewfayth, to. hunger .ifter rjghteof- neflcis aplacinoofapartforthc whole. Yethccampljfieththc vnworthines, whcnhefayththatbycarefuUfighing they get nothing but thu which is righr- tcous .-as if hccHiould fay ; they are blcflcd, which though they moderat tneir dcCrcs, fo that they defite nothing to be giuen them, but that whic h is right: do yctneuerthelcflclanguilli as hungry foufes. For though their carefulnw vNherc with they bcctroubled,isf<:ornedat,yctitis to thcmapreparaaon to felicitic, bccaufethey(hallatkngthbcfatisfied;forGOD will at lencth heare thtix fighcs, and win heare their iuft dcfires, whofe ofhcc it is to fill the hungry with cood things as it is in the Virgins fong. .^ . » , i 7. BlcnedaTetbem^^''^/}^ly}^^l "^TnlZZ Willingly employ themfelucstohelpethem, Hceaddeth,/.r.;,.. /fe.// obtaynt w.rc4hatisytonelywithGod,6atalfoamonpftmenthemfc^^^^^^^^ mindes God wiU bowiohumanitie. Butthoughfomctimf s the vs^orM^^ thankefull,& beftowcth the worft reward vpon them ^^^^f^'T'^^^^^^^^ kindcj To that they (hall hauc him kindc and mcrcifull againc to them. 8. BlefJ'fd are tJie pure mJieart. Chti't fccmcth here to fay nothing but that which is agreeable to thcindgCirentofall men. All conf^fle that dcanellc f f he rt IS the n other of all ver twcs, but yet it is fcr.rcc the hundred mm t lat doth not account fubtiltie .is a moft notable vcrtuc. H . reo. it conmerh to palTe that the y are commonly thought blcffed, which are molt fubtdeincraftic conuei- ances, which r y > uill mcanes doe crafccly ciicumiicnt them With whom they huicto doe. Th.refore Chnftngreeth not with the iudgementoftheflcfhe, whil.hecclkih the Tibleffcdjwhuf hare not delij;hted with crafcinefle, but wa.'kclir.ccicly amongft men, and in wordc sand countenance pretend noo- thcr thing, then they thinke in heart. And becnilethe fimplc are laughed at as men nothmg warie, and becauf. they doe not with dcceiteinou^^h prouidc forthcmreluts,'ChniUallcthihem higher: that ifthcy bee not wife inough^to dccc.ue vpoT earth, they ihall mioy the fight of God in heauen. 9. Blfjfed are the fs-ace^mak^n. He doih not onelymeanc them which lone peace, and flee from quarcls as much as in them lieth , but doe alfo dihgently cndedifTentionsrayfedvpamongft others, are the authours of peace vnto all^ and doe take away the occaGon of hatreds, & difplcafures. Neither is this rafli- lyfpoken,for,(ith it isapainefiill&atroubleforneniatterto pacific thcmthac difagreeamonglt themfelues, thcquietmenwhichftudieto maintaine peace, are enforced to benre this cnie!tic,thattheyheare thereproches,thecoplaintf andthequarrelles on bothp rtes. And thercofitrifcth that cucry man would wilh to h.Tue them all patrons to be on his fi ie. Therefor j,Iealt we (hould hang vpon thcfjuourof men, Chriftcommandeth vs to regard e the iudgement of his father, who being the God of peace, accountcth vs for his children, while we nourilh peace, although our latour pleafe not men. For to be calltd, fignifi- Cth as much, a? to be accounted. 10. ilcffed are they vehUhfuffer perfecuthti. The difciplcsofChrifthaue great nccde ofth is dodinnc, and how much more the lother and more hardly fiefh doth admit the fime, Co much more diliger.tly it muft be meditated. Neyther can we vnderany other condition war vnderChrift then that the greater parte of the world wi]i rife vp in hvitred againft \ $,& (hall pcrfccute vs euen to death* . So ftandsthc matter, Sathan the prince ofthe world will neuercea e to acme his children with madnes, that they may ftrike the members of Chrifl This is very monftrous and againlt nature, that they which loue righteoufnes fhould be vexed as enemies, which thtyhaue not dtferued. Therefore Peter fayth, 'i£ I.Pet.^.cg. youauoydefram eiiilldccdcs,whoishcthatwilIharmeyou?Butinfo vnbri- delcdwickcdncs of the world, it fa'kthovt too oftcn,that the good mc through the zeale of righteoufnes do cnflanic the difplcafures ofthe wicked againft the But this i,thclottc, efju'cially ofChiiftians, to bee hated ofthe grea- tcft number of men- for flcfh cannot beare the doftrincof the Gofpclhnonc canne beare to havie their fiultes reprooucd. They aref yde tofurfcr for righteoufneflc, which thereby kindle the difplcafures ofthe wicked, and prouoke their furie againft them ; beecaufe that with a care of right and cquitic they oppofe themfelues againfl cuillcaufcs, and dcfende tlie good U muchc as in them lycth. And inUiis behalic thctrucih of Go i hath worthily vpM the Hdtwinle rfthe Eudngeiifiii, "t tf t wortlicly tlicchcifepLice. Wherefore by this note ChriftdifcernethliijMar- tyrs from wicked men and cuill doers. Now I returne to that which 1 fayd c- uen now .• Syth all that will Hue godly in Chrift muit fiifFer perfccution, as Paul vritnefl'cth, this admonition doth generally belong to all the godly. If that at any time the Lord fparethoiu: weak eneflCj and pcrmitteth not thej wicked to vcxe vs at their pleafure •• yet it is meete vnder a fliadow and at leifure to medi- tate this dodi inc, that wee may bee prepared as oft as neede require to come forth into the field, nor come to the battell except we be well fiirniflied . But fith the condition of the godly is moft raiferable through the whole courfe of thislife tChriltforagoodcauferaifcthvs vpinhopeofaheauenly life. And herein the fcntence of Chrift dificreth much fro the inuentionsof the Stoicks, whichcommaundeeuerymanto befatisfiedvvithhis ownc opinion, thathec mightbchisownechufer offelicitie. And Chrift doth not vncertamely plant fehcitie vpon a vainc imagination,bnt groundeth the fame vppon hope of a rc- wardetocomc. II* when men reuileyoH, Luke fayth, when they hate you, and feper ate you, and rcuile you ^and put out your name as euill. By which words Cnrift would cofort his faithfiill ones, that they fhould not faint in their minds, though they fee themlelues dctefted before the world. For this was no fmall temptation, td be thrownc out of the Churche as wicked and prophanc. For fith hec kncwe that nothing was more deadly to the hypocrites , then that hec nught forefecwith how furious a violence the enemies of the Gofjiell were cnflamed againft his little and defpifed flocke .• his will was pcrfedly to armc them that theyftiouldnotbcouerthrowne, though a create heape of reprochcs fhoiildc hang ouer them to oiierwhelme them. And heere appcareth howe popifti ex- communication is to be feared as nothing, while that thofe tyrants fcperaic v$ from ^hcir Synagogues, bccaiife wcwillnotbe diuorccdfrom Chrift. I r ^ehy ce and beglad^for. That wc (hould not be ouerthrovvnc with vniuft rcproches, he dedareth that there is aremedic at hand .♦ for aflbonc as wee life vp our mindcs to hcaucn , then prcfently a great occafion of ioy doeth oftcr it (clfe, that it may fwallow vp the heauines. The {portwhich the Papiftcs make ivith the name ofreward, is heerceafily wiped away. Neither is there, asthcy dreame, a mutuall relation, betweenercwardeandmeritc; but it is a free pro- mifeofareward. Further, ifwee confide r how maimed &■ corrupt thofe good deedes are which come euen from the bcft men, GOD (ball ncucr finde any worke worthy a rcwarde* Againe thefe daufcs areto be noted, for my fake,or for the fonne of man, alfo they ftiall (ay al mancr of euiH againft ycu falfly-Ieaft they which (ufferperfecution for their ownefaultes, Ihouldc prcfently boaft themfclues to beMartyrs of Chrift; As the Donatiftcs in times paftpleafcd the- felucswiihthisoncly title, that they had the magiftrates againft them. And at ihisday the Anabaptiftes, though they dilJurbc the Church with their doting drcamcs, and flandcr the Gofpell, yet they glory thattheybeare the cnfignes of Chrift, when as they arc condemned righteoufly. But Chrift pronounccth none blefled, but they which fufFer in a iuft defence of his quarcli. J^orfoperfecsttedtheytheTrfiphets. This was purpofcly added, Icaft the ^poftles^hoping to triumph without ftveate or traucll, (houldc faint in pep- L feciAons I^ a The Comment, of MM. Caluine fccutions.'Forbccaufe that cuery where in the fcriptiire the reditution of all thiiit'S is pro:iii "ed in the kingdom ofChrilt^it w is dangerous lead they Oiould in a vainehopclifc vpthemf^lueSjandneucr thinke of the vv-irfare. And it may be gathered ojt of other places, th:ittheyi.iia^inei that the kingdome of ChriftjWasfullofricheOreandplesfures, Wherefore Chrift doth not without a caufe admonifh them that the fame troubles are prepared for them, which the Prophtesfomctimehadc.tperienceofjfor as muchas they fucceedein their place. Nwither doth hee fay that the Prophets were btfjre them onelyin re- fpcctoftime : but bccaufe they were ofthefim: order, therefore it beho^ued thcmtjfram:themfcluesaf:ertheircxaiiiple. That com.noii fancie of nine beatitudes is fo fduolous, thit it necde no long confutation. LVKE 1^, Wjebttoyo»richmen. As Luke rehearfeth only foare prin- cipal! blen[i.T^s : fo now he oppofcth foure curfe$,t!iac the fentenccs mtghc an- fwcreonetothcoch:r. But this A.ntithelis doth not oaelytende to ftriking a feare in the wi:ked,but to the llirring vp of the f aichfull, leaft they {ho ild fleep in the vainSc captious fnarcs ofthe world.For we know how quickly and readi lya man may bee made drunke With profpericie, or entangled with ths fairc fpeachesofmcn: whereby alfo it dothoftcnco.ne to palTe that the children of Cod doe enuie at the reprobate, to whom they fee all things flow profperoufly and hippily . Further, he curfeth the rich, not all ofthe, butth:y that tike theic comfort in the world, that is, they fo reft in their fortune, that th zy forget the lifethatistocome. Therefore he meaneththatrichefle arc fofarre frDm ma- king a man blefled,that they often become an occalion of deftrudion, Other- Wife Go^ doth notrctnoue rich men out of his kmgdo jie, fo that they make not fnares for themfelues, or by fixing their hope in the earth, doe (hut the gate of heauen agaiaft themfelues. It was aptly favd of Auguftine,who that he might ihew thatrichefle of themfelues are no hinderance to the children ofGodjdoth fay that poore Lazarus was recciued into the bofome of rich Abraham. In the fame fence do:h he curfe theoo that are full and hauc aboundaace, becaufe they being puffed vp witha confidence in prcfent ioyes, that they refufe all heaucniy ioycs. The fame is to be thought of laughter ; for now by laughter he vnder- ftandeth them that are giucn to the pleafure of Epicures , andare drowned in the pleafures ofthe flcih, and doe flee from all troubles that are to be e.idured, for the defence of Gods 'glory. Thelaft woe tendeth to the corrcdion of ambition.' for there is nothing mo:e common then to fee the prayfcs of men, or at the leaflto bee entangled with them* Chrift therefore fheweth that the fauour of men is venimousand deadly , that hce might feare his Di(ciples from it. But this admonition especially belongcthto teachers • who haue more neede to feare ambition then any pcftilence, for it cannot be but that they ihould defile t'lc pure dodrinc of God, when as they fceke after the fauo:u* o£ men. That Chrift fayth All rnvt, ojght to be referred to the children of this worldc which fpeake well ofnone butofdeceiuersand falfc Prophets . For thefaithfullandgojd minifters of found dodrine haue their prayfe and fa- uour with good men . Therefore the wicked loue of the fiefli is heerc con- demned: for he cannoc be the ferumti^f Chrift thai feekes topleafe men , as Pawltwcheth* - - - - - ^ .. ^' " Mathcw Vfoft theU^YmcnieofthelEu^ngelips, 1 6^ Marke^. 49. Tor etterye ntanne jhall bee fah ted veitijire:ard r- uiry f tar i fee Jhall be fait edmtl) fait. Wdtihtwf. 13. Te are thejalt »fthe earth: tut if the fait have UJi hiifamure^ Yeherewith Jhall it bee faked ? Jt ti thence foith good for roihin^Jiut to hee caji out) and to be troden ynder fdote of men* 14 . Tee are the hght of the xeorld: A atty that isfet rlfonahili, can- not be hidden, 15. I^eitherdo ntentte light a falte in yourefeluet candle ^andfut it ynder a hi^Jhell^- and haue feace one Luke X4. 34, S alt ii good: hilt if falte haue icfr hisfauonr^ mherrfnl fljalu be faked} 35. It ii ndther mette for the land^neryetforthe 50. Salt is good : 1 dughil^ bat fT.en eaji it out but if the Jake bee Tff- ! He that hath earesio heart fatitryyvherevithj^^l it beefeafoned? Haue but on a candltjiieh^^ and itgiueth lio^ht ynto al that are in the houfe. 1 6^ Lctte your lighte fo fhine before mat^ that they may [ee ycur goodworkeSy and ghrifeycurfa" thervphichisinheaum. wth another^ Maike4. lethitnheare, Luke 8. ] 6. 2^0 wan vhe helighz eth a candle^ccucreth ftyn der a yefj'.lly neit her put' teth it ynder the table jbut Jctteth it on a candbfticl^y lu ^Ifohe faycL that they that enter in. ynto them: is the ean- die light to he pht T«- deraUP^jell. er ynder ^,h^CaiHinf* FiirthermorCjthis a Jmo!iitior! is not only profitable for the minifters; but al- fo for the whole Hocfee of Chr.fte : for fith it was the will of God that the earth (houM bee fiaf^mcd With his word, it followcth that whatfoeuerw.inceth this falte^is vnfauory before him,althoiigh it fauourneuerfo well vnto men. Wher- fore there is nothing better, the to admit that feafoning,by which meanes only our vnfaiiorines is aincndcd.But yet letthefeafoners rake heed thatthcy nourifh not the world in his corruption^nnd efpecially th.it they infeft it not w,th a vile & cormpt fauour. Therefore the wickednes of the Papiftes is not to be borne With. As though it were the piirpofe of Chrifi,to giuevnto his Apoftlcs an vn- bridclc J liberty, and to make them tyraimtes oner fouIes,and not rather to ad- monifn them of their ducie, that they turnc not out of the righfway . Chriftc dcdarcth what manner of teachers h:e would haue for Iiis Church. They that by no law doe challenge thcaifeliics to be Apoftles, dovnderthiscouermain- tainewhatabhomination foe jcr they pleafe to bring in, bccaufe Chrilt called Peter and Hich like, falte of the earth. Andyetthey do notconfiderhowgrie-* uoas and feuere a threatningis added, that they are worft of all if they become vnfauory. This fcntencc is placed by Luke abruptly,but to the fame cnde that ic isre:id here, lb that it need not any peculiar expofition. MARKE. 49. Eftery man)jejh:tll bee feafonedvpith fire* I haue ioyncl thcfc woordcs of Marke to the former woordcs of Matthew : not that they al« together agree in fenfc, or that they were vfed at the lame place or time, but ratherthatthc readers may the bctrcrby thiscomparilbn perceiue the diners vfe of the fame fcntencc « When as Chrifte haddc fpoken of the cucrlaftin» fire, (as Marke reporteth) he on the other fide exhorteth his,that they (hbuld now rather offer themfclues to the Lord , to befcafoned with fire and falte, that chey may be made holy facrifices, leaft that by their fmncs they purchafe to thcmfc'ues that fire which is ncuer quenched. Tobcfeafoacd with fire, is an vnproppcr fpcach, but bccaufe that the nature offalte and fire islikein put^ cin^and trying out of humours, therefore Chrift apply ed the fame woorde to Doth. Now wee vnderftand the occafion of this Icntcnce : namely, that the faythfullfhouldcnotrefufctobeefaltedwith fircandfilte, fince without this they cannot be made holy to God« And he alludeth to the commajndement ItCuk.l.i; .of the lawjwhere the Lord exprefly f orbiddeth that no oblation be made with- outfalte. Andnowinthc GofpellheeteacheththefaythfuUtobcefeafoned, that they may be fanftified. When after he addeth, filte is good ; he generally extendcthitto all, whom God once vouchfafcth to feafon with his word, and hcc cxhorteth them that they alwayeskcepe their fauour. The metaphore is fomewhat the harder , bccaufe thithee callethwhatfoeucris fea(oncd by the name offalte : yet thefenfe is not made any thing the doabtfullcr by it,for whe they haue throudi their carclefnefic loft their fauour which they hadde by the grace of God, there is no more remedy. And fo are they vttcrly loft,that cor* xupt their fayih, (whereby they were confecrate) and themfelues, feemo that a good fauour cannot be obtained by any other fealoning. Furthermore, they arc oecome corrupt by forfaking the grace of God,aad arc worfc then the infidels, tucn AS falte corruptctli the earth and the dunghilL MAR. vponthe'H^rmBnie oftheEuangelifies] tlSf MAR. fo, Hane fait in your felues. This wordcmay betalcenheerediucrj wa/es as it may fignifie either aieafbning of goodfauour which is obtained by faith, or the wiier'omc of the fpirite : as when Paul commandeth that our com- r;ol a. 6 mimication fliould be feafoned with fait, hee mcancth that it ought to bcc pm- ' gcd and pure from all prophane follies and corruptions, and to bee filled with (pirituall grace, which may cdific , and with his fauour jnay perfume all that (hall heare it. If this cxpoHtion Hand, then the laft claufe muft be vndcrftood of mutuall pence, which is nourished with that fait. Yet becaufe it is more pro- bable that this latter (entcnce doeth dependc of the former fpeach, Chrift fec- mcth to me to cxhorr his difciples to preferue the force & ftrength of their faith which may alfo helpe others. As ifhe l};ould haue fayd,you muft doc your di- ligence, that you be not onclyfeafoned within, but alfo that you may feafono- thers :yct becaufe fait doth bitewith his (harpenefle, he therefore doeth prc- fently admonifli, that the fcafoning ihould fo be tempcrcdj that peace may yeC remamefafe. MAT. 14. Ton are the light of the yvorld. Though wee bee all children of the light, aftcrthatwcbe lightened withfaith, and arccommandcd to bcare bur- ni ng lights in our hands,leaft we wander in darkenes,aad alfo to (hew the way of life to others.- yet becaufethepreachmgofthe GofpeD was [committed to the ApolUes aboue all others, and at this day commaundcd to the paftours of the Church, therefore Chrift gmcth this title peculiarly to them.-asifhcfliould haue fayd, that they were on this condition placed in fuch a degree, that they might giue light as from an high to allothcrs; After he addcth two fimilitudcs. A townefetvponahillcannotbehid,neitherisit vfctohide a candle when it is lighted .• By which words he would fignific that they (hould fo liue , as i they were fet out to be looked vpon of all men. And certainly, the higherama is placed, the greater hurt hee doth by his cuill example, if hee behauc himfelfc pcrucr/ly. Therefore Chrift willed his Apoftlcs to bend themfelues the more to godly and holy life, then any meane men of the common fort .• becaufc thac all mens eyes were fet vpon them asvponIanternes,neytherarc they by any mean es to be borne with, except that godlines andintcgritieoflifedo anfwere to the doftrine whereof they are minifters. The applying of this fimilitude by Marke and Luke (eemethtobe vnlike,forthere Chrifte generally admoni{hcth them, dihgcntly to take heed leaft any man being in darkencfle fliould pourifti vp himfelfe in a hbertie of finning : for thac which is hid f©r a feafbn , (hall a t Icngthbcreucalcd And this is the meaning, except that Chrift rchcarfcd both thefe fcntenccs abruptly not depending of the text. MATH. 16. Letyourlightfo/hinehefiremen* Aftcrthat hce hadde taught his Difciples, that they arefo placed that their vices as well as their vertues are fcene farreoff", cyther for good or for euill example : now he comj mandeth them fo to frame their life, that they may mooue all men to glorifie GOD. Let nren (fay th hee) fee your good workes. For as Paul witncflcth, f^^^ « . r the faithflill doc prouide for good thingcs, not oncly before G O D, butalfo '•vOr. iVnofoener iherefore /hall hreaj^ one of thefe kaft comm^tfndemttx and teach menfo, hee P^allhee called the leafl in the kin^domt ofheauen : hat whofo- euerjhall obferue and teach them, the fame Jhall bee called great in the k^n^dome ofheauen. 17. Thtn\emt* Though Chriftwas of that perfeAIonof life, that hc might rightly fay that he came to fulfill the law, yet he doth not here entreatc of life, but of do(flrinc. Bccaufe that he did proclaime that the kingdome of God was. cone, and did ftirre vp the mindes of men with an vnwoontcd hope, and did alfo rcceiuehis difciples by baptifme ; Ic is probable that the miades of^miny doubted, and diligently fought to what purpofe that nesvnefle tended. Now CHR.I ST declareth that his doftrine is fo farre from any diflenting with the law, fothat itagrecthverywellwiththelawandthe Prophets,and not fo on- Jy, butit bringethaflillperfefliontothefame . Anditfcemcththatheewas efpecially led by two caufes to teftifie this confent of the lawe and the Golpcll , AiToone astherc fprings out any new kinde of teaching, the comon people take St as if there fliould be an alteration of all things. And theprcaching ofthc gof- pcli was ill that order(as I faid euen now)that made them hope that the church {houldbe altered into an other eftate then it was before .• tncy did therefore thinke that the olde and vfuali kinde of gouernementwas abohflicd. Which opinion had bin very hurtful] many wayes ; for the godly worfliippers of God, would neuer haue embraced the Gofpell, ifithad beencadcfcdionfromthc lawe, and the light andtroubleromcfpiriteswoiilde aflTay by taking fuch an occafion greedily tooucrthrow the Ibtc orrehgion; for wee^knowe howc Ouenhwartly rartanefle lifts vppc it felfe iia newethings. Furthermore, Chrift faw very many of the Icwes, which though they profcfled fhat they belee- ued the lawe, yet they were altogether prophane and degenerate , for the -cftatc ofthmees a mongft that people wcrefo decayed, and all things were filled with fucn corruptions, fothat through eyther flouthc or malice , the Pncftcshadcittcnchcdihcpmcligh; of do<^ine, fothat there reoiayncd no great vfontheI^amonii9fthtEmf}gclifies\ 167 greaeercud'cnceofthclawc. 1 fthat there haddcbecnc brought anew kinde IfrlnArine that H^ould hauc dJfcreditedtheUwandthe Prorhe;es,ihcnrch- Shad '^^ TOsfcemcthtobcethefirflcaufevvhy cSc dcnycd that he canK to deftroy the lawc, as ,t may be eafily gathered >:;.. ^f rhe texte For to confirme the fame, he prefently addcth that it cannot rethtneTo^eo;'^^^ tholV teach ers that doe not labour faythfully in may ntainmg the authentic of the fame And the fecond caufe was, that he migh t take away the v,lc reproch Kherudeandionorantwculd chargehimwuh For it appemth that Ihe Sciibes charged &s doarine with this faulte, mfo much that he mueigh- "^^tnl^"'o;^tderthispurpofeofChriMhat^^ the lems toreceiuethc Gofpcll , thatyethee keepeththcmvnder obedi^ cnceofthelawe: then hce mightily refelleththofc vnwcorthy rerrocbes and cutis wherewith the enemies fought to bring his preaching into flaiinder and fufDitionForifanymindetoreftorethinccsconfuledintoabettereftate, hcc i«uft alwavcs vfe this wifcdomc and moderation, that the people may knowc ha t the eternall word of God is touched thereby, & that there ts no new thmg thriiftin which dcrogateth any thing from the fctipturc: leaftanyfufpitionof men Ihould become infolent vnder prtence of holinefle : Lattly, that the pro- phane contempt of the word of God inay bee flayed, and that rehg,onb« not Lou2htintonofeputationamongftthevnlearned.AndthisdefenccofChrift wherer.ith he cxcufeth his do^rme , ought to comfort vs, if wee at this day fuf-- £er like reproaches. The fame faulte was alfo obiedcd againft Paulc,that hcc ^ft. Ji.lxj vvas an Apoftate from the lawe of God, whcrforc it is no marueU If the papiftes cutofthefamcmoulddocoynethchkeagainftvs.AndbythcexapIeofChrift it is meetc to auoyde flaunderous reportcs, yet fo, that the truth may bee freely profcfled, though it bee fubied to many vniuft reprochcs. Ic4»« mt t'^dtfiroy^ God hadde pror>iifcd a ncwe couenant at the comming of Chriit, but he (hew* cthalfothatitlhallnotbec diuersfromthc fJrflc, but that this rather was the cnde that the league which hee had made with his people horn the beginnmg, mightbetfanMedforeuer. I wiUwritc ( fayth he; myUwesintheirhc.ms, ant I will foro et their fmnes : By thcfe woordes bee isfo farre from dcpartinglcn ji.j j, from the former couenaunt, that he rather affirmeth that it (hall then bee etta- blilhed and confirmed when as the new fnall come in place. And thjt was the meaning of the wordes of Chrift, when he fay d that he came to fulfill the lawc. For hee fulfilled it truly, quickeningthe dead letter with his foirite : then hc indeedepcrfourmedthatwhichbeforewasfhewedonelyvnderfi^ures . 50 thatthecurrebeingabrogatc,the fubieaion is taken away, and a liberty pur- chafed for the fay thfull, and nothing is derogated from the doftrine of the law, tutonely expoundeththemindc ofthelawegiuer, as appcarth Galathionb tnc third and the fourth Chapters. . •*-" Therefore as concerning the doarine , wcc may «?« '""^F"*^, J »ye abrogation of the Lawe by the comming of Cluiit. f^?^^**"^ r^ 8 The (^ovnnffit, ofM* lo. Cainrnf, on euerhfiinf^ rule of a godly and a holy life, it mnft bee vnchaungcabic, as the iuftice of Odd is one,and the Time whi :h is therein comprehended. As concerning the Ceremonies, though they may be accounted as a certaine addition to the fame, yet the onely vfe ofihem was abrogate .- butihefignifi- catioii was the more approoued. Sothatthecommingof Chrift did not de- rogate any thing from the ceremonies, but rath:r the truth of the Hndowcs be- in? (liewen toorth, doth obtainethe more afliircd credit vnto them; while wc beholding the perfefteeffcae, doe acknowledg that they are not vaine nor vnprofitable. Therforeletvslearne otkeepe thisfacredknoite ofthclav\e& the Gofpell inuiobblc, which many do wickedly dilloliie : And it doth much auaile to the cltabiiHung of the truth of the Gofpell, while weehearethat it is nothina elfe but thefiiltiUing of the law, fo that in a mutuallconfentthey (hew that Goi is the authoar of them both. 1 8. Till heauen and earth j>eriJJj€. Luke vfeth other- Woordcs, but the Htme fenfe. It is more eafefor heaven and earth to paj]e away , then that any title of the law /honldfalL For it was the will of Chrift to teach in both placcs.that there is no- thins fo fure in the whole frame of the world,as is the certaine truth of the law, and that in euery povnt of the fame. Some do very fubtilie play with the woord yntill as if that the pafTmg of hcauen & earth which rtiall bee in the hi\ day of iud^emct,rtAould put an end to the law & the prophets. And truly, as the tongs {hall thcrt ceafe, and prophefies be abolilhed, fo I thinke thuthcwrytten lawe VViththe expofitio (hallteafe. But becaufe I thinke that Chi ii\ fpake more fim- ply I will not feede the readers eares with fuch deuifes. Therefore let it fuffice vs to vndcrftand this, that heaucn fliould fall, and the whole frame of th eWorld ' {hould come together, rather then the certainty of the lawe fhould waiier. But vvhat is the meaning of this, all thinges of the lawe fhall be performed euen to the leaft title? For wc fee how far re nicnnc are from the perfeft fulfilling of the lawe, euen they that are regenerate with Gods fpirite : I anlwerc, this fidfiU Uno is not referred to the life of tnennc,but to the perfed truth of the doarine^ as ?f hecrti oulde fay, there is nothing inconlbnt in the lawe, and nothing put talhly in the fame : Therefore it cannot bee that one letter of the fame ihoulde vanifliaway. , ^t 1 9. iyh*fo euer therefore fhall breal^. Heere Chrifte fpeaketh namely ofthe freceptes of life, or ofthe ten wa-^rdes, according to which prefcript order, it be commethallthe children of God to frame their Hues. Therefore he pro- nounccth them to be falfe & pcruerfc teachers, which keepe not their difciples vndcr obedience of the lawe .♦ and that they are vnwoorthy to luucaplace in the Church,which diminish the authoritie ofthe law inthclealtpanc ot the fame. -and that they are good and faythfullminillers of G O D, which teach the obreruation ofthe lavte, afewell in example of life as in woordcs. Alfohc «alleththem thelcaftecommiundementes ofthe lawe, according to the fenfe and iiKi<^cmcnt of men, : for though there is not like waij'^ht in all commaun- demcntes , butwhile they bee compared betwecncthemfeluts, fomc arc kffe then other: yet may wc nothing fooner eftccme and account th3t,as little, ^hercofthchcaucnlylavf^iucrhath vouchlafcd to giue a commaimdemcntc. Foa? vpontheHarmonieoftheEuMiielifles jSg Forwiiatfacriledgewtrcitcontcmpruounyto rcceiiic tliat, whicli commtth ©Lit of his mouth? Fo: by this me.inrs his niajeUy lloulde haue beene abafcd • wherefore whereas Chrilt calleth them the leafl; precepts, is a kind of yecldinp! to our vnderftanding« When he (nyth he iLall be calcd leaft, js an aijufion to that was fiyd before ofthecommaiindemcntcs, but ihcmeininpiseuidente they that biing the dodrinc of the lawinto contempt, yea though it bee but in one (illable, {hall be leieded :s the worft fort of men. The kingdome of hea uen is taken for the rcnouatio of the Church, or the fecond (bteofthe Church as it then bcgaato ri(e by the preachingofthe Gofpcl > o in Luke y^zH Chnfl accounterhhimthat jsleaftmthekmgdomeof vjod, greater then John .- he reafonoftbefpeechis^bccaufe Godreftoringtheworlde by thehandeofh s fonne, framed his kingdonie perfedly . Therefore Chriftc will not that any teachers bee admitted into his Church a^ter the fame bee renewed, but Hich ns arc fay thfull interpreters of the law, and will endcuour to keepe the dodrine of the iame found. Butit is demanded whether the ceremonies were accounted a- mongft the commaundements of God, which arc not required now to be ob - Icrued. I iiifwer.thc purpole and the end of the lawgmer is to be conficcred . For God commaunded the cercmonieSjthat the outward vfe of them mipht be temporall, and the fignification eternall .• he brcaketh not the ceremonies, that ho!deththecfteite. And though Chiilladiudgcththcmonely to hell fire, which break oi;t into open rcpi oofcs, y e t hce acquitcth not anger from this puniihmcnt; but alluding to the iudgements of the worldc, hcc declarcth that God will become judge ofthat priiiate and fccretwr.ith, that hce may punilh the fame . And bc- caufe that heeproccedeth fill ther , that ihcwcth his indignation with bitter fpcach, he fayth, that he ihail be found gujltie before a heauenly counfell_, that hcc may haue a greater punilliment. And he adiudgeth them to hell fiie, which breake out into reprocheSjfignifying that hatred or whatfoeuer els is againft charitic, fulliceth to purchafc the reward of cternalldeath, though no violence be offered. . It is not to be doubted, butthatthis Wcrd Gehenna, is borrowed;for with the Hebrewes it fignifieth a valley. -Alfo the valley of Hennon was an in^ famous place : beecaufc of their detcltable fupcrftition , for that they there offered their children to Idollcs, Hercofit came to palTe^ that holy men vfcd that word for hell ^ that that sil^ vngodlincs might be had in the greater dete- ftation, that the people might abhorrc that fo deceitable and horrible a name* And it appeareth that this maner of fpcach was vfed in Chrift his timcand hell was called almoft by no other name then Gehenna^ the wordfomcwhat altered from the naturall found* Mathew. j. X J If then thoU' bring thy gift to the aU tar, and there remembreji that thy brother hath ought againfi thee, 1 4 . Leaue there thine offering before the altar, and goe thy way :frji,be reconciled to tJjy brother, and then come and offer tlrygift X ^ . ^gree with thine adnerfary quick- ly, whiles thou art in the yvay y*>ith him,lea{i thme aduerfary deliver thee to the ittdge, ^ the iudge deliuer thte to thefergeanti^ and thoH be cafi into prtfon^ Z6. Eerily 1 fay ynto thee, thou fhalt not come out thence, till thouhafi payde the yttermofi farthing. Markc. Luke. ii. 58, iVhilefi ihoH goeji rpith thine adtterfarie to the ruler, as thou art in the way,gwe diligence tn the way, that thou may ft be de- liueredfrom him, leafi hee bringthee to the iudge, and the iudge deliuer thee to the iayler,and the iayUr cafi thee into fry fon^ 59; I tell thee, thou Jhalt not depart theme, till thou haji fayd tin ytmofi mte. »? . If thou brtng thy gift. With thi s claiifc hec confirmeth and alfo cx- poundcth the former doftrine . The fummc is , that wee doe then fa- asfie that commaundcmcnt of the lawc , wherein wee arc forbidden to vpontbeUarmdnie'tftheEuMffgelifies. iy» kill, ifwcenoiirifli agreement & brotherly lone with our neighbours. Andthvit he niiy,htthe better perfwadevs to it, Chrift proro.mceth that cuen the dntitj. of rcligio ate notactepted of God,biu tefuied of hiiiijif we diflcnt amonort our felues For in thathe commandeth the,that haue hurtany one of then- brethren, to be firft infauour with him, before that they off^ r their gifc: he declaieththac there i^ no entraunce for vs vnto God, fo long as through our fault wee ar c at cnniitie with our ncighbours.If that men pollute and corrupt with their hatreds their whole worfhippc which they offer, we hereof gather how much he edee- mcth mutuallconcord amongft vs Yet hcte may a queftion be moucdjWht thcr it be not abfurde that the duties of charitie are more accounted of, the the wor« ihipofQod. Forwemuftfay, that eyther the order ofthe law is prepofteroui or els the firft table ("hould be pretcrrcd before the fecond. This is eafily anfwcred ; for the wordes ot Ch riftc doe tend to no other pur* pofe, but to fliewc that they doe in vaync and falily profe fie thcmfelues wor- shippers of G O D, which doe contemptuouflydefpife their brethren, which they hauc vniuftly iniured . For vnder this one kindc hce notcth al! the ex- erafes of religion by the figure Synecdoche : by whichouiwardc excrciics men doe oft counterfeit holineflc , rather then truely teififie the fame . And itis to bee noted thnt Chrilic , after the manner of that time, fpake of the facrificcs . At this day our eltat e is vnlike : yet the fame dovlhne rcmaintth : that is whatfoeuer we ofter vnto God is carrupt,exccpt we be at one with our brethren as much as it lieth in vs. The fcripture calltth almes, Phillip. 4.1 8. faaifices of a Cvrcctc fauour-yee wee hcare out ofPauIe his mouth, i.Cor. ij.t,j. that hce that befto wet hall hisgoodesvpponthepoore,isyet nothing, excepthe hauc charitiy. Alfo God dooth not take nor acknowledge them for children , excepte they againe doe ihewthemfelucs to merinc as brethren. And though Chriftc doe commaund them onely that haue iniured their brethren, to apply thefelucs toappeafe thcms yetvnderthis one kinde he fhewethhow precious brotherly concord is before God« And this fettethout much more,that he commaimdeth to leauc the ^ift before the altar, as if he llioiild hauc fayd; in vaine do mcnne come to the tem- ple, or oft'er facrifices to God, fo long as they are at diicord with their neigh- bo urs« 2 ^« ^^reewhh thine adder faryy Though Chriftefeemcth to goc further not onely to exhorte them to reconciliation, which haue done innirie to their brethren, but them alfo which haue bcenciniuredi yetl thinkethathechad a further regard : namely thathe might cutte ofFalloccaImn of hatreds and diC- cordes, andfhewthe meanestomaintainegood wiiLfor from whence fpring alliniutics, but that all menne are too carefull to holdc their owne right? that is, they are giuen too much to maintainc their cwne commodiric, wirh the lofTc of ether men: For olmoft all menne arc blinded with apeeiiifheloue of thcmfelues, fo that they flat.er themfelues,cuen in the worfl csiifcs. There- fore Chiifte, thathe might prcuent difcordes ihsttreds, ftiifes,and all initincS), fbrbiddeththatfelfeloue,and commandeth his difcipjes to bendthcmfcliics'to moderation and equitie, that parting from the extrcmitie of their right , they might rithfucbcc^uityredeemcpcaceandfriendihip,, 1 74 The Comment* o/M, lo, Caluine^ It were to bee Wifticd, that there {houW ncuer fall any ftrife or con troucrfie amongft vs •• and fui e!y men llioulde ncucr fall into contention or ftrif, if there were Inch louc amongll them as ought to be . But because that it can h>irdly be brought to paire,but that fome ftnfe will arifc,Chrift ibcweth a remedy how thefamcmnyprefcntly bee ended, namely, if we bridle our hiftesj& bee re.idy rJther to pafle itou;.rwithourloflejthen to profecute our right with anvnap" pcafcable rygcr. But chrift vftth this exhortotion diucrs timcSj as it appears th out of the 1 1 . of Luke, whereas the Sermon which he rrade in the mount is not fee downe, but an epitome gathered of diuers fentences of Chriit . Whereby it alfo appcarcth what it is to be in the way: that is,before thou commcft to the ludgc. Leafi thine adunfary deUuer thee to the iud^e. Some expound this claufc metaphorically, that the heauenly iudgc will dcale with extremity of lawe, fo thit he will forgme nothing at ali^exccpt that we endeuour to pacific thofc con- tentions, which wchauc With ourncighbourcs But I t^ke itfimpiyjthatChrift admontllieth vs> that this is profitable for vs cuen amongft men. For the coue- tous dcfire is often daungerous to the contentious. Yet I do not deny but that the hmilitude may be aptly applycd to God ; that is, that hce fhall fcele iudge- mcnt without mercy, that is riyorous to his brethren,or bendcth himfclfc who- ly to contention. But the l^apiftcs are more then ridiculous,which by expoun- ding this place allegorically, doe build their purgatory : but there i$ nothing more euidente,then that Chrifldoth fpcake of maintaining goodwill amongft men. 1 hey make no religion without fhame, to peruene his wocrdcs, and to draw them to a ftraunge [enfe, fo that they might dcceiue the vnlearncd. But becaufe they arc vnworthy of any long confutation, I will fhewc in one onely word, how {hamefull their ignorance is. They imagine the aducrfary to bethc deuill, and that Chrifte commaimdeth his faythfull ones to belong vnto him : therefore that the Papiftes may find c out a purgatory, it behoouech them firft to bee brethren and fricndes to the diucll. Itiswell knowncthataquarterneisthe fourth parte of a pound, but in this place it js taken for a farthing, or any other fmallptece of money, as it alfo ap- pearethoutofLuke. NoWj if Iwouldvfecauillcs, 1 would here alfo refell the folly of the Pap iflcs. For if hecthatisonceinpurgatorie fhall neuergoe out from ihcnce,vntill be haucpayd the vttcrraoil farthing.' it followeth that thofc ntt s, which they call the fuflrages of the lyuingforthc dead,areinvaine. For Chrift doth not admit others to make fatisfadion for the releafe of the dcbtcr, but exprcfly requiieth of eueiy man thepayment of hisown debt. If then their A/alfes and other facrifices be vnprofitable, how hotely foeuer their fire of pur* gatory doc burnCj yet their Pricftes and Monkcs kitchens fhall waxe cold .'for which caufe they haue fo paincfully itriuen for the fame* Matth. f. 17, Tee haue hcardeth^t is was/ayde to them ofolde thney Thoi* /Jjalt mt commit adultery, 1 8 « But I fayt yntoyotf, that rphofoeuer looifth en Markc. Luke. irfon the Hdrmonh ^fthe Ettangefifies, I^e 0n d YoomAn to luft after her^ bath committed adulter ie tfith her alreadie in his heart, 2 9 . IVherefore if thy right eye caufe thee to ojfend, flticke it out , and cafi it from thee :for it is better for thee^ that one of thy memhert ferifh^then that thy vchole hodie/hoti'ld be cafi into helU I o , ^Ifo if thy right hand nuth^ thee to offend ^ cut it off, and caji it from thee -.for better it it for thee^that one of thy mebers perijh, t ben that thy whole bodyJJjould be caji into hell. ( ly.Thou /halt not commit adulterie. Chv'iH proccedcth in his difputation,t5ro- uingthat the law oFGod is not only a gouernouroflife, to frame the outward behauiour after a politike manner .• but it alfo rcquireth theperfed and whole ttftedions of the heart. But that muft be remembred, which I gaue warning of before. Although Chrift reporteth the words of the law, yet it is the grofle and adulterous fenfe, which falfe interpreters had gathercdjthat he reproiieth: for he had fayd before, that he came not to bcc a newe lawgiuer, but a faithfull interpreter of the law ah eadiegiuen. And for that it might beobie(5lcd that that mter^^retation had continued long, Chrift esprefly granteth it . but after thismaner he anfwercthitjthatthe long continuance ofcrrourouoht to jjg ^^ prciudice to the ti uth. 2 8 Hee that looketh yppon a woman. The purpofc of Chrifte is generally to condemne the luft of the flefli. Therefore he fayth that they arc adulterers be- fore God, not only' that defile other mens wiues, but they alfb that pollute their eyes with an vnchaftlooke. Butitisafiguratiuekindeoffpcech, becaufe that not oncly the eyes dee make men guiltie of adultcrie, but alfo the blind bur- ning luftes of the heart. Therefore Paul placeth chaftitic in the body and the fpiritc, I. Cor. 7. g 4, But Chrift thought it flifficient to confute that groffe opi- nion, which had taken plare; becaufe that they did thinke that they fhoulde auoyd nothing but outward adultenc. Notwithftandingjbecaufe the eyes for the moft part, procure the mindes to fuch filthy deuifes, and luft entreth as it were by thcfe doores. Chrift vfeth this mancr offbeach, when as he would co- demnc concupifcence, and that may eafily be gathered by that word luft : wher by we arc alfo taught, that not they only aie to be accounted adulterers, which conceiuewhoredome in their mindes with full confent: but they alfo that ad- mit any prickes or motions of the fame* Wheicforethehypocrifie of the Pa- piftesis too grofle and carelefle,whichdenie concupifcence to be finne,vntill the whole heart doe yccld confent. But it is not to be maruailed at,that they lefl fen finnc as they doe, when as it behooueth them to be dull and flow in accoun- ting of their finnes, which afcribcrighteoufnes to thedeferts of their workcs* z^. Jf thine eye, Becaufe in the wcakenefle and imbecillitie of the fle/h, CHRIST might fceeme to vrge men too feuerely, hee preuenteth ^ndnn- fwereth all thcfe complaintes* In fummchee declareth, though that bee harde, difficult, troublefomc, orftiarpe, which God commmandeth ; yet we can make no excufe thereby ; becaufe that the righteoufnes of God ought to be ' ■ more jy6 The Q)mment, tftM. lo. Caitiine^ more eftcemei of vs, then all other thingcs which arc moft Jcare and precioHS to vs. As if he (hould hiwc fayd, there is no caufc why thou (houKkfl: oSie^ to irie, that thou canft fcarfly turnc thine eye hethcr and thither • but rhat they arc caught in fnarcs before thou art aware. For thcu muft rather forfake and Icauc thine eyes then to dep.r t from thecommaundcmcntes oi GOD. Yet it ij not Chrilles meaning that tne body ihould be lamed, that we might obey GOD. But bccajfe that all men doe gladly defirc that their fenfes may not be fo may- xned^ that they may haue the free vfe of them^Chnft doth hypcrboUcally teach vs to cut away any thing tbathmdrcth vs from that obedience vn:o God,which hee requircth of vs in hiS law. And this he doth ofpurpofe , becaufc that men do m this behalfe too hccntioufly nouriflivpthcmfeiues If the mind were pure, the eyes and hands would alfo bee obedient, which haue no proper motion of iheirowne. Eut we doc herein offend greiuo:ifly, that wee arc not fo circrull as wee ought to be in auoyding dcceitfull bait-s/o thatrather with an vobridc- led Ubeitie wee doe willingly prouoke our felucs to euill. Matth. ^ Marke, 1 1. It hath heme fay d alfoywhofoener fhall fut avcay his ^vife, let himgittc her a tefiimoni- 4,11 of diuvr cement, J z . But 1 fay yntoyoff, vrhofoeuer /hall put array h'ps vfife{except it be for fornication) cat* fethher to commit adultery: ^ rvhofoeuerjhall nutrry her^tbat it diuorctd^ comm'itteth aduU terie, I Luke t6. 1 8 iVnofoeuer fUft" teth away his xoife^and marieth another comit-* teth adultery . ^ v^ho^ fotuer marieth her that is fut arcay from her husband , eommittetb adultery. 51. Pfl^ofoeuer/hall put away. tcc2iMCcthcrcv\i\lhe^ more conucnient place to entreate of this doftrine n-,ore at large in the 194 after Mathcw .-I will nowc brcifly touch thatwhichChriftfaythheere. As theltwcs did falflythinkc that they had done their dutie towardes God,if afrerapohtikefort, they bad obfer- ued the law ; Co again c they fondly imadned that it was lawfull for them to do whatfoeucr the politike law did not forbid. The diuor. ements whichthey were wont to make their wiuc* Mofes had not forbidden, in refpedofanoutA-arde order .-but onclyfor reflrai.1t ofluft hee had co.iimaund ed to glue a bil of diuorcement to thoiTe wiues that were put away. And it was a certaineteftimonie of manumifsion, that the woman might after be free from the yoake and power of her husband. And thehusbanddid alfo confeflc that hee did not put away his wife for any faulte, but becaufe hee did not like her. From hence fpran? rhat crrour,that they thought no fauhc to bceinfuch adit-orccmcnt ? fo that ihcyfitistied the lawc: but they tookea very wrong rule ofa godly and holy life, outoftheciuilllaw . For the po- litike Lt we s arc fomttimc bent to mens manners . but GOD in giuing a fpirituall law did not regarde what men couldc doe, but what they ought to doc. Therefore a perYed and vpright righteoufneflc is therein contayncd, though wee haue no power to fulfillthe fame. SoChriftdocth admonilhc vf that that is notprcfently lawfullbcforc GOD, which the politike lavtc of Mofcs vfmtheI3armomerftheBuattgeltflei. jr Mofesdorhtolleratc. He.faith,thatvndtrthe pretence of the hvr heatf F u himfelfe, thatputcing away his wife, giucth her a bill of diuorcement Bnf fS bandeofiMatiinronieii hoher, then that it may bee broken andvnknitnt h! will, or rather piealureof men. For though man and wife do ioyne themfel together with a miituall confent: yet God doth ioyne them and knit them toor therm fiich a knot, that cannot be difTolued, that after it h notlawfuU forth? todepart. Yetheputteth an exception, except it bee for fornication For th^ womanis worthily put away, which hath traitercufly broken matrimonie- for the band being broken throughher fault, the man is fet at libertie. jz. Caufeth hr to commit adultery, J^ccaufe the bill of diuorcement did per mit, that the woman fo leperated,n)iahtenter into new mariaoes ht^is wor" thily condemned asabaudorabetraier, that againft all law an^ right, caftcth of his wife to others, which was giuen t0{ him of God* iJfathcw ^ Ma,t, jLukc* 5 J ^gatnty yeebaue beard that n watfaydeto them of old time^ Tbou/Jjalt notforptfeare thy felfcybut /Jjah fer forme thine oathes to the Lord 5 4 « But I fay yntoyott, fxveare not at alt , neither hy heanen : for it it the throaneofGod : •J 5 • 'Hpryet hy th earth : for it is h'u foottfioole : net- | tf7e t hy lertifalem : for it is tht citie of the great k^ng, J 3 6* TiSyther/halt thotifweare by thine head •- he I tau'fe thott canfi not mak^ one hayre n>hite or hlack^, I 3 7* But let your commnication hee yed, yea : nay, i nay: for vhatfoeuet ismore thenthefg^ commeth of\ MtlU I J J ♦ Thoufhalt not forfyveare tJjyfelff* This alfb is not a reproofe of th#r/or^^, to vowespromifedto God for religions lake. Biitthcword doth beft agree to all itouenants and promifcs confirmed by adding the nsmeof God thereto .• for then is God made a witnclTc bciwccn both panics, to whom ihcy pledge their feith. M 34. SWMt^ 178 The Comment, ofMJ$, Catume 34. SwedremtdtalU This claufe, »oMt 4//, hath dccciued many: fo thit theythoughtthacChrifthad generally condcne J all oathcs. And many good mea were driaen to this vnmeafurablc rigor, through the vnbrideled libertic offWeai'Ligjwhich they faw abound throuohouc the world. And the Anabap- tiftes vnder this pretence haue kept a great ftirre,as though Chrift wo jld fuffer vstofwearefornocaufe.forthathceforbiddethtofweareat all. But we nuill not fetch an expoutjon out of any other place, then out of the word as of the text ; prefently there follow, th, neyther by htauen, nor by the earth . Who feeth not that thefe kindes of oathes arcTet dow>i for interpretation fake,which by thisnuinbringofthefeparticvlcroatheS;, mi^hti^iterpret the former (cn^ tence ? The le.vcshad certaiae extraordinary or indired^as men fay) mancrof oathes .- and when they fwore by heaucn, earth, or the altar, they counted this al noft for nothmg. And as onefinne arifcth of an other, fo vn dcr this colour they faigned, that they did notfoopcnly prophanethc nameofGod. Chrift^ that he might mecte with this finncjfayth, that they msy not at all fweare, ey thcr after this maner, or after that, neyther by hcauen, nor by the earth , 5cc» Whereby wee gather that this phrafc (not at all)is not referred to the fubftace, but to the maner of fw.aring ; as if he (hould haue fay d ^neither diredly nor in- diredly j otherwife it were invainc to rehearfethefe kindes. Wherefore the . Anabaptiftes doe fhcw their groflfc ignorance, and their dclieht in contention^ whilctnatfrowirdlythey enforcconeword,andwithc!ofedeyesdo palTc by the whole meaning of the fcntencc* If any obied that Chrid permitteth no oath •• I anfwerethat the interpreters words muft be vnderlloode according to chc meaning of the law. Therefore this is the fammc that the name of God is. taken in vaine other waies then by periuric. Therefore wc muftrefrain from all faperduojs oathes .-but whereas there 1$ caufe , thelawc doeth not onely p/ermit,butal(bcommandcthtofweire . So Chriltes meaning was nothing^ clfe, then that all thofc oathes are vnlawfull, which by any abufc prophane the (^rcdna^ne of God, the reuercncc whereof they ought to preferuc. 1{eytberbyhtMen. They are dcceiuedthatfiy, that Chriftc reprooued' thefe formes of fwearmg, as corrupt, becaufethatGO D alone (houlde bee fwornc by : for the reafons which hec bringeth doe rather bend to the contra- ry parte; Dcciufc that then alfb the name of God is fwocne by, when as heauen and earth are named becaufe there is nopartof theworlde, wherein GOD hath not imprinted fomc note ofhis ^lory. Yet this opinion fccmcth not ta agree with the commandement ofthe lawe, where as God cxprcfly comman* dcth to fwcare by his name , nor yet with diicrfe places of the Scripture, whereas hec CO niplayneth , thatheeismiuredfooftc, as his creatures arc fworneby. I anfwerc it is an olFence like to idolatric, when as eyther the power ofiuigcmentjOr the authoiitie oFtrying witncflesis giuentothcm. For wee muft confidei the eideoTwcarin^: namely, thatmendoe appealc vnto God, as thereueni^erofpCfiuiie, and the defence of crueth. Andthishonor cannot bee giusntoanotncr , butthathismaiellieihillbeprophancd. And for this caufe the Apoftle faythjthat one cannot fwcare, but by the greater; 5t this wis peculiar to God ai j 10, that hcs,* fwearith by himfelfc.So wnolbeuet , fvvoJECJLauiuespa^by HglQ«;hoi:byaayo6crXdv?li^ did (b mawh diminiOic from til c gloty of God^inthat an other was placed in his roumth, aj vndcrftan* ' hath a ftirtlicr meaning, asitappearcthoiit ofthcfoimerfcnteticc. I^or after that Chrift had d cclared what the wicked ar e woont to doe : that is that thev doe louc their friendtSj and heipe them, of vvhomc they hope for fomerecom-» >cncc , and they lend to them that are hire themfelueiSj that they may receiue the ike againe. He addethjWhat he reqtiireth of his difciples more then this;nAme- y, that they fhonld louc their enemies, that they Ihould freely do good & free* yiend. N^wer.ee fee that this claufe, loGklngfornothing, iscorriictiy vndcr- i^oode of vfiiry to be fo pcrticularly applyed -, when Jalt lotte thy ntigh^ 1 hour and We thine enfmy, I 44. But Ifaye'vntoyoUj louc your enemies: blfjjethem that cur fe yon: doe good to them^ that hate you, andpraye for them, that hmteyouy undperjicuteyof*. 44. That yee may lee the chil- dren ofyour father 3 \»hich is in hea^ ven-.fsr he makfth hisftmne to arife tn the euil and the good ^andfendeth Taine to the itifiand-vniufi. 45'. For if yet hue them, yvhith I hueyoHywhat regard Jhall ye haue? Voe not the Vublycam euen the fame ? 47. ^4nd if yee bee friendly to youre brethren onely, rvhatjinguler thing doe you} do not euen the Tub- licaas likey^ife, 48. Tee/hall thrtfofe beeper' fi^i^syourfatliirwhfchtsmkstffH isferfe^. Markc. | Luke^. 27 ♦ But 1 faye to you Yfhieh hearcXoue your enemies, do well to them, xphich hate you, a8. Blejfethem, which cut ft you, and fray for them, \phich hurt you* And a little after. 3 1. Tor if yee hue thtWyyehich hue you,xthat thankjhal you hauef for euen thefinneri hue tbofe, that hue them. J J . ^nd if yee doe good for ^ them, vehiih doe good for you,n hat thanke^Mllyeehaut : for euen the finners doe thefame- And a little aftcn 5 ^ ' Jfii f te for tlohe you your eni^ fnies,aud ye j}^ allbe the ihtldrtn of ithe mofi high: for he is 1{ind ynto the ynk^nd,and to tkeeuilU 35. Bee yet therefore werctfkl^ . asyvkT father is mercffu^ ^4 4J'?H 1 84 The ^cmmenU ofM* h. Caluine, 4j« Thof,/httlt lout thy neigJ)bour. Itiswonderfull that the Scribes were faUentothatabfurditiCjthatthtyrcftrayned the name of neighbour to their welwillcrSj when as nothing is moremanifeftnorniorecertaine, the that 3od mcaneth all mankind,when he (peaketh of our neighbours. For brcaule that cuery man is addided to himfelfe , fo oftasfome priuate commodities doe fc- perate fome men fromotherSjthat mutuall communication is kf.which nature itfelfe doth teach. Therefore God, that he might keepe vs within the band of brotherly louc, he teltiiieth,that all they that are men.are our neighboiii s, for that common nature doth tie them to vs. For fo oft as I looke vpo man^it 1$ ne- ceflary that I fhould behold my felfe as in a glas.-becaufe that he is my bone and my fltlh. And though the greater part moft commonly doth feperaie itfelfe from that holy fociety; yet the order of nature is not violated through their wic- kednes; becaulethatGodistobeconfideredtheauthourofthefcliowfliippe, Whereby wee gather that the commaundementoftheiaweis general], which commaundeth vs toloue our neighbour. But the Scribes efteeming neighbour* hood according to euery mans minde, will haue none to bee accounted neigh- bours , but they that through their defcrtes were worthy to be beloued, or at the leaftjthey that woulde deale friendly with them againc. And this did com- mon fenfe teach thcm-and thcrfore the children of the world were neutr afha- med toprofefle their hatredes, wherefore they could yeelde any account* But charity , which God commendeth in his law, regardeth not what cuery manne deferueth, but ftretcheth out it lelfe to the vnworthy , to the peruerfe and to the vnthankfulU But Chrift reftoreth this to the natural] fenfc, & deliuereth it trom corruption ; whereby that alfo appeareth that I fayd before, that Chrift did not make newlawes.butx>fl[ly rcprouc the corrupt comments of the Scribes,where« with the purine of the lawof God had beene corrupted. 44. Loueyot^r enttnies. This one point containeth in it all the former dodrine. For whofoeuer can frame his mind to loue his encmies,wiU ealily temper him- felfe from all reucnge,& wdbe patient in affli(^i5;butmuch more ready to help thofe that be in mifery . Further chrift in a few words (heweth the way & maner of fulfillfhc this comandcment. Loue thy neighbour as thy felf« For he fhall ne- wer fatisfie this comandementthat banilheth not the loue of himfelfe,orrather deny himiclfe,& fo make much of thofe men, which God hath ioyned to him, that he goethontoloue cuenthofe,ofwhomheishated. And by thcfewordes Welcame,how (ar ihe faithful! ought to be from reuenge, whtrin they arc not onely forbidden to a^ke of G od, but fo to remitte and wholy to put out of their mindsjo that they ftiall wifi . vvcll to their cnemies,y et m the meanc while they ccafe not to commit their (^ ail cto God, vntill he take vengeance of the repro^ bate. For they defire as ' uch as ly eth in them,that the wicked lliould re turn e to a perfed mind,& Co t .cy fceke for their fahiatio, that they ftiould not pcrifti. Yet with this comfort ihcy frail all their troubles, that they doubt not,but that God will be a reucngcr of th.'»t o'^ftinate malice, that he might declare that hec haddcacarcoftheinnoccm. This is a very hard thiiig,& altogether againft the nature of ficihe,torecompencc good for cuill ; but wecmuft not feeke any ex- cufe out of our faultcs or infirm- ties, but wee muft rathe i fimply feeke what the lawc of fihariticrcquireth, that wee vjQng^the power of the hcaucnlyipiritc, and vpM the Harmome of the Euangettfies^ \$t and that by flriuing we might ouercomc what affedlions in v$ were contrary to the fame. This was the caule why the Menkes and fuch hke rabies imagined that thefe wtrc counfelles and notpreceptes, becaufe that they mcafuredwhat was due to GOD and to hislawe , by the ballanccof manncsftrength. And yet the monkes were not afliamed to challenge to themfclues a pcrfedi- on 3 becaufe they did voluntarily bind themfelues to obfcruc his counfelles and howefaythfully they performe the fame which they doe onely vfurpe in woordes , I doe now omit to fay c. Andhoweprcpoftcrousandfondadc- uice it is of counfelles, doeth hereof appearc. Firftjbecaufe it cannot be fayd without iniury to Chnft, that hec counfelled his difciples, and did not accor- ding to his authority commaund that which was right . Then it is more then folly to fct the duties of charity at fuch liberty, which depend vppon the lawe. Thirdly, thatwoord, I fay to ^rowjfignifieth in this place as much as to denounce or to commaund e, which they haue corruptly expounded to counfcll. Laftly, thathe cxprefly eibbliflieth it as a thing neceflarily to be done, is eafily proucd hy Chriftes woordes, while he prefently addcth^ 4 f . That you may be the children of your father. When he exprcfly fayth that no mannc can bee othcrwife the child of God, except hee loue them that hate him,who now Jareth fiy that we arc notboud toobferue this dodrine^For itis as much as ifhefhould haue fayd: who foeucr will bee accounted a Chriftian let him loue his enemies : furcly it is a horrible monflcr that the world in three or foure ages {hould be fo ouerwhelmed with thickedaikenclfe, that it could notfecthattobeeexprefly commaunded, which whofoeuernegledeth, hcc is wiped out from among the number of the children of God . Further itis to be noted that he propofeth not the exaple of God to be followed, as thouoh that what foeuer he did, became vs. For he puni(heth the vnthankfiill, and of« ten driueth the wicked out of the world, in which refped he propofeth nothim fclfc for vs to follow : for the judgement of the world belongeth not to vs, but is proper to him .• but he wouldc that wee fhould bee followers of hisfatherly goodnefle and libcrahty . And not oncly the prophane philofopher $ did fee that, but Tome of the moft wicked contemners of godlinefle could make this confeflion, we are in nothing more like to God then in being hberall , In fumme, Chriftewitneflcth that this is a note of our adoption, if we doe good to the euill and to them that arc vnworthy. Yet thou muft not vndcrflande that we by this liberality are made the children of God , but becaufe the fame (pint (whichisthewitnefle, earneft, and fcale of our free adoption) doeth reforme the wicked affedions ofthe flcfh, which Itriue againft charitie. ChriS prooucthoftheefFedc that none elfeaic the children ofGod, but (hey which fliewit ingentlenefie and clemency. And for that phrafe Luke fayth, 1 ^JJjall hee the children of the mop high : Not that any manne gettcth this honour to himfelfc, or thathe then beginneth to be the fonne of God, when that he lo- iieth his enemies ; but becaufe it is the accultomed manner ofloeaking in the fcnpture, to propofc the benefites of the free grace of G od in ftcad of reward^ while that he would encourage vs to do well. And this is the rea(bn,bec.iufc he had regard to what end wee are called : iiamelyj that the image of God be- ing rcpayred in v$,YVe fhoud liue holily and godly, M s «t lZ6 . "^theCdmment.iffM.TolCalHini Hewdl'Sthlnsftinneto rife, Hee rehearfethtwotcftimoniesorthegoocfnesof God towards vs, which arc not only moft known vnto men, but con^on to all when that rnther focietie it ('elfc fliould prouoke vs to performe the fame oneto anotberjihouoh by the figure Sinccdo^hc it comprehendcth many othei Jike, 4^. ^nd do not the Vftblicanslhuk^ vfeth in the fame fenfe this word finnerk* that is, mighty and wioked men : not that the office ofitfeifewas to be con- demned.* (for the Pubhcancs were gatherers of telle, and as it is lawful! for Princes to fet the t^skcjfo is it lawful! to demannd& gather the fame:) butbc- caufe this maner of men was wont to be couetous and f latchingjyca faythlefTe and cruell ; then becaufe they Were accounted amongll the lewes as minifttrs of vniuft tyrannic. 1 hefefore if any man {hall gather out of the words of Chrift' that the Publicar-cswere the worltofaUmcn,heiTiall argue amiflcjfor he fpea» keth after the comon maner of fpcach : as if he fliouId fay, they that are almoft Without all humanity haue yetlome kind ofmutuall loue, while they feeke their ow/.e commoditie. 48. Be yee therefore perfeSi. Thisperfedion reqiiircthnotanequilitic, but is only referred to a likcneffe. Therefore though we be far from Godjwe are ac- counted to be perfed as he is, while we bende to that marke, which he propo-* fethto vsinhimfLlfe.lfanyinterpreatitothcrwife, let there be made no com- parjfon here between God and vs,but the perfcdion of God is called firft the free & mereliberaUtyiWhichis doncwnhoui atcoutof gaine,then,the fingiilar goodnes which ftriuech with the malice &vnthankfiilnes of men : The which zppcivcihhythcviOide&oiLuke.Beyot^mercifulUsyottrheatienlyfatber.VonniCS'' cieisoppofed to boughtloue,whichistiedtoapriuatecoraodity. Matthew. 1. Taf{eheedeyee ^itte not your al'tnes before tneny] "^^xl^Q^ I Lukc to beefeeneofthenty or clfeyee /hall haue norevp^irde of your father vphich ii inhean^n^ 2. Thereforeyvhen thmgitteji thine almes, thou /h'i.lt not make a trumpet tc be bloyvne before thee^as the hypocrites do in the Synagogues ^ in thefireetes, to be pray fed of men, Ferily I fay yntoyou they haue their reward. ^ . But vphen thou doefi thine almesjet not thy left hand l^no w what thy right hand doeth, 4 . That thine almes may be infecrete, ^ thy father thatfeeth infecretejn vill revpard thee openly. I. Tak^heeie, Chufledoeih in this place exhortc hh difciplcs to a fyncere ftiuheofgood woorkvs : thatis, that they ihoulde ftudie (imply to doe well before GOD, and that they ilioulde nor boafttlicmftlucs be- foremenne. Itisamoftnecefl^iryadhionit'on.-bec.nifcthatia vertuesambi- t:on is alwayi s to be fcared,and there is no worki folaudabIc,that is not there- by oiren corrupted and defiled. But by the fipurc Synecdoche vnder this one kinde is tliere a gcuerall dodtrine deliuucd ; For he fpcaketli of almes no more thcik 'vfon the Hamtenie of the Euangelifles* j g^ then hce fpeakcth alittleafterofpnyers^ Yet in many copies the word i?*>/;- teoufnts is "Ctd for almcs , as the old e interpreter alfo ti'anflated it. )Jut that i s of no waightj for both waycs itfufficiently nppeai-eth^thithce correCteth this difeafe of ambition, whileft that in doKig well, itfeekcth glory of men. X. fVuen thou gineji thine almes* Here hecreproouethby name, the faulte which was commonly vied and in ciiftome, wherein the delire of vaine glory may not onely bee feene, but almoft felt with thehandes. For they emptied their baskets amongft the poore in the corners of the ftreetes , and in pubhkc places where they vf ed their pubhke me. tings. In that they iought the publike places that they might haue many witnefles,{hewed and a[)pearcd manifell^.and vaine- gloriQiis boafting : and not fatisfied with that, they alfo vfed the found of trumpets They fained that they called the poore vrtto chem ("■ as they neuer wantpretences).*yetnothingwasmoreeuident,thenthat they fought com- mendation and prayfe* Further, whenweeferue the eyes of men, wee then make not God the iudgc and examiner of our life. Therefore Chriftlaythnot without caufe, that they that boafi thtmfelues afterthis f^ort, haue their reward ;. now alreadie ; for they camt^ot haue regard to God^hathtaut their eyes poflef- fed with fuch vanitie* By the lame reafdn all hypocrites arc called couetou s of vaine glory. For when hypocrites were called by prophane gefters whuh play cd counterfeitcperfonsvpon thcilageandinplayes the jfcripture giueth this. name to men of a double and diffembling heart ♦ Although thcie are diucrs kindes of hypocrites. For fome though they h? jnoft guiltie to tliemfelues,yet moft impudently they chaleng to.be account«. The meajiingofthisip each is, that wcc* oughtto be content that God alone is witnefle of our doiagcs, and fo to bend oui; iekiesin obedience to him, tliat wee bee not caried about wiih vanitic.For o it fayetj^ipftenout thiumendoe notfatrificeroiijiuch.to G, O D as to them^V fejucs.. Therefore Chnft^s meaning is that we . Ihould not be caned -avyay with contrary thoughts, but wholy bendc our felues to this,, th^t we,e. may woriliippc withapuFecoafcience. ' , t ^ :4. . XlMtthheal.nesmaybeinfecret, Thisfentencefeemeth contrary to ma- ny places of fpipturciwherew^e are ^cpAimaaded to ediiie o^': brethren With., goo4 ex:\mpt f. |iut if wee confidcr the pur^jbfe of our Siauiour, wee may, noc,, flreteh the wordes any £urthei\ lie commandethhis dirciples,freely,and with outallanibitiontoapplythemrclues to good works. That this may be done, he willeth them not to looke for the beholding of men that they may thitike it. Tuificient that God alone app roue their decdcs. Buttliis limphcitie uketh not. aM«ay £jiwai:|^aiid diligeate of profiting others by our example. Marke. Luke i%% The CommenUcfM, lo, Calnine. And a little afore he doth not precifely forbid to do good deedcs before men, butcondemncththevaineoftentation. Thy father rphithfeeth in fecret. Hce co- ucrtly condcmncth the folly which raigntth euery wher amogft men, that they thinkethejrlabourtobcloft , if they hauc not many Witnefles of their good deedes. Therefore he fayth that God needeth not a great light to fee & knovy their good deedes by .for heeknowctheiienthofethatfcemf to bee buried m darkeneile. Therefore there is no caufe why wee fhouldc thinke thofc thinges loftwhichmenftcnotjnorcan beare witneflc of, beecaufe that God hathhij fcatc eucn in the daikeft dennes. And he: miniftreth the apteft remedie for cu- ring this difeafe of ambition, while hee callcth vs to the beholding of G O D, who makcth to \ ai.ifl), and vtrerly blotteth, all vaine glory out of our mindes^ In the fecond claufc which followeth next, Chrilt warncth vs infeekingfor a reward ofour goodworksjpatientlytowaitetothe laft day of the refurrcdion* Thy father, fayth he, (hall rcwarde thee openly •• When ? euen then when the morning of the lalt day ihal aiife,thofe thinges which are now hidden in dark- nefle, ihall be layd open. Matthew. <^ 5 . ^nd xrhen thou^ prayefi, be not M the hyfocrites : for they lot^e to ft and ^ and ^r ay inthe Synagogues,^ in the corners oftheftrtetes, hecaufe they vcould befeene of men : yerily J fay ynto yott, they hane their re vrarde, \ 6, But when thoHprayef^y enter into thy chamber: [ and when thot* haftfhnt thy doore, f>r4y ^nto thy Father \»hich if infecrete, and tJjy father which feeth infecretty /hall reward thee openly, 7 ^Ifo when ye fray^yfe no yai»e repetitions as the heatheifor they thinkjto be heard for their much hahlinr 8 , Beeyee not like them therefore .for your father k^oweth vhereofye haue neede, before ye askf of him, $ JV^'ienthouprayefi, Hecteachethnowe the fame of prayers, which hce taught before of almcs. And thisistoogrofleand {hamefull prophaning of the name of G O D, that hypocrites pray or rather faine themfelues to pray openly, that they may haue glory of men, Bwt fith thsthypocrificis alwaies ambitious, it is no wonder that it is foblindc: therefore he commaundethhis Difciples, ifihey will pray rightly, to enter into their chamber. And though fome, becaufe it fcemeth at the firft to be abfurde,doe expound it alleporicaBy of the inward part of the heart, yet there is no neede of this fiibtiltie* Wee are comiraundedin very many places of the feripturc, to pray to G O D orpraife him inthe publikcaflembly or companieofmen,and before ill the people , to teilifie cur faith or thankerulnefle, that alfo wee might ftirre others by our ex- ample to doc the hke. And Chrifl doethnotforbidde vsthis, but onely ad- n ©fiftieth vs to haue GOD before our eyes fo oft as wee prepare our fclucsto prayv-r. Therefore thetewordes are lohctyv£^tAy Enter into thy chamber. As though he commanded v s to flee from the company of men,and fhould affirmc that wee could no: pray rightly if any were by, For hec fpcakcth by com- parifon vpon the Barmonieofthe EuMngelifles j^ parifon, fignifying that wee fhouldc rather ft eke a fecrete place , thcndcfirc the company of men which (hould fee vs praying. And it is conuenient for ' he faythfiill, to drawthemfelues ftrom the company of mcnne, that ihcy may the more freely poure out their defires and fighes before God. A fccrete place is al- fo profitable for an other caufe, that their mindes may be the rather requcftrcd and freefrom all allurcmentes .- therefore Chriltehimfelfe did very o ten hide himfelf e in fome fecret place that he might pray : but this is not the mattei that is intreated of in this placcjfor he oniy reproueth the dcfire o; vaine glory. But this is the fum,whether a man pray alone, or whether he pray before others,vct he muft haue his affedion, as if he were fecret in his chamber, & had no other WitnelTe but onely God. When Chrift fayth that we Ihall haue a reward for our prayers, hee dcclarcthfufficiently that what reward foeuer the flripturem di- ners places doth proraife vs, is notpaied as of debt, but is a free gift. 7, Ffenot much bablinT. He reprehcndeth an o:her fault in prayer : name- ly much babling« And hee vfeth two woordcSj but in the fimc fcnfe. For B^/- tologia fignifieth afupcrfluoiis and vnfauory repetition : hmVolHlogiais a vaine babJing. Chrift reprooueth alfo their foolilhneffe, which, that they might pcr- fvyade and entreate God, do poure out many woordcs. And that dilicrencc i*a praying which is fo often commended in the fcripture , is not contrary to this doftrine Forwhere the prayerisconceiued with carntft affeftion, thetonouc doth not runne before the minde. Alfo thefauour of God is not obtained w.th a vaine heape of words; butthe godly heart doth rather fend out his affedions which as an owes fliall peircc the heauens .* yet their fupeiftirion is here con- demned, which thinke they pleafurc Godanddohimferuice With their lonec murmured prayers, with which error we fee Popery (o infcAed, that the oreat^ eft force of their prayer is fuppofed to confift in many wordes . For the^more Wordcs any man hath muttered, the more eflfedlually hee is accounted to haue prayed, Alfo they doe daily refounde out in their Chuichcs long and tedious ibngs, as though they would allure Gods earcs. 8. Tor yoKr futher kpoweth . This one reafon is {ufficientto puree and take away this fiiperftition which is here condemned . For from whence commcththis foolillincffe , that mcnne {hould thinke that they haue profited much, where as they weary GOD with their much babling , butbecaufe they imagine him to bee like amortall man, which hath neede to be tauo-ht and admor ifhcd. But who foeucr is perfwaded that God hath not only a care of vs, butknowethalfo ourneccflities, andnoteth our defires and cares before hee is admonifhed, hee vfeth not many word es,butthinkcth it lufficientto make his prayers, as is expedient for the exercife ofhis fayth. And he acknowJedgeth it to be a thing abfurde and to bee laughed at, to deale with Ciod retho/ically, as iftha the Were bowed with copie of wordes. But if God, before we aske doth know what we haue needc of,it feemeth to be in vame topray.For if ot his own accord hcc be ready to helpe vs, to what purpofe is it for vs to addc our prayers, which breakeas it were the willing courfe of his prouidence ? The anfvvere is cafic by confidetinp the ende of prayer .* forthefaythhilldoenotfraye as if they admonifhcd God ofthinges that hee kncwe not^ or exhorted him to doe his dutie, o* ftirred him vppe as one negligent or flowe i but rather tiiit 1^5 Th€Cmment,^M.h.CAlume4> that they might ftlrre vp thcmfclucs to fecke him and exercife their fayth in me- ditating of his promifcs, and that they might eafc thcmicluesbydifcharging their cares into his bofome, and laftly, that they might tcftific as well to them- icliies as to others, that ofhim alone they hope andaskewhatfoeuerisgood^ And that which he freely and vnasked determined to giue vs, he yet doth pro- mife to giue at ourrequcftes. Wherefore both istobe holdcnj'he of his ownc WiUpieuenteth our prayers, and yet by praycrsweobtainethat which we askc. But why he (ome time dclayeth vs to a longer time, and alfo rometimc granteth not our requeftes, (hall be fhewed in an othcrplacc. Markc. I Lukcii. I . Andfo it vpasy as he was f^^yln* in a certaineplace^vbe hepraied^om of his difcipUsfayd t>nto him:nMfier teach ysto fray^ 4s lohn alfo taught his dtfcipUs* 1 , ^nd he faid ynto th«m,v!henyt pray y Jay : our father , Ve>hich art in heauetty hallowed bee Hjy name^ thy kingdom come. Let thy wil be done t- uem inearih^as it is inheauen: 3 , Onr daily bread giue ys this day: 4 ,^ndforgit*e ys our fins', for euen Wiforgifte euery man that is indetm ted to ys- and lead ys not into temp* tatitn^but deliuerysfrom euilL It i$ vnccrtaine whether Chrift dcliuercd this forme ofpraycr to his difciplcs once or twife. This latter fecmeth more probable to fome; bccaufe Lukefaytb that he was asked. But Math, bringeth him in teaching of his owne accord. Yet becaufeth.it Matthew, as wc fayd, gathcreth together all the chiefepointes of dodrincj that by the continued courfe the readers may the better perceiuc the fum & meaning: And fo it may be that Matthew omitteth the occafion which Luke reportcth, yet I will not contend with any man about this matter, L V K E. I. .//; John alfo taught JThzt lohn taught his difciples a priuate mancr or forme of prayer,which I iudge he did as the time required. It is ccrtaine that all things amongft the le wes were then very corrupt,& the whole religion was then fo decayed, that it is no marucU that there were but fewc which held the right order of prayer, Againe ,when as the promifed redemption was at hand,it was neccHary that the minds of thefaithfull Ihould bee ftirred vp to the hope 8c dcfire of the lame, lohn therefore might out of diucrs places of the fcripturc ga- ther (ome pray er which might be agreeable to i he time, and moft according to the Spiritual kingdom of Chrift which he began now torcucalc. ^/lATH, 9. ^ferthis matter therefore praye you. For the which Luke faycth, Whenyou pray ^ fay yee. Yet Chrifte corrmaundcthnothisdiC. ciplcs to pray in thefe cone eiued woordcs, but oncly ftitwcth to whatpurpofc they flioulde rcfarte all their requcils andpray crs, Therefore in thcfc 6. petiti- ons jjfatthcw 6, f . jffter this maner therefore pray ye : Ourfatlnr vphichart inheauen, hallowed be thy name^ JO. Thy kingdome come. Thy will he done in earth ai it is in heauen. It. Giue ys this daye our dailye bread. 11. .Andforgiueys our dehteSyAs we alfo fr giue our debters^ I J • jind lead yt not into tempta • , tiony but deliuer ys from euill tfor thine is the k/ngdomsy ^ the power, ttnd the glory for euer. ydmen. I t/pfift the HArmme efthe EuangeUfieu /py om i$ comprehended whatfceuer isLawfulIl for v$ to askc of God . And there is nothing more profitable for vs then this do(arine : for when as this is a prin- cipal! exercife of godhnes, yet in making prayers and conceiving our rcquefts all our fenfes doe fayle. So no man (hall pray rightly, but he whofe mouth & hean the heauenly maiftcr giiideth* For this caufe was this rule giuen, accor- ding to the which it isnecelTarytoframeallourprayerSjif weecouet to haue them accounted lawful! and approued of God. It was not the will of the fonne of Godfas wasfayd eiien now)to prefcrihe vnto v$ what word es wee (houldvfe, as if it were not lawful! to dechne from that forme which he fet down e : but yet he would that our prayers (liould bee ib dircfted and ordered, leaft they (hould wander beyond thefe bounds. Wher by we gather that the law of prayer which he fet down,coufifteth not in words but in the matters of things themfelues. Further, in that I fayd that this prayer coniifteth of fixe petitions, itistobeknownethat thefirft three , not hauine regarde of vs, haue onely refped to the glory of God • And the laft three are framed for thofe things which are profitable for our faluation. For as the lawc is deuidcd into two tables, whereofthe firflcontaineih the duties of godhncs and the other of charitie: foin prayer Chrift commandeth vs partly to !ooke& feeke for the glory of God, and partly he permitteth vs to prouide for our felues Therefore let vs knowthat we are then well prepared to praver, if wee be not onclycarefiillofour felues and our ownecommoditie, but doe firlt fceke x\it glory of God : for it were too prepolterous, oncly to haue care of our own mat ters, and to negled thekingdome of GodaWliich is to beprcfcrrcd farre before all things. 0»ir father rohich aft in hea»en* So oft as wee prepare our fclues to prayer Wee mutt efpeciaily confider two thinges, partly that we may haue entrance to God, partly that with full and perfe^truft wemay repofe our fclues vpon him, that is, liis fatherly loue towards vs, and his great power. Wherefore let vs not doubt but that God will willingly embrace vs, butthat he is ready to heare our prayers,and alfb that he is willing of his owne accord to helpe vs. He is called Dy the name offather. Therefore Chrift in this epithite doth minifter vnto vs much matter forthe flay of our faith : but becau{e.that we reft on the goodncs of God onely in part, in the next claufe he commendcth to vs his power. For when the fcripturefayth that God is in hcauen, it declarerh that all thinges are vnderhispower,andthattheworldcandwhatfbcuerisinit, is contayned in his liand, tliat his power is (pread in eucry place, and all things are ordained by his prouidenccDauid fay th in the Pfalme * .4. The dweller in the heauens fhall laughthem tofcornc. Alfo in the Pfalme 1 1 f . j . Our GOD in heauen hath done whacfqeuer he would. But God is not fo placed in heauen, as if he were fhut vp therein ; for that rather i$ to be confidered ,whi :h is fayd in the feconde booke of the Chronicles, feconAchapter, and fixt vcrfe The heauen oi hea- uens cannot coiitaynehim» Butthis maner of fpeach exempting him oaiohht order of his creatures , wacneth vs that there ought no bafe or eartlhy thing enter into bc- caufc that through the whole courfc of hfe wee haue conimuall warre with the flcfli: yet we askcofthe Lord that he make vs not fubied to temptations or fuffcrvstobeoucrwhehned. And that Chrift might the bet'ter declare howe aptwecaretoflidcintothefedaylyfallesandruines, except G idfiiftainc vs nith his hand, he vfed this mancroffpeach,lcade vs not into temptation : or asothertranfiateitjCaricvsnot. It is ccrtaine that cucry man is tempted of hisowncconcupiicence^aslnmcsteachethip.the firlUhapt^r, and fourtecue verfe. But becaufe God doth notoacly deliuervsto the plcafure of Sathan, that he might kindle the fire of concupifcencc,butvfethhim as the minift^i' of wrath, fo oft as hee will driae men headlong to dellrudion, hcalfo after hismanerleadcthmentodeftmaion. inthewhichifenceit is fayde that the euillfpirit ofGodcamcvponSaule, and diners places of the fcriptmc tcnde to the fame piirpofe, yec wcraay not call God the authojr of eiiill -becaufe that indeliuering men into a reprobate fence,hecdocthnotexercifeanvniuli tyrannic,but execiiteth his iuftiudgemcntcs though they beefecret. DeUae/ys fvmemll. Euill in this place may as well bee taken in the neuter gender as in the mafciiline* Chryfoftome referreth it to the deuill, who is the framer of all cuils, and as a deadly enemw of our (aluation, doeth dayly afifault vs, yet it may as conueni - cntly be taken for finnc^buttherc ncede no ftrife aboutthat matter; Becaufe the fenle r cmaineth almoft all one ; that is, that we arc call forth to the deuiU and finnc, except the Lord doth defend and deliuer vs, Torthint is tht^ngdomc. It is maruaile that the Latines did omit this conclu- fion of prayer. For it is not only added to ftirre vp our heartcs to require the glory of God,and to admonifh vs what ought to be the end of our prayers: but alfothat It may teach vs, that our prayers which are hcerc taught vs, ouc^ht to l)e grounded noothcrwhcre then vponGodalonc, leaft we ihould Itay ?ppon our ownc mcritcs, ' * Afathcw 6, 1 4 . Torifyot* doe forgiue mm their trefpajfe s, your htmenly father rvill alfo forgiueyot*. If. But ifyee dee notforgine menne their trefpajps^ no ymre will your father forgine you your treffajfes^ Markcn^ Luke* af. Bttt when yee fhall fiandyand fray^forgiue if ye 5 haue any thing againji any many that your father alfo rvhich is in heauen^ may for^ gineyouyottr trefpajfes: z6. For ifyot* yvill not forgiue,your father which is in heatienymll not pardtn y ottyour trejpajfej, ^ Chfiile docth hccrc cn^ly fa dome, for what purpofc that claufe was 1 tfpen the F^rmome of the EuAfige!ifles\ J0 ^as acldcd, forgiue vs,as wee forgiue. that is to fay^that God willnotte other- wife entreated ot vs,then wee doe (hew cur fclues ready to forgiue, if any (hall hurtvs And certainly ,cT.ccpt vc were harder then yron.this cxhoitatio (l.ould molhfie vs,that we micht be i eady to iorgiuc ofi'er ccs. Except God doe daily forgiue vs diuers ofi'enccs,we know that we (hculd pen(h naany wayes. Buthcc croniifc th vs forgiuenedc of no other conditio, except we pardon cur brethren whaifocuer they hnue faulted againft vs.Thercfore ihcy do vyillingly and with fee purpofc & mindcs addide themfelues to delhuaion,and they doe their diU- gencc to ptouoke Gods anger, which will not forget the iniurics offered and done vnto them* Matthew^* Markc. ] Luke, J g. Moreomr rvhen yee fafi^ IoqJ^ mtfowre as the hypocrites '.for they dtifigure their faces, that they might feeme ynto mtn to frfi, Perily J fay yn-, to you, that they hatte their rewarde. 1 7 . But when thoi* fajiefi, anmynt thy heade and wa/h thy face, 1 « . That thou feeme mt ynto men tofajt, but ynto thy father vphich is infecrete: andthy father which feeth infecret, rcill nveard thee evenly. He rctourncth apainc to the former doarinc. Vot when hce had begunne tOi Tepiehendthevaincoflentationinahncsand prayers, heefttdown a lariull rulcofprayin^^. Now a.sconcerningfafting,hegiucth the fame commaunde- ment to hi« difciples, that he gaue before of prayers and almes, leaft they with ereater dihgence feekc to plea(c the world, then to haue God a m< nes of their workes. Alfo thatheccomaundeth toannointthehcadandwafticthc face, i« hyperbolically -for Chrift docthnotfodrawvsfiomonekindeofhypocrific, thathemightleadcvsintoanother. , . zr • u Therefore hee doeth not comroaunde vs to faynedaintmefle, neither docth hee fo exhortevs to a temperate diet, thathe might nourJ(h a delicacy in oyntmentcs and apparelling .-but hee doth f mply exhcrtc vs to keepe a mo- deration, wherein there (hould bee nothing eyther {Iraungeoraffeftate : a$i£ he(houldhauefayd, we mutt fo apply our felues to faftingcs, thatwechaunge nothing in the accuftomedmaner of our life. Thathe promifcthfromGoda reward to faftinc s, is an improper manner of fpeach, as it is fayd a htile before of prayers, though there is a great difference betwecne prayers and faflinges. For prayers and almes are chiefe amongft the duties of charitie:but fofting is ot it felfc a woike inaiffcrent,& not of thatfort which God requiieth and approo- ucth, asalmcs are. But it pleafeth him oncly as it is referred to an other cnder that is, that itmayexcicircvstoabftmcncic,thatit may tamethewantonneiie oftheftcfhe, thatitmayitirrevsvpandinflamevstoprayer, ihatirmayDea tcflimony ofour rcpentance,foofta$we arc vrgcd with the ludgementot uoo. Thcrforc the meaning of Cluiftcs words is^th^tCod vviJ r9wne declare op^y N 4 ™- too The (Comment, 9ftM,Io,Cal(ime^ that thofe good works doe plcafe Iiim,which fecmed to bee loft, becaufe that men faw them not. Matthew. 6, 19.4 ,^^J« not ypffe treafures for your felues yfipon the earth, where themoth anil canker corrupt e , andvphere theeuesdigge tJjroiigh and /I tale. ao, Butlaye yppe treafttres for your felnes in heauen, "Prh ere myth er the moth ttor canker corrnpteth, and where theeues neither di^ge throt^gh nor fteale,' 2r. For where your treafttreiSy there tf illy our heart bealfa. M^rke. Luke, 12, JJ. Sell that you haue, andgiuealmes : mal^-yo'^ badges which tx^axe not side, atreafurethatcanne neuer fayleinhtauen, ^here na theefecommtthyneither moth corrupteth. \ J 4 ♦ For where your trea" Jure is, there wily our heart i be alfo. 19. Laynotyppc* Thisdeadlyplagueraignetheuery wherein the world, fo that menne become madde through aninfatiable defirc of hauin'^.But chrift reprooueththcmoffoc^rhnefTe, that their fehcitiebecingfette in richefle fa- thered With great care, is made iubied to woormes and the canker, and is layd foorth to the fpoyle of theeues. And what is more contrary to rcAfon.vhcn to lay vp their ^oodcs there, where as eyther they may perilh of themfehies, or be ftolen away Dy men. But the couetous menne thinke not thus, for they'fhutte vppc their riches into cheftes weilocked.-yet they cannot auoidc, but that their riches fnall bee fubiedeto theeues or to the mothcs* Therefore they are blind and lac^e their right fenfe, which beftowc fo much labour and paine in gathe! ring riches, which arc fubicfte eyther to rottcnncfl'c, or if ealthes, or to a thou- ' fande other fuchcafuahics.* efpecially fith God doeth allow vs a place in hea- ucn to lay vp treafure in,and doth louingly call vs to poflefle thofe riches which as though it were not lawful! for ^a Chriftian to kcepe any thina tor hioi felfe . Hjs will was onely to teach, that wee muft not giue to the poorc after thatfbrt, as that if any thing bcefiiperHuous,that fhould be bcftowed of them; But our land«:s may not bee fparcd if the reucncwcs which wcc haue at handc fiiffi ce not the nee effitie of the poorc . Asifhee Ihouldc haue faydletyour nbcralif y extend it felfc eucn to the diminiihing of the patrimonic & the aUena tioaoflandc?!, 11. f^ert vfontheUMmmevftheEUMngeitfles. ;,^j II. meftyotfr treafure is. In this fentcnce Chria coniiinceth & prouctfi them to be miferable mcn,which hauc their trcafures laydc vp vppon earth ; bccaufe that their fchcitie is corrupt &:vani{hing« Butcouctous men fay, that they arc nothing the leflc hindered, but that they m ay haue their heart in heauen. But Chrift oppofeth this generall rule^that whcrfoeuer men doe taigne their chiefc fehcity to be, they arc thither bound and tied. It foUoweth hereof that they re- nounce heauen,which dcfireto be happy in this world. We know how diligent • ly the Phy lofophers difputed of the chiefe fc!icitic,yea & they traueiied moft a» bout this poiHt,& not without a caufe,nth that thereupon depcn deth the whole courfe of framing of mans life, and all the f enfcs haue regard to this. If honour be adiudgcd to be the chiefe felicitie, it is neceffary that ambition fhoiild wholy pofl'efle the mindes of men : if mony,then conetoufneffc flial prc- fently obtaine the kingdom : if pleafure, it cannot bee but that m en ihoiild de- generate into a beaftly wantonneflc ; for naturally we are all enclincdto delirc the chiefe good,fo it comethtopaffe, that falfe imaginations do carry vs hither & thither. Ifthatwcwere rightly & certainly perfwaded thatour felicitie is in hcaueujitwere eafieto afcend & chmc into heauen^ treading the world vnder feete, and dclpyfing all earthly goodes , whofe deceitfull baytes doebewitch the moft part of them. After this mancr Paule, while hce would lift the fayth* full vp on high, and exhort them to the ftudie ofthe heauenly hfe, propofcth Chrift vnto them, in whom only the perfede fehcitie is to befought .• as if hcc ihouldhauefaydc, that it were an abfurde and an vnworthy thing, that theic inindcs fhould be lettled vpon the caith,whofe treafure is in heauen. Mattth*^. "41. The light 9 f the ho' dye is the eye.'if that thine eie he Jingle, thy whole body/hal he light* 25. But if thine eye bee l»icked,then all thy bedyjhal hfi darkey IVherefore y if the light that is in thetj be dark^ ne^yhow great isthedarkttei? 24. 2S(o maune can ferue . two mafl ers: for either he Jhal hate the oncy anct hue the O" ther.or elfe he float lean to the onty^ defpifa theotheryyee cannot ferue God and riches* Marke. Luke I r. J 4. The light ef the hodye is t/?« eye '■ therefore when thine eyeisfingki. then is thy whole body light:biitiftlnne eyebeeuillythen thy body ii darkf. 3 5 . Take heede there fore, that tht light yWhich is in thee, bee not dark^- nejfe. J 6. If therefore thy whole hodye fhall bee lights hauing no parte darl^ , then Jhall all bee light y euen as when a candle doth light thee with his bright-^ nejfe, Luke 16* '!• T^feruant canrte fertte two maijiers.'for eyther kee fhallhate the OMyandloue the other y or eh het Jhall leanetotheoney anddef^ife the other ^ 1 ee cannot ferne God and riches. a2. Thelightofthebody istheeye . Thisistobccremembred , which! did fitft^giue warning of , thathccrc arefhort lentenccs gathered together^ N 5 ^di a c 2 The Comment. ofM. Jo. CAlmne, andnot a continuall fcrmon. Alfo the fummc and mcanins of tliis fcnten^ ft that menne through flouth do goc aftray .• bccaufe they bendc not thcri^fdue!' as It becommeth them, to the right purpofe. For whereof commcth it to p.flc that men fo filthily doe wander^llidc, or fall:but becaufc thatthrou^h their cor ruptiiidoement,whilethattheyhadratherrqti5fie theirovviie rle^fures then the lulhce of God, they do not oncly choake the Hght of reafon, which ouc^ht to goucTne their h^c, but they doe wholy turneitinto daikenefle? And Chri^ vfeth a fin.ilitiide, calling rhe eye the hght of the whole body : asif hee fl^ouldc haiie fayd, when men waike, neither the handes,nor the feete,noi the belly can du cd nor gouerne the way, but only the eye fufficeth to guide the other mcm- bcis. Tncrforcifihenandsandthc fectc are rafhiycaried whether it is not mectCjihc fault u to be imputed to the eyes,which did not their diitie Nowthelimihtudeisto bee apply ed to the minde : alltheaileaionsareas cer^amc members ofthefime, but they hauc neede of diredion becaufe they are bhndcofthenifclues , Nowe God vfeth a leafon, which may brin^ them into order, and exccll a candle for lliewing the way « But what vfe they to doc for the moft part? namely ,that vprightnefle of mmd that was due them they do willmgly corrupt and perucrt, fo that there remainethnotoncfparkc oMight.Hecalleththatafimplccye, thatis notcoueredwithany webbe nor blcmulied with blc.irdncs,nortroub!ed with any other fauIt.HetakerhJ«ere>« for faulty. The hght body, which is light encd, fo that his ^zt^s arc riahcly or dexed . Andthatiscalleddarke, which is confiifedly can ycd into diucrscr rours. Therefore we fee as wee haue fayde before, that the fiouih of thofe men isreprouedinthefcwords.whichnegledtheopcningcftheeiesoftheirminds to the gouerncmente of their afieaions . And it is friuolous th.u the Pa* pilUs doe hereof gather, that men doe cxcell in reafon and wifedome (o that they haue free elcaion of good and euill. For Chrift doth not declare in this place what povN-er we hauc ; but howe it bccommeth vs to walke : that is that we may bee diredcd to fomc certaine purpofe. And he teacheth that the courfe or mans lite is therefore darke, becaufe that no manne propofeth to hin-felfe a right ende, but all menne doenourilhcthciVifeluesto follow that whichis euill grc cdily I graunt that by nature their is reafon gtafted into menne, whercl v tncy might difc erne betwetne vices and vcrtues .• but I fiyc that it was fo cor rupted through (mne, thatitfaylcthatcuery fteppe. YetitfoUowethnot but tn.u menne doc willingly thiultthemfeluc-. into darkenellc^ as ifwith cloVed eyes they Hcddc the proffered li-ht ; becaufe that witting and willing they fol low after their owne luftes. t) / a* 2^ if the UgU that is in thee. He callcth reafon Iight,how litle foaier vras lefte remaining in men after the fall of Adam .• and he calleth darkcnefle erofTc and beaflly afleftions. The meaning thereofis, that it is no maruaile if thlit men do fo fkhily and beaftly wallow thcmfclues in themyre of finnes.-fceincr that there is no reafon, which might [oucrnethe bhnd and darke picafures oUhe fleflie But he fay th, that the light is turned into darkenelfe, not only when menne do fufler the iudgcraent of their minde :o be ouerwhelmed with the wicked lulfc* ofthefielhe; but yccldmg their wute to perucrfethonghtes, doe degenerate a$i{ were into bcaftcs . For wcc fee horn malicioufly meiuicdoc turnc vp6n the Uarmwh of the iSuangeUfies* 2 ^ * ikit wiredome, that was giuen them to craft ot fubtiltic, that they mioht feckc rftiippcd,butwithanentyre and whole afleiflion ; but in deedc they denie it, while they endeuourto reconcile things contrary between themfeliies. The ambitious jnan fayth, I will not ceafe to ferue God though I apply a good part of my Wit to hunt after honors.The couetou$,thc voluptuous the gluttenous,the ieacherous,the ciuell, & euery one do boaft the fame for the fclues,2s though it were poffiblc/or them to ferue God inpartjwhich are open- ly fecneof purpofe to fight againft him. It is true that the faithfull tlKmiciucs ^#4 ^hefomment.GfM^lcCalaine . arcncucrfowliolyadiliacdtoobeyGod, but that they are oftc withdrafrvnc vs'ith tinfuU luftes of tiic iielh. But becaufc they ligh vnder this miferabJe fla- ucric, and are difple.ifed with themrclues,& doc not otherwifc fcr ue the fieih, but vnwillinglyi and vrirh rcfiftancc ; they arc nor accounted to Icrue tvvo mai- Iters: bccaufethat their liudies and endeuours arefo approued to the Lord, as ifthey had y eelded pcrfetft obedience vnto hira« Andhecre is their hypocrifie repiouedjwhich flatter themfeluesm their linnes, as if they could ioyne light and darkenefle together* Marke, Mathcw<5. If. Therefore J fay yntoyoU'y h$ not carefullforyottr lifcy wJjat ye/)?alUate^or n>J}atye/JMl drink^ nor yet for your bodie rchat yos* /halibut on : Is not the life more Worthy tiienmedty and the hody thenrayment? 1 6. Beholde thefowles of the heauen: for theyfovpe not^neither ren^^ norcary into thebarnes:yet your heauenly father feedeth the. ^reye not much better then thty} 27 which cfyoh by tal^in^ eare, if able to adde one cifbite to hifjiature } z 8 . And Mchy care ye for ray- ment^ Learne horv the lilies of the field doe groxPCf they labour n9t, neither fpinne. 1 ^ . Tet I fay yntoyon, that e~ t*en Salomon in all his ^lory vca4 not arayed lik^ one ofthefe, J o, wherefore y ifG 0 D fo cloath the ^ajfe of the fielde^ tphich it to day , and to moro^we it €a(i into the ouen : Jhall hee not doe much more yntoyoH, Oyeof little faith* Luke. 12. 2 2. Andhefpaki ynto hisdifci^ plei .'Therefore I fay yntoyottiTak^ no thought for yottr life y ^hatysfhal eate : neither for your bodyywhatyo» /hallpHt on* 2 ^ « The life is more then meate^ and the body m9re then the raiment* 24. C onjider the ^attensfor they neither fow, nor reape: xvhich neyther hanefiore-hoHfeynorbarne, and yet Godfeedeth them : how much more areyee better thenfowles ? zy. ^ndrvhich of yott by taking thought can ad one cubit tohUfiature 16. If ye then be not able to doi the leaJithingesyXtfhy take ye thought fw the remnant} X7. Cdnfider the Lilies how they grorpythey labour not y neither fpinne they : yet I fay ynto you y that Salo-^ mon himfelfe in all hii royaltit vcoi not cloathed like eneofthefe* z8; If then God fo cloath the grajje y which is to day in the fielde^ andtomorow is c aft into the ouen t hone much more voill ht cloath you^O yee of little faith ? In this Sei-mon Chrift doth reprehend the excefsiiiccare ofmcat& cloathfng, vrherewith men doe vexe and torment themfelues, and he giucth alfo a rcme- die to healc this difeafe. That he forbiddeththcm to be carefull, ought not tobetnkenloprecilcly, as if he vvouldhauchistobecarclefle. For we know that men arc *^ornc otdiat condition, that they fhould fuftaine fome care : yea, this is not the leaft portio ofthe miferieSjWhich the Lord hathinioyned to vs,as a punilhment, t!^at he might humble vs But he condencththc imn-'oderate care for mo caufcs; that is, becaufc men do waftc 5c torment themfelues therewith in vfontheUarmomeoftSeEmngenftes, j^^ in vainc, bj^taking more then is m?ctc, or theircalling will bcarc ; then that ihey take mdrfe'vpponthcmfchics, then is mectc for them, and vfing their own inuuftry, they neekat to call vppon God . That promife is to bee holden Pfal. 1X7- a. When the vnfaithruU doc he downc late, and ihall rife early* they (hall eatc the bread of forrowe , thefaythfull {hall throuihtheoraccof GOD , cnioy reft and flecpc . Therefore the fonnes of God, though they bee not free from lab our and care, yet it cannot bccproperlyfaydc,that they arc carcfull for the life ; bccaufc that they repofing thcmfeliies in fhe prin taking vpon him more then is lawfulifor him, doubteth not through facrilcgious boldnefl'c to pafle hisboundes. I know (fayth leremyjxo. % I . that the way of manne is net in himfclfc, ^cither is it in man to walkc and to dircd his fteps . And there is fcarfc the hundred maip found, which darcth not promife himf elfe any thing of his ownc induftry and power.Hereby it com- meth to palTe, that God being not regarded,they doc not doubt to attempt any thing, which chalengc to themfelues the profperoiisfuccefleofthinges. Chrift that he might bridle hismaddc boIdnelTc, doothfay, thatwhatfocuerpertay-* neth to the fuftentation of ourhfc, dtpendethofthe onely blefling of G O D, . For it is as much as if he (hoiild hauc fay d, mcnne do fondly wen ry themfelues, when all theirlabours are fupcrfluous and vaine, and all their cacesdoe come to no efFede, but as God blelfeth them : the which is more plainciy expreffed by Luke, when Chriftaddcth; If you cannot doe that which is leaft, why are ye carcfull for the remnant ? For by thofewoordesit fiifEciently appeareth that he reprooueth not onely the diftrufl e, but the pride that men do challenge to their witte more then is mcetc, 7{ot Salomon in all his glory. The fenfe i$, the goodneffe of God which fhi- neth in hearbcs and flowers, docth cxcell whatfoeuer men can doe with their riches, power, or by any other meanes .• fo that the faythfuU may account that they {hall want nothing of perfeA plenty,aIthough all outward meanes be wan- ting, fo that the onely bleflftng of God may fiourifh. O^ee of little fay th* Chrift dooth not withouta caufc In this behalfc blame the want and weakencffe offayth .'for the more care we haue according to the grofenefie of our witteifo much more doth our infidelity bewray it felfc, except that all thinges fall ^out after our defirc •• therefore very many, which in great matters feeme to b ce endued at leaft with an indifferent fay th, yet doe faint at the daungcr ofpoucrty* Matth.^. 3 I . Therefore take no thought ffajingf^hdt /hall we 9ate} or }»hat/hall vre drinh^ } or wheremth/hall wee be cio- ihed} 1%, For Marke» Luke. x» a p. Therefore dskf not Mchitt yet f}alleate^ or whatyee/hall drink^^ nei" therjiand in doubt. JO* For all fuch thinges, the pe§m fU of the worldefeek^for ; andyonrfa* thet vpmtheUdrm0nh§fthcEum^el0es4 y^^ I 51. F*r after all theft things feeJ^e the GemiUs.'fov r^aftr hea»enly father l^mw^ eth thatyee haue need of all thefe thingf, I \ . But feekit yee fr/i the l{ingdome of GOD , and his rigbteoufneffe , and all tlyefe thingu Jhall bee minifired ynto yo». .34. Care not.then for the mo row : for the mo79yf> Jhall care for it felfe : the day hath inottgb with his ownegreife. therk^weth thatyee hatt neede of thefe thinges4 31. Bitt rather fee\e yet after the k^ngdomt of GOD, and all thefe thinges Jhalhg minifired yntayou, I !♦ Veare not iitU fiockf for it is you^r fathers pleafurt togideyott a kingdom. He hath the fame purpofe here, that he had in the former dodrine .• that the faithfull trufting in the fatherly care of God, and hoping to haue from him what things foeuer they thinke to bee necelTary for them, fhouldc not torment themfelues with extreame care;^ulnes; He forbiddeth them to be carefull , or tofeel?e,as Lwkereporteth : that iSj after their miner, which feekeheere and there, without refped of God, to whom onely they ought to bend themfelues* Neither doe they reft atany time, butwhcrcthey fee aboundanceof incrcafc; §Dd ihey which doc not attribute to God the gouernment of the worldc , doc Ay^te and vexe themfelues with continual! difquietnes. When hee fiy th that GcQtilcs ^ot feeke after ail thefe thinges, hcc vpbraideth them with their too grofle folly, frbm whence allflich cares doefpnng. For whereofcommeth it to pafle, that the vnbeleeuers do neuer reft in quiet ftatc.* but becaufe they ima- gine that God is idle, and flccpcth in heauen, or at the leaft that hee looketh not vpon thofe things which appcrtaine vnto men, as vpon them , whome hcc hath taken into his charge,and fecdeth as his hoafliold ? So by this comparifon, he dedarctb that they haue profited ill, and doenot as yetvnderftande the firft rudiments of godlincs > which doe not looke with the eyes of their faith to the hand of God,fecretIy filled with aboundacc of al good things,that they might patiently, and with quiet mindesfrom thence looke fortheirfuftentation« Your neaucnly fither,ray th he, knoweth that you ncede thefe things ; as if he {hould haue fayd,all they that are fo carefull for their foodc,do giue no more honour to the fatherly goodnes of God and hi$fecretprouidcnre,thenthe vnfaithfull do* L V. 19. Stand not in doubt » This claufc anfwereth to the lall fcntcn cc which is fet d owne in M athe w. Be not carefull for the morow. For Chrift re- proueth an other fault, that men bending their will to prouide for themfelues, would gladly imbrace fine worlds. The word which Luke vfeth doth properly fignifie to looke aloft, as wc doc commonly fay, to make long difcourfes , for the intemperature of our fiefh hath ncuer enough, but that it would turne oner the heauen and the eaith a hundred times, Hccreof it commeth to pafle , that they giue no place to G OD h'i$ prouidence. Therefore vnder this title is reprehended too much curiofitic or carcfulneffe • becaufethat throuohthefamewe procure ourfclucs trou- bleswithout profitc.and doefo become willingly wretches before the time* That Matthewc fay eth , That the day hath inough with his owne greife , ap- pertayneth to this purpofe, tlwt the faithful] Ihoulde temper their arcs, Icalk Jcaftthcy dcfire to prouide beyond the bounds oftheir vocation. For asit is fjy d, cuery care is not condemned .• butthat vrhKrfi vvandercth through ouer^ thwart and vnmeafurabk compaflcs, beyond boandej. MAT.J5. ';'^'y^M''/'*AfV«'"'»/^«'^. Hebridcleththattoooreatcare for foodi: by an othcrargumcnt. For he rcproueththat grollc & HouthYuII nee- lea, which the JOL ic hath of the heaiienly life. Therefore Chrift teachcth vs that It 1$ prepoftcrous , that men being borne to a better hfc, doc whol v occu ' methenifelues in earthly tlunges.- Andwhofoeiierfiiallciteemcof thekin^' dome of God as the belt will not exercife himfclfe in prouidme for his liuint" butmoderately.neythcristhereanythingfittcrtobridlethcwantonnefl-e of the fleih, that it tnumph not in the courfc ofthis prefent life, then the meditati- on of the hcauenly hfc. The word mIneoHfnejJe may as well be referred to God, as to his kingdome- for we Kfio .V that the kingdoiie of Gad conliftcth in nghtcoufncs , thaf is in fpintuall nrwnefle of hfe, Whcnhe fayth, that other things (hdl be tniniftred he mieancth thole thinges, which belong to th.sprefcntli.^e, are to be placed in the fecondplacc and ought to be fet after, or vndcr the kmgdome of God .u u $]* P*arenotmylittUjlockf. With this fcntence Chrift confirmeth thathopcwhereuntohecxhortethhisdifciples: forhowccan Goi'dcnvvile ^d corrupt meate to his, whom he hath adopted to be hcires of his kin-dome^ And purpofeiy he calleth his by the name of a little flocke , leatt they \bu\ll therforc think thcmfelues to beof lefl'c account with God.becanfc that thpou-.h their fcwnciTe, they arc nothing accounted of before the world. The word fur ^^"^ ^'^fieth, that etcrnall life doth How vnto vs out of the fountain OthisfreeiTiercy.Tothispurpofealfoappertayneththeword ofnuinr And when Chrift witncfleth openly, that God hath giucn v$ a kingdome , and that forno/3thercaufc,butforthatitfoplcafcdhim; itisheereby more then ma- nifeft,thatitisobtaynedbynodcrerteiofworkes . Therefore foofteasthe Lord r ayfeth vs vp to the hope of c:crnall life, we muft remember that we mar notfearethewantofdaylyfoode. ""twcmaj' Mathcw. 7 t Judge tiitfthdtye he notiudgei a* Vor vpith xvhat iudgement yee imigt^yeefhaUbe indged^and with )vhat meafitrt yee metty it fhalbe meafuredtoyou 4ga$ne }. ^ndxphyfeeji thou the moate^that is in thy brothers eye^ andperctiuefinot the beame that if in thineorone eye } 4 . Or how fayep thou to thy hrother^ fujfer mte to cafi out the moate out of thine eye^ and behold M bt4mt is in thitu owne eye f Marke ^ »4* ^tfh what mea- furtyee mett itJhdUbee meafured yn toyoH^ Luke, f^ J 7. ^dgenotyand yejhallnothe itdged i condemn not, and yee /hall not bee condemned .'forgiue, and ye9 /hall bee forgiuen, J S . Gine, and it /halbe gitten ynf yoH:agoodmeafure,fTelfed downe, /haken together,^ ^^f*ningoHer/hall men giue into your ho ftme : fer with wlyat meafureye mete, with the famt /hall men mete to you a Bither vpon the HarfKoniecfthe EH^ftgdipf. '^^q - ■ f , Uyp9Crite, firfi ca/i ' eut the ^eame out of thine cwne eye , and then Jhalt 4 2 . EytUr ho w canfi thou fay to thy hvother: brother^ let mee full out the moatey that is in thine eye , »/,«» th^f^ feefi mt the leame that is in thine owne eye ? Hypocrite^ cafi ont the beame that is in thine ovpneeyefirfi^ and then /halt thott fee perfeO-ly to pill 9»t the mo Ate that is in thy brothers eye^ thou fee cleerely to cafi ont th: moat out of thy brothers eye. I. Udgemt* Chtift docth not in thefe Worses precifely refirainc from iudging: but bis Will was to heale that difcafe, which is fettled almoft inail. For wcc fee how all men doc flatter and fparcthemfclues, and cucryman i% a feiicrc ccnfor againft others. And there is acertainefvveetnesinthisfinnc fo that there is almoft no man that ytcheth not with a dcfire to enquire out o-^ thcrmensfaultes. All men doe confeffe that it is a mifcheifc intolerable, that they which (pare themfelues in their own finnes (hould be fo malicious againft their brethren. And in times paft prophane men did alfo condemne it by many prouerbes : yet it continucth in all ages, and alfo remaincth at this day:nay,thcr is added to it an other plague worfe then that, that the moft parte by condcm. ning others, feeke to get themfelues further libertic of finning. This wicked delioht in biting.- carping, and flaundering doth Chriftrefrayne;, when hec fayth, ludge not* Ney ther ought the faithfull to be fo blind, that they (hould dif« ccrne nothing .• but onely that they (hould bridle themfelues, that they- bee no moredcfirous to iudge then is meete. For it cannot be otherwife but that vrho ibcuerdefu:eth to be iudgeofhis brethren, (hould be too extreame and ri*'©- rous. There is the like fentence in lames, bee not many maiflers. Yet he dotft not rcftrainc nor withdraw the faithflili from executing the office ofteachina - butheeforbiddeth them to defire honour ambitioufly. Therefore toiudoCj^ doth fignifie as much as to enquire curioufly into other mens deedes. But firft this dilcafc doeth alwaycs drawe with it this finne , that wee condemne euc- ryhght ofFencc,a$thoughitW5reamoftgreinousfaulte:thenic breaketh out into a peruerfcboldnes.fo that we doe proudly iudge ill of cuery matter, aU though it may be taken in good pai t. Now we e (ec to what purpofe C hriftes counfell tcndeth : that is^ that wc bee not to defirous , or ouerthwart, or malicious, or els curious in iudging our neighbours. But he that iudgcth by the word and law of the Lordj& di; edcth his iudgtment according to the rule of charitic, dothalwayes begin his iudge- inent at himfelfe^he dothobfcruc the right manerand order oFiudgina. where by it appeareth howe wickedly they abufe this te(timonie of this moderaton, which Chriftfcttethdownc, vndcr which pretence they defireto take away all difference of good andcuilL Foritisnotonelylawfullforvs to condemne and reproue all hnncs, but alfo neceflary ; except we will wrangle with GOD himfellc, and abrogate his lawes, cutdowne hisiudgementes, and ouerthrovf his throane of iudgtment. For his will is thatwe (honld dcclarehisiudgmcnc which he' pronounce th ofthe dxicd^s of men, wc muit onely rctaync that tno* ^efty, that he may rcnr,aync the onely lawgiua and iudge. ^ lo The Comment* ofM, h, Caluin% • Leafiyoi*heiitd rthfee/hhi^uam^te, Heedoth oprefly rcprooucthat foultf, whiA the hypocrites doc commonly committc. For vrhcn they arc too quickc figh. ted in difctrnino other irenres Mtcs, and they doc notonelyamphfic them feucrc]y;toalmoittragical}y,theycaft their ci^neo^^ els thev are fo wife in making the m to fccme lefle that eucn ,n the moft grofie ofecistheydefiretofceme^xcufablc. Therefore Chnftreprotieth both the cBcncestoocurioiisfcarchinp, v^hixh giovvethofthemntofcharity^^^^^^ viee wil toofcnipuloufly fearch out thefinncs of the brethien,and the fpatmg iiattcry,wherewith>vc couer and nounfh ourovvnc finncs. MAT 7 6. Giueyee not that rphich is holy todogges, neyther caji yeejour tearUi Ufcre fwme '. Uaft they trtade them y^der their feete and tnrnmg agame allu tente-iJ Thereisno caufewhyI{houldoftenrehearfc,thatMatthewfetteth ^owncmanylhorte fcntenccs,whicharcnottobeeread; asm owne.texc de- pending vppon an other. For this doarine dothnotdependvpon that which Ivtntbeforc, but is altogether of an other matter. ForChnftcadmoniflicth hi5 Apoftles . andin their perfon allthecreachersoftheGcrpeH, thatthey Ihoulde prefcruc and kcepe the treafure of the heauenly vvifcdomc only for the fonnesofGod, andthatihcy {^.ouWenotthioyvitfoorthtotbevnworthyand rrophanccomemnersofGod, ButheTcanfcihaqutftion: for aftetvrard he commaundeihihcm to preach the Golpell to cuerycrcatiffc. AndPaulefayth, z.Corinthians, 1. 16, diatthi$prcachmgistothcrepro-j bite a fauour of death . And there is nothino; more cenamc, th€n that God c^:::^^^^^^^^^ tobeepropofed --^^--f.^^^^^^^^^ theymipht bee thereby made the more ineuulablc • Ian»wfre, bccaurc tWnSersoftheGofpell, andthey that art called to the office of teachmg tooflerthe dcarmeof faluation generally to all . ^^'^^'}^^^^ thev (Vail fee many flubbornc and vnapte to bee taught ; yet chantie doth not confidei^ i^^^^ Chnfte calleth dogges and hogges, not all menne that arc Wi^ L vVdeofrhefearecfGod,^VVltbout true godhnefie : but them Xch by c ertaine tokens doe (hewc a flubbcrne contempt of God,fo that the Cod, & them of the houlhold ot faith, when he fayth,it « ««^ S^^^/f^^^^^^ chadrensbread,andtog,ueitvmodogs;&herehevnde^^^^^^^^^ fwine,whichheingtooconuptedvvnhawKkedconteptofGod^^^^^^^^^^ nor abide any medicine. Hereby it appearethhovv ^'^^/^jy^jyf^^ words of chrift, which thinke that he rcftrameth the doarme of ^^^^^^^^ thofe only^which a re apt to be taught,& wel P^^P^^^'^^;; ^H^ pic^^^^^ fgodlyteach«5(houldcaUoman,buttoth«novybyb»obcdicccpreueteii 0% t X i The Onment ofA4. lo^ CMne, tbc^raccofGod? butby nature wee all are rather wicked, and bentctoftuS- borneflc Wherefore the remedy of faluationis to be denyed to none but them that do filthily refufe the fame offered vnto theno, that it may appcare that they are reprobate, and damnedof thcmfelues : as Paul fpeakcih of Hcretikes, Tjt» 3 . IK But there are two caufes, why Chnfte forbadde that his Gofpell ihoulac be propofed to the defpcrate contemners. For it is a inanifert profanation of the minift ers of God, if wc fubmit them to the reproachfuU skornes of the wic- ked. Chrift alfo minded to comfort his difciples, that they flioulde not ceife to beftowthcirlabourintcachingtheGofpeiltotheeleaeofGod, thoughthey fliould fee the fame ouerthwartly refufcd by the wicked and propliane men .• as if he (hould hauc fayd, leaft this incomparcable treafure ihould ware vile, and be of no accouat,thc Iwine and dogges are to be driuen from it. But thefe titles are to be noted, wherewith he adorneth the dodnne oUaluation, Chnlte cal- lethit a holy thmg, and compareihittopcarles. And hereby wee gather ho.'ve muchweeouohttoefteeme of it. Leajit}7eytre4deitynderthetrfeete, GhrilU feemeth to make a difference betweenc fwinc and dogges: attributing a bcallly dulneile to the fwine, and madncs to dogges. And certainly experience teach, eth, that there are two (uch fortes of contemners ot God. For example fake: whatfoeuer is fpoken in the fcripturc of the corruption of mans nature , of the free iullification,of eternall eledion, many turnc it eytherto carelefneflc, or to the wantonncfle of the fle{h,fuch arc aptly & worthily accounted fwinc . And others doe rend the dodcine & the minift crs of the famc,with facrchgious ray- lings ; as though it {hould oiierthrow the defire of well doing,the feare of God, and allcarcofTaluation.Thereforcthough Chriftdoth by both the names iig* nifie the vncurablc enemies of the word of God,yet by ihefe two finuUtudes hc briefly aiewcth what fome of them do iiffer from others. 1 Mattth*7« 7. ^sk(y and it /halt hce ^iuenjfut •fitl<^3 *tnd yeePjt.ll find: ktrtck^., and it /hall bee opened ynt9 ycM. 8 . For JJ^)ofoeuer af- hfthyreceiuetb: ^ he that feekethyfindeth : and to him that kfiocl<^thy itjhall hfpened, 9. Fot ^hatmxn is there amonv jm, 'vohiih if hisfonneatk^ him hreade^ vwddghe him ajione ? 10« Or if hee ask^ fijhy \9ill bee^iHehima ferpentf in:.';i''>:it no n Markc. i Lukeir. • . fi . jindhee fayde -pnte them x^hich ofyo^Jhall haue a friend , andfhallgee t« him at midni^hty^fay to him friend ylend tne three ioauej} 6. For afrienhe of mine Is come out of the way to me^ and 1 haue nothing tofet be^ fore him, 7. ^nd hee mthinjhould an fiver and fay, trouble me mty the dore is mwe fh»t ^ and my children ate With me in hedde : 1 cannotrifetogiue them thee, %, I fayyntoyoH , thou^gh hee would not arife andgiue him , becaufe hee it hit friendtyet doubtlet becaufe of his imfortu- niiieyhe woulde rife^andgiue him as manjf us hti mfded* $ *^"^ tl« If yeethtn which ittre euill xangiue to your childrengood pftes, how much more /hall your fa- ther which it in heauen^ pue good thinges to them that ask^ him* vpon the Hurmme of the Euattgeltfiet^ ^ i i p. Jfndlfayyntoyou^^ske,andh/hall hegiMnyou. c feikf Mdyee/hall find/j^ocke. and It fjall he opened to you, I o . For euery one that askethy receiuetb : and hee that fee k^eth^findeth : and to him that kriockfth, it /hall be opened* I l.Ifafonne/halUikf headofany of you ^ that is a father y wi II hee giue him a/ione? or if he ask^ afi/h, will he giue him aferpent > I !♦ Or if hee ask^ an egge^ will hee giue him afcorpion ? « ? • ^fye« then which are euill can giut goedgtftes yntoyour children Jiov much more /hall your heauenly father giut the holy Ghofi I to them that deftre him ? 7» ,Ash^. This is an exhortntfon to prayer.- and becaufc that in this ex- crcifc of godlineffe, which we fhould hauc an efpcciall ciic of, wee are fo flowe and flouthfiiU, Chrift vrgeth this matter by fpeaking it three manerof wayej* For his fpeach is not in vaine, when he fayth ask^, feeke^ knock^: but hee appjy-, cth himlelfe to ftirre vp our (louthfulncfle, leaft the dodrine {hould waxe cold. To the famepurpofe alio belong the promifes which arc added, yee/hallfindef it /hall begiuenyou^ and it (hall he opened to you* For nothing fhall better incou* rage vs to pray, then a certaineaffurance of obtaynine. Fcritcan not be thai they fliould pray diligently, that doubt ; yeaprayer without fayth, is but a vainc andfportingceremonie. Chrift therefore that hee might eftVdually ftirre vsvp to this part of our dutie, hee doeth not onely commaund vs what wee oughc to doe : but promifeth that our prayers fhould not be in vaine. And this is dili- gently to bee noted.* firft, that wee might know that this lawe of prayer is ap- poynted and prefcribed vnto vs , th;3twee might bee certainelyperlwaded, that God is fo merciful! to vs, that hee will heare our dcfires. Then,fo oft as wee prepare our (elues to prayer, or as oft as wee fcele that wee are not earneft inoiigh in this delire to pray, that we (hould'remember this fo louing a bidding, wherein Chrift teftifieth vnto vs, God his fatherly aftedion. So it (hall come to paflejthat euery of vs inioying the grace of Chrift, may boldly pray, and free- ly call vpon God, asPauleteachethEphef j^n.And becaule wee are more rcadic to diftruft then is meete, Chrift rcpeateth the promi{e in diutrf e words, that hcc might alfo repmoic this faiilte. But hee vfeth the Metaphor of fecking, beecaiile that wee thinke thofe thinges which wcehaueneedc of to bee farre from vs . and of knocking, becaule that the fancies of our flefhe doe imagine, that thofc thinges are {hutvp from vs,whichwc hauc not ready at hand. 8 For who foeuer ash^h receiueth. Some thinkc it is a prouerbc gathered of the common trade of life: yet I doe more willingly encline to the con- Oj tfitj 1 14 Tke Comment, of MM Catmne trary parte; for that Chriftc offereththe fauourof the Fith-rto thfm ff,,* pray., as ifh.eihouldhauefayae, Godiswill^.gandreadl^th^^r^^^^^^^ wepray andthKtnere aregre.tnchcslayd.pforv5,ifthatwedoeaskethan. By which wordes hce dechrah that they doc f uffer iud punilhoicatcsfor their flout ifuhicfle^wnchwantmg things ncccflary, doc notfeekc thisremedk for their want. It is ccrtayne that often when the faithfiill doc fleepe,Go J wake th for thcT fotuation, dnt he may praient their requeftes.For there is nothinc, more wrec chcd then wee are, if in fo great a weakcnes, or rather a floiithfuln«,h- ihould waite for our prayers, if ne ihould not looke vpon vs in fo much carelefnelTe of vs Nay,heisnotper(wadedbyaayotherthenbyhimrdfe,toaiue vs fr/th Which Ihould pieuent our praiers both in or icr and ia time. But becaufe Chrift fpeaketh heere to his Difciples, he doth onely teach how the heaucniy Fath-r would make vs partaker, of his giftes. Therefore, although hee doth auic vs all thingfs freely, yetthat he miahcexercife ourfaith,hcccom,naundcdi vs to pray, that he might^rant to our requeues, thofethinaes, whichcomc of his owne^oodncs. 9. matrnxn is there amonxjoif. This is acomparironfromthelenTc tothc greater Firlt ChriHopporah the malice ofmen to the great aoodnes of God > ifr ""^^^^h vs maliciou? ; for while cuery man is too mucli addidei to-hrufelfe, hee depifcth and ncgledah others. Butfatherly loue ouerc5meth t'nsfau:te, fothatmenforgcttingthemfcIues,doemoreliberany beftow vp^ on th.ir children. And from whence proceedeth this, but becaufe that God from wnom all fatherl.ncfIedcfcendeth,Ephe. ^ if.powreththis portion of Jiisgoodnefle into their hcarccs? If that a fewe droppes ofioue in man docfo. much preuayle to doe well , what is to bee hoped for out of the fea it felfe wnich canne ncuer bee drawne drie ? Can GO D himfelfcbee ftrai-ht* which docthfo open theheartesof men ? yet heere mult bee conlidlred thatfaymg ofErayas49. i;. Although a mother ihould forgether children, yet ^e Lord will belike himfelfe, fo that he will alway es ihew himfele to be a L II. Goiid^fm Chria did ofpurpofevfethefe words Jeaftthatthe faith- tull in prayer (houldloofe the raines too much tofondandeu.il delires. Wee Jcno/v how intemperateand prefu. nptuous our fleOi is in this bchalfc for there is nothing that we doe not aske of G )d .- & except that he yeeld to our folly, wee fr.t and fume againii h^m. Chritt therefore makcth our requeftes lubiert to the Will o^ God that he ihould not giue vnto vs any thin-, but that which he know cth profitablefor vs. Wherefore let vs not thinke thadie hath no care ouTZ ufnknt fo ^""^ "°^ °"' ^^"^"^^'^ • ^ ^"^^^^ '^ ^^ ^^ ^^^'^ t*^ ^" Jge what is cin- Butnowe, bccaiifc all ouraflPcaionsare blinde, the rule of our prayer muft betaken out of the word of Go i, ncy th : r are w :e meet e to ludge of fo weiohcy, a matter. Therefore, whofoeuer dellrcch to come to God w,th i^ithfuU nny^ e ,le himlcarne tabridle h.s heai te , th.it hee aske not any thmge , bm accor- ding to his will,aiIam.'S tcachcth, 4, ^. of his Epiftle. ^ ' ° ' Luke t/pen the Harm&ftfe efthe Emf^gelifies. i i J Luke in thelaft chufc for gccd pftts, placeth the holy Ghoft, net cttluding ether benefites, but fhewin^whatis <;fpeciaJly tobccdefired. Forthat ought alwaycsto be incur minciea fcckcfiift the kingdome ofGod, and othcrthings iliaJl then be miniilred vnio you. Wherefore it behoueth thechildienof God, to that cndcthat they might' prepare thenirchies rightly to fray er , toptoiF earthly afiediorSiand to afcend to the Qieditation ofipintualUifc. And fo it fiial come to p.ific, that they fhal Imakc Icfle accour t of treat and cloath^then of the fcalc and pledge of their adoption: But uhtii God fliailgiucfo pre ciousaiica- Cute, he will not deny others that arc Icfic. L V. <. fVhfib ofyou/lMllhaue a friaJe. Luke addcth this nn^i]itrde,vherc of Matthew makethno nnention,and the meaning is there is r o catfc why the fiyihfull fl ould faintin their heartcs, if they do notprcfcnt'.y cbtaine thtir dc* firesj orif that ftcme hard to be obt.iinedj which they doe delue.Fcr ifimpoT' tunitieofdemaunding doth wrefl out of men that, which they would rotwil* hngly doe, there is no caufe why wee (hould doub t, but that Cod will btc en- treated of vs,ifwee conftantly continue in prayer, and that ourmindcs eythtr thion^h delay or difhcultie waxe not weary.* lute. €. JT. ^nd atyee \»ouiele that mennt PjOklddoe toyou^ y» doytt to ihenu Matthew 7* 1 Markc. f 1 1, T her t fore "whatfoeuer yee Vooalde that meitjhottlddoeyntoyoftyeuenfo doyee to them: Jcr this is the law and theproj>has. I j^ £nt er in at the fir eight gate: for it is the vidt gate and hroadercaye that leadethtode- /iru^ion:^ many there bcyvhichgo in thereat, 1 4 . Beeattfe the gate is fir eight ^and the way narrow, that leadeth ynto life, andfewe there he thatfnde it* It isinvainc to fhcwhowe this dcpendethofthc former, fith that often fn fiichflortcfcntenccs, thefe claufes doe abounde . I fayde before, thatAfat- thewe coth not reporie one only Sermon of Chriftcs ; but out of dirtrs fer- monshcegathereththcfummeofthc dcftrinc . Therefore this fertcnce is tobeercadbyitfelfe, wherein Chrific inf^rudeth his difciple s to equity, & fettethdowneafhortc and an eafic definition of the fame .• thitweemioht knowe that fb many contentions doc raigne in the wcrlde, and that men doc hurt one arother (o many waycs, for no other caufe,but becaufe that witting- ly and Willingly they treade equitie vnder theirfec te .* and ye t cuery one wonTd hauethelamcllreightlyobreiuedtoWardes himltlie . Where it f^andfth vpon cur owne profit, there is none of v$ that cannot djftin^ly & fubtilly de- clare what is right. Therefore fith all men doc (hew thcmfelues ready teachers of righteoufncfl'e for their owne commodity.-how commeth it to pafle, that the fame knowledge is not ready, when cither thcprofit or the lofle ofothermca commeth in<}ueffron:but becaufe wee are onely wife for ourfelucs, & no man prouideth for his neighbowrs.Andnot fo onely, butmalitiou/ly, and offetpur- fok^Yit clofc our cycsat the rujc of equity, which ftuncthin our hearts. O 4 ' J^'J^ 7 16 The Comment, cfM. U, Calftke • Therefore Chtid tcaclieth that cuery man may bee a rule vntoliimfelfcof iiift and vpright dealing toward cs his neighbours, if he would pcrfourme thit to o- theiS:, which he reqiiireth to be done vmohimfelfe. So he confuteth all vaifjc pictenfeSjWhichmenne imagine to couer, or to counterfeit their ovvnevnri-^h. teoufnelfc . For without doubt peifedle equity fhoulde raignc amongft YS , if wee were as faythfull working ( that I may fo fpeake ) dif- ciplcs of chaiitie , as wee arc ready teachers to haue others to doc tovs. For this is the laxee and the Vrophetes. Chrifte doeth not meant that this one poynt of doftrine is onely dtliucrcd in the lawe and the Pio^httes ; but what- focuer IS there commaunded concerning charitie, and what lavvts and exlior- taiionsareihtrefctdownforthemaintcnauiice of righteoufnefle, arc all re- ferred toch;spiirpore ♦ The meaning thereof i$,that hce fatisficth the fecond table, ifhce fhew himfelfe in that fort to others^ as hee dcfireih others {houldc ilievv themltlues to him .• as if hee lhoulde,haue fayd, there ihouid be no need of long and tedious difputations, if this iimphcitie were maintained, and men (hould not with a prepoftcrous lout: of themfclues blot out that equjtie, .which is engrauen in their hcartes. 13 . Enter in At the fir a^t gate. Becaufe there is nothing moreagainft the fleHi, then the dodrine of Chrift, no man (hall at any time well profittein the Came ; but hee that learneth to gather his owne lenfes and all his affeftions as into a narrow ftraite, that they may keepe thcmfelues with in thofe ftraites, in which, the heauenly maifter brideleth our wantonnefTc, Becaufe men do willingly flat* ter themfclues, Icape and runne out of order . therefore Chrilt doeth here ad- monifli his difciples,thatthey (hould prepare themfclues, as to a ftrait& thorny iourney . But becaufe it is hard to reftraine our luftes fro this vnbrideled & wan- dringfoily, hee raittigateih this bitterncfl'e With a comfortable reward, when he fayethjby the narrow gate and way wc enter into life. Agamc, leaft being caught with the baightes of a lycentious and a diifolute life, we ihouid wander whether the pleafureofthefleih doth draw vs -.hcfaith^ that they do: runne headlong to death , which hadde rather goe through the wide way and broad gate, then to goe through the ftraites, which lead to hfc* But hee fayth cxprcHy, that many doe run through the wide way .• becaufe that mennc do ouerthrow one an other, by peruerfe and cuill examples. For where- of comireth it 10 pallc, that all mennc doe wittmgly and willingly without all care , cathhemfclues headlong .• but becaufe they doc not thinke that they fhallpcri(he while they perifhe with a great company ? And on the other fide, the fmall number of die fayihfull doth make many carclefl'e .• for wee are 'hardly brought to renounce the worldc, ^nS to frame our feUies and our hues after the maners of a fcwc . For we thmke it an abfurde thing topuil vs from the multitude, as if wee were not aparte of mankindc. But though the dodrine of Chrifte dooth holde y$ as bondmenne , bringeth our life into aftreightwiy , fcpcrat^th v$ from the multimde, and ioyaeth v$ to a fewe compamons : . yet this liraightncfTc ought to be no hindeuunce vntovs ^ Cjaatwee ihouUc any wbittethe Icfl'cilriuc after lifc» w But vpoH the Hanmtik of the EfunJie/iflej^ ThcretoreChriftefpeakingtoaJl , cxhortcth them toftriue to enter in at the ftraighte gate. By which wordcs Chrift meant to drawe his dilciples from foo~ Ii(h curi ofity, which hindereth and ftaycth many, which looke about whether any other doc ioyne themfelues to them, as though they woulde not beefaued but with a oreat company. In thathecommaundethto ftiiue ortoendeuour, he meaneth that they c.mnot come to euerlafting life without preat and many difficulties, therefore let the fay thfull rather beftowe their ftuJic vppon this, then be too curious about the multitude that go aftray . 24. For many voillfeek^ to enter. This is therefore added, Icaft we iliould bt e deceuicd with a vaine hope, as if many companions fhould helpe vs. ! or as fle(h is glad to flatter it felfc, many do promife themtcluesan eafie way to life, which in the meanefeafon do pleale themfelues With cuery thing ^o others doe a- gaine dc ceiueothcrs,that they flccpe in a wicked fecuritie'^Chnft that he might fhake ofFfuch delightes from his difciplcs, aflirmeth that theylhali be exclu- ded, which promirc now vnto thcieiucs a cenaine pofTeffion of liie. r Matthew. T ^arkCftv'hw. ..: : Lukcij. t^ ;j nifbOi- 1.>. > /J'^ ' . i vl. I *^> Wl)ysyandheJhaUnfmre,^ndrayynl toyoH,I kfttwyot^mtxvhencejfouare. 16. Then/hallye begtnnc t.fay^r^e, h,ue taten^nd drunk^ /« thy frcfence , anU thou hajlt ^ *hencpm ate:d,fa,t frm m» uUyt r>;,rkers t,f tmquuie. ' '\"'y 18. 'rherffo,llh,e^eepm^^„dTn^fhin.,c '''f^-^'fnytMli^e^l,^ham&rraai^ cob .ndalltheVrophets rn thek^n.dL fel and your felues thrufi out at doorel. ^ * 2 ^ .Then/haUome many fro the Eaf^ pi^ D.^^ ten after another t,Te , as lAyd t"nnZ. T^^ '''f ' ''""S" "'"t Ipo- theJoannethenotthc\i„K/Forthi"r„XJ,.K'^,'"''"u'°''^««'P''acf .fthofemaybe read together in one ,ex wh^n^f ^^ ^'''"n'ferftanding, Becaufe that Chr.ft haSde affirmed thLr. ''°»g'-"'°g"herin one fence! defirdtoentaimoheauen^ovvKhfh!*r°W'''.'°'""y^hi'J« .houch they occupy aplacein M^X^t^^u^tr^trr"^' ='- .n ludgemcnt, that he nuy eickde out of h,, t?„ ■ n 1''''' =" '^"8'h rife rla< c amongft them of h;^ hounlufde AndfeT^ ^ holder .-who ifhee vndc.ftoodethatt'-rP.f I '^ '^^°"''""^' °f » h°"f- Jhcuid ft; ale ou. by ni=ht, and le^ue cheh„^^ u""*^ '""'"°" '*' "^nte, rJ-eth and bcketh the |ate .-and ^mnot^ tt t?T '° '•"/"" ' ''" ''™''^'fc »- jngnunne,vvhichdoeoutoftreafo"wind'^h''l7'^^^ ihefewoorde. hee admomfl.e Im to«ht.,r 'll-i'' ^"'''- ^""h", m Iong3s,heLo,dcallcthvsvnt<^^hTw«ac'w"'T'''''"'"''"^'-^''- Fo^^o vs mtoheauen.- butthegrcaterparT'do^h n.V "^''r '"""„«"' fctte open ior fore Chnlle pronounceth A the sate (ill? rTh I ''^ ,'f*^'" footef Ther- 2C». liiouhajie taught in our fireetet rU n ,/*"'/• profit the Icwcs no:h,ng, that he c. me near^ nf T ^ '«epteth,th.u it fi,aU oSe> eth hirafelfe that tl.ey 0,0^1^ e"ovh?™ "L' ""' '}^"^' '"^'™««lr «hentheyare called. B>^hedtCtCrcuce7h?tV ['"^'i'=' "^^ 4 ofahoiuholder,hcedorthpl.inclySontrfio" J !'''"!'• ^"'■'^"''ins Judue:andthisdoethr,otaLetoan?Ii,i S '"''■"'■"'^''''"'^''i'otethS «ughtin O"rilreo,c, tha f;r.ha tL° t^Z'ld'''''"''^'''- J^-^^Z Scnceloore,hatfaluat,on whiduheymSroS r' "^^^ *.«, ^.«..«M/«.W-«. : vfhcnrhS«haddc„o^i„gtfee VIUO vpM the Hammie tftheBudngelifliff. 2ip vnto the holy fathers, yet they would vaincly brag of that ftockc neythcr was thcr any thing fo vfuall amongft the, as to abufe the title of the Church ; Chrift teftifieth that this degenerate people, which departed from the fjith and godU- nes of ihe fathers, arceftrangcdfromthekingdomeofGod, And heerein is contayned a fccrctreproofc,becaiifc thntthey which dcfire to haue companions in feekingfaluationjdidnotrathcrendeuour to adioynethemfclus to Abraham the Prophets, and the holy fathers, then fceke about for their equals,v\'hich by their examples were fallen farre out into innumerable corruptions . As if hee (hould haue faydjifyou doe nowneglca to enter inat the ftraightgatCjbecaurc the multitude ofthemwhichgoe affray doth come behinde you, Soeyou not feehowyouare feperated fiomthecompanieofthe faithfull, whileyoudoe Iinke your felues to the companie of the vnfaithfull ? If that the fight of the world dothnow blind your eyes, this flourhfulncfle fhall bee taken from you at the laft day, but too late For then you ihall know that you and your like are Grangers from the kingdome of God, and that you haue not any thing commd with Abraham* 1 9, TheyJJ)all comefrem the Eafi. It is an amplific ation gathered hereof, th.it thelewesbemg rciedcd ( which thought themfeluesonely to bee the lawful! heiresof God)tlie Gcntileslhouldbefet in their place, thatthey may receiue the life promiicd to Abraham and his ftockc . And hee oppolcth the Gentiles againft them, th.it he might prickcth^m forward as with a godly iealoufic to> fnith. Eucn as Paul Romanes 1 1. 14. writeththatitihould be an ornament of his miniftciie, if he might prouoke them ofhisownc countrie and fielh to fuch an emulation. And fo it was neceflarie that the Icwes (hould be pricked when as they pleafing thcrofelues too much, did proudly contemne God and all his giftes. But becauTe that Mathcw hath this fentence againe a little after, I doe now touch thefame the more fparingly. go. Behold there are Ufi, Chrift vfcththefe words oftentimes, as wee fhall fee otherwhere, but in a diuerfcfenfe. Inthisplaceheemeaneth nothing elfe but to ouerthrow the vainc confidence of the lewes .• which when all the world was forfaken, were chofcn of God, being placed in this dignitiCjimagined that God was bound to them ; For this caufc Chrift telleth them that their lotfhall: bee fhortly altered, fo that the Gentiles which were then as outcaftes Ihouldc haue the cheifcroome : And the Icwes being put from their honour, fliould not hold the lowcft corner in the Church. Mathew. 7. M.arke. Luke.^. I f . Bf w<«r e offalfe Vrophets^ "pphich come t9you> in /heepes do thinly btttinrrardly they arsra- uening vpolaes* i€t Tee/Jjall knovo them hy their frtiitesy doe men gather vrap-es of ihornes ? orfig^es ofthljiUs ? 17, So euery good tree bringeth forth good fruity ^ a ci,r/upt tree hrtngeth forth willfrmtt. iZ, A 43, For it is not a good tree that bringeth foorth ettiUfruite : neyther an euill tree^that bringeth forth 2^00 d fruite* 44* For etiery tree is krwvne- hy, his ownefruite :for neyther ofthornes-. gather ntenfgges^ . nor of bujhes go*- ' thtrtheygrdjfti,. 4$, At 18. Ji ^ood trte cdnuot hrin^ ftonh eniil frniie ; ntythir canAtiarrnpt trte^ hring forth good frttite. :' -5 •' •• 19 . Euery tree that hin^eth not fjrth ^oodfrutte, n hevpen downe and caJ} /«- to thejire^ io« Thtrefore by their fruit a yet Jhallknoyp t/jew, ,1;;'.' a O d' .i)rri;tf 4T. ^ good man out of the good tr^afure of his Ijtart brin^ Z''th forth gocd , and an euilt manoKtofth «ke heed. d,fcretion, by whorafheM«h^hrbel°"f '7,'' "^'u^ °'^'T '^' and yet hwe vpOH the BdriMnh ^fthe JEHAngefifies. ^i % fiaue no affcdionofgodlincs. And although this dodrine comprehendcth a I h/pocrites whatdeorec or place foeucr they are in ? yet he doth properly touch falie teachers which fceme to exccll aboue others. Neythcrdoth he direft his (peach to them alone, that he might waken them out of their recuritie,whcrein they lie as drunken men, but hee alio admonifhcth the faithfuU, that they eiue not to fuchdifguifed people, more then ismeete. Infumme, hce foretcUeth thatadoone as the doclrincof the Gofpell ("hall begin to bring foorthfiuite, fo that it (hallhauc many difciples, there (hall be many not oncly of the common fort which (balifalfly and hypocritically giue theirname to the Gofpcll, but alfoamongft the paltours, there (hall bee the fame fallhoodc,fo that they (hall denje in deedcsand life that which they profefle with mouth, Therefore who focucr de(ireth to be accounted amongft his difciplcs,hc muft doe his diligence that he may finccrely and from his heart addid himfelfc to meditate newnefTe oflife. In Li ke there is a gcncrall reproofe. But why call ye me maijier^ maifier^ But bccaufc this corruption doth for the molt part Ipring from diflcmblincr tea- chers, and doth the more eafily fpread from them to the whole body ••therefore in MathewChrift doth namely inucighagainlhhem. Todocthe willof the father ,doth not onely fignifie philofophically to frame their life and maners to^ a rule of vemiesjbut alfo to belceue in Chrill,as itis faydin lohn 6 40.There- fore in thefc wor Jes faith is not excluded, but is eftabliilicd as the fprino from whence the reitdoc flow, ai.. Many Pjall fay ynto mee. Chrift citcth againc the hypocrites before hi» iudgemcntfeate, as we (ayd euen now outof Luke : forfo long as they occupic a place in the Church,they doe partly flatter thcmfelucs, and alfo they do part- ly decciuc others. Therefore he fayth that therclhall be a day wherein he will purge his floore,and the wcedcs and chaftc (halbc fepetatefrom the pure whcac To prophefie in Ghriftes name, is by his authoritic , and as it were by his go- ucrncment to execute the office of teaching. Forprophedeinmy iudgeraent is takeninthisplacegencrally,asin i . Corinthians 1 4.« hce might hawe (imply vfcd the worde of preaching.- butpurpofelyhcc vfcd that which was of gi*catef cftin:ation, that he might the better declare that the outward profefsion is no- thing worth, how excellently focuer men do account of it. So to work miracles in the name of Ghrift, is nothing elsthcn to domiraclesby his power, ayd, go- uernemtntand leading. For although the name of works is fometime reflrai.. ned to one forte or kinde of miraclci,yet in this place and in many others, hec fioteth all miracles. 2 J. Iwillfrofeffe to them* By this (peach Chrift fcemeth to allude to the vaincboaftingwherem hypocrites doe now at this day vaunt themfclues^ as ii hce (hould hauc fayd, while they confclTed me with theirtongue, they thought that they had difchargcd their dutie well : and now a holowconfefsion of my name with theirtongue ii heard. But I in. like forte confefl'e againlt them,,that whatfoeuer they profefle, is vaine and lying. But whatjneaneth this confefsion of Chrift, that, he neuer accounted them amongft the number of his difciplcs ; no not euen when they gloried that they Were the pillcrs. of the Church? Thcic- 2*4- The Comment, efM, h, CaUune Therefore hec comronundcththem to cenfe.'vvhich vndcra dcceidill x\i\t hfluc for a time ftolnean vniull poflefsion to thcirhonfe. It leemcth that Panic tGoiceoiitthisfermonofChriihhatwhichhefaythi^Tim. i« 19. The Lord knowcth who are his, let cue ry one that callcth on the name of the Lord depart from itiiqui tie. For the firft claufe tendeth to this purpofe,that the weak fiiould not Lint nor be troubled at the falling away of fomejwhofe name was ereatc and famous. ForKefayththattheywereneuerknowneofthe Lorde, thouoh they dazekd the eyes of raenne witbavaiacfliewc * Thenhee exhortcrhall them which wouldc bee accounted amongft the Difciples of Chtitt, that they lliould fpcedely withdraw themfelues from iniquitie, leail that Chrift do driuc them away out Qih:i% fight, when he {hall fcpcratc the lambcs from the goatcs Mathew.7 i4. Prho foeiter thenheareth of me thefe tvordes y and d^th the fame , / mil Uk^n him to a ^ife motme which hath built his houfeonaroch^* z $ . ^nd the rainefell^ and theflouds camey and the rvindes blevr^and beat ypon that hohfe, and it fell noty for it Vfasgroun dedonarocke. ^6. But who foeuer heareth thefe my veordesyand doth them not, /hall be likened toafooli/Jjmanne which hath bmldcdhh houfe ypon the fand. a7« ^nd the raine felly and thefloude< tamey and the winds blew^ and beate ypon that hottfe^ and it felly and she fall thereaf Vpasgreat' a 8 ♦ ^nd it came to pajfe when Ic/us had ended thefe wordsythe people were afio nitdathisdoBxine, 29 . Fur he taught them as one hatting duthoritity and not as the Scribes. Markc Luke. 6, 47 Who foeuer commeth t9 me y and heareth my wordeSy and doth thefamcyl wil/hew yoit to whom he is like. 48 . Hf is liJ^ a man which built a houfcyf^ fit^ged deep and laid the foundation en 4 rfcl{ey and when the waters arofeythe fioud beate yppon thathoufey and coulde not fltaks itf^r it was grounded, ypon a recke, •*■ A9* But heethat heareth and doeth noty is likf a man that built a houfe yppon the earthy without foundation^ againfi which the floud did beate and it fell by and by, and the fall of that houfe was great. 14. ^o./o.«.rrW Bccaufeforthcmodpattitishard to difccrne the true prnf.ir.rsc f th. gofpell from the countcrfeite, Chrift by an apt (Imilitiidc (hew cth whrref, they differ moft. Forhe propofethtvYo hoi.fcs, whereof the one vvasbuitvriihoutafoundaron,andthcotherhadagoodfoundation.Forwhcn ther was re the (licw the fan^coutward appearance ^n them both, the firft bein.r beatenwuhwmdaridftormes,orfliakenwithfloiidcs,dothprefenilvfjll bu? the latter ftu.l ftand faft vpon his fure foundation againft all violence Chrift there ore compareth the vaineand windieprofefsion ofthc Gofpell^toabeau- tihill,.butno found building, which though it were fet vp tothcfhcwc vet it was rcadietofall at cuery moment, bccaufe it lacked a foundation. Therefore l^ul commaiidc th vs to be w ell & tliroughly grounded in Chiill, and to hauc deepe 'Vpcn the FafiKcm »JtheJ[ff^.figehfes. ^iS 4ccpcreotesleaflwcbccaried away stcueiyblaft. Infummc,thisi$thcpur- pofc, true podlincs cannot be difcerncd from counterfeiic holincsjvr.till an ex- amination and triall doe come .• for temptations wherewith we arc tried , arc like to floudcs and ttormcs, which doc ea% bcatc downe vnftablc mindes, ^hofe lightncs is not perceiued in a calme and quiet time. Htareth thefe \xotdes^ The ielatiueT/)f/e,doth notrote onekindc otciodtiine,but the whole (umn?,e of dodrine. For the Gofpcll, except it be decpely fixed in our n inds(he layih) ishke vnto awallwhichis builthigh, andis^lhengthcncd w;thr.ofoundatioru Therefore it is as much as if he fI:ouldhaucfayc!,thatisin dccde the true fjith which taketh deepc rcotes in ihe hcai t, and reiicih \ pen an cariicft and a con- ilant zealc as vpon a foundation, fo that ityeeldcth nor to tcn.ptations.ButfucU is thevaniticofmansvnderftanding,thty which dig and pcarie not inwardly euen tothc deniall of themfckies, doe Luilde vpon the iandc x6, iVhen Itfus hadended thtfe wordes. I vnderiland as well that fermon which bee haddewhenhcdefcendedoutofthe mountaine, as thei eft ot his dodrinc which bee had now vttered to thepeople^ Therefore the meaning is, when as he had in diuerfe places giucn a tafte of his dodrine to the people, they were all amafedjbecaufe that a certain e new &vnwontedmaieilie did draw the minds of men vnto him. Whatit is to teach with authbritic and otherwife^thcn the Scribes were accuftomcd, I hauc beiore declared. Wathew8. Marker Luke. ^. come domene, from the mouniaine.zreat mul- titudes followed him. 2. ^nd to there came a Leper j^and wot/hip^ ped hiWyfaying : mah Jierilfthou rvilt^ thou canfimahemt i-.c (iniular motions, which cannot be holden as a rule Yet I know not whether one fpcaking properly, mayfayth.t the Leper coiueiued this as a prayer.* For heo onely layth that he is (operfwaded of the power of Chrift, jfo.that he doubteth rot but thrthe could hcak- his Lcprolic . i hen heoftrcnh himftlfe to be healed by hun jbeing yet vncertaine of the iucccllc beecaufc the will of Chriit was not as yet knowjie vntohim. 5. Vutttnot yet come« 1 grant that this myraclc ©ughtnottohauebeene liippieflcdibiit there wasfome^cnaHiereafonwhythc; Lordwould nothaue hisfame fprcad rofoone,or at thtjeaft n<;t vtttred by ihc I^eaper, therefore I iudge that the Lep/er by his prcpoftefotM; zealc was fo farrc from defcruing any prayfc, that he was lathei tb bee condimncd becaufeiiec did not obey the commaundement. I f hee woulde Lauc beene thankfull to him that healed him, hee coulde not othciwifchaue done it better then by obedi* ence, which with God n prefj^^red bel. The Papiftcs arc without all rcafon, in that out of this place they gathct alawc of their confefTioa . Allegorically tbcy callfinne a leprofie .• annto one: Goy and hegom eth,^ to another ^Come, and he ctmeth and to my feruant , Doe thisy and hee doth it. 9 . when lefus heard thefe thinges , hee maruailed at him^and turned himyand fayd to the people that fsUowed himy I fay ynto you y Ihauenot found fo great fayth .- no not in Ifraell, 10. ^nd when they that yoere fent^ turned backjo the houfeythey found the feruant that watjlckey whole. • that Mat. & Luke dofettiown two cliuerrshyftoriesj do ftriue about a matter of nothing* Thisonly diuerfirieis in thfwords.ThatMathewfayththata Centurion came to Chrift^Biit Luke fjjtli thnt he fent certain of the lewes which {hould (peake vnto him in}\i$ naaie. But Mathew doth not without caufe attrihute that vnto him, which was done at hil teqnciR: and in his name. But the two'Euangeliftsdo {o agree in all circ omrtacei that it were folly to imadnetwo miracksof one, Alfo X dowbt not but the ^^t The Comment *€fM, U, Calume. companicofrouUiours, which the Centurion guidcd,had thcif (landing in the Citie of Capernaum, asthcy were wont to diftributc legions for the defence of the cities. When he percciucd the maners of ihe people to be very wicked and corrupt ; ( for we know that Capernaum being a citieficare to the fta fide, was filled with moefupcrlUtions then others , ) yet th.it hindered nor but that the countriefuperltitions being condemned, he might haue a tatt of true & finccrc oodlines • for be could not build a fynagogue for the lewe^ withoutfomc enuie and danger^ neythcr could he loue that nation, but becaufe that he embraced the worlhip of God alone. Therefore beforcthatChrift healed his feriiant, he himfclfcwashealedoffheLordCi And that was wsnderfull, thatawarriour V7liich had palTed the feas with a band offouldiours, thathce might accuftomc the lewes to beai e the yoke of the Romanes tyrannie, Ihould wilhngly fubmic himfelfe and yeelde obedience to the Godoflfraell. That Luke fayth that this fcniantwas dearc vntohim:he by this meanespreucntetha doubt which might- come into the readers minds. For wee know that the maimers had not the fcr- uants infuch eftimation , except they werefuch as through fingular induftrie, faithjOr (bme other vcrtfie,had obtayned their fauour. Luke therefore declareth. that he was no common or vile bondman, but a faithfull feruant endued with rare giftes, which was in great fauour with his maiftcr .- for ihis caufe hee had fo great a care of his life, and did fo diligently commend him . But it appeareth by both the Euangelifts, thatit was a fodain pal(ic which at the firft did put him in defpairc of his life,for the flow palfies are without torments. And Mathew^ fay th that the young man was greiuonfly vexed. And Luke fay th he was nearc vnto death . fo bothfayings preuayle to fet forth the glory of the roiraele,cithcr the forrow andpaine,or the great daunger, fo that Idare fay the Icfle , for the ccrtaintic of the rnancr of the difeafe. L V K E. $. Tor hee lomth onr nation. It is not to bcc doubted but that the Icwcscommed him for his godlines. For he could not for any other caufe iouc fodeteftedanation, then for loue ofthelawc and worlhipe of God« And by budding of a Synagoguejhe did euidently declare that he fauoured the dodrine ofthelawc. Whcrcforetheyfay,andnotwithoutacaufe,thathcwas worthic to haue Chrill (hew himfelfe bouatifwl to him,as to a godly worihipper of God Yet it is to be wondered at, that by their entreatic they ihouIJe obuyne the fi- uour of God for a Gentile, whichtheythemfeluescontemptuoufly refufcd. For if ChirftbcaminilterandadifpenferofthcgiftesofGodforthem , why doe not they enioy that erace themfehies, beeforc they get it for (Grangers « But fuch fecuritiedoth aiwaycs raigne amongft hypocrites,thatthey thiake to make God after a forte obedient vnto them^ asifit were in their power to make the grace of God fubied to their power and will. Then bein^ filled therewith, or rather becaufe they doe not vouchfafe tq taft< jthtrcof at all, they rcfigne it vnto others asathingfuperfluous* • -:j:: M A T H E \V. 8 . 1 am not rfoorthy that hee/houUe come ynier my ro(*fe, Becaufe Matheweis fhoitcr, hee bringeth the man fpeaking thus himlelfc, ButLukcexprefsingitmore fully,, faycth that hecgaue this incommaunde- mcot to hi(fueAdcs> but die mcstning of both is aU oae, Buc there arc two pritt^ vpM the Hatmme §fthe EfMttgeiiflet. 25 1 cipall poyntes of this fcntcncc . The Centurion fparing Chriflc , for honour fake, rcquircch that Chriftclhoulde not weary himfclfc, becaufc he accoun-» lethhimklfc vBWorthyof hiscomming. Then he attributethfo great power to him, that hcc beleueth that by his oncly will and worcic, hee cannc rettorc his feruaunt to hfc« A wonderful! humili tie : thathccfhouldc extoUa man ot a feruile and a captiuc nation fo much aboue himfelfc. And it may bee that being accuftomed to the pride of the lewcs, through his owne modeltie he did not take in ill parte to bee accounted a prophane mannc, and io was a fi ayde to iniurie the Prophete of God, if hee (hould be compelled tocom e to a man that was a Gentile and vncleane. Whatroeucr the matter is, it is certaine that hcc ipcaketh from his heart, and that hee eilecmeth fo reuerenily of Chrifte, that hee dareth not call him to him. Nay, as itfollowtth in the textein Luke, he accounteth himfelfe as vnworthy his fpeache. Yet it may bee demaundcd by what realon hee was pcrfwadcdfo highly to extoU Chnfte.* and thatwhicli prcfently folio wcth,encrearcth the doubt the more. Ontlyf^Mk^ the rporde and the clnldeJhaU bee healed* For if he had not knowne Chrifte to be the fonne of God, it had beene fuperftition to haue giuenthc glory of God to a man. But it is Icarcc credible that hcc couldc bee rightly inllrudcd in the God- head of Chrifte, which as yet was vnknowne almoft to aU. Alfo Chrifte ini- puteth not, norchargeth hiswoordcs withignorauncc,bi»td€clarcth that they procecdc of fayth. And this reafon enforced many interpreters to thinkc that the Centurion cclebrateth Chrifte as the true and onely God. But I thinks, that when the godly mannc was fully afl'ured of the diuinewoorkes of Chrift, hcc fimply apprehended the power of God in him . And without doubt hee haddc alio hearde fomcwhat ofihc promifed Redeemer . Therefore though hcc vndcrftoode not Chrifte to bee God manifeftcd inthetieftie .• yet hee was fo pcrfwaded, that the power of GOD was fliewed in him, and that (uch a gift was giuen him, that in his myrades hcc ftiewed the prefencc of God. So hee doeth notfupcrftitioufly afcribc that vnto man, which was proper to God .* but confidering what was committed of Go.i to Chiift, he bc- leeueu that by his word alon'e,he could healc his feruant. Ifanyobicd, thatthereis nothingmorcpropertoGod, thentodo by hit Wooordc what hee pleafeth, and that this mighiy power cannot without facriledgcbcc giuen to a mortail mannc .* thatagainc is ealily anfwercd. Al- though the Ccnturioa did not fo fubtilly diftinguifii, yet hee did not attribute this power to the woorde of a mortail mannc, but of God, whofc minifte* he was certaincly pcrfwaded Chrifte was. This hcc doubted not off.There- fore when as Chrifte hadd e the power of healing, hcc ackowlcdging it to b€ a heauenly power, doeth not tie it to his bodily prefencc, but 1$ fatisficd with his woordcjfrom whence he bcleeueth that fuch power proccedeth. The fimiliiudc whichc the Centurion vfeth , is not taken of the like,' asthc7fay ,• but comparcth the leflc with the greater . For hee accoun- teth more of the Diuine power, whichhccdedareth to be in Chrifte, then of the powct which hc€ himfelfc haddc oucrhjj fcrHauntcs and ibuldiourt. p 4 lOf/^l ^2^ Tbe.Qmtment.tfOH.lo^Calume^ lo. Jef»imaftteikd. Although it cannot befall to God to m.vuaile, be* caufethat itarifethofthingesthatarcnewc and vnlookcdfor • yttmay it be- fall to Ghrifte, as hec hadde with our flefh taken vpon him mannes afted.'ons. Now ihat which Chnft Uytthy that he found not fo great fayth enen in Ifrndl^ was rpoken in a certaine rcfpede, and not limply.- for if wc confider all thepoyntes oifayth, the faythof xMary did herein attheleaft ex cell, thatihe bcleencd that fhcc w.i$ with childe by the holy Ghoft, and that the Ihouldcbeare the onclv- booottcn Ibnne of God. Then, that (he acknov^cdged her fonne borne ofhtr wombe, to be hercrcatour, and the makcrand only redeemer of all the world. But Chi ift commended the fayth of this heathen menne before the fay th of all thclcwcs for two cfpeciall caufcs .• Namely, that of fo little and fmalla tafle of dcftrinchc brought forth fo great fruitcjand that fo fodainly : for this was nct^ coninion, lo highly to extoll the power of God J which only bcganne to Chine asctitainefj'aikesjinChrilfc, Then, whereas the lewcs were bent toout- ward francs more then was mcete, this heathen man requireth i\o vitibie figne .• but fayth thatthe onely word thr uldefatisfie him* Chnfte was a comming to= him,nottha^heneeded,butth.ithemightproiiethisfaythofhis . Wherefore for this caufc efpccially he commendcth this fayth, becaulc he refted vppon his word onely. Wh.u would euen one oftheApoitleshaue done? Come Lord, fee and touche. This mannedefireth neither his coiporall comming nor his touchino: but belesucth that there is lo great power included ia the wordjthat thereby he doth certainely lookc for the henlth ot his feruant. And hee giiieth this honour not to the word of a man, buttothc wordeof God,which"fhew- cththatChrlf^isnotapriuatemanne,buta I'rophetfentfrom God. And here* by may a^eneiall rule be gathered , altliough God woulde that our faluation ihonlde bee wrought in the flefli of Chriitc, and docth daily fcale the fame by his Sacramcntes, yet the certaintie of the fame is to be fetched out of tHi wordv For except this authoritie be giuento the worde.thatwe bcleeuc thatfofoone as God fpeaketh by his miniftcrs, our finnes arcforgiuen vSjand wee reflored to life, all the hope of our faluation falleth away. 1 1 . Manyfhnll come from the Eaft^ As in the perfon of the fcruant, Chrift gauc a taile, and as it were the firft fruites of his grace to the Gentiles : fo hec t€acheththachismaiikrwasa token of the calling ofthe Gentiles which was to come, andoffpreading the fayth throughout all the world, Forhcteach* cth that they fhouldc come, not onlv out of the next borders, but from the fur- theft coalles of the world e. And though this was witnelfcd by many prophc- lies of the Prophetcs, yet at the fit ft this lecmed to bee abfurdc and incredible tothelewt's, which imagined that God was bound toiheilockcof Abraham* "Whercf'^re this cainot be hearde without admiration, that ihofc which were then ff raungers, Oioulde bee of the houlTioidde and heires of the kingdomc of GoJ. Andnotonelyfo, bucthe couenauntotfiluationlhoiddcprefcntlybc publilhedjthat all the world might be gathered into one body of the Chiuche, while the Gentiles which Ihoulde come to the faych, fliouldc, ashcefayeth, bee made paitakcrs of the faluation with Abraham.Ilaac and lacob. Here- by wee doe alfuredly gather that the fame faluation which is giuen vnto vs ihroagh Chriftc , was in times paft promifcd alfo to the Fathers: for vfon the Harmonic efthEHangeJtfies] j** For otherwirc inKeritaunce could not be common, except the fay th were one* Which is the meanes to obtaine the fame. .; , In the won\t fitting downe there is an allufion to tables. Yet bccaufe we know that the heaueDlyhfeneedeth not meate and drinke , the fpeachfignifieth as much as if it had beene fayd, they (hall enioy the fame life. 11. Bat the children tifthei\in^dome. Why calleth hec thf m the children of the kingdome, which were nothing le(Te then the children cf Abraham? For ccrtainely it is nctmcete that they fliOMld bee accounted in the flockeof God, which are ilraungersfrom the fay th» I anrwerc,ahhoueh they wet e not rightly ofthe Church of God ; yetbecaufetheydidoccupieaplacein the Chiirche, he graunteih them this title. Then itis to be noted^ that the couenaunt of God lyas of fuchfo ice, that fo long as it continued in the ftccke of Abraham, the inheritance of the hcauenly kingdome Ihoulde properly belong te them. At the laft, inrefpedie of Godhimfelfe, they were then as ytt holy braunches of a ho- ly rwte : arid ,tlie foriaking which-foUowed, fl.ewetih fiifficiently that they were then retained in thehotiiholdot God. Secondly, it is to bcnotcd,thatChrifl fpeakethnot of perticuleFmenne, but of the whole nation.And this was much harder then the calling of the Genttks . For itwasfonTcwhattollcrable that the Genirlcsdiiouldc bee grafted by free. adoption into the body ot Abraham with his pciltj.ity.- but thi?t tlic Iev\,^;.themfelues{liouldc be thriif^'out,that the ij-entilesmight iucceede into their empty roumth.that was accounted wonder- foU. Yet Chnfl fay th, that both thefe thinges ilioriid come to pafle, that God Woulde adraittc ftraungers into the bofotnc of Abraham, and that he woulde liriueout the children. In ontvMrd dark^ntjfe, there is a fecret Antithesis For •Godxieciarcththatoutofhis kingdome, which is the kingdome of light, there raigncthnothing but darkenes. And the fcripture doth metaphorically by d^rk- neffe iignifie a hornhle griefe, which cannot be cxprcfled by words, ncr in this life can be comprehended in any (enfe. I J ^Goe^ and asthot^ beleettefi. Hereby it appearethhowelouingly Chrifl pow- reth foorth his grace, wht re heeobtayneih a veflclloffayth opened. For al- though he elpeaketh of the Centurion in thefe woordes .• yet itis not to bee doubted,butthat by himhce calleth vs all to hope well. But wee areheereby alfo taught» why God for the moft parte dealcth mor efl reightly towardcs vs: £brourvnbcliefe rcflrayneth his liberality . Thereforeif by faythweeopen a paflage for him, he will heare our re^ucfles and prayers. Matth* I Markc. I-uke. 7 1 1. .And k came to p^Jfe the day after that he went intoxcitty called Tiainii and many of 'Jus difctfiles vpent with him^ and agreat multitude* ia« J^oir^, when he Came neere to the^ate of the citty : heholdythere was a dead man caryed cut, >»/?• was the onelyfonne of his mother ywhich was a widoa; . and mtich people oft he citty was with her, IJ. \/ind when the Lordefave her^ hee haddf I com?- a 34 7heCcmmmt,€fMJ$n€AlHmt compapononher, andfaydeyntoher,n>eepenoti I4« ^nd heer^ent and touched the cojpn y and they that barehimfioodfttll, andhefaydjyoHV^tMH J fay ynto thee, arife, I J ♦ jind hee that was dead, fate yp^e, and letran to/peak^, and hee deliMred him to hit mother, l6, Thenthere cameafeareonthem all , and they glorified GOD, fayinge , a great e "Prophet k raifedyppe amonge >/, and GOD hath yiftted hit people^ 17* sAnd this rumor of him ypentfortlj through- OHtallludea, and throughoht all the region round 4^. yottt^ II. Aniit came topajfe. When as in all the myraclcs of Chrift, that analogic is to be holdcn, which Matthew tcachcth, let vs know that this young mannc, which Chrift ray fed from death jis a token of the fpiritualJ life, which Chrift rc- ftoieth to vs. The name of the cittymaketh for the certainty ofthchiftory*To the Dme pui-pofealfo appertaincththat whichLukeliyth; that a great company followed them both; for both Chrilt had many eompanions with him, & many for dutie fake, were prefcnt with the woman, toperfcurme the buriail.There- forc the refurredion of the young man was feene of fo many witneflcs,ihatthc myracle might not be doubted oKHyther alfo appcrtdneththcfamoufneflc of the place.' for wee know that the aflcmblies w^rc in the gates. And that the dead was carried out of the citty, was according to the old maner ofall nations^ Alfo Hieromc writeth that the citty of Naim ftood in bis time,andit wasfcitu- atcd two myles beneath the moimt Tabor toward es the South. I X . The onely begotten fonne of his mother* This reafon pei (waded Chrift to rayfc the young manne ; for hee feeing a widdowc depryued ofher onely Ibnne, tookc pitty vpponher. Ncytherdidhcdcferrehisfauour, vntillfbmc Iboulde require it, ak hee did in other places : but hee prcuentcth the pray- ers ofall, and reftorcth the young manne to his mother, which looked for no fuch thing . Wherein wee haue a notable fpedacle of his free mercy, while that hee quicken vs, and rayfc vsvppe from death. It may be, that by touch- ing the coffinjhis minde was to (hew how 1 ittle he feared death, and the grauc, that hcc mjghtgiue vshfe. And certcinely heedocth not onely vouchfafe to touch vs with his hande , that hee might giuc life to the dead : but that hee might carry vs in toheaucn, he binifclfe delcended into the graue. Tomg man^ I fay to thee. By this phrafc Chrifte declareth how truly Paulc teachcth,Rom.4.i7 God calleth thofc things which are not,as if they wcre.Hc calleth the dead man,& >naketh him to hcare him,th:t death it felfc might (bdc ly be chaunged into life. And herein wee haue fiift a notable token of the rcfur- tcdio to comc,euen as he comandcth,E2echiel 37.4.to comand the dry bones lo heare the word of God. The we are alfo taught,how C hrift doth quicken vs, lj?iritually,throughfayth : namely, while hee addeth his fccrete power tohis woorde,Io thatic pciiceth cu«n to the dead foulcs ; cucn as he fayih.Iohn j«i f The ffpM the lUrmnie rfthe EunngeHfieu ^ i - The houre commcth,whcn the dead ihai hcarc the voycc of the ibnne o/God • and they which hcare it, (hall liuc. 1 6. Then came a fcare m them dU It is neccflary that the feeling of the pre- £ence of God (hould bring a fearc withic. But this difference there is betvvcen the fc;ire of vnbeleeuers and the godly ; the vnbcleeuers are eyther attonied throughfearejOrbeingafraid^thcyfomeagainftGod. But the godly and the rehgious being touched with areuerence , doe willingly humble ihemfelucs. Therefore this fcarc is taken in good part : becaufe that they yeclding; honour to the power of God, which they behold, they doe not onely reuercnce God: butalfo giue thankes to him. That they doe fay, that God vifiteth his pcopIe,l vnderftand it not of cuery vification, but fuch as fliould wholy reftorc the. T he Icwcs were not onely fallen, but they lay in a miferable and a vile flaucric as if Godhad not looked vpoa them. This onely hope remayned thitGOD had promifedhimfelfe to bee their redeemer , after they wercafHiifled with ex- treame mifenes* Therefore I thinkc that by this miracle they were warned to hope for their reftitution at hand. They are onely deceiued in the maner of the vifitation. For though they acknowledge and commend the wonderfull grace of God in him, that a great Prophet was rifen .- yet this title is farre inferiour to the dignitie and glory ofthepromifedMcfsias. Whereby it appearcth that the %thofthat people was then very confafed , and oucrwhelmcd with manic doudes of fanfics* " ' Wathew. 8. l$M Then fame therea cer-- Win Scrphty andfayd ynt9 him Maijlerylwill follow thee^whi. the/foeuer thou goefi^ ao. Bittleffts [Aid ynto Urn the Foxes haue holefy /tnd the htrdej of the ayre haue neaftesi DMthefonneofman hath not whereon to reft his head ^ 2.u^nd another of Ins dif- (iplesjayd ynto him, MaifieVy ff^jfer «»• to^oeflrfi tohMry my father* a Z . . But lefm fayde ynto hhn,follow me,»» uouis and all the partes oftheir life to obey GGD : and they which fitteinthc worlde, and doepalTe by their dutie to God. that they nught yeeld themfelucs obedient to menne, are like to dead men, which in vaine and vnprofitabj y im - ploy thenifclues in caring for the dead. LV. ^o. Goeattd preach* iVlatthewefayethoncly,'followmee:ButLnI:c doeth more plaincly declare to what end he was called . namely,that he fhould bee a minifter and preacher of the Gofpell. For if hcc flioulde hauc beene left in a priuate life, there had beenc no nectflitie of leauing his £uher • fo that for fauour of his father, hce fainte not from the Gofpell. But becaufc thepreach- ing of the Gofpcl luffered him not to fitte at home, Chrilt for good caufe draw- ctn him from his father. But as the wonderful! goodncfte of Chriftappeareth in him, that hec would beftowfo honourable an office vppon a man, as yet fo weake : foit is worth the labour to note, that he with Hattery dotli not nou; ifii^ but corrcdcth the fault, which as yet ftoockc fail on him. LV. 6i, ^nd an other 0*yth. JWaithcwc maketh no mention of this third man. And it appearcth that he was more tyed to the world,then at liberty, and - ready to follow Chrifl He offercthhimfelfe to follow Chrifl, but with an ex- ception, when he had bid themofhis houfhold farewell; thatis,when he hath fet his bufines in order at home,as they vie, which prepare thefelues to go forth or depait. This is the caufe why Chnfl doth fo fharpcly reprooue him. For in word heprofeflcth himfclfeto be a follower of Chrift yet he turneth his backc tow.irdeshim, vntil he had done his earthly bufineffe.Nor; when Chrift fiith, that they are not fitte for the Kingdomc of God, which looke backe, wee mult diligently fceke what he meaneth hereby. They are fiyde to looke back^ which being intangled with the cares ofthis worlde, doe fufferthemfclues to bee lead outofiheriehtway :ande(pccially they, which drownc tbemfcluesintliolc cares^ which make thero vnprofitable to follow Chrift. .^ai:h, ^ llse Commeni,ofA9,To^ Cahlne* Mark€;x. 1 lA^t %l Matth. 9* I. T/;«» be eutred into ajhifyand^ajfedoutri and cams into bis owne noyfed that be nas in t be bouje. that the f^ie/is Qr doHors of the i« ^fterafewe dayei heentred 1 7. .y^nd n same to (yaJfe,cHa nit9 Capernaua^aine^r^ ii vas 1 certatnc day iashtvpcis teaching cittie* l*^nd anon^ many gathered ' Uw^atby^yvhuk veer e come out z'.jind lo they brought ' tcget])eY , info much that the | ofeuery toyvne qJ GahkyZ^lu. tohim a mtn lickjoftlif. ' /'"^'^^ ^^oul the dore coulde mt | dca,^ lerufale^c^thepovpercf talfie, lyinir on a htd^ receiue any more : ^ bee prea- 1 the lord m*j in hi^to hef.iethim and lejtisfeewz their \ched the veord to them* l,j1nd>^ iS.Thfnbehold,menbroun^hta fail by faid to thefich^of ther came ynto ht^tbat brought \ ntan ly.ng in a bed, which was tbefalfie^fon^beofgood one fick^of the palfte, borne of J^, tah^envftihafalfie : andthey cofortithyfms are'for \ men.^^.ytnd becaufe they could fought meana to bring him^f^ rriiitn thee »of <^ome neere yr>to him for the to lay him before him. % . ^nd behold ^certain multitude, they yncouered the 19- ^"d v^hen th'.y collide not efthe Scribeifaid with 1 roofe of the houfe where b*. Wrf<, find ^hat way they might brl^ themfelucsj this tnannt Qr whe they had brcken it open, | bim in, becaufe of the preafe, blarphemeth. t^'^}' ^^^ dovne the bedy wherein they went yp on the boufe,^let j^.Bat when lefusfaw theficl^ oftbepalfte lay.^ .T^oir I him downe through thetylinge their thou'rJ)te$,be faid\ when lefts fawe their faith,hee ' bed ^- all, in the mide/} before V}hcrforethinl^yeemll\faidtothefick^ofthtpalfie,f6ne thinnies} arife and walk^e^ 6. ^nd that yee maye 1 Vi^ho canforgiuefinnes but God lefus. lO.^ndwJjenhce fawe their fay th, heefayd ynto him, mAUythy fins arcforgiuen thee, 1 1 . Then the Scribesyandphari" fes began to thinke,raying,wJ}9 is this ^fpeaJ^eth blafphemies> whocanforgiue fins, but Qod k»ove that the fonneof] •nely} S.^ndimmediatly,w'^e onely? % a But whenlefusper- man hath author i tie in lefus pefceiued in his fpirit,that tarth, to forfr-iite fins, 1 thus they thought with thefelues hefaydyntotbe,whyreafonye thefe thifigti in your hearts'^ 9 (^thenfaid he to tho-fck of the pa!fe')arife,taks cfiued their thoughts,he anfve- red and fay de ynto them ^wh at tb ink^ ydny ou r heart-ci ? X 3 « fi^jei her is it eafier to fay, thy fnnes arcforgiuen thee, or e- yp thy hedde, and goe if nether is it eafier to fay to the to thy hpufe, | fi^^'f ofthepalfi.e,*h-}flm are for \ to fay, arife, and wal^t 7* ,Andbearnfe,and \giuethee ortofay,arife,takeyp^ i^ But that ye may litiow that departed to bis ovne thy bed,(^walk^.\Ojind that \ the fonne of man hath authori" Jjoufe y^^ **^^y h^ow the fonne of man tie in earth to forgiuefnnei(he 2. So when the 'miAhi- bath authnritie in earth to for^ | f'='id to thcficl^e vfti e paJfie) I tud:faweit,tbeymer- giuefins,hefaidto theficl^eofV'f=^y^othee,arife,takeypf}ethy ' 'ihd, and Glorified i p(tlfte,u.lfay to ther, arife, and j bed,cirgo to thine own houfe. od, which had "-iuen tal;e yp thy btd^^get thee hece I ^ ? '^nd imniediatly herofeyp to thine ovnhoufe.it. jindby before them,(^tookeyphii led whereonhe Uy, ^ departfdto his owne houfeiprayfin^ God. l6.^ndthey "^ereallamafed, fir praifed God^ ^ were filled T*ith feare faying: doubtlis we hduefcenjfran^thingics to day iiei G fuch autboritieto men. (rlr by he arofe, ^ tookf yp his bed, (ent forth before the al., irfomuch that they were all a - mafedyand glorified., God fay^- ing:we neuerfawfu^h a thing. vponthe BarmmieoftheEuangefifles. ^*a M A T, 1 , ^ndcame into bis oyvne citie. This place declai cth that the citie of Gapernanm was commonly thought to haue been the place, where Chrift w^ feorncrbecaufethathee did much frequent the lame. It is not to bee doubted biitthatthe three drc fet downe the fame hiitorie, although one d e more cx- adly fet downe the circumftanccs then the other. Luke Tiith, thatthe Scribes carrx out of dinetle partes of ludeijin whbfe fi^ht Chrift healed the man dckc ofa palGe. Yet he declareththat oth. r were alfo healed by the grace of Chriftc* For before he come to fpcikc of the man fickc of the pal(ie,fpeaking m the plu- ral number, faith, thatthe power of God was (liewed in healing their difeafes. The glory of this mirvaclewaswohderfiillj that a man taken in all the parte* of his body, whom they had let down in a bed by cordesjfodenly arofe both found & nimble. Yet there is an other efpeciall caufe, why the Euangeliftes doe (hnd more vpon this miracle, then vpon others ; that is, bccaufe the Scribes doctakc in fcorn, riiat Chnil Oioidd take vpo him the power and authoritie offorgiuing of fins; but it was the will of Chrift to confirmc and fealc the fame with a Vifible figne, 2. o4nci vphen he hadfeene their faith. God onely knowcth our faithjbut in that theirpainefull trauailc they {hewed a token of their faith : for they would neucr haue taken vpon them fo troublefome a hufines , neytherwouldethey haue wrcftledwich fiicli lets and hindcvancn> their thoughts. Herein dcth he make a manifeft fhcw of hf$ godhead, mthathe vttercthrhcir fecretihouj,htes. Forno man knowcth what is in man, fine hi ifpirit, i.Cor.i.ii. Thcrcfo.cMarke.iddethth.it he knew in h:s fpi'it .as ;fhe Ihould hiue fayd, man could not difcern that,v\hich lay hid in their be irts- but Chrill by his dinircfpint fearched and ^ circcd thither And he f lithjthat -hey thought cuill thin cs . not ihit it grciued the to hauc thatattribu- icd to a mortal mu^vvliiwh G oi challcngcch to himfelicaloae : but becaufe they did vfon the HarmMh of the Emngelifletl ^i{ did proudly and maliciouflyrefurc GOD, offering himfelfe openly vnto them. 5 . Pf^jether is it mfier. The meaning is : Sith it is not eafier by a wor Je to giue life to a dead body, then to forgiuc finnes, it ought not to be wondrcd ar that hce forgiueth finnes,wherea$he pcrformcth the other. But Chrift fcemeth toreafon very fiend criy : Foras murhasthefouleexcellcththebody.fo mu.h dothforgiucnesoffinnes, exccedethe curing of the body. But it is eifdy an- swered;; for Chrift applyeth his fpeach to their c.ipacitie, which as they were men vnregencrate .* fo were they more moucd with outward fignes, then with allthefprirituallpowr of Chrift, which auayled to eucrlafiing'filu.ttion ♦ So in lohn f . iS.heproueth the etfeduall power of the Gofpellto giiic hfe to men By this, that at the laft day hee Will raifc vp with his voycethe dead out of their graucs. Therefore this argument was forcible inougH to confute theaijWhich ^id. mofte eftecmeofan outwarde miracle, that they coulJe not rightly dc- nic, but that hee had forgiuen the licke mans (innes , while that hee refiored him Ih-ength and health .• becaufe that the forgiuencO e of iinnes appeared by- this effed. 4, Hath author itie in earthy This power was forre beyond that, which wa» committed to the ApGftles,and which the Paftors of the Church doexecute at this day« For they doe not forgiue, but tcftifie forgiucnes,while that they vtter the ambaflage committed vnto them. But Chrift in thefe words affirmeth,thac he is notonely a miniftcr andawitnefleof thisgrace,but alfothe authourofthc fame But what mcaneth that claufe,'»'/>/>o»Mr//? ? Forwhyfliould hee fay, that we had our Cnncs forgiuen v$ here,cxcept the fame were confirmed in heaucn? Namely, this was the will of Chrift, to (hew that they need c not to feekc farrc for forgiucnefle of iinnts ; becaufe that in his perfon it was brought as it were into mens handes. For ( fuch is our readinefle to diftruft ;.) wee neucr dare ac- count GOD to bee mercifulltowardesvs, except hee comming neere, doe {hewe himfclfe faniliarly vnto vs. Now, becaufe that Chrift for this caufc came downe to the eaith,tha: hce might offer to men the prefent grace of God, hceis fayd to forgiue finnes vppon earth : becaufe that in hinijand through him the will of God was reuealed, which, to the capacitie of the fleflie, was hid be- fore, aboue the cloudcs. 8 , iVnen the multitude faw it. For this maruciling, whereof here is mention made,the other two doe fay they were aftonied or amafed* Luke alfoaddeth that they were afraide .• but it is the purpofe of them all to teach, that the power of God was not only fimplyknown,but that they were alftricken into a maruci ling : fo that they were enforced to giue the glory to God. But the feare which foliowidthis marueiling, preuayled thus forre, that they (hould not murmurc agaiaft Chrift, but that they fliould reuerently fubmit themlelues vnto him, as to a Prophet of God. Mathcwc cxprefly fayth, that they glorified GOD, which had giuen fuch power vnto men .• wherein they feeme to bee farre wide. For thou^a they fee a mann with their eyes, yet in their mind they ought to behold in hirn fomcwhat abouc mannc ^ This was well done, that they affirmc that the Q nature ^4^ 716^? Comment, ofM\ / when lefus htard ityhee fayd ynto them,the I ^. Anditcxme topajjcjos ofcufiome, and fayd ymo him, follow me. ^ 8 . ^nd he leftall^ rofe yp, and followed him, iP' Then Leui made him a great feaji in his owne hotife, where there rras agrean com^ .r r 1 1 -^^ , ^ "''^"= ^^5 aTreancom^ lef^s Jate at table m hisipany ofPM^ans^ andofo^ houfe,manyTMcans and ther, wh:chfate at table wJtb finners ,. fate at table alfo with lefm and his difciples: for ther were many thatfoU lovredhim. 16, And when the Scribes <:^ Vharifesfavfi him eatewith the VMcans andfinners, they fayd ynto hit difctples, how is it, that hee eateth and y^holeneede nottheVhi-] drinJ^eth WtthV^blicam ch- fition^ but they that are ficke. ll'Butgoyee^nndlearne Xfhat thh if, I rvill haue 7»ercy, and mot facrifice : for I am not come to call the righteous, bntfinners to repentance them, io.Bttt they that n^ere Scribes and Tharifes amonv them murmured againfle hisDifci^ pies, faying, why eateyee,and drinks yee ^ith Vubltcans nnl finners ? 3. 1 . Then Iefu$ anfwersd,^ f^ydyutothim, they that are whole,neede not theVhifition^ but they that are fie k^^ ^1. J came mt to call the rightemsybutfinnersto repetu tance* finners ? 17* 'How,rvh'nIefus heard it, hee fayde ^nto them \ the whole haue no neede of the TJjifition, but the ficke, I came not to call the righte- ous, but the finners to repen- i — ' tance, (wh.ch place ns ,t was wont to be giuen to fpoylcs & vniuft e.ad ns fo it w[s then becon^c moftinfamo.;. ) not only into the fehwHiiD nfrulTu ^°.'^'!^* uo«r of God And u wa, the will of Chrift tochufc uuothatotficc noto .el^ Cmplc and vnlearncd men, that he rniiht oucrthrowthe winiorn,^fM X but alfo th.s Pubhcan, which had Uu.^ a hfe nofto^ e clte^ded t of d^ hee vpOK the Harmense of the lEu4ngehfihcf, which through .pride beino become cruell, doe grudge that the wretched (liould be holpcn,aml that phifickc {hould be miniftred to the fickc. This teftimonie is taken out of the prophet Ofe. 6. 6. where the Prophet preaching of the vengeance of God againft the lewes , leaft they fhoulde take exception that they obfcrued the out* ward worftiip of God, as they were accuftomed infccuntic to bra^ of their ce- remonies: hce ailirmeth that God is not picafed with their faciificcs, where their mindcs are voide of godlines, and their manerseftranged from integritic and rightcoufnes. But that God fayth, that he will nothauc facrifices , appea- .reth by the fecond daufe to btc fpoken by companion, that the knowledge of Ood is more lo be defired then facrifices . By which wordes hce doth not pre- rifely reied facrifices •• but hee roakcth leflc account of them , then of godlmct and faith Yet wee muft fo account, that faith and fpintuallwor{hip do of them felues pleafc Godjthat charitie and the duties of men towards their neighbours arc required for themfelucs. The facrifices are butaccidents(asthey fay)which arc of no eftimation or ac count jwhereas truth it fclfe is wariting. Of the wliich thing I haue entreated more at large vppon the tenth chapter to the Hcbrewes. In that word mercie the figure Synecdoche is to bee noted; For vndcr one part the Prophet comprehendeth what dutic foeuer wee owe vnto our bre- thren. For I came not. Although this is fpoken to oucrthrowe the pnde and the hypocrifie of the Scribes .* yet it generally contayneth a very profita- ble doftrine* For wee are adiionifhed that the grace of Chrifl ihall no otherwifc profit »v$, then while wee becing grciued with our finnes , a^ manne (houldecnuy that fhort time of pleafurc which they Hadde, hccdeclarcththatibcyihallniortly bcchandicdmotchardJy &more Q^4 ^ UrcishtJjf ftreiehtlf . "Andfo thisisthccxciiTe, that prayers and faftingdoe belong to thenithat nre fadde and in aducrfitic .• I Ipcakc of the extraordinary prayers, whcreofhemaketh mention in thisplace. But it was Chnftes wiij'by a little at once to accuftomc them to beare greater thinges, andhecwoiilde not Jay a grcaterburdcii vppon them, vntill they had gotten more ftrength. Hercoffordodrtne may twothingesboe gathered .'WC may not m-urmurre, if God at any time doc bcarc w!th the infirmitie of our brethren^and dohandle them gently, while that hee doeth handle vs more hardly and more ftreightly. Then, ifat any time God giuevs arcleafefrom forrowand troubles, wemuft take hecde that wcebecome not drunken with ddightes, but Jet vs rather re- member th.uthcmaryagcsft^aU not laftalwayes . The chddren of the bride- groome, or of the bride chamber, is vfcd in the Hebrew phrafe for the gueftcs. bidden to the mariage. i6. TS^onMnptectthanoldeo^armeni . Hcc confifmeth the former fentencc ^ith two fimilitudes .•>vhcreofone is taken of garments, and the other ofwmc ' vefielles. They that thinke that olde garments and olde bottles are compared totbePharfes, and the newe wyncand newecloath tothedoftaneofthe Gofpel, huic nc^coulour. But the (imilitude is very apte and fitcc for the pre- fent milter ; if wee interpret this oftheweakc and tender difciples of Chti ft, and of diiciplmc more harde and ftrcight then they were able to bcare . Hee rcportcth it not, asifanticjuitie were not fitce for young fchollers .- neyther docth Chviilc compare his difciples to olde bottclles, and tome gaimentes> as if ihcy had bccnc worne with long vfc ; but becaufethey were weake, & not ftrong enough. The fumme is this, tliat all mcnne generally arc not to bee driuen to one, and the famcmanner of lyuing ; l>ccaufc their cftate is vnhkc, and all thinges doenotaoccctoallmennc, the weafcc arc efpecially to bee borne with, Icaft tihcy bee broken with violence, eft: ouerthrowne with the weight of the bur- den. Further, Chriftefpeakeriiafterthc manner of the country .• in that hee vfcth the name of bottclles for barrellesorfirkinncs. LV. J9. Tip manne that drinl^fth olde wine, Luke only makcth mention of this, and It docth very well agreewith that, which gocth before And al- though it is diuerfly wrclted by the interpreters; yet I doe fimply take it to bee an admonition to the PharifeSj'Ieaft they giue more credit then is ineete to an ©Idcreceiued cudome . Forhowe commcthittopalfe that wine not altering thctaftc 5 (houlde not pleafe all mennesmouthes alike : but bccaufe that vfd . and cuftomcdoeth frame the tafte? By tliis order, which Chriftvftth towards his, difciples , it foiloweth tliat, that, which hath but fmall pompe and Ihcwc , is nothing leflc to be accounted of : as olde winc,though it doth notfo fumcasnewe winedotb,yec itis asplcafant^andas goodfornourifhing thCLbody« Mat. 9* thttsfpak^ fnto tbtm : heholde there came a eertaine ruler , Cr vpor/hipped him , faying • My datfghter is nowe deceafedy vfon the Harmowc eft hi LiMfi^cUfteu Marke, j. 11. JLnd behelde there came one of the rulert of the Syttagogue^ xphofe name yvai lairus.and rvhm be Jaw him Jje fell dovpite at hisfeete. ^4P Luke »♦ ^o,^nd it came faffeto n>ht lefiis was come againe^ that the people receiucdhim, for ( they ail waited for him. % 5 . ^nd be fought him infiantlyy fay - | ^i,^nd behold tht re came a ing : My litle daughter lieth at the poynt ' man named lairui^i;^ he was of death' I pray thee that thou wouldeji come and lay thy handesonher^ that/hee may be healed^ and liue^ hnt come and .'i'^'The he went with himyi^agreatmul' lay thine hand on heryand/hee fhall Hue. 19. ^nd lefts arofe 0" followed him titude followed him i f^ thronged him. 15. .^nd there was acertainewoman^ the ruler of the Syna when euery body, that/he rrashtaled of that plague, .And when lefus did k*}owe in him - J0 Jelfe the yertue that went out ofhim^ he, turnedhim round about in the preafe, and fayd, who hath touched my cloathei? J I . .And his difctflesfayde ynto him : turned him a~ I Thou fee/} tlie multitude throngthee,aud bout, f^feeintryfayefi thou ^ho did touch me e} her did fay e :\ Jl. ,A^nd heeloot^edrouncijtboutytofte daughter bee of, ber that had done that, good cofort,thy J f ♦ jind the -oroman feared and trem- bled : for /he k^ewe what was done in her, and/hee cam* and fell downe before him, and tolde him tlie whole truth. ' J 4-. .Andhee fayde to her: daughter thy fayth hath made thee whole : Goe inpeact, and be whole of thy plague. man denied,Teterfaide,and thy that were with hi maj?er the multitude thrufi thee,^ tread on thee, (jyf*ye/i thon whohathtouched me)^^ .And lefus faid Som one hath tou-^ ched me: for Iptrceiue ^ yer- tue isgonfrc me. ^jwhe the woman f aw that/hee was not hid/he came trthling^^ fell down before ht, (^rtold him be- fore alltbe people, fortrhap- caufeppe had touched h'i, ^ how/Joe was healed immediate ly. ^2. Jnd he/aid ynto her.'. daughter be of good comfort, thy fayth hath made thee whole goe inpface, 10. H^nlehethusfpake , Thcy that imagine that Marke and Luke doe not (cttc downe the fame hiftory which. Mathewc docth , arc Co plnynely conhuedt faithhath made thee whole:and tlie woman was made wjjoleat thathoure* confuted out of thctcit, fo that it nccdc not any longdifputati'on. Three with one moiuhcdocfay that Chrifte was rcqiuicd by the ruler of the Synagoguc,th;u ht would come to his houfc to hcalc hjs daughter.In this they difter,tliit the name of lairus isfuppreHed by Matthew,isict downc by Markc and Luke. And he bringcth in the father fpcaking thus .* my daughter is dccea- fed, the other two doe (ay th.n (he was at the poynt of death, .md that hce was tolde of her death b v the way,as he wis bringmg Chrill. But in that there is no diflficultie.-forAfatihewendcuouringtobcelliort, doethinaword(etdownc together thofe things which the other do digc ft diftindly in their places.Butfe- ino all other things do foa^tly agree together, fithlo many cucumftanccis doc concordin one ,as it three figures fliouldYeeme to bee dircded together to (hevf one thing, no reafon doth lufFtr this hiftory to be drawnc to ciucrs times.Thc Eunn^cliftcs doc with one mouth declare, that when Chn(le was required of the nilcr of the Synagogue to come to his houfe,by the way a woman was hea^ led of an ifluc of bloud by a fecret touching of his garment, and that Chrif} af« ter hcc was come into the rulers houlc, did raifc a dead maiden. So I doe not thinke it ncedfuil to vfc a longcircumflance of words, to prooue that the three doc report one & the fame hiSory. Let vs now come to th. parjiculers. Sehalde M certaine ruler. Although it appcareth by the other two Euangel.ftci that his faith was not fo ftrong, that he hoped that he could rcltore his daughter to life* yet it IS not to be doubted, but that hee being rebuked by Chriftc, conceiued a greater hope then he had brought from home. But ^WJtthcwfas it is faide)cn- deuouring to be fi.ort,pIaceth in the bcginringthat which was wroughtin fuc- cede of time,yet the hiftory is thi s to be gathered . that lairus firft demaundcd to haue his daughter cured of her difcafe- and then to be rcftored from death to lifc,after,whcn Chrift had encouraged him Woi (hipping is lakcn for the bowr- ino of the knee, as we gather by the'words ot M arkc & Luke for lairus did not giue diuinc honour to Chrift, but worlhipped him as a Prophet ot God, And it is well known that the bowing of the knee was very comon amongft the inha- bitants of the haft. Co me and lay thtne hand an htr. Wce haue here a notable Ipc* dadt of the fauourof God towards vi.ifthou compareft the ruler ofthcSyna- gocuc,withihc Centurion a heathen man, thou wilt fay that in him there was a full great light,& in this fcorfc one little drop offaithrhc imagincth thatchriil h:nh no power to do her good, except he touch her, and hauing receiued word ofherdtaih, he IS foflfraidc as though there were rofurthcrremedie. There- fore wc fee that his fiyth was weake and very colde; but that Chi iftcyeeldeth tohisrequcftcs,andcncour.igethhim tohope well , declareth that hisfayth bow (mall fo-: uerit was, was not v tierly rcied. d. Therefore though we be not inftruded fully in the f yih, as ii were to bee wiQied, yet there is no caufc why our weakencflc (hould hinder vs or driue vs tio.n calling vpon God, ao. ^ rvomann\}khv(>aidifvafed with an t(fue of blond , TheEuangeliftcs doc exprefly declare that this ifl'ue of bloud hadde endured forthcfpace of twelucyearts , and that the woman haddr not beene flackc in fc eking re- medies, in fo much that (hee had confumed all her lubftancc vppon Phi(]tionf, whereby the glory of thcmyraclc was fo much the greater • For it doeth eui* dcntly apfcarc that the difealcbcing incurable, \ Marke decUrcih it more plaincly, that Chrift looked about him, that he might know who it was. Butthis (eemeth to bee abfurdc, that Chrift (hould poure forth his grace, not knowino to whom he (hould doc good. And that is as hard that he fanh a little after,th?thefeltthatpowerwa$goncoutofhim. Asthough it (houlde palic from him after any other order then of his free gift, when and to whom he (hall thinkc good to diftributc the fame. But it is not to be doubted b ut that witting- ly and willingly hechealed the woman , and it is no: to be doubted out that by 4fpirithcdrcwhervntohimthathee might healther:butheercqu^^^^^^ that (hce would willingly come forth amoagft the people . If Chrilt himkUC (liodd haue declared his owne miracle, peraducnture his wordes (hou de not hauebeenebeleeued: but now* when as the fcarefoU woman teUcth what isbefalenvntoher,herconfcfsionhath_themorecreditc. It. Daughter bie of gcodcomfort. The weakcneflcof her faitn is p^o- uedbythisfpefch;forifficrfearefullncflehadnotbeenefa«lue,Chn(^vvoc.ld nothauererroucdhcr,byexhoitingher to bee of good ^°«^*^^^^y^''''''L prayfcthher faith, whereby is gathered that which I (aydebefore when as dy ihcdircaionof chcthcfpiriw'and afmccrc defireof godlmes ilje fou^h. Li^r ^ .^ The C^mmem, of MM Calmne y ccfhcemucrcafothatfhccncfcdea not tobe confirmed. So wee fee that faith th at it may plcafc God, hath neede of forgiuenes, and alfo to bee rayfcd With ncwehclpVs,thatit may get more ftrcngth. Now this muft Analogically bee led from the healmo oFthc bodie to the laluation of the foule : for as Chnft at, trib utcth the dehiierance ofthe woman from her difcaf. to faith/oit is cerumc that by faith which rcconcikth vs to God,wee obtayne torgiuenclic ot hnncs. Whcnhecommaundethhcrtogoein peace, and layth that Ihee is healed of her difcafe, heereby wee gather that fhec had then truely confirmed that bene, fite which ihce had receiued,when as (hee heareththat by the mouth of chnlt which Ihee had now found by experience* For we cannot otherwife t^nioy the beneHtcsof GOD truely and with a quietconfcience : but wlulcwccpoaclic thtm hidden in the trealurie oi his promiles. Mathewp. /p/«i QMni into the Tulershoufe 4Md five the tninjirels and the multitftde making noyfe. 2 if. Hee fay de ynto thenif^et yee hence: for the mayd iSyttot deady hict flee- peth. ^nd thty iatt^hed him to fcorne. %^*And}»hen the mM>ltitude Vfere putfoarth hee vent inland too ke her by the handy and the ntaidearofe. 2 6t ^nd this hrntf wente t^rrou^hotit all that land. Markcy» Luke. 8. 1 5 . If^iU heeyetfpake, there came 4 9 • fflMe hee yetfpak^, there from the ruler> houfe certatne, whtch came one from the rnter of the fayd : Thy daughter is deadMy dif- fyna^o^ues houfe, which fay d to eafeji thou thy maifier any further^ him. Thy daughter ii dead, dif» J 5, ^ffoone at lefus heard that word eafe not thy maifter. f^oken.hefaydeynto the ruUrofthe » ^o.lVoen lefus heard it^ hean^ fynagogue:Be not a fray d, only beleeue fwered him, faying: Feare net, j 7 « uind heefiiffered no man tofoU low himy faue Veter, lamei^nd John the brother of lames, J 8 « So he came ynto the houfe ofthe ruler of the Synagogue y and fawe the tumult yand them that we ft, and wai- led greatly, J ^.^ndhe went in 0'fatde ynto the j why mak^ye this trouble and Vfeepe ? , the child is not dead, butjleepeth, \ notyfor/Jjee ts n^t dead butjlee- j ^o,^nd they laughed htm to fcorne: pcth. I but hee put them all out , andtooh^ the | 5 5 • *^"^ '''9 ^^**TJ'^ ^'f» '• ' father and the mother of the child yd^ \fcorH e yk^owing that Jhee wa* them that were with him, and entnd J dead beleeut onely, andfheefhali bee made whole. 5 I . And when he went into the Jjoupiy hefujfered no man to goe in with him , faue Veter and lames and lohn, and the leather and the mother ofthe maide, 5 1 And all wept andforroWm fdfor Uery but hee fay de : weepe in where the child lay* 4 r . And took^e the child by the handy andfaid ynto herTabitha cumi,which is by interprttationimaiden I fay ynto theearife. 41. Aniftraight vnythe maidtn ar^fe and walked. for fhe was ofthe a'^e of i x.ytareSyand they were afionied out ofmeafure. 4 I . And he charged them /iraightly y that no man/hould k^ow of it yand co- nwtnded togiftehermeate. 54. So he th rufi them all out, andtookf her by thehande, and cryedyfaying : maid^arife^ ^ f . And her fpirite came 4- gainey and fh:e rofe Jiraigjit way and he commaunded togiue her meate . jfo that lairus will accept him & he alfo exhorteth him to be of good comfortjfor he cannot beleeuc more, then God in his great power is able to ptrfourme. And veril) it fo falleth out with vs alfor god would deale more hbc- tallywith vs,ifwe were not foftrait; butourhardnesof life doth hinder God that he powre not his gifts more plentifully vpo vs. In (um,wc are tauoht in this pbce, that we can neucr exceed nieafure in bcleeuing,bec3ufe our faythhowc large toeuer it be, can neiicr conceiue the hudred part of the goodnes of God* 57. ^nd htfufferedno w^w.Hc forbade them enterance, either becaufe they were vnwotthy to bcwitnefl'es of the myracle .- or becaufe that hec wouldc not haue the myracle ouerwhtlmcd with the murmunng multitudeiforit were bet- ter that the damfeli whole body they had fecne dcade, flioulde fodainly come- foorth aliueand Itrono into the light of men. Marke & Luke fay that he tooke with him butthrce ofhis dilciples,they both addethe parents; And Afarkc on. lyfayth that he tooke them which were lairushis companions when he came to require ChrifL iWatthew who is {hortcr,omitteth this circumflance. LVKE. ^t, »/rf«^<^//w^f^ The Euangclitts do make mention of mour- ning, that their hope in the relurreftion may be the more certaine. Alfo iWaf shew fay th exprefly that there wereminftrelt, which was not wont to bee, but- whereas they were afliired that the body was dead, and when as they prepared thefuneralles. In the moumefullfunerallesthepipe did found, faythhee« And although they theiight after ihisjiianner to honour their deadc, and as it were to adorne their buriall, yet we fee bow the world isalwayes ready,not onely to nourilh, but alfo to ftirre vppc hcrowncfaultes . It was their duty to apply themfelues by all meanesto appeafe mourning, but as though they had not of- fended inough with their outragiousforrow, with ntwprouocations they doc ambitioufly prouok thefame.The getiles alfo thoght that this melody appcafed the ghofts whcrby we gather with how many corruptions ludea wasthe filled* MARKE. j9. But jlee^tth. To fleepeistaken indiucrspbcesofthc fcripturc/or,to die. And doubtleffe by this fimiiitude gathered of the temporal; reft, is noted the refurredion to come., And Chrift doth here efpecially make a compaiifonbetweenefleepe & death, that he might confirme the hope of Jife- asifne fhouidhauefayd, you (hall fee her.prefentlyraifed vp,whome ncwyoia thinke to be dead. And it is no maruellthat he was laughed to fcorne ofbiock- iOi and grofe men, which were wholy occupied in prophane mourning, &vn. dcrftoode not his purpofe. And yet this auaileth to the letting forth of the my-- racle, that none of them doubted of her death* 41. Met: tooke her by the ban de and Jay de ♦ Although this crie did natu- rally profite ncthinpc to the weakeningc of the ferfcs of the dcade, yet. doeth Chiille heere fliewe notably thepower of h:$ vo) ce, that hce might the moreaccuftomemennctogiiieearetohisdoftiine . And herein appearcth how.cficaii^llthe voyce.ot Chrift is,whichj^eircethvnto the dead, ibas itgi— luthi ^>4 7heComment\ofJUl.lo,Ca(Hme, ueth Ufe cuen in deathit felfc Therefore Lukefay tth rhat her fpirite came a^ ciinc •• as if he Ihouldchauc fayd, thattheipint being called by thecommaun- dcmentofChriftc,wa$ftraightwayprefent, 4, jind charred tUm. Aithoughehnftewouldenot gen erilly admit allto bthoid her railing vpp , yet ihc my racle could not remaync bng hid. And it v. a» not mcetc to fuppiefle the power of God^whercby the whole world was prepa. red to hfe Why then did ke command the raaidcs parentcs to filence ? It may bee that his will wis that they fliould not fo much conceale the thing it fclfc as the maner,aud that only but for a time •• for we fee in other places alfo^how hee fouoht for opportunitie. They that thinke thatthey were forbidden to fpeake, thauhev mioht be the more whetted on , are hardly ^taken, when they flee to this anfWcr. I erauatthat Chrift wrought not this myracle, butthatit(houlde be vttered, but at a more apt time, or when the multitude was difmiffed where was no meane nor moderation. Theictorehe would giue them fpace that the more quietly and aduifedly they might confider the wor ke of God. Marke. Luke. Matthew. 9' %7 . jiitd as lefus departed thence^ two blind men fjllowed him .crying and faying ' Ofoane of Damd, ha'-iemercy-vpanys, 2 8. ^nd ivJjen bee was come into the hettfe , the hlinde mm came to him.and lefus faide ynts them: bdeeuey ee that 1 am ablet 0 doe tbii} and they fay d ynto him^yea Lorde^ a9. Then touched he their eyes, fayin^idccordin^ to your fay th be h yntoyott, so. ^nd their eyes were optnedy and lefus char^ ged themy faying : See that no man k^ovp it. ^ U But vhen they were departed theyfpread a- broad his fame through out alithat land, 3 2 . ^nd as they went out, behold they brought to him a dumbe man poffeffed with a deuill. 3^' jlnd^hen the deuill waicaflouty thedumbe fpal\e: Then the multitude, marueiled faying: the lik^was neuerfeetiein ifrael. 34 But tU VUarifcsfayde ■• Hee cafieth eutde^ uds.throughthepiinceofdeuils* 17. ^,td as lefus departed. The Other Euannclif^cs do fay nothing of thcfei. myradcs -for, as wc hauc favd other where,and lohn docth pl.unly affirme that it was not their purpofc to rehcarfe all the deedes of Chrift,biit onely to gather iome principall poyntcs^which prooue him to be the AfefiTias.FurtherjMatthew (ayeththit two blindc men were rellored to tliCir fight, butnot(ofpccdily,a$ often otherwhere hee was acculloned to heipe themiferable. For he doth not anfwere them as they cry after him in the way, but as thoU;;h he diilcmbled the matter, he fuffcreththc to f jHowhim into the hnufe. There he doth at length cnquircof them what they do bclecue of his power. Therefore his minde was in deedeand woordcstocxamincthcirfaith, for hee holding them m fuf- pence vpM the Harmonie of the EmngeHflet^ tf^ pence, nj^y pafsing by as though he heard not^hemakeih a tmll of their pati- ence, and what roote faith had taken in their mindes. After, when he deman- dethwhetherthcybeleeue,heprofec'.iteth the fame examination. But it may be demanded whether to be perfwa J edofthe power of Chriltandof God, if fufficient to make any manfaithfull. For thus much doe the words (ignifie,doc you beleeue me,that I can doe it ? But it appearcthout oFdiuers other places oif the fcripturc5that the knowledge ofthe power is but vaine and col Jc , except wee be afliired of his will. Yet Chrift being fatisficd with their anfwerCjappro- ueth their faith as perfed in all poynts, I anfwerCjwhen at the firft they confef- fed him to be the fonne of Dauid^ they concerned fomewhat of the grace* For withthistitletheyhonouredtheredcemeroftheir nation, and the authour of all their good. Therefore he demandmg of his owac power, hce docth more dccpcly enquire, whether they doe conftantly beleeue. Therefore faith com- prehendeththe mercie and fatherly loue of God with power, & the ready will of Chrift With might. But becaufe that men dos commonly attribute lelle to the power ofGod and might ofChnft then is nieetCj the bimdc men .nrc not asked without a caufe, whetherthey beleeue that Chnfte can doe thatwhich theyprofefle,though the purpofc of Chrift was fimply to know whither that fro then- heart they gaue to him the honour ofthe Mcfsias. And for this caufe is^ their faith approued, that in fo bafe and contemptible an eftate , they acknow-* ledgcd the fonne of Dauid. 29, jiccordingto your faith. Although it is fayd that thisbenefite is efpecially beftowed vpontwo blind men, yet outof thefe piefent words of Chrift , wee may gatherthis generalldodrin,thatwc iTiallneuerbefuffered todepart with, out our requefts,fo that we pray with faith. Ifthatthefetwoby afmall fayth- as yet not throughly grounded, do obtainethat which they require,much more at this day fhall their faith prcuaile which being endued with the Ipirit of adop- tion, and made partakers ofthe facrifice ofthe mediatour, doe come to God. jo« He charged them. Eyther his will was tohaue other witnefl'es ofthe mira cle, or elfe that he would deferre the report thereof to an other time. Th ere^ fore that is worthy to be reproued, that they doe vtter the fame prefcntly eucry where. For thatfome imagine that Chrift forbadde them, that hee might the rather ftirrc them forwarde we haue confuted in an other place. It is ccrtaine there wasfonie caufe of forbidding which is vnknowne vnto vs /but thcfe men of an vnaduifed zeale doe vtter it before the time, 11. They brought yntohimadumbe man. It is probable thvit this man was not: dumbe by nature, but when he was deliucredvp to ihcdeuill,thathe was de- priuedofhisfpeacl>.- yet all thole that arc dumbe 5 are not polTefled of deuils» But this man was fo afHidcd^thatby manifeft fignes it appeared that his tongue. was tied,and that after his heahngtiie people docryoutjthatthelike was nciier feene in Ifraell, feemcth to be m hyperbolicall kinde of Ipeach : for by greater ■ miracles had God in times paftreuealed his glory amongft thatiejple. But jt: may be that they had regard to the end ofthe miracle, fo that then the mindes of all men were ftirredvp to lookc for the comming ofthe Mefsias. And they fo exiold the prefent grace of God, fo as they would dim inifti nothing fro.n his farmer works. And it is to be noted, that this IpcacKwasnot premeditate ,. butr- fuch OS in admiration brake out fuddenl/i 34, IV;^*? z^6 the C^nffiff^' ofM^ld.Catfthse* 3 4« TheVharifesfiyi. Hccreby it appearcth how mad they wcrC , whicti Were not afraid to defame with wkkcdipcach fo notable a worke of GOD For th- Antithefis is to be noted betwccne the praife of the people and the blaf- pheniieothefemen. Foi that the people fayth the hke was neucr done in If- ra ell, was a confefsion proceeding from a feeling of the glory of God. Where- by It docth the better jppcaic rhat thcfe men W( re fbrke madde, which durft blaphemeGodtohisface. Yetweare alfocaught^whenwickednes isgrowcn to cxtremit.e, that there is none (omanifeft a worke of God which it will not periieit. But this is monllroiis, (eluome feene and incredible , that mortall men fliOuld lil'e vp againit their maker . but that blindncffe is fo much the mere to be feared, (which I Ipake of before) whereby the Lord after his long fuffc- jance executcth his vengeance vponthc wicked* Mathew. 9 Markc Luke. 3 5 . ^nd leftts went about all cities and townes^ tea- thing in their Syna^tgues, and preaching the GofpAl of the ktngdome^ and healing cMrj fic^^^ejfe, and euery difeafe ammg the people. ^6, But when heefane the multitude, hte had c$tn- fajfionyppon them Jjeitauje they "mere difpearfed and fcattcred abroad^ asjheepehauing no/hepheards» 57« Then fay d hee to his difciples, furely the haruefi is great, but the labourers are few, 384 ^Therefore pray tht Lord of theharueji y that hee \ would fend forth labourers into his haruefi^ I I ^ . And he went about. This is fooken by prcuention, that wee might knowc that the whole minifterieofChrilt is not particularly dcfcnbed : but generally, that h ^ was diligent in his office, namely that he might publifh the dodrine of faluation, and coiifirme the fame by miracles. We haue fayd in an other place before, thatit iscalledtheGofpellofthekingdomeofthcefFed. becaufe that iby this meancs God doth gather vnto himfelfe a people that was miferably dif- pearfed, that he might raignc in the midft of them: and for that caufe truly hath he ray fed vp his throne, that he might endue all his with full feiicitic. Yet let v« remember that it bchooueth vs to become fubied to God, that by him we may be caricd into celcftiall glory. ^ 6. He hadcompajjton y pan them Hereby we gather firft how fluggiHi the pricfts were, which being placed through out the whole land, that they might flicwc forththclightofthcheiuenly do5>rinc, were become idle belhes « And they proudly boaded thcmfclues to be the chejfo bilLops of thcpeoplc:and therc'was iiofmall multitude ofthewhichgloned in this title: yet Chriftacknowledgeth none of them to bcpaftours. The fame wante is found at tliis day in Poperie, which yetisicpleniflicdwithpaiio.alltitLs.-forgreat isthatlinke orheape of that lew.; compar.ie which vndcrthe name of tSe cleargic doe dcuoure vp the f>eoplc,For though they be dumbe doggc$,yetthey are not afhamed arrogant- y to bragge of their hierarchic. But the worde of Chrift is to be heard which Xayeth that tlicrcarc nopaftourfj whereas there are no labourers, and that thofe vpon the Harmoftte of the Emfigelifies. 2^7 thofc flicepc are wanding and difpcrfcd, which are not gathered together in- to thcfolde of God by the dodrine ofthe Gofpell. And in that he is touched vrithcompafsion, heprouethhimfclfetobecafaithfullminiftcrof his Father, in caring forthe Valuation ofthe people/orwhofefake he had taken vpon him ourflcftie ♦ And though hce is nowereceiued into hcaucn, and hath not the ianieaffcdions, whereuntohcwasfubiedinthismortalllife^yet hee calUth notaway the care ofhis Church; buthehathregardvnto his wandering ihecpe and his o wne fiocke ciucliy put to flight and fcattered by the wolues. 57, The harueft is great. By this Metaphore he declarcth that many of the common foit were ready torecciuc the Gofpell. For though the greater num- ber did moftvnworthily and vnthankefuliyrefufefaluation offered them.* yet hee compareth that fmall numb er ofthe elcd which was mixed anr.ongft the vn beleeuers,vntoaplentifu]lharueft,becaLifethat God efteemeth more cf that fmall companic of them, then of all the world befide. And thouf h many did then intrude thtmfelues in : yet he doth not account them amongft labourers, bccaufe that few did behauethcmfelues faithfully: for hee taketh this name of labourers in the good part. When Paul coniplayncth of cuill workers, he hath refped vnto their vaine-glory and boalUng. For he beftoweth not this title vp- on them that apply their labour onely in deftroymg and wafling .• but bc- caufe that vnder a falfc pretence they chalenge the fame vnto themlelues. Tray the Lord ofthe haruefi. Becaufe that no finccre or fit minifter ofthe Gof- pell will thruft in himfelfc : neyther doe others rightly difcharge the office of teaching, but thofe which are raifed by the Lord,and are by the fpirit furnifhcd with their giftes, fo oft as we e lee the want of good paftours, it is ncceflary that wee fliould lift vp our eyes tohimforremedie. But there was neuermore need of this prayer, then in the horrible confufion ofthe Church, which doeth novf appcare m euery place. Marke4 Lukc.8. Machew.8 2 J. ^ndwhen hee }»4t entred into the/hipy his Difciples followed him, a4« ^nd heholde there arofe a hy areyee feare fully Oyee of little faith ? Then hte arofe, and J S- T^we the fame day when euen was come^ hefaid ynto them Let ysfajfeouer ynto the other fide. ^ 6. jind they left the mul- titude , and toof\e him as hee wo* inthefhippe, and there were dfo with him other fhlps. 1 7 , jind there arofe a great fisrme ofwinde , and the wanes dafhed into the/hipyfo that it waa fulL 584 ^Andhewasinthefierrte ajleepe on a pillow : and they a- wokfhim, andfaydtohimymai- fleYyCarefl thott noty thatweept- rify} I p. ^nd hee rofe ypy «wtf 12, J nd it came topajfe on a certaine day, that het went into/Jjip with his dif- ciples : and hee fayde ynto them. L et ysgoe otter >»t» the other fide ofthe lakfy^ they lanched forth. a I . ^nd as they fay ledyhe fell ajleepe yand there came downajiormeon thelakfy and they were filled with watery ^ were in ieopariy 1 J .Then they vcent to him ^ awokf him faying: ma^ fteryPtafiery 'preperifh.^Ani hee arofe and rehttk^d the Xffind and the wanes ofwa^ tery and they ctafed ami it 4/8 And vehnh^i the wlnis aU the fea : and fo thsre wm a grease calms* 27. yiri the mat mamiihd, frying -' The Comments afM* lo^ Caimne^ ' k^.d the windes, and fay de ynto ) v^ai calme, thefea^peace^aniheftilL So l^. Then hee fay de y>tto t^je winiceaftd , and U was a them, vehere is your faith ? and Treat calme, they feared , aiti wondered a- Then he fay d -vnto them m ong themfehtes , faying ■ who 40. is this that commt-.indeth both the windes and the ypater ^and wJjyareyeefofearefi'Jl :hovre tphat mtnm 11 tl>i4j ^ Uitthatyee haue m faith? that both the windes 4 1. ^nd they feared excee^ \ they obey him > and the fea obey dingly ^and fayd one to amthtf Ijlf^^ ' I Vfho is this that both the winds \ and thefea obey him, Bccaufcthatiliortly aftcrthcreisagaiaemcntiofiraadcof a lake , where- into it is fayd j the fwias were caricd headlong : all doc not agree whether it be one and the faaie lake. All do confeflc that the waters of Genefara wcreplea- faat to the taftc, and wholcfo ne to bee vfed .* but Strabo fayerh that the lake of Gadara was fo noyfome & pe(lilent,thatthe beafts which dranke ofit loft their hooues and their haircs. Therefore it is not to be doubted, but that they were two diucrslakcs, and in fpace farre diftantoie from another. But without que ftion this place ought to be vndcrftooi of Genefara : which Chrift pafl'ed oucr and Wv-^nt to the Gadarcns, which are called Gecgefens by Mathcw. And they which of the dmerfitie of the name do gather that two diuerfc hyftories are re* corded, while they would feeme to be fubtile, they Hip into too ^rofleignoracc For the Country of the Gergefens was alfo called Gadarcna, of a famous City called Gadaris. The name was changed in Hieromes time, therefore hee cal- Icththem Gerafens, accordmg to the cullomc then receiued* Yet I do not de- nie but that the fwine were caned headlong by the dcui's, into the lake of Ga- dara. But when Chrift fayth, let vs goe to the further fnore , I cannot inter - pretthat but of Genefara. Noweitremaineththat wee (houldc confider the time , which cannot bee gathered neyther by Matthewc nor by Luke. Onely Marke noteth thatit was the euening of that day when Chrift fpake of the prca ching of chcGofpell, vnder the parable of the feede. Whereby it appearcth that they diJ notobfcructheorderof the time, the which Lukedoeth alfo eui- dently declare, when heefayth that it came to pallevppon a certainc day.- by whicn word she ihewcth that hec did not niuchbufichimfelfewhat was done firllorlaft. 1 5 . Ji^i)C7i he was entred Into the fhiff. Marke fayth that other Haips did pafle with tliem a'.fo ; but that Chrift wif h his difciples went vp into his owne fliippc Luke doth aho r chcarfe his words. /Wathew is brieffer,yct in fummc they agree namely, tha: Chrift l.iyd htmfelfe to reft, and while hee ftcpt, fodenly there a- rofcatempeft. Firft it is ccrtaine,that the tciipeftwhich did trouble the lake, came not by chance. Voc how can it be that God would fuffcr his oWiic Sonne to be toft with the blind force of the winies ? But his will \^Jii by this mcaaes to reueale to his Apoftles ho.v little and how wcake their faith was as yet. And though Ciwiftcs llccpc wisnaturall,, yet it auaylcd to ihc iamc vie vpcn tht Harweme oft he EsiAngeiiftes. \ >p vfc, that the Difciples Ihoulde the better know their ownc infirmitie \ I will not fay, as many doe, that Chrilte fained himfeketobeeafleepc, that hcc wight try them : I doc ratheriudge that hcc fleptc as the condition and the ncceditie of humane nature did require . Yet his Godhead did vvatch/othac the Apoftlcs ought not to haue feared but that they O.ouldc hauc prefcntly bin comforted, helpe being prepared for them from hcaucn . Therefore lettc vs know thai all this was done by the fee ret prouidence of God, thst Chrift flept, that the ttorme arofe, t he waues couered the fhippe, and that the (hippe hard- ly efc aped drowning. And lettevslearnc hereby, fo oft as any aduerlitiedcth arifajthatourfaythistrycd of the Lorde : but ifthe troubles doc cncreafe,lo that they doe aimoft oucrwhelme vs, it is by the fame purpofc ol' God to cxer- cilc cur patience; or thatby this mcanes our hidden infirmitie might come to light : as we fee, when the waucs couered the Apoftlcs, their infirmitie was rc- ucaled, which before was hidde. 2 J. Maifierfaueys. A godly prayer, as itfeemeth ; for what could they hauc done better, then being at the poynt to belottjtofcekeiorprefciuatioat chrill? Butlith that Chnftecondemneth them of infidehtie, wee niuftfceke wherein theyofl'ended* Andl doubt not but that they ftucke too much to ihe'carnall prefcnce of their maifter . For , as it appeareth by W A R K E, they doc not Cmply entreat him, but they expoftulatethemattcrwithhim; Maifter careft thou not that we perifh ? Luke alfo noteth an amaied trembhng : i^/aifter^mai- fter weepcrilh. 1 hey ought to account that the GodheadeofChriftewasnct oppreffcdwiththeficepeoftheflcfti, and to haue ficdde to the fame. But they reft vntill extreeme danger enforceth them: then cxcefliucfearc amafcth them, fo that they thinkethcy cannot be fafc, except they waken Chrift* This \s the caufc why he accuftth them of infid clitic . For in that they required that hec would helpe them, was rather a teftimonie of their faith, ifthcy had truftcd in his diuine power, and patiently without feare hadde hoped for the helpe which they required. And thus is the queftion anfwered,which may be demaunded of his reprcouing them.whcther all fearc is naught and repugnant to faith«Firft he doth not (imply rcprooue them becaufc they fearc, but becaufe they bee fearc- ful-M^nkc alfo vfeth fuch a phrafe as notcth'thatthey did fearebeyond meafure* Then by oppofingfaiih to thcirfearc, he flicweth that he fpeakeih of excefliue fearc, which doeth not fo much excrcife their faith, csftiake the rootes of fayth out of their mindes* And thereby appeareth that enery feare is not contrary to faith: for if we fearc nothing, arttchlefl'efecuritie o'"the Hefli doeth opprelTe v$r fofai:hfainteth,thcdcfirc to pray waxethdull,and the remembrance of God is zt length cxtinguifhed. Furthcr,they which are nottouched with a feeling of euille$,are rather blockifii then conftant. So we fecthat feare which ftirrethvp faith, is not of it felfc to be condemned vntill it exceedc me^fiue . And herein is £xcelle,if that the trancuilhtie ofour faith, be therby either troubled or waxc faint, which ought to reft vppon the word of God; but becaufc it neuerfalleih out,thattl;efji"!hfull doefogoucrnc themfelues that their faith is kept vrfha-, ken^they dr e aimoft alwayes offend in fearing.Eut it is requif te to detciminc, not to condcmne theft^akingoffjith fcreucry feiire,but for thatfearc which di ftuibcththc peace of confdcnte,fo thatitiellriOtinthepromilcofGod. ^5o Th Commeni.ofM, to. Caitiitte. i^. He rehttJ^edthe toindes. 3fatthcv? rchcarfcth alfo the words of Chiift^wherc wJthhcrpeakcthtoihcreijand.comaundethittobefilentjthatiSjtobecalme, i]OC that the lake had any fenfts, but thathec might fhew that the power of his voyctdothpeircecucn iiitothedumbcelemcnts. Andnotoncly thefea & the windcs creatures without fcnce^ do obey the commandemcnt of God, but the wicked alfo thcmfchics withalhhdrftiibbornclTc, ForwhenasGod wdl ap- peafe warlike tuii'ults, hce doth not alway es mollific the crucli mindcs of men, andframethcm toobey him, but hce yet caufeth their weapons to fall out of their hands, be they neuer fo mad. And fo is that fulfilled which is written.Pfai. 45.9.Hemakcthwarresto ceafevnto the ends of the world .-hccbreakcih the bow*& cutteth the fpeaic in funder,3nd burncth the chvinots with fire. xj'.^nd themenwartuiUd. Marke and Lukefecme to attribute this to the A- poftles.foraftcr they had faid that Chrift had reproucdthem^ theyadde, they ciyed out with fearc,who is this? yet this is rather to be applied to orhcrs,which didnotasyctknowChrift. But let vs follow both: herein doth now appcairc the fruite of the myracle,whcn the glory of Chrift is flicwed forth,If any think that the Apoftlcs fpake it, then this Ihall be the meaning ot the wordes ; his di- uinc power was fufficicnily prooucd, in that the winds & the Tea do obey him* Yetbecaufc it is more probable that other fpake it, the Euangelides doe teach in thcfe wordes,that their mindeswere fo ftrikcnw.th the myraclc^thacthc re- ucrence of Chrift, was a certainc preparation to fay th. Matth. 3 Z%Andvfihehewas I. Marke y jtnd they came otter to the other come to the other \ fide of the feayijito the countrey of the '(idcy into the conn' trey of the Gerge- fenes , there mette him two pojfejfed with deuill^Sywhich c.tme out of the ^rduet yery feirce fo that no manne \ might goe by that 19. And heholde they cryed ottt ' fny thet^Art thou come hether to torment ys before the time. Gadarenj, I . And when he was come out of the /hippe , there mette him inconti-* nently out ofthsgrauesy a man which hadanyncleanefpirite. 3 . jy})0 had his abiding among the grauiSyand no man coulde binde /?;>», no not with chaines. 4 . Becaufe that when hee was often hounde with fetters and chaines^ hee plucked the chaines afundery^ brake the fetters in peeces^ neither could any manne tamehim. %* And alway es both ni^ht fc day he cried in the moii tain's y^ in th':graut!y^firokehim ingy lefus ihefonne .felfe vithfiones. 6. And when he {aw of God y what haue lefusa'arreofjheranandworPnpped wee to doe with bim.j, Andcryedwithaloudyoice and fay d what haue Ito do with thee lefus y thefonne of the mofi high God} J charge thee by God, that thott tor- ment me n9t, 8« For 30. Ti^w Luke r. 16. So they failed ynto the regioofthe Gadarent which is oner againfi GaUle4t 17, And as hee went out to landytheremet hta certaine man out of the citty, which had a deuila longtime y(And they that f awe it told them and what was I ''^hat was done to him that rragpojfefl healed.^ 7 .Then the whole mul~. hecome ofthf.m J f^d with the deuill,^^ cenctrning the titude of the countrey about the told it in the city and in the coun afraid. 3 SJThfy alfo which far» it, told the by what means he thai "WM pojfejjed with thedeuill,was that were pojjef fed with diuels^ S4'>'^ndbeholde <*ll the citie came cut to meete le- fus, and when they fawe him, they befou^hte him to departe out of their Cadarenes, befought him,that he Would depart fr 0 them^ for they ^9* .And when' be was come into the /hip,he that had bin pojfejfed with the deuill,praied him that hee might hee with him, i^.Howbeit lefus would notfuffer ht Wer tah^n with agreatfeare,^ he went into the (hip and retur- ned., ^t, 'Then the man, out of vrhethe deuils were departed,be fought him thathe might he with but faid ynto him.' Goe thy way home < him:hut lefus fent him away, fay tothy freind^s,and fhewe them what \ great things the Lord hath done ynto thee, and how he hath had compaffton I on thee. 10. So he departed, and he^ ganto publi/h in Decapolis , what great things lefus had done ynto himx \ and all men didmaruaiU., R J ing* J ^.I{etuYne into thine cwne houfe , end fljewe what greate thinges God hath done ynto thee So hee went his way, and prea- ched throughout all the city what great things lefus had done ynto him» Ihaue Ibaucbcroreconfuted their crrorwhichthinkcthitMarkc and Luke doe re- port net this, but an other miracle. For when as the three Euaneelifts do note that region which i$ againft GaUle, as Luke alfo dcclaretb, and all the circum- fiances doe agree: who will bcleeuc that all thcfe things ft II out at diucrs times 2 8 . 'I'hert met him tvo pojfejjed ypttb deuiU. This difference caufed the interpre- ters to crre,and tofcpcra.eMaihcwefrom the other two : bccaufe heenameth iwOj and the other but one. But Auguftmcs coniedure is probablc,who think- eth that there were two, yet they made mention but of one, bccaufe hec was the more famous; and fo the miracle fhould be the more notable in him by rca- fon of the oreatrieflc of the difcafc. And cenainely wee fee that Marke & Luke do beltow moe words in amphfying the crueltie of the deuill, that k might ap- pe are that the miferablc man of whom they fpeake,wis wonderfully tormented Therefore in that they report a notable example of the diuinc power of Chrilt though ihcy fay nothing of the other man, yet they diflent not from the hiftory of Mathcw, which addcththe hyftoric ofthe other who was fo well knowne- Th.it Luke fayth, a certaine man met him out ofthe citie,itis vncertaine whe- ther he meaneth that he was a citizen of Gadara, or whether he came out from thencetomcetehim. Forwhsnashewascommandcdto goe home, and to preach the grace of God amongfthisowncfreinds, Marke fayeth that hcc did this in DecapoliSjWhich was a countrie next oucr againft Galilc, whereby it istobeconicduredthathewasnotaGadaranice borne. Further ,. Mathcwc and Marke doe exprefly fay thathtf e came not out of the Citic , but out ofthe graues. And Luke himfelfe in the whole co^irfe ofthe hyltorie, declareth that nee liued in the dcfart. Therefore thefc wordes ( ^ crtaine man met him out of thtcitie) I doc thus interpret, before Chriftcaane to the Citic ,a certaine maa poflTcffedwithadeuiljmethimby thewayoutofthatcoaft. But their opinioa which thinke that he dwelt in the gra'.ic3,either bccaufe the deuils were deUgh- tcd with the fauour ofthe dead carkafes,or that they were pleafed with the fight ofthe facrificcs, or becaufc they would catch the foules which defired to bee neare vnto their bodies, is friuolous and faolifh. The vndeane fpirit did rather, hold this man amongft the graues, thr.thc might be condimed with continuall terror, by the forrowfull beholding ofthe deadjas one baniihcd from the com- pany of men, would dwell amongft the dead. Further, wee learne hereby that the deuill doth not onely vexe men in this prefcnt life, but perCrcutc them eucn vnto death, fo that his kingdome mi^ht flourifli euen in dejth. MARKE. ^. ^nd nomanc9fiUe bindehimy nonot^ithcha'tnes, Hec courdc not natdrally breakc chaines, whereby wee gather that Satban is per- mitted to hauc fomctimeextraordinarie motions, whofe force exccedcthour vndcrftanding and vfuall reafon. And it is ofcen feene that frantikc men haue much more tlrcngth, then if they were in pcrfecb health. And it is not to bee denied but that the dtuill doeth there alfo play his partes, fo oft as God doeth fufferhim, but this violentforce which the Euanochites do here fpeake. of, was farre greater. Trucly aforrowfull & a horrible (^Kdacle, but wee are thereby admonilhed how milerable and fcarcfall a thing :t is, to be fubied to the tyranny of Sathan ; and wccmu'l much more fc arc the vexation of the: (bule vfon the Harmonle tfthe EUdngeRfitu 2(5 j fottlc then the torments of the bodic, how (harpc or cruclfoeuer they bee. 4. Hee wot/hipped him. This was the order of the hiftory, when the poP- fcficd with deuilles metre him , Chriftc commaune ihinke thatthcy de- firedto enter into thefwinc, beciufe they doe hate deadly allthe creatures of God . I praunt that thi« is true, that they are wholy bent to oucrthrow and per- ucrt the whole orderofnaturc framed by God : butitis ccrtaine thatthey had a further regard, namely that they might caufe the inhabitants of that nation tocurf;; God for the loflc of their Twine. For the deuill fcnt lightening vppoa lob his hoijfc, not for th^ hatred ofthe wood e or the ftoncs .• but that the holy man, bearing vnpaiiently the lolTe, ll.oulJe murmur ag.iinft God. And Chritt allovvin^it, doeth not hearcthe;r r.-queitcs, but for this caufe, that he might know wh.1t manner of people the Gadarcns were. Andit maybeetluthec gaue that liberty to the deuillcs oucr their fwine, that hee mi'hte bythatmeancs punillic their offences. But as nocertainc caufe doeth appearevnto vs , fo it doeth bchooue vs reuerently todeeme of thefccrctiud^emcntof God, and With godly humilitie to honour the fame. ° Buft vpontheHarmonie (fthcEuafigeltfles^ 2^j But this place doth tearhvs how foolifhiy cerwine prophane menne do trifle, which imagine that deuilles are not cfientiall fpirires , but onely wicked af- fcdions . Forhowe can coiietoufnefle, ambition, cnieUie and infidch- tie, cnterinto (wine ? Therefore wcc knowethecuiil fpiritcs (as they areappoymedtodeflriidion ) to bee enemies of mankind e ; to that end, that they may cary as many headlong with them to the fame dtftrudion as they can. MAR. If. They cAweto Jefm. Wee hauc heercby a notable inftruaion, all which feele the hand of God doe not profit as they ought : that they mi^Jit thereby rnbniitthemfe!iiesvndcrttiichohnefrc. The Gadarens beholding the myraclcj were afraid ;namely,bccaufethemaieftieof God didflimcin Chrif^, Thus firre they did well : But that they fend him out of their coaihjwhat could they haue done worle then that? They al(o were fcattercd ; the ihepheard is ready,which g;itherethtogethcrnay,Godftretchcth oiithisarmts by his own fonne,thathe might carythem (which were oiierwhelmed with the darkenelle oi'death) in his ownearmes into hcauen. They had rather loofe the laliiation offered them5then any longerabide the prefenceof Chiift, They feeme to bee offended at the lode of then: Twine ; but Luke noteth a greater caufe, that they were taken with a great fearc, and cert.iinly being exafperatcd by receiuing that lofle,they would els not hauc required him, but they wouldehaue dnuenhiai out more roughly. But when they reuerencehimjas a minifterof God, and be- ing afi aid, doe yet defire to haue him further from them, we fee that they were touched with no feeling ofthe grace o!^ God. Andcertainely , though all the wicked doe reuerence God^and do beftow much time in appeafing him ; yet if their choifc were giucn them, they would conuay themfeluc s a great way from him:becaufe his face is terrible tothem,folong as they thinkehim to be a ludge rather then a father. Hereof it Cometh to pafle, thatthedodiineof the Gofpelt Cthenthc which nothing can bee imagined to bee fwtcter) is in diucrs places grieuous and fowrCj fo that a great part of the world would wifh it buried. Yet it is true, thatpart of their fearerifeth through their lofle : So at this day, while men doe openly and priuately account that the kin^dome of Chritle is againit their comoditics, being poflefled with a wicked fcare of the flefhj they vvil noc talic of his grace. 1 herefore athis comming, they,imagine God rather to be angry thenmercifulLafmuchasinthemlicth,(end him away to an other place* And this is a token of vile blockillines,thatthelolie of their hogges doc til more terrific thcm^then the faluation of the foule doth make them ioyfull. L V. i^^Themiinbefotighthim The gadarens cannot abide himjWithihem.* but the man which wjs deliuered from the deuill,derreth that he may icoic his- co'jntrey, and follow hirn . Hereby appe.ireth how much difference the re i* bctwecnetheknowiedgeofthegoodnelle,andofthepowerof God .-bccaufe thepowerflrikinginafcire^makethmeatoflye from the (ight of God , and driuethemfarre away .• but the gGodncsdoeth(wectlyallurejfo that they ac- count nothing more to be deliredj then to be vnited to God . Itisvncertainewhy Chriflerefufed to hauc thismannGtofolI-.wc him,, except hee hoped that greater profite ihoulde aryfe by his telhng that fo ex- ctllent and notable a benefit amongft his owae couiitrey menne . ^^^ R 5, Marka 166 The Cofffment. $f(Jlf. IcCalnine, Mar.&Lu.dotef^ificthathcdidfo. Chriftpurpofclycomandcthhimto fiicVf forth the worke of God, not his ownc : fo that he being accounted for a true Trophet and minifter of God : and this he doth that he might get credit to his drdnne. For loitwasmeeteby a htde at once to inttrud that rude people, which 3 s yet knew not his god-hcad. And though Chrift is the ladder whereby we a(cend to God the father.- yct,becaufe he was not as yet reuealcd, he begin- ncth at the fjther,vntill he haueamore fitte oportimitie* Now this dodrinc is to be added : Chriftcin thcperfon of one man (hewcth a token of that his erace, which he cxtcndeth to ail maukindc. For though wc arenct tormented of the dcuill, yet hceholdcthvs bound vnto him, vntill the fonncof lod dcliuervsfrom his tyranny. We wander naked^rent, and defor. n.cd vntill hce reftore vs to a found and a pcrfedmindc. It remaineth that wee telhfic our thankfulntfle in celebrating his gncc. Matth. lo, . 1. j1»(l hee cglUdbis tveelue difcipUsyntohim, and 'raue them power againfi yncUane fpirits to caji themotu, and to bealeeueryficknes, and euerydi- gamthtrnpo- ver OUST >»- clmne fpirits 2 . T^oT the names of the twelue jlpojiles are thefe : the fir fi is SimonyCalled l^eter^and Andrew his bro ■ therllamesytljefon of^tbedeus^and John hit brother, 3 . Vhilip and BartlemeWt Thomas and Matthew the VMcan : Umts thefonne o fAlphtus^andteh- leuSi whofffurname wasThaddem, 4 . Simon the Cananite^cuid ludas the IfcarhtjifU mlfo betrayed him* y. Thefe .twelne did leftts fend forth, and com- maunded them, faying , goe not into the way of the Gentiles,^ into the city of the Samaritans enter yet not* 6,Butgo rather to the loji sheepe of the hot^fe oflfrael 7 . ^nd asyeegoe, preach, frying, the h^n^dome of Ijsawn is at hand 8 . Heale the fu\\e, cleanfe th e leapers , raife yppe the dead, cajl ont the deuils, freely ye haue receiued, freelygiue. Heere is defcribed the calling of the Apoflles : but notfuchc a cal- \\no as youheardc of before , when the Lorde minding to prepare them to 'their office , chofc them into his fellowrtiippe ; for nowc they are cal- led to the prcfcnt execution of the fame , They are commaunded to pre- pare themfducs to the worke , commiisions are giucn them, and Icaft they Oioulde bcke authoritie, they are adorned with the power of the fpirit. There- fore firlte they were chofcn and prepared in hope that ihey ihouJd worke, now 'Marked. 7. ^nd hee Luke ^. I * Then called ht called the 12. the twelue difctfles and began to together, andgaui fend themtvol them power tcau^ and two and ' thoritie ouet denilt, (Sr io heale difeafes, 2« ^ndheefent them to preach th* kingdom ofGod,^ tocuretheftch^. vpon the Harmonie $ftht Emngeliftes. ^^^f noVf Chrift tclleih them that the houre is comc,whcn they muft fct their hand* to the worke« Yet it is to be noted, that he fpeaketh no: as yet of the perpe tuall Apoftlefhip : butonclyof ateirporallcmbaflaoe, whereby the mindcs of men migiit be ftirred vp and wakcned.that they might be the readicrto hc?re Chnli Thercrore nowthey arc f;fnt into ludea, to declare that the time of the cromi- itd reftitutio^ and faluation is at hand .-and afterward Chrift ordayneth them to fpread the Gofpell through all the world* Hecre he onely chnkth them as helpers, to prepare that people to come to hcare him, wherehisvovce coulde notcome. After hcrctignethvntothemthatofficcoftcachinge , which hee executed himfelfc. And this is worth the noting, leaft we fhould imagine that here were fet down e acertaineand^perpetiialllaw toallthcminifttrs of the word, while the Lord doth giueincharoctothcpubliOicrsofhisdodrinjWhat he would haue them doc for a {hort time . The ignorance whereof decciued many, jnfomuch that without difference, they wouU bring and tie all the niini- flcrs oi the word to this rule. f . He called his trvrlue. The number of the twclue doth note the reforma- tion that Ihould be of the Church. For as the people came of thetwelue Patri- arches- fo Chrift docth now call die remnantes difperledto the remembrance oftheirfirft beginning , that they might conceiuefomc certainehope of their rcliitution. And though the kingdome of God did not {bflourilh in ludca , as to find e there remaining a pcrfede cftate of the people . but that nation which wasnowmiferably decayed, deferued through their vnthankcfulnefle rather twifc to perilh for dcfpifing the grace offered: yet this hinderednot but that they ftiould be borne againc.incwc. And after it came topafle, that God out of Syon fent the fcepter of the power of hi^ Sonne further abroad, that floudes might run out ofthatfountaine, which fhould plentifully water the fourecuar- ters of the world : Then GOD gathered togethcrhis Ifraell from euery puce, that not onely thedifpearfed and tornc members fhould bee knit togetht r into- one body, but alfo fuch mcn,as before were altogether ftrangers from the peo- pleofGod. Therefor e the Lord docth not in vaine appoint twelue, aspatri- arkes, but doth thereby declare the renuing of the Church. Note further that by this number he admonifhed the Tcwes to what end he came. And becaufe they gaue noplace to the grace of God, he begat a new Ifraell to himfelfc. If thou (honldcft behold the firft beginning, this mightfeeme to thee a mat- ter to be laughed at, that Chrift doth lay lilich honorable officts vppon men Co obfciu-e, and of no eftimation ; ytt the incredible fucceflc , and the plcntifuli- cncreafc of the Church doth fliew that the Apoftlcs in degree of honour,and in friiitcfulnes ofchildren arc nothing infcriourto the Patri arches, but that they farrcexcecdcthem.. Hee gau^e them pow:'r. Becaufe the Apoftlcs were aim oft not accounted of a- raonglt men, and the am bafiage, which Chnft committed vnto them was di^- uine, and becaufc they did excell ncycher in wifedume nor eloquence: and that the excellency and newncsofthe matter required moe then humane giftcs, itt was neceftcry that they ftiould hauc fomc other authoritic. Thfixeforc Chtiftc giwng them pcverto workc miracles, furnifhcth' thc-mv z6^ Thefommeta, ofAfJo.Calumi. ibem witVi enfigncs of cclcftiall power, which mioht gctthem credite & reiic- rencc atnongft the people And by this is the lawfull vfc of miracles gathered* For when Chriit or Jayned them preachers of the Gofpclland workers of mi- racks ioyntly t.)gcther Co that the miraclei, fhoald be nothing tls then feales of thcif dodrinC; it js vnhwtullto breake that knot that cannot be vnknit. Where fore the I apiftes arcfai.ecoiinterfcitcs, and doe wickedly depraiic the workes ot Goiijby fej ervitiag the word frorn the miracles. z , Fir ft Simon, The Ro:naniftt s doc very fondly gather their fupremacic fionhencCsWC doe willingly grant that Simon Peterwas the firllamongft the A> o'.lles . but no reaf^n doth allow to extend that to the whole woild, which was of fore e amonglt a few men. Note further that hec which is firll numbrcd hath not therefore prefently Lorddnp amongll: his fellowes^ ir'wec graiint all thofe things, which they dem.ind ot Peter, vntiil they prone thefe wicked and facrilegious Apolt.ues to be Peters fucceflcurs, his dignitie ihall make nothing^ for the Ro'.iiane fejte . ^ . /;> the way of the Gentiles. Hereby appe.ireth more euidently that,which I touched tuen now, that the office which was layd vpon the Apoltlcs was for no orlur purpofe, but to make the lewes attentiuc toheare Chrilljby ftirring them vp to looke for their faluation at hand. Therefore now he enciofeth their voycc within tho boundcsofludea, which he after commandeth to found cue- ne whc re to the furtheif coaltcs of the worlde : the reafon is; becaiifc hee was fcntofthc Father, a miniflerofcircumcih'on, to fulfill the promifes made in times part to the fathers, Rom. if. 8. But GOD had made a f^eciall coacnant with the ffocke of Abraham. Therefore C H R I S T dothnot W;thi;utcaufe at the beginning continue the grace of G O D amongft the elcdpeoplc, vntiil the full lime came for the further publifhingof the fame*- And after his rcfurredion he fpread forth that bleffing, which was fecondly promiled to all the Gentiles ■ becaufc that the va;lc of the Temple was then rent and the partition wailwas pulled downe Therefore, if this dill charge Iceme to any to bee too hard, in that Chriit allowethnot the Gen- tiles to bee partakers ot the Gofpell, let him plead with God, who exclu- ding the icll or the worlde, did make his couenaunt onely with the feede of Abraham , ot which coucnaunt this commaundement of Chrift doeth depend. 6. But^oe rather to the lofiJJ:eepe. Hce afsigneth, as T fiyd. the firft place to the lewes, becaufc ihey wercthe fitft borne .• and becaufe G O D did then ac- count thcin oncly of his houlhold, when the other were Grangers. And he cal- Icth them loll llicepe, partly that the ApolUts being touched with compalsion, niight the moie readily , and Wjtlimoie willing endeuourhelpe them.- partly that they might knowe that there was great aboundancc of worke forthem, and yet vndcr that H-urc o that nation Chrift tcacheih what is the condition otallmankinde. The lewes, which were ncere, and incouenantwithGod and fo heires ofthe tternalllife, arc yet accounted loll, vntiil they rccoucr faU nation in Chrift. Therefore what remaincthforvs, which arc farre inferi- riours in honour to them ? But hec giucth that name of ftiecpc alfo to the repro- bate, wliich wcrenotpropciiyofthcliockc of God : becaufc the adoption bclon- ^p&n the H^rmonie eftbe 'Enangehfies^ 2 5p fcelongcdto^U the people : fo otherwhere heecallorfi them the children of thekinadome, whichfortheirvnfaithfulnefle were to bee cafteoiit, ^iat- thew 8 la Infumn:e,ChhftecommendeththeIewcstotheApoftlesvn« dcrthetiilcoVfhcepe, thatthcymiohtbellovvthcirlabourvpponthcm : be- caufe none couldc bee accounted as in the flocke of God, but thofe which vrcrc cathcrcdintothclhccpefold. • uxr.-j r^i. -a 7. TreachMn'r, 1 hisisthatenfibafiagcwhcrcwithiraid, Chnftwould that the mindes oi the people (houlde beilirrcd vppe in hope of the redemptioa It hand For the kino-dome ofheautn, Luke faith, the l^ngdome of God, in the fame fenf- • namely that the Icwcs might know, firft, that they were to bcreaored bv the benefit and oood workeofGod, and not ofmen; then that their cftatc fliould bee happy vnder God their king : thirdly, hecpromifeth them not an earthly and a fraile fclycitie, but a heaucnly and euerlaftmg. 8 Healetheficke. As bee saue them power, fo hcecommaunded them to bee favthfull and libcrall difpoifas of the fame r and he comraandcth them not tofuppreilcihofethinges, which were hyd vppe with them for the conimon good of all menne. But by thefe myracles hec dcclareth for what purpofe hec was fent of the father, and what is the ende of his Gofpell. Neither is it with outaduife that hee commaundeth them rather to raife the dead, and tohealc the ficke then to afflide the whole with difeafes,or to kill the that hue. The re- fore thefe myr-'cleshaiiean Analogicand fimihtude with the office of Chriftc, that wc mipht knowe that hee came to be the authour of all good things to v$ which (houldc deUuer vs fron. the tyranny of Sathan and of death , which ihoulde hcale our fickneiVe and ourfinncs , and (houldc helpc all our "" Wy 7-e h^uc receiued.Th^itthcy might the more willingly beftow thofe giftj, which he had giuen vnto them, he declar.th that they were not bcftowed vpon tTm for their owne priuate glory, but that they mi^ht bee as it were certamc conduit pypes forthecoaueianceof the free goodnclTe of God, as if he fhould haue Cud, conHder from whence you had this power : as it came vnto you by n^eofyourowne defemmg, butofthemcere grace of Cod, fo nowe it is me t€ thatby your minift ery it (hould be freely beftowed vpon others. WeeknowLwhardly euery man dothpartfrom thatto others, which^ thh^keth to b e pecuhar to himlllfe .- alfo where fome one is lifted vp aboue the rcLfhisbvethien,howrcady he istodefpifeallothcr. Thercforeheecculd robeterperfwad^toafreebeftowingoffpin^^ h't no man excellcth by his owne induftrie, but by the free liberahtie of God. And Snow iheweth in his miniflcrs a token of that grace,which was fore • mTI^^^U-^ Allyeethatthnfl,comeycetothe waters, dnnke,aiid tak w^^LaS tT T X a fyn^a e m^niftcr of h,s word, and difpenfc r of his grace, but hee that is ready obeftowTislabourfreely ••& that all hyrelinges doe vnvvorthdycorr^^^^^^^^^^ Zoph^Zth. holy omce of teaching.But this is not againft ^^^^.^f ^T^^'^j^^^ thr Lachersof the Church are maintained with pubhke ftipendes, fo that they .thcirhuingbeeasitwcreaniiicrcarcoftheirlabour. ^^^^^^ ^^^ ^7< The Ctnfpnent, of MM, Caluine Matth, 10* 9 ' '^^ff^if' notgolde mrjlluery nor money in your girdles* lO. ISjr a fcr if pe for the tour- ney yneuhr tvs>0 coates, neither sho'jes,nor aftn^f! forthevork^- mdn- ts worthy of his meate. X I . Jini hito whatfoeuer city ertoifeneyeePMUconn y enquire "who isvporthy in ityand th Far it isnotyeethatffeah^ : hut thefpi Tit of your father ^whichffeak^th in you, ' The commandemcnts, whichMathew here tofcrc fctdovrnc, do onely bc- loiig to their former progrefl'e or iournie, which was in fc w daies to he ended* Now Chrift proceedcth further, and he anr.t ih ihcm a^ainfl the time locomc thatthcymi^^htknowethatthcywercchofcnto dedarc'thatmeflagcrotror a fhort time, but that there remained for them a matter of grestcrwcioht, and of much more trauaile.For though they wet c not piefet'y troug htfort^hirtcthefc fcroyles.wherofChriftfpeaktth.yetitwasprofitabJeforthcmiobewjrnedbeJ-' fore hand,thatifthey the fhuld abide any troubles. they n^ight know, that thcfc tvcre but ccrtaiiit preparations ofa more harder waifar, whcrcttpto they were S prepared f. S74 Thfi Comment. of M, lo. Cabme, rcparcj . This w;.$ alfo true in the firft ambafTa-c , that the Apodles were ike to iKeepe aniongtt woolues ; but the Lord fpariig their infinnitie , heldc : backcthc lcucritieofthewoo!ue$,thattheyl'hould not hurt, peculiarly refer- ring it to that timejwhich the Lnrd had appoynted to handle the more ftraight ly. For they were vfed as manage gucftes, the BridcgroDiTie being wkh thttn before the refiirreiftion: but after the Bndegroo.nc departed from thrm that tendcrnelfe and cafe ceaf^id, and their eftat,; was then fo hard, that they ihould then vnderltand , that they were not in vaync funufhed before hand r.'ith th:fc defences. Alfo it may be,thu thefe wordes , which Were fpokenat di-ierfe tymes, were here by Mathewgathcredintooiic place. -for Luke, as we fhal (ce after, repor eththat the fame wordes w:refpokcn to the icuentie Difciples, whichwereputtein theplaceoftheApollles. • Butth sisoato.queftion, thittheyw^ e not by thefe wirdes fore toldc \vh \i fu^celle hey ihould haue o'thi i ^Ui-aey .- which they nowc entred into, butt lac thjy were fDrw^rnedofthc whjie courf: oftheyr appoftle'hi^ 16. Behold iCendeyoi*. Th;; e( i ,; Bee yte there] ore ricife, Themeanit*g is, that the wifec^onncjn taking heede (houldc (o bee tempered, that they fiiould not bcemore fearcfujl then becom- meththem, and fo become more negligent in their offce , tor wee fee them which iiroulde bee accounted tircumilcfte and piouidcrte, to become very t>morous and flouihfull. 3 1 is mettc for the difciplts cf Cbrjii to be cir« cumfpcdtotake hcede, (ecing that daungersdohang o^ertlitir e"ery where. But becaiife the greateil daunger is,lcait they Ihouldrhrough fiouth waxeneo* ligent, bee commaundeth them fincerely to gofoi warde whether foeucr their calJuig iiiall carry them. And this hee declarcth by two fimilitudes when fer- pentespcrceiue that they are hated, they doe dihgently auoyde and fiyc from v\'h.^ tfoeucr is noyfome to them ; lo the fay thfull are commaunded to haue care cfthtirhfe, Icalt they Icjpc into daunger,andthrGWethemfeIucsmtoalI pe- filLes , But the Dcucs on the contrary parte, though they bee fear cfull by jiature, and arc fubied to innumerable daungcrs , do waiteas carcjei^e crea- tures while they arc Ihicktn , and commonly they call themfelucs into the fnnresofthe takeis . To this fimplicjiie doth Chrille exhortehisDitciplcs, Icafl too much icarefulncfie fhruldc hinder them in perfoiumingtheircoiir/e^ Ihei care feme, which, as Phylofophers, will more (ubtijly argue heeie of theratmecftheSerpenteandof the Loue : butthefimilitude reachcth no further . Therefore wee fee that carnal! wifcdome, or rather craftincflc condemned by Chr:lte , wherein a great muhitude ol mennc flatter them- fducs mere then is meetc, while they Icoke hcthet and thctherabout them Co far as they can go. So while ihey willnot cait ihemlelucs into daungcr, they re- nounce Chrilithstcallcihthem. \ 17. Btrvareofmtn. hralnusaddcth/fcew.'becaufehethoughtthatthe article hadtheforccofapronouncdemonflratiue. Butinmyiudgemcntitisbtitcrto takeitmdetinitely .* asif Chrifleihoiilde haue iayde, ycu mult walkc vilely 5.mongl^merne,whcreallthin£esarciullofdcccitsanddaungcrs. Buthcfee* mt th to f ght aga)nli himfdie ; lor this were the bcfl way of taking heicc,to do theircwne burinefleathcme,andnottofcndthcmldthabroace • lar.fwcie, heroteth hecre another kincJe of heedfulr.esjnot that they flxtlci Uzvx their cffice for feare, but that they fhould not be tioublcd beyond merllri With fo- daine mifehieft $ . For we knew that they which iiie aliailted vnar. ai cs, doc become as people halfe dead, . ^/ Therefore Chrille commaundeth his to Iccke before v\hat fl.allfol- Jowc , that they might in lim.eprcr a jc iheiraiindes to tea^e coii^i^es. ^7^ *^f^^ Comment, ofM. le, Cattme To be {hort, he foundcth an alarum to them, that they may the /peedjiyer pre^ pareth^mfel'jestDbattell. For as cod little forecad, & too muchdoubtfulncire doth weaken many : fo carclcflc fecuritic doeth make many druakcn, that they running on vnaduifedly, doc faint at ths: moft ncede. F^r tlyty villd'UueryoH >/» to the ctmnfelUs. Wee may ealily gather by thcfe wordcs, that the contentions, which Chrift now fpeaketh of to his Apoftles ou^Ik not to be tyed to their firft iourney, wherem they found no Inch thing. But this is the purpofe of his forc- Vf arnirig , that they Ihoalde not at any time be difmaidc : for it was a poyat of fin^iilar vcrtue, that poofe men (hoald be of a bolde coiiraj;e:when they (hou!d €omc before Princes, and not be amazed ac any ghftring ihewe of the world e. He a Jmonilhcth them alfo that they (hall not haiis contentions in lu Jca only, but in places farther diftant, not onely that th?y might prepare themfelues by long meditation for that warfare^ but that being confirmed w.th their maiftcrs Woordes,they (houM not doubt but that they were goucrned by the heauenly prouidcnce. That which is added for a witneffe to them aiU to the G<;ntU»t^hnh his tncaning, the will of Go^ is to bee declared alfo to ftrange Princes and to nations that bea farre o.'ljthat they may bee inexcufable : whereby it followcth that the Apoftles (hall not lofc thcirlabour : for euen where men Ihall be con* uifte J f ;r contumacy, the lulgemenr of God iTiail be fhcwed, 19. Bse not carefrlU This is addei for a comfort .• for Chrille flioiildhauc exhorted his difriples a hundred times in vainc , if hwe iiaidcno: alfo pro« mifed themchu GOD w^itlde bee pi*cfcnt, and that through his power they (houlde certainely bee conquerers . Hcereby wee gather, that it was not ch; purpofe of Chrilt in vttering thefe daungers,to dimini:h their zeale.'wherc- by it w IS neceflary that they Ihould be the more caflamed, if the/ woulJc exe- cute their office rightly. Itisa great thingtocomebcfore Princes, for notoncly feare, but cjcn (ha-nefjftnellc a!fodo.th amaze the mindcs of good mennc . Then what if Princes (houldc breakc out, and almoft thunder w.th deadly anger? yet Chrift fjrbiddecbhistobee careFulir becaufcthelpirite fhall teach them what to fay, Fo: the more a manne knowing his ownc weakcnefle, diftruilcih him* fclfe, fo much the more hcefeareth , except hec hauehelpe from an other place . And wee fee many w'.uch doc therefore faint, becaufe they mcafurc th«fuccc(Tco!^thefethingcs , which they take in hindetodoeby their ownc forces, which arc very fmall, or none at all. Therefore Chrift forbi idcth his difciples to looke what they can doc, and commaundcth them onely to depend and tmft to the heauenly grace. I]^lZl!n3 Thcqucftionis no: (hercfayth hee) ofyourabilitie, but ofthc power of the holy Ghoft,who framcth & diredeth the tongues ofthc faithful to a pure con- fcflionoffayth. Andleaft they llioulde feare a prefentwant,hecdcclareth they fhall banc helpe fcit them euen in the very moment. For the Lord doth make the faithful! voyd ofthc giftcof /ttcrauncc, fo long as he rc-quireth no witneffc of th;m, aid where neccifitic (lull require ir, hccmaltcth then very do* i)uente> which f^cmrd befoi-e to bee tongue tycd . Soinoirtimc wee Muc fecne ccrcjune tnirtyrcs » which becing alogoftc brutilh , after they wcw vponthe UarmonieoftheEmngelifi^i, ]j^^ were called to make confcfsion of their faith, they excelled wonderfully with the gjftoffpeakingaptiy and learnedly. Further, Chnft would not that the A- pofties flioiiid be without all feare •• tor it was profitable for them to becarcflill to fue by prayers, that the holy Ghoft might be giuen them, but he would that they flioiild caft away that careful! meditation, wherewith men did much hin- der themfeluts. For while they inquire with themfclues what Ihall come to paffe ifthis or that Ihould fall out, they are vexed with nwfrrable difquietnellc , and doe not reft vpon the prouidencecf God. And whoioeucr will not giue this honor to the prouidence of God, that it is able in due time to fupply their want fuch certainely are vvorthy to be tormented. Mathcw. lo. ar. ^ndthe brother Jlidl betray the brother to death ^and the father thefom>e,and the children Jhal rife aijnfi their parents^ and/Jjall/:aHfe them to die, X z . ^ndyee/hal be hated of all men far my names fak^',but he that enditreth to the end hefl)albefatied, 2 1 . ^nd when they perfecttte you in this citie, flit into an other. for yerely I fay yntoyoUyyeeJhall not finijh all the cities oflfraell^till thefonne of man bee tome. } 4 ♦ The dffciple is not abeue his maijier , n9r the femantabouehis Lord. 2 J. It is enough for the difciple to be as his majier isy andtheferuant at his Lord, If they hatte called themaiferofthehottfeBeelT^ebub^hoVP much more them ofthehot*/hold j* Marke. Luke.5. 40. The difciple it notaboue his mai^ fier. but rvhofoeiter will bee a perfeSie difciple, /hall be 4S his maifier. 2 r . ^» him feare* 6^ Are not fine fpirror^es bought for two farthings, and yet not one of them is forgotten before God* 7* Tea, and all the haires of your head. are numbred : feare not therefore ^ yee are more of yalne then many fpjt* rowes. vpon the Harmonie of the Euangeiifles ^ 8 1 i^« Tedftthtm not therefore. When as the Apoilles (houlcic ftc the Gofpcll tobcfocontemrtible,andthat they (houldrcmemberthefewnesof the belec- ucrs they might alfo caft off all hope for ihe time to come. Now Chrifie an- fweiirh this doubt,clcclaring thai the Gofpell (hould be fpread furthtr.and that it fhallpafle through all the letces of mcnne, fo that at length it (hall ll.ine fo. th openly^ For though this faying reeanetobccaproucrbe, there is nothing co- u^rcd that (liall not bee difclofed : yet here it ought efpccially to bee retrained toile'doanneoff.luation,whichChriftf7th,aiallbeetheconqucrourwhat foeuer men deuifc to opprcffe the fime. Though he preached lomctime openly in the Temple : yetbccaufe his dodrine was refufed.hee yet lay hid as it were in darke corners, but hee fay eth that the time (hall come when it fl.allbccvt- tercd abroad, which wee know was done fliortly after ; for there was neuer any found of thunder more heard in any quarter of the world.then i he voyce of the Gofpel which founded throughout the whole world e. Andbccau:eth:s promife ouobt to comfort their mindes, Chrift exhoiteth the that they (hiOnld boldly and°valiantly apply themfelues to the fame, and that they (hould j ot be afraydthough theyfawthc Gofpcll asyet not regarded, but that they {hould c bee cryin2 preachers of the fame.That which I reported out ot Marke,was fpo- ken peraduenturc at another rime, and in an other feafc .- yet becaufe there are read Ihort fentences,! follow that which was moft probable to me. For aft', r that Chnft commaundcd there his difciples, thatas burning lights they {hould giuc a cleare light farre from thcm,prefently after he addcth, thcTe is nothing hid which ihall not bee made open . And the light of the Gofpel! was lighted by the Apoftles in dnrke places,fo that by their miniilery it ilione aloft through the whole worlde. And the text in the eight after Luke is altogether Hke this* As conccrnina the place of the 1 1 . chapter, it is not to bee doubted but that it anfwereth tothis, yet in words there is fome difference : for Chrift comman- dcth there jthat the Apollles (lioiildc bring thofe thihges into ligk, which they had fpoken in the darke ; whereby hee declarcth that they had 'as yet but whif- pered of the Gofpel,but that the meilage which they did beaie, was To notable that It {hould fpreaditfelfe to thefurtheft partes of the world. 2 8« ^ndfeareyee not them , Chrifte teacheth his difciples to con temnc de.nh by a moft notable realon, becaufe that menne created to enioy the ce- Icftiallimmortalitie ought todefpifethisfraileandtranfitorielife . For the fumme tendeth to this pur pofe, if the fay thfail would confider wherefore they were borne, and what their condition is, there is no caufe why they fhouldfo greedily defirc this earthly life , Though the fence of the woordes are mnrc full and more plentifull, for Chrifte teacheth that the fearc of God jsvttcrly dead in them . which for ftare of tyrantcs doe fall from the confeflion of their fay th, and that there raigneth a bcaftly blockifhneilc in their heartes,vvhich for feare of death doubt not to forfake the fame confeffion of faith. For the Anu - thefisbetweene the two contrary feares, istobenoted. Ifthefeareof Godbe choakcd with the feare of men,doth it not appcare that we yeeld more to them thento Godhimfelfe? Now hereofitfoUoweteh that the heauenly and etcr- nalllife being reieaed, we caufe that this only remaineth for vs, that vvee be- come like to bcafts. The power of eternal Ufe and death is in the band oM^od S 5 ^Zz The C^nmmu ofM^ h. CAluine: alone : him wee neglcd bccaule the fcare of men doth carle vs awav Doth it rorcuidenilyappcare that the fhadowifh hfeofthc body js more efteemed of vs^thcn thectcrnallftateofthefoiile?nay, theceleRiallkingdome of God is nothmgf tby of vs, mrcfpefte of the fl.cing and vaniOun^iLadoweof this prefent hfe. Thtreforethc wordcs of Chiift ought thus to bcrefolucd ; Kncwc that you hauc giucn youmimortall foules which are fubiea to the will of God alone, they come not into the power of men And fo yourfajth ouohtnotto yecUtonoteirorsorthreatnmgsofmen.Forhcwcommtthittopane, thatin your vexation the feat e of nicn fhould prcuailc, but bccaufe the body is prefer- red before the foul.:,and immortahtie is Idle efteemed of, then this tranf torie hfe. Therefore in Luke there is anemphaticall repetition. Certaimly I fay ynto you^fearehim. As ifChrift (houldhauefaid, wchaiicno rcfpcdof God, foofc as wee giue place t ) thefearcof men ; comrariwjfeifwereuercnre God the viftory is ca(:ly in curowne hands, fo that ncforce of men Ihould draw vs from our duty. Alfo the experience of all times teacheth vs howncccflary this cxhor- tatio oi- Chrift was to ihc minifieiS3& generally to all the godly. For there was ncuertmie wherein men haue not violently hfc vpthemfelucsaaainft God & haue endcuoured toouerwhelmc the gofpel.All are not armed with hkepovier to c-iule & ftnke a fcare of death.' but in the greater niibcr th.u monftrouscniel- tic doth raigne, which when occafion ferueth,aieweth it felfe. Alfo Sathan doth oft fiiborne the gi3nts,at whofc fight the fetuants of C hrilt do fail downe dead except they be armed with this dodrine, to bee conftant without ihakinp But when as thcfetwodauitsdoeioyne together inonefcntencc,fomerhat are vn. learned, do naughtily take tluspaitfro the other,that m.en are not to be feared ForChrift(aswasnowfaid)oppofcththegodly & holyfeareofGod asarc- medy againfl the pcrucrfe fearc of men,which draweth vs out of the ri4t way Ctherwife the confecjuence doth not fellow, ifvvefeare God who isLordeof body & foulc,men are not to be feared,, whole power i eacheth not beyond the body And Mat Chnft attnbuteth to mCn a power of killin^,is fpokcn by a kind of grautmg. So God flacketh the bridles to the wicked, that they beino pnfc vp With the truft of their owne power dare do any thino,& they do alfo amaze the minds of the hmple,as it diey could do euery thing/rhereloi c the wicked doe triumph in vame.asif tiielife ofthe godly were lubica to theirpleafure, & God holdeththc boundjfothathe rell:r.'iir:eththeircrudrjc& violent forces asofi asiie picafcth . yet by this permiflion they are accounted able to kdl-becaufe he oftc^nfufiertththcirfune weakelytocrecpe Lal}iy,thcfermonofchrirt confi Ihth of t.paits.-forthat v\c mighticarncp^t.etly.to bearethc loilc of this bodily lifj,he doth cail vs f:r/f to the bcholuii:g ofthe eternal 'ite & death 7 he bvde grees he dc.'cendcrh hither alfojthat the kcvpingofourhfeis in the had of ood' jp, ^re not i fiarovpts Chiilt procecdeth further, as I Uid eucn now,thouph the tyrants occome maJ, ytt they haue not any pov.cr oucrthebody.-iherefore they c'o uickedly which fearc tlic cruelty of men,r.s jf they were norm the cullo dleoloo.^.ThelforclndagersktVbrcmebcrthlsrec6dcom{olt,nlhPoilsthc keeper of orr lifc,wc may fifely reft cur fciucs in his pi oiiidece.nny he is iniured ii V.C CGi>.it no: our hfc to hini,Khtrofhc vouchfj.'eih to take the charpc Duthc cxtcacth ihc prouidencc of god generally to al aeature s,that tl o the otcatcft to the vpoft the Harm&me of the Euange^fles, 2 g - the leafthcmightfhewthatwearepreferucdbyhis defence. Thereisalmoft nothing leircclteemed then fparowes(' for two weie then folde for a fai thine ^» or asLukefaythifiuefortwo faithiags)andyet thecyeof GoJisw'tchfuUto defend them alfo, fo ihat nothing can come by chance vnto chcai. Will he neg- Icd the hfe of men, who is carefuU for fparowcs ? But two things arc hecre to bee noted -for fiift Chrift doth define th<; prouidence of God fjrre otherwife then many doe, whichare not much vnhke to the Philofophers.' which though theyfay that the world is gouerned of God, yet they imagine a confufe proui dcnce,as ifGod regarded not parcicubr creatures. ButChx-^ift diitindly aifir- meth that eiiery one of the creatures are vnder the h.md and cuftodie ot God/o that nothing is left to fortune«For ce. t inly the will of God is oppolitc to cha, cc neyther yet by this meancs is the Vatum of the Stoyckes cltabliihed.for it is one thing toima^^ineancceliitie wrapped or tied fall to the manifold courfe of call fcs, and an other thing to make all the wolrd and all the partes of the fame lub- iedto the will of God. I grant that there is achacein the very nature oftliin<^s.* but I fay that nothing can fall in the blindewheele of Fortune, where the will of Goddothgouerne, Secondly it is to be noted, that the prouidence of God is tobccon(idered,not as curious and vaine men doe vfe, but that it may bee a helpe to our fiith, and may ihrre vs vp to call vpon God. For he doth not there fore teach that ail the hail cs of our head are numbrcdjthathec mi^ht nouiilhe vainc f-eculuions, but thatvvec might learne to depende of tlie fatherly care of God which he hath for this fiaile fleih, J I . Teare ofmore-^aUie. ThiS is generally true of all men , for whofe caufc. the Iparowes are created.y ct it is fpoken properly of the children of God,whjcU haue a greater right then by creation. But that dignitie doth not other waies ap- pertaine to men then by the free liberalitie of God. iyiathewio. Mar.8^ Luke 9 ffhofoeuer therefore [ j8.Fcr8'/?o i6,Fi)rwhofoemr/hali>ea/Jjamedofme(^of my words jof bint /JjaUthefonne of ma». be 4— /hamedywhen he {hall come in hisglorj, and in the glory of bis fat her, and of the holy angels, Luke ii. 8. Mfolfay ynt&yoH^ Vfho foeuerJJjallcon' fejfe me before menyhimjhall the Sonne of man. confejfc alfo before the ^t^gels of God. g. But he that [hall dcnie me before menjhai be denied before the AngeU of God, In the fame chapter. J 1 . Think^ye that J am come togine peace on earth ? I tell yon nay, but ratiier debate. 5 l.Forfroheceforth ther/J^albe 5 .«» onf hoitfe deuidedjthree againji two,0' 1 . agahft three f ^ . Thf father Jhalbe demdedagamji the fon ejr the fon agamfi the fjither.the mother agdifi the daughter, and tht daughter anrainj^ the /w» ther, the mother in law againft hey daughtc r /» lawe, ^ the daughter in Uw^ againji her mo-^. thrinlaw.. i^- ^^'^' 3.* P^all confejfe mebeforeme^ i foeuey Jljall be ajhamed ofme^ (^ of my vpordes among this adulterous him wtil I c onf effe alfo be- fore my father vchich is in heatten.^ 5. Biit vehofeeuer shall denye me before men^ him veil I alfo deny before f»y fath^rwhichis inheaue ' &finfulge J 4. Think^ t:ot that I^tm neration: of come to fend peace into the I himJJ)all earth : 1 came not tofende j thefonne of feace^hut a fwQi de.7, ^ .for i man be a- lam come to fet a man at f^^ami^d al- yariance againji hit father \ fo,whenhee and thedattzhter a^-ainfi comneth in the mother,!^ the daiigh' the glory of ter in law againfl her ma- his Father y ther inlaw*. 36. ^ttd a I with the mans enemies Jhal be they \holy ^/t^ ifhii owne hotpfe» i^els* 51 Pf^,ofoetterthertfore. Heapplieih ihatnowtotheprcfentpurpo.^e which he fpake before ofthe contempt ofdeathjbecauie wee mufUhiiie againft the honour of death, Icaft it draW vs from a free confelsio o: faith which God d -th itrai^'htlv require and the worlde cannot bcare it. Therefore forthis endeit bccommeththcairaplesofChrifttobe;:al.va7es Ihongand couragious, that thev may bi ealwaytsrca.iic for Marty rdome, Fiirtner, though the coatcfnon o Chnll is neo leat'd as a h^ht matter of the greater part of men : yetheerc it is accounted and^orthily, as an e(pcciallworlhipof God,anda fincularexcrcife of^odhneik. For if earthly kines for the greater defence of their glory and en. cr^ife of their nchts, doc call their fubieds to armes,why Ihould not tncf lith- full defend the -lory of the ir heanenly king at lealf with their tongue ? Where, forciti^ceitaineth.tthcydoequenchfaithasmuchasinthem licth , which fuppiv Ik the fime inwardly, as though the outwarde profefsion of it were but vaine. For Cf^rift doth not m vaine call v$ here his witneHes, by whofe mouth hisnamefli; uldbe renowmedinthe world. Ifay thewiUofChriftis, thatthc prolcf ion o his name (1. odd be oppoledagainft all falfe religions , Becaufeit is an od ious thin-^, he te acheth vs, that no mans faith {hould he choaked in the he», and hee turned ^fatd ynto them, worthy of mee. j9nd h'-e that ' pueypu acupl 1 6. If any man come to me, and hate not loHethfonne or daughter mori of jrrff er fo [ hu father and mother, and w:fe andchiU then m?, is not worthy -dfme. drf^tf^eforrny \ dren,and brethren jandft^ers.- yea and his j-S. ^nd hee that tak^th not namu fai^ y his c'rojfey andfolloweth after beckufeye be meCyis not worthy ofmee.i^. j lon^ to chrijl trrnelrfealfoj he cannot be my difctfle^ 27. ^nd who foeuer beareth not his crojfe^ ^ , ^commeth after me yCannotbtrt^difcidt He that will fane his lifejhal ' f^eftlyJ faye | 28. Forwhich of you minding to buiide a lofe it : Gr hee that loofeih his yntoyou, bee\ tOKtery fitteth not down before^^ counteth lifeformyfril^^piaUfaueitAfhalnQitoofe ' ~ - - - - 40. He thtt receiuethyou^re^ teiueth wp, and hee that re- ceiurth mee : receiueth him that fent mee. 41. He that rtceiheth a Trophet in the name of a "Prophet, fhhll ye- ceiue aVrophctes reward, and hee that lereiueth a righteous man in the n.tme of a righte- ous manne, /Jjall receiue the rewarde of a righteous man, 41. ./Ind who foeuer /JmU pue ynto one of the fe little 9nes to drm^e^ m cup of cold* Water onelyy in the nam: of mdifciple : yerity Jfayynto* you^ heefhallmot Uoft hit\ rtw4rde^ I hJx nwarde^ the Co/}, whether be hautfu^cient toper-m forme it, i 9. Leafi that after he hath laid the fourth dation, and is notable to performe it, alt that behelde it, begin to mock^ him. ^ o , faying : this man began to builde, and was not able to make an end } j I. Or, what klnggoingto nrarre againji an other k^ing, fitteth not downefrji, and taketh not counfel,whether he be able tritb ten thoufand. to meet e him that commuh agair>Jihim -^ith twenty thoufand} 1 1' Or elfe uhile h< is yet a great vray e^ hffendeth an ambajfage, anddefireth con* ditions of peace. J ^ . 5* lyhfvife who foeuer hee bee ofyn^ that forfaJ^eth not all that he hath, he cam* n*tUmydifcifie, j7.He ^ «7 Htethatlot^eth. Becaufcthisisvery fliarpeandrepugnanttothe ^nfc o'' naiure,tomakethcm his enemies vyhLhrtiouldbemoft his frLiads: therefore ChnftViythnovvihat we cannot of any other condition be his difci. Its He doth not command vs to lay from vz humane affjaiorns, he doth not forbid^but that eucry man may perforn.c due bcneiiolence to his frciridcs . but hec ondy Yvillcththat what mutunlllouc foeuer there h& aiiKJngft mert.Chould be brouglit irto order, that godhnefie may haue the cheiCe prchemir.ente.Thcri'orc let the husband loue his wife, the father, the fonne, and againe the fonne the f-ithci /o thrt the loue towards men do not ouerwhelm that duty which is due to Chnft For as air.ono ft men themfelues, Comt (as we are tied vnto them with a Itraigh- ter bandore more loueB thcn^others/o were it an vnworthy aft if Chnlt a.oac il.^uidnotbeprcferredbefor'^them aa. And certaindy mdccnot Iv account with rhankefiiU mindevvh^it it is to be a difcipi. ofChrift, exccf t the cxcellencie of this dignitie doe preuaile to brincc vndcr all the aftedion^ of the fleni L'ukehath aharderfpea£h,wfx>>«^r/wm/*«tf*/>.^/4f/jer,butthe fenk ^ the fame If the loue ofour freindes doth hinder v^from-followmg Chnlt, it muilbcmi^htilywichftoodo As PauiaythtothcPhilip.i.gthat he accounted t^inos bfle^fbr hUcrhffi. He proceedethfrona aparticular to the gcJ nerali thit wee mi^ht know thatvvcetannotothctwire bee accounted for brs iiifcipics,£xceptx^eeberreparedtobearemanydan^^rs^-Ifittormentvsand vckevs,thatweehaue ai:rcord^ortKe caufeof the GoffeUvvvithfather.cr wre or children- IcrtHis <:6flditi(!>¥^'<:om^ toOftf, menKm«i.th:«<::hvttHtdKatfeth al! his difciples to thccrofTe Yctkt vs remember thiscomfcit, that m bearing the crolUNwebecom€thefellovVesofChrift.-foitftiallcometopa(ie,thatalibit- terncfleftialleafily bccomepleafanf. The reprobate arc no lefle tiea to their crofle,and canoDtfhake it oft, ftriue they neuevfo much^ttutbecaufe the croflc Without C H RI ST is- acctirfed,rh€rercmain*thforthcmaa Wherefore let vdearrietakntctberetvvbtoge«hcir,thefe4thf.dIm*ift take vp the aofte that thev may follow the maiftcr ; that is, that thcf may confdrmc them- fcluesatehis'cxample, and as faithful! companions walke in his Itcps. r ;9. UethAt^aifauehhUfe. Leaft the former doftrineC as it is very hard and tf oublerome to fle(h ){hould of it felfc workc but fmall effea, Clinft m this fen - tcnceconfirmeththefametwowayei. For-hefayth that they atet.ow.w^^^^ prouident.-whenthey ftiall with themfeluestbinkethcy haue preferuedthtir hfe beft, they are deceiued, and they haue loll e the iame^ T''^'''^l^%''tl, neoledhfe, Ihallloofe nothing, beraiife they fhallfaue the feme. Wcekrx>^e thoial thingcsaredoncandomittGdforlife fakc:diere is [^''^h^' ^ l°^>.\f i^*^ fame planted in vs ; wherefore it w.is neceflary fou Chrift, that hee mi^ht en- couraech.s to comcmnedc:.th,fo to promife and ta threaten. To finde Mc %nifi«hinthisplacetopofldrethefamea.vndcr^ia^^^^^^^^^ are too couetous of caxthly life , v^ile thCy k^^P^^^^^ "^' ^"^^ fi^ they pleafe themfelues With a vame truft, as ifthcy had well P'^°"»'^^f,^°;;^^^^, ftlue»,buttheirli:efencedwithfuchedefences , (haa fleete away, becaulcat lcngtkthc^muftdic,anddeathihallbct,o them dcftmOiOA* ^^ iK'i.lr On the cbntrary patt whcicthofaithf^ill doc oit'cfithemfclucs to cJcath thcfr foule which Ceemeth at that prefeni to vanillic away,, is reftorcd to a better life Furthermore, becaufe there arc fome found which fometimc do loofc their hfc cyther for ambition fake, or for a furie, Chrill cxpiefly dcclareth the caufe why yvc Ihould fufftr death. It is ^ioubtfuU whether this fermo.i was made at a i o- ther time, which Lukedcdarcth The Lord doth there alfo exhort his difciplcf to Kcare the croflc, but not in fo long a fermon* Alio for the confirming of this fcntcnccheaddcthprcfentl/two fimilitudes , whereof there is no mention made in MathcWi but for the confcnt in the fumme of the matter, I made no doubt to bring thofe things which ate foundin Luke hither. L V K E. i 8. JTluchofyotf « *^, minding. Lcaft itlhoiild bee troiiMefome to any man to follow Chrift on this condition, that hee Ihould rencnmcc ali his defires, there is a pioStiblc admonition prDpofed,thatmen Ihould mcditatebc fore hand what the profcffionofrhe Goipelldoth require. For heercofit com- n:eth to pafle that many doc fall away,at all light temptations ,becaufc they faii* lied to themfelues mecre wanton dcli^htcs, .^s though they fhculd alwayes be i.i the fliadc and in tdlenes. Therefore he {hall ncucr be afit feiuant of Chrift except he prepare hin[»felfeXf orHrawthcfwordagainfttheencmie. Butfith the Lord from heauen willgiuc vs matter cofteSjWeapons and forces, our fluggifhnefle or flouthfullncs lliall haucno pretence of the bardncs. Therefore the piirpofeofChrift is to admo- nifh his of bearing the crofie, that they may girde thcmfelucs with llrcngth. »». SolikewifcwhofieuerheekeofyoHythatforfak^thmt. This claufcdoeth ihfw'what the accounting of the charges doeth meane, whereat Chnft com- mandeth his to begin .- namely, that they miift meditate of this account, to for- fake all thine s. For in vaine they doe thnift thcmfelucs in, to profeffe Chriftia, nitie, whiclme delighted with a fweete and idle eftate voide of the croflc. AI- fo vnderftand that they muft renounce all things, which doe fo preferre Chrift as before their life ; as alfo all thedeftresof the flefh,fo that nothing (hall hinder them from a right courfe For if any man fhall precifely vrge the letter, he (hall dcalcprepofteroufly : as though no man were the difciple of Chrift,but he that (hould throw what focuer hec poflcfleth into the fea, and fo fhould be diuorced from his wife, and fhould bid his children farewell. By fuchfanfies,fooIi{h men hauebecne allured to monkerie,thatbeing willing to come to Chrifte, haiic fallen from humanitie. But no man doth more truely renounce all things which he pofl'cflcth,thcn hec which being readic to leaue all things at cuery moment, doth imploy himfelfc wholy as free and bound vnto the Lord, and pafsing by all lets, doth follow his calling. So the true dcniall which the Lord requireth of his,is not fctled fo much m the aftion (as they fay)as in affeaion, that eucry man liuingfor a day,{houlde not fet his heart vpon that which hce goucrncth with his hand* MAT. 40. Hethatremmhyou. Thisis an other comfort, that though ,1 great part of the world be offended with the difciples of Chrifte , fo that they Should prouoke the hatreds of all men againfl them:y et theLord,that he might allure many to {licw kindnefl'e to them , difdayneth not to account it as recei- ucd to his owne tables, whatfoeucrisgiuentothem ^ For thereby it appca- reth howe much he loueth them , while heefuffercth what things foeucr were done to them, to bee imputed to himfelfe. Alfoheedoethnotfpeake fomtich ofthcreceiuing of the dodrineas of themcn. I grant that this latter doth dc- pend of the former .- bat the purpofe of Chrifl is to be confidered ; for his mind was tofpeake, that which he faw moft apt and fit for the helping of their infir- mities, If any man fhould ref ekie them louingly, and fhould gently help e them hewould accept that kindnefle as to bim&lfe, as ifhe^hadbecne liberally cn- treated in their perfon: and notfooncly buttbcy offered a facrificeofa good fauour vnto God the father. :.■ <: ; 41. Hethatreceiuetha-Prophet, Hccb^ginhcth at the Prophets, but dcfcen- ding atlcngth to the lowcfl degree,hccomprehendeth all his difciples, T*J" J" fore he commcndeth without exception the true worfhippers of God, and the louersofhisGofpell. AndtoreceiucinthcnameofaProphetandofarightc- ousman, Cgnifieth as much as to do them good for the honour of the Gofpcll, and in rcfped of godlincs. Fot though God commandcth vs to doc the duties ©fchariticto all mankindc .- yet forgood caufe he preferre th his about the rclt, that there may be an cfpeciall care and regard had of them. i- --(7 The rtward of a Trcfhtu The intcrpictcrs doc Ctpound tlwdawi^diuerlJy/ Some chinke thathecrc is noted a tnucuall recopence^thit is,that the Prophet % of God ihould giae fpirituall things for earthly ^i-'tcs .- but if this expolicioa be receiued>what lliill be the reward of the iuft ? Others /nderlhid that they lliall be partakers of the fame reward which is laid vp for the Prophets aad the righ- teous, becaafe they had beeneliberalltowardesihein . Many re^'errcit toth^ communioaofSAiites,thatasbyour Ubcralitie wee declare that w;c areone body with the fcruancs of ChriH, fo by this meanes wee are made parta'cers of all CTood things, which Chrilt communicatethamongft the members of his bo. dy.ldomore limply take it for a reward which is fit for the wo-thincfle of the pcrfon vpo.i wiom the liberalitie (hall be beftowed. For Chnft meaaeth that thislhallbe a aot^ble declaration, how much he eileemeth his Prophets & fo cucry of his dif.iples .• for by the large reward it (hall appcare, that none of that was Iofl,v'vhich was beltowcd vpo i the. And heamplifieth the matter in that he promifeth a re -vard cuen for the meanelt deeds, as that iz , to giuc a cw^ of coldc water. He callcth not only the litle ones,which are the lalt &ofie aft account in the Church, but al his difciples whichare troden dow.i by the prid of che world Luke 9. 6. Ani they rrent out , and went through enery tsvom fre4ttld amend their Hues, I J . And they cajl out many demls:^ they anointed many that fverejicf<^^ith oyle'^andheaUd them, 1 1* And they we/»t out and preached* Mathcw pafTethouer with filence what the Apoiiiesdid: Marke & Luke do declare that they went about to exercife the of- fice laid vpon them.-by whofe words that which I rayd,doth moreeuidently ap pearc, chat this o;Tice which Chrift then layd vpon them, was but for a time, & that of a few dayes. For they fay that chey w;:nt through citks and townes,ancl ijisnottobcedoubtci but that ihoirtly after tiiey returned tothcir maifter, as (halbc thewed in an other place. This onely necdethto be interpreted , thaj Marke;-cporf eth, that they artnointed many that were licke with oyle. For it is demanded, for what purpofethey vfed oyle, fith Chrift had giuen them power ofhealing. Somelcaraedmenthinkethatitwasakinde of medicine* And I grant that oyle was much vfed in thofc countries,but there is noching more vn- likcly, then that the Apoftles ihould vfe ordinaric and naturall remedies wliicb {hould darken with doudes the mkadcs of Chrift. For they were notinftru- fteiby the Lord in the Arte at3(d skill ofiUrgcric,but they are rather commai« ded to worke miracles which lliould itirrc vp all ludea. Therefore I think that this was a vihblc lignc offpirituall grace,vvhcrby they declared that the healing proceeded ofthcfecrctpowjr of Go J, wliofe minifters they were; for it wa$ vf;;d vndei' the law, by oyle to figure the grace of the (pirit. But howe prcpoftc- r9ir(ly they imitated the ApoltlesyWli jch eiiai>hllaed in the Ch arch a pcrpetuall ccrcmopte of aia'ioincingrlKlickejdoth thereby appcare, that Chrift gaue thj gifccofhcahngtothe Apoftles, not that they ihould conucy the (ame by righc ofinherit.ivetotheirpofteritiCjbuttlaacitftioaUbcforatiiiieafealcofths Jo- ftrin,*oftheGar>cll. Aaia: this day the i^^iiorance of the Papiftsis tooridicu- |au'j,wi;aicHchalie.ig : tilth/ aanoyntia^(waQ«:?by thcybiing tlicm th*t are halfe dcai.to the ^rauc^yfor a ^craaieat. M^h£Vt Mathewii. Markc J-ukcr I, ^nditcametofajJtthatYphen i8. ^nd the difcipUs cflehn/hew Jffus had made an end Qfcomman din^ his t vrelue difcifki^ he defat' ted thence to ttach And f reach in their cittes, Z.^nd vthen John heard in the fri fan the x^erk^s ofChrtfiy he fern two »fhis difcifles, and jayd ynto him, 3 , ^rt thour he that should come, 9r/hall "we loo k^ for an other ? 4« ^tid lefui anfypfaringyfatd Yn- to them I Coeand/her^e lohrtyvhat things yethaueheardandftene, y . The blind receiue fight ^ ^ the halt go: the Lexers are clenjed^and the deafeheare: tht dead are raifed yp^and the poor receiue the gofpel. ^4 ^nd bleffedishtthat{hallnot be offended in me. ed him of all thefe things jp . So John called tveo of his difcim pleSy andfent them to leftts^ f*^yi^gl ^rt thou he thatflmld come^offijal Yvevpait for another ? A little aftcr^ a u^nd at that time he cured ma^ ny of their fich^effe andflagues^and of ettill fpirites, and ynto manj hlinde men hegaue their fight. iz,./1nd lefus anfneted Qrfaid yn* to thim;Coyour vrayei^Jhew lohn Vrhat things ye hauefeene ^ heard, that the blind fee^the halt goe, the lepers are cleanfedythe deafe heare, the dead rife again, and thepoore re ceiuethegofpdl. 1 3 . ^nd blejjed it he thatfhall not be offeded in mee x« .And It came topaffe* In this place A/athcw (liewcth nothing clfe, but that Chrift cc.ifcd not from the ccurfc of his ofliccj while the Apoftles laboured o- therwhcrc» Therefore alloonc as he had fent them, with their conGmaunde- ments to go through ludca^he applied hiinfclfe to teaching in Galilc^But there is waight & force in that word commanding: for ^athcw declareth that they had not a free embaflage permitted ihem,buttbatitW5S prefcribtd and toldc to them what they (liould fay, and how they (liould bchaue themfelues* 2. jind vhen hhn heard. The Euangelifls doe not meane,that lohn was mo- iled with myraclcs^fb that then at length he acknowledged the mediatour: but becaufe hcfaw that Cht It became famous^and accounting that theful and per* fed time was ccmc, wherein his teftimoniewssapproued in him, hcfenthi* djfcipksto him.ThatistooabfHrdejihatfomethinkeihathefentforhisown caule alfoj3$ thoup h that he had not beene fully pcriwadcdand plainly taught, him to be the Chrift* That is alio a friuolous imagination of them, which ima- gincihatwhcn iheBaptiltwasnearehisdcathjhefl.oulddemaund of Chriftc what mellagc he ftiould bear e from his mouth to the fathers which were dead* But it is cuident that thisholycryer of Chrift, becaufe hce fawhimfelfenot to bee farrc diflantfrom thccndc of his race, and that his Difciplcs remained as yetinfufpence, though hcchadde becftowedir.uch labour in teaching them, fonght this laft remcdic to heale their inf 1 mity. Hee faithfully bchaued him- felfein this (as I fayde) that his difciplcs might embrace Chrifte without dc* lay. Sithby day ly calling vpcn, they had profited fo little, he doeih rot fearc wi thor.t a caufe, Icaft aft\r his death ihey ft ould fall away wholy ; therefore by fending them to Chriflc,his will was to waken their ftouthfulncs through- ly* Againe, the paflours of the Church arc in this place admonift.ed of their dutie, that thcyfliGnldcnotendeuourtohoIdcdifcjpIesaddia eras it were boundtoikm.buttodjrc^thcmto CHRIST, whoistf^conelymajftcr^ T. loha lohn at the beginning profcflcd himfclfc not to be the bridcgrodiie. Thcrforc which is the part of a faithftill freind of the bridegroomes, he o(}e reth a chaft & apurcfpoufeto Clirift himfelfejVrho istheoncly bridegroom e of the Church, Paul 1 .Cor* X 1 . 1 . dcclarcth th at he had the fame care : & t\\z example of them both is propofed to all theminifters of the Gofpellto follow 5« ^rtthouhee that /hottld come} lolintaketh that for granted, vrhich thedif ciplc$ had learned from their childhood. For it vfis a common Iclfon of godli- neffcamongftallthelevTcs, that there ihould comeaChrift, the authour of faluation and perfcft bleffednelTe, vvherefore hce mooucth no queftioi of that principle ; but dcmmdcth oneljr whether lefus is thatpi'omifcd redeemer. For itbchooued thcmafterthey wereperfwadcdofthc redemption promifcdin the law and the Prophets, to embrace the fame ofFred in the pcrfon of ChrillWhe he :iddcthy (halt me lookf for another ? In this chufe hee (harpely reproueth their flouthfiilnes, which being taught fo certainely before, ihoulde wiuer fo long with doubtfull minds.He alfo fhcweth what is the nature & force of faith,n3mc 'ly,that being grouded in the truth of Godjitlokcth not about hither or thither nor varieth.tliat being content with Chrift aIone,it turneth not any other way. Goe^ andfljtw lohn^ As lohn had taken the perfon of an other .vpon liira : fo hce commandcth to carie worde backe againe to him, which (lioulde rather haue beeneobfcrucdofhisdifciplcs* Thathcaunfwercch notll nply, he doth i: firft for that purpofe, bccaufe it were better che thing it felfe ihoulde fpeakc ; then,that he might giue his forerunner more free fcopc of teaching; ycthe doth not giue him in his miracles a naked matter without forme, but he apply eth the miracles to their end out of the Oracles of the Prophets. And he noteth one place e(pecially out of the j j. chapter of Efay, and an other out of the 6 1 . that the difciplcsoflohn might know that to bee fulfilled and performed , which the Prophet witncflfedofthckingdome of Chrilt' In the firft place is contay- ncd a defcription of the kingdom of Chrift, vnder the which gouernemec God promifcth that he wiU be fo liberalland bountif ull, that he would helpe and re- medy all difcafcs. And it isno doubt but that he fpeakeih oFa fpirituall deliue- rance from all euils and raiferies. But Chrift by oatwarde figncs(as it is faydc bcfbrc)lhcweththathecametobeafpirituallphifitionto cure foules. So it came to paflc that the difciples might depart without any wauering doubt , ha- uing a plaine anfwere without obfcure or vaine circumltances. The lall place is like to the fit ft in this, that teaching that the trcafures of thcgraceof God for the r?orld were propofed in Chrift,it dedareth that Chrift was peculiarly fent to the poore and the afHih might conceiue at his contemptible flock For as we are proud by nature, we citeeme almoft of nothing, except it bee fet forth with much glory. But the ChurchofChrift being gathered of poore men isfurtheftofallfrom thitgay and^orgiousflicwe. From hence hath the con- tempt of the GofpcU crept into many, bciaufc itisnotrcceiuedofall great men, and ofmenofgreatdigrutie- Buthowc ouerthwarte and wicked this eftimatton of the Gafpcllis, Chrift doeth admonifhc vs by the nature of ihc Gofpell it fclfc , when as it is fcntc but to the poore and abiedes, whereof vfonthe HarmnieoftheEnangeliflei. ji^j Whtrcof it followeth that it is no newe thing, <5r ought that (hould trouble ys, if it be dcfpifed of all the mightie, which beingpuftvp with their riches , doc Icaue no void place for the graccof God:nay, if it be refufed of the moll part of Uien, there is no caufe why we (hould maruaile,vyhen as there is fcarce the hun ilreth man, which fwclleth not with a vaine conhdence. And as ChnlWefen-' deihhis Gofpeli from contempt ; fo againe hededarcthwhoihey be that are fit to r ec cine the grace of faluation which is there offered .-and he calling louing ly mifcrable iinners to the hope of laluation, he rayfed them vp into an afli.rcd hope For it is certaine that the poore are called, whole condition is mifcrablc and vile, and which arc nothing acccnnted of. Therefore as cuery man is iroft abied and mcane, kt not his pouei tie caufc him to defpaii e, but let it corriort ••. him the rather to feeke after Chriit. But let vs remember that none elfc a^e ac^ counted poore, but they that thinke themfclues tobecfuch: tnatis.whichlie opprefledwiththefcclingofthcirownepouertie. _ 6 jndbleffed h he. By this claufe it was the will of Chrilt,toteach,,rhat if any will remainc conllant and fii-me in the faith of the Golpell, hee mult rehft and ftriuc acaintt offences which fhall arife to the hinderancc of the courfe of faith. But this'^is a prcuemion wherewith hee (hicldeth vs againft all offence s : for vve fliaUncuervvantoccafions to moue vstorefufethefamc,vntilweh.tour tnmds aboueall offences, Thereforethisisfirfttobenoted,wemuftwarrew-u^ fences, that we may ftand faft m the faith of Chrift, Neither is Chritt^ wrong- fully ciled the rocke of offence, and the Humbling ft one whereat many do fal. Itiscertainethatthatcbmmethtopaffethfouohoui-fauh ^ ^m he cureth this difeafealfo^whenhcpronounceththembleiTedwhicharericto^^^^^^^^^^ Whereby wealfooathcrthatthevnbeleeuershauenocxcufe^thoughinnume- rlbiroZm fallSut : for what fhould Hndcr them that they ^^^f "^^^^^^^^^^^ to Chrift ?orwhat(houldoftendthemthatthey (houldfal ^J^^.f^^"^^^^^^^^^ ly, becaufe he with his crofl^e appe^reth a.one contemned and vile be ng catt out with his crofte to the reprochcs of the world : hecaufe he caUeth vs^n^^^^^^ focietie of his afHiaions : furthermore, bccaufehis done and maKftie, as it isfpiritualUsneglededof the world e^ Then beecaufeb^^^^^^^^^^ is contrary to our vnderlhnding; alfo becaufe that by the ^^^\l^^^^^^^^ troubles,doearirc,whichdefameandbringthename of Chrift and the ^^^^^ pellintohdtred, Laflly,becaufceuery man,as of fetpurpofefranuth to him. felfe a heapc of oftences^ecauL- that with no Ulte malicethen dchre , all ilicn tvithdravv themfelue's from Chirtt. ' f.' " f - Markc Mathew. 1 1 7, ^nd as they departed ylefnt be- gan tofpeak^ ynio tht multitude , of fohH: Tf^at tventye out into the wil- derneffe to fee ? A reede shah^n voith the)ppinde? 8B»t rrhatvpentyeouttofe}Aman cloathed in faft raiment ? Beholde, they thatweartfoft cloathing^re in k^n^shottfes, ^. Bm Luke 7. 1 4. ArJ when the mffengers of lohnwtre departed, he hegan tofpeak^ to the people y of John, vhat netityee out Mo thtrfiU dernejfetcfee ? Jreedeihdk^^^ roiththervitjde} ij. ButwhatMcentyeeout to fee ? j4 manne clcdtUd in foft» ralmnt ?Bcholdc,theyy^huh tp4 ^' C^mmenK . B»twh4t\»sntyoHOf*tto fee }A "Prophet} Yea Ifty yntQjoi*^ ani more t})€na'Prophet. 1 o . Fir this is he ofrvfjom it is written : BshnUeJfeni: mj m'-jfenger before thy facey ypjyich /hxll prepare thy vay before th:e, II. Merely I fay yntsystty am»n^ them •which are begotten ofvoim:Hy arofe there not a A Prophet? Tea I fay fa j yoi^,and greater then a Vrophei 1.7. This is he of whom it n writ ten : Behold^ I fend my meffsn* ger before thyface^ whtchjhall prepare thy way before thee, 28. For I fay vntoyoHythere ii no greater!? rophet then John, amwgefi them that are beeo-ot^ ten of women ; neHerthelejfe^ he that ii thtleafi in the ki^gdomt ofGedy is greater then he, Luke 1 6^ i6. The law and the "Prophets endured yntiil lohn : and fmce that time the klnrdomc of God it preaehed , andi preafithyntoit^. "J y mam T' And oi they departed. ChriftcommendechloHn to the people, that the/ might remember that which they had heard ofhim, and giuc crcdite to his te— ftimonie .• for his name was famous amongft the people, and they fpake honou- rably of him: buthisdoftrinewasfmallycfteemed, and they were butfewe which had refped to his miniftery. But Chnft tcllcth them that th sy loft theic labourwhich went forth into the wilderneffc to fee him^exccpt thsy would re-, uerently apply their mindes and ftudies to his dod:iic . Therefore the mca-:. ning of the wordes is this,^o** went forth into the wilderneffe, your lightnes was fond and to be laughed at, if youriourney had not feme ccrtayne ende. But you . neither fought the pompe of the world, nor had any other foolifli thing , but your purpofe WIS to hearethc worde of God out of the mouth of the Prophet*. . Therefore that you may now (hew what fruit you had ofyour purpofc, let that:, beew^llremembredwhi:h he fpake vnto you. . ^ij«| a. They that 'O'earefoftcloathing.Thcy arc dejciiied which thinkc thitcourtljr-> daintinefre is condemned by this faying of Chrifte: there are very many other places, where the pride and immoderate glory in appai-ell is reproucd. But the. fimple meaning of this place is, that th:re was no fuchthing in the wilderncflc, . which lliould allure the people thither. For allthiigs there were rude and fiUo th/j, which fhould bring nothing bur a lothfomncfl'othey (hould rather lookc- in kin<»s courtes, for fine trimming which dclightcth the eyes. Though he may fecme alfo after a fort to reproue the tyranny of Herod, for that hee held lohn inpryfon, becaufe hee had freely condemned his inceftuoiis mariage. There- foire he declarcth th.u it is but a fonde thing to cfteeme of Prophets according t^ th? Ropd yviU and f Auom Qf Princes, b cccaufc thit flatterers doc raigne ■^ ^ tmt: 'vfonthe JTammleefthe lEtmgehJiii^ ^^- ;thcre for the moft part. II. Vtrely I fay yntoyou'. In thcfcwordcs is not onely the authoritic of lohn -•confirmed, but alfo his do6i line is preferred abouc the old prophtfics that the people might conlidcr the right purpofe of hisminiftcrie. For becaulc they ac- counted not to what purpofe he was fent, itcame topalle that they profited tXi moft nothing by his do6rinc. Therefore Chrifl extoUeth and placeih hSni abouc the order of the Prophets, that they might learne and knew that he had Tomepecuhar and more excellent commandementgiuen vnto him. But thathe 'in an other place doth denie himfelfetobeaProphct , isnotcortrary to this title of Chriil. For he was not a Prophet after the order of others, whom the JLord in times paft had f et oner his Church as interpreters of the jaw, and mcf- fengcrs of his will : yethe was note excellentthen the Prophets , becaufc hec ipake not a f.irreoff, and darkcly vndcr {badcwes ; buthc tolde them that the time of their redemption was at hand and before them. To the which purpofe alfoappertaineththeprophe(icofMalachie,whichpxefentIyfolIoweth.namcIy that John excelled in this, that hec was the crier and thefc i erunner of Chrift. For though the old Prophets fpakc ofhis kmgdome, yet they were notplaccd as John was before hi* face, thattheyfhouldihcw him prefent. Let the rcadew iooke the refl out of the firlt chapterof Luke. There arofe net. The Lord proccedeth further jafmuch as lohn exceeded the prophets, fo much more excellent are the mmiftcrs of the gofpel then he. They . hauc t^red too ignorantly, which thought that Chrifl compared himfeJfe with lehn,for he fpeakcth not here of the dignity of the perfon, but the excellency of the office is commended; which doth more euidetly appcare by the words of Luke.there arofe not a greater prophet* For the greatneffe is cxprcfly referred to the office oftcaching. In fumme, lohnhaihfo excellent a title giuen him, to that end that the Icwes (hoiild the more dihgently obferue the melTage that he brought. Then the teachers which fliould (hortly afterfollow him, are prefer- red before him, that the maiefty of the goipell might bee preferred abouc the law, and alfo that meffage which came betwccnethcm both. And as Chrifle •would prepare the lewes to receiuc the Gofpellj fo it is meete for vs to bee wa- kened at this day, that we may reuerctly hcare Chrift, fpeaking to v$ out of his iiighthroneofhisheauenly glory .'leaft that hee reuengc our contempt with that horriblecurfe,whichhe dcnounceth againft the vnfaithfuU by W.ilachiein theiame place. Thekingdomcofheauen and of God, is taken here, as in other placesbefore, for the new cftate of the church, becaufe that at the commingof Chrift there was promifed a reftitution of allthinges. That which I tranflated the Icaft. is read m the Greek in the c oparatiuc degree the lefler But after this manerthefcnfeis the plainer, while it appeareth that it comprehendcth allthe minifters of the Gofpell. Alfo, that many being endued with a Imal portion of fcith, are far inferiour to lohn^this nothing ktteth,but that their preaching may be more excellentin that it propofeth Chrift the conquerour of death, and the Lord oflife, which hath performed the euerlafting clenfing by his only facrificc and by taking away the vaile,itlifteththe difciples intothe heai»enly fanduary. 11. Fromthetimeoflohn. I doubt not but that Chrift commcndcth the anaieftic of the Goipell of this, that it was fought after with a fcruent xlc- T 4. £^ fire ol m3n7. Fcr :, God r:ir:d yppe lohn, that he might be a proclaimer oF thekin-^domeofhisfonnc, fothefpiritegaueefte(fleto hisdodiine , that it mii/ht enter into the heartcs or mcnnc, and might kindle their zeale. Tliere- fpr^ it aopeareth that it came from God, which fo ftran^ely and fodainly fprea- deth ouCj and rjifcih great ftirres ♦ But in the fecond clau'fc there ^s added a rellraintc, thai tht -violent doe tak^ it. For becaufe the greater part vy.is no more mooucd.then as if the Prophets hid ncacrfpoken of Chriftc^or as if lohn had neuer com^ as i witneffe of him,Chrift declareth thiit the violence whereof he IpC-iketV is found but in one ccrtainekinde of men. The meaning thereof is, there is nowi great coicourfe of men,, as if that men would violeruly enter in- to the poffellionofthe kingdomcof God..> For at thcopeninaof the mouth of ■ one manne, they doc tiot bnely couctoufly, but with violent force they doe re^ ceiu J the grace offered. And thongh very many are flouthfulJ, and are no more touched, tLen if lohn (hoiild tell a talc in the wildernefTe, nothing appearing to them ; yet many runne with violent icale. And to this purpofe tendeth the fay- in? ofChrift, that they are inexcafable which contei^f tuoufly, a* withcloafed cyt^s doe palfc by the raanifcft power of God, which {l»one as w.el in the teach- ers as in the hearers . Yet by thcfe wordes we learne what is the true nature and force of fayth : namely, that men flioulde not coldly and for fa(hion giue care to God when he doth fpcake, but they (hould afpire to him with an ardent affedion, and brcake through as it were withja violent endeuour. LVKE. i6, TbeU\»ea»dtheTrophetstoIohn. Becaufe the Lord Judfayd thatthofethinges which the Prophets had foretold e (ofthe renewing of the Chur: h that {hould be) was an entrance to the matter for the peoples fakeinow he compareth the minifterie of lohn with the law & the Prophcts,as if he fhuld hauefaid.-itisnomaruelifGoddoenowefo mightily worke in the mindesof nien.* Forhedocth notthcwhimfelfeafarreoff, ashcedid before in obfcurc (hadowcs, but openly and at hand is he prefent to eftablifli his kingdom, Here- ofit followeth that they haue lefle excufc,which do flubbornely rcfu{€the do- d:rine of Iohn,the the cont5ners of the law & the prophets.Therc is an empha- fisin the wordof Prophefying/orthelaw &thc Prophets did not ft t God be- fore the c/e$,but only by figures they drew out as in a ihadow,one abfent. Now we fee whereto this comparifon tendeth ; namely, that it is not meete that men (hould be nowfo cold,fith God flicweth hirafelfe prefent vnto them, which helde the old epccpic in fufpencc by prophcfies* But there is no ablurdi- tic in that, that Chnflc docthnow number lohn amongfl the miniflcrs of the Gofpeli, whom he had firfl placed in the middcft betwecnc them and the Pro- phets, bccaufehis preaching, though it were a parte of the Gofpcll, yetitwas but a ccrtainerudimcnt of the fame* MAT. i4» ^ndifyewillreceuieit. Now hce doth declare more plainely Howe John began to preach the kingdome of God .-for this is verily that Elias which Wispromifcd to be fent before the face of God, for Chriflc would that the Icwcslliould enow fee and know that great and terrible comming of God fpoken of before by M alachi,(ith that Elias which is there promifcd,doeth now execute the office of a forerunner. Alfointhefewordes (ifyemllreceiu-e tt ) he fcprooucth the bardneflc oftheir hcarts,thatarc Co mahcioufly blind in fo great l^htt But what if he b c not reccmcd, fball he not be that £lias ^ It It Is not the meaning of Chrlil to fay that the oifficc of lohn doth depcnJ their hkingesrbuttiftei he had fayd thathe wasthat Elias, he repVoutth th ^^^f flouth & vnthankfiilnes if he haue not that crtdit,vvhich hec deferueth 'if.Hethathafh earh . WeknoWt^tChrift Vftth thisfenterice as dft as h carlieft matte'r.WHich bee would fhoiild be diligentiy 8f carc^fuH" ■alfo declareth that the miftcries/wht'reof heTpeaketh" arc not re ' trcateth of an noted. Yet he ^16^ Btttwhereurtto/hctlll lihftji this generation } ItU lik^ rnioUtt^ chiHreriyXplnchfii in the niark^eis' ^ and .eatl vmo their feilmesi ' ' !?♦ Jindfitfy-vp^ehauefi" fedyntoyiu^^andyeehaue not datfnced, xcie haue monrned to you, ahdyke haite not lAmen-' ;J«V3dl iT! "S- •jr:. i#i/.'";,^ _ _ . lis. tor lohn came neither eating nor drittl^ngy and they fayy he hath a detulL 19. The Sonne of man catne eating and drinl^i^ngyand they fay ^behold a glutton and A drinker ofxoine^ afreind yn to Tttblicans andfinners : hut "vcifedomeisittjiifiedofherchil . drtn* I -Ah \o t fii : whofe cares' are opened, thit they (hould bee-diligent to^eonffdeirthis excellent miitcry of God,and that they (hould not waxe deafe witii the virbeleeurrc -:^9. Then all the people that heard.and the Tiiblicans.iujiified God, being hapti^ fad mth the baptlfme of John, ^ 5. .. P^'^^^'^^'^'^^'^^ifi^andtheexpoundeA ."- (fthelarrdefpifedthecoUnfell of Goda^ ■ ' ;; gainfi the/ehes.ahd yrere net baptifed of -'-'■ him,': ' ' '" •• $U \yfndtheLordefayde, \*>heremt» g^all Ilt^enthe menne of this generation ? and what are they lik^e ynto. 1 1 . They are lik^ yhtd children fitting in the market placcy and crying one to an 0- thert and fay ingywee haue ^iped to you^ andyee haue not daunced : we haue mour nedtoyouyandyee haue not wept. ^\*"¥i>rlohnBaptiJl came^neithn eating bready nordrinkfngwine; andyee fay he hath the deuilL S 4 Thefonne of man is come, and eateth and drink^th : andyt-efay beholde a man Vehich if a glutton,^ a drinker of wine, afrfiHdofVublicaps andfinners. 1 5 . J?«f . tt'ifedomeisiu/lifiedofallher children, L V. 19. Then allthepeople that heard. This claufe is omitted by Math which yet bringeth great light to the text.for hereof Chrift tooke occafion toreprouc: the ScribeSj when he faw that they remained fo obftinate in contempt of God* The fum,me of this place is rhis_, the common people and the Publicans olorifi- cd Qcd .•buttheSciribes, which gloried too much in the truft they had to their oWiievnderflanding.madcno'account (if any thing that was fpoken by Chnft* And this at the fi' ft Oght much davkned and deformed the^loryorthe GoCpel, that Chriftc gathei cd not his difciples; but of the dregs and offfcouring of the people : and bccaufc that they which excelled cither in fhewc of hohnefle or of t-t?;f:j I uning,refufedhim.. Tf Bui: But it was the Lords will to ilitw this fpcftacic, as arv example in the begin- ning, It aiV that either the men that then lyued, or ihepolterity that ihould ioU lo-.-ve after (hould eftecme of the Gofpell by the audoritieof men thatallowed o£it,:,'foralmollalln.en are by naturebentto this fin. And there is nothing ir.prc prepo lie reus, then that the tructh of GO D fl^ould be brought in fub- itiftiontotheiudqemcmofmen , whole quicknes of witte and ihirpnefleof vnderltanding, is ahogethcr nothing but meere vanitic. Therefore, as Paulc faycth, i.Cor. 1. 17. God chofc the weakc and foohfli things in the world , that he mi^^ht oucrthrow the mighty and the wife from their imagination . But his our partto preferre this foohlhnes of God, ( as the fame Paulc tcacheth u Cor I iu)beforeailtheexcellencieofmanswiredome. Thei ntfiijied God» This fpeach is worthy to be noted,that they ace fayd to juf^ific God, whichwith reuerencc embracing hisfonne, do fubfcribe to the doiftrincbroucrhtbyhim.Wherefcrcitisnomaruaile, if the holy Ghofl doc cuery wheve adorne faith with moft excellent titles, giuing the price vnto it in the worlhipping of God, accounting it to be moll perfeA obedience. For what holier office can be imagined, then to afcribc vnto Godhisiuflicedueto him? Yet this word iuflifying doth generally extend to all the prayfc of God : as if it fhould be faydjthat God was approued and glorified of the people,which refted jn the c!o(5trine which came from him. And as faith iuftifictli God .• fo it cannot he, but that incrcdulitie isblafphemie againlthim,& fpoyleth him of his prayfc. But this phrafe teacheth vs, that men are after this manner brought rightly to beleeue, when they haue bid the wifedome of the fleflic farewell, accounting that nothing proccedeth from God, but that which is right and pure, not ta«. Icing fo much libettie to thcmfelues, as once to murmure at his wordc and his workcs. Bein^ haptifed. Luke meaneth that the fruite of Baptifine, which they had Tcceiucdjdidthenappearc.-foritwasa good preparatiue for them toward es the receming of the Gofpell, and this was a token of godlines that they had offered themfc lues to be baptifed Now the Lord Icadeth them from that mean beginning to higher degrees: euen as the Scribes by defpiilng the baptifme of lohn, through their owne pride did flmt vp the gate of faith againft thcmfelues Therefore if wee dcfirf to afcend to found perfeif^ion, we mufl firft take heedc that wee dcfpife not the leafl of Gods callings and matters . but let vs be hum- bly prepared to begin at theleaft elements. Secondly, wee mult doe our dili- gence, th.n our faith though it haue aweakebeginmng, may by degrees dayly profit more and more. ^ o. Thfy defpifed the counfell of God a^a'infithemfelues. The coun fell of God i$ for honours caufe oppofcd againft the wicked pride of the Scribes .-for there is 9. fof ce in the word counfell, which deliuereth thisdodrine of GOD from the contempt of men. But word for word Luke fiyeth that they defpifed itagainfl their.fclucs. Neitherdoi reic6l that fenfc, which others do rather allow, that they were rebellious to their owne dcflrudion. But becaufc the words of Luke arc plaine, and that tliey arc thus vCcd oft, I had rather tianfljtc it in thtmfelues: as if he fhould haue laid, though they withftood it not openly and diredly .• yet, as they fwellcd wuh an inward pride inwardly,(b they defpifed itin thcmfeluc^^ 3 I, frhcrg^ vpmthelTar^HlefiftheEHsiHgeliJteu j^p 51. H^jereunto /hall I likenthh generation f Hce meaneth not all the men that then liued ; but hee fpcaketh properly of the Scribes and their flatterers. Hce vpbwldeth them, that when the Lord had attempted dmers wayes to draw the vnto him, they moil obftinately rcfufed his grace , But hce vfcth afimihtudc whichis takcn,.asitis fuppofcd of a game commonly vfed by children/ neither is this coniedurevnlike, that children leading feucrali daunccsL. did fo fin^y one to an other. And vercly I thinke that Chrifte purpofely that hee might ouer- throw the pride of the Scribes, tookeoccafion to reproueihem of children play ing together, declaring that though they were neuer io proud , yet the fong which chddrcn fing, while they play in the market place i&inough to condemn them* 3 ^ . For John came. When as this man liucd an auft:rc and ftraight hfcjfo'jn* ded repentance and (harp rcprehenfionsj as though he fang a mourncfull fong, and the Lord ehimfclfe, as with a merry and cheerefull fong apply ed himfelfc more pleafantly to allure them to his father .- what caiife fhould there bee that neither of thefe wayes profited nothing amogft them, but their yronobilinacy or hardneile of he trts ? But this place teacheth vs why there was fo ^rcat diftc- rence in o'jtward (hewc of life betwecne Chrift and the Baptift , which yet did both apply themfclues to one matter : for it was the will of the Lord by this va- rietie in taking as it were vpon him diuerfe perlbns , the more to conuince the vnbeleeuers,' for that he bending and transforming himfelfeto their manners^ could not yetbend them. If that all excufc be taken away from the men of that age, which with obftinate malice refufed both thofe wayes, which the Lord vfed to call them by,wc alfo are in theirpcrfon found guiltie : when as the Lord omittcth nokindof chcerefull deahng, or ofmournefull & forrowfull mulicke to draw vs vnto him, wee remaine as dead ftones. As raenne not well in their minde,or out ofthcir wit,arc commonly called Lunatike . fo they called lohn, a manpoflefled with a deudl. J 4, Thefonneofman is cgme.Toctit^ndtodnnkc in. this place fignifieth to liue after the comon order of men : as Chritt faieth, lohn came neither eating nor drinking.-becaufe he hued not after the comon order of men,for that he ab Gained from the comon meatesand common order of diet;which Luke expref- fech more plainly in thefc \yords,not eating bread, neither drinking w/we.Lct them note this place : which thinke the elbteof perfedion to be in outward auileri- tieof hfe,& they thinke hi m to liu can Angels life, which liueth fparingly, or pincth away himfelfc with hunger. For according to this rule, lohn fhould bee better then the fonneofGod.- but this is rather to beholden as a rule, bodily exercifeprofitethlitle, but godiiacs is profitable vnto allthinges, i.Tim. 4,8 . Yet vnder this pretencehberty maynotbegittentotheflefh,to pamper vpp rtr fslfe in delicacie & wantonnes • only fuperltition muft be auoyded,leail folifh menimaginingperfedio to be in thefeoutward clemeuts^they neglcd iht(pi' rituall worfliip of Go J. Adde this alfo, Chrill applied himfelfeto Iiueaft.r the common order of manshfe, thathe might fandific godly temperance, and- not : nourilhthefuperfiuitieofotherseither by any fhcw or example of his. ? ?. Butwifedome iiiufiified. This place is diuerfly expounded by the iatcrprctcis. S omc fay thitwifedomc was iuftificd or acknowledged by the. ' levNCs^ lewes to be without fault, in that they being faultic in their owne confciencej, and iudges of their own infidelitic, were enforced to witnefle that the dodrinc was oood and holy, which they rciedcd- And they take the children of wife- donfe for the Lcwes> whofet out ihemfelues wifhtiii. title. Others do thinkc thatitisfpokcn in fcorne ; as thus, dee you in thismaner approue thcwifikmrc ofGodjWhafe children you boaityoui-felues to be ? But becaufe the Gicekc Prepofition here vfed, is not properly referred to the panic, which is the doer, there a:e fome, which expound it thus, Wifedome is difcharged of her children fo th-it now fliee is not by any law bound vnto them, as if the inheritance were tranflated to fome other : as Paul fayth, that Chrift was iuflified or freed from finne, Kom.6 -/. becaufe the cuife of fin had no further power oueihim. Some vling a greater libfertic interpret it more hardly, as that wifedomc fhouldebec cftranged horn her children. But howfoeuer the Greeke Prepofition be heerc inttrpreredjinmyiudgementanotherfenfeismorc apt ; wiledome though her owne children doc vtterlydelpifc her, doth yet loofe nothing of her excel- lencic and di gnitie : but remaincth found.The lewes, and tfpecially the fcribes vaunted themfehies to bee the children of the wifcdome of Cod- yetwhenthey trod their mother vnderfeete, they did not onely flatter themfclues in fo great faciiledc t, but in their iudgement they would that Chrift (hould alfo haue fal- len ;Gn\he other fide Chrift fayth, though wifcdome hath wicked and dege- nerate children, yetfliee remayncrhfafe^ andhercredice and authoiitie cannot bec.ought impa) red by their malice,which doe wickedly and malicioufly flan- ker her. But I hane not yet fet downe that fenfejwhich in ray iudgement doth bcft agree with the place and is moft naturall. Firft,ia the wordcs of Chrift there is a fecrctAntithe(is,betweenenaturall children and bartardcs , which vaunt of a vaine title without a caufc ; as if Chrift fhould fay ; let them goe on in theirpridejwhichgloriouflyboaftthemfelues to be wifdomes children mvainci fhce {hall yet haue her prayfe and her authoritie amongft her naturall children. Therefore Luke addeth thii vniuerfall note of all htr f/7i7;,vvhKh confiflcth ofrcuentie and two Judges But as tlie^com- iron fpeach is in luch numbers -■ fo when they fpake of the fymdricn.thcy onely c4'ed them feuentie ludges^and they were cholen o. the pott erme of Dauid,3t Pliiowicncireth , that there might yet rcmainefomeauthoritic in the kingly flo.ke VVhcrtforcaftermanymiferablemuithers,thisvvasthelaltpartoftheir deftniaion when Herod hadouerthrownethatcounfcll,hefpoyled the peo- ple of their iawfiill-ouernemcnt. Furthermore, bee aufc their returne from Babylon, wns a figure of the true and perfed redetrption, the Lord nowe fee meth to chufe thele feuentie preachers of his comming, thereby to promile af- ttr ? fcrt, a rtftitutionofthcir decayed eflatc.- Yet hce made them not iudges with power , because the people was to be called backe a^aine to one head,but he e commanded them onely to goebf fore, that he alone might rule and go- uerne. In that he fent them two together,ufeemcth that hee did itinccnfidc- ration of their weak encs ; for it was tobctcarcd, Icaft they being feu cred alone fhould hnue had lefle courage then was neceflary for the through performance of their ofrce : Therefore that feme (hould mutually encourage others , they are (er.t two together. 3. TheharufP « ':reat, I expounded thisfcntcncein the 9. Chap, after Mat- thew.-yet it was conuenient to be fetdowneheerc againc: becaufe iris hccrc vttered vpon an other occafion. For that Chnft might thereby the better flirre vp his Dilciples diligently to apply their labour^he telleth them that the harucft is 01 eat : whereof it foUoweth that their labour (hould not be in vainc, but that th?y ihould find e aboundance of matter, wherin they might exercife thcfelues After he admonilhcth ihem of dangcrs,contentionsand troubles,and he com- mandcih them to girde vpp themfclues, that they might fpeedely goe through allludea; then hecrchearfeththofccommandements,whichhehad giuen to the Apt files thcrcfoic irweiefiiperfiiiousheere to load the reader* with moe vvoidcs, fith the full expoiltion of all thcfe thingts may bee had there .• onely they ai e 10 be admoniO ed what this fpeach mcancth. Salute no man by the rvay. It is a token of great hnflj where as if any man mcetevs in the way, we goe for^ ward, and fpe:.kc not to him, that might hinder vs, though it were but a ht- tle. So a. Keg. 4. 2 9. when Elizcus lent his boytotheSunamitc,he forbad himtofaiutear-y by the way. Would ChriH: therefore hauehis Difciplcs to be fo vnkind, that he would not allow them to falutc any by the way ? No, but hec coTiinandc th them to make fpeede, that they fliould pafle ouer all lets, Luke alio hath this onely, that the Difciplcs fl;ouldc eatcanddrinke thofc thinv'cs which fl.Dulde b ee fetbefore them. In whichwordes Chnfl doeth notonelv comiraund his to bee content with common and mcanc diet.' but he e alfo alloweih them to eatc of other mens charges. And tliis is the fimplc & natur:»nrenfe,Hniall bee free for you to hue ofother mens charges, fo long at youihalltec in thisiournc/.- font is mectc that they, for whofc caufe you ^ labour vfon the Harmme of the Euangeiiftes. 3 (? 3 labour (^ou!d giuc you foode. Some thinkc that that Icruple is taken away , that theDifciplesOiouId notabhorreorrcfufeanykindofmeat. but Chrifte meant no fiich thing : nay, his purpofe was not to giuc them any thing in commandc- ment concc rnino f ragall diet • but onely to grant them in ftead of reward to be fed in this their ambailage of their hoftes that entert.iyned thcrn^ Marke. Luke. 10. i?» IVceheetoihee ChcraTjn: I ^oe be to thee Eeibf^yda: for ifihe miradet hc.d bene done in Tyrtts ^ Sidon^which haue bene don m you, they had a great vrhile agoc repen- ted^jitting infack^loath and afhes, 14. Thers fore it shall bee eafierforTyru-sand Sidon at the indgfinenty then foryoi^. 1 ^. ^nd thoi* Cafy^rnaum which art exalt(d toheauen^Jhah be thrufi doxpne to heU l€, Heethat hearethytu^hea- reth me xand he thatdefpifethyotf^ defpifeth m(e : ^andhee that defpi^ feth ntee , dtfpifeth him that feni me* Mathcw. It. 20. Then beganne he to yf- hrajrdethe Cities wherein mojieof hts 'Treat norkes were done , becai*fe they repented net. It, J^oeheeto thee, ChoraXJn: ■Ypoe bee to thee Bethf^ida I for if the great work^s, which were done in yon, f- ad beene done in Tyrm and Sj don^ they had repented long agoein fackcloath and ashes. 1 »« But I fay yntuyottyit shal be eafierfor Tyrus and Sidon at theday tfthdgement then for you. a J. ^ndthou Capernaum, which art lyftedyp ynto heaaen, shalt bee brought down to hell: for if the great \fCTh^Sy which haue bene don in thee had beene dooneamon^^them of S»- dome^they had remained to this day. 14. But I fay ynto yot*y that it shall be eafier (or them of the lande •fSodume in the day of ludgementi thenforyoti* fo?m«»hed.sainftthefecm«:nan,cIy,vvl.enhehadrenth.sD,fc.^ dinerft ?anesSf Iudea,to preach asthey went that the kmgdomt of God WM a ha„d4 conSderin^hLvnthankcMlnesamongftvvhomheh^ MrProphMlon- timetand had wrought many miracle? , and they not profi- tTntthTbv he%rakeoutin,othcrewords,asifhe(hoiddhauefayd,thatth£ Se wi comethat he would goeto other cWes<,th he found th^t .^ m- hibitantsofthat coaltc, where heebegan to pteachtheGdpelland^wcrke Hiincleswerc a ftubborne and malicious people. But not fpcakmgof b s do- rnfh^T;Uleththem.that.heywa.^^^^^^ mincles ; for it is euident that tne Lord (hewed ""/"JJ^^JJ^ ' . ^ji „, „ end, that hce mightthereby call men vnto him, and fththat by nawrea^^ arefetaoainfthim, it isneceffarythatthcybeegm ^»';;f'"""""Vcfide of fcnowne.hat Chomin and B«Wai ^VLi on faclcclcath , and to bee fprir.klcd with aflies eueiy (?ay ; therefore this outward {he v\'c ofrcpentanceisnotalwayestobee vfed, but when th:.tfrom ibmc greiuoiis falhng away men turnc againc to GOD, And then fackcloath and afhes are ihcwesofguiliincs; vfed to appeafc the wrath of the iudge, and doc properly belong to the beginning of conueilion. And iith thattncn do te- ilifie their forrow and their greifc by this outward ccrenr.onie, it is nccei^arie thatthe hatred of finne, the feare of GOD, and the mc.itJicarion of the fieflic (hoiildgoe before, according to that faying of loel,*. ij> Rent your hearts, & not your garments, . Now wee fee why Chrift, when hee fpake of Fyre and Sydon, ioyned fack- cloath and afhes to repentance : whofe inhabirants could not haue the Golpcll preached vnto them: buthc condemneth their formerhfejleairine them no re- fuge, but to flye to a forrowfull fl.ew of their guiltincs,and humb^ to feekefor forgiucneflc. T o the fame purpofe alfo may the wcrd Sminq^ be apply cd : for it fignifieth a lying prollrate vpon the ground, which men forlorne doe vfe to tcftjlie and fliew their mournmg, as appeareth in many places of the Prophets, 5 J. jind thou Capernaum. Hcenamcth Capernaum cfpecially, becaufc hewasfo much coniicrfant there, that men thought hee had becne borne there And this was an ineftimable dignitie, that the Sonne ofGod {hould beoin his kingdomcand hispriefthoodthcreinthatcitie,and that hee had chosen it in fteadeofapalaceandafanduaryforhim . But (hee was fb drowned in her ownefilthineflejas ifno drop of Gods grace had tuer bcenc amongft them.* therefore Chriii pronounccth that the greater bicfsingcs of God they had, fo much the more horrible punifhment remayned for them. This place is diligent 3y tobcnoted,thatrheprophaningof Godsgiftcs,beecaufc iti$ ioyned with lacrilcdgc, iliallneucrcfcapcvnpuniihcd. Therefore the high era man is in dignitie, the more fcuerely hccis to bee punifhed, if hee prophanc the giftcs of God bettowcdvpcnhim : and then efpccially is there a horrible vengeance ac bandj when wee (being enriched with the ipintuall gifces of Chrifl) haue him and his Gofpell in derifion. If they had bsene done in Sodsnte, It is fayd before that Chrifte fpake after the manner of men, and that hee did not fhewc, as out of a heaucnly Oracle, what he forfaw (hould haue become of the Sodomites, if a Prophet had beenc fcr.tvntothcm. I fthisanfwcrc doe not fatisfie the contentious: yet this one thing {hall take away occalion of further quarrelling from them, though Cod had a rcmedic in his hand, whereby he coiild haue faucd the Sodomitcs.yct he was a iuft rcucnger in dcftroying them, L V K E. i6. Hee that heareth ym, Ihcy are deceiued, which thiiilc that, thatisrepeatcdhecrc, which wee had in ^atth ewe, lo. 40. Hee that receittethj/ouy' recciueth mte^ For Chriftc Ipakc there of the pcrfons, aj)d rovt hecieofthc dodrine; that rcceiuingpcrtayncd to the duties of chaiitic but nowe hee commendeth that fay th, which rcceiueth God in his wcrdc. This is the fumme, that the godlincfl'c of men is tiycd by the obedience of faith: and they thatrefufe the Gofpell, though they glory that they are great v\oi{h)pper« of G O D, yet they doc openly {hewe awickccTcontemptof him. Further- more, the purpofe of Chriftcij to becconddcrcd .* for whcrcajagrcatpaxt V ^ ^o3 the Comment^ofMJo, CAluim ©FAc world, prcpoftcrouflly cftccmeth of the Gofpcll after the dfgnitie ofmeil and therefore deipirc it, whca it is brought by men of a meane and a bafe cftatc, Chrifthccremeetethwiih this penierfeiudgcmcnt.Alfofith there is that pride almofl in all men, that they Will h.irdly fubmu themfehies to their equals, or to them, whom they contem.ie in refpe^ of thcmfclues : and God appoynteth to go.ierne his Church by the miniftcrie of menne, and chufeth the minifters of the worde ofc tunes out of the drcggcs and oftlcouring of the common people :it was therefore necciTary for him to fet forth the maicftic of the Gof- pcll, leaft it llio'.ild become vile : becaafe it is vttered out of the mouth of man* Thisth?reforeisanotablecommendationoftheo.itvvirde minifteric , that Chrift faythjwhat honour or reuerence foeuer is giuen to the preaching of men fo that it be faithful!, that Godacceptethitasimployedto himfelfe. Wee may profit by this commendation two wiyes .* for firft nothing can better incouragc vs to embrace the dodrine of the G jfpel!,thcn to heare that it is a molt excel- lent fcruice of God, and a facrificc of a fweetefmelUng fauour,to heare him ipcakmg to vs by the mouth ofmenne, and to fubmit o ir fclues with that reue- rence vnto his word brought by men,as if he himfelfe fliouli defcend f om he» uen, o: fhould reueale his cojnfcllby Angels. Thta this elhbliihed atTuredncs taketh all doubt from vs, when wee heare that the teftimonie of our faluation V^fitnefled to vs by men, fcnt from God,is fo to be receiued and credited., as if hisowne voyce ihould found from heauen. Contrariwife,to driue vs from con tempt of the Gofpcll, heeaddeth a fcucrefentence,a(firmmg thatthey difdaine not men, but him, and God his father, which difdaine to heare his minifters though they bee but meanc men. Andasthedignitieofthofcpaftors , which fincerely and faithfally doc et ccutc their office is higly here extold: fo the pope makcth him fclfe ridiculous with his (hauelings, while vndcr this pretence, hee would maintainc his tyranny. For it is ccitaine that Chrift fpcakcth not, as if hee would refigne to men that right, which hce had receiued from his Father/ but this is his oncly purpofc, to deliuer his Gofpell from contempt ;.• Whereof it followeth,that'hc transfcrreth not the honour due to him, to the perfons of men , but oncly to fcckc that it bee not fcparated from his word. Therefore, if the Pope will bee receiu.^d, let him bring the word for a warrant, whereby he may bee knownc to bee a minifter of Chrift, but folong as hce goeth on in his ownehkcncITcthatis, as acheifeencmicofChriftcs, andhauing nothing like to the Apoftics, let him leauc decking hiaafelfc with others fcithcrs. Mathcw. Marke Luke ,10. 17. ^nd thefeuemie tttrHtdavame mth toy ,/4^* ingy Lord, tttenthe deuillsarefHbdHed to ys, through thy nana, 18. UndhufaydtyntotherHy Ifaw SdthaH lyk^ li^htnittgjf^downefrtm heauen* 1 9 . Behold^ Igime y mo yon povtr to tread onferpent t 4ndfc9rf>i»ns,and9tterall tlte^o-mr sftlx eneme^ani , nothing/hall hmjoM^ »0t 2t<»«N vfOH the Hdrmmh efthe Euaniehfleu j ^ « 120. 2ieuertheleJJe,m this reUyetm, that the fpirits arefuhdued yntoyott : But rdtherreioycexbe" I caufeyiur names are Yvritten inheauen, 17. JInd thefeuentie retuimdavaitie. It appcarcth that the feiicntic difciplcs did not at the firit fully and pcrfcdly bclccue Chriftcs wordes, when as they retur- n€d reioycing,a$ at a f« rang matter and a thine, rot to b ec hoped for, tnat they ihoiild caft out dcuillcs by the power of Chrirlc. But this authoritie was com- mitted to thcm,& they had alfo a commandemcnt .* yet I thinkc not when they Went forth, but that they wetc pcrlwadcd that their maifter had faid nothing to them in vaincyet aftc r, when the ftrangncflc of the matter exceeded their opi- nion, they were amaxed at thofe wonderfoll fightts. But this commonly fallcth out,thatthc faithfull doc only conceiue a certaine taftc of the povfer of God by his word ; then experience carrieth them into admiration. But what mancr of ioy they had,rhall more pjainely appeare by Chriftes anfyvcr. 18 . Ifa^ Sathan. Chrifte Icadeth his difciples from one (pcciall (brtc to X whole generalitie : namely, that hecommaunded his GofpcII to bee preached to this endc, that hee ntight ouerthrow the kingdcme of Sathan, And bccaufc the difciplcs tooke that example, which in experience they had fcenCjWithouc ftirther application, Chrifte tclleth them, that the force and efficacie of their dodnne rfiould reach further, and that the tyranny which Sathan cxercifed a* gainftallmankinde'lhould bee oucrthrowne. Now we conceiue the meaning ofthe wordes, when Chrift commanded his Gofpelto be preached, he did not attempt a matter, the end where of was doubtful!, but hee faw before that Sa- than fliould thereby be oucrthrowne- Now, lith the Tonne of God cannot bee deceiued , and this his foreknowledge*^ belon^eth to the contmuall coutfc of the Gofpel .• it isnot to be doubted, butasoftashcraifcth vp faithfull teachers, but that he will giue like happy fucccffe to their labours. Wnercby wee gather, that we cannot be otherwife deliuered from the feruicc of Sathan, but by the Gofpell, then,they profit rightly by the Gofpell, inwhome the prwcr of Sa- than falleth dcwne, that \ hey dying vnto finne, begin toliue to the righteouf' neffe of God« The fimilitiide is alfo to bee noted, which he vf€tb,thntSathan fell downe as lightning at the thunder of the GoQ)eil: for foisthediuineand incredible power ofthe dodrineexprelTed, whichfofodainelycaftcthdownc headlong with viokncc the prince ofthe worlde, furniflicd Withfo great po- wers. Heere is alio cxprefled howmiferable the condition of maii w^s, oucr whome Sathan triumphed, who raigned in the ayre, and held the worldc fub* icd vndcr his feete,vntill Chrift the deliuerer came. 1 9 . Eehilde J giue yntoynupcpper. This is fpoken by way of agraunt , Chriflc denicth not, but that it is an excellent gift, wherein they 1 cioycc ; but hct Cvc- cially warneih them to looke fomcwhat deeper into the matter,3nd net to ftay at the ©utwardmyrades, Therefore,astheir ioy was not cone eiued of nothing. To he doth not3ltogcthcrcondemneit,but{heweth that it isnotfuch asit ought to be ; bccaufe they pleafed thcmfelucs too much in thele outward {V.ewes,3nd did not lift vp ihemfclues to heauen. And almoft all the codly arc fickc of this difeafe; for though they confider the goodnef^c of Gods benefits with tbankf^ fiuing.-y et they go not fo far with the,a$ they ought,a5 Witt Uddw to be holpc ythcaio^limcifttohcawcn. V ». ^ T*»wc )oS The Comment. of M, lo, Caluhte. Therforethcy haue neeHc to beraifed vp by tlie Lor J, as with an oiitlretclicl atme,to be holdcnjthat t\\€y fall not do.vn vpo the ground^but that they (hould afpyrc to a heancaly newaelle of lifCr Hce callcth all dauagers the power of the eaemic.bccaufe the dcuill throwcth vpon vs whatfocuerhc knoweth may make a^ainft vs ; not that he hath in his power thofc things,which can hint mentbut becaufe that he being armed with the curfc of God,he endeuoureth to turne al his fcour?cs to our ddlruftiS ,& taketh them as weapons to wound vs with. ao. Xo^rmmei are written. Chrifte purposing to withdraw his difciples from a vaine ioy,to ^lory & to ioy in ettrnall lifcjhe leadeth them to the headfpring & fountaincofthcQmc: namely, that they arc chofenofGod and adopted to bee fons. He might hauc commindedthcm to reioyce, for that they are regener.itc by thcfpirit of God,tobe new creatures in Chnft, that they arelightncd in. the hope of faluation,& haue the feale of the fame giiien vnto them: But his wi! was toftt down vnto them the head/ro whence all thefe goodthings do come, that is, the free cleftion of Go:!, leaft they (houlde afcribe any thing to themfelucs, ThebcnefitesofGoJjWhichwe feelcinourfclues,dogiue vs occafio to prayfe G 3d:but the cternall eledioi, which is without vs, docth (hew more pliinely^ that the mcere goodnes of God is the foundation of our filuation; Further, he faith metaphorically, that their names are written in heauen, meaning they are s^ccQuntcd before God>as Tons & hcircs,as if they were written in a Catalogue. I Matth. I r. 2 f , y4t that ttme lefits aun^ fweredyartdfaydy Iginethee thanh^Sy 0 father , horde of heauen and earth lecattfctJjMhaJi hidde thefe thinges from the wtfcy and men ofrnderfian- dingt and hajie opened them ynto habeu ^6, It is fo , 0 father : becattfe thy ^oodflexfurt rfatfkch. 27. ^11 thin^es are zit*enyntomie •f my father : and nn manne knoweth tftefonne , bi*t the father : neyther knoweth any manne the father ybttt the fonncyand he to whomc thefonne rvill tet*ealthim. l8« Come ynto mse all yee that are reeary and laden, andlwUeafe you. 2 p. Ta! r 27. ^11 thhgesarepmnto mee of my Father . The interpreters doe yll apply this fentcnce with the former, which thinkc thatthconeJy piiipofe of it is^ that Chrifi e fnould encourage his Difciples with greater boldncfie to the preac hing of the Gofpell. But I thinke that Chiift fpcke itfor an other caufc, and to an cthcrend Fcr,ashefaidcbefcre, thatthe Church came cut of the fecrct foimtaine of Gods free eledion ; lo now hee ftieweth hew that grace of faluation commeth vnto men« For many, when they heaie thatnone other arc beires of eternsU hfe, but thcfe whone GOD chok before tht worlde was made , they doe curioufly crquii e how they may be certaine of Gods fecretc counfell : and fo they oftcihcmfelucs into alaborinth, out of the which they canne finde no paflage . J3nt Chiift commaundethtocomeprcfently y 4 w 5^^ The Commefa. ofM, U. Catuine . tohif« , that the ccrtaintie of filuation may hcc fetched from thence. The meanino therefore is th It lifeisreiiealedtovsinChriiJchlnfclfc .• and iherwforethatnomancaabcpaitakerofthcramc , buthcthatenticthiii by Now wee fee how he loyneth fayth with the eternall prcdeftinationof GoH, which fooUlh men doc fo pceuilhly compare together, as if they were contra^ rics! For though our equation bealwaycshiddewithGod ; yetChrilteis the conduitpii.'Cwhercbyitc6mmcthtovs,andisbyf.iyth rtcciucdof vs, tharit maybeeconfirruedandratiBedinourhcaitcs . Wherefore in? not hwfiill to ihrinke from Chr.fte, except we will rcfufe the falu.uion prepared lor vs. 2y> tHunhoxpeththefonne He fpcakeththis for this caufe, leaft his maiclhe .Loi!ldc vaindybecfteeaiedof,aftcrtheiudgeir.entofmeii. The meaning f'icr(^c:is» that if wee will know what Chrille is, wee muft ci edit the tcO.iniony of :h;: fa- ther, who o.'uly can tjl vs tnily and rightly what he hath giuen vn to vs i.i him^ And cert:i:uly by imagining him to be luch a one, as our mindem the imagi- nation then o^conceiucth, wee fpoyle him of a gi eat parte of his pcwer; there- fore he is not kaowne rightly , but by ths fathers voyce. thouoh the oneiy voyce fiifficeth not without the dircdion of the fpiritc : for the power of ChriHe isfo dee-c and fejrete^thatmen cannot reach vnto the fame, vntill they bechghte-* ncd^of the lather. Note therefore that the father knoweth him net tor himfelffj but for vs th:it he might reueale him vnto vs^yct the lentencefccmcih not to be full : becaufe the two partes of it agree not together. It is raid of the (onnc, that no man knoweth the father but h c, & he to w hom he willreuealchim : but ofthc father this onely isfaide, thac he only knoweth the Sonne .* but there is no mention made thathe (hould leuealc . I anfwere, it (hould hauebeene in vainc to hauc rchcarftd that, which hee had Ipoken but now. For what doth the former thankfgiumg containe, but that the father hath reuc3ledtheSonne,to whomhc hath thought good. Thcrfore that which fol- \oywCihno\r/^thatnoniani;newthefonMybutthefather, is as areafonrendredof thnt hee hadde fpokc r for this imagination might hiue rifcn ; what neede was itthatthef.ther {lioiildc rcuealc the Ibnne, who hath (hewed himfeire to bee fecne openly ? Now, that wee vndcrlfand wherefore it is fay de that the fonne was knowne of the father alone : it rcmaineth that wee (liould confider the latter part ofthc fcntence .* That no man knoweth the father,but the fonne. Alfo this knowledge differeth from the former ; font isnotfayde, that the fonne kncwc the father , becaufe hee (houldereuealc him by Ins fpiriie : but inthathcew.is the liucly image of the father , hee (hcwcth him vilibly after aforte inhisowae pcrfon . YetIexcIudenotthefpirit,butIrefcrrethere- wfalin^ , whereofCliriftenowefpeikcth, to the manner ofthc knowledge, and (b^thc text agrccih well togcathcr.* for Chnfteconfirmeth that, which hee iaidebefore , thai oil tliingcs were giiien vnto him of thefather, thatwee mi;hte knowe thaithcfulaelleofthc God-head dwclte inhim ♦ Thisic the^fummc, it is the gift of the Fatlier , that the Sonne is knowne .• for h(-^e opcnncth the eyes of our mindes by hisfpirite , wherein wee fee the glory of ChriQc , which othcrwiii was hidden from vs;but the fiuher vfontheBarmoniioftheEmngettfies, 313 latbcrwlio dwelleth in light, whereto no roan can reach, and is incomprehen- sible in hin^fclfc, isrcucalcdvnto vs by the ron,who is the huely image jlo that hee is foueht clle wherein vainc. r 8 , Come ynto met allye. Now he docth louingly call vnto him them, thi t hceacknowlcdgcthtobefittetobebisdifciplfs, Forihough hee bcrcadyto reucale his father to all.yet the moft partncgledeth to come, becaufe tbey arc not touched with the feeling of their wantes. Hypocrites care not for Chrifte, becaufe they being drunkc with theirownenghtc-oufneflc, neither hunger nor thirft for his grace. They that are giuen to the worldc^makc no account of the heauenly life': therefore C hriOe (hould call thofe twofortes of people ro him in vainc.he turneth therefore himfelfe to the mifcrable & to the affiiftcd. Alfo he calkth them thatUbour & moiirnc vnderthe burdcnmeither doth he general- ly meanc all the that arc oppreHcd with forrow & gricfes, but them which be- ino confoiide J m thcii own lins,and ftrickcn with the fearc of Gods wanh,ai c ready to fal down vnder fo great a burden. God humbkth his cled diuerswaies.- but becaufe the moft pare of men opprefl'ed with mifc ries, do yet remaine ftub- borne & vnurr.edjChiiil rocaneth by men w^ary & loadcn, the thathauc their confciences afflidcdwiihthcguiltmcsofeternall death, andareprKktfom^ wardly with their own mil'cneuhat they faint; for this feeblcnes maketh vs apt to receiuc his orace. For it is as if he Ihonld hauefaid, that his grace is therefore contemned ot the m.oftpartjbecaufe few do feele their owne want : yet there if no caufe why their pride or obftinacic , {houlde hinder afflided confciencej which fioh for remedy. Wherforelctvsleaueallthewhicharc bewitched with the flci^htsofSaihan, and do either perfwadcthemfelues to hauerighteoufncs without Chrift, or tls doimagine themiclues to be bleflcd in this world. Our mifericsdo driue vs to feckc ater Chrifi. And becaufe Chrift admitteth none to thccnioyingofhisrcft, butthcm that faintvndcr the burden, let vslearne that there is not a more deadly poy fon, then that fluggiftinc s which planteth in vs a falfc & deceitfiill opinion either of an earthly fclicitie, orof righteoufncfle and vtnuG.'thcrcforeletcuery one of vs daily ftirrevpourfclues, &firfl Ictvsbuiic our fclues to fhake off the delightes of the world; then h t vs empty our felucs of allvainciruftin ourfelues. But though this preparation to receiue the grace of Chnft doeth difcouragc men .-yet it is to bee noted that it is the gift of the holy Ghoft : becaufe it n the beginning of repentance, whereto no nan can attaint of himfelfe Neither i^ it the purpofe of chrift to teach what man can do of him felfc, but oncly how they ought to be affefted which come vnto him . They whichreftrainc this burden and this labour to theceremoniesoftlielaw, dec tie the fentencc of Chrift too fhert* I grauntthat the burden of the lawe is in^ tollerable,and thatit would ouerwhelmefoules .• butthatmuftberemcmbred which I faid, that Chrift reacheth out his hand to all that be afflidcd, that hee - might make a diHcrencebetweene difciplcsand contemners of the Gofpel.But. thatgencrallfpeachofChriftcistobee noted ; for Chrifte doeth therefore, withbutexccptioncomprehende all thatlabour, and are laden, leaftany man thiouc;hfjithlcfle doubting, ft^ouIdefliLtte vp the way againft himfchc. Ard yet afi they are but few in number .• becaufe that of that innnmcrablecompar.y ofthcmthatarcabouttopcrifti,. fcwe feelethcmfelucs going to dcftnia-on . 3T4 The C0nment»ofM, lo. Calame. The refrtfftiing which Chrifte promifcth, confiilcth in the free forgiucncffe o^ ijnnes,which oaely cafcth v». 19 . Takf: my yoake onyott. Bccaufe wee fee that many doe abufe the grace of Chrift,whilc they turne it to feme the wantonncffe of the flcfh ; therefoi t after Chrilt hath promifed ioyfiill reft to the miferable afflided confcienccshcc alfo warncththeinthatheisaddiuerer vpon this condition^that they fhouldctake his yoakc on them; as if he fhoiildchaiiefiyd, that he didnotthereforcfree the from linsjthat they hauirig God mercifull to theni,{ljuld therby take a hbcrty to linnc.but that they being comforted by his grace,(houid take on them a yoake, & that they being freed m confciencc,they might keepein bondage the wanto- nes of the flcHi, And hereof is gathered a dcfinitio of thatreft whcrofhe fpake/ that IS, itfreeth not the difciplcs of Chnfte from the warfare of the crofle, that they fliould hueplcnfantly, but it excrciftth the vnder the burden ofdifcipline, & containeth them vndcr the yoake. Learne oftne^ They are in my iiidgement, dtceiuedjwhich thinkt that chiift fpake here of his meckenes,leaft his difciples (as the coming of mighty men is wont to be fearcful)becau(e of his diiiinc glo- ry,fliould fiie from him For he rather fraraeth vs to follow him^becaufc that by rcafon of the ilubbornneUe of the the fle(h,wee fiie the yoake as a (harpe and a hard thing, A little after he (ayeth that his yoake is fweete.- but how can it bee that any man flioulde fubmit his necke willingly and ioyfuIIy,except hee being cloathed with meekenesjhe becometh like to Chrifl? Further,it appearcth that this is the meaning : Chrifle exhoriethhis difciples to b care his ycakc,leaft the «3ifficultie flioiild terrifiethcm,hcaddcthprcfently afterj/edrnrjieo/w^jfignify-* ing that that yoakc (Hould not be grieuous vnto vs, when we are by his own ex- ample taught and framed to m.eckenefTe and humilitie. That alfopertaineth to the fame purpofe^that he addeth, yee/lMllfinde refi. So long as the flefh is at li- berty wee murmur ; but they which refufe the yoakeof Chnfl, and cndeuour to pleafc God an other way, they doc weary and tircthcmleluesin vaine ; As wc lee the Papifts doe vcxe themfelues miferably, and they beare a cruell tyranny, vndcr the which they are tormented , yet with filcnce they pailc it ouer, leait they ihculd become fubied to the crofle of Chrift. i^arke- !♦ 1 J. jind tt cams to pajfeas hfe went through the cotncy ontht SabLoth day^thathis difctples^asthey net on thetr tvayybegan topluckjt eares of come, i^.^ndthephari Mauh. I z. I . ^t that time- leftts tvetit on a S^l^l/oth day through the come, and bts dif'.plei were an hun- gred and beganne to plhck^ the tares ofcorne to eats. Z^Andwhcnthe p])arijiei faw ity they [aide ynto him : Behold, thy ' Jifsfaid ynto him: Beholde, difciple I do that which is not law { ^hy do they on the Sabboth full to do vpon tJjC Sabbfth. j 3 . But he/aide ynto them: haue ye not read what Dauid did when he was anhitnored,and they that l»ere with him ? How he entredJnto the houfe 4* day,tJ)at which is not law full? i J. ^nd hefaid ynto the.'hane yrneucr red what Dauid dtdjvhc hehadneed (^ was an ' iigred both hee (^ they that were with hi} x6,HoiB "Luke, 6. I. ./ind it came to pajfe on thefeced Sabboth yaf'- ter thefirjiy that he vent through the cornefieldes^ ^ his difciples plucked the eares of come y ^ did eate j^ rub them in their hands* 2 .^ndcertaine of the pharifiesfaidto them why do yee that which is not I aw full to doe on the Sabboth day? J. Then lefus anfwered the^iandfaj/d$'.ha$teye» not ^ent into the houfe ofGod^ and tooke ^ eate the /hewe bread y ^^atiealfo to them vrhich were vchh him vpon the Harmoftie 9ftheT.HAngehflcs\ ' ^xc o/Gofe^ jindthtrj ash^d htm, fayinge : /; h lawfrll uheaU yffon a Sabboth ddy^ Marke } I . jind he entred againt into the Syna^o^ue , and tlTere yras a man which had a witlieredhande. I. ^nd they watched him whether he Vfould heale him en the Sabboth dayey that that they mi^ht accnfe him, | they might accufe him* 1 1 , ^nd heefayde ynto them: , $ - Then hefayde ynto the \»]>at mannejliall there bee a^lmanwhich had the vpithe. 9n$n*re youy that {hall hatte a fheefiy and if it fall on a Sab-' both daye into a pittCyy^ill not he takf it ami lift it out ? 1 1. H9vee much more then it a mattne better then afheefe ? Therefore it is lawfttll to doe Xcell on a Sabboth day, IJ. Then fayde hee to the red hand.'arifcyfiand forth in the middet* 4 ,^nd hefaidto them- hit lav full to do a good deed on thefabbothday^orto doee^ uill ? to fane the life, or to kil>but they held their ^eace 5 .The helokfd round about Luke^« ^. It came to fajfe atfo em an other fabbothythat he en" tredinto the Synagogue f^f taught 3 fSf t^^'^f B''*^ ^ 'W4» whofe right hand vras dried yf.Jjtnd § Scribes ^^hd" rijies watched ht y whether he would heale on the Sabm both day y that they might find an accufatio againji h* 9. hut he knew their thozhts /•If <^ faiae to the man which had thewithredhand'.arift f^ftand yp in the middes, and he arojfe f^ftoode yf, 9 .Thefaid lefus ynto the^ wil askf you a quiflioywhe' ther is it lawful on the fab- both daies to doe good yor t9 ontheangerly, mourninge _ ftuinne : Stretch foorth thine\alf«forthehardnesoftheir .do euilHofaueltfeor to de hande, jind hee ftrttched it hearts, (r he dU Gnne, as it isV.'hat doth any thing againft thelaw, but he a!fo w^^^^^^ negleaeih his dutie. Heereby we alfo perceiue that Chrift 'i,'^"°' f "^X" '^ thlfamc realons, to onerthrow this cau.ll wah . for he f^'r^^'^"^"!^^ GodheadashedothinIohn,nci.hcrw.s.tneede&U,forth.sone dcftnc wa. fufrKienttDconuincethePharifes,forthefctwocannotagreethathelhouldbe accounted abreakerofthe Sabboth,whoihouldfc.llow God. L V 8 «». ht h>» rf.«r t/»«r*«.lf Mat. fay true, they did ope.ily bewray vnth .heirVih:wh;7eyhadin^theirmmd.TW fecret thoughts butto their ope words. But both may nand,that^^^^^^^^^ penly,& thLhnft iudged oftheirfecretthoughts. Netther d^a they v'^er w^^^^ S»e/mcaat^»Mat,declatetb,that.heirdemandw.«£ap«ous.thuto^o le 3 2 a The ^oinmem, ofM* Jq. Calteme^ pscaneih nothing clfe, butthat Chriftc knewc their dcceites, though they prc- tciidedan other matter in words. Markcaddcth that Chrifl looked vpoaihem augerly ; fur he might well be angry ar their wicked oblhnacic. And tha t v\ce pii ^ht knowe that his anger was mil and holy, hec fay cth that it fprang of tr is, that h-.e mourned for the hardnes of their hearts. I-irft therefore Chrill isfor- JO /vfull that men exercifcd in the law of God,fhould be in fuch groflc jgnor.'cc |5iit bccaulcchat malice blinded them, hceairoconceiucthangerwiihh:sfor- row. This isarightmodcrationof zealejWhen wemournefortheceftrudi- pn of wicked menne, and are angry for their vngodhncs. And as 'tins place declireth that Cbrilt was not free Irom humane aSedions; fo wee doe hecreof gather thac the parsionsthemfeliics are not iinfiiU, fo that a temperate meane be kept Wee cannot hold the mcanc by realon of our corrupt naturc,wec arc ncner angry, no not foriultcaufes without finne .• thcfe things were not to bee fo'jnd in Chntt, for not oncly the integritieof nati-redid bcarc rule in him, but in him there alfo 111 onx; a p^rfede example of rightcoufneflc. Therefore wee muft piay that the foirite of God may be giucn vs from heauen to corrcd and fcridic ourimpcrfcdions. Mathew. ii. 14. Thtnthel?hnrifes tpentom^ atidcoufuhed again/} him , J?ovr they mig1)t dejlroy him^ If. BtiC when leftf'S knew it^hee departed thence^ 4tndgreMt mt^lth- tudes follorved him, and he healed them all.. 16, ^nd charged them that they fljouldriQt mak^ him l\nott>ne^ 17« That it might bee fulfilledy l»hich wai fiok^n By Efayas the J?rophetjfayin'r: l8, Bchilde my feruant XtehomI hat^e chofsn^ my hcloned in xvhome my foU'le delig, fifth : I will put my fpiriteonhim and h'!ej7jall/Jfen>e iudzement to tl)S Gentiles. ip, Hee /J}all not Prii*: HBT criey neythtr fhalL any manm heare hit "poyce in the/ircetes. 20, .Al>rttifedreedeP)all heemt hreal^^ ,and f.nokjv^faxe f^jall he tiit quench , yntill hee I ring foorth iitdyement into riflorie. a I. ^nd in his name piall the Gentiles trttji. filled full of mad- nes and com* mttned one with another "what they might doi t% lefm. Marke j. Luke. ^.' 6, ^nd the Vhartfes, departed ^ 1 1 1 .Then they (iraighfppay gathered a cottnfel with were the Herodiam againfi him, that they might dejiroy him* 7 But lefus auoided with his Difci- pies to thefea : and a great multi- tudefolowed him from Galtlty and from htdea, 8. ^nd from Terufalemj and from idumeay and hey ond lor dan y(^ they that dwelt aboutTyrtts (^ Stdortyvhe they had heard what great things hee did, came ynte him in great number 9 . ^nd he commanded hit difciples , that af}ip^eP)ottld wait for him, be^ caufeofthe multititde, leaji they Pjould throng him. ro. For he had healed many, infomuch that they preafed yppon him, to toHch him, as many as had plagues* 1 1 . ^nd when the yncleanefpirites fawe him^they fell downt before him, and cryed,faying:Thot*art thefonne of God ri. ./Ind he fharply rebuked them, to tht end they PjohU not ytter him, \ 14' Thm vpoft the HarmeHfe $fthi ^uatigelifles, J^ I 14. ThentheVbarifes. See whether obftinate fiirycarieth the reprobate inrc- (ifling and ftriuing againft God ; for they being vanqiufhcd with his anfwcres that he ihould come in that ellate. Whereof it followeth that all they doe wickedly which dcfpifc Chrift, becaufc his outwardc condition anfwereth not their fieOily af- fedions. Neither is itlawfull for vs to deuife a Chrift, which lliall bee like to our imagination, but it is fimply ncccflfary for vs to embrace him as he is offered vnto. vs by the father* Therefore he is vnworthy of faluation, in whole eies the humilitie of Chrift fcemeth vile jin the which the Lord declarcth that hee is de- lighted. Now I will enter into the wordes ofthe Prohpet Efay 42« i. 18. Behold tnyfeYHantvohom I haU'Cchofen, That God may tic 7$ to waitC vpon his will , he (heweth ai it vvcrc with a finger, him whom hee woulde fend, and for this caufe is this note of demonftration (^Behold) vfed. There is the like rca Con alfo in the Epithites which,follow,thatnc namcthhim his feruant, and his chofcn wherein his mind dclighteth. For how fhould it come to paffe that Uienflionld be lo bolde as to meafure Chrift by their owne imagination , ex- cept it be becaufe they weigh not that their faluatio doth deped vpon the meere fiiiK)ur of God ? And this is to wicked a libenic,when God oftcrech vs an inco- parablc ircafure, that men IhouKl cftccmc of it according to our flefiily defires» And he is called feruant, iiot as one of the common people J but iti refped of dig rutie, for that God hath byd vpon hi ntheollice of redemption ofhis Church. And becaufe that no man taketh honour to himfclfe, but he which is called , is fovvorthi^.y tobe eftcemed: God (ayth thathe cholcin his ownc coanfell, that hcc iliould come in this order ; whereof it foUoWv th, that it is not lawful! for inen to refuse him, becaufe thatfo they (hould bee contumelioas aeainll God, And certaincly it is too abfurde, thit. the holy and i;iii;olaI)lc caUmg of Go J fljouldft t/pontheHarmmeoftheEfMftgeli/f^i. ^Ij flioiiWcbe roaacofnonc efiede, through our pleafurc or pride. Yctthatwhich God addcth by the Prophet, that his Icule delichteth in Chrift, hath a fiirther n;c3nin2. For though the calling of eucry one of vs commeih from the free grace c/Cod, as from the oncly fountair.e .- yet this is an cfpeciall delighte in Chrifle, for that in his pel fon Godthcfather comprehend eth and embraceth the whole Church in his ioue. For when we were all by nature the«nemics ot God, his Ioue cculde neucrhauecometovs,cxcepthcehadfiiftbegunatthc head, as it is faid bcfore,and fhallbee fecneagaincinihe 17. chapter, HePhtllfhevoiud^imenttothe Gentiles. The Prophet doih here defcribc briefly theoflficeof ChnfijWhcn hccforettUcthjthatitfhall come' to pafle,thathe dial {hew iudccmtct to the Gentiles. The Tewcs do comprehend vnder this word judoement^ a flate rightly and orderly eftabhflied, whei ein equitie and vp right dcalino flourilbcth. Therefore it is as much as if the Prophet (hould hauc faid, that one fliould come, which ihouiuc reftorc righteoufneile decayed ; and that hefhould be the gouernour net onely of the people, but thathecfhoulde bring the Gcntiks alio vnder the goucrnemcnt of God, amongft whom there haddc raipned htretcfore nothing but confufion. And this is the fignification of this wo^d sherojortobrin^foorth, which the Prophet vfcth : for it was the office of Chrill to fpread the kingdome of God through all the worlde^which w^s then iliutvpinacorncrofludea, asitisfaideinthe Pfalme, 120. i.theLordcfhall fende the Scepter of thy power out of Sion. There is alfo cxprefl'ed the mancr of bringing forth of this iudgement/namcly, that God will powre his fpirite vp* on Chrilf. It is true that there was ncucr any thing done rightly in the worlde, which proceeded rot fr5 the fpirit of god,& was let forward by the heauely po- v/er of thefame.asalfothcrewasneuer any ofthekings, which couIdeere ir.orc fully kindle J in them, & that their ftrengthbecommc more perfcv'i. Arc they not alliikc to a Rcedehilfc broken, andtoafmoking match? Therefore let vs Icarne to remember this great goodnefle of Chrill,whoframcch himfclfc to our infirmitie. Yet in the meanc while let no man flatter himfelfe in his fins; but let euery man cndeuour to profit better in our fclues, leaft we wander al our lifelonc^, or bend & tame at euery blaft,like vnto Rcedes butlet vs grovT on to pcrfcftc mcnnc,th.u we may ftand fail againft the fundry aflaults of fathanLec not o jr faith be Ike a few fmall (patkes hidden in a darke fmoakcbut let it ihcvf foorth bright (hiningbcames. Nowc by the example of Chriftc, all his mini- fters haueprelcr.bed vnto them, how they ought to behaue them(elues. But bc- caufe that vndc r pretence of this place, fome do fal/ly & foolilHy p rctend, that mildneffc is ocncrally to be vfed towards all men ; that difference is to bee no- ted which tfie Prophet exprefly'makcih between the weake and theobftinatc. For there arefome that are too ftronej^.whofe hardnefieit were mcetc (houldc be broken with the violence of a beetle : which cither endeuour to bring dark- nefle ouer all places, or els are fire-brands to kindle cofuming fires euery wher, and it is ncceflary that their fmokc fhould be rcattered,& that their heat ihoulde be qu-nched. Therefore as the faithfull miniftersof the word, muft dilligent- ly apply themfelues, that by fparing the weake, they may encreafc and nounih the cirace of God, whichas yet is but fmall in them? fo they mult in wifeJomc takc^good heed thitthcy nouiilhe not the malicious obftinatc, which are no- thinglike to the fmokingflaxc orthc brufedReedc. ao. Till he bringfwrth iuigemtntinto yiSiory, The words of the Prophet are /bmewhat otherwiTc.-namely, that hce ihall bring forth or lead forth iudgemet in truth, yet the fpeach which Mat, vfeth, is full of great importance ; that wc may knowe that righteoufnciTc cannot bee placed in the wotlde without great ftnfe and labour. For the deuill c.ifteth in what lettcs and hindrances hee may, thatri^'hteoufiieffcfhoulde not {hew foorch but by great wraftling : and that is confirmed by the word vidory,which is not obtained but by fighting. For that which prefently foUowcth, the Prophet hath, the lies Ihall wai:e for hislawe. And though matthcwhathchaungcdthewordes,ycthc agrecth in fence, that the grace of Chriftfliall be common to the Gentiles. Matth. ZN %it T hen vpai brought to him •»«, p«jfejf'd with a deuilly both hlinde anddumme^fi^'hee healtd hinty fo that he vrhich was blinde 0' dttmmsibothffuke andfawe. 2 J . ^ndall the people were a ■ ma%edy and fay d : Is not this the fonneofDnmd > 24. Bttt "fohtn the Vhdrifies heard itythey fay d: this mtnca- fiethd^t*iUes no cthervfife out y but through Beel\ebub tbefrince ffdmiho Markc. 3. oind they came htme^ Luke II. 1 4 ^Then he cafi out »9 lo. ^nd the mnltitude af' t a deuill which was fembledagaint y fo that they dum.'^^hen the de could notfo much as eate bread. If. And X9hen his k^nfUh^ heard of it, they Vrent out to lay hold on himyfor they tJ)oughthe had been beside himfelft. 11. jind the Seribts vehiche came from lerufaltm,fnyde:Hee hath Beelzebub y<:ir through th( prince ofdeuUlti hcc cafitth out iemli^ uil vpaj iront ontythe dumme fpake^(irtht people roondered, i^.Butfome ofthem fayd' Ht cajieth out detfils through Beel %ebuby thecinefeof the deuilsp u vfMthe UarmmieoftheEHAngehfits* )«^ It is not to be doubted but that Markemcancthfomcccrtaine (pace of time lono enough, when he dcfcendcth from the miracles to that wicked confpira- cic ^ which Chrifts kinfmen made amongftthemfdues, that they mioht bind him as a mad man JnMathewand Luke there is cxprefle mention made of one oncly myracle, by the which the Pharifies tooke occafion of quarrelling. But becaufc they all three agree together in this latter fentence, there fore I thought good heercto fct downc that which Mark reportcth. And it is wonder ihatthcr wasfuchfrowardnesin Chriitcs kinsmen^ which {hould haue becne the cheifc helpers in furthering the kingdomco/God* W hen they fee that he e hath got- ten him any name, ambition pricketh themfo,thatthcy defueto beecome fa- mous at Icrufalem -for they exhorted him that he would goc vp thither, that he might the better aduancehimfelfc^ Now that they fee that he c is partly hated ofthe rulers, partly fubied to many cuill rpeaches,and alfo defpifcd of tliC moft part : leall any danger or enuic, or reproach fliould come to the whole Itock or kindred^they deuilctolay hands vpon him, and to bind him athomc. as a man out of his wits ; & that they wcrefo perfwaded,it appcareth by the words of the Euangehlt. Whereby wee doc firft learne how blinde roans vnderflanding iy, thatiudgethfoperuerfly ol the manifeft glory of God. Ccrtainely, the power of the holy Ghoft did {bine moft excellently in all Chriftcs words & dccdes,fo thatifithadbinobfcurcto others,howcoulditbchid from his kinfmen, they being fo familiary acquainted ? But bccaufe the maner of life which Chrift led plcafed not the world, and fogat him nofauour, but rather procured him many mens hatred, they fainc him to bee a mad man.Secondly ,Iet v$ learne that the light offaithcommeth not offic(handbloud, but ofheauenly grace, Icaft any nun (hould glory in any other biith, but in the newbirth of the fpirit, as Paul warncth vs, i.Cor, J .17 , If any man will be cftcemcd in Chrift, let him bee a new creature. 11. r/>*»WiW^f»«5?;ffof;»w.LukccalleththcdeuilUby whom the man was pofleffcd; dumbc, bccaufe of the effeft : yet Matthewe fayeth that there was a double plague layd vpon the man. It is certaine that many are blind and dumbe ofnatnralldifeafes .'but it appearcth|that this man was blind in his eyes, and depriucd of his fpeach, though therewas no want in thofe partes pertaining to the light, or in the proportion of the tongue .-Alfo it is no maruaile that Sathan hath fo much hbertie as to corrupt the fenfes of the body, when as by theiuft iudgcmcntof God he corrupteth and peruertethali the powers of the foule. 2 5 . jinei all the people were ama%ed. Hereby wc gather that the power of God was manifeftto bee feene, which caricd the common reoplc which was cicare and free from all mahcious affeaion^to haue him in adrairatio. For how fhculd it come topafle that all the people fliould be foamasied & wonder, but becaufc the matter fo compelledihem ?And certainly there is none ofv$ whichmaynot behold in thishyftory 3$ in aplalTe,thcwonderfullpowcrof God; whervfcyic istobegatheredthatthcScribcshadthcirmindsinfeaedwithdeuihfhpoyfon which were not afrayd to cauill at this fo excellent a worke of God. But the fruitcofthemyiacleis tobcnoted.-thatthey which fawitwctc amafcd, and enquired amongft thefdues,whctherIefusweretheChiift.Foithepower of god being known , they are led as by the had to faith, not that they p roht at the fiift,fomuch as they ihouldCfonhey fpcak doubtfuliy}bui thisis nofwiUvuit , X $♦ 5 1^ Tie Cofnment, (f2i4. lo^ dUmne^ thatthey ftirrcvpthcmfcluesmorc diligently to con fid cr the glory of Chiifl. Some cake it to be a full affirmation; but the wordcsfoand noCuch thing, and the matter it felfe flicwcth , th.it they becing amafed at a thing vnlooked for, could not ^iuc aperfeift iudgemcnt , butonely that it came intothtir miridcs that it mi^ht be that he fliould be the Chrift* 24. Bnt tbeVh^irifesfayd. Becaufe they cannot deny a matter fo euident anen a/iron.)■ not be rcflrayncJ to the lad dav auml'e'XI.r" f" ^°' keJ th,s quell. ,n, ,/«,„ j^„i ! th^tis, how ftalKvee ftanT(^ Z f"'' ^'- we thni, e .oynej to>< ther h Jc ou f^^I es , chrift^lT f ' ' "^''^^^" *^'' thevv) layetli'that he is the banner a d ta- d,r^ f ,(■' '^f P™"'' t-y Mat, «!.chal/aKcluldr.nofGo-ruftn:ega^^^^^^^^ 4». nUchthmfari. Thcexhortation fctt'•do■'V^^^v T „i,. • I^«hh.f:„ccso.c.■coxcwuh..c™d ^i': :„" t^d^^^^^^^^^^^^ meJ.tatcvppon the hcauenly life. Bat bcc'ufethnX P' . 'V"'"'''-" '° fled, wh..l, doth not make I man dr.nL;;alhhei;h L'3.fh I'''' "^'1?^ ..chma.tH.toI.rt.po.S,.„det^^^^^^^^^^ becaufe that the miades a7eSu,„fr^ •'J'/n^ theflem,whichcreepe.proXi^^!^^e,^id.P'''Tu'''''7'P'"''««°f on toptayers : for it is ne?Xr7to feet fl T r '""'J°"°7«h ancxhortati, vouchfafc to drawc vs out of fn .-f^.n.^^j Yi V ^"*^ ^^^^ ^o^ WouMc h.cvvo.Ideplacev.fSte^TprTnce^^^^^ bee placed there, except we efcape an infimfmfmKl/?!^ *"** w« cannot it is not enough bv efcanim, „!, j number of deathcs . But becaufe ChriftenotethtbS"i ^f ''""§'T°P'^'°""'''^^°«feoftSe Dientfeate «^ P"=>"P^1 m^«cr, that we may ftand before his iidg/: ohh"Sro?cfehiVh'°t'r'''''''«*^'"" WvsvptoblS^^^^^^ flioii d be keptfccrer fr,^^ u "'"''"'."f For God of purpofe would that •> >ll their life wanderiSKt V "l,r '^'^t'"'^ P"''"«' 'f*« %thfba aa,«bcfore.preparear»t"tftkt;l^''°"'''*^«°^^^^^^^ */atth. 24^ vpon the Harmenti tftht EtutfifeUfies. Mathcwc24» Markeij. Lukei*. €6s 4 J . Of this hcfure^ that if the good man of the houfe k^evreatfphat xvatche the fheefe vpoiild cornejijexvoiild furely watch & notfuffer his houfk tnbe digged through, I 44. Therefore he ye alfo ' and to ettery uadj.forinthhoftrethat ye thinl\not vriU thefonof man come. 4 5. who tiien U a faith full feruaunt^xaifeywhom hit maifier hath made ruler tueralhis bou/hold to giue them meate infeafon? 4^. Blejfed ii the fernanty whome hit mafiefywhen hee tcommethyfhalfindfo doing j^7. Merely Ifay yntoyouy he fhal make him ruler ctterallhUz<^odesA ^S.Butifthat euilferuant fhal fay in his hart my ma, fierdooth deferre hif com- Wing, 49. ^ndbeginnetofmite hiif'^lloreescir to eat i^ to drinkfi Vfith the drunk^n^ ^o^Thatferuantes maifier vpill come inaday^yrben he Uoh^th not for htm and in KJi, houre that he is not wart of. Si.^ndvfiilcHt him off,^ giue him his portion with hfpocrites: there /hall bee weeping and gnajhing ffteetb. 34, ^saman 3 J. Let youtUynexbegirde about ^and going into a yourlighteshummg^ Jirang country j 6^ ^nd ye Joiir feint i likf ynto men that ^leaueth his voaite for their maifier ^ xvhenhee will r«- hotffe and gi- turnefrom t he xvedding^that vohen he com- ueik authority meth and k^och^th^ they may open to him to his feruants immediately » 17. Blejfed are thofe feruauntes, yphom man hii worke the Lord when hee cemmeth fhaU findt andcommaun- wakingr yerely Ifay yntoyou, hee villgird deth the porter himfelfe about ^and make them to fit doxvne to watch. I at talle^ and will come forth and ferue i <) Watch ther,. them. fore, (for yee 38. ^nd if he come in thefecond watch^or k^ow not when come in the third watch, and Jhall find them the mafier of fo y blejfed are tho^e feruauntes. the houfe will jp. ISsw ynderfiande this^ thatifthe comcy at the goodmanof the houfe had I^nowne at what euenyoratmid hour the theefe ypould haue come he would night, at the haue watched,and would not haue fuffered cackle crowing^ his houfe to bee digged t hrottgh. Of at the daW' AO. Bee ye alfo prepared therefore' for the ning) Sonne of man will come at an how whcnyt l6,Leaf}if1je thinly not, comefodenlyhe 41. ^hen Teter faide ynto him, mafier should find you telUfi tho u this par able ynto rs, or eutn to fieeping, ail, $7. ^nd thofe 4» ^ndtheLordfaide,whoisafaithfull things that J fiewardeand wife, whome the maifier fay ynto you, \fijallmah^ ruler cuer Hs houfhold, togiu* I fay ynto all I them their portion of meat in feafonf men^ watch, \ 43 • Bleffid is thatferuant,whcm his mafier I wbenhe commnh,fiaUfindefo doing, 144. Of a Truth Ifay ynto you, that he will make him ruler ouerall that he hat h* ^ 4y* Butifthatferuantfay in his hart^ my mafier deth defer his comming, and fijall heginn e to ftnite the feruauntesy and maidens, and to eate and dtink^, and to bee drunh^n,/^6. The maifier of fhat feruaunt willcome in a day, when hethinl^th not, and at an hottrewhen hee is not ware of, and will cut hhn of, andgiuehim his port ion with theyMtfuers. . 7ti 47"^^ 6S% lie Comment, 9/ MM CdMne. 47. ^nd that itruant that h^e^ hU matfleri YPtl^and prepared not himfelfe^ neither did accordingto hit voill^halbe beaten rtith ma^ nyfiripes, 4 8, Bw heethat k^evoe it not andytt did committe ththg^s v^orthy offiripes, fhalbe beaten withfewfiripesifor ynto rvhome fo^ ei*er much isgiuen^ofhlm mtuh fhalbe reqni^ redy and to whom men much commit the more of him Will they ask^, 4P, lam come to ptit fire on the earth, and xphat is my defire^ifit bee already kindled} • 50. 2^t withfianding I mnj} be baptifed Vfith a baptifmejand boive am Jgrieueci^yn* till it bee ended^ 4 ^ If the good ntAn of the houfe'knew, Luke doth not rche.irfc this ravine of €hnftinthcrame place that Mathewdoth. Andnomeriiailcforinthciz* chapter hce gathering together the fumme of the dodiine ofmanySer.iions (as we haue (hcwde other where Jhee fttteth downe this parable alfo.Fiirther there is this general preface,thatthc^dirciples with their loynes girded and their lightesburningintheir hands, (huldwaicefortheirniaifter* The which fen- tencc is aun(wercd with chat parable which followeth a litle afterin Mathew ot the wife Virgmnes andthefooIiHi. But Chriit doth aptly note in few wordes how the fay thf idl (hould pafle as ftraungers through the worlds For firfl he 00- pofeth the girding of theloyncs aga inil flouthJulaes,and the burning H.^ hcesa- gainftthedarkcnesofignorauncc.Firtt therefore ChriftcommauncTeth the di- fciples to be ready and prepared tS take a iourncy, that they (lio'ild withfpccdc palfe through the earth.notfecking forarefting place any other where but in heaueji. The Warning is very profitib le, for though the very prophane men can fpcake of thefnort &fpcedy courfeof the life of man yet we fc how they reft & ty e themfclucs vnty the earth. But god vouchQfeth^ not the honor of children to any but to fitch as do acknowledge themfv^lues to be (Iraimgers vpon earth &are not only ready at all times to go forwird^butalfo do continually go for- ward in the way to heaiien* But.now becaufethey are compafled about with darkenes 0:1 euc ry fide,fo long as they hue in the world he furnilhed them with lightes as if they were to take a iourney in the night. Sohere is firlt commended a diligent fpeedi'.ies to perfourme the conrfe; then,a certaincdiredion leaft the faithful wandring out of the way (hould weary themfclucs in vain for other* wife icwere better togo faintly in the way, then rallily to runne in a bhndc and vnknownwayThatwhichherpeakcthofihcgirdingvpoftheloines.isaphrafc of fpeach taken of the common maner of the cafterne people. LVKE g^. Jniyie yaiiffdHeslik^ ynto men. Hee vfeth an other finii^ htude, which Mathewe fpcakethnot of, but is lliortc tin this matter . For he comparcth iumfclfe toahouaiolder , who while hec fealteth merely at ifpM the Harmme of the TtMngeliftes. ^^3 inarriagcSj or feekcth to be mery otheiwhere from hcme.will ycthaue his fer- uauntes hue rrodelUy and fobeily at home, applying their lawfulj labours and continually waiting tor his rcturne . Therefore though the lonne of God be- ing taken vp into the bkiled reft of heauen, iLould bceablentirom v$; vet be- caufehehach appointed cuery nunnehis office, it were abfurde'forvs to flccpe inidlenes. Funhcimorej bccnufe he promifeth to rcturncjitbchooueth vs to i^and in a readines to rcceiue him at all timcSjlcaft h:e fhoiild finde \ s flecpino. For if a mortall m?.n thinketh this due vnto him, that at what hoiii% focucr hce fliall rettiine honl^j his reruauntesflioulde bee ready to mcctc him, how much more lawfull y doth the Lord require this of his, that they fhould bee fobcr and Vvatch, alwayes waiting for bis comming . And th.at hcc might make them the willinger, he fayth that earthly maifters arc fo delighted with this readines ©f feruants, that they alfo will ferue them ; not that all maiflers doe vfc to doc thus, but becaufe that this dotth fomtimes fall out, that a maifter, which is of a mild^anda eentle nature,doeth admittehii feruantcs to his cwne table as his fellowes. Yet it is demaunded^ iith that thefcripturc doth euery where call v$ the children of hght , Ephciians. $.^» i.Thc(Talonians 5. 5. andthcLord doeth alfo giuc light vnto vs by his worde, that wee might walke as in the midft of the day, howefhoulde the Lorde compare our hfe to night watches ? But the anfwcre to this obiedion is eaf:ly made by the woordcs of Peter , who tcachcth that the worde of God burncth as a fhining light , fo that we may fee thewaycueninadarkeplace, iPet. i^i^. There/ore both mufi be noted iSiat wee muft take our iourney through the obfcure darkenefl'c of the worldc and yet the light of the heauenlydodrinc going bcforevs , wee aiefure from ^andring out of the way, efpecially fith Chrift himfelfe doeth the due ty ot the Sunnevntovs. M A T. 4 J . Ofthii htjttre. Chrift by an other (imilitudc doth cxhorthis dif- ciples tokeepe dilligent watch, 'Forifanymanhearcthoftheeueswandringa- broad in the night,f earc and fufpition will not fuffer him to fleepe* Therefore now fith we arc admonillied and cxprcfly toldc of this before, that Chnlt fliall come as a thcefc, we mult alwayes watch, leaft he finding vs (leeping,{hould o- uerwhelme vswith the wicked.Our fluggifhnes cannot bee cxcufed, efpecially iJth her« is not onely to be feared the breaking downe of a wall, nor the loflc of onr riches, but a deadly wound to the deftrudion of our fouk, if wee take not litedc.The wordes therefore bent to thispiirpofe, that Chrifics warning Ihuld Waken vs : for although the laft iudgcmcnt bee long deferred, yet it hangetho- Her vs continually,therefcr€ the time not knownc,nor the nearenes of the dan- ger, it is abfurd that we fhould b ecome flouthflill* 45. Whothtnisafaithftillfcrtiam'i Luke rcportcth this place more expre/Iy, where Peters qucftion is fet downe, whieh was the occafion of a newe parable. For when Chhft had declared that there was no time for them to be flouthfull, inthathis dangerous con.ming as atheefe,Peterdciiiaunded whether this do- ^rinc was generall, or belonged onely to the twclue. For (as we hane feene in other places) the difciples were wont alwayes to thinkc tficmfelues ci:i!l dt alt with, except they were exempted from the common (bttofmcn, and preferred farrc^boue all others* - - J t ^ Now Nowe, when they are taught that their cftate , is but fmally to bee dcfircd, and hath little pleafure in it, as men a-naicd, they lookc hither and thicher. But the anfwete of Chrifte tendeth to this,ifit be meete that euery one of the com" mon fort (liuld watchjt may not be luffcred that the Apoftles Ihould be fleepic. Wherefore as Chriib had generally exhorted his whole houiholde to watch for. hiscommin^ .* fo nowheercquireththathischisfeferuiuntesfliouldchauea (inpcar, Chn^l doth thereby cncouiage hisdifciples, becaufe they fhould ftelc theprclcntpowerofthcGofptllAViicn (asfayethhc ) the great Itirrcs begin tD waxe howy ou mjft not be afraid, but rather of good comfort therefore : aid I reioycdPKt this fruit of my labour. Now it bchoouchh all the miniilers of the Golpell to apply this vnto thefelues : that when the world is troubled, they fhouldthedihgeniher apply their calling Further it is to be noted,that with the fame hre of the doftrinc ( while it generally burneth emery thing,) the chafte & ftiibble lhallbcconfiimcd,indthcgold and fducr purged, JO / m^Ji bt bai>ttfed with a baptifme. Chrilt by thcfe words dcclarcth that the 1 i(i worke which remaincth for Him to doe, is that hce (hould by his death con- fecratc the renewing of the world, for becaufe that fliaking whcrof hec maket|| nicntion,was fearcfull,and that burning of mankinde full of tcrrour,hc prefent- ly d cchreth that the firft fruitcs (hould be oifcied vppc in his ovtne perIon,leaft that it ihoulde afterwardes feemc giieuous to his dilciplcs, to bcare any part of thcfamc. He compareth death (as otherwhere) to baptifmc, becaufe that the children of God, being by the death of the flelli fwallowed vp for a time, they do (hortly after rife againc to life , fo that death is noihingeclfcbutapaflage through the midft of waters. And he fayeth that he is grieucd vntill he be thus baprifed, that thereby hec may moouc eucry one of v s after his example to bee ready as well to beare the erode as to fuffer death. Not that any man can by na- ture dcfire death, or any alteration of the prefcnteftate : but becaufe that wee fee the celcftiall glory and the blcflcd and immoriall reft on the further fide of the ihoarc, for the defirc of the which thingcs wee doe not onely die prefently, but we a: e caricdalfo wrth gieedines thither,asfay th and hope do draw vs. Matthew If. 1. Then the kingdome of hcattenfhall bte Uk^ned ynto tenne yirgms, vhich tool^ethih iam^es, and went to meet (the bridezroome, » « ^ndfiue of them were wifey andfiuefooli/h, 3 . ThefooliP) tookf their lampesy but took^ none tjfUviththem. 4. But the xcifetooh^ oyle in their yeJfelUs^with their lampes, f. "iioxcevphilethe bridegrometMriedUr^y all Jlumbred andjlept, 6 . ^nd at midnight there VP4, m ife anfwirU faying : Jfe feare lea]} there vill not bee enough for -vs and yaw. hutgoeyee rather to tijem that ftll^and buy for your (dues. lo« ^nd vchile they went to buy^the bridemt. j ij . Watch therefore^ for yet knoxve neither the day nor I the houre^when thefonne of man will come. j A Though this exhortation tendcthalmoft to the fitr.ccnde that the fcrn>v* did, as it fliall appeare by the conclufion , yet it is cfpecially added to confirmc thefaithfullinperfeuciance. The Lord knew how vveakeirans nature is: and that it comme theft times topafle, that they doe not oncly in !onotra(fl of time Waxe faint,. but withafodaineloathfomnefle they fall ivvay. That heen-i^hc cure this difeafe, he declareth that the difciples are not well furnifhed, except thcybeablctoLearealongwhde. When as the ende of this parable is vnder- ftoode,there is nocaufe to traua le muchin fmall matters, which doe nothing appeitaine to Chnftcs meaning. S'ome doe much trouble thcmlelucs with the Iampes,theve(IclsandtheoyIe : butthe/impleandnaturall fumme is, thatic is not fuificicnttovfe an earneft diligence for a fhort time, except there bee 2 continuance in conftancic without wearines. And Chriftcdeclareth this by a moft apt fimihiude. Hte had exhorted his difciplcs a little before, to bee furni- (hed with Iit;htS5 that they might pafle through obfcure and darke places .- but becaufethatifoyle be not fuppJyed^the match ofthelampc doth by htle and ht^ tie waxe dry5and loofeth the light, Chrift fayih nov\ that the fiicFfall haue nt ed of acontinuallfupply of veitue , which may nourifli the light which is kindled inthcirhearts/othcrwifeit willcometopalle thattheir frowardnetlc v\ill fall away in the midft of the coiirfe. I. TJ)e klngdomeofheaiienj7;all be likened. By this title hc meancth the (^ftate ofthcChnrchtocome, »vlich was gathered by the fauorable mercies of the Mefsias. And he vfcththisfonotableateftimonyof fctpurpofcjleaftthefiith- full ihould deceiuethcmfclucs w.th a wrong deuice of a blefTedperfcdian. Fur- ther, hee borow cth this (imihtude of the common vfe of life^. For that was but a chtldidi fantaHc of Hiei'ome and (uch otherSjwhich doe wrtft this to the prj ifc ofvirginitie: whenasChnftehadnootherpurpof^ , then to eafc them o'the. greifcof thewearinefl'e wliich might bee coaceiucd of the delay of his com^ ming. Therefore hecfayth that hee required nothing of vs, but that which waj wonttobeepeifoimedbyfriendes at folem.nemariages. Forftwasan Vi'uijl cuftome that young and delicate maydens fhouide for honour fake bring the gridcgromcinto the Bride- chamber . But the fumme of ihe parabJc ten- I 55g The Comment, ofMJo, Calmne* deth to this, that it is not fufficicntforvstobe once bent and read/ to ourcal- lin^y, exceptwee endure to the ende. 1. Tiutofthem vere wife. In the end ofihe former chaptcrthe Lord cfpe- cially willed theftewardstobewifc.-bcciufeit isimcetc that the greAc^r bur- denar.ymanbcarcth , and the harder mattershecdeakth in, the wiLchcrhce (houU behauc himftlfe. But now hee requireth that all the children of G O D ihould bee wife •■ leaR, by running forwaide without aduice, they fhoulde caft thcmfelues forth as a pray to Sathan. And hce appoynteththis kinde ofwifc- domc, thattheyQioulde take carcto furnilhthemfehieswithneceilary helpcs forth: performance of the iournie of their life. For though the time is lho:t,yet thioiio h the heat of our impatience, it fecmeth to bee too long : alfo, our wantc isru.h,ns hath needc of hclpcseuery moment. 5 . ISi^Wy while the bridegroome uried long, Thatfomc wreft this fleeping into the nor ft part, as ifthcfaithfull together with otheis,(hould giuethefclucs to llouthfulneffe, and .ipplythemfelucs to the vanities of the woilde, is f^r from the n caning of Chrift, and the couifc of the parable. It were more probable to vndcrftand jt of death, which ceafeth vpon the faithfull before the coniming of Chrift, for we muft rot only waite forfaluationnow, but when we arc dead and reft in Chnfte . Yet J doc more (imply vndcrflandeit of the eaithly af- faires, wht rein the faithfull are occupied of necefsitic, folong as they dwell intheflclh. And though they ftiouldneucr forget thckingdomeof God, yet the withdrawing of them by the affaires of this worlde , is not in vaine com- pared vntofleepe. For they cannotbeelothrougly bent to mccte with Chritt, but that diuers cares doe cyther withdraw them, or make them flowe, or en- tangle them, whereby it commeth to pafTe, that waking, they arc feme what a fleepe. As concerning the cry, I take it to bee fpokcn Metaphorically for the fodainc comming.Forwecknowthatasoftasanyneweorvnwontcd thing commeth to paflV, men vfe commonly to bee troubled. The Lordecricthvntovs eucry day, that hce wi'lcomcvnto vsftiortly; but then the whole frame of the world fhall found forth, and his fearefull Maieff ie ihall fo fill the heauen and the earth, that it ftiall not onely waken them that area flecpc, butfhall bring foorththc dead out of their graucs. 8. ^ad the fo'jU/J}fayd to thexvifi. Their too late repentance is hccre re- proucd, which fcele not theirwants,before the gate is ftiutagainft all remedies For they arc therefore condemned of folly , which prouidc not for thcmfelues for a long time, bccaufe that they doc carelcfly pleafe thcmfelues in their ownc want, and they doe fo pafTe the time wherein they fliould make their gaine,that they contemne the helpcs which are oflred them . Therefore, beecaufe they thinkc not of getting oyle in timc,Chrift fcorning their oucr late knowlcdg,dc • clareth what punifhm cms they (hall receiiie for their flouthfulncs namely , that they fliall finde thcmfelues enipty and dry without fruite, 9. IVee feare hafi there Will not bee enough for ys and you, Wce knowe that the Lordcdoeth therefore beftow his giftes diucrfly to cuerymannc, accor- ding to his proper meafure, that they might mutually hclpeeachothcrs.and beltow that in common, which is laydvpp with cither of them, and by thij mcanes vpoft the Uarmonie of the EuangeRfies^ S6g meancsisnouriflu'HintbcChnrch, the holyfocietjc ofthc membersofthe fame. But Chrift noteth hcere the time when the burdens beiao taken away ,hc will call them all to his judgement feat, thatcuery manne may recciueaccor- Axn'j^ as he hath behaued himfehe in his body.Thereforc he doeth rightly com- pare that portion of grace rcceiued and layde vppc with cuery man, vnto pro* iiifionmadeforoncmanncinaiourney, which will not fcrue fufficientlyfor iriOe.Furthermore,that which is prefently added^Gos yee, and Ot*y for your felnes . is not an admonition but an vpbniding, ia this fcnfe, you had a time ^o buy be- fore, which you negleded; for then it was beft to prouideoylc, butfh,c want thereof now cannot be rccoucred.The Papiftes doe very fondly gather hereof, that the cifte of perfeuerance is gotten by our ovvne power or induilrie .• for in thcwoordebuyingthcreisyetnopric.efette down? : as it doth euidentlyap- peare by the Prophet Ifaiah, chap. ^5.1. Where the Lordc calling v$ to buy, requircth ao recompcnce, but fayt th that hec hath wine and milke in a re ady- nelVe, which he willgiue freely.Therefore there is no other meanes of getting, then that wee fliould receiue by faith that which isoffered vs. At the lengthic followeththatthegateofthekiRgdomeofhcauen isfhutte vp again il allfuch as were cuillprcuiaedbecaufe they fainted in the middeft of the coiirfe. Nei- ther muft we feeke here curioufly, how Chrille fayeth that the foolilli virgines went to buy •• for it fignifieth nothing elfc but that all fhould be fliiit out ofthc kincdomcofheauen, which (hould not bee ready at the very moment. Mathew.ij* J I . ^nd when thefonne of man commeth in hlsgh^ ry , and all the holy Angels with him^ then /hall he fif 'ppon the throne of hit glory, 3 1 . ^nd before himjhal be gathered all nathm^and heejhallfeparate them one from anothor^ as ajbe^- heard/eparateth the Jheepe from thegoates 33,/ ^nd hefhallfet thejhee^e on his right hand^and thegoates on the left, 3 4 . Thn/hall the kjngfayto them en hi!, right handei Come ye blejfed of my father 3 inheriteye the kingdoms prepared for yott from the foundations of the worldj, 3 5 , Fori ^as an hnngred^ andyeegaue me meate': I thirfied, and ye gam me drink^ : J was a ft ranger ^^ yee lodged mee, 3 6, Ivasnali^dandyeecloathedme, Iwasfickeand^ft yi(itedmee ilviai inprifon,andyee came y^ntome, 3 j.ThenJhxll the righteousanfverehimyfaying: Lord when fawe wee thee an hunted , and fed thee }or a thirfty andgaue thee drinke ? 3^- ^nd whenfaw wee theeaftranger^andlodged thee ? or nakfd^ and (loathed thee ? TO, Or when fawe wee theefickf or in fri/ony and r 4 5 . Then/hall he anfwere theM^andfayiFeriiy J fay yn- toyou^in as much as you did it not to one of the leafie of theft ye did it not tome, 46. ^nd thofepallgo into enerlafling paine, and the righteoHsiniolifeeternxlL r. t i » Chnftprofccuteth the fame doadne: and that which he firit dcrcnbed bf parables, nc now expoiindeth plaintly arvd without figures. The fumme isthat the faithtuU (hould ft ir vp themfelues to the d cfire of liuine holily & rightcoufly and thatthey (Kould with the eyes of faithlooke vp tothe hcauenly hfc , which now hcth hid, but fhall be at the length reuealed at the laft comming of C hrift. Forwhcn he faith that he ihall then fit in the throne of his glory,wherc he fliall come with the angels, he oppofeth this his lafl appearance, againft tfee confufed and difordcrcdtroublesof the earthly warfare : as if hc(houldhauefayd,thathe did not therefore appearc,asifthathcc Ihould haue fet his kingdomcprcfcntly inanordcrtandthereforehisdifcipleshaueneedeofhope& patience, lead the long delay fliould tire them out. Whereby we gather that this is added againc that the difciples being rcmoued from that error,of a prcfent & fodaine felicity, {houldfufpend their minds vntiIltherccondcommingofChrift:& in the meanc feafon, that ihcy fliould not fall away norwaxe faint: therefore he fayth that he fhall then at length be renouried by the name of a king. For although he begin- ncth his kingdom e vpon the earth, & fitteth now at the rioht hand of his father that he migiit with great luthontie goue rne heauen & earth ; yctjthat his throne is not as yet ercftcd in the light of men, fo that his diuine maieihc Ihall far more fully appeare and flimc ia thclaft day then now. For then ftiallthe ftdl effeto them^ II, ^nd when they heard itythey were glad and promi- fed that they xvould giuehim vat of the number of the txvelue 4. ^ndhee wentareay^and communed with the hie priejres andcaptainesyhow hie might betray him to them. money: therefore he fatigbt ' f. So they mere glad^and ho vr- l)ee might conmniently agreed to giue him money, betray him . 6. ../ind he confentedyi^ fought ii.TXpw thef.rfi dayofyn. ■ oportfWitie to betray Jum ynto leauened breads when they \ the^vhen the people were a way prepare for thee to eat the ^ Ta/feoueri facrificed p Vajfouer^his di- fclpUsfaid >nto himj where wiltthoft that we go ^pre~ pare^that thou maiji eat the Vaffeouer? \\ Thenhefent forth two of 18. ^ndheyfaiijgoeinto | his difffples^and faidynto the Citle tofuch a manne and fay to him^the mafler faieth^my time is at hand Jwill keepe the Vajfeouey as thine houfs with my dif cipUs. X 9. jindthe Difcipltsdid them go ye into the Citie^^ there /hall a man meet e yon bearing a pitcher ofvrater-. follow him» 14^ ^ nd where foeuer hee goeth in,fayyee to thegood^ rmnofthehoufe'the maifter 7 . Then came t h e day of yn- leattened bread ^when thepajfe ouer mu'ft befae rifced . a, jind hee fent "Peter and lohttyfaying go ^and prepare ys the pafjhuerythat u e may eat it* p, ^ndtheyfaidtohim. where wiltthot* that wc pre- pay e it? 10. Then hefaydyntothem^ beholdywhcnye be entred into the citie. there (hall a manne meeteyot*, bearing apitcher of water: followe him into th* iTOufe that he entreth in. Taffeouer, ] 104 So when t he euen l»as come y he fat downe with thetweUtR* as lefus had gtuen them \ faith ^where ts the lodgmge^ charq^Qir made ready the where ifijall eatethe Vajfe- 11. jindfay ynto the good rfian - ' •' »'•••' ^ ^ofthehoufe,themayfierfaietb ynto thee.,where is the lodging wherelpjal eat my Taffeouer withmy difciples} 1 2 , Then htefJoall fhewjoa a great hie chamber trimmed: thtre make ready, i j. Sothty went ^ found as he had f aide ynto them, ^ made ready the Vfiffeouer. 14. ^4ndwhen the hour was come J)e fat dovin ^ I the twelue a^ofhi vith him. .little for the rr.oningrfrIi< otter with my difciples? I $..And he will fhew you an ypper chamber^which is larg trimmtd and prepared there make it ready for y Si 1 6. So his difciples went forth and came into the citie y and \ found as he had /aid yntothe f^ nuide rtadythe paffeou-er xfi ^nd ateu^nhee came with the tweltte» Theadmonitionof CHRIST auailed folittle forche <^o»mrcuiu^ b«rtofIud.s, orforth. bettering of him thathce ^fo«r^^^^^^ ptefcnaytomalie that lewd couenaunt with '^e enem. ■ Ju « .s on SerfulUnd itange that hee was fo amafed, "V^'^'f' i "J c- aotttn bytheloffe of thatoyntmenta mecte excufe toi lum * Vvj, an oAcncc; then. ^gi The Comment^ efMJo, Ca.Mne\, then, that bemirnc J by Chrifteswordes, felt not what he did, Thconely mention oftheSurialllbo-ildchauemollyfied a heart as hard as iron; when a$ thereby it had becnc cafily gathered, that Chrift would otfer himfelfe in lacri- ficcforthefaluation ofmankindc. Bucwcefeeinihisglaficho vblmdc wic- ked conctousdefircsare,and how effedually they bewitch the mindc. Iiidas was carneftly bent to ftcale, h£c was hardened by long vfc to commi ttc any of- fence : now becaufe hec fawe no pray comming in fron other where, he ftick- cth notto dehucr to death the Sonne of God, the auithouro: hfc : and though he had a holy admonition to Withdraw him, yet he went forward with violcce. Wherefore it is not without caufc that Lu.doth cxprcily fay, that 5atan enter- ed into him,not that he wis gouerned by the fpirit of God before (for he could not hiue bccne giuen fo to robbcriCb & fpoiles, if he hvid not beenc the bond- f la jc of 5atan . ) but Luke meaneth that he was then wholly deliuered into the podcffion of Satan,that as a man defperate,hc might run forwardesto his own deftrudion. For tliou^h Satan driueth vs not to finne daily , bur rai^neth i^n vs while he caricthvs to a great liberty oflinning;yet he IS faidthen to enter into the rcprobatCjWhcnthefeareof God beeing oucrthrowae, the light ofreafon put out, and fliamclliakcn ofl^,he poflcfieth all the fenfes.But God doth not cx« cute this laft kind of vengeance vpon others, but fuch as are ready ordcined to dellrudion. Wherefore lettevslearne to repent in time, Icalt our long remai- ning in hirdncfTe doe eftablilli tlic kingdome of Satan vr^ vs : for when we are once caught in this tyranny, there '\% no meafure of madnclfe. Itmuft cfpccially bee noted, that the couetoufiK^c in ludas wasthccauH: and fo'jntainc offo great blindnclfe. Whereby it appeareth that it was worthily called by Paulc, i. Tim. 6. to. the roote of all euil's. Furtherit \% a vaine thing to dcmaunde heere, whether Satan entrcd fubftantially into ludas. It is more jncctetoconflderthis,howhorrybIcand monffrousa thingitis, formcnne created after the image of God, andappoyntcdto bee Temples of the holy •Ghoft, fhoulde not oiicly bee turned into filthy ftables and (ynckcs, but to bee- come accurfed dwelling houfes for Satan. 17. Thtfir/} day of ■vnleaH'emd bread the Bifciplescame. Firfl it is demaun- ded, why that is calLd the day of vnlcauened bread, which goexh before the killing of the Lambc. For the Law hadde not commanded them to rcfrainc from leiuen, vntill they catc the Lambc. But this knorte is ealily looiedrnamc ly, for that this note is referred to the day following, as by Markc and Luke it dotheuidently appcare« Therefore when as the day of killing and eating the- Pafleoucr was at hand, itbcginningatthc euening,thc Difciplcsdoe askeof Chriftc,whcrc he wouldc eate the Pafleoucr . But there doth a harder qucfti- on arife vpon this, that Chriftc obfcrucd that rite the day before the whole na- tion celebrated the pubhkc PalTeoucr . Forlohnfaieth plainely, that the day when he was crucilied,was holden of the lewcs for the preparation not of the Sabboth, but of the Paflcoucr. Further, they went not into the iudgcmcnt hall, Icift they (hould de- file thernfclncs, becaufe the next day they were to eatc the Pafleoucr . I Jcnovre that many mcnne doc fcckc for (hiftes, but they are fuch as auayle ehemnoc . Forthiscannocbecihiftcd ouer byany cauiUes, they kept not cbcia vponthe Harn^cmieoftheEmKgelipes. ^g:» tlicir Tcaft on that d-.y whereon they crucifie'. Ghiifte (forlthadcic notbe^n law/ail tor them on that d yto h medconccxec -tion' ppon anymnnr.e ) and thcntlicyhe'dethcrolcmncprcpaiation, that after the buriall of Chril'tthty might eate the Pa0bucr . Nowe it is demaunded how it befell that Chrifte cate his before. Forin this law hcewoulde not take vntohimfclfe any libeity be/idcs the prefcript rule ©fthclaw. Some doe imagine that the Icwcs defer- red the Paflciier ofpurpofe that they might dellroyChrift . But this dciiice is very ^ ell confuted by Bncer- .• yea, and it falleth away of it felfe, it is fo vaine. Therefore I doubt not butthat Chrifte obfeiucd the day prcfcnbcd by the hw and the leweslollowcd fome cullomc receiued now before . Firft it is wirh- out controuerlie that Chrifte was flaync the day before the Sabboth : becaufc that before the Sunncwasfeite , hcc was put with fpecde into the next fepul- cher, bciaufc thatit wasnecelTary to keepe holy afttrthe ciiening . But now no manne doubtc th but when the Paflbucr and otherfeaft daycsfell vppon the daybefoiethe Sabboih> of an olde cuftome they were dtferVcdvnto the next day .• bccaufe that to kecpe two day cs holy together were too hard for the peo- ple. The Tewes ^oz Ciy that thislaw was giitcn prefently after the people rcn:rne J out ofthecaptiuitie of Babylon, and that by an oracle fromheauen, leaftthey {hould fe^me to haue altered any of the commandements of God raflily. If that it.was the maner then to ioyne two fead dayes together in one ( as the lewes docalfo orant^andasitappcarethby their aancicntrecordcs ) the coniedurc is probable enoughjthat Chrifte obferucd the Paffouerthe day before the Sab- both, obferiiingthcday appointed by the law. For we know how diligent and carcfullhcc wastakeepccuerypoyntofthclawc. For (Ith his will was to bee bound to the law, that he might deliuer vs from the yoke of the law, he would not forget to be fubied to this chiefepoynt . Therefore hee had rather omit the vfeohhe outward ceremony, thentotranfgreflcthecomandement which God had giuco, and f to bee fcorncd of the wicked. But it is cei taine that the lewes thefeiues will not deny, but thatitwasordayned by the Rabbins, that fo oft as the Palfouer fell neere vnto the Sabboth, they (hould onely keepe holy one day for both So it followcththat Chnft did nothing againft thclaw,thogh he kept not their common cuflomc* 1 8. Gof into the citty tofuch a mam Matthew notcth out a cc rtarne man .- the other two do fay that the two difciplcs wcrefent as to a flraunger. becaufe they had this token giuen them, of a man bearing apitcherofwater. But this diucrh- tie is eafily reconciled. For matthew omitting themyracle, noteth the mannc, who was then known to the difciples. For without doubt after they cameto the ho-ife, they founde fome one of thciracquaintauticc. For Chiiftcalfo of his owne authority commaundcdhim that heflicniJe prepare a place for him and his , naming himfclfe the maifter : andheepre- fentlyobeycth . But though hee coiiIde haue poyntcd out the nwnne by Ins name , yctlicehadde rather diredc his difciples to him by a myracle : that when they ilioulde (hortly after that fee him humbled, yet their fa\ th by Ins in- iflrucflirn might be fupported. And this was no fnull confirmation, th.u.uifo ibcis a fpace before his death, he was by fo manifcfta toke declared to be God.- tlaaii. that they might know that hce was not drawnc to it of neccffitic , but that hec yeelded to it ofhis ownc free will « And though it may bee that this profited them very httle in the very moment of their troiible,yet the remembrance of it aftcrwardcs was profitable. As at this day alfo it is profitable for vs to know this foraiioydingofcheoftcceofthccrofiejthatinchriftat the very time ofhis death appealed the glory of the Godhcade together with the infirmitie of the lielh. My time is at hand. Though he celebrated the paiTouer rightly according to the commaiindemet of the law, yethcfeemethofpurpofeto alledge this caufe, that he might not be accounted ouerthwart. Therefore he fayeth that he hath caufe to make hafte, fo as he could not obferue the vfuall cuftoinc ; bccaufe that he fhoulde be called to a greater facrificc. Yet in the meanefeafon, as we faid, he altereth nothing in the ceremony* But he doth thus oft rehearfc this, that the time ofhis death is at handc, that they might know that he doth hart ofhis owne free wiilto obey the decree of the father . Andwhcreheeioyncththc {liadowifli facrifice with the true, hee doth by this mcanesexhort the fay thfull to comparewith the olde figures, that which hec fulfilled indccdc ♦ For this comparifon doth not a httle fet foorth the force and effed ofhis death. For the Pafloucr was not giuen to the Icwes onely to this end,that they might remcm* bcrtheirolde dehuerance, but that through Chrift they (hould hope for ano- ther to come moi'C to be dcfired them the former. To this bclongeth that fay- ing of PauljChriit our Pafloucr is offered, &c. i,Cor.f.7. 13 « The difcifUsdidaslefmhad^iuenthem charge. In this that the Difciples doe obey oflo ready a mindc, is to be noted their frameablenes to bee taught. For they might haue doubted, when as they (houlde follow a man vnknowne, whether they fhoulde obtaine of the houfholder that which their maifter com- manded them to demaunde, fith they knew that he was not onely defpifed,bi]t alfo hated cuery where. But they do not doubtfully enquire of the fucceflc^but that th ey doc wiUingly obey the commandcment. And we muft hold this rule, if wc defire to try our fayth, that being fatisfied by the commaundement onely: we may goc forward e whether God commandcth, and hoping for the fucccfTc ■which he promifeth,lct vs not be too careful!. zo . JV'oen the euen xoascome^ he fate dovrne. Not to eate the PafToucr, which (houlde bee done fianding ( as trauailers which make haft hauing their fhoocs on, and the ftaffevppe,docvfe to take their mcitefpeedily) : but thefolemnc nte being finiOied, I interpret it that he fate downe that he might fuppe.Thcrc- fore the Euangeliftes doe fay, the euen was come ; for in the firft ^ucning they flew the Lambe,and did eate the flcfh thereofrofl. Matth. i6. 21. ^tid as they did eate^ hee faydtyyerily I fay ^nto jouythat OM ofyouPjallbe. 9raj me. Marke 14. I Luke. 22* 1 8 ♦ ^nd as they fate atll^. Then hefaid ynto them^ the tahle^ and did eate, le- Ihaue ewneflly defirtd f eat fusfayde, yerelylfayynto this pajfouer with you before yottythatonc ofyoujhalbe^ ^ff*fffr* traywf, j^. Thenl l^,F§f vpMthe Harmonie oftheEHArjgeiiftes\ i6. ^ X . ^m they vrere excee- '19, Thtn they began to be ding fGrroxvftillyand began e- \ forrovoful ^(i;- to fay to him ueryoneofthem tjfay ynto hiniy is it I J maifier ? % J . jind he anfwered^faidy he that dip{>eth his hand with mt in the dijf},he/})all betray tne, 24. SuTtly the Sonne of man gofth his way as it. isxeritte of him.bftt vpo be to that man by whom the fon of man is betray td: it had beene good for that one by one^ is it J} and an other, is it I ? 6Ss For J fay ynto you, henceforth I will not tate of it any more,yntill :t be ful . filed in the kingdom of God, Andalitlc.iftcr. t r ♦ Tet behold the hand of hi that betraitth me {is jftth meat the table. 1 1 . jInd t ruety the Sonne ofmangoeth ai it is appjin^ ted'.but Xfoe be to that man^ by mhom ht is betraied^ » J. Then they began to enquire among themfelues^. which efthem itfhottlde bet thatfhould doe tltat^ Thai he might make the traitcroufnes of Tudas 20. ^nd he anfwered i(«^ faid ynto them, it is one of the twelue that dippeth with me in the platter, XI* Truely the Sonne of mangoeth his way, as it is written of him , but wo be to that man by whomethe ^ ^ fonne of man is betraied.'it WdL.ifheneusr had bin borne, hadde beene good for that Z t Then htdas, which be- man, if he had neuer beene traiedhim anfwered,^ faid, borne, is it l,maif}tY ? hefayde ynto him, thou hajlfaydit* !!♦ Merely I fay ynto you, ^»w.....v^ ,^* j«„„c» the more to be deieilcd jhe fcttcth forth the vilenefle of the Time by this circum^ ftance, that when he fate together with him at the holy table, he dcuifcd trea- fon. For if a ftranger had donethis, it might haiie been eafilyer borne.but now this is a thing ftrange & incredible, that one of them fo ncere him ihould workc this, yea and hauing madcand concluded fo lewd a couenant,would thruft him felfeto this holy banketynderthe pretence of frindfiiip. Therefore Luke vfcth this phv2LCQoivc}pttpunciQ,yetbeh9lde the hande of him that betrayeth mee * But though Lukefettcth down this faying of Chrift after the celebration ofhis Sup- per, yet the order of the time cannotbc certainly gathered thereby , which wee know was often negleded by the Euangclifts. Yet I deny not but that it is pro- bable, that ludas was prefent^ when Chrift difthbuted the figncs of his bodic andbloud. Hi They heganeuery one of them to C*y* I doe not thinkcthat the Difciple«« trembled, as men amafcd doc vfe without caufe to vexe thcmfehics : but as they abhorrethe offence, fo they defire tobeecleared from the fufpition of the fame And this is a token ofrcuerence, that they being folharpelypmched , doe not difdainefully anfwer their Mai flcr,butcuery one refarcth himfelfe tohis iudg- ment, fas weemuftefpecially feekeforthis,tobee cleared of his mouth :)yee enioying a good confcience,they would freely wituelTejhow far they were fro ib great an offence. But Chrift by his anfweredoeth neither put them our of this doubt , nor point out the perfbn of ludas, but onely confl^meththJ^ which I (ayde euennowe, thatone ofhis familiar guefteswas thetraytoun And though it was hard e for thcmtobce leftcin fufpence and doubtfull for a time, that they might cxercife themfelues to confider the htincm^ntil^ ©f the offence ! yet an othercommoditie followed thereof, when thcykncwc that ?he Prophefie was fulfilled, Pfalme 4i« p, ^f. 14. it« Hee which did eatc of my fwccte bread , hath lifted vpp the hcele againft mee. Furthermore , by ludait (58 6 The ^ommenf, ofLM. h, CMne^ ludas cis the Lordes will was to admonifli his children in all ages, not t(y be dif- maidcordircouragcd tor houfnold tnytoursifor thatvr/iich he had experience ofwho was the head of the whole Church muft befall tovs whichcarethc members. 14. SurelytheSonn'iofmanne^oeth, Chrific heerctaketh away an offence, which iniohthaucgrieuoufly offended themindes of the godly . For what is more abfiird, then that the Sonne of God fliould bstraiteroufly betrayed by a difciplc, giucn oucr.to the plcafure of the enemies, that heemviy bee brought to a reproichfiill death ? But Chrift faith that all this could not be but by the Will of God. And heeproueth this decree by the tcftimonie of tli£ fcripture, b.ccaufe chat which was appoyntcd, he reuealed beeforcby the mouth of his Prophet . Now wee vndcrftand whereto Chrifteswoordes doe tendmamc- ly, that the difciplcs knowing that wbatfoeuer is done, is gonerned by the pro- uidence of God, (liould not thinke that his life or death was ruled by chaunce. But the commodity of this dodiineftretcheth further : for the fruit of Chriftes death IS then rightly fandined tovs, when as it appcareth that hecwasnot ralhly caned to the croflc by raenne, but that by the etcrnall decree of G O D hee was ordjeined to bee thatfacrifice forthe wafliing away of the finnesofthe worldc . For whence hadde wee ouri'CconciHation, butby Chriflesappea* fingofthe father by his obedience . Wherefore let vsalwayes remember the prouidence of God,whcrcuato ludas himfelfe and,all the wicked on«s(though it bee againft their willcs, and that they flriueagainll the fame) muftofne- ceffitie obey . Let this alwaycsremaincfure, that Chrifle therefore futfe- redjbecaufe that God was plcafed with fuch a kinde of pacification ; yet Chrift doothnot fay, that ludas by this pretence was freed fromfault .• bccaulethat hec did nothing but that which God hadde appoynted . For though GOD in his vpfight iudgement appoynted the death of his Sonne to bee the price of our redemption, yet notwithltanding ludas in betraying him procured his iuft damnation, becaufe that he wasfull oftrecfeery andcouctoufnefle. Furthcr,though God would hauetheworlde redeemed, yet this wasnocaufc but that ludas was a wicked traytour. Hcereby weefe, though men can do no. thingjbut h which God appoynteth,yei they are not thereby freed from guiiti - nes, bccaufethey arc caried headlong to finne by their wicked affedion. For though God by a hidden bridle direftcth them to an end vnknowne to them, they mind nothing lc{rc,thcn to obey his decrees.Thefe t,vo things fecme no- thing agreeable to mans reafojthatgod by hisprouidece fliould fo gouernethc doings of mc,that nothing (hould be done by his wil&appointmet, & yet fluild deflroy thcreprobate,bywh6heexcurethhiswil.Butwcfeherehowchriftrc« concilcththcmbothtogethcr,making ludas fubieft to the cuife, though this which he wrought againft God,was appointed by God. Not that the tre3f5 of ludas fhuld properly be called ^ work of God,but becaufe god tiu-ned the trea* (o of ludas to perfourrae his counfcl.But I know how many interpreters would auoyd this rock.Thcy do acknowledge ^ the fcripturc was fulfilled by this work of Iuda$,becau(c god by his prophets teltified ^ which he knew bcfore.Therc- forc that they might mitigate §do6trinc, which Teemed fomwhat too fharp^they €^t downe the forf knowUdgc of God in place of his decrcCtBuc the holy Ghoft doth t/pffff the Barmcffie of the Bptangeiifes] C$y dotli decline this contioucrfiefarreotherwirc : for it doth not onely bring this as the caiifeofthe betraying ofChrift^jbccaure it W3srowrittcn,kutairobecaurcit wasfoappcjntcci. Foiv\'hcrcMat. &Mar.doealled^e thcfcripturc^ Lii. brin- gcih vs {{might to that ccleftialdecicceueashe teacnethinthe Ads,thatchnft was betrayed not ontly by the foreknowledge of God , but of his determinate counfeli. And a little after Herod & Pylat with the reft of the wicktd did tholc thinges, which were foreordained by the hand &counfel! of God. Whereby it appcarcth that they do fondly fceke a lliift, which do flie to the naked and bare fore knowledge, if weitgood. By this word wcc are taught how Iiorrible a ven- geance doth remaine for the wicked; Jor whom it were better that they had ne- uerbcene borne. But this life, though it is tranfitory and full cfinniimerable troubles^yet is It an incomparable benefit of God. AgainCjWe do hereby gather alfo howdetcilable their wickednellciSjWhichdocthnotonclycxfiinguifhthc prcciousgifts of God and deflroy the lamebut bringeth it to pafle, that it were better newer lohauctaftcdofthegoodncs of God. Yet this claufe is worthy to benctedj that;> iffr^nioo^/e-r/Z^^if wntil that day, vhe J fhal drink' day I drinke itnewe in the ttntwwithyoninmy fathers kin^- dome. go. jind xchentheyhadde fong a pfamle^they went out into the moi*nt ofOlfuet, (**fpe^ faying : thi ^..j ,- - - cu^^e h the nevt J^infrdomeofGod. Ittfiament^ in my t6.^ndvphen they had fong I bloud^ » hich ufhei afffalme^they went out to the ] for you, mount ofOlyues^ ^ Sith Luke makcth mention that Chriiliookcthecuptwirc.'firft it istobedc- maundcd whether ihis is a repetition of one and the fame thing, ( as the Euan- gel iftes do vfe forr ctimc to fpeakc of one thing twi(c ) or whether Chrift, after he had taftcd of the cup once, tooke the fame againe the ftcond time. And this JatLtrfcemeth tometobemoflhkcly tobetrue. For wee know that the holy fathers obferucd a folemne manner of tafting attheirfacrificcs. Whereof that Wis faid in the Pfal. 1 15 i j. I wiltake the cup offaluation & call vpo the name oUhcLord. So I thmkc that Chrift dranke at that holy feaft according to the auncient manner: becaufethatotherwifeit could not be rightly foIemnized,& that doeth Luke exprefly declare before he commeth to fpeakc of the new iri- ftcrvjthe mancrwhcreofdiffered from the pafcall Lambe. Thisaifowasa re* ceiued iokmncvCc^to giuethank^Sy^s it is tx^tcdydyd at talking o f the cuf. Fori doubt not but thatthcre was prayer at the beginning of Supper, asheencuer vfcd to come to the tabic without calling vppon God . But now hee would doc the fame againe,leaft he (houlde omitte the ceremony jwhich as I (hewed befoic was annexed to the holy facrifice^ 26, ^s they did eate, I doe not vnderftand theft wordes, as if that this new andfarre more excellent banket (hould be ioy ned to the fupper of the Paflbuer, but rather that the fame was firfl ended. As the fame is more plainely declared by Luke, where he fay th, after Chrift e had fupped hee gaue the cuppe . For it were abfurde thitone & the fame myftcry fliould be feuered into diuers times* So I doubt not but that he gaue the cuppe prefently after he hadde deuided the bread . And that which Luke doeth fpcciallyfpeake of the cuppe, Idoealfb extend to the bread. Thercforeas they were eating, Chrift tooke bread, that he might call them to take part of a new fupper . 'i he giuing of thankes was a certainc preparation and cntraunce to the confideration of the myfterie. 5o the fijpper being ended, they fliould tafte of the holy bread and wine : bccaufc that their fecuriiic was firftfliaken off, that they mightbee wholly bent to fo high a myfterie . And reafon fo required thatthis euident teftimonic of the IpirituoU life ftiuld be thusdiftinguiftied. lefuitooh^ bread, Itisvncertaine whether the rite, which the Icwcsholde at this day jwas then alio in vfe, Forthehouftiolder hid vndcr his napkin apeccc ofbread, taken from the whole loafe, thathcemightgiue tocuery cncofhis family a part of the fime. But bccaufc this is a tradition of mcn,eftabliflied vp« onnocomraandcmentof God* There isnocaufe why wceflioulde loocuri- oufly labour to feeke out the beginning of the fame. And it may bee that itwasdeuifed afterwardes by the (iibtilty of Sa* thanto darken the myfterie of the fupper of Chriitc . Butifthis ccrcmo. nie tfp09t the H^rfrorJe of the Emfigelijles i Zp nyc was then \Ctd amongft the lewes, Chiift fo folIov\'cd the cuftcme then re- cciuedjthat yet he would lead the minds of his dilciplcs an othei way,by chan- cing the vfc of the bread to an other end.And this nr.ult be holde without quc- 8ion,that vht figures of thclaw being aboh{hcd,Chrift inflituted here anew Sa- crament* Whenhe h^d giuenthankes. IvJatthew Sc Marke doe vfe the word oHleJJing r tut whereas Luke m Head ihcrecf cocth vfe the woorde, which Iignifitth^<»,t'.iathenii:>htteachih3t hee aloaeis altogether faffidcnt to pcrformc all the parccs offaluation, attributeth this vnto himfelfc, that hee if in rtecde both of meat aa J driiikc* Wherein his wondcrfuU kiniencs appca- reth that he willini'ly to prouide for ourfaith, (Kould fofubmitte himfelfe to the rudenefle of ojr Bcih.So much the more dctcftableis the lac rilcgious bold. neTe of the Pooe, who doubted not to brcake this facred batide.We heare that the Sotvi e of G)d together by two pledges declared the fiillnefi'e of life, whicb hee beftoweth vpon his. By whitlaw hath a mortall manlibcrtie to pull a fun- derth->Iethin^cs,whichewercioyned together by God ? Further, in that the Loridooihpurpofely CO nmaund all meane to drinke of this cuppe, whether fhould th'.sfacrilcdge banilh it from his Church.Wcc read that he Tayd (imply of the bread, that they fhould take it . Why doth hee by n ime commaund all todriake, and Mitkc fai^thcxpreny,that they all dranke, but that the faithfull {hould take hicd t of any wicked innou.ition? Yet the Pope was not afraide of thisfcuere commaundemcnt, but that hee durftchiimge and violate the law cftabliihed by the Lordc« For hcc hath forbidden all the people thcvfc of the Cuppc. And that he might proue that he haddcrcafon to rob them of the la tnc^ heepretendeththatitisfufficicnttohaueonekiadc : bccaufc thconcdooth fo attend vppon the other, thatthebloudisioynedwiththe flelh. Asthough it were not lawfull vnder the fame pretence to aboliih the whole Sacrament, beecaufe that CHRIST coulde likewife make vs partakercs of hmifclfe tvithoucaiw outwarde helpc . But thtfe chdJifh cauillatioris arenohelpc tohjs vngodlynelTe .• for there is nota greater abfurdity, then thnthe faichfulllhouldcwilhnglywint, or (houlde fuftcr iheiTi{elues to bee depri- ucdof thofe helpcs, whiche the Loixie hith giuc i them -. and ilierefjre notliingcanne IcHe bee borne with, then this vngodlyrcating of thismyfte- rye« i8 . This is my bloud.l haue (hewed beforcjthat when it is fayd that the bloud (hould be (hcddc for fjri^iuene I of/innesy that wj 2Cz dire he (hould dye to dc'.mer miny from the guiltiacj ofthe curfc. Neither is it to be doubted but that the will of Chiift was fpeaking toafew, to make his dodiine common vnto many. Yet i;is tobe noted with- ail^thitii> Luke hcc fpcAkiagtohis difciples by name, cxhortctli^m the faith* fakhfull to apply the flicdding of the bloud to their vfe. Therefore when vr come to the holy table,we rouft not only hauc this gencrall thought in our mind that the world is redeemed with the bloud of Chriiie, but let euery man thinlce with himfelfe that his ownc finaes arc wafhcd away. OftU new ujiament Luk and Paul vfc an otherphrafc, ^ mw tej?ameni in bleud ; the fc nfc yet is one • be- f aufc this coiienaunt is fandified, confirmed, and made effo. Thenlefiii faide ynto 1 him verely I fay vnto thse^ thii day enen in this ni^ht be- fo/e ths cocke crowe twife tho» (halt deny mi tUrife. J loBi*th9 /aidmneearneji- ly^ifljhvAd die with thefy I \»iUnot denjythee^lik^vife al fo fa^d they all ^ > J ^-sAndhefaide yklo him,L9rdlam ready to voe vrith thee iatv prifoftj^ta death. ^^.Butheefaid^lteli theeyVeter^the cock^ fh til not crowe this day before thou hafi thrife denied that thott^ k^x^ ejimtt Men fhddheojf ended by the yet Moillln^tt^r be offended. 34. lefus faid ynto him y^rely Ifay ynto thee ^thu this mghc he fare the coc!^ crowe thouPult dsnyem; thrife. ^^.Veter faid ynto him thoi*gh IJfhmld die with thefy yet mil Inot deny thee. Lik^mfe alfo /aid al the difci^les, 9 I, ^llyee. That which Mathew and Markc doc extend (together to ail the Difciples, Luke fayeth that it was fpokcn to Peter alone. And though the fpeach was co-nmon to all, yet it is probable that Chrift fpake vnto them in the perfoa of one, who both was to be warned aboue the ieft,and alfo had need of lingular comfortjeaft after his denyall of Chrift,hc (hould be altogether ouer- whelmed with difpayrc. , . n »r i L V. 11. Behold Satan The othertwo doe more briefly and (imply rcporte that the difciples were forewarned of their fall. But the dodrinemaybe morcplen- tifhlly gathered oat of Lukes words.For Chrift doth not onely fpeak hiftorically of the troable that was to come,but he exprefly declareth that they (hould haue a conHifl with Satan,& withall he promifeth the vi^ovy. And this admonicioa h very pro(inble,asoftc as any trouble commethvppon vs.that we (hould fet bcf jre our eies the (leightes of Satan, euen as Paule to the Eohe.^a i teacheth thatwecwreftle not with flelh andbIoud,but with fpirituall pow.'rs,&c.The mcaningtherefore of the wordes is this.When as you (hall ihortly fee me ouer- whelmcdjknow yoi^ that Satanis furni(hcd with thefc weapons to oaerthro w you,andh::takcththisasatito:ca(ionforthe weakening of your faith. And therefore I faid that this dodrincis profitable, bccaufc that it often befalleth through our ynaduifednes that we are circumuentedjwhilewenegleftthofe lemptations,whercof we (hould be afraid,ifwe confidered them to be the tiry dartes of fo mighty and llrong an enemy. And thogh he fpeakcth now of that mo'l bitter contention,wherewith the difciples were onceaflaulteJalmoft to the extinguiihing of their faith,yet his dodrine extendeth farther as that Satan goethabojt dayly,fcekinghis pray. And when he is carry cd with fo outragious adefirctodeftroyvsjitwjre veiy abfurdthatwelTiuldbe QouthfuUand care- lelTc.Thereforelctvs prepare our fe'.ucs befor^^the e«remit/ofthc battiil appearc: forwj know that Satan dclireth our deftru(5lion,and he doth fubtilly & diligently feekc al meanes to hurt vs. And when we (hall come to the confiift let vs know that al temptations whence fo:uer they come, were forgedinthc (hop of thai enemy. Thefimilytude of winowing doth not properly agree in cueiy pointc.* for wcehauc inanother pla:e feene the GOSPELL compared to a or a fiue , whecCYV/th Whcate isclcanfedffomthc Chaac; buc iiete fann ^ppn theB^rmome QftheEuAfigelifia. ^^ hcreIt(ignifie:hfimplytowincw,orvioIenrIytofliakc ; bec.iufethc ApoftI at the death ofChriftjWerehardJicrfloaken then they Were wont. This the *^* fore i» to be noted, becaufe that nothing pleafah Satha lelfe, thea the cleanlTn^^ of the faithfull. But though he toilcth th^em to an ether cnd,yct it is nohtl'y fhui^ that cuen as wheat in the fanne, they are (haken and caft hither and thr.hcr Yea* w.-ellialireeahttleafter , thatit fell out fomewhat wurfc with the Difciplcs! And this is the meaning of the woordes of the Lorde, which are fet downe by Matthew and Marke. Mlyte fh 41 b« offended by mt. For they doe declare that they fnouldnotojiely be ftricken,biitalfnoft oueithrowne.-becaiife that the re- proachfull handling of Chrift (hould alfo difcourage them. For whertns it iud becne their duties to goe for A-ard with their maifter,euen to the ci-oflej they are drawn backewithfeare* Sotheirowneinfirmityisfet before them^ to the end that with pr.iying & fighing they might flee to the facred fanduary of God. * MAT. ^i« For St is written . With this Prophefie hee cncourageth them to paflc ouer this offence: bccaufe God ceafeth not to acknowledge them for llieepejwhich for a time are fcattered hither and thither. For after the pro- phet hath fpokcnofthercititution of the Church , leaft the extrcamc calami- ties which were now at bande, (houlde driue the mindes of the godly into de- fjjcration, hee affirmeth, that though the gouernement bcino confufcd and o- uerturned , thererhouldebeeaforrowfuUandmiferabledirper/ion , yet the grace of God iliould be the conquerour. And thoughahnoft all the interpreters doe reltraine this place of Zachari 13.7. to thepcrlbn of Chrift aloncjyet I doc apply it further, as if it hadde beene fayde, there flioulde bee no more goucrn- mentj whereby the people (hould be preferued in fare ty: bee aufc theiliephcards fliould bctakenfrom them* For I doubt not biitthattheLordc mental! that time, when after the tyranny ofAntiochus the Church beingfpoyled of good paftours, lay wafte . For the Lorde then fuffered the fwordc to goe through Withafearefullliberty, whichjthcfhepheardes being ouer throwne,miferablv troubled the eftate ot the people. Yetthis fcattering hindered not the Lorde, butthatat the length with his outftretchedarme hee wouldc gather his owne Iheepe together . But though the Prophet doeth generally dedarethat the Church fliouldc bee fpoyled of iTiephcardes, yet this dcth trnely and properly belong to Chrift. Forwhenhecwasthechiefe ofallftiephcardcSj ofwhomc oncly the fafety of the Church dependedjhe being dead, all hope might fccmc to bee taken away. And this temptation was extrcame,that theredeemcr,who was the {piriteandlifeofthcpeopleflioulde fodainely be caryed todcaih,whtn he had bcgunne to gather the flocke of God together. And fo mucJi the more notable was the grace of God, when as the remnant of the flocke was wonder- fully recoucrcdagaine out of that confuHon and deftrudion. Wee fee there- fore that Chrift apply ed this leftimony very aptly, leaft this fcattering nowenc handjfliould terrifie the difciples aboue mcafure: & yet that rhey knovving their owne infirmitie, (liouldcrepofe themfelues vppon their paftcur. J his there- fore is the f^ncc, youthinke becaufe you haue nottrycd your ownc wcakcncs, that yoM are valiant and ftronge enough .• butfliortlyafteritfiiallappcr.icthat Zachariahforetolde the truth : the fhepheard fl^oulde beeflayne, and the iheepefiiuld befcattcredabroad.-butin the meanefeafo let the prcmife wbichis , £p% The Comment, of M.Io.CaiHms^ added, recreate nnti comfort youjthat he will gather the difperfcd (licepchome to himfclfc. And this. place docth teach that novnity isufe , but th^t which kccpech the (hecpc together vndcr Chriftcs (hephcards ftaffe. i\ Jfterthat I/hall rife a^aine, Hce doeth more euidcntly exprcfle here, that which I touched eiicn now, that the difciples ftricken with feare, ihoulde for a little time be as {licepe difpcrfcd and going aftray,fo that yet againe they (hould be called backe to the (lieepefold. For Chrift doth not fimply fay ihithec (hall rife .-eainc : but promifcth that he will be their guide, and adoptcth them to be * his companions as if they had ftoode founde; and that they may hauc the more affurance, he doth before appoynt the place, whether hee will gather them to- gether againe -. as if he (hould haae fayde, I will gather you that are fcatccred a- eaineto lerufalem. . ^ , ; , ^ r , ^ r r- %^. -Peter anfwered. Though Peter difiemblethnotjbutrpeakcth ofahnccre affcaion .• yet becaufe that with a vaine confidence ofhisowncftrength hee is caricd into a fondc bragge ,he is woithily reprooued by Chrifte,and Ihortlyaf. ter, hce is grieuoufly puniflied for his raftincflc ♦ So the fuccelle doth declare tha't Peter promifed more then he was able toperformejbecaufe that he had not made fufficient trial of himfelfc. Hereby alfoit is better percciued how blockifh a t hin<^ it is for man to b ce drunke with truft in himfelfe, in that he being againe admotiihcdby'thcfonncofGod of his weakenes, andheeaddethanoath, Co that he yceldeth not, ncitherforfafceth anything of his vaine opinion,but that he proct cdeth with greater boldncsyto puffe vp thofe lofty and bragging moti- ons. Yet it is dcman'cled, whetlier Peter might not hope for that which he pro- mifeth of hitnfeFe ; and alfo whether he trufting in the proniife of Chrilt might not promife this of himfelfe. I anfwcrc that the promifc which Chrift made be- fore to his difciples of the fpirit ofinuinciblefortitude,belongeth to that time of renewing,which followed the refurrcdioa. Therefore becaufe they were not yet endued with the heauenly powcr,Peter trufting in himfelfe,wcnt byondthc boundes of fay th. And hee greatly offended two way cs : for he preuenting the time, rafhly promifed for [himfelfe, andrepofed not himfdfe in the promife of the Lordc, Sec ondly,'with clofed eyes nee paffing by his ownc infirmitie, docth ratherfecnrely then valiantly, promife more of himfelfe , thenrcafoa woulde require ♦ Thi« therefore is to bee noted , thateuery m^anne beeing mindefnli of hisownc infirmity, (hould fiectotheafsiftanccof the holy ghoft: then that no manne Ihoulde bee fo bolde to take more vppon him, then the Lordpromifech . And the fjythfull ought fo to come prepared lo the battell, as that not doubting nor miftrufHng the fuccefTe of the vidory, they (huld cou- ragioufly rehft fearc / for fcarefulneflcand too much doubtfulncfTcjis a figne of diftruft . But on the other fide, blockifhnefl'c muftbee auoidcd, which both driueth away; all care, and puff cth vp the mindcs withpridc, and quencheth the defire of praying. This mcane is notably fet do/vne by Paule to tne Phil. 2. i x. ■when he commandeth vs to make an end of our faluation with fcare and trem- bling, becaufe it is G O I) which woorketh in vs both to will and to doe. For of the one fide he prouokcth the that are humbled, to fceke helpe other where: yet againe , Icaft this courfctlioulde make vsflouthfull, hee cxhorteth vs to iehaue our felucs boldly . Therefore^ fo oftc as aiiy tcDipt;uion doeth a0aulc vponthe 'HaymenkoftheEmtigeliJtes* $0^ v«»firAlctvsfemembci-Gurinfirmity, that wee being altogether owert!iroVTnc» may learne from otherwhere, to fcekc for that which is wanting in vs : then Ic' vs remember the grace which is oftered vs, which may put vs out of doubt. For they which forget their owae iafirmity,without calLng vpon G jd,doc imagine themfchicstobeftrongjdoeasial'hro'jldiQurs, which rafblydoe runne tothc wars. Sc when they haue breathed cut their furkiting, they thmke vpon nothin» elfe but flight. Anditismaruellthatthereaofthe Difciples^, after that Petc^ was reproued, doe yet fall into the fame raihnes ; whtreby itappeareth how lit- tle acquainted they were with thcmfelues. By the which example we ire tau 'hli not to be Co bold to attempt any thing further then the hand of God dorh ieadc vs. bccaufe that nothing is more tranfitorie, orwilifooncrvaniih , then an inconfidcratczeale. The difciplesfaw nothing to be more vile an 1 abfurd^then to forfake their maifter. Therefore they doc iulHy detcfl that ofJence.but with- out afliirancc of hope of the. promifCi and neglcdiag prayers, they doe flic m vaine to boalt of that conitancie which was none. Mathcw Marke Lukexi. 3 y» ^nd hefajd ynto them.wixn Iftntyot* without hagge^andfcrip^e^andpmi ' lacked jee any thynge}jSni theyfayd'.l^thin^, ^6 Then he ftyd t9 them. Bttt nowe hee that hdth m i^^ggf l(t him tah^ it and Uk^vcife a fcrif>pe:and he that hath none let him fell his coate.and btty afvord, J 7. Fori fay ynto you , that yet the fame trhichis Vfrytte/ty muji bee perfhurmed in mee: enen wyth the wicked vat he n»mbred: for doubdtjfe thofe thinge$ which are wryttmofmeyhattean ende. 1 8 . ^nd they fay dy Lord: behold here are twofwtrdeu Andhefaid ynto them: It it enough. AllChrift'csfpcachtendethtothispurpofe, that he had as yetfpared his diCcipimment, $flM. h. Caluine^ But let v$ not doubt but that Chnft at this day hath regardc of vs, fo as he will not thruft forward younglings, and them that arc vnmeete forthewarre, but before he fendcth thein fooith to the confliftej hce furnifheth them with wea- pon*, and with power. ^6. ISlnrfi hee that hath aha^^e, Hcedoethfiguratiuely declare that great troubles and oioft (liarpe ailaults are at hand, euenasifacaptaine meaning to bring forth his foldiours into the fight, iliould cry an alarme.And he comnian- deth that all other cares being fctte afide, they iTiouM apply themftlues to no- thing but to the warre, no, that they fhoulde not fo muchc as thinke of their vidluall . Forheetcacheth(asthemancrisinextreeme dangers)thatal things ihould be folJe to the bagce and the fcrippe,that they might defend themfelues with weapons . But hee doeth not call them to the outward battaile,but one- ly vnd er the limilitudc ©f going to the warrcs, he dedareth how hard conflids of temptations they fliouldc endure, & how grieuous aflaults of fpirituall trou- b! es they fliould be?.rc . Alio, that they might the more willingly rcpofe them- feluesvponthcprouidenceofGod.-firftjasitisfayde, hee biddcih them re- member, that God had a care of them, lo that when they went trmpty and na- kcdjcarying no viduall with them,yct he prouidcd for thcra. Such and fo con- uenicnt a helpc of God ihould rwake the which haue had experiece of the fame, ncuerto doubt agamcjbut that hee will heipe in what focuer they (hall need e. 17* That ytt the fame Vfhicb is 'written. The force isinthisabuerb€ Te/, becaufeihatChriftdeclareth that he hath not done all things appertaining to his office, vntiU that hee be numbred with the wicked and vTigodly, as one of their company.But leaft the vilcnefle of the ade to much ama(e"them,he allea- geth the prophefie of Ifaiah, outof the chap. J5, i z. which of a certainty cannot be otherwifc expounded then of the Mcfsiah* Now fith it is fayd there, that he Ihoulde bee accounted amongft the wicked, it became not the faithfuU to bcc troubledatthatfight(thoughitwascrucllJ much leflcto bee alienated from Chrilf , who could not otherwife be the redeemer, but by taking the reproofe and fhamc of a wicked mannc vpon him. For there is no apter a remedy for the taking away of oftence, when any abfurditic doeth terrifievs, then if wee ac- knowledge It to bee thepleafure of God,and nothing js done ra(hly,nor with- out good caufe,which is done by his appoyntment ; efpccially where the fame wasfpoken long before, which appeareth by the fucceflc of the fame.Therforc, when the difciples were to hope for fuch a redeemer as God hadpromifedin time paft, and the Prophet Kaiah had teftificd, that he {liould beare the pu- nifhment vpon him^that he might deliuer vs from guiltincfTe.-this (hould fufficc for the appcafing of the horrour, that the difciples ihoulde not make Icffe ac* coimt of Chrift. Therefore hee addeth, that thofe things yt>hich appertained to him, hauean endi Signifying that nothing w.. ^ fpokcn in vainc by the Prophets. For this phrafe v- fed by the Grceks.fignifieth to be pcifourmed,or to be brought tocffcd.Non when the fucceflc doth proue whatfoeuer the Prophc ts haue fpokc, this (hould rather auaile for the confirmation of our faith,the to make vs afraide or doubt. And though by this one argume t chrift doth ftrengthe & comfort the difciples, becaufe i aU the prophefies iliouid be pcrfotumcdjy et the counlcil ii fcifc of the pur- vpon the Harmonie dfthe Emngehjles, q . purpofc cfGod, contAincth in it no fmall matter of co-iifort.- namely that chiid became lubieot, fjpplycd our place, as fljall be againe declared in the next chapt-r. ^S. Lorde^beboldhfercaretwoftPordes. Trudy, thiswasavilc M\d a bepftly rudenefle, that the difciplcsfo oft admoniilieJofbearing the erode, dcihinke that they i],ould fight With Iwords ofyron. Further it is vncertaine whether they hy that they haue two fwordes, as if they were well furniflied agai:ift the ene- mies : or whetherthcy complained that they wanted weapons 1 his is cuidcnt thatthey were foblockilh, that they thought not ot the (piritualj cncmie . But that the Canonifts doe hereof gather, thai theii horned bilhopshauc bt.th the the iurifdidions^ it is not oncly a filthy all'.gory,but a vile fcofle whci with they abule the word of God, And It was meet that the bondflaues of AntichriflfliuM fall ro this madnes, that openly with facrilegious contempt they Ihouldc tread. vndcr fccte the holy oracles of God, Mathew.2^i ^S: Their itent Icfus with them into a place f V(pJ>ich it called GethfeniAne^dnd faideynto his difciples: Sityeherewhile Igoe and pray yonder, 57. ^ndhe H.^ndhe took^xvithhim took^Tettr.^ the tvpofonncs Vet errand lames andlohn Markei4 5 2 . ^fter they came into aplace named Gethfemane: then he [aid to his difciples fit ye here yt ill Ihauefraied i^he began to be afraid ^ in great heauines.^ 4. ^nd [Aydyntothtm myfuuleit ofZebedeU'S^^**<^ '^'^ rc/cTf 0 my Fath:r,jf thii caft cannot I theflejh is Yveake, \frompr,tyer, and came tdffe avay from mt, hut that M 3 9. jind againejje vint avay \ to his dtfcipUs, and mmft drtnkeitythy will bidontyX and praied^andfpal^e tbefame^ fomd them Jlee^in^t 4^ . ^nd bee cam: andfoitnde woordes, for heauineffe. them ajleept atotherw.rebee tjlhlled ForCynllfayde rightly / ThatthepaCnor h Crofle was not willingly fuftcred of Chrilte in%me forte, and th.t hee t.fle , rcdthefameWilmglytofat.sfietheu'ilIofthe Father, and forourValuat on thoumayefteaniylcarnebyhispiayer. Father, ifitbeepofr>ble,Ie hrcupPe pa(le,fronime. ForinthatrcfpeathatthewordcfGod isGod,V.d^^^^^^^^ the hfeit k\^. no manne vvtll doubt that hee feared de.th any thmo at all bu^ bee.ngn.adeaclLe, hee permitted the fied.e, rhatu fhouldlUrthofe hmo. Which pertained tothefame , and therefore as very manne hee fear dd"rh novveprefentatthedoore and fayeth. Father, if it bcepolablekttetb'sctp ^^iPT i'""^ ^""^ '^'' the nature of man eucn in Chrifl himfclfe, fuffertth the thmgs belonging to it and feareth : but hy the word .oyned to the ar.c 1 ee e' couereththatcoi^agemeeteforGod . At thelenoJheeccndudethS fceft th. t in refpea of the flcfh, the death of Chrift was not volun ta^. Ye "t wasvoluntary,beca«fethatroritaccordingtothewiilofthcfath and life is giucn vnto men. And thus for CyrilU Yet It muft be difting uifhed bttwecne thcinflrmity of the fle{h,which Chrifl In?^ TtT'l •* f,^^^^«">n^"chdifier. Forin vino aiJedion is without- iTrl .'i''^^^V^^^^l«;^n"^^o^«cecdcmeafure and arightn-.odcration: but Chriftc wa^ fo troubled with forrow andfearc, that yet hee murmured not againll God : butremamcd fall to the true rule of temperance : for it is no mar^ udl, when as hee was pcrfeaeand pure from all fpot, that the afJedions which hee {hewed were pureand vnfpotted, though they fhoulde bee witncflcs of hig ' humane mfirmitie ; but from the cornipt nature of men, nothing commeth but ihatwhich IS defiled and hath dregs. Thereforelctthisd.fJerenccbcholden. Chiilt was afrayd and forrowfull withoutany fpot of f nnev but all our afiedi! ons areimfuil, becaufc they doe breake out into cxceflc. Now tl at kinde of af- tcetionsisto beiioted,wheiwith Chirll was tempted.Matthew faith tha/.. ^m Jorroi^fuMandgrieuouJly (or doubtfully) troubled. Luke, that he r,^s inana^ony, Mai ke addcth, that he vas afraidt. But whence commeth this fonow and dout t - tulnelie,and feare vpon him, but becaufe that in deathhe concdued fomethmg nioielorrowfuliandmorehorriblc,thenthefeperationofthcfouleandthcbo. die? And certainely.he died not onely, thatheemight gocoutofthcearthmto hctiiien,butrather,tb2tby taking the currevponhim,whcrctowc were IL^icd, lie.miohtfct vsfiee from thefame.Thtrforchewasnoth'mrlyafiaidof death, asit js a departure out of the world, but becaufe the fcarefull tnbuall ft.-.t of god < WJS before his ey es,the iudge himfel e being armed with incoprehcnfibje ven- geance; & our fins the burden vvhciof was iaid vp6 him,with their hu^e waipht preiledhimdowne, whcr,. 704 T'he Comment, ofMdo, Cdmne^ Wherfore It i$ no meruailc, if the horrible depth of dcftrudion,grieiioiifiy vex- ed him withftarcanddoubtfi^lncfic. ^8. Mifouleisveryhcauy. Hcsmaketh them priuy to his f^irow, that hec tfii , heir omc them to h.uieahkefeeHno with hiin, not that heckntw no: their wtakcnefTc. but that aftcrwardcshce might make them themoreailiamcdof their flouthkilncs. Further, thiskmde offpeachexpreflcth a deadly wound of* forrow : as if he fliould huit fiyde, that hec was without hfe, or halfc dead for forrovv. SoIonasaniwereththeLord, (chapter 4. jp, I am angry euen to the death . Ofthe which I doe therefore giiic warning ; becaiife that fome oFthe oldc wryters (ubtilly entreating of this place, do fondly fantafie that the foulc of Chnft mould be foirowfull, not in death but onely vnto death. And here wee mnft aeai: .c remember the cauie of fo great forrow. For death of it felfe could not hau£ Co vexed the minde or the fonne of God, if he had not felt that he had to doe with the iud?ement of God. 39. Soh:vcent aUttle further . Wee haiiefeenc the Lord Other where, that hec inightbe(tirredvptoprayv?ithraoievehemency, prayed out ofthe company ot men. For out of the light of men, wee doe the better gather our fenles toge- ther, thi tthey may be the better bent to that which we doe. It is not necefiary fo oft as we would pray, to flee into back corners .• ( my, it is not alwayes ex- pedient) but where fome great neceflity vrgeth, becaufe the heare ot prayer doth the more fi cely powrc out it felfe in a folitary place,it is profitable for vs to pray .alone. If that mt Ton of God negledcd not this helpe , it lliould be more then a niaddc pride in vs,notto apply the fame to ourvfe.Adde,that where god alone is the iudge, becaufe that ambition is not then to bee feared, the fay thfuli foulc doethmorefam-iliarlydifcouerit felfe, and more (imply powreth out her prayers,fighes, cares,fcares, hopes & ioyes in the bofome of God. And God permittcth many follies to his children, when they pray alone, which in the h'ght of men could not be without ollentatio.His gefture alfo,when he falleth down vpon the grounde,doth declare an earnefl zeale in prayer. For though the bow • ing ofthe knee was commonly woont to be vfed in prayer as a (igne of honour and reuerence, yet Chrifl humbly lying vppon the ground, for the grer.tneficof his forrow, framed himfelfe toamiferable behauiour. 0 my father yi fit be pffthle . Some doe ftriuc in vaine, tofhewthat this TVS no prayer, butonely a complaint. Yet verely, though I doe graimt, that thercqucltwasabrupte, yetldoubtnot, but that chrift prayed . Neitheris thatofforccagainf^it , that hce defireththatathingeimpofliblefhouldebec grauntcd him . For the prayers of the fay thfuli doc not alwayes flow in one courfe continuilly vntotheende : they doe notalwayeskccpeancquall tem- perature, they are not alw.iycs framed in a diltinift order : but rather they are intricate and doubtfull, they doe either contend with themfelues, or doeftop in the midft ofthe courfe •. euen as a (hippc tofTed wi th ftormes, though it ben- deth tothchaucn, yet it cannot alwayes holdc aright and equallcourfcasina calmcandouietfca . Thatmuf^bccnoted which I fayde euen nowc , that Chriflehaddcnotfuchtroublcfomc afflictions , whic h might fliakc the pure moderation of his mindc as wee haue ? but as much as the found and vncorrupt nature of mannewouldebearc , hec wasftrickenwuhfcarCjandholdenwitb doubtful- ^fffon the}^arwcnie$fth4EHAtigeitf!es. ^o- doubtfolneflejfothathe was of neccfsity enforced amidft fuch violent flrcames of temptations, as it were towauenn his prayers hether andthciher. Thisij the icafon why he e praying to auoidHeathj-prefently rtfiraincth himfelfe Tub- milting himfelfe to the authority of the father, and corredeth and reuoketh that rcqueft which had fodainely efcaped him.But it is demanded how he could dc^ iircto haue the eternali decree of the father broken, whereof he was not ignorant. For though the condition be added : Ifitbefofftblt^ yet this feemeth to be abfurd,to make the counfcll of God chaungcablc. For fo it was mettc for Ijim to hold, that it could not be that God fliouldreuoke his counfcU . But by jMarke Chrifl feemethto oppofe thcpowcrof God againft his decree. Mlihings (faythhe)tfre/'cj;/?Z'/*fof/> the affedions of his human foule were diffinguilhcd frothcfecrctcounlclofGod But now, ificwas mecte that Ch; iff ihould lead his will prifo:ier,thathe might make it fubiedto tbewil o^ God^thoughit was fo Wvil ordcrcd:howcarefully muft wc keepc vnder thelibcrty (four afft(flions, which alv^'a.s are both caried without cofideration, & headlong, and arc filled withfrowardncs^Ifthat the fpirit of God ihoiild gouerne vs,f3 that wc would nothing but that which is agreeable to reafon,yct we owe this obclicce to god, to beare with patience that our prayersare not alwaics grauntcd. For this.is the modcQy of faith to graunt to God^ he ("huld determine otacrsvifethc we defirCy This rule muft be cfpecially holdcn, where we haue not a;\y ccrtaine & fjjeci- allpiomife thatwccaskc not any thinge but vnder this conduion, thatGod ^MldfulfijUliatwIiichhchathdctcrminediwhichcaanotbCjbutbyourrefig- ning vfon the Barmonie of the ttfAfigehfies. .<, 7 ning of our vowes vrto him.Ncw it is dcmauded vshat chritt riortcd F v rrpie r The Apolllc to the Hcb.chap.5.7.raah that hee was heard of his fcaic-fforfo thatpla^emay be cxpounLed,& not as it is commonly rcad^forhisreucrtnce ^ finthcr, that fhould rot agree if Chnft had timply fcarec death : for he was ncc ddiuered fi om the fame V\ herof it followedjthat for feare of a greater cuill hcc was driuen to pray againft death. For when he faw the wrath of God fetapainft him/orthatheiioodathisfeatofiudgemetloadenwiththcf^nsofalthcvTorld it was neccilaiy fcr him to fcare at thebottomlefTe depth ofdeaih. Thcrc'ore' thogh he fLftameddeathjyetbecaure the forowes of death were loofed(asFetcr teacheth,Aa:.2.2 4.)i"^^^<^^'V"ft}inghewcntawaycoqucrcnr,theApo{lIeh2ih good caufe to fay that he was heard of his feare. Vnlearnedmcn doc here rife vp, & they cry cm that it v^as a thing vnworthy,thar. Chrifl fhculd be afraydc of being fvvallowed vp of death. But I would that they {hculdanfwerc me e, what fcare do they ihinke itw.ts^that wrong drops of bloud out of chrift.foi that mo r tali fweac could neucr haue come but of a fearefull & vnwonted horror. If any nun atthis day ihould Iweatforth bloud,& ihatin fuch abiidancethat the drors rannc uowrrc to the ground.it ihould be an incredible wonder, if this (hould be- fall to any ma for feare of deaih.we would fay that he had a faint & a womaniOi heart.Thcy therefore which deny that Chnll prayed th?t his father fhould dc- Jiuerhiin out of the gulfcofdeath^thcy afcribe a daintincs to him, ycavnm,cete for a comm.on m.an. If a.y man obieCt that the feare which I fpake of, fhouldc Ipring of infidehty,thc aniwere is ready,whentd I{iffeihim: jo. Then lefitsfayd rnto him. Friende: therefore arteihot4 toms}Them came they ^ Uyde handesonjefits and ttol^him. j whbmefoeuerlfhaUk^iJJeyhe it iy.tak^ him ^ lead him away fafelj. 4^, And affo^neai hie r^as comeyhe xventfiraight xcay to hiniy^ fayd:mai^erymaifier» and k^JJed him* 4^. Thenthe^ Layedtheyr handesofi hitn, and tooh^him. 4^.Slee^ehenceforthyandta\eyottrreJ^. It is cuident enough that Chriftrpeaw keth this ironically ; but it muft be withall confidered, to what cndc chat mine? of (peach was v fed. For fith Chrifte had prcuailed nothing by adnioniihing his difciples, hedoth notonelylharpdyreprouc their- Ooiithfrnnellt; buthecfayth, though they would be flouthfiill,thatit iTiall be no longer fife for them. There* fore the meiningis .'becaufehethei-to I haue wafted my wordcs amongft you^ I will not yet ceafe to exhort yoa : buthowfoeuerl docfiift'cryoatoflecpe,yet your enemies will iK>t allow it you,but they will enforce you to watch whctlict you will or no. Therefore it is added in 3farkc« It is enouirh : as iF hee fhouldo houc fly d, now it is no time to fleepc. And in this maner the Lord doth often chaitcn the flouthfulncfle of men, that they which were deafe at his vvordes, ad length ihould be compeld with troubles to awake.Whercfore let vs learne with Ipcede to eiue eare to the words of the Lord, leaft that which hee would draws vs vnto willingly, (hould afterward be wreafted out of vs, by necefsitie* 46. Rjfey let ysgoe^ By thefe words he dcdareth, that after his prayer hee w.w furniQied;With new forces. He was before willing enough to die : but at the ve- ry pointhe had a hard combate with the infirmitie of the flcfh,that hee wouldc Willi ngly haue withdrawne himfelfe from dcath,if he might haue had the good Icaue of the Either. Therfore with praiers&teares hee obtayned anewe force fro heauen. not that he waueredac any time for want of power, but becaufe that render the infirmitie of the flefli,which he had wdlmgly taken vpon him,his will wasdoubtfi;]lyani wichtroublefomc and hard endeuour to labour, that in his ownc pcrfon he might get vs the vidory. But now that trouble being appeafed, and thefearci'ubduedjagainethathemightorFcralacrificeoffree will to the father, he doth not only ftay from flight.but doth wiUingly mcetc with death. 47. ;^/W/e/7e7«//>-j4f- The Huangebltes doe diligently declare that the Lord^ fbreraw.whatfocuerbeffU; whereby it may be ceitainly gathered, that he was not drawne to death by outward violence, but fo farre forth as the wicked exe- cuted the rccretcoLinrell of God. Therefore, though the difciples hadfct be* fore their eyes a pitifull fight full of terrour : yet there is oftred with all an argu- ment of comfort, wherewith they might comfort themfclues,when as the acli,. oa it felfe declared that nothing was done by rortune,&that which Chrift forc- told,mightdiredthe to behold the glory of his Godhead. In that there was an armed company fent by the prie[^s,& that they had gotten by entreaty of Pjlatc acaptaine & a bandof mc,it doch a^peare § they were troubled and vexed with abad confcicnccj Co thac thcx did all thingcs fearcfully . For to what end Ihoul4 thcj? vfm the HarMome efthe Euangeiifles* y j i they nccdc fo great forces for to take Chriftjwhom they kntw Was not ticfcn- dcd with any force of weapons? Therefore they made luth diligent prepurancc bccaufe that the diuine power of ChrifijWhich by many inflrufiions thty were forced to fcek,did inwardl< torment them, and filled their hearts full of fcar«: tut ofthe other fide thcii wonderfullmadnes (hewed it fclfc, that they doubted not with the force of weapons to rife againft God. 48. 1^>» hee that betrayed* I doubt not but this ludas was rcftrain^d eitherTvith the reucrenceofthe Lord or with the fname of his of^cncejChat he durft not openly pro.^cflt hinrifclfe to be one of the enemies • yca^ and that admonition which Marke fayth that he paut to the fouidiours, that they fheuld lead him away wauiy, was therefore giuen ki I coe imacc, bccaufe that he remcmbred that by very many meanes ChriH e hnd her etc fore proiied his Godhead. But in the meane feafon his madncs was to he Wondredat, either in that hiifriuokiusdifsimulation to hide himfelfe, when h« fhoulde come into the fi^ht of the fonne of God, or that hce wouldc oppofe the witte of men againfi his great power : but that the wicked are fo driuen forward With their cwne madnes^ that they entangle thcmfelues in their winding and crooked thoughts. 49» Gcdfaut thee tra'ijter, I doubt not but that ludas as one afraid at the pc- rill of his maifter^ in thcl'c words pretended a pitifull aflf'cdion: therefore A/aike •exprefleth a patheticall repetition, -Mrt//?«rw7<<;_/?fr4 Forihcugh ihcmaieflieof Chiif c vrged him, yet the dcuill had fo bewitched his minds'^ he hoped through \y to couer his treafon with a kifTc and flattering words. Therefore this falutati- on or acclamation was apretenceofpictic; &Idoeiudgethcfanneofthekilk« ,-Forihoughitwas an ancient cufiomc airongft thclewesto cnt^rtainc their friends with akif^c ; yet bccaufe that ludas hadde a little before departed from Chrift, he feen;cth now as one afraid at that fodaine danger, to giue his maifler thislaft kifle. So in ihewof pictie he cxcccdtthall the rtft, while hcefcemeth to be hardly drawn fro his maifler : in the meatlfilledyn>hichf4j that itmtfibef-i} < s * The fam *. ho»re fayd lefttt to the m^ltitad? yee be come »itt at it w:re agii*ifi a thiffyWith ftif)rde>4il /^t^is totakeme-.I fated.iily teachiffj^in the tern- pUjtminrt yoHy andyoi* took^ Markc« 14 Luke 29t mi rt9t, ^6. Bi*t alth'tt W4{ done, thdt j cloth y arJjledde fram them the Scripture •ftht ^rophetes j aak^d, :nixhtbe ft! filled. Them a II the ' difciplesfoffookebim andjlei. 47. Undone of them that j 4 9 ^'H^Vy'^he they which flood by ydrewe ot*t afw9rdy I vere abouihimyptv what: wjt*ldfollowey they fay d ynto bim'.Lordyfhall wee fmit e with tbefword? J 0. And one ofthefmote a ftruant of the hie priefi dnd firof^e of Ifys righti eare, 5 1. Then leftts anf^ered them, and fayd: Suffer them thus farre: andhee touched his eare and hea^ led him, 5 2. ^Xhen leftirsfaid vnt9 the hie Vriejiesandtdp^ Mines of the tempUy and the elders Vfihich )»ere come to him. Bee yee come oi^t as ynto a thiefe Vfiith ri»9rdesandfiai*es. ^3. TVhen 1 was daily vith yoi* inthe Temple^ jefiretched not forth the handes againfi meet bttt this isy9i*r yery houre^ the pov/er of darl^nejfe. and fmftea feruant of the hie priefie, and cittte off his eare. 48 . .And leftts aunfwered and fayd ynto them: yee bee come et^ty as ynto 4 theefe y^ithfvfordes and fiaites to ta!^ me* 49. IwMs daily with you, teachin^e in the temple, and yeeteok^mtmt'.bftt this is done that the fcriptwe thstld befulfilled. yo. Then they allforfooke him and fled, ^ I .And there f)lU\pedhm a certaineyottng min, cUa~ thed in linnen ypon his bar: bodyyand theyott^n^e mmns catt^hthim* J I. Bi*t hee left his linnen ^ t* Behold one 9f them. Luke fayththat all the Difciplesconfpired together to ehisejide, that they miglit fight for their maiftcr. Whereby it appearcth,hoiip mucfe vpen the J^arnmti efthe Euaftgeiifles. much boldcrand readier we areto fight, then to fuffer Whrr^r^ l^ ^ ueth vs wifely to confidcr what the Lorde rt.all commaund/and w^^^^^^^^^ require of euery of vs, leaft the h.ate of our ^eal e doe brcake forth m to 7 r'" andmeafure. And that the difc.ples are fayde to haue asked SLi^e^^^^^ itnot ofthatmmde,thatthey mightobey his commamndement • bm byThef. woordesthey declared that they wercpreftandrcadytorefellthcfoiccoM^ enemies. But Pcier tarried not vntill that he {])ouId be comanded and IvccnfeS tollrike but raflily he ftcppe th forth to vfe vnlawfullforce. This Ibi'tnes fee mcth at the firft Hght to be prayfeworthy,that the difciples foraettincr their own weakencfTe , though they werevncqually matchedforrefiflance, yetwo.Ide pledge their bodies tor thtir mailter, and dcubted not to throw thcmfelues in to the ccrtaincdatinger of death, For they had rather to die with the Lord th-n themreluestoliucandfeehimoucrwhelmed . But becaufethnt theyattemnt more then thccallingofGodwouldefufferorpermit, their raHinefle is iu/llv condemned. Wherefore that the Lorde may be pleafed with our doings let vs learne to dependc yppon his will, and let not any man moue a finder further then he (hall be commaunded by him. And therefore it doth c/j^eciaHy bchoue vs dilligcntly to apply our felues to this modefty,bccaure that in ftced of a ric^hc and well ordered zeale, there dooth for the mo(t parteraygne in vs a difordc - red raihrreflc . The Euangelirtcs doe in this pkce conceale Peters name -but lohn dcclareth, and it dooth n.ortly after by the text appeaic that it was Peter who isheere noted , though his name bee not fette downe . Yet it may bee cafily gathered by Luke, that hee hadde a!fo other fcllowes as hot as himklfc .• for hec doeth not onely fpeake vnto one, but hee fayetli generally vnto allj SKf- fer them thus farre, ■* "^ 52 r Tut >p thyfwerd. Chirft in thefc words confirmcth that comraandem ent of the law, wherein priuate men are forbidden the vfe of the fworde. And the appoyntmentofthepuniihment, which is prcfently added mufi efpccially bee noted. Forthepenaky wasnotlcfttobeappoyntedat thepleafureof men for them thereby to reuengc their owne bloud. But God himfelfe by reftraymng vs fencrelyfiomurders,dothdcclarehowdearc mankind is vnto him. Firft there' fore he will not be defended by force & might, becaufethat Godhadforbiden to ftrike in the law. And this isa generall rcafonj& prefcntly he defcendeth to a fpcciall. But here he moueth a qucftion,whether it be neuer lawful! by violence to repell vniuH violence. For when Peter had to doe with vngodly and wicked theeuesjhce is yet condemned, becaufe he tooke the fword. It ih.it in this hd an exception of a moderate defencecoulde not auaile, Chrificfeemcth to rye all mens handes * But though this queltion was handled by vsbcforevpron. the fift chapter, yet I will now ar.aine in fewe wordesrehearfe my iudgemenr. FiifteitismeetctodillingLiirn betweene the ciiiiU court and the court of con- fcience. Forifanymanncreiiitctha thecfe, becaufe the hwcs doe arm e him againft a common enemy ofmank!nd,he ihallnotbein daungerofpublik- pu- nifHment . So, as oft as it is oppofcd as a defence againft vnmU vioJence^the penalty which God commaunded earthly iudges to execute, ceafeth. But the fimplegoodnes of the cau'e doth not free the confciencefrom guiltines, except sfacre go apuie affe^ion with it. Thcrefo; e that a man may rightly and lawfully Yy s <^s.- d efend himfelfc, it is neceflnry for him i^ put off the hcate of anger 5: hatred^ and (iefircofreiicngeandailciirordctedfoices of the minde, thatthe.defence m.iy haue no troublefome thin^ in it, Eecaufe that tliis is very rare, and befal- kch fcarlly at any time .Chnl^ haih good caufe to call his difciplcs backc to the ^cnerall rule, thit they (hould Ditogcther abtbinc fro thefv\'ord Furthermore, faa.iticall mc.mcdoc fondly abufe this tcitimony , that the/mightpuli the fvvora from the iudges. They fay that ic is wicked to ftnke with the f^-vord.-and I doc gr.iiint the iame to be true : for it is iawfull for no man to commit murther at his owneplcafur,tobeetheauthourofmurther ; but I deny the magi/lratcs to be accounted a.nongtt the common order of men : for they are the minifters ofG^d , bywhome hce exccutcthhisowneiudgemcntes* Addcalfothnt Chrift by thefehiswoordesdoethexprefly giiic this power to them. Forwhen he filth, thu the murthcrcrs (liall be put to death, it foUoweth that the fwordc is put into the iu.iges handes,thac they might reuenge the death of them,which arevniu'dlyflaine . Itdoethfometimcs fall out, that bloudymennc are puni- llied by other meanes ; yet this is the ordmary way jwhereby the Lord woulde haue the crucll heicenelic of the wicked reftrayncd, leaft it ihould goc vnpuni- fiicJ* Nowjwhere feme Canoniitesdarebefobould as to brcake into this im- pudency, toteachthatihefworde was not taken from Pcter,butcommaundcd that he ihould kcepe it vp,vntiU opportunity fiiould come for to draw it, hereby We doe pei'ceiue how grofly and vntowardly thofe dogge? doe abufe the word of Gad, 5 J . Thinh^ft thou> that Icannot. Now followcth that fpeciall reafon^whcrc- of I made mention a little before. For Chrift declarcth that hee hath at hand a farrc better manner of defence and more Iawfull, but that the will of the father muft be obeyed .For this is the fummejfith that by theetcrnali counfcllof God hee wasappoyntcd for a facrificc, and the fame was witnefled by the Oracles of thefcriptures, itmuitnot becrcfifted . So the ralhncflc of Peter is condem- ned by anothercircumftance, in that he endeuourethnotonelytoouerthrovf the heauenly decree, but alfoto ftoppe vppe the way againft the redemption of mankinde . Notonely Peter docth draw his fworde vnlawfully, but the dif. cij^lcs were foolifh and madde. and they becing fo fewc, and not meete for the wars, (Lould attempt to doe any thing agaiall a band of fouidicrs and (6 greatca company. Therefore the Lord e that he might the more euidently rcprooiie their folly, putteth this comparifon, if he (houldc feekc for defence forprcferuation of his life, hee had not cncly eleuen Angclles ready,but a great and inuinciblc array.* therefore where as he calU th not the Angclles for hclpc , much lefle would he mooueaftirrewithoutconlideration , where no good were to beehopcdfor. For itwouldcnomoreauailctohauethedifciplesto makcaftirre , then if a fewc froggcs (houlde make a noyfc. But Come interpreters doe fearchheerc in vaine, howcChriftecouldeobtayne Angelles of his father, by whofe decree itwasthathccftiouldedie . For thefcthingcs are contrary onetothe other, that hcdiould deliuer his fonnc naked and vnarmcd todeatn (bccaufeitwas fo nccelTary and once appoymed) and yet that be might bcc mooucd with prayers to fendc him fuccouf s. Bitf vponthef^ATPfomesfthe'EuaftieliJles. ^Z/ Rut Chriftcsfpeach was conditionaljthat hce had a much better meancs for the defence of his hfc, if tke will of the father were not agaiaft it. So all the repug- nancy is taken away: for Chrift therefore abftayned from prayino to his father, becaufe that heewasfurcofhis decree to thecomrary. Hercofyct is this pro- fitable do^rine gathered, that they doe iniury to God, whiche doe flie to vn- lawfullmeanesvnder pretence of necefiitic. Ifany man doth want riches and helpesthat arelawfulijheruimeth headlong to the wicked counfcls and finfull encfeuours .• namely becaufe that few doe attend vpon the fccret counfel of God which oncly {hould be fufficientto giue vs rcfh If we beem datmger, becaufe the ende appeareth not vnto man^wee imagine this or that, as if there were no Aneeis-in heauen, which the fcripture fo oft faieth was appoynted to watch for our^preCeruation, Heb 1. 14* And fowedoe depriiieourfelucsofthciihclpc, Whofoener are throwne headlong by their owne vnquietncfle and too much doiibifullncsjthatthey doeput their handstoremcdy their euils by mcanes for- bidden, it is euident that they doe renounce the prouidence of God. 54. Hoxp thenfhouU thefm^ture befttlfiUed. Chrift by this laying decia- reth» that he will not attempt to auoy de d eath, to the which hec knewe that the father called him.Hee had no neede of the Scripture to learne out of them that it was appoynted of God for him then to die . but becaufe that mortall men doe not vndtrftand what God hath determined with himfel:e,vntill he nial reueale itbyhisworde,Chriftehauinorefpeaetohisdifciplcs,hathgoodcauletoal- ledocthatteftimony,wlnchcGodhadgiuen ofhiswill Wee know whit euill focuer doth befall vs, to be fent of God: butbeecaufewec are doubtfull of the rucce(Te,infceking the remedies which heealloweth, we doe not arife againft his pow'er : but where his will is found, then to reft. But though Ghri fte hcere doth onely teach, that hee (hould paciently fuffer death, becaufe that the fcrip- tures doe teftifie that it Ihould be ; ye t the vfe of this doannc r eachcth furilier namely that the fcripture is a fitte bridle for the taming of the ftubb ornnc fl e of the flelK For to this ende doth God fhewc vnto vs what his pleafureis, that he Hiiohtkcekevs in obedience to his will- Therefore Paulc attnbuteta thefe properties to the fcripture, that it may inftiud vs to patience, and heipe vs m aducrfity,fo much as there fhallbeneede ofcomfort. Chr.ft after Luke dooth rcproue his difciples in fewe wordes, 5^f er /;f«reforf/;: but yet hee doth ihari) X ini;eyaaainfttheirboldnes,becaufctheyentcrprifcdtoenterintoa damnable offeAce'',though withall he putteth them in hope of forgiuenes, it their wicked hcate beina cooled, they (hallprocecde no further. ,, ,, , ir. 5t. Andbemcbedhiseare. Peter by his fo:idczcale had brougr,: a preat infamy vppon his maftcr and his dodrine. And it is notto bee do.io ted 6ut that Satan by his fubtilty attepted to burden the Gofpcl with this reproach for euer. as if that Chrift had kept cuttersand tumultuous conipan.ons to moke innouations. I doe therefore thinke this to be the caufe,why Chiili 'J'^'^'^^;!;;^ wounde, whiche hec liad^iuen. Butthecnemiesmrc h)nlblya^dwonc1.r- Klllyafton:ed, thatwercnothingmouedatthe lightof(ogrcata^^^^^^^^^^ h is lefie mecuade that they fawe not the pow/:.- of Chrift (l.e wed m the pei on • of anotheivwhcnasthcy being throwne proftrate by hi^wordc, yet ccaiea not their rage. This. y\^ The Omment, (fAJ. Jo^ Caiume* This is the fpirit ofgiddine$,whercwith Sathanbewitcheththcrcorobate when as they are blindtci by the Lord Jn that feruant cfpecially who was hcaj led, there appeareth a notable example of vnthankfullnes. For that he was nei- ther ouercome by the diuin e power of Chrift, that he might repent him of his hardncflc, nor wonnc by the benefit of an enemie to become a difciple For the Moonkes doc fondly imagine that he was healed alfo in minde, leaft the works f)f Chnlleniouldehaucbeene vnperfed.-asifthat thcgoodncs of God were not dayly fliewed euen vpon the vnworthy, MAT, 55. ^i />vf^rerf^d»«7? 4 f /?«/(?. Chrift in thefc words expofltt^ lateth With his enemies, which doe execute their enuic vppon him.came fur- jiilhcd with gtea: troupes. Forthisisthe'meaning, whatnccde wasittohauc fuch funuture of weapons againit me, as if fomc' checfe were to be taken fFor lalwnyesHued amongftyou vnarmcd and peaceably, when I taught in the temple, I might hauebeene taken eafily without any force of foldiours . But though he complaineth of their malice, becaufe they doe violently runne vpoti him, as vpon a fcditious man.- yet againe he prickcth their euill confciencc *bc* caufe that with their captainc the traitour, they came vppon him, but fearefullv and with many fignes ofthcirdiftruft. ^ $6, But all this -vrai done. The Other two doe report this fomcwhat o- therwife. Forthatwhich Matthewereportethinhisowncperfon Markcfcc nieth to attribute 10 Chrift, Luke alfo vfeth diuerfewordes, that this fhouldc he their hoy.re and their power of darknes: Yetthecounfellofthc holy Ghoft is ccr teine, whatfoeuer the wicked imagined, nothing at all was doonc without the allowaunceandprouldenceof God. For,asitwa$ fayd before, God hath fpo- Jcen nothmg by his Pr ophctes,but that which hce hadde with himfelfe dctermi ncd. Here therefore we are taught fir[t,though Sathan triumphin his vnbridlcd luft vvith all the wicked yetthehandcof God fhallalwaycsPouerne,ro that hewilldrawthcmagainftthcirwiUeswhethcrhewiU.Sccondlywearetauoht though the wickeddoefulfilI,thatwhichisforetoid in the Scripture, yet bee caufe dut God doth not vie them as lawfiill miniilers,but diredeth them by his GoT.f ?i7''m r ''u '^'^ T""^"^? "°'' '^'y ^^^^ "°^ ^'' cxcuCablc, and When God aull luftly vfe their malice, the faulte fhall relt vppon themfelues. In the mcane fcafon lee vs note that Chrift fpake this, that he might take away the of fee h.mvxedio reproachfully. And his purpofc was not^nely toprouide for t lumph as if/hcy had gotten the vidory. Therefore he faith m Luke, that it is the^rnme. whereby he declareth that the Lord alloweth them this liberty for a ftiort time. .,nd the ^o^er ofdark^nes. is taken for the deuil, which would Teainc auaihnota l.tle fortheouenhrowingoftheirglory.ForkwfoeuertheyS h/^1 W?'^'''^''''"*^^"^^"^^^«^hey%reb thcr. when all th.nPes are confufedly mixed together, and the deuil by Sttc' ring abroad his darknes,doth fceme to ouerthrow the whol order of thVwo^^^^^^^ Z.»L"r' Jt^^^hcprouidencc of God doothih.neabouemheaurn/fo rSt^^^^^^^^ "°vre difordc! rcd^d therefore lette vslearnc to lift vp the eyesof faith to thatbrightne,. In that vponthe Harfrmte of the Emngeiifles - j - thatali the difcipJes are faidc to flye, hecre ngaine may be gathered, how much readier they were raihlyiohght, then to followthemaifter* ' v^tyihucu MA K. fr. jicertameyouno^mm. VVhcreofitfliouId com^etopaffcthatfome (hould dreame, that this young man fiiould belohn, Iknownot, neythcr is ^ greatly to be regarded. -this doth ratherappertaine to the matter, to conhder ta what end Matke{hould report this hyfrorie. And I docthmkcthathediditto this ende, that wee might knowe that the wicked wentforward tumuhuouflv without Ihame and modefiy (as the comon vfe is infuchlewd attcmptes)ro that the young men tockc this man, to them a firaungcr,& fufpeaed of no crime (o that he could fcarfe cfcape their hand cs naked. For it is probable that the youncr man, of whome mention is made, being a fauourcrof Chrifte, hearing of a tu* mult in the night, with out his clothes, onely couered with linen, came f octth either that he might difcouer their conspiracies, or at the leaft fhew fom e ductv of piety ♦ 1 hat certamely which I touched cuen now is to bee k^nz that the wicked went forwarde with extreame violence, when as they fpared not the poore young man, who at that noyfe came halfe naked out of his bed. Matth. x6. 57. ^ndthey tool^Iefus, and led him to Caiafhas , ti)e highe friefiiVphere the Scribes and the "Elders were ajfembled, 58* jindVeter followed him a far re offynto the high Vriefies JMarkei4. J J. So they led le fits away to the high frieft^c^ to him came all the high priefies, and the Elders , and the Scribes* J 4' ^ndTeter followed hm a farre off, e^en into the hall of the holly and went in, and fate with high frtej}, and fate with thefer. theferuants to fee theend* 5^. 2^w the high priefies and the elder s^^ all the whole cottn- fell^fought falfe witnejfeagainji lefus to put him to death. 60. But they found none) and thogh many falfe rritnijfes came yet founde they none, but at the laficame twofalfewitnejfes. 6 1 ♦ ^ndfay de^ this manfaid^ 1 can deftroy t he temple of God, And build it inthree dciyes. I-ukc. 21. H tT hen took^e they fj'f»iandUdhim,Qy brought him to the H^^'PrieJ}ei houfe^ and Teter followed ^ farre off uants^andwarmedhimfelfeat the fire^ S^*^ndthehiepritJ}s,rir all the coufell fought for witnejfe againfl: lefus,toput him to death but found none, ^6, For many barefalfe witnejfe againfihim,but their witnejfe a greed not together. $7*Thenthere aroCe certaine^f^ barefalfe -witnejfe againji him, faying, 5 8. m heardhimfay, 1 veil deftroy this temple made with handes, and within three dayes 1 1 tt/ill build an other made withotit I handes* jf^. But their Witneffe\ yet ageed not together* , I : Luke holdethanothermannerofcourfeinfettinge downc this hyftorfc,, then Matihcwand Marke doe . But the diuerfity which is bctwcnic them, wee will endeuour to reconcile in place conuenicnt . Inthemeancfeafon kis- good briefly to touch thofethinges , which are woorthy to bcc noted in Matthcwc and^Markcs wordes , Firfte, that the offence of the CrofJc way 7 1 8 The Comment, efM, h, Caluine. be taken awayjthe profit mull be con !i(iercd,\vhich the humbling of chrifthith coiteii for vs .-for lo it fhill come to paflcjthat the goodncs of God. which is i^" coa^pa'.ablc, anu iheflBcncycthi!> grace fhallaboliOi byhisbri^;htnel]cvxhat^ (ociier deformity and repro.u lifulncfic there iliall bee in it ; it was a vile thin^, accordrng to the fltfli, that the Tonne or God fliould bee taken, bound and kept c\\ tiue : "but when we confidtr that wee by hisbandes arefet free from the ty- ranny ofthcdcuillj and from the guiltiucs which held vs botmd before God, thcofienccis not onclyt.^ken away, whereat our fayth might ftumble, but in ftccde thereoffuf ccdeththc wodcrluli grace of God^who efteemcd fo much of our deliucrafice^thathc deliuered his onely begotten lonnc to the wicked to be bound. This alfoisa notable plcdgeofthefinpularloue of god towardesvSjia that hefparcd not him rclfejbut willingly tooke tiie bands vpon his ownc flcfh, that he might dehucr our f -ulcs from bands which are much worfc. 57. T/;e7 led liimtaCaiapl^aSy Though the greater iurirdidion,9S they call it, W3S taken away from the Icwcs, yet there remained fomercmnauntcs of that iudgemcntjWhichihelawegauetothehiePrieftjDeu. 17. 8, fo fome fmall corrcdio was lefr,when the mecre empire was taken away. For this caufc chrift was carry ed to the hie Pricft to be examined :not that the leaftfcntence ofiudc?- mcntlliouldebegiuenagamfthim atthatiudgcment fcatc, but thathee being condemned in their iudgcmcnt, the Prieftes might then carry him before the gouernour Caiaphas, the prieft, was othervvife called loP.phus, who as lo- (tphusthe hyftoriogrnpher laycth in his i8.booke,had thchiepricfthoodgi- uen him by Valerius Cratus theprelident of Iiidca, when Simon the Sonne of Camithus was remooued from that honour. But his furname is only fct downe by the Euangehitsjbecaufe it may be thefamc was the more comonly knownc, and more renowncd.Matthcw fayeth that the prieftcs came together to Caia« phashoufc , not that they were gathered together nowe before Chrifte was brought thither at midnighttbutbecaufe the place was appointed jthat the mef- lage being heard, they might with fpeede hallen thither very early in the mor- nmg .though we faw euen now that fome of the prieftes were abroad with the fouldiers in the night at the taking of Chrift , But otherwhere wee haue often fcene that the Euangiliftesare not Co curious as to obferue the order of the time. Certamely in this prefent place they haddc no other purpofcjthen to flicw that the fonnc of God was opprelTcd by a wickedfaftion of a whole counfell. And here is a horrible and fcarcful fight fct before our eycs.For there was not at that time in any othcrplaceeitheratcmplcofGod,oralawfuIlworlhjp,orafaceof a Church then at Hierufalcm : the hie piieft was a figure of the only mediatour bttwcene God and men ; they which were prcfcnt with him in the counfell re- prelented the whole Church of God : yet they all confpire together to extin* guifli the onely hope offaluation.But becnufc that Dauid had prophefied of the famc,a$ it isfet downe m the 7'fal. 118. 2t . That the ftonc reiefled by the builders, yet ncucrthelcflc fliouldc become the head of the corner ; alfo it was fpoken of before by Icfaiah, chap. 8 14 . that the God of hofts fliould be a ftonc of offence to all the people of 1 fraell, whereat they fliould ftumbic / it was well forefcene by the Lord, leatt thatfuch impiety of men fliould trouble thefoulcj ofthc faythfuU. 59* Theyfoughtforfdlffwitnejft . Thc Euangcliftcjinthefewordesdoe note vfon the Hatvtme of the EHAngelifiei^ y Ip note, that the priefts did mind nothing Icffe, then to inquire out the caufe that the matter being well tryed, they might difcernc what was right. For this was ilicir determination before to deftroy chrilt: now tiiey do only feeke the rcafon of deHroying him. But it cannot be that thei e fi.ould be any place left for cq ui- tie, whereas the caiife was not knownt before. And in that they gaue i.ot ouer when they found not that,which they hoped for, theirbliadc ODltmacy jsthc better difcerned. Therefore in that blindnes of theirragc, the innoccacy of the fonnc of God ap| cared yet euidently^ro that the dcuils'^thtmfelucs mioju know that an innocent went to death. Further, it is to bee nctcdihaitLcy arc called falfe witneiles, not which do vttcr a lye coined of nothing, but tlvcy which doe quarrelhngly peruert words well fpokcn^Sc doe Wreft them to make ihem to be a crime .■ and fuch an example thereis here cxprefiy fet dovvne of the ouerthrow and new building of the Temple. Chnit had Inid.that when the Temple of his body (hould be deftroy ed, he would raife it agame the third day ; now rhe falfe witncfTes do nr.t imagine any new dcuifcjbut they doc dcpraue his wordcs, as if that he fliould boaft of vfing fonic delulions in building the 7 emple. But hecaufe thequarrcjlwaslighr,and of no weight, it may heieby^be readily gathered jhcw greatly the Prielis & Scribes were blinded with their madncsjwho ytt without any colour do defire that Chnil fhould die. A/ath. z6. Markc.i4 Luke,2 2. 6 1 . Then tJie cheife Vrieji 6o,rh€n the hie Vritfl flood arofe^faid tohimanfxve\ v^ nmongfl them^and aih^d wj? thoti nothing) tthat « § lefus faying anfwereji then, matter ^that the fe -men doe nothing}what is the mater Witneffe againjl thee}, 6 j that thefe doe bean witntffe Bi4t Jefks held his ffeact the againJithee^Si.Bttth eheld the chit fefrieji anfwered^ Jj is peace, (^ anfvercd no- ^ fayd to him J Icharge j thing- againe the hieVrieji thee by )j liuinggod that i thou telly s ifllmt bee the Chriji ^fon ofgod.6^:le' f us [did tohitn, thou- haji faidit neuevthelcs Ifayyn ioyott hereafter J7;ailyrff- g fan of jxa. fitting at the righi h a i ofv power ofgod h ash^dhim and f aid art thott ChrtfijthefoH ofthebleffed? 6^. ^nd.the men thai held, lejtii mocked hiniy andjrrooke him.6^. ^nd nhen they had blindfolded him, they fr^ote him en the face, and asked him faying^pYoph(fie who it is that fmct ti}ee'6$.u^ndmany other thinges blafphemoufly fpal^e they a!rainfi h;m.66. ^ndafi foone asitwasday the Elders 6i ,j^nd lefus faid,lamhe, of the people and the hiepriejl th thi and the Scribes cime tazethtr and lid him into their coun-^ and ycefipallfee the fonne of mnnfit atthe right hand tf hepor^erofGod^:i;^ come in fel,f7' ^^}'i"gi '"'^ ihett the ';f cloKds ofheauen.6^Th€n j Chri/i^ telys.^nd hefaid yv- he hie Trieji rent his clothes j to them if I ttlycu yen veil not •^come m^^ cloudi of the^' and fayde. tThathaae wf f I bdeeueit, heauen.6 ^.Then the hie I any more ntide ofvriinef- 6S. ^ndifalfo JaiJ:^e]myt priefi ret his do thi^ faying, fg^} \ "frill, mt aunfrvere mcy nor let h(€ hxth blafphemed what j 6 4, Tee haue heard the hlaf- j fr.egoe, haue xcee any more nitdeof] phemy.vchatthinkeye} ^nd 69. Hereafter /hall thefjune Witneffe.sf beholdt norteyee ' they al condemned him, to be ' of man fit at^the right h^rdof hute heard his blafphemy. j y^orthy of death. 66.n^naithinhyeUhey an \ 5 -, ^ndfome hsganreto thepcvrerofGod, 70. Then fi:d tJ(y ali^.^H dto w.er hk » thcu then the fen of God avi beatehimvp th fvellthefonneofGod,astheSonneotDauid. And Caiaphas fcemcth to vfe this Epithite, eytherto feare Chrift, or to make him the more to be enui- cd ; as if he ftiould haue fiyd, fee whether thou art run : for thou canft not -fay, that thou art Chrift, but that thou muft withall challenge the name ofthe fonnc of God, wherewith the fcriptureadorncth him That in Marke appertaineth to the fame purpofc, where fi/cjjir^/ is vied for God. Forthatfained rcuerenccdid more prefTc Chrift, thenifhe had prophancJ the holy name of God* ^4. Thouhajlfuydeit. There is another aiifwere fee downe by Luke, vrhcrein Chrifte repiooucththe mahce ofthcPricftes, becaufe they doe not aske the queftion, for that they would knowe. ToU' will not beleeue ( fay th hee ) ifl/hoHldteliyot*: In the which wordcshcdeclareth, that if hcc ftiould prouc himfclfetobecthcChriftea hundred way es, yet that hcc fliouldcfo picuaylc notliing SlDtbingamongfttheobftinate. For they had hot oncly heard, but alfo fcenc with their eyes the miradeSjwhich though Chrift held his peace, (houlde de- clare his heaucnly and diuine powerj and alfo (hould proclaimc him to bee the Redeemer promifedintimespaft. Then is a confefsion added, vthiA thouoh it be reported by Mathew, in mo words, yctthcfenfcis all one. Therefore le* fus (ayth, that hce i% the Chrift, not that he might thereby efcape dcath,but ra- ther that hee might inflame the rage of his ennemicsagainft him. Andbccaufc that then in that bale tftate hee was dcfpifed and almoil brought to nothing, he fbrctelleth that at the length inhis time he will come with kingly maieftie,^hat they ihould fcare him as a iudge, whom they cannotabidc to acknowledge for the Sauiour. The meaning therefore is,thatthey were greatly deceiued, it by their prefcnt beholding of him, they Ihould iudge what he were, for it behoo- ued him to be humbled and brought almoft to nothing,before he fl:ould appears adorned With the enfignesandmagnificallglory of his kingdome . Hence aI(o may a profitable dodrinebc drawne, which reacheth further. For whence c6- mcth the greatfccuritie, which the wicked is mf whereof become they fo fro- ward to rebell, but becaufc the crucified lefus, is not ofany great account a- Biongft them ? They arc therefore called back to that Iiorrible iudgment,which by their ynfcnfiblenes they fhal not efcape. And though they fcoffe at § which is fayd of the comming of Chrift, as at a fable, yet the iudge himfelfe doeth not in vainc cite them lO his iudgcmcntfcat, and he commandeth them tobce cited by the preaching of his Gofpell, thatthcy may be thereby made the more in- cxcufable. But this forewarning is for the fpeciall profitte of the faithfiill, that iiow with the eyes of hope they may feeke for Chrift in heauen , fitting at the right hand of the father, and may patiently waite vntill he come, and withall be fure that the vngodly doc not in vaine hft vppe themfelues againfl him in his abfencc . for they fhall be compelled to fee him comming aboue from heauen, whom now they doe not oncly d cfpife, but alfo tread downe in their prid e.Th* metaphor in the word right hand Ihould be well knownc ; for it is often founde in the fcriptures* And Chrift is faidc to fit at the right hand of the father, be- caufe that hee is appoynted cheife king, who fhoulde in his name gouerne the world, as if hee held the fecond feate of honour and empire from him. Chriftc therefore fittcth at the right hand of the fathcr,bccaufe he is his vicar, & this is therefore called the right hand ofpowcr,becaufe that God doth nowcby the hand of his fonne execute his powcr,and will in the laft day iudge the world. 6';. Then the high priefi rent his clothes^ Hereby we fee how thofe myraclcs, whereby Chrifteteflified his diuiniiy profited nothing amongftthcfe wicked men. But it is no maruailc thatthe lonnc of God in the bafe cftate of a fcmante fhould be dcfpifed of them, which were touched with no care of the prcnjfcd faluation : for except they had altogether caft off all feeling of godlincs, in their lamentable cftate, itwasmcete forthcm carefully to waite forthe redeemer. Now, when they rcfufc him offered vnto them without inquiric, do they not as it were extinguifh afmuch as in the Iicth,all the promifes oi God? And firft the hicprieftpronounccth Chrift to beablafph€mer,then,thcy do allfubfcribe to it. And this renting of clothes doth plainly declare how boldly & wickedly the profain contciicrs of god dopretcnd afalfc xcalc* And this was a thing meet for ^y^ The Comment. of M Jo. Caluine' thehighpncft,wheahchcirdthcnameof God reproachfully prophanednoe onely to burne within and to be vexed, but to giae an open figne ofdctefhtion? butrefulingthe examination of it,hcprcpofterouflyfaigncd the blafphcmyof himlch'e. Yet in the meane feafon the rakhlefle hypocrite by takina yppon hiin anoth atbl which... » . w -, /- T ! I -. • 1 iefters to fcof at fantaflicall triflei, 67. Then fpate they in hiiface.UxkQb^th either muerred the order of the hHtory,or els the Lord fiiff r ed fo great rcproches twife & the latter fcemeth probable to me. Yet I do not doubt that the officers tooke the more coura-e,the more mfolently to fpit vpon Chrill, & to ih'ikc him after they favv that lie was appointed to death by § former iudgement ofchccounfel Bucal thcfe reprochcs tended to this ende,thathe fnouldc fcemc to be nothing Jefll'hke,then to bee the prince of the prophets, who could not keepchimfclfc fro bio .v'cs.whcn he had a vaile put oner him.But the prouidcncc ofGod turned ibis dif Jainfull deahng to a far other end.f or ^ face of chrift defiled with bio wes & fpittiii^ rcftoreth that image in v$,which by fin was corrupt and blotted out. Mathz5. Mark.r4. t,..i.. ,, 6 g.Veter fate without in 66. ^ nd as Veter was be- neath hthe bal, there cams one of the maides of the hie priej^^ 6j» jindvehenfhee faxv Vettr warming himfelf (he looJf^d on him, ^fay de, thottxoaji alfo with Itfus of TSla\aTet 6^.Bm he denyed it,faying 1 ktiov him not neither wot I what thou fay . ef},Thenheewsnt out into the porch 1^ the cockecrew. thehalyi^ a m^id ca.mt to himyfayingythoualfo waji VrithlefHSftfGalyU* TO. Bttthedeniedbefore thefayinr, 1 wot not what thoufaifi.7 l. Jndwhen he went out into the porch an other maidfaw himjC^ faide ynto them that were there this man teat alfo Vfith lefus oflsljaaret. 7 l.^/ii againe he den);ed withitn oathyfayinrjk^ow not the man.y j -So after a while came ynto him they thatjlooihy ^ftidynto T.eter^f^rrely thou art alfo on tf the: for euhhyfpeach hewraieth thee.f^Then be ^an^ht to curfe himfelfej and to fwearey fayingy I knowe not the man^ and immediately the cocke crew. 75. Then Teter remim- hr*d the words oflefitt which hadfaid ynto him, Before the cockjrowtythoi* /halt deny me thrife'fo he ^cnt 9Ht & rffept bitttrly Luke. 2 2, ^^.And when they had handled afire in the midsofths hall and rverefet dowiiTto^etheryVeter al fofat downe amonr them,] 0tj4nda certeine maid beheld him as he fate bji the fire: and hituing wel looked on himfaid^ th is man was alfo with him, 5 j^Btit he denyed ht faying wo, ma / know him not. 5 8 .^ndi:fm. ter aUttle while another msfaw Jn'y&faid thou art alfo fifthent 6^. Then a maidefaw him a \ b»t T^f-rfaid.man I am not. gaine^and began to fay to ^9- ^ndaboutthefpaceofan them tha tfioode ly: this it \ houre after a certeins other af- oneofthe.yo.But he denied it again ^ anon aft er t hey that flood byyfaid againe to Veterfur-elythot* art one of them for thou art ofGalile and thy fpeach islik^. J I. And he began to curfe C^fwear,fxyingjll^now mt this man^ofwhom yefpakf 7 iThen thefccond time the cocker :Wf^ Veterremem- bred the word^Iefus had faidyntohljbefore thecoc\ crow twifeythQi*fhak denye me thrife^ani waying that with himfelfejie wtp* frmedfaying^ysrely etten this man "Oras with him; for hee is alf$ a Galilean. 60. And Veterfald, many 1 ktiow not what thou faijt. And immediately while heyetfpak^ the coc^e crew^ 6 1 .Then the Lord turned bacl^e ^ looked yponVeter^Veter remcmbred the wordes of the Lor dhows hee hadfaide ynto him before the cocks crowe^thoii f})alt denyme thrife. 6i.AndVeter wetsee 0Ut4ttdi wept bitterly. tye» the Harwomc efthe MHangeliJleu 72% Tlic fall of Peter which is here fee downe is a notable fpedade of oui* infiraji- ty. A'^aine,in his repentance there is fet before vs an example of the goodncs & in'crcyofGodworihytoberemembred. And ib the hyftoryTvhich is reported of this oncjcontaintth dodrine common to the whole church,& that very pro- fitablcjpanly to ttach then: which ftand carefully to fcare;parily to raile vp the that are falne with the hope of forgiiienes* And here is firfl to be noted, how vn'aduifcdly Peter did^when he entered into the hie pricfts hall. It was a point ofpicty to follow his maiiter.but fith that he was warned how hec fhould fall a way hec fnould rather he hid in fome corner^leaft that he fliuld call himfclfe in- to da'neer of rinninr.ioit docth befall oft times, thaf the faithfullvnder the co- lour of vcrtuc do call themfelues into temptations. Wherefore let vs pray tothc Lord that he would keepevs in with the bridle of his fpiritjleaft that wee going out of oitrcallina,(iioulde prcfently be punifhed.We muft alfo pray vnto him fo oft as we do enterprife to doe any thing, that heewould notfufier vs to faint in thennditofourlaboursjorinthebeoinningofourworke; but that heewould ftrcncthcn vs from hcauen vnto the end. The feeling of our infirmitic (houldc be no^caufe to make vs flouthfuU .'but it (hould rcflrain our rafhnes fro aitemp- tincT any thin^^ abouc our calling :and alfo to flir vs vp to prayers, that God, who hathduentlfci^if^ttobeginwclKwouldalfogiuethegraccofperfeiierance. 6^. jirr.aidcametohim, -Heerc wee fee that there is no necde of any great ronflia, norofmanybandsofmen, orccuicestooucrthrowaman.-forwho- foeuer is not vuholden by the hand of God , (hall by and by fail at cuery fmall blall or at the noyfe cf the falling of a leaf e. Ccrtaincly Peter haddc as great courage as any of vs, and eucn now hec had fhcwed a itrange token of a llout n-iinde (thou^hinaprepoflcrousboldnefie:) yet hec tarneihnotvritillhec riioulde bee drawne before the iudgcmcntfeate of the hiePrieft , or vntill the enemies by force fhould threaten deatbbut feared with the voycc of a damfel, he forth with denieth his maifler. And,but late he fccroed to himfelfc to bee a foldiourinuincibleeuento death. Therefore let vs remember that ourforccs arefo far from bein- able to beare, that they iallaway attheonely^fhaaowofa battell.But To the Lord doth pay a iuft reward for our faithlcfnes,when he vnar- meth vs,& weakeneth vs,fo that we (hal be afraid of nothmg,aftcr wc bane calt away his feare.For if the perfcd feare of God had flouriflicd m the heart of Pe- ter,hc had bcena fbrtrcs inuinciblcbut now being naked and vnarmcd fcarctk Whenheisyctfarfro danger. 70 He dtnitd before them dlThxiCiicxmncc rr.^i- kcth the fault the greater, that Peter was not afraid to deny his maifler before io crcata company of witncfTes, And the holy Ghofl would of purpofe note this, thatthevcryflahtofme might encouragcvs to hold the cofefsion of faith, tor ifwccldeny Chrifte before weakelinges, becaufe they being fhaken by our ex- ample,' do wax faint,we do as much as in v^lieth,deltroy fo many ^^"^« = ^"^^^^ before the wicked cotemners of God & enemies of the Gofpell, wee defraudc Chrifle of the teftimony due vntohim, we doe make hisholy "^^^ '^^^*"^^^^^ ned of all men. Tobe a.ort, as abold and free conftf^ondoethmrngthenall thcgodly,andmakethallvnbelecuer$a(haraed : ^^ 'Yl^ ^lrlZ^u With It apubhkc ruineto faith, and a reproach to foud doannein he Church, Therefore the higher place ;h« any cmaniic is in , the more iUUgcntiy^ ^ 2 % ' — """ 7^4 "^'hfConmem^ifM.lo.CaiHme, niufttakeheedetohimfelfe.-forhecannotfalifromhisefijte.bntthithe-Ajil Qoe the more hirmc Further, the .nannerol'denyall, which is herefet donne doeth euidemly declare that the mifcrable fophiftcrs do auailc nothi.12 bv thfir ambiguous and Ihifiing anfwers.ifthcy bee at any time called to yeeld a recko- ning of thejr faith. Petjr doth not :itpreily abiure the wholedoftrme of the ^of. pell .- he on y den.echthat he kneyv the man : but becaufe that hedoth indu^ft- ly bury thehght of redemption offered vndet the perfon of Chrilte hee is con demned of v.Ic and filthy treachery. He had heard the Lord fay bu't a l„tle be' fore.thatco.nfcSion ofiayth was afacnSre acceptable to God . Therefore tC denyall cannot be ex cujed which dciraudeth God of his lawfull worftippe & Chnfl of h,s honmir. Therefore let vs Icarne that the leaumg of the fimple & free conrdhonofthcfaytn, is a defrauding him ofhis lawful! tcftimony 71. ^nothir maid, fan fom By Marks words it may rather be aathered that it was the fame mai J: he doth not certainely eKpiefle any other belids the former- vet there ,s noe repugnancy in it; font is probable that that which one had fpol ken, fiew aoroade throughalltheir mouthcs, fo that as rh: firl^ (houM focake of It to many, & oft. fo others withall came forth to confitme that iudoemcnt and to fpr...ad,t farther. Andlohn reporteth that the qucftionwasnot^demaunded thefeco..idtimebya maide,but ofamultitudcofmen. WherebyitaDoearerh that the fpeach which came fro the damfel.was take' vp by the SSflo 'h by, & they a0aulted Peter. There is an other diffcrenceitwZcSetnd theoiher three ; for hee maketh mention of the crowing of the cock twife but the other do fay thauhe cock then crew, when that Peter had denvedthe Lord thnfe.But this vnlofing of the knot is not he.ard. for Marke reporteth nothinee contrary to the hyftoryoftheothers, but thatthatwhichthc/doepalTeouerfn Clence,hedehuerethmoreplamely:IdothinkethatChriitfaidtoPeterbefoic the cock crow.that he ment fuch a crowing as contained many courfes douMed in .t.Forthe cockes do not only crow once, but they dooftenitera,,, escrow ings7Ctthatiscalledbutonecockscrowing,vvhirhisdone3tonewachThT fore Mat.Luke&IohndofaythatPeterden;edthe Lord th,neor^^^^^^^^^^^ of the cockes crowing: Marke doth more dilli.,a!y fet down one circumftance- namely that in fo ihoit fpace of time Peter was drawne to deny him thrift and be ng warned by the firft crowing, hee repented not. Fu. ther'we wdl no, ty thatthere.sco.^tranetybetweeneprophane wryters, if fome one flioulde r J' hearfethofe matters, which areleftvntouched byothers. TheXethouoh hat whtch.sreportedby Marke doth difler. yet it is not repugnant "^^^^^^ risers . Andthisisworthytobeenoted. thnPeterafterhecSuIdnotefcaoe with a fimple deniall, hee doubleth that offence by puttin- an oa,h Z,. fr alittleafter,whenheismorevehementlyvrgcd, LSc^c't °whe1^^ by we doe gather that after a finner doth once fall,he ,s then caried tS worfe & «oft%M ; !.,;'"°"''r""^™"'^""" ' doeafterrtmne headC[nto «oft filthy and heynous offences , which they doe at the firft abliorre^A n1 Ghoft,to grant Sathan hberty to vfe h.s tyranny ouer vs,fo that i beinfwhol !y tyed & boud vmo htm.hemay caft vs hitherind thither. Andthat doth ef« «»fly faUoutm the4em»Uofd,e fayth : fomhcrc any manncforVweofth; vp^ the Hdrmoftie tfthe 'EuAfigtlijles m^^ Crofic JotK turne away from the pure profefsion of the GofpeD, ifhcrcemcth not yet lohaucfatiffied the enemies, hecrunnethon furthcr;and thatwhicb he durft not confelTefincerely,hee doth withoutanyconerinocs altogether ab. iurc. ThenisthisaUotobec obferucd, thatPetcrfell thrift almolt in a mo- ment .• for heereby it appearcth how flippery and ready wee are to fall ,as oft as Satan vr^ethrs. and truely there Will bee no meafure of falling, except the Lord by nisoutftretched hand fliall holdc vs backc. After that the force of the grace ofthcfpirit was quenched in Peter, a$ any man that camcby himhaddc asked him of Chrift,he was ready to make a hundred,yea,a thoufand dcnialls. Therefore though it was molt filthy for him to fall thrife, yet the Lord fnarcd him, by retraining the tongues of his enemies, leaft they (houlde mouc moe troubles. So alfo it is neccITary at this day, that hee (houlde bridle Sathan, leaft hee ihouldoucrwhelmcvs with innumerable tcntaiions. For though hee cea- fcth not to bcatc vs with many engines, yet if the Lorde, prouiding for our in- firmitie, fhould notbeatebacke the force of his fury, wee fhould haue to ftriuc nith an vnmeafurAble heape of tentations. Therefore wee haue great caufe to prayfe in this behalfe the mercy of the Lord, in that he fuffereth not our encmic -^to haue fcarfe the hundred part of his pleafure of vs. 74. Thtn hehegan tomrfe. By this third denial the infidelity of Peter to- wards his niaflcr break eth vp into a great heape. For not fatiffied with (wearing he Icapeth ouer to curfingjWherein he yccldeth both his body and foulc to dc- ftnidion. ForhceprayeththatthccurfeofGod may light vppon him, if hee Icncwe Chridc. And this is afmuch, as if hee fhould haue (ayd, let me come to an cuill end, if I haue any thing to doc with the faluation ot God, Wherein the goodnesofChriftisfomuchthemoretobeehad in admiration, for curing his difciple raifed from fo deadly a rumc. But this place dooth teach that it is not b!a(phemy againft the fpirit,ifany man through the infirmity of the fle(h fhould fall, though hee fhould deny the knownc truth. Peter truely had heard^ by the mouth of the Lord how deteltable a treachery it is to deny him before me .-and how horrible a vengeance doth rcmainc for them before God and his Angelles, who for a flouthfiill feare of the c rofTe doe forfake the confe(rion of the faith : for he had a little before preferred and not in vainc, death or any torment bee - fore the denial of Chri(i. Therefore now wittingly and beting before admoni- shed, he ca(lethhimfclfeheadIong,yet after he obtainethforgiuenesWhereof it followeth that he finned of infirmity and rot of an incurable malice. For hee Woulde willingly haue yeelded vnto Chriflc that duety of piety due vnto him,if the (parkes of right affedion had not beene quenched by feare. 75. ^ndVeterumtmhred. Atthecrowingof the cockc CHRIS Tal- Jb looked vppon him, asLukewitnefTeth .Forhcchaddc firft dcfpifed th€ crowing of the cocke, as wee haue hearde out of Marke . Therefore it wa« meete that Chnfte (houlde lookc backc vppon him, that hee mightcomea- gainevntohimfelfe , Andeueryoneofvsdoc prooue the fame to bee true in cui (elites ; For which of vs doth net carelcfly pafTe by with dcafe ear€$, I doc not fay diuf rfc and manifold (bnges of birdes (which yet doc ftirrc vs to the glorifyingofG OD-^butihewoordeolGod, whichc c'oothtuidcntlyand plainely refocnd vmo ^'s in the dodrinc of the lawe and the Go/pcli ? And 7^6 The Ctf mnufft, A/hcn as the chicfe pricftes with his cour- fell had examined Chriftebcefore about midnight, at the length at the rifino of the funnc they doe determine to bring him before thegouernour« Andthere^ in they doeobfciue the foime of iudgcmentjcafi their haft ftxuld bcfu/pedcd, if they flioulde run to Pilate before the time, as in tumults they vfe to doe. Yet it is probable, fith that Chrift was brought from their counfel^ that they hadde cjiiickiy ccnfulted,andappaynted\'vithoutany long delay what they would doc. For it wasfaid before, that what time Chrif^ecame outfrom them, he fhould niccte with Peter : namely, after the cockes crowing, and when it was nowe ncere day .Wherefore the Euangcliftes doe notmeane that they wercrcmoued out of their plact but they do onely report that in the dawning of the day Chrift was iudgcd by themto death,neither flacked they any time in their bold cxecti ting of their wickcdnes, But that Luke fayd before, that they yeere gathered in the mormng* miift not be expounded of theirbeginning,butof the laft adion which is added afterwards : as rf he (hould haue fayd, afterthc day appeared, bccaufc the T-ord had confeflcd hirofelfe to be the fon of God, they gaue their fcntencc ofputtinghimto death. Ifthey hadhad liberty to put to death, fuch was their fury, that they allwoulde haue laid outragious bandes vppon him ; but becaufc that Pilate hadtheauthoriiy of the iudgemcnts of death, they are enforced to defrend to hisiudgement feat : they onely doc feekc to catch him in a (hare in their formeriudgement. For the ftoning of Stephen fell out feditioufly, as whe thingcs are m an vproai c. But it was mcete that thcfonne of <3od Ihould in fo- Icmncmanerbeecondemned of an earthly iudge, that hee might blot out out guiltinesinheauen. 3* Then ludat feeing. iJfat. dodi not by this aduerbc note any c erteinc poyntof time : for fhortly after hee addeth, that ludas b ccaufc hee faw the hie priefts rcfufe the price of treafon,did caft the fame into the Temple. But they came the next way out of Caiaphashoufe into the iudgcmenthall. & there they flaid vniill Chrift wascondemned.Therfore they were fcarfly foiid ihatday inihc Temple : but beecaufc that hee fpakc of the tragical fury of the counfell, he ioyned alfo withal the deathof ludas (wherein their blind obflina- cy or iron hardncs dooththe bettcrappearc.)And hee faith that ludas was tou- ched with repentance ; not that he repented,but that he was difpleafed with the hcinons oflences which hee had committed: as God doth oftentimes open the eyes of the reprobate, fo that they bcginne to feele their finncs, and toabhoric them.Fcr,they which do earneftly forrow,fo that they doc repcntjare not fayd onely Met^imtneitiihwi alfo Metanoein, and thereof alio Metanoia^yshich \i a true conucrficn ofmanvnto God.Iudss therefore conceiueda Joathromr.es and a horror, not that he might turnehimfelfevnto God,but rather that he bcingo- iicrwhclmed with difpaire,might bee an example of a man wholy forfakcn of the grace of Cod* Zz4 ^ AnfChrift. _ One thing yet rcmaineihjthat he promifeth the theefe, not to tike away his prefent inifenes, nor to Jiniiniili any thing ot his corporall punifiimcnt. Where, by we are admoniilied that the grace of God mull notbc eitcemed by the iudg mcnt of chc tielh .• lor ic doth ofc fall out that God doth luffer them ro be mife- rably afHided,whom yet he loiitth. Therc/ore if we be mifcrably vexed in bo, dy, let vs take heedc lealt thcbitrernes of greife, take avvay the tall of the good-, ncire of God, but rather Itt this one comforttemper and mollifie all our euils, ;illoor:cas Godtakcth vs into his fauour,whattroubiesroeucr wee doefuffcr, tiiey doe further vs towards filuation. Soitlhallcometopafic, that our fayth fhail not ontly cfcape from all miferics with the vidory,_but it ihaliiweetcly be. tircllcucn in the midll of the bearing of atHi(5lions. Mathcw27. Markcif Luke ij« 45 4?{pir from thefixt houre v4; ' J ^ .T^ow when thefixt houre then dartesicJJ'eougralltheUnd \ was come darkeneJ]earofe o- y^ito.tbeftinthe bourCy j^6.Ani About the ninth ho»re I(f(ts cried with a loude voycefay ingi EUy Eliy Umafujafthanie? Ufus cried with a bude yoycc that it Mi Gsdyiny God yfhy fanngiF.hijEloi/amafaba- hafi thou forfal'^en mee, 47* jindfom! of them thatfiood there y when they heard it ^faidr. This man calleth Elias 43. jtnd firaight xoay ene of thznt r an, and tool\e a fponge^^ 44. ^nditvaiahout the fix t hoitre^^ there utrallthe laud rntil^ ninth was a darknejfe ouer at Goitre. I the land, yntill the ^ 4 ^nd 4t the ninth Uoure | ninth boure 4^ ^ndthe Sunm was darkened andths Clhani^whichii by interpreta tion'.my God^my Cod rvhy hafl thottforfak^nmef 3^« yind fonts of them that fioodbjfywhen they heard it, fiyd: Behold yhe calleth Elias yaile of the Tempk rent throttgh the mids^ filed it xvith yinfger, andpHt it 1 6. And one ranne^fiUeda on a reede ^ga^e hym to drink^ fpnge fuUofyineget ^ put 4^ tOther fayd let be let vifte, if it on a reede, ^ gatte hym to Elias wtll com andfaue him» 50. T hen Lefi4i cried avain with aUuJe royce and yeeldedyp the ghojf, ^u Andbehold the yaileofthe Temple was rent in txoaine, from the toppe to the bottome^ and the earth did qt*ake, andthefiones were cloiten. %x. And the ^aues did opett themfelue^ ,<dt afar of and the yeoman that followed 40. ThereVftrealfoJtiomen which beheld afar offamtn^ whotne was Mary Magdalen nd the things that were done I ^ Mary § mother of lame: they feared greatly faying^Tru ly this was thefon of God 5f. ^ndmanyvfomen yx>ere there beholding him a farre off which had followed lefttsfrom Gable ^minijiring ynto him. $6 ^mong\x>home vas Mary MagdaUn and Mary themo^ ther of lames and lofes^and the mother ofZebedeusfonnes, the lejfcand of Jofes and Salome, 41 . ffhich alfo 'when hee vpas in Galile, followed himy and mini fired ynto hirHyOnd many other ic>pomenne,rt(>hich came yf with him ynto lent falem. him from GaliiebthoUtn^ thefethir.^^ 4?. Tipyp from the Jtxthoure, Though in the death of Chrift the infiiinity of the flcfhforawhile^couered the glory of the Godhead; yea the Sonne of God himfelfe lay without forme vndcr reproch and contempt, and (a$ Paul fayth)hc was made cf no reputation ; yet the hcaucniy father ceafed not to adorne him with fom e marks, and when he was at the loweft caft, hee eredcd fome tokens of the glory to come, which might ftrengthen the raindes of the godly againll the offence of the crcfTe, So the maiefticofChrift was royally fet forth by the tiarkning of the funne, earthquake, cleauing of rockes, and renting of the vaile.- cuen as if heauen and earth l>i ould yeeide the worfhippe due to their maker and framer. But firft it is demanded for what purpofe the funne was edipfed , For ^here the old Poets in their tragedies do faigne that the light of the fun is with- crawne from the earth, where any notable offence is committed , tcndeth to note the greatncs of the wrath of God,and this fantafie wasgatheicd of the co- men fenfe of nature. Therefore fome interpreters do think that God fent dark- nes in figne of dcteftation.as ifgod by darkning the fun,{liuld hide his face fro the mofl hlthie wickednes of all. Others doe fay, that by the darknes of the vi- fible funne was the death of the funne of righteoufnes declared. Others hadde rather to apply it to the making of that nation bHnd, which followed fhortly af- ter. For the lewes reiedmg Chrift, after he was taken from amongft the, were depriucd of the light of the heauenly dodrine, neither was there any thing left them befides the darknes of defpcration^Butl do rather thinke that thispeopic becaufeihey would not fee the light, they were foblockifii, were flirred vp by daiknes,to confider the wondcrfull counfellof God in the death of Chrift. For the vnwonted alteration of the order of nature,if they had not beene altogether hardned.Qiuld haue earneflly moued their fcnfes,to attend to that renewing of the world to come Jn the meane while a (jght full of tcrrour was fliewcd them, that they might fear e before the iudgment of "God. And truely this was an in- comparable tcf^imony of the wrath of God, that /pared not his onely begot- ten Sonne,ney ther could hee oihcrwifc bee appeafed, then by the price of that facrificc* ijntwherc^heScribcsandPriefles, and agreac part of the people Bbb i^ " ^cfl/ ^.^ Tie (Ifmmefft. ofMjc.Caiuwe. carclcfly ncglcdca, and as It vrcrc with clofcd eyes paflcd by the daikcning o f the Sunnc, theirwoiderfuUmadncflcfliouldc tnakevsafraide. For they muft of aecefsitie bee mote blockiihc then the brute beaftes, who bccing warned by Cadi a woonder, of the rigour of the heauenly iudgement, ceafcd not their fcofHncy , But this is the foirit of amifednefre and giddinelTe, wherewith God miketlTchereporbatedrunkenjaftcr that he hath long Itriuei with their mahce. In the mcane while let vs learnc,that after they are bewitched with the Heights of Sathaa, the ^lory ofG.O D,bee it neuerfo m mifc ft, is hidden from them, at the leatt their mindes are darkened, that feeing they (houlde not fee . But fiththat was a general admonition, it (hould proficte vsatthisday, tolettcvs. knows thit the facrifice wherewith wee are rcdecmcd,was of no lelTe moment, ihenifthe Siinnehadde fallen fromheauen, orthatthc whole frame of the worldehaddebecneouerthrowne : forfowec may beebrojghtthcmoreto abhorre our finnes . Further, where fomc doc thinkc thai; this4arkening of the 5unne was ouer all the quarters of the worlds, I doe not thinke it to bee likely. Foe though fome one writtcr or another, haue Co reported, yet thehyftorieof thofe times was more renoiimed, then that fo notable a myracle coald be con- cealed of many others, who diligently fearched and fette downs things which wcrenot (b worthy of remembrance. Further, ifthat the darkeneHehadhccnc generally ouer the whole, men might the more eafily haue forgotten itjbccaufc it mi^hthiue beenc fuppofed to bee naturall. But the woonder was the more ftraunge, that thcfunac fliining other where, ladca Hi^ulde bee ousrwhelmcd withdarkncffc* 4«0tn»nj«lc fhatthe Xame befall to V5, which fell to our head. ' ^_ Bbb. 4' ^^ 7^# The Comment, of Mj0, Caluine* Yet though they fliould tranffigurc God into Eliah, vrhcn they haiie fcomed vs at their pleafurCjat the length God will hcare our fighes,and will (hew himfclf pardy a defender of his owne glory ,partly one that will plague their filthy faif- hood. 48. ^ndjir CMi^c^ of right he beftowed fo great honour onely vpon his Saiudes, ^hai ther ihould atife togithcr with him. Where Mathcw« docth honourably call Hicrufalcm a I:oIy Citie, he do- cth not giue it this title, in refped of the meritcs of the Citizens .-(for we know that it was then filled with all hlthinefl'e of linncs, fo that it rather was n deime of thceues) but becaufe it had becne chofen of God, thatholinelle whiche was cftabhfhed by Gods adoption, could bee blotted out by no corruption of men vntill the reprobation of the fame {hould bee made manifcft« Or if any mannc woulde haue a (hortcr anfwere, on the bchalfe of men it was prophane, on the behalfe of G O D it wa$hoIy,vntilthe ouerthrow or pollution ot th« Temple which befell not long after Chrift was crucified. J 4. iv'nenthe dntHrlon, Sith Luke made mention ofthe lamentation of the people, notonely the Centurion with his fouldiersacknowledgcd Chrifte to be c the Sonne of G Q D ; but the Euangeliftcs doe cxprefly report this of. him, for the amphfying ofthe matter : beecaufc it fticulde bee a wonder, that 1. prophane man, liot brought vp in the law, but void of truegodlynes,fhould gee thatmdgement of thofe (jgnes which he favr. Which companion auailed not a litle to condemne the blockiflmes ofthe city. For it w.is a figne of horrible mad nes, that none ofthe Iewes,beefidesthc fimple common people were mooucd by the lliaking & trembling ofthe frame ofthe world. Though god in fo groffc . bliadnes fufferednot the teftimonies which he gauc of bis fonne to be hidden . So not onely true religion made the pure worfliippers of God to fee, that thcy might fee the glory of Chrifte fet forth fro hcauen, but the very fenfc of nature compelled ftragers, y ea,and foldicrs,to cofeffe that which they learned not her out ofthe law,norofmaftcrs«Bccaurc MarJaiethf the Centurion faid fo/or thatc Chrift hauing cryed loud,had giuenvp the ghoft, fome interpreters doc thmke. that hcnoted fome vnwomed torce,which remained ftrog euen vnto death>^ truclyjfith thebody of Chrift was almoft without bloud,tbis could not be after, themancrofmenne, thattheftrcngthofhis fides and artcriics Ihould abide (0 bud a cry . Yet I doc rather thinkc that the Centurion prayfcd his conltant ^ " - - ■ -- ■ - perfcuc»- 7^4 The ^omment.tfLM. h. Ca>luine\ pcifcuerancc in calling vpon the name orCod.Though not oncly Chriftes cry- ing nidiiced himj to thinke honourably of him, but beecaufc hce faw his great power to a^rce with the hcauenly myracle,he vttered this confeffion.But where ic is fayd th'at hce feared God, it muft not be expounded f3,as if he ftiould repec throughly; itwasonelyafodainevanilhingmotion; as it docth oft befill that vaine men, and fuch as are ajuentothe worlde, are mooued with thefeare of God,when he (hcweth forthhis fearefullpower.but becaufc there is not arootc vnder, which hath hfe. fecuritic prefently groweth ouer, which quencheth that feelin^^.The Centurion therefore was not fo chaiinged, as that he would yeeld himfcUe to ferue God the rell of his life,but he was onely apubiifhcr of the god head of C hrilt for a (hort time. And where Luke reporteth that he onely fayde efa fur etie this manxvasiu/}. isasmucheasifheOiouIdehaue openly declared him to bee the Sonne of God, as the two other Euangeliftes doe report. For fame had fpredde it euery where, that Chhfie was punillied,bcccauie hec bore hi mfelfc for the fonne of God .Now, when the Centurion prayfeth him to be iuft,and freeth him from fault, heewithall confeffeth him to bee the Sonne of God : not that he diftindly vnderftoode how Chrift was beegottcn of God the father, but becaufe he doubted not but that fome diuinc power was in him, and as one conuid by the former teftimonies, he accounted him to bciiocoBamon perfon, but raifed vppe by God. As concerning the multitude ftriking their brea(lcs,they pray earncftly forthe auoidance of the guiltineffc of chathamous oifcnce, beecaufc they pcrceiued thattheie wasa hainous offence committed pubhkely in that vniuft and cruell flaughtcr.But becaufe they proceeded no fur chcr, their mourning auailed them nothing.-except that to fome it was a begin- ning ora preparation ofa better repentaunce. But becaufe here is oncly descri- bed to vsthe lamentation,which God wreaftcd out of them for the glory of his Sonne, let^s learne by this example that it is httle or nothing, if any man bee afraide at the prefent power of God, vntiU the aftonifhment being appeafcd the feare of God may vcit m a quiet heart. 5 J. ^ lid many vcomen were there. This was added as I doc interpretC itjtolet vs vnderftand that when the difciples were flipt away by Heeing hither and thither, yet the Lord keptfome ©f their company there to bee as witneffcs* And though lohn the Apoftle departed not fromthecrolTe, yethsercisno mention made of him .• but onely the women are prayred,whiche followed Chrille euen vnto death ; for the men fleeing fearefully away,thcir fingular pie tic towardcs their maifler. appeared the moreeuidently . For it cannot be but that they hid a rare and great iffedion, who though they could doe him no fer nice, yet when he was in his extreameft reproches, they ceafed not to hane him in r;t-s And oyntmentSy Mary lofes mother beheld Vfhere hefhouldbe laid* andrcfiid tht fabboth day act or- dinrto thecinvnattndcment. «^5 The(^onment,ofMJo^Calmne Now foUowctb the buriall of Chrift,as a mid way bctwcenc the ignominy of the crofie andtUe izlory of the rtfurredion, God would alfo that his Ton fliould be buried for anotiiercaufe that fo it might be the better declared that he fuf- frtd death for v$ in dcede. But heere in the meanc while muft the end be efpc- cialiy confideredjbecaufe that by this meaiies the curie began to beaboliihed, vvhich he had borne for a while* Neither was his dead body cad intoa pit after the common mancr, but vt was honourably layd in a hcwcntombe. And though the infirmitie of the flcfli was then yetbcfore the eyes, & that the diuine power cf the fpirit , is not cuidcntly fecnc before the refurrcdion ; yet God wouldc as it were ihadow forth by this beginning, that which a little after hee rvas about to doe, that he might royally lift vp his Sonne the con<]uerour of death abouc theheauens- 57. ^;, fence, while they make hindcrance of thofefpurrcs wherewith they niould be pricked forwards. I doe grant that this is too much vfuajl and comou.that they lliould withdi aw themfclues out of the yokc^whic h feeme to excel! others, the t they may become too dainty and choife, or too wife and fcarefull; but we mufl take a farrc other courfc :exceptrichcsand honours be helps vnto\ sin the fcr- uiccofGodjwe doe wickedly abufe him. Thecircumftanceofthetimedoeth decbrehoweafieamattcntisfor Godto take away corrupt nnd fearefull af- fect ions,whic h do hinder vsfrcm our duty .BcforCjWhc matters were in doubt, lofephdurffnotfrecIyproftflehimfelfetobeChriftesdifcipIc: now,whcnthc fury of the enemies is hotteft, and cruelty appearcth, he taketh courage, fothac hedoubtethnottocaft himfelfeinto open danger. Thercforcwefcchowthc Lordinamomentturneththeheartsintonewafledions, and by thefpjrite of fortitude flineth vp them which before had falne. But if lofeph was fo bolde m a godly endeuour to honour Chi fie, when hee hung dead vpon the crofTe, if at this day,after he is rifen fro the dead, wechaue not the fame zeale in our hearts It the Icafl to glorifiehim,woe be to our (luggilhnes. M AR. 4g. LV. ji. H^hoalfohimftlfewaitedforthckJno^ilomofGod * This was the chiefcprayfe which lofeph hadjthat he waited for'thc kingdom of god. He is alfo pray fed for his righteoufnes, but this waiting for the kingd 5 o f G od. Was the roote & beginning ofrighteoufnes. By the kjf^gdcm of God, vndcrft and the reflitution promifed in Chrifl. For the excellency of the efiatc,which the Prophets had euery where promifed to be at the comming of ChrifV, could not ftand,ifGod gathered not vnder his goucmement, men which weredifperfcd. abroad. So the godlines of lofeph in this point is commended, becaufeth: tin fo miferablc allatc,he nouriflied the hope of redemption which God had pro- niifed« Hence alfc groweth the feareof God, and a defire to hue holy ar.ti ri2,h- tcoufly. Foritcouldnotbe,thatanymanfluildgiuchimfelfetoferi:eGod,but he which hopcth to be deliuered by him« But k t vs note^that where laluation i'l Chrilt was generally appointed for al the Icwcs,and the promife of the lame was common to them all,the holy Ghofl: dccth eiue this teltimony but of very fuWjWhich in this place we do hearc of lofeph. Whereby it appeartth that the incomparable grace of God was then buried through the malitious forgetful- ncflcalmoff of all the people. This brag ran eucry where in all n ens tongues, ihat Chrifl fliould come : but thecoiicnant of God was fixed but in the nindcs o^fcw, which belceucd in thatfpirituallrenouation. Truly,.heirbIocki(hj,efiC Was horrible :& therefore it WiS no meruaile if pure rcligicnwai'cdoutof vie, and the hope offaluationcxtinguiflied. ButwouldetoGO D the corruption of this vnhappy age were not Jif.c tPit , Chrifteonceappearcdai a redeemer to theJcYYCs,^and to the whole ^^ - wcrld^ ^g The Comment, of MM CMm. world, as it was tcftified by the prophdyiags of the Pro,;hcts : hcc crcftcd the kmodomc of God, by brinoino things out of confuhoii into a right and lawfull oid';r,he huh appointed vi a tin;c of warfare, whcrdn he eiercifahoiirpati^ cnce, vnt.ll that he (liall comeagaine fiom heauen, to pcrformethat his king- aomc which he hath bem.n. What one man doth afpire yea hut a Ittle to that hope ^ Arc not all men almolt fo bent to the worlde as if there were no telur- redionpiomiicd ? Buthow focuer the greater part foroctuil of. heir end, doc fiiite hither and thither, let vs renen:bcr that this ycrtuc ,s proper t" the faith- ful!, to fecke for thofc things which are aboue, Col 3 • i . and dpecially fith the grace ot God hath appeared by the Golnell, teacmng vs to deny vngodlinellc and worldly luft. s, and that wee fhould Uuc (oberly and rightcoafly in this pre fcnt world,looking for the blefled hope, & appcAiing of the glory of the migh- tieGod, Tit i.ii.ii* M« .,^11 r* i/i j l • a /- <9 Ani>c.hen het had recemed the body. The thtecEuangclifts doe briefly fet dovvne the buriall ; and therefore they doe make no mention of the fweetc oyntmcnts, which only lohndothfpcakeof.they do onely report that lofcph bought fine cleane hnr.e. Wherby we do gather that he was honourably buried. And It is not to be doubted fith that a rich man allowed his own toumbc to the Lord, but that in all other things hee alfo performed what was conucnient for «1ic furnilhing & adorning of the fame. And th.s alfo befell rather by the fecret Prouidence of God, then by the premeditate counfel of mcnnc, that the Lord gate a new tombe in which none had yet becnc layed, who is the firit begotten of the dead, and the firit fruices of them that rife againe,Col.i. 18. i. Cor. i ^ , lo. So the Lord by this token diftinguilhcd his Sonne fr5 all the company of man- kindcandhefetforthncwnesoflifcinthefepulchre itfelfc, 61 And there vas Mary Ma^dale^f, MarkcandMatthewdo only report that the woman beheld what fliould bee done, and noted the place where the body ihould be layed. But Luke alfo doth withall declare their purpofe r namely, that they returnina into the citty, might prepare odours and oyntmcnts, that the fe- cond day aftc?they might folemnilc the fuerall according to their or dcr.Wher* by we doc know that t^eir minds were perfumed with a better odor, which the Lord breathed forth at his death, that hce might lilt them higher which were brought to his fepulchre. Matthew 17- 6l, 'Tioreejthenext day thatfoIlotMd theprep4ra tion of the Sahboth.the hie Vriepes andVhariftes af- femhUdtoVUat, 6 1 . Andfaid : Sir.x^e remember that that dectiuer fayd^while he wasyet aliue : xdthin three dayes I wil ^4,* Command therefore that the fepulchre bee made fureyntillthethirddaye, leaji hh difcipUs come by night, andfteale him away, lir fay ynto tU ptofle.he is rifenfrom tht dead :/• tht lafi trrourfhalbe Torfe them Marke« Luke. vp9tt thi Harwiftte $fthi EHangeBpt* ^£^ iUtfi the firfi. 6 f . Tijtn ViUttfaid ynto them:ye hdue a ipatchygoe and ma!^e itfiiYCyHiyu k^^xc, 66^ ^nd they went and madt the fipuUhrefUre with tljev4teh^andfe4Udtbefiene» 6%, l^ov the next day* Inthishyftory, thcpurpoft of Mathcwwasnot fo much to (hcWjWith what obftinatc fury the Scribes & PricftesperfccuiedChrift as to rcprcfent vnto v$, as it were in a glafle, the wonderful! prouidcnce of God approued in th« refurrcdion of his fonnc. 5ubtle men cxcrcifedin fraudes and treachery, doc confpire amongft themfelucSjand deuife a meanes wherby they may exiinguifli the memory of the dead man. For they fee that they haue pre- uayled nothing, exrept they {houldc ouerwhelme the faith of the refurredion. But truely, while they endeuoui to bring that to pafTcjthcy do bring the know- ledge of ih€ fame to light, as if itwere of fet purpofe. Ccrtainelyjtherefurrefti- onofChrifthadnotbiafo manifefl,orat §lealt they might haue had morcli- bertieto denic the rame,if they had notprouided to place witnelTcs at the graue^ Therefore we fee that the Lord doeth not oncly decciue fubtlc menne,but alfo catching them in their owne counfels as in fnares, he draweth and compelleth them to obey him. The enemies of Chrift wcie vnworthy that his rcfurredion fliould bemademanifeftto them ; but it was meet that their impudency fliould be reproucd, and the pretence offpeakingeuill taken from them, yea, and their confcicnccsconuinced, that they fhould not becxcufed by ignorance^ In the tncancwhile let vsnote this that God, asif he had hired them for wages, rfed «heyr labour to the fettingfoorth of thegloryofChriflc.becaufc that when the (epiilchre fhould be found empty, they fhould haue no colour oflying left them to deny the famc.Not that they fhould fiay from their mad vngodlinefTc, but this was a full teftimonie to all men of a right & found iudgcment, thntChirft was rifen againe,whofe body being laide in the fepulchre was not founde there though the fouldiours were fet on cuery fide to watch it. 6^, We remember that that dtceiuer fayd. This thought was put into them by infpiration from God,not onely that the Lorde might execute a iuit reuenge vp onthemfortheirfinne(ashedothoftvexewith blinde torments, the mindcs ■which are guilty within them felucs) but efpecially, that he might bridle their filthy tongues. In the meane while we do againe behold how blockifli thcvn- «odly are^when fathan hath bewitched them.They doe yet call him a decciucr, whofe diume power and glory wasof late fliewed forth by fo many myracles. Truly this was not toftriuc againft the cloud,but in deriding the darkencfic oi^ funne tofpit(ifI may fofayjagainfl the face of God, By fuch examples wc arc taught that wemuft in feafon with a godly & modcflattcntiuenefTeconflder the glory ofOod, when It reucaleth it felfe,ltaflthatabruti(h& horrible Wind* nefie fhould e enfu<; our hardneffe* And though at the firft fight this fee- methto bee hard and nbfurd, that the vnsodlyfliouldefovily triumph ouef Chrittebeingcdead.-leaft this liberty fhouldc trouble vs,»t ismccte aKtaies to markewith wirdome,towhatpurpofc,thc Lorde, wouldeapplycthatfamc The wicked doc fccme to themlelues, to ouerwhelme the Vtholc do^rir.c j'j 9 The Qmment^ of AU h^ Calfiitie of Chvifte with his myrades , by this one blaiphcmie which they doc ppoudfy vomit forth, but Goddothyfcno othermcancSjthcnbychemreJucstodehuci his fonne from that (iniftcr note of deceit. Therefore^ fo oft as the Tvicked Ihall with their quarrels prepare thcmfelues to peruert all things,and {hall giuc thctn iciuesto fpeake eiiill at their pleafiuc, let vs waitc with quietand patient minds^ rntill God (liall lay open the light out of darkeneflc. 6^. Xoiihaue 4n'atch. Pilate doth declai'c in thefewordes that hee doth fC- ferrc it to their owne pleafiu'c, that thiy may appoynt the fouldiours to watch« By the which graunt they were the moretied fromdeuifingofanycauds , foe though they durll not without ihame wrangle againft chriit after his refurrcfti- ©n, yet with Pilates fignct they rather (liut vp their owne.mouth then the fepuL chiC Math.iS. Markc«i^> Luke 14 I. T^jxrCyin the end of the fxbboth when thffirjt day of the wee!<^e beganne to ddscne^Mdry Magdalen ^g other Mary came to fit thefepuUhre. z And behold there vstasagreat aarthquake.for the an^el ^ftht Lord def ceded from hiatten^C^citme ^ rouled hackjhejienefrom § dore ^fat.ypmit. I And his (onntenancewas likf light ningc^ ha raiment xvhite asfnoxve.^ Andforfeare of him i the keepers were a Jioniid ^ became as dead men, ^^Butthe An^elan^ fver^d f;^ fayd to"!^ waen Teare yeenotjorlk^ow^ ytfeeke lefus which vas crt*cified.6,He is not here, for he is rifon^ as hefaide (omefee tlje place y^htre^ lord vas laid. 7. And^oe i^nick^y^and tell hi t difci- pies ^ he is rifen from the dead ^ behold he goeth be fore you into galile: there ye {ha 'l fee him) he 'I told you I, And tchen thefabboth day j I ♦ ^r¥ the fir/} ^ay ofths. wat paJiyMary Magdalen ^ rveek^^early in ^ morning they Mary the mother of lames ^ I came ynto the fepukhre and S-ilomef bought fveete oynt- j brought the odors which the% msnts that they might come ^ emhaime him* 1 ^Therefore early in the morning the fir fi daysf^weel^e they came to i^ fepitlchre when thefunne was yetrifngy^t And they f ay de •netoan other.who /hall roll ys away the /ione from the dore 0 f the fepukhre^ d^ And when they Icoh^dy \they ftve that theftone tvas rolled awat {for is was a yery great one) 5 .So they went into t hefepuU chreandfaweayongman/tt^ ting at the right fide clothed in a long white robe and they wtre afraid^ 6.But heefaide ynto them Be not afraid yee feek^ lefus of 1ifi\4ret^ which hath beene CTHcifiedihe is not heere be- hold the place where they put him: J. But foe your way and tell hss difciples^ Teter that , hewillgoe beforeyou intoGa- j lilejtherefl}aU y&tt fee him as I hefayd ynfyou. had prepared, i:ffr5 were 4/?o»W. The Lord terrified the kee- pers, as ifhce fnould fet a hot iron in their confciences, whiche might compcli them to fccle his diiiine power againlhheirvrill .-at the leaft the tcirourauailcd thus fane, that they fhould not carelcfly fcorne at thofe thingcs which (lioulde prefentlybcdifpearfedabroadcofhis refurredton. For though they were not 3(hamcd to fct their tongues to fale, y et they arc compelled, will they, nill they ^ inwardly to acknowledge that which before mcnne they did wickedly Ataic, And it isnottobee doubted, but where they had free hberty tofpcake, they familiarly confcdcdamongft their acquaintaHCC, that they durfl not fpeake o- penly becaufe they were hired with money. And here is to be noted the diffe- rence betw^ene the two kindes of fcare, which ^/ithcwe doeth compare togi* ther. The foldiours accuftomed to tumultes, were terrified, and fo fwallowei vp of feare, thatthcy fell downe as if they were halfe,dead, butnoppvycr "caifeci them, fo falhn proltrate. The women wcrclikewifc afraidc, but they prefent- lyrecciuedcomfQrt,whichfettoredtheirminde$almoft failing themjthat at the leaft they began to haue a better hope. And certainely it is meetc that the ma- ieftie of Goi fhould ftrike fuch a horrour and feare as well in the godly as in the reprobate, that all flefhmisht bee filentinhis.prefcnce. But when the Lordc hath humbled and brought his clcaintQ obedience, heepreCently mitigateth their feare, leaftthey (houlde folic oucrwhelmed: and notfoondy,but with the fweetnefle of his grace, he healeth the wound they haue recciued : but hee Icaucth the reprobate as without hfc with a feare which doth diIlra(athem,or hecfuffercth them to pine away with many flowetocmentcs. For concerning thcfe foldiours, they were like to deademenne, butthcy lay afraide as mcnne dillrafled of their mindes without any earneft affedion, yet withall they for- gate that they were afraide: not that the remembrance ofthe feare (Kouldc bee altogether blotted out : but beccaufe the liuely and etFe(auali feeling power of God, fled from them, whcrcunto they were compelled to giue place. But this muft efpecially bee no:ed,fith they feared hke as the women,they had no come fore giuen thcm,which might take away their fearcFor the Angellcs fay d one. lyto the womcn,fe4rejtfenor.he propofcdvnto them the refuiredion ofChrift, as the matter of theirioy and comfort.InLukethercis added areproofe,becaufe they fought the liuing with the dead, as the Angel (hould flirrc them yp, leaft they (hould fall further into dcfperation. 7. jlndgoe quickly i find tell his difciples^ God doth hecre adorne the women with an extraordinaric honour, in that hee commaundcd them to in- ftrudhis Apoftlesintheprincipallpoyntof our filuation .In Markethey are eor/hipl>ed him, 10. Then fayde lefus ynto them bee not afraid Coe and tell my brethren that they go into Galile and there they/hall fee tnee^ they any thinge to any ptan for^hey were afraid*, 9 ,^ndvhen lefus rvat rifen againe inthemorr»v(vhich woj thefrfi day of§ x^eeh^) bee appealed frft to Mary Magdalen^ out ofrvhom he hadcafifeuen deuilsy lO.^ndfhet went ^ tolde them that had bin with him l»bich mourned and xeeept. iijind when they beard^he was aliue,^ bad appeared 10. T^owe ifWasMaryMag^ dalene and Joanna, and Mary the mother of James, and other women with them, whiche tolde thefe thinges ynto theapofiles. ii.But their words femed yn- to them as a fained thing, ney^ ther bfleened they them, I x« Then arofe Veter and ra- ynto thefepulchrej ^ looked in, (^fawthe linnen cloatbes laide by them felues, and departed wonderinge in himfelfe at that which ff as come topaffe to her^they be/eeuedit not. ,., , jj S. So they departed quickjy. The ^ . Euangclifts do owit that which lohn doth report of Mary Magdalene ; namely, that (hec kauing not yet fee ne the Angels mwrncd into th« city,and weeping, (he complained thauhe body of Chrift was 77 ^ The (Ifmment. $f'^kf. lo, Caiume^ t.ikcnaway HccrcisnotoiK-ly infntion madcofthcferond rctcurneinto the cititjwhen rtiee and her other fclioweSjCancd newes to the dilciplcs thir ehrili w.:s nfcn : whi^;hc they had learned as well by the voycf and teftimoiie of the AngcljasbyfeeingofChri'dhiaifeire. AllOjbtcforcChriRclliewedhimfcl'e they nowc ranne tovvardcs the difciplesjas they were commaundcd by the An- gell. Tn the iourney befell the fecond confirmation, that they might the more boldly affirmc chat the Lorde wis nfca. 3fathewe faycth. that they vpe^it yrith fejireand^reatioy* By which woides he rneancth that they were comforted by the voyce of the Angcll , yet withall, that they w:re ftricken wirh fcare, fo th.it rhev were tofscd in pcrplexitic hetweene ioy and doubtfiillr.es Forfo the harts of the godly are fometimepoirellcd with contrar, affcdions winch are conurr- fant in the fame by courlcsvntill at the length the peace ofthe fpirit doth brine? the fame into a quiet eitate. For if their faith had bcene penede, it had thi oupS ly quieted them by putting fc \re to flight /nowe, the fearc bccing mixed wuh loy, doth declare that they as yet trufted not throughly to the tcftimonie of the Angcll. And hcere Chrillegauc a notable tediinony of his mercy, in that hcc meeicth them which arc fo doubtfull and fcarefull^that he might take away thas. do-ibtfulncswhichremaiaed Yet MarkeswordesdoenotaiLttIediScr,inthit they fisdde for ftare and xmxff.dneffe. fo thatfot feare they fhould be iftonied.But it is not fo hard to apfwere^ for when their mindes was to obey the Anpell ^'ct thcirahilitjeferucdnotjifthe Lord had not loofcd their filcnce. Butth'ere'is a greater iliewc of rcpugnanciein that whiche followcth For 3farke doeth not fay th ,t they mecte Chrifte by the way, but oncly that he appeared early in the morning.to Magdalene ; Luke maketh no mention ofthisvifion at all .But flth this pretermifsionis not a thing vnufuall to the Euangelifts^it muft notfeeme abfurde to vs. As concerning thcdifiercncc betweeae the wordes of Mathewc and Markc, it may be that Magdalene was partaker of fo great good before the reft ; orelfeby Synecdoche Mathewc doeth extend that to all,which waspro per to one. Yet it is more probable that Mirke namcth her oncly, beecaufc that fhec before others enioyed the fight of Chritlc firft, and that in a peculiar • maner . ButherfellowcsalfofaweChrille in their order rand therefore Ma- thewc doeth attribute thisgenerally to them all « And this was a woondcrfuU token ofgoodneflcj that Chrift rcuealcd his heauenly glory to a milerablc wo- man, wliichhad beencpoflefsedoffeuen deuilles; and when heewoiildefctte forth the light ofthe ncwe andeternall life,he began there where there w.is no thing m the mdgemet of man but contempt and lhae«Butby thislefsonChrift dcclarethjwhcn hcc oncedicweth his fauour toward es vs,howehbcrally hce vfeth to profecutc the courfe of thefamc.-and with all he calkch downc all pride ofthe fleih. ^ 9, Th^y to>i{fhimby the feete. Thisf^cmcth no: to agree with the wordes of I OH N, whcreheedcclareththat Mary was forbidden totouche Chnftc . But it may bee eafily reconciled, beecaufe the Lorde feeing Mary too much bent to the embracing and kifsing of his fcetc, (hculJe commaiind her to dcpartc, beecaufc the fuperltitioa w as to bee rcproouc i, and hee was to. Ihewcthccndeofthc rcfurreaion, from the whiche Maryewas drawnc partdy by an earthly aadgrofscaffeaion, partclyby afondezeale. Bucthc Lorde. vpofi the Harmcfiie of the EtMnieiiJIes ^jn Lord fu^ercd her to touch his fectc at the fit ft mccting,th.it there triohtbc no- thing warning for the aiTurance of them. Therefore prcfently after dotth Mat- thewadce.thatthey worfiiipcii the Lord : the which wasalignecf no doubt- full knowledge. lo. Then lefusf Aid ytito them We do gather that thts Wis acorruptfeare fro the whichChnftdothagainedeliLurthcm. For thout^h it orofcoitlicirwon- dcringatthcn,atttr^yttitw.iscontra;ytoarttledafltirance. Theiforctothc cndtheyms^htLftvpthemflluestoChrifte the conc,Ufiourofdeaihj they me commaunced to be of good con.foit. But wee art t.-.u^ht by the finic wordcs thatwc dothen knosv rightly the refurredrion of the Lord, if by the bith wh-h wehaiie concciued,wed..re glory, th.twc are made partakers, of the fimc life. And th'.!5> fane muftouifa.thprorite,!taft fcarepreuaile Furchcr,Chii.': c6maa- ding that this fnould be tolde to his aifciplcs, doeth by this rnc fiaie ijathrr his Church difperfed toj;ethcr agaifxC, & cred the fame iv wfalne For )iS thcfai.h ot tlie refurrcction doth cfj^ecially g:ue vs life at this day, fo it hehcued that the difciples ihc uld haue that lilc rcftorcd to them, from the which they h^d falr.e. Here alfo is to be noted the incredible kindnes of Chrilt,in that he vonchfaFcth to call thofe runagates , who had moH cowardly forfaken him by tl'.enameof brethren. And it is not to be doubted, but that by cnlling them foloiiingly, hi5 will was freely to appejie that forrow, wherewith he knew that they were orie- Uoufly tormented. But btcaufc th.it hec accounteth not :he Apollics only as his bietliren, let vs know that Chriii commauridcd that this meHagc flinu' J To bee done,thatii might theii rtmaine for vs. Wherefore we muff not coldly barken to the hyflory of the refurrcdion, fith that Chrift by the band of brotherly kin« red, doth wiih his owne mouth louingly call vs to receiue the irmi of the fame . Wheie fomeinttrpretcrsvndcr the name of brethren, doe vndcrfland Chriites kinfmen, the textdoth very fufficicntly confute their ci rcur : for lohn d oth ex- ipT€i[y ^Q.cUiQxh.M Mary came t9 the difciples : &prefcntly itfol.'wethin Luke, the women came to the^poJUes. Markc alfo agreeth with the, wry ting that Mary came and told tlefc things s to the difciples^ Kvhich tvept, MAR. 11. ^ndwhcn they heard* AJaike oncly makcth mention of the ttftimonyofMary alo;ie. Yetl amperfwaded thatthecommaundementesof Chnflcweiedonegenerally by them all : and this place doth the better con- firmc that which I faydceuen neve , thatthereis no rcpugnancie bciwccre the EuangehiteSjWhile one doeth particuIarlyafTigneihnt to Mary ^/agdaien, which according to others, was common to all, though not in like degree, but the difciples were growne to bee meruailousfluggifh , thatthcy remcmbred notthat that wjs fulfilled, which they haddeoltetimcsheard of tliemai/ler. If the v".'omen had toldc any thing ^which before had not bccne heard oi\ there haddebeenegoodcaufcwhyinamatrerincredible, there had becneno cre- dite giucn to their reporie ; but nowe they nuift ntedes be exceeding bfock-iii' , who doe account fora Fable or a dreame, amatttrfooftpromifc-dandvs'i uri. fed by the fonne of God, v\hcn it is reported to be fulfilled by them which hxd fccnethela.ne . Further, iiih ihatihey weredepriuedof ari';htvnkjl;a!i- ding through their owne vnbclenc, they doe notonelyrefufe the light of the truth, but they doc nL^c it as a fantafic, as Luke dedarcth • Hereby it .i]'pc3- Cccj, ^^■'^- 778 The Comment, tfAfJ9iC4/f4iHe^ rcth that they fo yddcd to the temptation, that almoft all the taftc of Chrlftei wordcs was cleane forgotten. LV« II. Theharofe Teter, I doc not thinkc but that Luke hath here inuer- ted the order of the hy ttoric, as it is eafie to gather by the wordcs of Ioh.a : and in my iiidgcmcnt it is not amifle, that the woorde I{unmngy be rcfolued into the prcterplupcrfcd tence. And they which are but meanely exercifed in the fcrip- ture, doc know that this is vfuall amongfl the Hebre wes, to report afterwards thofe things, which were omitted in their place. But Luke by this circumft ancc doth the more exaggerate the hardneffc of the Apoltlcs , in that they defpifed the womens wordes^: when yet Peter had now feene the fepulchre empty, & by a manifeftfignc of the refurreiftionwas driuen into admiration. Matthew 18. Marke. f Luke. lU ^Vj when they weregoft€:heh9lde,fome of the jfpatch came inpo the cittiCy 4nd /hewed ynt9 the hie 'Friejliydll things thatyvere done, XI. ^nd they gathered them together with the ElderSyand tooke counfel^andgatte Ur^e mousy >»-. to the fonldioitr, 1 3 . Saying, fty his difciples came hy nighty and fiole him away rrhile we/lept, 14. ^nd tf thegoueynour heare of this, xvee mU ferfvoade him, and fane ^ou harmelejfe, 15. So they took^ the m»ney and did as they vers taf*ght : and this fayirige is noifed among the lewes ynto this day^ iL TSlow v>hen they xoere gone. Itis not only tobefiippofcdabut the matter it fclfc declarethjthatthefouldioursto whome the keeping of the fepulchre was com- mittedjWcre fo corrupted by rcwirdcs, that they were ready to lie at the Prieftj appointment* They knew very well^that the Priftes feared nothing morejthea that it (hould bee reported that Chrift rofe againe the third day after his death : they kne wc that they were fent thether for that purpofe , that by keeping the corpcSjthey might puta-waythatreportThe menthcrfore being giuen to gaine, ycaj&feekinggainecueryway, aftertheyhad loft their labour this way, they do deuife a new meanes to get money. But where Mathew faieth that/cmr of the watch ramCyiti': vncertainc whether a few fubtile fcliowes of them went alone to counfel fro the reftjOr whether they were fent in the general name of them all. The fecond part by conic(5lurc feemeth rather to bee true : for Matthew doeth aftcrwardcs fay that the reward of pcriurie was piiicn not to one or two,but ge- nerally to the Ibuldiours. Itisceminethatwhereallofthcm, or but a parte of the confpired, yet they fought t» gainc by the cruell & vnappeafeable hatred of thcpricus againft Chrift. Further,fith they had the guilty of the oflencCjthcy a- bufed their euill confcience, for to wreft mony fro them. For (as almoft all wic-. Jccdmennc doe) the prieftcs knowing their owne Icwdnefle, to the cnde they might wucr their ihamc, are compelled to corrupt the fouldiours with a large rcYvardi I vfmthe HarmonieoftheEmngclipes. •«- rcwarde, Alfoitdothhcereby appeare, tliat after the leproKite haueoncccaft themfelues headlong into finne, they are then caught in new<;finnes & while they would defend their natT,e before men,thcy doecarckflyneoledt their lins againft God.Thefe wretches doe not onely hire the folJiour'sjWith rewardincr them : butaKojif the oftcnce fliould bee brought into iudgement, they doe caft their name and life in daungcr. And what compclleth them belides the lofTe of the money to come into great peril!, but becaufe their obftinate fury fuft'ereth tlicm not to goe bncke, vntill they fl'Ould heape finncs vppon finnes? I f . ^7tdthiifaymg is my fed. This was the greatcft worke of Gods ven- geance for the blinding of the lewcs, that the refurredion of ChriiU was biip - ed in thcperiuric ofthefoldiourssand thatfo vaiiie aliefhouldbcrcceiucd.And hecreby itappeareth that they which did not thinke that Chri{l was rifen were dcceiued in a volimtavy errour, as the worlde doeih willingly oBer it felfc to be dcceiuedwiththefleightsoffathan.Fortherehadbeenenoneedeofany lone fearchjifany man llioiild but haue opened his eyes. The armed foldioursdoe fay thatthc body of Chrift was ftolen from them by a wcake, fearefull fmall an^ ynarmed company of men.What fliewe of Golour?Thcy doe addc that this wasdone while they were afleepe. Howe then doetheyima^^ine that it was ftolnc?If there had bccne any fufoirion of the difciplcs, why followed they not after them ? Why made they no ftirrc ? This therefore was but a childidi (Lift, which they had not cfcaped with, without puniilmier.t, if the matter had come before a righteousand aftoutgouei.noiir.But through Pilateswinkinaitcame to pafle, thatfo greatwickedneffeefcaped^Aswe doe lee it doethfal out daily thatprophaneiudgeshaue but fmall rcgarde, where tructh is oueiwhelmed by deceit and malice ; but raiher,if they doe feare no incommodity, they dofectn toioyneinlewdnefl'etogithcrwith the treacherous varlets.And thouohthis may f?cmc to behard, that God fliould fuffer this falfe rumour to bee fptcd for. the extinguifhingofthe glory of his fonne, ycttohisiuil vengeance that ho- nour mufl be giuen which is A\\t. For that nation was worthy that the cloudcs (houldetakcthe light from them, as wee doe perceiue by this, that a vainc and friuolous lie, fKould be fo greedily fnatched vppe / Further, fith that almoft all had flumblcd at the flonc of offence, it was meete that their eyes fliould be dar kcncd, leaft they (hould fee that the cup of giddines was giuen them to drinkc of .* To be fhort, they were caff into all kindc of madncllc,as it was fpoken of before in the prophcfie of I(ay,the ninthe chaptcr,and the tenthc vcrfe. GOD would neuerhaue fuffered them to be deceiued by fo fonde creduhtic,but that he might dcpriue them of the hope offalu3tion,who had contemned the redee- mer, euen as with the fame kindc of punifliment heedotthnowe chaliiccthc worldcjlooGng the raynes to the reprobate, that they may growc woifc. Btit though this lie fhoulde prcuaile amongeff the lewcs, yet it was no let, but that the trueth of the Gofpell (houldc haue free pafsage, cuen lo the cndcs of the earth, as italw^yes wcnt.as conguerour ouerali the. Icttcs of the Worlde* M4ihcv\e» ^Itf The Comment.ofMt lo, Caiume Mathcvf. Markci^. Luke 24 ^fter It. that happed red ynto two I ^ongs^calUd Emails, of them in an other fourme as they nral- l\sd and went intothicoun- trey. I J . ^nd behold i two of them ^ent that fame day fa towne which was from HierufaUm about three fcor^-fnt^ 11^* And they tailed togithif ofalthefe things that vert done, I J ,jindit came topajfe^at they communed to^ither and reafoned-ithat lefus himfelf dre-w neare^ and went with them. i5. But their eyes were holdtn^ that they could e notk^owehim^ 17. Uee fay d ynto them- vyljat manerof communications arethefe thatyee haue one to an other as ye walke and are fad. 1 8 ,And the one (named CUopas^ anfwered andfayd ynto him: Art thou onely a firaungtt in lerufalemyand htifie not k^owne thethmges whtch are come to pajfe there in thefe dajetf 1 9. And hefaide ynto them what thingesfAnd they faide ynto himy Oflefus oflS^a-^^rety which was a Vrophety mighty in deede and in wordebeeftre G 0 D and all thepeopUy 20. And howe the hie Triejiei and our rulers deUuered him to bee condemned to death and haue crucified him. x\t But wee trufiedthat ithadbeenhee tbat/houlde haue deliutred Jfraelyand astouchinge all thefe thingesy today is the thirdeday that they rperedonne, ii. Tea yand certaine vomen amonge ys made ys afloniedy xchiche came early ynte the fepulchrey 23. And yrhen they founde not hit bodiCy they came, fayinge ; that they had alfo feent 4 yijion of angels whiche fayde that hee wasaliue^ 24. Therefore certaine of them which acre withySy vent to the fepulchrey and founde it euenfuyas the wome» had faide y but him theyfawe not* x $ . Then hefaydt ynto them , Ofooles and Jlowe of hearttyto heleeue all that the Vrophetes haue fpol^en. 26, Ounhtnot Chrifetohauefuffred thefe thinges y and to enter intii hisglorie? tj, Andhetbegane at Mofesyandatall the VrophetiSy and interpreted ynto them in all the fcriptures y the thinges whiche were wryttenofhim. »8. And they drewe neareynto the toyene which they went tOy but hee made as though hee would haue gone further, 29. But they confhained himy Jay , iK'ge : Abide vithySy for it is towardesnighte, and the day iifarre fpent* So hee went intotarye with tkem* JO. Anditcametopajfeyasheefateatthe table with them, hee tool^e the bread y andgaue than\esy and brdkf it andgaiti it t$ them, ji. And vf^nthe Harmonic ef the Emngel^es* 7S1 1 ? ♦ jind h'lMtwo of of them. Though Maikc doth oncly touch this hyftoric briefly, and Matthew and lohndccfayneucr a word ofit:yctbccaufciti$ pro- fitable to beknowne and worthy to be remcmbrcd, it is not in vain e that Luke doth fo dillio ently defcribe the fame. But I haue already oft times dcclared.that the fpirit of God bath lo aptly directed the workes of cuery of the Euano eliftcs, that what could not be found in one or :wo, might be had in the others. For di- ucrs vifions, whereof lohn dcth make mention, arc not fpoken of by our three. Further, before I will come to the fcuerallcircumftances, this (hall bee woorth the labo'ur fummanly to bee noted, that thefc two witnefles were chofcn, not that the Lords purpole was by them to (hew the Apofllcs that he was rilen, but to reprouc their flacknes. Yet though they prcuailed nothmg at the firft, atter- ward thdr tcftimony being furthered by other helpcs, it was had in due regard amonaftthem . Butitis doubted who they were; but that by then^meotone ofthem(whomcLukealittleaftercallethCleophas)itmay be gathered that they were not of the eleauen. Emaus was an auncienttowne and of no fmai ac- count,which the Romans aftcrwardes called Nicopolis ; Neither was it farrc dif^am from Teiufalem, when as three fcore furlongs do only makefcuen thou- sand fomc hudred paces. But Luke hath notfo much regarded to note the place in refpcft of the rcnowne of it, as for the certainty of the hyftoric. * 1 4. ^>id they talh^d togaher. This was a ligne of godhnefle, that they en- deuoured to nourifh by whatmcanethey might, their fayth in Chrifte, though it was but weake and fmall . For their talkc tended not to any other purpole, then that they might oppofe the reuercncc of their maifter as a fliield or buckler. againfttheofl'cnceofthccioirc . And though by inquiring and difpiiting they btwrayed^cirignoranceworthytobercprehended, when as they being be- fore admonished that Chrift fhoulde rife againe, that they fhould bee amazed atthehcarinc'oftherameryettheiraptncstobetaughtyecldcdawaytochrift to takeaway^hcir errour . For many of fette purpofc doe mooue queftions , becaufethey are determined frowardly totcfufethe truth,butthey which hauc a defirc, quietly to irobrace the truth, though they ft ickc at fmall obicfiions, & ftay at light fcruples, yettheir godly cndtuourtoobcy, procurah them fauour before God , fo thatas it were with ftrctched out hand, bccing Icdde into> aperfcdcairur.'mce, ftiouldcceafetowauer* Andthisistobenotcd, where w<; doe enquirefor Ghrifte,if it bee done with a mod eft defire tolearnc, there i$ a way opened for the furtherance of vs : yea,wee doc thenprocure him to be asateachcr, cucnaspiophancnienwiththeirfilthyfpeachesdoedriuehimfar away* « 1^. Their eyesvfitreholden* TheEuangcIiftcsdo exprefly fetthisdownc, leaft any man ftiould thinke that the fliape of Chriftes body wercahercd. Therefore though chrift remained like as he was,yethe was vnknowncjbccaufe their eyes VNereholdcn ; whereby t!ic fufpition ofa Ghoft, or ofafalfeimagmation is ta- ken away. And hereby we ar e taught,how weake we arc in all our fen fcSjlo ths t r neither the eyes nor the cares doe their office, further then that they hau t- pow - erminiftied vnto them daily from heauen . Our members are naturally f ur«. nifhed withtheirgifts .- but thatit mightthc betterappearc that they are graun- t?dtQ vs freely , Godkecpeththcyfe ofthcminhisownchande; thai tms ^B t The Ommiftt, of A/, !e^ Catuine, fame with the cares to heare, and the eyes doe fee, fliouldc bee layd vp amongH his daily benefits : for if that hee (houldc not continually itrengthen our fcnfes, their whole force would prefently fadeaway* I doe graunt that otii fcnfes arc notoftholdenj as it then befell , that they (houlde bee fogroflydeceiued in a forme obiefted before them • yet God by one example, flieweth that it is in his power to dired whatfoeuer powers he beftoweth vpon man, that we may know that nature is (ubiefte to his plcafure. Now,if the corporall eyes, whofe chiefe property it is to fee, are fo oft as it pleafeth the Lorde, fo holden, that they can- not difcerncthofe things which are fct before them, ourm.indcs fliould beeno better,thoughtheyremained in their integrity. Butnowinthismifcrablecor- tuption,fince their light is taken from them,they are fubicd to be deceiued ma- ny waycs, and fo opprcflcd with a grofle dulncfle, that they can doe nothingc but errc,asalfo it doth befall very oft. Therefore it commeth not of the fharo- ncfl'c of our witte for vs to difccrne betwcenc truth and falfliood, but of the fpi- rite of wifedome but their chicfc dulnes appeareth in the beholding of heaucniy thingcs ; for we doe notonelyconceiuefalfefliapcsfor ihofethingcs which arc truc^butwedoetuinethe clcarc light intodarkenefTc* 17. Jfhat manner ofcommunicathn are thtfeyee haue one to another f That which ^e doe fee, was done then openly by Chnfte, wc doe daily finde to be perfor- med in vs in a fecretmaner, that of his owne accord he infinuateth himfelfe to teach vs* But that which I faydc euen now, doeth more cuidcntly appeare by the anfwere of Cleophas . thatis^though they were doubtfull and in perplexity about the refurredion of Chriftc, yet they ef^ccmed rcuerently of his dodrinc, fo as they were not bent to fall away. For they do nottary vHtill that Chrift by manifelting himfelfe, fhouldpreuent them, or that the trauailer who focuerhcc was, (houlde fpeake honourably of him , butrathcroutofafmallanddarkidi hght, Cleophas doeth caft fuch (parkes into the ftraungcr, as might (bmewhat lighten his minde if he had beencrude and ignorant. The name of Chrilt was at thattimefo odious and infamous in euery place, that it was not fafe to fpeakc honourably of Chrifl: but without regard of enuy,hc namcth him the Prophet of God, and profeflcth himfelfe to beone ofhis difciplcs. And thogh this title of prophet is far inferiour to the diuiiic maicfty of chrift, yet this fmall commendation defcruethprayfe,fith Cleophas had no other pur- pofe.then to procure difciplcs to Chrifi;,which fliouldfubniitthemfclues to his Gofptll . But it is vnccrtaine whether Cleophas according to hisrudeneflfe fpake more bafcly of Chrift then was mcetc .• Or whether his purpofe was to beginne at the rudiments which were beftknowne, that he might by degrees goe further. And certainely a little after, he doth not fimplyaccoimt Chrift in the common order of Prophets, but he fayeth that he and others fuppofcd that he fhould haue bccne the redeemer. 16. Mi^^htjf in deede and in^oorde . The fame formeof woordesalmoft doeth Luke , ACtcs 7. ii, vfcintheperfon of Stephen, whercfpeaking in the prayfe of Mofcs, heefaveth that hee was mighty in woordes and deedcs. Butinthis place it is doubted whether Chriftc fhoulde bee called Mighty in aUtdt , in cclpc(^c ofhis myraclcs as if it haddc bccne faydc chat hee was cndu* vfmtheEarmGmedfthtEuAfigenfles. y^^ enaued with diuine vcrtucs, which fhould prone thathc was fent from heauen> or whether that it would reach further, that the mcaninoe (hould bc,that ht ex» celled as well m the fact.ltte of teaching, as in holinefleof life, and excellent gifccs And I doe like this latter fenfe. Neither is that addition in vaine, Efhrt Godardthemj^le, which fignifieth that the excellencieof Chrift was fo declared to men,& knowcn by euident triallcs that it was without all faincd oftentaiuaa And hccreby may be gathered a briefc definition ofa true Prophet: namly hfcwhoto his woordeadioyneth alfo the power ofworkes,and (hall not one-' lyendeuojrtocxcellamongltmcn,but tobchaue himfclf fincerely, asm the flight of God. 21. But veetrufi^.h fliall appcare by the tcxt,that the hope which thty had conceiucdofChrittjWas taken away though by the woordcs it fhould foftemc atthcfirft (ightc.ButbccaufcthehiUoiiewhichisfettedowneof the condcm, nmg of Chrifte might with draw a man,who had no taft of the gofpel becaufc that he was condemned by the Prelates of the Church :Cleopas oppofeth the hope ofthe redemption againftthis offence. And though he doth afteiwardc$ declare that hec himfelfe doth fearefully and as a daggering man lemaine in thishope,yet he doth diligently gathcrwhathelpcsfoeuer he can/or the vphoU ding oftheTame.For it is probable that hefpakeofthethirdedaye for no other cnd.but btcaufe the Lord had promilcd that he would rife againt the third day Furthermore, that whiche hee reporteth that the woman foundc not the body, and that a vifionofAngels appeared to them, and bcecaufc that which the women had fpoken of the empty graue was alfo approued by the teftiraony^ ofmen, is referred to thisfumme, that Chrifte was rifcn. So the godly manne doubtfuil betwecne faiih and fcarc, nouriiheth his faith , and according to his ftrcngth,ftriueth againft feaic. af* «^w<^/jf/4>:^>«toW;em. This reproofcfecmcth to bee (harper and har- der then was mcctcin refpcd: of the wcake man; but who fo fhall confidtr of al the circumftances, (hall eafily percceiue that it was not without caufe that the Lord gauc fo (harpe a reproofe to them, among!} whome hee had bcltowcd hs j long labour, fo ill and almolt witliout any fruitc. For it is to be noted that thi s heere fpoken is not oncly to bcreftrayned to thcfe two ■• but obicded as a com- mon faulte, which their other fellowcs might prefenilyKeare of their mouthes. Chrift had fo oftforwarned them of his death, he had alfo fo oft taught of the new and fpirituali life, and had confirmed hisdodrine by the oracles of Pro- phetcs : as if he^had fpoken to deafe mcn,or to blocks or Hones, they being once ftricken with the horrour of death, doeturne themlelucs hctherand ihcther. Therefore he doth iuftly attribute this ftackering to fooli(hne(lc, andhcc ma- keth flouththe caufe of the (ame^becaufc they were no readier to belceue.And he dothnot oncly vpbraide them, that when he was a moft excellent maiOerto thcm,thcy were batflackeandflowtolearne: but beccaufe they were not at- tcntiue to thcfayings oftlic Prophets: as if he (hould haue fayd thatthcir flouth fulnelTecoulde not beeexcufedj becaufc there was no fault, but on ely in thcm- fclues,fith the dodrine of the Prophets w«fo cuideni and plain? of itftlfcj and £q well expounded to them. 7S4 ^^ C^wmeta.pf M.U. Cainine As the moft part of men doe bcare the fame blame for their ovrne folly, bc- caiife they are vnapt to be taiight,and obftinat. But let vs note that when Chrift faw his difciplcs tobc too flouthfull, to the cndc that he might waken them^hc bcs-mneth atrcprouing them.Forfomuftthcy be dealt with, whom wee hauc ti led to be either dull or flouthfull* z6, Ou'rht not Chrift to baittfttjferedthefe tUngi, It is not to bec doubted but that Chrift fpake of the office of the Mefsias,asitwas defcribed by the prophets leaft che death of the croflc fliould be otFenliuc ; and in iournying three or fonre houres,hce had fp.ice fufficicnt fully to fet forth the matters. Therefore Chrift doth not fay in three wordes that he ought to fuffer : but hee declareth at large that he was fent to that cnd,that by the (acrifice of death hec might wafh away the hnnes of che world, that bee might by the purging facrificc offered for the takina away of the curfc, that hec might walhe the finnes of others from their guiltines. Luke therefore for the more vehcmenciefctteth downe this fcntencc interro<»atiueIy, whereby it is gathered that hee (hewed by rcafons the neccfsi- lie of hfs death. The fumme is, that the difciples did cuiil to be troubled at the death of their maiftcr, ( without the which he could not performe the partes of Chrift ; for the cheife point of our redemption,was his offering vp ) for by this mcanes they (hut vp the gate agamft him,lcaft he Ihuld come into his kingdome The which muft be noted diligently ; for fith Chrift fliould want his honourjif he fliould not beaccountedafacrifice for fjnncsjhisonely way into his glory,is that his humbling to bes of no reputation, Phil. 2. 7. out ofthe which he arofc a redeemer. But we doe fee at this day, how amongft vs they do iinae nothing foonertheninaprepofterousorder* For amongft the multitude of them which doe royally declare Chrift to bee a kiag, and doe extoll him with diuine pi ay- fes, fcarce cuery tenth of them doththinkc that wee haue gotten grace by his death. 17. jnihetbe^anat'M.ofes, Thisplacc doth teach how Chrift IS made ma- nifeftvntovsbythe Gofpelltnamely,while the knowledge of him is prooued plainely out of the law and the Prophets- For no man euerwas a more readie and apte tcac her ofthe G ofpell, then the Lord himfelfe,who as wee fee fetched the proofeofthisdodrine out ofthe lawe and the Prophetcs. If any man will except, that he began at the rudimentcs, that the difciples by a litle at onccjbid- ding the Prophets farewell, might pafle ouerto the perfcd Gofpeil, this dcuifc is eafily confuted, for afterward it Ihall be fayd, that all the Apoftleshad their minde opened, not that they ftiould be wife without the hclpe ofthe lawe, but that they might vnderftand the Scriptures. Wherefore to the end ^ Chrifl may at this day be reuealed vntovsbycheGofpelljitisneceflaiy thatMofes and the Prophets ftiuld come forth before asforeninners.VVherofthereaders are ther- forc to be admoniftie i, leaft they fhould giue care to fanaticall men , which by fupprcfsing the law and the Prophetcs, doe wickedly raaime the Gofpeil. As if that God would haue to bec vnprofitable, whatfoeuer he at any time fpake of hisownc Sonne. Butinwhatmanerthcy are tobee apply ed to Chrift, which are cuery where read of him in the lawe and the Prophetes,it is not my prefcnt purpofc to declare* Ic isfufl&cicnt, bricHytonoic,thatChriftcisnotinvainccaIlcdthc cndc of tfpentheBarmme'ofthe Eu^mieiifles ^ j ^ t)ftlie!aw, For though that Mofcsrathcrfhaaowcd him forth datlcelv, and a farre ofi-, then expreffc him plainely ; yet this is without controucrfie,' that if in the ftockeofAbrahani, there fhould not be one head aboue all, vnder whom the reople Ihould grow into one body, the coucnant which GOD made with the holy fathers, fl:i0uld be broken and but in vaine. Further^whcn as God had commaunded that the Tabernacle and the ceremonies, (hould be framed after the heauenly paterne, it followcth that the facrifices and all the rites of the tem- ple, ifthey had not their truth elfe where, fhoulde beeasavaineand fruitcleflc play. And this aroumcnt doth the Apottle handle in many words, in the Epiftic to the Hcbrewcs. For holding that principle, that the vifiblc ceremonies of 'he law were lliadowes of fpirituall things, he teach«:th thrft Chrilt is to bee fouoht in the whole priefthood of the law,in the facrifices and in the forme of the s£i- duarie. B«ctfraIfo other where doth wifely diuine,thatinthatobfcuriiie there wasaeertainekindeofinterpreting the Scripture in vfc amongft the I ewes, which the fathers deliuered vntothem by hand. But Ijleaft that 1 fliould fellow rncertainties,am contented with that naturall and fimple mancr, which is cue- j-y where to be found amongft the Prophets, who were the mcft apt interpreters oftheIaw« Chrift therefore isrightly coIIeftcdoutoftheIaw,if wceconfidcr that the €0uenant which Chrift made with the fathers, was made by the helpe of a M e- diator .'The 5anCalHine. ner as h-e (hewed h'lmfelfe to be a trauailer : for the reafon of them both ii hk«. ^«o-.H;n«aafvvercis fomewhatmorefubtile,/,^. z. 4^C.»^«ti«m,.^;a^;AI^o. in his bookeofquellionsvpon the Gofpels, chap, ^u For hee would haucth;s fainm- accoumed among 11 the Tropes and Fi|ares then, amongft the Para-^ bles aSd Morall hyftorics. But.this one thing doth fatisfie mee, as Chnfte for x umecouered the eycsofthem with whomhee fpake, that hee Ihewmg him- fclfe as in the perfon of a Granger, they might account him as a common gueft .• fo the piirpo'c of ^-oij^-^ further, which for that timc.hc pretended, was not a fai, nine of an other mactSr then that which in deede hcc was about to doe, but be- caafe that hce wou'dc not difcoucr the maner of his departure .- for no man will denie but that hce was then to goc further, for hee was thenfcperatcd from the company of men. Soheedeceiucdnot his difciplcsby thistaining, but held, them fomewhile in rarpencc,vntill the fulhime of his manifefta tionwerc come* Wherefore they doe dcalctooprepoftcroufly, who make him to bee their pa- tronc nythif Wherefore .- - _ trudy and fimply. NotthattheLordatany time difobeyedhis fathers lawe, butheewithoutbindinohimrelfe to thcliterall pried performed the fimpic meaning' of the Uwc and the weakeneffe oi our fenfes doe ncedean oth«r ?o. Heetooh^hre^U. ^«g»y?i»f, and diuers Others withhimjthoughtthae Chrift took not the bread which he reached as to be an ordinarie bread to bee eaten, but for an holy fignc ofhisbody. And this is plaiitible to be fpokenjthac the Lord aioulde bee then knowne in the fpirituall glafle of the fupper : for the difciples looking vpon him with corporall eyes, kncwehimnot. But becaufe this coniedure hath noprobable token for the proofe of it, I doe rather take Lukes wordes more fimply, that Chrift taking bread in his hands,aftcr his ma- ner hce gaue thankes. And it appeareth thathe vfed a Cpeciall order ofprayer,to the whxhhe knew that his difciples had beene familiarly accuftomed.that they by this note being admonifhed, might ftirre vp their fenfes. In the meane fea- fon le t vs learne by the maiftcrs cxamplc,ib oft as wee doe eate breade, to giuc thanks to him who is f hc,authppr of l^ff > for tliac putteth a difference betweenc vsand proph^'^ic men* n/r .■-,. .-I cui l.v • ' '^ • Mathcvv, Markc.i^ ^ Luke, 14. I } . ^ni they [ 5 I . Tl>sn their eyes vene epened^ xnd they knewjiim btit he was tak^en ot*t of their fight, J I ♦ ^iii they ftide betrveene themfelues ; Did m% our hearths bu,rne with in ys while hee tailed with y» by the wvt>e, aod when hee opened fo ys tb^ Scrip* turesf J J . And they rofe -vp the fame hoi^re, and rett^rned to Hierufalem , andfounde the eletten gathered together dnd them that were with them.. 54. lyinchfAydeithe Lord is rifenia deede ^ dnd Itath appeared to Symoa. J J. Thtnfhej toldit plfinrts were dQ^teh the went and tolde it to the rem- \ nant, but they beUened them not, t^. Finally hee appeared ynto the eleuen as theyfafe toge- ther and re" Jproned them •/ W/^, tfen the Uammii dfthe EHAHieTtfiiU ef their yTtbe- iiefe^hard^ mjfecfhartey h(caufe the^ beheued not thsm rvhiche futdfeene him ?87 veay,^ how he yeas h^ven of them In hreal^n^ tfhrad J 6. Undasthey ffaktUfe thingesyltfHihimftlfg food in the rniddes cfthein^andfa^dyntothem.Ttaa he to you, 57« BHttheytvere aha/hedand afraide fn^pofinge that they hadfteneaffitite, 38. Theuhefaideynto them:why areyee troublU and wherefore doe doubts arife in your hearts f 59. Beholdemyhandesundmy feete\ for it is I mt Jilfe.-handle mee and fee ^ for a ffiriteiMthmt fltpje and bone i^asyee fee mee haue^ 40. ^nd xvhenhee had thusffolfn^ he fhetved them his handes and feet e, 31. ^nd their eyes were opened. BythcfeWordcs we are taught that theicwjs noMctamorphoiisin Chnft, that hce fhculde dafellmens eyes with variety of ftiapcs;(accordingas the Potts doe imagmctheirProtcus)biit the faiiltwas ra- ther in the eyes ot them which looked, becaiife they were holden. Asfliortly afterhevanillied not awayfrombefore the fame eyes , becaufc that bis body was of it felfc inuifible, but bccaufe that God withdrawing his force^their fight was dQllcd. And it is no maruell, that Chrift fliould asfoone as he was knownc fodainlyvaniOiaway; for it was nothing needfull that hecfliouldebefecncnny longer, leaft that they ( as of themfclues they were too much bent to the earth) fliould defirc to draw him againe to an earthly life. Therefore fofarreas was neccffarytoteftifietherefurrcdiojhereuealedhimfelfetobcfeenei&byhisfo- daine departure he taught.that he (huld be fought otherwhere then in thtj world: for the afcendingintohe?uenjWas the fulfilling of the new Irfc. 5 1. Did not our heart. The knowledge of Chrift fo wrought,that the difciples had a liuely feeling of that fecrct and hidden grace of the (pirit,wherewith they Were before endued. For God oft times fo worketh in his, that for a time they Icnow not the force of the fpirit (whereof they were not yet voy d) or at th c leail lb as they cannot diftindly know the famc;but they hauc onely a fcehng of it by a fccret inftind. So the difciples had before conceiued a zcale but without fee- ling which they do now remember: now fincc that Chrift was made knownc vntothc, they do at the length begin toconfidcr that grace which they bad be- fore, without taft of the raBie,& they do perceiue that they had bin vciybiockifh For they do reproue themfelues of flouth^as if they fhould fay .* How came it to paflc that we knew him not while he talked with vs? for when hce pierced into our heartSjWe fhould hauc rr.arked whoithad bccnc. Butrhcy donotfimply by this naked figne gather that he was Cbrift, becaufe that his fpeach was cffcdu- all to entiame their mindes> but bccaufe they do giue vntohim the honourjthac while he fpeaketh with his mouth, their hearts alfo burnt within them through the heat ofthc fpirit. Paul verily reioyccth, zXor.^.^. that the miniftery of the fpirit was giuen vnto him^ & the fcripture doth oft times adorne the mir.ifters of the word with thefe titles, that they do conuertthe hcartejjlightcn the mindcs, renewinen that they may become pure &holyfacrifices: butthcnitdoethr.oc icdarewhat they fhall doe by their owne power , but rather what the I or <;^c ^ Pdd.2. fl>alA «g5 The (Comment, $fLM, / J ♦ ^ndthey arofe the famehoure ♦ The circumflance of the time, and the diftance of the places,doe fhew what an earned defire thefc twomennehaddc to cary this meflage to their fellow difciples . Sith that it was in thccuening that they entrcd into their lodging, ins probable that it was datkc night before they knew that it was the Lorde : it was troublcfomc to trauaile three houres when itwas late in the night : yet they doc prefentlyarire , and runne with fpeedetoHierufalcm ♦ And certainely if they hadde come but the next day, their flacknclTehaddebecncfufpeded : butnowe, when they had rather to de fraud etheml'eUics of their nightly reft , then not to make the Apoftles per- takers of their ioy withfpcede , their hafteyceldcd credite to that which they tolde 4 Nowe, when Lukcfayeththatthcyarofe the famehoure, itistobc fuppofe J that they came about midnight tothe difciples . And as she fame Lukedoethwitncflc, they were then talking amongft themfelucs . Hereby therefore may their carefulnefTe and earneft defire bee known e , in that they paired almoft the night waking , and they ceafed not to make thorow inquiry, vmilltherefurredionofChrifte ftioulde by many tcftimonies bee more fiilly knowne. ^4. ijfnichfayde^theLorcieistifen. Lukeinthcfewordes fliewcth that they which brought this gladde ncwcs to the Apoftles, for the confirminge ofthcir miadeSjWcre like wife enformed of another vifion. And it is not to be doubt- ed, butthat this rewardc of mutuall confirmation, was beftowedvpponthem from God, asarecompencecftheirgodly diUigence. Alfoitmay be gathered by the circumftancc ofthetime ; that after Peter had returned from the fepuU chre,hccw.iswonderfullcarefulI, vntill that Chrifte reuealedhimfelfevnto him : and therefore, the fame day that he had yifited the fepulchre, he obtained hisrequell. Nowe, it is not to be doubted,but that the gratulation amongft the cleuen, was for this, becaufc the Lord had appeared to S'ymon . But this fecmcth not to a2;ree with Markcs woordes, whofaycth that toefe two voere not Lelettted of the tUum. Forhowecouldeitbce, that they refufingthefenewwitncfTeSjfhouId vrauerin their doubting, which were already certaine? For, by faying^thathc Yvaspfcn in decdc, they doc gr aimt that the matter is out of controucr(:'c, ' vpfiff the Harmonie of the EuAftgelifie^, «^p Firft, 1 doc anfwerc that in the gencrall fpeache is vfed thefigure Synecdo- che,becaufe that lome of them were haider,or lefl'e apt^and Thomas was more obfiinatc then all the reft. Alfo, we doc eafily gather, that they were fo perfwa- ded, as men amazed doe vfe, who haue n«>t quietly meditated the matter; and wee knowc that fuch doe thereby fall into diuers doubts. How foeuerit was it appcareth by Luke, thatthe greater part ot them being in that feare,as in an ex ftaficjdidnotonely willingly embrace that which wasfayde ; but they ftriued againl^ their ovvne diftruft* For by this claufe in deedc^th^y doe take away from them alloccafion ofdcub ting. And alitleafcer we flial fee that they fellagainc and the thirdc time through admiration to their wauerings. 5 6. lefns himfelfefioode hi the middeji of them. Where lohn rcporteth the fame hy ftoiie at largCj he differeth in fomc certaine circumftance ; and Markc noteth the fame fomcwhatotherwifc. But as concerning lohn^ fthhee onely gathereth thofe things which were omitted by Luke, they two may bee eafily reconciled,And trucly, there is no diuerfity in the fumme of the mattcrjCxcept any man would mooue a contiouerfic about the time For there it is fay de that Iclus entred in, when it was euening, but by the hyftorie fet downe by Luke, it appear^th that it was late m the night when he appeared ; namely, when the difcipleswere returned from Emaus. But I doe notthinke thatthe time of the cucning is to bee ptecifely vrgcd ; but that rather which is fayd, may aptly and commodioufly be applied to the late time of the night, for that when the Apo- ftles after the euening, when it was night, hadde fliut the doers and kept thcm- felues fecretly within the houfe, then Chrilte came vnto them. Further, lohn doeth not note the firft beginning of thenight, but fimply noteth that the dayc being pafled, and after the funne was fet, yea,and about midnight, Chrift came vnlooked for amongft his difciples* Yet the queftion arifeth of an other matter, for Marke and Luke doe report that iheeleuen were gathered togithcrwhcn Chrift appeared vnto them, but lohn fay eth that Thomas was then abfent. But it is no abfurditie that the number of eleuen is put for the apoftles themfclues, though one was away from the company. Andweefayde eucn nowe, and the matter it felfededareth, that lohn doth more dillindiyfette downe the parti- cular poyntes, beecaufethathispurpofe wasto report thofe thingcswhichc were omitted by others . Alfo, it is out of doubt that itisoncand thefame hyftoriewhichewas fette downe by the three, fithi O H N doeth exprelly declare, thattheDifciplesfaweCH RISTonely twifeat Hierufalcm, bee- fore they went into Galilc : for bee fayeth that the thirde time he e appeared to thematthefca of Tybeiias. And hcchaddenoted two vifions before; name- ly this, whiche befell the next morrowe after the re furredion, and the other whichefoilowedcightdayesafter, though ifanyhadde rather expound it of thefecond,whicheisinM3rke,ldoc not greatly iiandeagainftit. Now I do retournc to Lukes wordes, Hedoethnotfay,thatChrifte by his diuinc power opened for himfelfe the doers which werefhur, but yet by xh^ssoxdjiandin^r^hc noteth fome fuch matter. For how could the Lord [odainely in the night, ftand inthcmidft of them^except that he had entred inifvonderfulIy?Butthefae form offalutation isfetdowncby both, Veacehetoyow.Vih^tthy the Hebrcwes do ^snify, that hs wjfheth vnto them glad and profpcrousfucceiTc, ^ Ddd,i^ $7. ^«< -po The Comment. (fM Jo, Caluwe* 57. Beit they wm afraid'.. lohnmaketh no mention ofthisfcare '.butfitb that he aUo (ayth that Chrift Oiewed his handes ^nd his fide to the difciples, it may be fappofcd that he omitted fomewhat- Neither is it an vnwontcd thing amon^ft the Euancehltes,wh.le they ftudy to bee compendious, to touch one- ly fonic part. Further, wee doc learne by Luke that they were fo amafed with the ftra'icrncfleof the fight, thatih:ydurftno:bcleeiie their owneeyes. Alitle beef)ietUcy hid mads their account that the Lord was nren,aad they afT.u-ed- ly fpike as ofa i-nittet w.^ll kaow.^n vnto them : now.^, when they doe beholde hlni with their eyes, thdrfenfesarefolhikenwithadmirationjthittheyina- mocked yet they doe rather inchne to this, that the imige of the refurreAion was propofcd to th^m in a vifioa by a fpirite, then th u Chritte himfelfe (hojlde bee prefent ahue, who euennowe oflate was dead vpo.i the erode. So they CmC peded it not to be a deceitfull vifion, as if it hid beene a viiac Ghoft ; but be- ingaTaid,th:y only thought that they had beene fhewcd by a fpirit.that which theyfaweindeedc. , ^ , , t i , 5». fj^oyareyeetroHhUd ? By thefewordes tney arc warncd,thattncy fhoulde*caftfeareout of their mindes, that by gathering their fenfcs togither, they mi-'ht iiidge as of a m atter whereof they hadde good triall ; for fo longas men are^holden with perturbadonsjthey are bhnd in the manifeft hght, There- fore, to the end the difciples may conceiue a fure knowledge,they are comraan ded to confidcrthe matter with (etlcd and quiet mindes. In the fecondc parte Chrift reprooucth the other fault -.namely, that by wauering betweene diuers thoughts, they hindred themfelues. And he fayeth that dottbus doe artfe, fignify- ing that the knowledge of the truthc is there l:ore choaked in them, that feeing they Ihouldc not fee, becaufe they doe not fapprefife the peruerfe imaginations.* but rather by giiung them Uberty,they giucthcm the preheminence. And true ly we doe prooue by experience, that this istootrue.-euenasthccloudesifthe skie be cU-are in the morning,bemg caned vppe on high,doe darken the clearc li^ht of the Sunne ; Co whik- we doe permit our owne rea'ons with too much li- berty to arifc againft the word of God, that whiche was euident to vs beeforc, istakeno.it oFour fight .It is mcete when there appeared any fhewi; of abfur- ditic, by fitting the rcafons on either fide to make fearch •• and it cannot other- wife be, but '3 our mindes in doubtful matters fiiould be caried hether and the- thcr.but the meane muit be holde in fobricty, leaft that ficlh fhuld lift vp it felf higher the is mecte,& fiiould fende lorth their thoughts far againft the heauen. 39 . Sff? wy /;.«'»i/. He inakech their corporall fcnfes witnelTes jcaft they fiiouldc thuake§ he fettetha ihadow before them in (tea J of a body. And firft,hedeftin guillicth a corporal 1 man fio.ia afpjrite,asifhee ihouldefay ; Sight and fechng (hall proue me to be the man in deede, which before was Cv^nuerfant with you; for I am cloathcd with the fame Helh which was crucified, and as yet it bearerh the.markes. Further, fith Chrift fayeth that his body is p.alpable.and compade offoundc bones, and by thcfe notes, diftinguiOieth, thefane from afpirit : thi» place is aptly and iruely alka^cd by oiii: men, to the refcllinge of the groITe er- - ' ' rous. vponthe Harmonieofthe luoftgeiifies \jg I four of tranfiibflantiation of bread into the body, or of the locall prefencc of the body, whi-hprcpoftcrousmenne doc imagine to bee in the holy fnppcr. For they would haue the body of Chrift to be there^ where there appearcth to* bee r.ofigne of the bodv« But by this meanes it (hould follow, that he had chan ged his owne nature, ih.uhefnouldceafcto be that which he was, andwher- by it wasproued to be the very body by chriit himlelfe Jf they do except aoainft this, that his fide was then peirced, & his feet boared through with the wounds of the naylcs,and fo alio his hand es, but that Chrift is now whole and found in heauen:thiscaiull is quickly anlwcred. Fcrthequeftionisnotondy in what hee appeared, bv.t what hee fpeakcth of the true nature of his flelh. And he doth attribute this as proper to him, that he niay be felt,that he may difi'cr from a fpi- j'it. Therefore alfo at this day it is neceflary that this difference Ihould remame betwecne the fleili and the fpirit ; which by Chriftes wordes was appoynted, as it may be gathered to bcfor euer. And ofthcwoiindesthismuft be accounted that by this leiTon he teachcth all vs, that Chrifi rather rofe for vs then for him! felfe,when as hee bccing the conquerourofdeath,& end ewed with the blcf- fed and celeftiall imniortaliiie, yet for their fakes which arc his, hee woulde for atimcbeaie themarkescfrhccrofl'c. This truely was a wonderfull faucur towardstheDifciplcSjthat hehaddc rather want fomcwhat hiinfelfe of the perfedglorjofthcreluiredion, then that they flioulde be defrauded of iuch ahclpe fortheir faith. Butitisafoohfhandanolde wiues fantafie to imaoine that hee flioulde yet remainefo wounded, when hccihall come iudgc of the world. M A P. K E . 14. Htt appeared ynto the eUuen as they fate together* I doc thinkethatthe participle anak^eimeneii , isnot hcerevfed for fitting downe at meatc, ( as foane doc ti anfiate it J but for fitting together; and thisis not done t^^ithoutieafon; if ibis yet be agreed vppon, to be the firftvifion which is here defcribcd ; For it was no time to fuppe about midnight. Alfo, if the table had beene ready prepared, it Ihoulde not agree with that which Luke fayeth a httie after, that Chrift demanded whethe[ they had any meate to eate. And it is a phrafc vfcd in Hebrew, to fit downe for to reft in (ome place. And the rcproofc which followeth rather, bclongeth to the firft vilion then tothe fecond :fov(as John witneflcth ) the Difciples reioyccd when they hadde (ecne the Lord the morrow after th.c PafTcouer, their vnbeleifc was then reproued. That feemeth to beetoomuchreftrained that many doc reftrainethefc wordes of Markc to Thomas onely . Therefore I had rather to expound it fimplic,that Chrift when he firft appeared to ths Apoftles, blamed thcm,becau(e they belecued not them which had beenc eye witnefiesof hisiefurreftion. Thou gh the hardne fib of heart is not condemned in this alone, ihatthey gauc r.ocreditetomcnne, but bcecaufe they becingconuided with the fuc- cetsc of the matter it fclf, they would net yet accept the teftiir.onie of tl:e Lord, Therefore fith Peter and Mary, CIcopasandhis fellowe, were net the fiift witncftes cfthcrcfurrcftion, biitonclyfubfcrib^dtoChiiftcs wcrdcs, it fol- loweth that the reft of the Apoftles did iniuric to the Lorce, bcecaufe they bclceued not hi$ woordcs, whichc yet were nowc prowcd true by thtir y^g2 rheConrnent.ofMJoXdmne Wherefore thcii-hardnelTeofhearEisworthilyreprouccljbecaufethata cor- rupt obliinacie was added to their llputhfulnelTe, asifthatoffet purpofc they {hould dcfire to fupprefle that which appeared to be true, not that their purpofc wastoextinouitlithe^loryofthcirmaiLter,ortorcprouchim ofvanitie , but becaufcthattheir amafednelfe hindered them honi yecldingthemfelues to bee taught. To bee lliort,heere is not a wilful! peruerfenefiecondemned ( as it was fayd before) butablindflouthfulncs^^whichromccimehardncthmcn , which otherwife are neither wicked nor rebelhous. Mathew. Markc* Luke 24. 41. j*ni while they yet bekeited not for ioy^ and won^ deredyhefaydeyntothem •• Haneycbeere anymeatef 4a* ^nd theygaue him apiece ofbroykdjijhej and &f an honie combe* 43 ♦ ^nd hectool^e it, and did eate before them, 44. Jind bet fay de ynto them'. Tbefe are the words whichel fpal{e ynto yon, while Iwa^yet with yot§^ , that all miiji be fulfilled, which are written ofmee in the lawe of Mofes,and in the Vrophets , and in the Vfalmes. 4 5 .Then opened he their ynderfitinding,tbat they might ynderjiand the fcriptures i^S.Andfayde ynto them : Thtait iswrhten ^andthus it behooued Chrift tofuffer , and to rife againefrom the the dead the third day. 47. ^ndthat repentance and remifsion offinne$Pjould be preached in his name among all nations beginning fir^ at HierufaUmt 48. 1^ rte,yeare witnejfes ofthefe things, ^g.^nd beholdeyl vnllfende the promife of my father ypponyot* : bttt taryye intlie citieofblierufaUm^yntill yee be endevred with pojt^er from an hie, 41, while they yetbeUeued not. This place alfo (hewcth that it was no« of purpofe that they beleeued not, as they which doe purpofc in their mind not tobelecuc ; but fith their will was earneftjy bent to beleeue, the vehemencie of their afFcdion held them fo bound, that they could rot be at reft. For certamly, the ioy whereof Luke maketh mention arof.: of no other canfe but of faith, and yet it was a hinderancc that their faith could not get the vidorie* Therefore let vs note howfufpitious we (liould be of the vehemencie of our afFedionSjwhich though it Ihoulde arifeof good bcginningcs, yet itcarieth vsasouerthrowne out of the right way . Weearealfo admoniniedhov\ediIiecntly welTiould ftriuc againft thehindcrancesoffayth, fiththc ioyconceiuedoftheprefence ofChrilte, wasacaufeof the Apoillcs increduliiie. And againc wee doc perceiuehowe louingly andkindely Chiiftcvfcth the infirmiueof his, who r^ufech I- c e vpo'a the Harrmnie of the Eudngelifles ♦ y ^ ^ refafethnottohoMthcmvpwithanewfnppIy; whichwete ready to fall And thoii-'h be h.iu jng obtained the newnefic ot ih? hcauenly life, hadde no moie neede of meate and diinke then the Angels, yet hce wiUingly fnbmittech him • fclfe to the common ordciofmortP.il men* All the courfeot his hfe hadde hee made himfelfe Pabieft to the neccfi^itie of meate and drinke • now being exemp- ted fro the fame, heeatethmeatctothisende,thnthemay perfwadcthe difci' plesof therefurredion. Sow^ (ee, thatwithoutregardofhimftlfe,hcbccarr, vvholy ours. This is a true and Godly meditation of this hyltorie, whertin th faithtull may wade profitably, forfaking curious queftions, as if the corruptible meate was difgeftcd, what nouriflimentflioulde the immorcall body of Chrilic takethereby : then what became of the excrements. As ifth:.titwcrcnoiat his plcafurcwho created all things of nothing, to turneahttle meat to nothing, whenitfliouldcforeemegoodto him. Therefore, as Chrill tailed in deede of a fifhandahonycombc, that he might fliew himfelfe to bee man/o it is not to bee doubted, butthat by his uiuine power hee confumed that which was not neeedfullfor nourifhment. Sol doubt not but that the Angclks at Abrahams table as they had very bodies , they catc and drank in deede.yet I do not there- fore orantthat they vfed meate and dnnkcforthe infirmity of the ffefli. but Hth thtit for Abrahams fake,'they were cloached with the fhape of man, the Lorde ^taunted this aifo to h:sfcruant, that thefe heauenly gueflesfhould eate before iiis tent Alfo, ifwegraunt that the bodies which they had taken for a timc,ar- terthey had done their meflage were brought toncthing, who will deny but that the fame became of the meats? 44. Tfjefeareihewor^ies^ Though by Afatthew and Markc it fl^ all afterward appeare that the fpeech which was had in Galilc,was not vnhke jct I doe think it probable, that Luke docth now report that which befell the morow after the refurredion. Forthatwhich lohndeliuerethofthatday, that he breathed vpon them, that he mi^ht giue them the holy Ghoft, doth agree with Lukes woords, which fhall prefently followc, hee opened their mindes , that they mi^ht ynderfiand thefcrmures. Chrifte alfo in thefe wordcsdoeth (harplyreprooue their profTe and nouthfullforgetfulneffe, in that they beeing before admonifhed that hte lliouldrifcaoaine, thatthcyfhouldbeefoaftowilhed,asifneucr any thing had bcene fpoken to them Forhiswoordesdosfignifie asmuch, asiFhecfliOulde fay : Why fiay you as at a matter flraunge and vnlooked for, which I haue ytc often tin-icb fpoken of before ? Why doc you not rather remember my words? For if you hauc hitherto accounted mc to be true, this llioulde haue becne w cil knownetoyou nowebymydodrinc, before it llioulde cometopafle • In fumme, Chriacdothfecretlycomplaine, that hee hauingfpred his dc6nnc, his hboui wasfoent in vaineamonofl his Apoftles. Aho he doth more lliarp - lyreprooucthei'rfooliainefre, when that he fayeth that hccdchucreth not any newthinac ; but onely called to niindc what hadde becne ^po'^'f"^>' ^f;^^'''' and the Piophets, which they lliould haue knowne fro jt their chiidchool. but as they were lonorant of the whole dodrine oUgodlines, yet there was nothing more abrurde;\hen not to embrace with (pecde, that vvhichthev were per m^^ ded to proceed from God, For that was holden as agenerall rule in th: whole nation , that there is no religion , but that which is containcainthc.a^c 79 4 ^^^ Comment* ^ftM. lo, Caiutne] and the Prophets. But liere is fet down a more full diuifion,thcn in other placei of the Scripture : for befides the lawe and the Prophcrs^ the Pfalmes are added in the third place, which, though they may by right hcenumbred amongft the Pro-^helies, yet they haue Tome thing proper and diftinde : yetllut two fol ie diui'io which wc haue fcene other where, doth not withftanding comprehend the whole Scripture. 45* Thenhe of ened their minie* Bccaufe the Lordc before executing theof- ficeofateacher,hadde profited little or nothing amongft his difcipks;, nowc he be^inncth to teach them inwardly by his fpiric . For the words are throvvne invaineintotheayrcjvntillthe mindesbclightned with the gift ofvndcrftan- ding. ItistruethatthewordofGodislikevnto a candle; but itgiuethhght in darkenelTe, and amongft iheblinde, vntill the eyes be hghtencd inwardly by the Lordc, whofeonelygiftcr; is to lighten the biindc, Pfalmeanhundreth, and fixe and fony, and the eight verfe. And heereby itappeareth howe great the corruption ofour nature IS , when the light of life offered in thehcauenly OiacIcSjdothprofirevs nothing « Butnowe, ifby vnderftanding wedonot perceiuc what iliould be right,how fhould our will be able to yceld obedience? Therefore it muft be graunted that wee are wcake eucry way, io that the hea- iicnly dodrincisnotothcrwifeprofitableandefFedualltovs , butfofarreas the fcripture doeth frame our mindes to vnderftand the fame : and our heartcs tobcefiibieftetotheyoakeofthefame: and therefore that wee may become fittc difciples vnto him, it is neceflary that all truft in our ownc witte being caft away,to aske for light from heauen, and alfo leauing the foolifti opinion off rce will, todeliuercur Iclues tobec gouerned by God . Anditisnotwithouta caufe that Paule in the firft to the Corinthians the 5. chapter , & the eighteene verfe, docthcommaundemenne to become foolifh, that they may be wife to God ; for the light ofthefpiritc cannot bceextinguifhedbya v\orfedarknes, then by trufting to our owne witte « Furthermore, lette the readers obfcruc that the difciples hadde not the eyes of the minde opened, wherewith without the helpe of God they might difcerne my fteries' but as they are comprehended in the fcriptures: and fo was that fulfilled, which was fpoken inthehundreth and nineteenePfalme, and eighteene verfe . Lighten mine eyes, thatlmay confidcr the maruellous workes of thy law. For God doth not giue fuch a fpirite to his children, as fl-ouldc abolifh the vfeofhiswoordc, but rather it fhoulde make the fame fniitfull . Wherefore fanatic all m.enne doe wickedly vnder pretence of leuelations grant themfelues liberty to defpife the fcripture. Fortnatwhichwedoereadchcreof the Apo- ftlcs , Chiifhe workethdailyinallhis,forthatbyhisfpirtthcdire<5leththcni to vnderftand the fcripture, but not to cary them to vnine imaginations. But it is demaunded why Chriftc hadde rather loofehislabour for the fpacc of whole three yeares, then to open their eyes prefcntly : I doe anfwere firfte, though the fruitc of the labour doeth not fo fpeedily appeare , yet it was not vnpro- fitabic ; for bccing lighuied a ncwe they alfo fclte the profite of the for- mer vpcn the Barmeme efthe Euangeitjles, -^ ^ mertimc. Fori doe nkc that their mindes were opene J, notonely that they might aftcrwardes bee apt to learnejfany thing rtioulde bee tau^lit them ; but that they might call to mcinone for their pFofite the dodrine heardc bceforc in vaine* Furthermore, that ignorance by the fpace of three yeares,coeth teach vs a profitable lefibn, that they obtained not this knowledge a ncwe by any other mcanes then by the heaiienly light. Adde alfo that cfhriftein this ihevyed an euidcnttokenofhis Godhead ; beecaufe that hee was notonely a miniftcr of the outward voyce, which ihould giiie a {oundein the cnrcs, but by his fecrctc powerhcepier-edintothemindes.-and fohcedeclarethchatitbeeIon<:'eth to him alone, whiche Pauic denicth to the dodours of the Church, i . Corinthi- ans I, 7' yet it is to bee noted that the Apoftles were not fovoyde and depri- ued of the light of vndr rftanding but that they knew foinc icy^ic principles ; but becaufe it was only almall taft which they had, this h accounted the beginnin-i n 19., Goe there fore. Tho^ighi^/arke, after hee hath dci-lared that Chnfte appeared to the elmendifciples, docth pr.-fently fetdowne the commaunde- mentofprcachin^theGofpell.yet hee doeth not note it as an aftionprtfcntly d'pne. For wee doc rather by the text in Mathew, that this was not done bcc- forethey wentintoGalile. Butthelummeis, thntby preaching the Gofpell entry where, they fliculde brino ail nations into the obedience offaith;then, that they (hould feaie and confirme their dodrine with the feale of the Gofpell. InMathewthey are (imply commaunded to teach; but Maike fcttcth downe whatkindcof uoarineitfliouldbce: namely , that they {hculd preach the ''' And O^ortly .-^fter is al^o added this reftrainte, that they (l^ouldc tc.uhe themtoobferue wh:t foeuer thingts the I orde commaiinded. "^"^^7 wee le^rne that the Apomefliippc isnot a vaine title of honour, Diit .a office oflaboure .• and therefore there isnothing mrre abfur.e , m n tollerable, then that thefc masked menne l^^«"l'^e/h^^,'"S%'^^'' /h, ;:^ ^ho.raigning in idlencITe, doc rcie^e the office oficaclung fronufac.n. Sco The Cb tnment, of M. U. Calmne The Pope of Rome andhisbanddocprou.llyboaftofthisrucfcfsion, as if that they fuftainc d the fame perfonin comir.on with Peter and his colleagues.* but in the mean fe^ifon they h?.ue no more care of the doAiinethen baudes or the PrieftsofBacchus.ind Venus- But with what facel befecchyou, doe they throft theinfelu^s into their place, who they hearewere created to be prea- chers of the Gofpell? B'.icthoughe they are not afliamcd to bewray their owneimpudencie.- yet wi;h all readers of foimde iudgemcnt this one wordc is firnoi? tnojc'Jitoouerthrow theirfantafticrJl Hierarchic, that no mancanbc a fucreflbur ol'rhf ApofUes ; but hee which feiueth Chrirte by preaching of the Gofpell to be ll^orte who foeuer docth not perform e the duetics of a teacher, doth faldy&wron'sfully take the name of a teacher. For this is the Pricfthoodc of the Newteftamrnt, with the fpiriiuall fwordcofthe woordetokillmennc forafacrificetoGOD. W>.ereforc it followeth that they all are degene- rate and couRtcrfait facnficers , whiche doe not apply the office of tea- ching. Tciche all nations* Heerc Chrifte by taking away the difFcrence,docthmak€ the Ge;u !cs equall with the Icwes, and doth generally admittc them both into the fellow lippe of the couenaunt.ThitheralfoappertaineththcwoordeGo//;^ Forthe Pronhcts vnder the lawe were rellrained within theboundesofluda; but nowe the partition wall being ouerthrowne, the Lorde commaundcth the minilkisofthc Gofpell to goe farrc abroad for the fpreading of the dodrine of fal(i3tion through all the coaftcs of the world e . For thoughe the dignity of the firft boine(as we touched cucn nowe) (houldc at the firfte remaine amongtt the lewcs yet the inheritance ofhfe was common to the Gentiles. So was ful- filled thatprophefieof Ifaiahwith the hke, that Chrifte is giuen tobcalighc to the Gencle$,that he mightc bee the faluation of God vnto the outmoft parte oftheeafthjfai.49 6.That is M at kcs meaning by all creatures; for after thac peace was preached to thcmofthehouflioulde the fame meffagc commethto them alfo which are a farre ofI,and to llraungcrs.Further how ncccffary it wa« that the Apollles fhoulde be plainly admonilhed of the calling of the Gentiles, it doth thereby appearCjthat after they had receiued the commandcment to'goc vnto them,they were greatly afraid, as if they ihould defile thcmfelucs& the dodrinCjAd.io.ig. Ba^ufmg them, Chrift commaundeth that they fhuld be baptized, which fhuU giue their name to the Gofpelljand fhould profefTe themfelues to be difciplcs.* partly that it might be a witneflc vnto them of eternal life before God, partly that It mighte be an outward figneoffaith before men. For we know § by this figne god doth witntlTe vnto vs the grace of his adoption;for he graftcth v$ into the body of his fon that he might account vs to be of his flocke & therefore our (pirituall wafhing wherewith he reconcilcth vs vnto himfclf,& the new rightc* oufncfle are there reprefented. But as God confirmeth his grace vnto vs by this 2cale,fo who foeuer do offer themfelues to baptifme,they do in like maner bind their faith as it were by giuing of an obligation. Alfo fith § Apolflcs haue thefc duetics cxprefly commitcd to their charg togither with § preaching ofp Gcfpel, it followeth i there arc no other lawfull minifters of baptiihic butthcy which do vp9n theBarmonieoftheEmfigelifies. £^ , alfominifterdoarinc. Therefore, where Iibertic hath bccne<^raMntcd to mi uatemcn and alfoto women to hnptife, bcecaufc itisnotagr^ablcco thcin' f mitionofChrift, it was nothing elfc but a mecreprophanatfcn. Alfo where the hrlt plac e is appoynted for dodrinc, there is a true difference fct downe bee tyv;f cne this myfterie and the adulterous rites of the Gentiles, wherewith thcr doc enter themfehics irito their religions ; for vntill God by his word ihall due lite to the earthly clement, it is made no Cicrament for vs. As lu rcrftition hath a prcpolJerous emulation at all the wcrkcs of God, Co foohni men doe frame diuci s facraments ac cording to their owne pkafurc r but bccaifc they wint the worde as the foule, they are vaine and toyifli fliadowes. VVhcrcfoi c let vs note that by the power of the doctrine it com.mcth to pafle that the fignes doe put on anevfe nature; foas the outward waOiing of the 6e{h, begmneth to be a fniritu all niedge of regeneration by the doarine of the Gofpell going before • & this is the right confecration, in fleadc whereof Pop er)- hath brought in vppon v$ magicallcxorcifmes. Andihcreforeitisfaydcin Markc. H'.e%at g.allbdttut and beUptifed^ by whiche wordcs Chtiftedoeth not oncly exclude hypocrites from the hope of[aluation, who bcemg without faith, at e oncly pufied vppe with the outward figne; but hee ioyneth baptifme to the holy band ©f dcdrine, that this IlK'ulde bee nothing elf?, then an addition to that. But bccaufe C /irift commaundeth them lo teach beeforehc con-imaundethtobaptire,and willcth that onelybelecuers beet eceiued to baptifme, baptifme feemcth not tobec rightly miniltred, except thatfaithfliouldcgoebecforc. Andvndcrthispre* tcnce the Anabapiiftshaueilirred much agamft the baptifme of infams , Yet it is not harde to becanlwered,if any manne fhallconfidcr the reafon of the commandemcnt. Chrift commandcth that the embaffage ofeternallfaluation fhouldebeecaryedtoall the Gentiles: heeconfirmcththefameby adding the feale of baptifme . And there is good caufewhythe beieeuing of the woordc is felte before baptifme fith the Gentiles were altogiiher llraimgers from God, and had no fellowfiiip with the elcft people -.for oiherwife it (liould h lue beenc a lying figne which ftiould offer forgiuenefTe of finnes, and the gift of thefpirit tovnbclecuers, who as yet were not the members ofChrift. And weeknowc that they are gathered by faith, who were before difpearfcd. Now it is dtman« dcd vppon whatcondition God adopted them to bee his fonnes, which before were firanngers . It cannot certaiiiely bee denied, whenhee once accepted them into hisfauour, but that hce extcndeth the fame to their children and ne- rhcwes . AtthecommingofCHRI ST he (hewed himfelfe gcncrallyto Lee a Farher both to the Gentiles and to tl>elewc$ . Therefore itisncctila- ry that the promife whiche was in times paft made to thelewcs, iLoulde alfo .^c this day bee of force art ongtft the Gentiles, I will bee thy God and the GOD ofthy(eedcaftcrthee;GcR. 17. 7.Soweefeethcm5whichby f:.iih.Treentred into the Church of God, to beaccountedforthemerobersof Chrific,and alio to bee called to the inheritance offaluation. And yet baptifme i inn by ihu mcanes (eparatcd from faith or doftrinccfor though yong infants do not yet by reafon of their age take hold of the grace of God by faith,yet God acceriincof their parents, doeth alio embrace them. I doe therefore dcnic it tobecrafidy done to baptife infants, whereto the Lordc doth call them, while he promi'trh »?-.-> them 1 £«c« go2 The Cmm€ti^,9fMM Calme. them to be their God. Inthenameofthefathn. TOsphccdocth tcachthcfull aiid cuidcntknowlca2eofGoJ,thewhichbcciag but darkclymadovved forth vnder the lawe and th-i Prophets, at the Icngtarpranpe foorthvi^^ iJomeofChrilk. The oldc fathers neiier dur I calGod taeir Father, it they hadde not taken this hope from Chr.fte their head : neither were they altogi. ther .-uoraat of the .ternall wifcdo.nc of God, whiche was the fouiuaine of li.htandhfe. It was alfo one of their confeflcd principles, that God hicwcd foorthhispow^rintheholy Gholl. Butatthcarifingof the Gofpell, Ood was much more manif elHy llie wed vnder the three pcrfons : for the father then rc- ueiled himfclfe plairiely in the fonne, his liucly and cxpreffe image : and Chnft ^ hi i.fcUe h^htenino the world by the deare brightnellc of his fpirit, made both ^ him and himfelfc to be knownc.But it is not without caufe that hcere is exprcflc mentionmadeoftheFathcr,oftheSonnc,and ofthefpirit : forthc force of baptiGne cannot be apprehended othcrwifc,thcn by beginning at the free mcr cy of the Father , who reconcilcth vs vnto himklfc by his oneiy begotten Son : then ihall Chnft himfdfc appcarc before vs with the facrificc of hiS death; and at the lenoth the holy gholl lliaU alfo come, by whom he waHieth and rcgene- raieth vs : and at the length he maketh vs partakers of all their good giftcs . So w.e doe fee,that r?ee doe not rightly knowe G O D, except that oar faith doc diftmftly concciue three perfonsin one elTence, and that the cfficacie and fruiC of baptifmc doth come from thence, that G O D the Father adopteth vsinhif Sonne, and by the Spirit, we beemg pureed from the filthincfle of our flelh,hc rcformethvstorighteoulncfle, ,,,,.., M ^ R. i6. Htft/;4ty%>d// iallengethtohimfdfc to thisrule.For we ihould ealily fufJerJr.Hn to btc Pcicr. 0^ Paules fucccITor, fo that he would nor raignc tyrannic ally ouerfou'cs. ^0 4 The Comment.ofM, /#. C^tHme* Butlithhercie^ingthcgouemmentofChriftjdcfilcththc church vtith his owne 6Uhy trifles, it doth hecrebyappearcfufficicntly, how far he falleth from the AnoilolicalUunftion. Infummcjletvslearncthac by thcfe woordes they arcniadedodoursofthc Church, not which doc vtctr what foeiier they (liall thmk -ooo, but which (lull alfo themfelues depend vponihc mouth of this one m.iii- erjthnt they may procure difciples to him, and not vntothemfelucs* Beholdelamwnhyoi4. 13ecaufe Chrift did lay a charge vppon the Apoftlcs, which they couldc not difcharge, vfing onely the power of man,hcc doth com- fort them with the hope of his helpc from heaucn. For before that he promiftth to be prefent with tht m,he fay th firft that he is king of hcauen and of earthjwho w.th his hand and power goutrneth all things. Therefore this pronounc (i) mull be read as a word of great force :asif hchadfaydjifthe Apoftlcs would throughly doe ihcir duty, they muft not lookc what they can doe themfelues, 0 but they mull depend vpon his inuincible power, vnderwhofe directions they doe f'oc to warre. But the maner of his prefence, which the Lord promifeth to his Inuftfpirituallybevndcrftood: foritisnotneedefuUthathce fhoulde dc- fccnd from hcauento hclpe vs,fithby the grace of his fpirit,as with a handftret- chedoutfromheauenhe may helpevs«Forhe,whicninre{pcd:ofhisbody isa great way did ant from vs,doth not only fpread the efficacic of his fpirit through the whole world, but alfo doeth verely dwell in vs. Furthermore, it is to bee noted, that this was not fpoken to the Apoftlcs on ely; for the Lord promifeth his helpc not to that age onely, but vnto theendof the world. Therefore it is 3smuch,asifhelhould hauefayd,howwcakcrocucrtheminiftcrsof thcGof- pcllbe,andhauewantofallthinges,hewillbc their cheifecaptainc, that they may become conquerours oucr all the affaults of the worlde. As plxine expe- rience tcacheth at this day, that Chrift in a fecret maner doeth worke wonder- fully; fo that the Gofpellpreuailethagainllinnumerablclets.So much the iefle is the wickcdneflc of the PopiQi deargie to bee borne with, while they doc lay this colour vpon their facrilegious tyranny. They doe fay that the Church can not erre which is goucrned by Chrift. As if that Chriftc,no otherwifc then as fome common fouldiour would let out his labour to hire to other captaines;and not rather retaining the authority wholcly to hirafelfe, tcftifieth that he will be a defender of his dodlrincjfo as his miniftcrs in him may hope to bee conquc- rours of the whole world. Mathew. Markci^^ Luke 24. 19. So after the L9rd had fpol^nynto themjjeetvas receiued inte heauen^ and faieattlte right hande of God. zo. ^nd they vent foorth and preached euery "Prhere^ And the Lorde wrought e Yviththem ^and confirmed the word mthjignesthat fQllowtd^Amen, . 50. Afterward^he led them forth int^ B*- thania , and lifte yppe his handesand blef- fed them. $ I. And it came to pajfe^ that as he blejfei them,he departed from them^and vas caried ypintoheatten, J x.AndtheytrorJJj/ppedhim cJr f*turntdt9 lerttfaltm with great ioy* ^5. And were continitally in the temple^ frajfinge andlaudirt^ GOD, Amen, lf,S9 1^4 SodftertheLord 4 Bccaufe that Matthew had royally ef tolled the kine- dome of Chiift abouc all the Worlde, he fpeakcth no word of his afcention in- to heauen, Marke alfo roakerh no mention of the place and of the mancr; both the which are cxprelled by Luke. Forhefayeth that the difciples were led out into Bethani.i; that from the mount of Ohues, ( from whence the Loi d haddc come to bearc the ignominic of the croflc ) hcc inightafcend into his ctleftiall throne. And as he would net be feene generally of all menne , when he was rettored to hfe •• To hte admitted not all to bee wjtnefies of hisrefurredion into heauen, becaufe that he would that this myilery of thefayth fliould rather bee knowne by the preaching of the Gofpell, thentobefeenewith eyes. It fol- loweth in Luk e^that C hrift lifting v/> his hands on hie, blejjed the ^foy?/f 5. Where- by he teacheth that the office of blcffing, which vnderthe law had been cora- irattedtothc Prieib.doeth truly and properly belong to him When men doc mutually blcflethemfelues, that is nothing clfe then to pray for their oood: But the rcafon is farre otherwifewith God, who not onely fauoureth the rcqr.efts, but with his onely bcckepcrformethwhatfoeucris to bee wifhed forvs . But fith that he is the onely authour of all bleffing, yet that his grace might bee the . more familiar, his will was that the Prieftcsm the beginning, fhould as media- tours bleffe in his name* Soy^clchifedec, Gen. 14. ip. blcflcd Abraham.: and in Numeric 6. 13 . there is fct downe a perpetuall law for this matter. To the famcalfoiippcrtainethihatwhichjsreadinthc Pfilme, 1 18« 2^ . Wee doc bleflc you out of the houfc of the Lord. Furthermore, in the 7. chapter to the Hebrewcs, the 7« verfcjihe Apoflle faith that it is a figne of excellency to bleflc others* For the Icflc (faith he) is blefled of the greater. Now, when Chrillc ( the true M elchifedec and the eternall Priefl) came into the Iight,it was mcetc that in him (h ould b e fulfilled, that which was fliadowed by the legall figurcs,as PaulealfoteachethjEpheC I. ^. thatweareblelTcdby God the father in him, thatwe might becomerich in all heauenly good things * Therefore heconcc bMed the Apoftles openly and with a folemne rite , to theendethefaithfull might cary thcmfelues the next way to him, if they defire to be partakers of the grace of God. In the lifting vppe of hands there is an oldc ceremony dcfcribed, A\hich we know the Priefls vfed in times paft« 51. ^nd they Vfor/hi^ped him . By the woorde i»Qr[hippinge, Luke doeth iirfl declare that the Apoftles wereputout of doubt, becaufe that the maicfty of Chrifteappearedthcnoneueryfide, fo that now there could bee no doubt of his rcfurredion « Furthermore, for the fame caufe they beganne to woorlLip him with greater reuerence, then when they enioy ed his company vppon rhc earth . For thcworQiippcwhercofhccfpeakethnowe , isnot onely as to a maifler or to a Prophet, neither as to one onely halfe knowne to bee the 3/eI* fias, butitwasyeeldedastothekingofglory and iudgeofthcworldc . Buc becaufe that Luke was purpofed to extend his hyllorie longer, hce onely f .nyeth briefly what the Apoliles fhould doc for ten daycs. But the fum is,thnt through the feruency ofioy they brake out openly into the pray fes of Gody & were d^y- ly in the Temple . Not that they pafTed the nights and the daycs there, buc becaufe they frequented all the affcmblies , and were prefer t at the appoyntcd ^d I olcmne houres to yccldc thankes vnto God. Alfo ihis dilljgcncc n oppo- Ecc.j. ^^ -^^ TheCQwment.of MAo.Ca!Hine fed CO the fcarc.which kept them before fhut vp and hidden in the houfc. AfARKE. 19. ^ndfateattherighthandofGodAhnutmcthCTphcesde- clared what this fpeachll.Guldmeane: that is, Chrift is lifted vpon hie, that he may be aboue Angels and all creatures •• that the father might gouerne the woddebyhishande; that,tobeefhorte, cucrykneemightbowbcforehim. Therefore it is as much as if hee fhoulde bee called Gods vicar,who fupplyeth hispcrfon . Wherefore it is not conucnient that fomccertainc place IhouWe bceimapmed, yvhenasthc right hand doth Meraphoricallyfignifie the fccond poweifromGod . And Markc added this purpofcly : that wee miaht know that Chiift was notreceiuedintothcheauens,thathe might enioyablefled reft farrcfrom vs , but that he mightgoucrne the world for theialuation of all ihc ^°io . Jndthty rvent forth. Markc doth briefly touch bcere thofe things which luke'dothprofecute hyttorically in the fecond booke,that theyoyce of a fmall & a bafe company of men thmdrcd foorth eucn to the vttermoft endes of the world For the more incredible the matterwas,thcmorecert3inclyappcarcd the myrade of the heauenly power. All men thought that Chrift by the deatlr of the crofTc was either vtterly ouer throwne, orfo ouerwhelmed , that there Iho'ild be no mention of him at any time, but reprochfnll & dcteftibIe,The A- poriles whom he had chofen to be his witncfl^es,filthily forfaking him^had hid- dcnthemfclucsin the darke;thc ignorance & rudenes of them was Co grcat.and alfo the contempt fo grcat,that they durfl fcarce fpeakc abroad. Was there any hope of men vnlearned & of no account,yea,& ofrunnagates,that by the found of their mouih they fliould bring lo many difpctfed vndcr the Empire of a man crucified? There is therefore great weight in thefe words, that they went forth & preached eu^ry where, which euen now for fearc durft not fpeak in their fc- cret corner. For ib vnlooked for a conuerfion in a moment could not bee done by man. And iherfore markeaddeth,T/7e Lordwrottgut withthem.dgniiyino that this was the very workc of God. Yet this phrafe of {peach doth not make a par* tition betweene their worke or hbor,& the grace of God,as if that they of thc- lelues could do any thing : but he mcaneth fimply that they were holpe of god, bccaufethataccordingtotheHclh theyfhoulde haue attempted that in v.iine5 which is yet wrought by them* I grant that the miaifters of the word are called fellow helpers ofGodj I. Cor. J. ^ inasmuchashevftththeirminiftery.-butit is to be noted that there is no power inthem,but thatwhich he giucth the. Fur- ther, they doe preuaile nothing by planting and by watering, except the fecret workmen ofthcfpirit do ecaufe it to encreafeC9»^rwe^'Or vpould not refufe to take that charge vp en me^vnle^e I Jhould haste fogottenmy dutietowardes (jod his Chi4rch^& my friendes <^ now for a/much (Gentle ^ea^ der) AS the principal recompence ofmypainesflyal be that pro- fit* which thou fl) alt reape by the reading ofthismytr'-wfitony J befeech thcerefufe not to take feme paines in reading the famed haue notfluft it full of sir age words deriued of the La- tine which mizhtno leffe molefl thee^thenifthey continued La- tme as they wered haue not racked the phrafes to make them runnefmoothly^tdpleafe daintie eares,(^fo digreffedfrom the truth and meaningofthe anthour*. buty fo mtich as pofstb/e I could I haue tranjlatedwordefor worde^whtchthe learned by conference JhallwelperceiucLong time haue the godly defred to haue this workepubl'Jhedin the Sngl fh tongue f^ feeing they haue thetr de fire now my re^ueji vnto them is^ to accept ofmypnnes herein^ I dare not good Reader prefume fofarre vponmme orwne skill ^^ astof aye that there ts no faultes comr* mittedheeretn^ but I amearnejily to deflrethee rdther cour- tcoufiy to amend them then curioujly to condemne me for them K/^ndthustrufiingtothy curtiefie I commute thee to thetuitioH tfthe ^Imi^htte whofo dire^ thee by hi^fpirite^hat by rea- ding thou tnaiefi prefite , TliineinthcLordc, Chriftophcr Fetherllon4^ The CommentarieoffohnCaJme, i vpon the Gofpel after Iohii« Theprefaec* To the right honorable Lordes^ the Syndiques and Senate ef Genena^ hit right reuerende Lsrdes^ loJin Caluine wtjheth from the Lordc, the fpiric of wifdome and ftrcngth, and pro-^ rpcrous fuccclTc of goucrncmcnt. S often as I call 'to myndc that faying of Chrift wherein heemaketh lb great account of that dutie of humanitic which is bellowed vppon the gathering together of ftraungcrs, that hce maketh account of it as doneto liun : I doe there withail remember vnto howe great honour hee hath vouchfafed to promote you who hath made your Citie a place not for one or a few to dwell in, but a common Inne for his Church to lodge in, Hofpitalitie hath notonclybeene commended amongft tlie Heathen , butit Jiatli alfo becne accounted one of the chicfeft vcrtues : and therefore in whofoeuer they, would condemne extreeme bar- fcarifine and manner altogether vnciuill,they called them axe- irw/, or men which were not giuen to hofpitalitie. But farre more excellent is your praife becaufe the Lordc Jiath appointed you in thefe troublefome and miferable times, to be tiiofe vnto whofctuition the godly might commit them- ielues and vndcr whofe feathers the innocent might bei fhrou dedjwhom the tyrannie of Antichrift, being no Icfiefauagc then facrihgious, doeth chafe and drme away outte of their owne countries and natiuc foyle ♦ And this is not all but hee hath alfb dedicated an holy houfc amongeft you vnto his owne name, where hee may bee worfbipped f inccrcJy. Who- foeuer hee bee that mdeuoureth either pubhkclie to cut off, or priuilie to take away the leaft part of tlicfe two, hee doeth notonely goe about to disfigure your Citie bccing Ipoylcd of her principall ornaments but alio hce malicioully cnuicth the health therof.For although thofe godlygood turnes which A ^c are hsre done vnto Chrift Sc liis difpcavCed members da caufe the wicked like dogs to barke a-aimlyou , yec oughc this one rccoinpence to faffice youchat the angels of he^ien and the children of God out of all partes ot the worlde doe ble Fc you :ro that you may freely defpife their rotten raihng, who make no more confcience, nither are more adiamcd to fpuc outwhatfoeucr, againftGOD hunfelfe, then againft you : and which going about to llandcryou , doe beegm firllco blafphemeGod. Although this lelfe fame occafion doth m^ flame that hatred of many againft you , yet ought you to be no whit afraid therefore, lb long as hee will afTilt you agamlt th-irfu^ , who hath promiled that hee Will taithtuUykeepe thofe cities' wherein the doaaneoFhis Gbfpellis preached, and any refting place is prepared for thole godly mennc whom the world canno:away with.I omitteto fpeake of tins thatyoaneedc notto care for pacifying of this km de of e^. nimies,fecingthatthercisno manne whohateth you for the Gofpcis fakeTwho would not either haue you deftroied or op^ prclFed, But admit wee graunt that the fworne enncmies of found do6lrinc doe hate you for no other caufe faue this, be- caufe they lee you defend the fame: yet fetting light by their praaifes andthreatnings, youmuftvaliantly amintaine thefc two inuincible fortreffes that worfliippe of pure religion,&thc godly care to nourilhe the Church, which Chrifle hatJi com^ mittedto you, that you may broodethe fame vnder your wings. As touching thofe raiUnges wherewith the Pope his meritorious brawlers doe molell vSjthat wee are fallen away from the Church, becaufe we dilTcnt from the Sea of Rome. would to God we could teftifie with ful cofidencc before god ^ his angels,that we are moftfir diftant fro that pollution,as we can acquit our fclucs of that crime which thay vfe to lay to our charge. They make their boaft of the cathohke church, who haue left no part of all the do6lrine of the law &i the eof- pel free fro filthy corruptions,who haue prophaned the whole worlhip of Godwith the ftinke of fuperltition,who haue not bii^aifraidto corrupt all ^odhU decrees with their inuetions, Ys4u the frefa^ ^ 1rca,tlictrultitiidc of errors wherewith they haue futuertcd all religion is io vniucrfall, that .they are lufficicnt looucr- whchiie & dcftroy the church an i oo. times. Therfore wee can neiicr cxtolllo highly as it dcferucth,thc infinite goodncs of Godj whereby it is come to pafle,tliat wee ckaping myra- culoufly out of that deadly gulfc , haue the anciior of our faitii firmly fixed in the found & eternal truth of God. And truly this one Commentary fhal lufficiently teftifie(asl hope) d^atpapiftrieis nothing els but a monfter compoled of in- numerable errors of Satan, & that that church which they ob icct vnto vs is more confuled then Bahjlon, In the meanc fea- fon I will freely confcfle the truth that wee arc not far enough diftant from the filth of that pit,whofe contagio doth fpread kfclfe too farre, Antichriil doth complaync that we are llipt away from him: but wee are compelled to moume , for tliat too too many of his vices , wherewith hcehathinfcaed the World5doeremaineanK)ng{lvs, Vmovs is rcftored tlic fin- cere puiitie of doarinc, pcrfeft religion, the fimpic wor- (hip ct God, the right crder^xfthefaaaiiKnt, which wasdc- liueredbyChrift But the chiefcft caufe why there is not a- mongft vs fuch reformation of maners & amendment of hfc astlifreougl^to bee, isthis, becaufc a great parte becing as yctmindhiUof that vnbrideled libcrtie, wherewith the Pa- piftcs doe freely waxe wanton againft God , cannot accu- ftomthemfeluesto Chriftes yoke . Therefore whereas our aduerfaries(totheendc they may caufe the vnskilfullvniuft- lyto hate vs> doe contemptuouilycrie out that we haue bro- ken all sood crderanddilcipline, their falfeilander isrcfu- ted fufficiently with this one thingc ( though wee doc holdeourpcaceO in that there is nothing, aboute wJiicii wee haue greater contention amongeft our lelucs , tiicn this: namely, our rigour, which , as feme men thynKe, is unmoderate . But fceinge tliat you are able verve wcU to witnefie with mce and thofe who arc my fellowes in office , tliat wee are no more feuere or ftraite;then the n^celsuie ot our office doctli require, andalfomforcevs co-bcca^wee doc reft Tafdy in the iudgcment ofyour eon- fdeiicc, fo*on chc otherlide you may eafily iudge, as though the matCcr were before you, how ridiculous the impudencic of ou r aduer laries is on this behalfc, Now (chat I may fpcake lomcvvhat particularly of my fclfe); although I am perfuaded that all the worlde doth know how ihaue mftru6led this Church with many of my writigs yet I. thought it would be worth the paine ii thcr^ ihouldelome monument thereof be excant,which fhuld beeidedicated vnto you, For it skilleth much that that kinde of doftrine be ict be- fore all men which you know, I haue taught. And although I haue endeuored to profite you & the people which is com- mitted vnto you euen after my death, in thole bookes which 1 haue hitherto publillied and it is not meete that that do- 6kine, which hatti flowed out of your Citie vnto other na- tions farre and svydc would bring forth fruit plentifully and be negle^led in her owne place;yet I hope that this commen- tarie which is peculiarly confecrated vnto your name,wil cake deepe roote in your memory. And that this thing may come to paife, I befeech the liuing God (b deeply to write the I'amc in your hartes,thatit may not bee blotted out by any fubtilc fieight o^ Satan .For it is in his handes to giue fuccefTe vnto my labors who hath of late giuen me this mmde to^defire nothing more then faithfully to care for the faluatio of you al. Furtiier n^ore^asIprofc{^e before the world that I am farre from that diligence of a good fheplieard, which is exacted and from o- ther vertues which the greatnes and excellency oFminc office do require & do continuallybefore god bewaile mine eltate, for that I am troubled with fo many vices which doe hinder my courfc : fo I dare'proteft tliac I wat nofairhflilnes & good WjlL And if in the meane while the wicked doe not ceafe to repine and fpeake againft me,as it is my dutie by wcl doing to refute their llandersjlb itfhalbc your pait tofupprefle theifame bytliat holy aiithoritie wherein youexcell. Farewell my right honorabit Lordes, whoiti I ought to reucrence in Chnft,vn» to whofe tuitionlcommicyou* At Gfncftathc firft of lanu- ajyil/53. The Argument vpon lohn. Tis Well l^noxvm vof)*t thiswocrde Euangelium, or Gofpeli doth ftgnifit amongft the Grcciam : and in thefcrifturesh is chtefiy takfn for the ioyfull anA happie rnrjjage of that .^ ynto yndttfl and ittrdtT mthis they had refpef} to the time wherein he writ'.but the contrary order is more profitable in reading:that being afterward aboute to reade in Mat- the vre that Chrifi rvasgiuen ys of the father^ we mayfirji learne out of lohn to vhatend^ be rras reuealed, ^ The holy Golpel of /efus Chrifte according to lohn, 7i,the beginning was the wordj and the ytord was with God and that wordewas God^ 1. The fame vas in the beginning with God» 3 . ^11 thingts were made by it^and without it was wade nothing which was made* 4« In it was life^ and the life was the light of men. 5. ^ndthe light fhineth in the darl^nejfe^ 4nd the dark^ue^e comprehended it not, The Qommentarie ojfohn Caluine. X. IVjhe beginning was the word. In this exordium he fliewcth the ctcrnall Di- uinitie of Chriftjto the end we may know that he vraseternall God, who was made minifeft in the flerh.Fiirthcrmore,this is the drift thereof, that it was rcquifite that mankindc fiiould bee rcftored by the fonne of God, feeing that by his power all thmgs were created, fithence it ishealoncwhodoetn breath life and ftrength into all creatures, that they may rcmaine in their ftatc : and efpecially feeing hcchathlhewedinmanamoftmanifeft token as well of his power as of his grace; fo that cucnafter the fallof Adam hee ccafed not to bee liberal! & bountifull toward his pofteritie. And this dodrinc is very neede- full to be knowne, for feeing that we mult not feekc for health and life without Godjhow (hould our faith leanc & reft vpon Chrift, vnleflc wee were fully per* fwaded of that which Chriftjtcacheth in this place ? Therefore the Euanglift tcacheth in thc(c words that we do not depart from the onely and eternal God whonsis v^ee bcdccucin Chriitc : Secondly , that through his bencHte life vpon the Goffeloflohn^ « life is nowc rcflorcd to the dead, who hauing his nature as yet pcrfefte w.is the foiintainc and caiife of hfe « Itfeemeth tomcc that this was the ondyrcafon that mooued him to call thefonncofGod,. the wordc, beecaufehecisfirltof allthectcrnallwi'edomeand willof God.fecondly, thecxprcncimaceofhii counftll. For as the fpeach is called themarkcor printeofthemiadesinir.cn, fo is this alfonotvnfitlyapplyed vnto G O D, to lay that hce rraketh himfelfc knowne vnto vs by his wordc.Thc other fignifications of this v\ordtr lopoj arc not fo fit for this purpofe. loiroi doth lignific amongeii the Grecians both a de- finition, a realonjand an account, buti will not fubriliy play the Philofopher abouethecapacitie ofmy faith. Andwcefeethitthefpihte of God isfo fair* from allowrngfuchfiibtiltie, that applying himfelfevnto our weakenclTc, in keeping filencc hee cryeth, howc foberly wee ought to bee wife in fuch hidden myRcncs. Furthermore as God did reucale himfclfe in creating the \Torlde by this W Trd, fo he had the fame laid vp in himfclfe before ; fo chat there is a double re lation, the former vnto God, the latter vuto men. Seruetus the proudell knaue whiche S/?««euer brought foorth, feigncththat this eternal! wordedid ihea take his beginning, when hee was reuealed in the creation ofthcworlde ;Asif it were not before fuchtime as the power thereofwasknowneinthccxter.iall worke. The Euangchllteachethafarieotherthingmthispjace forhccdorh not asfignc any beginning oftime to the worde, but in that he faith it was from the beginning, he goeth beyond all ages And I am not ignorant what this dog barketh, and what the ^rrians did fomeiimcs cauill : namely, th.u God did in the beginning create heauen & earth^whichnotwithrtandingarenoteternaH: becaufc this worde 6e^/»«/ng doth rather refpecl the order, then betoken the c- ternitie. But the Euangelift preuenteth this fnif t, when he faith that it was with God. If the worde began to be from time,it muft nee es be thatthcy muft find fomecourfeoftimesin God . Andtruelylohndidincendeby thi$particle,by nameto diltinguifh the word from all thinges which are crcned . Formany thinoes might come into the mindcs of menne, where that worde Hiouldc bee, howliee fliould {hewe forth his force,of what nature hee was,how he could be knowen.Thercfore he faith that wee mufl not cleeuc to the worlde,and things which areci-eated; becaiifc itwasalwaycsioynedto God ,beeforetheworluc was. Nowc whereas fome doe wreft the word Z^c^/nwift^ vnto the beginning of the heauen and the earth, doe they not make Chrifte fubied to the common order oftheworlde,fromwhiche he is flatly exempted m this placerWherc in they doe mofl cruelliriiurienotonely to the fon of God,but alio to his eucrJait- ingfather,whomtheyfpoyleofhiswifedome.Ifit beeanhiinousoflcncetoi- magineG?d without his wifedoe,vve muft confelTe that we muft no whcieciic feeke for the beginning of the wor'djfaue only in the eternal wifedomc of God. 5er«?r«jobieaeththatthc word cannot becomprehendedbceforcfuch time as Mofts brinaeth in god fpeaking-as if he were not in God,becaufc he was no t o - penly knowne, that is,as if he were not withm vntill Inch time as hee l>cgAn to come out.Butthe Euangelift cutteth offal occafion of fuch mad doubt.nii.whe be affirmcth without exccptio § the word was with god,for he dotli m.inifchly recall vs fro aU moments of time.Thcy wiuch gather § prepetual flate out oi the A4, f^^- S The Commentarie of CM, h. Calnme, Pretcrimperfcacnfeofthcvcrbcjtheyleanctoaweake rcafon . The WoiJe (was) fay they, doc th more cxprcllc the continuall coiirf«, then iflohn fhculde haue laydjW/p beenc.Mi they mult realon more ftron^ly in fuch waipiitie m-t- tcrs Add thnt one thing wh,che I brought, ought to Yufficc vs, that the Euan, gchit lendcth vs iiuo the etcrnallfecrct phices o\ God, that wee may know that the word was as it were hidden there, befoi e fnch time as it did reucale it kV^ inthecxternallfiamingofthcworIde.Thcrefore^«-«/?;»efaith very well that this beginning which is mentioned in this place, is without all becoinnin-' For akhough the father i% before his wifedomc in order, yet they fpoylc him^of hij glory, whofoeuer doeimaginc any moment of time wheiein he was before his vviledome. And this is the cternall gcneration,which lay hid in God lono cin.c before the creation of the worId,Cthat I may fofpeake) which was nian/vcars obfcure y Ihadowed to the fathers vnder thelawe, and wasatlenoth more ful- ly rcucaled in the ficlh. I marueiie whatmoucd the Latinifts to tiariQat- Lcir:mndehyit. After that he hath affirmed that the word is God & hath fee forth his eicrnall E(lence,he iiowproueth his diiiinitic by his works* and this is pradicall knowledge, where vnto wee ought cfpeciallyto accuRomc oiirfducs. For the bare name of God which is attributed vnto Chrift fliallbcc offmall force with vs, vnlefie our faith fliall in very decdcpercciuc that he is fuch a onc.And he doth fitly affirme that ofthe fonnc of God, which doth pro- perly agiec to his perfon. Paul faith fomtime fimplyjthatall things arc by God; but fo ofte as the fbnne is compared with the father hec is diftinguiflicd by ihis marke. Wherefore this maneroffpeach is vfuall, thatthc father hath made all things by the fonne, & that all things are of God by the fame fonnc. The drift of the Euangclift ( as I faid) ii this,thatthc word of God began to woike open. ly, immediately after ihc creation ofthe world. For whereas he was before in^ compreheafiblc i\\ his ElTence, his power v.as then known openly by the crtemmenta,rie, vfLM. lo. Calnm^ ihouIHc fay that the power oFthatwordc which appeared in the creation of the world, was not oncly fodaine,or but for a moment, and paflcd away by and by aaaine ; but that it is cuidcntin this, that the orderof nature continuethfure & certaine •' like as he is fayde in the firfte to the Hebrewcs, verfe 5. to fuftainc all things with the word and becke of bis power ♦ But this life may either be ex- tended vnto things without life ( which liue after their maner, though they be without fenfe, ) or it may be expounded of the liuing creatures onely . It skil- leth not much whether you choofe • for the (enfe is fimple,that the word of god was not onely the fountaine of life to all creatures, that thefe things might be« gin to be,which were not as yet: but that ir commcth to pafTc through his liuely vertue,that they continue in their eitate. For vnlefle this continuallinfpiration doe refrefh and ftrengthen the worldc, it muft needes come to paffe that all things which liue and haue any being fliall flraiphtway decays or be brought to nothing. Finally, lohn docth tefiific that that commcth to paflc through the benefit of the worde, which PaulcAfles 17, 2 8 , afcribcth vnto God : namelyjthat in him wc be, & moue, and hue. rhere^.. forcitisGodthitquickenethvSjbutyetbyhiseternallworde. The life was the lf although many doc rot come to the fchoolc. Therefore ihcy take this faying comparatiuely that al men arc lightncd by Chrift becaufe no man can boaft that he did get the light cf hfe by any other mcanes faue onely by his grace. But feeing the Euangelift puttcthm all men generally who come into this worlde, the other fcnfc plea- Icth me betterjbecaufe the beames are fpread abroadc from this light through- out all mankinde ; as it is alio faide before. For wee knowe that men haue this peculiarly aboue all other huing creatures, that they are indued with reafon& irndciftanding, that they carry ingraucn in their confcicncc the difference b c- tyvccne right and wrong . Therefore there is no man vnto whome there com- meth not fome fetlyng of the eternall light. But becaufe there bee certaync frantikeandbrainfickefelloweSjWho wreft this place further; hauing rafhly caught the fame, thatthey may thcrby gather that the graceof illumination is offered vnto all men in the like forte; let vs remember that the Euangelift in- treateth ia the place on cly of the comon light of nature,which is farre inferiour vnto faith ♦ For doubtleflc no man fhall enter into the kingdom of God with all the quicknclTe and forfight of hisminde * it is onely the fpirite of Chrift that op^neththc gateofhcauentothceled. Secondly , let vs remember, thatthe light of reafon which God gauc rnto men, wasfo darkened through (innc, that there doc (carce appeare cer taine fmall fparkles in the thicke darkncCTe, and fo confequently in horrible ignorance, & the dcepe dungeon of err ours, which arc alfo by and by choaked. lo. Heewasintheworlde. Hecaccufethmen of vnthankfulneflc,becaulc they were foblinde, as it were of their owne accord, that thecaufe of the light which they did cnioy was vnknowen vnto them. And thisreacheth vnto all the agcsoftheworldc : becaufe Chrift did euery where fhewe his power bc'. fore hec was made manifeft in the flefli . Therefore thole dayly cfteds ought to haue redrefled the fluggiihncfTc of men. For what is more abfurd then to drawe water our of a running ftream,& not to concciue in the mynd the foun- tainc from which the ftreame it fclfefloweth? Therefore there fhall no iuft cxcufe bee foundc for this ignorance that the worlde kncwc not Chrift before fuche time as hee was reuealcd in the flcfhe .* for this chaunced through their flouthfiillnes and wicked kinde of dulnefTewhohadhimallwayes prc- fent by his power. Thcfummcisihis, that Chrift was neuerfo abfentfrom the worlde but that men bceint awaked with his beames , ought to haue lifted vp their eyes towardehim* Whereupon it followtih that the blame ought to be laid vpon thcmfclues. XI. Hee came into his owne. Hccrc appcarcth the dclpcratc fiowardc* acfii: and VYkkcdi\(flc of men ^ here appcarcth morethca wicked impi. ^ etie vpoHtheGoffeSofUhn, Cap.u j. the Ic wcs (whom God had fepcratcd to himfclfc as a PcculTu p.onl f ^'' 'u other nations) yecwas hcc not acknowledged nor receiucd ThevT/,!?"" poundthisplacediaerfly Forfbmetherebeewhothinke^hat L^r^^^^^^ dooth fpeak-e generally of the whole wodde- And truely there '^s noT.nofl. worlde which the fonnc of God may notchallcngc to himfelfe by .cod r oht The rncaning therefore is this.according to them, when ChnHe cam* do' vne into the worlde, nee.enchroched notypon another man,, bccaufc all n.ankinr^e was bis owneproper inheritance. Butthey thinke more truely, On mviudpc ment) who reftrre it vnto the Icwes alone .• for there is contained in it an hid ' den comparifon, whereby the Euangehft doth the more amplif^c the vnt^^ank' fulincire of man . The fonne of God hath chofen to himfclfc a dwcllina phcc in one nation; when hee appeared there he was reieftcd. Therefore it appca rcthheerebymoftplainely,howemalicioustheblindnei]c of menne is Andic was very needful! that the Euangelift (hould fay this that he mioh t reniouc that itumbling blocke which thevnbeleifc of the lewes mighthauctiyd in the way ofmany at thattime.Fopfeeing that hec was reieded and dcfpifed of that nati- on, whereunto hee was promifed by name, who woulde h:uethoiic;ht that he e had beenethcRedeemer ofthc whole worldc. Therefore tvecfe cFiowe orcat paines Fault taketh in this poynt. But there hethhid grcatforce as wdl in the verbeasintheNowne. Wlureas hewasbeforethe fonne of God, tlietuan- gehftfayth, he came thither. Therefore he doihfignifie the new and cxtra- ordinariemaner of his prefencc, whereby the Connc of God did rciiealc him- felfe, that men mightbehold him nigher hande- When hcc faith /n/o his ox^ne hee corapareth the lewes with other nations ; beecaufe they were adopted t3 bee Gods familie by a (ingular prmiledge. Therefore Chrifte offered himfelfe firft to them as to his familie, and thofe who did r.ppeitainc vnto his Empyre by a peculiar right. To the fame cnde tendeth that complaint which God makcth by E fay ; The oxsk^oxvethhisovntry^andihe affe his mafters cribbe : but Ifraelhath E/ay,i, »V notknownemet. Foralthoughhec becgouernorofallthewholc earth, ycthec snaketh himfeife the peculiar Lorde oflfraell, whom he eJiad gathered toge- ther, as it were to be an holy flieepfold. la* Butfomary. Leafl this ftoneof offence fhouldcaufe any to flumble that the lewes defpjfed and refufed Chrifte, the Euangelift lifteth vp the godly that belecue in him aboue the heauens. Forhecfayth that this glory is attained vnto by faith, to bee accownted the children of God . AndinthisvniueifalJ particle (^s many') is contained a certaine Antythtfis -. for the lewes were puffed vp with a blindeboafting,;»sifthcy alone had had God boundc vnto them ♦ Therefore the Euangelift affirmcth that the cafe was altered, becaufe i\\c Icwcs being reiedcd the Gentiles doc fucceedeinto the eraptie place • For it is2s if he (hould trvinllacethcri'ht of adoption vnto Forrainers. This is thJCvvhiciiPauIc faith, that the nefuttreaiefi of one people, was the lifeofall the whole worlde •' n^ , becaufetheGofpelbeeingas it were expelled by them, began to bee fp read a- • '• " broadefarre and Aide throughout the whole worlde, fo they were fpoylcd of ^eir priuilcdoc wherein ihcy did excel]. 2Ktt 1 6 The Cdmmemarie» %f M, lo. Calmne^ But their ^odlynclTe did no whit hurt Chrift : bccaure he did ercft the feate ofhiskingdomecKc where, and hee called all people in gcnerallvnto the hope offaiiiationj who leemcd before to bee rejected of God. Hee/7f, he will hauc vs to teftifie by our workes in deede this fclfefame thing, that \vec arc the children of the light. Therefore the Euangcliit mcaneth that the glory appeared in Chrift, which was meeteforthefonneof God,andwa$acertaine and fureteftimonyof his diuinity. He adkthhim the emiy begotten, becaufehe is the onely fonne by nature :as if he did place hiai aboue men and Angelles, & did attribute that vnto him which doeth not agree with any creature . Fnilof grace* This is the confirmation of the nextfentence. ThemaiefticofChriftc didappearein other things .- btittheRnangeliltdidchoofe this token aboue all other that he may the rather excrcifc v$ in aftiue, then ia the fpeculatiue know- ledge of Iiim, which thing wee muft dilligently obferue. Truely when Chrifte went vpon ihe waters drie foote, when hee did driue away deuils, and did de- clare his power by other myracles, it might haue becnc knowne that hee was the onely begotten fonne of God ; but the Euangelift bringeth foorth a part of approbation whereby faythireapeth fwectefruitc: namely,becaufe Chrifte did teftiHe that he was in deede the fountaine of grace and trueth which can neucr bee dravvnedric.lt is alfo faide that Stephen was full of grace: but in another fcnfc. For the fulnefie of grace in Chrift,is that fountaine out of which we muft all draw, fo as we ftial hereafter declare more at large. This may be expouded by, hypalU;fe for the true grace.or expofitiucly thus, thathe was full of grace, which is, truth orperfeftion. But becaufe he will repeate the fame maner of fpeach a- gaine, / thinke that the CtnCt is all one in both places* He will after warde fettc this grace and truth againft the law, therfore I interpretc it (imply, that Chrift was knowne to his Apoftles robe thefo'.meofGodby this, becaufe he had the fiilnefleof all things which doe appertaine vnto thefpirituall kingdome of God in himfelfe. Finally, becaufehe fticwed himfelfe in all things to bee a redeemer and the Mcfsia:* in deede.which is the moft excellent token and marke,vvhcrc- by he ought to hauc becne knowne from other men. I f . lohn doeth tefiifie of himfelfe a nd crytd , faying : This ii hee ofvthome I faydey het whifh comming after mci^ wasfet hefgre mee, btcanft het wot more e 9ccellen$ ■ vp9H theG^ffeit^flohu ^ it. Ani weehaue all receitted efhisfulnejjhy aitdffracefw^dte* ir» Beecai^fetheLavfe rrasginta by Mofts : grace andtritthi wentMdthv le/li €hrifie, ^ J"* .18. ?{o man hath fetns God at any time : the om^lj hegstten ftnne ipht ts in the b^ feme ef the father ^ he hath /hewed him, t$» Idhn doth tefii fie ^ Nowhcdcdlrcthwhatmaner ofprcachinothatof lohns was. By the vcrbe of the prefcntcnfc hce denotcth the continuall a^a. And trucly this do(flrine ought alwayes to bee of force, as if the voycc of lohri did foundc continually in the cares of mcn.So he putteth in afterward the word (^cryedythu hee may fignifie chat the dodrine of lohn was not obfcurc, either mrde to bee rndcrlloode .• and that he whiQjered not the fame in the cares ot a fewc, but that hce preached Chrifte openly with 2 lou Je voyce. The firil fen- tcnce tcndeth to this end that he was fent for Chrifles caufe;and that therefor it was an abfurde thing, that he fiioulde florilh,and tha^ Chrift fhouldc he vn- derfootc. This is hee (faith hee) of whom Jfayde.by which words he mcancth that this was his whole intent from the beginning,to make Chrjfl knownc^and thai this was the end of his fcrmons ; like as he coulde no otherwife execute the of* ficc of his embaffage, then by calling his difciples vnto Chrid.Hee that commeth aftermee. Although he were a fewe moncthes elder then Chrift, yet he fpea- keth not in this place of his age:but bccaufe he had exercifed the office of a Prp pheteforoefpace before Chrift came abroad, therefore hemakethhimfchefor mer then Chrifte in time. Therefore Chrifte fucceeded John in refpcd of the pubhke manifcftation. That which followeth is thus, word for worde,^? r wa$ made before mee^becanfe hee was my firji. But the fenfe is this, that Chrift was pre- ferred before lohn, becaufe he was more excellent. Therefore he giuerh place to Chrifte, and ('as the Prouerbe goeth) hee giueth him the light to be.nrc. But becaufe he came after him in. time, hce (hewcchthat this is no let why hee may not be preferred for the defcrtof his dignitie.So it becommeihallmen.who ex- ccll either in the giftcs of God or degree of honour, to remainein their degree, that they may be inferiour to Chrifte. \6. ^nd»fhi$ft*lnef[e, Nowe hee beginneth to preache of the office 6fChrifte,thatheeconteinethinhimfeircthcaboundanceofallgoodthingc$, (o that wee muft not fetch any parte offaluation from any other. With GOD truely is the well of hfe, of rignteoufnefle, of vertue, of wifcdome ; but this Well is hidden from v$ and wee cannot attaine thereunto . Butplcnticofall thcfethinges was layde open tovsinCHRlST, that wee may fetch ihem thence . Forheeisreadytoflowcvntovsofhis owne accorde, iivicmikc way for him by faith . To be briefe, hce faythplainely, that therein no good thing to bee fought without CHRIST : although this fcntence confifteth vppon moe members. Foritfhewethfirftthatallofvsarepoore and alto£;cchcr voide of fpirituall good thinges . For Chrifte aboundeth to this ende, that he may helpc our want, thatheemay diminifh ourpoucrty, that hee may fill the poore and hungry.Secondly,hetelIeth v$ that fofoonefs we are departed from Chrift wee doe in vaine feeke euen one droppe of goodncfTc : becaufe GOD Ifvould hauc allgoodnefjc whatfoeuer to remainein him alone. Therefore we ^^ The Qammentarle* sf^M, h, Caimne^ fhall fiiide the anc^els and men to bee dric, heaiien to bcc vaine, the earth toiee barren, and finally all thingcs to be nothing worth •, if wee will be. made parta- kers of the t;iftesofGod, by any other mcanes then by Chrifte. Thirdlj^hec tellethvsthacweenecdcnotto beeafraide ofthe want of any thing, iffo bee it wee drawe out of the fnllnelTe of Chrifte : whiche is fo perfede in all poyntt s, thatweclhallpcrceiucthatheeisaWellwhiche can neuerbcedrawncdrye ♦ Andlohnmakcthhinfclfeone ofthereft, not for mod cftie fake, butthatic miy more plainelya;)pcare that there is none at all excepted . Yecitistobec doubted whether hce fpake generally of all mankinde, or hee vndcrftand thofc onely , who were made partakers of all his good thinges after that Chrifte was reuealcd in the fle(h . Certaineicis,tliatalUhegodlyraenne who lilted 7nder thehwcdiddrawcoutofthefame fulneffe ; but bcecaufe lohnaddethby & by a difference of time, it is more like to bee true that hcc dooth heere com- mciide and fct forth that plentifull aboundance of good thinges, which Chrill brou;^htfjorrh with his comming , For wee knowe that thebcncfitesofGod tvere"ta{tcd morefparmgly vnder thelawc ; and that fo fooncas Chrill was re- uealedm the ileih,they were powrcd out in great aboundance eucnvnto the fiiU : Not that anyofvshatl-i greater aboundance of the fpirite then had Abra- ham • but I fpeakeof thcordiaaric difpenfation, and of the raancrand meancs ofdifpcnfing. Theretore to the cnde that lohn may the better iriuite his Difciples vnto Chrifte, hee cellcth them that the aboundance of all thofe good thinges whi ch they want is offrcd them iihim. Although there lliallbe no abfurditie therein, iffo be it wee extend it farther :yeathe text may be read thus very wel'^ that all the fathers from the beginning of the worlde did drawe all thofe giftes whiche they haddefrom Chrifte ; becaufc although thelawe was giuen by Mofes,yet did they not obtainc grace thereby . Notwithftanding I haue ftiewed beeforc what I like beft; namely, that loha doth in thisplace compare vs with the Fa- thers, that by this comparifon hee may amplyfie that which is giuen vs . ^ni ^r^cs for grace. Itiswcll kaownehowc^»^«/?/»eexpoundcth this place; name- ly, that all good thinges are giuen vs nowe and then of Gol, and that ctcrnall li;eisnotrepraide toourmeritcasa duerewardc .• but that this is a poynt of morelibcralitie, that GO D doth forewarde the former graces,and crownc hisgiftesinvj . This truely is godly and finely fayde, but jt is not very fit for thisplace . The fenfe were more plaine if thou Ihouldlt take this word (.w^/) comparitiucly,asifhe ihouldefay : that whatfoeucr graces the Lord heapeth vpon vs , they doe in like fort flowefrom this fountaine« It may alfobe vndcr- ftoodeaianoteofthefinallcaufe, that wee doe recciue grace nowe, that the Lprde may once accompli (he the workc of our faluatioa 4 Notwithftanding I doe rather fabfcribc vnto their iudgcmcnr, who fay that wc are watered witli the graces whiche arc powred out vpon Chrifte, For that which wee recciue of ChrittC; hee doth not onely giuc it vs as God, but the father hath beeftowed ic vpponhim, that it might Howe vnto vs through a conduit . Thisistheoynt- mente wherewith hee was annoynted, that hee might annoynt vs all together , with him, whcrevppon hee is called Chrifte, wee Chriftians, J7« BsfAufii- vpofithe Coffehflehn. Cap, /; a 5 17, Becaufe the layv vnu giuen ly Mofes. It is a prcucntion wherein bcc prc- ftentcth a contrary obieftion. For Mofes was fo greatly eftcemcd amon^ft the Icwcs, that they did hardly admitte any thing that was contrary to him. There- fore the Euangelill tcacheth, how farre inferior the minifterie ot Mofcs was to the power of Chnll. AndaUothiscomparifondoethnotaUitle bcautific the power of Chrift. For feeing that the levves did make fo great account of Mofes, that they did attribute vntohim all honour that might bc,the Euangchfl telleth thenj that that was but a very fmall thing which Mofes brought, if it b c compa . red with the grace of Chrift. For that was otherwife a great Jet,!^ they thought ihcy hadthatbythclaWj which we doc obtaine by Chrift alone. Butwcmuit ROtethccontrapofitionj whcnhefetteththe lawagair.ft grace and truth, for his meaning is that the law wanted both thefe. And ( truth ) m my iudgement is taken for the firme and founde ftabihtie of thmges. By this word Grace I vn- dcrfland the fpirituall fulfilling of thofe thingcs, the bare letter whereof was contained in thelaw. And thefe two voyces may be referred by Hypallage both Ynto one thing. As ifhe had fayd that grace wherein the truth of the lavve con* fiftcth, was reuealed at length m Chrift. But becaufe the fame fence fiiall re- main c,it maketh no great matter whether thou couple them together or diftin- guifti them* This truely is certainc, that this is the Euangclift s meaning, that the image of fpirituall good things was onely (hadowed in the law,and that they are perfedly fulfilled in Chriftc : whereupon it folio weth, if thou feparate the la we from Chrifte, there remaineth nothing there, but vain c figures. In\\fhich refpene,it followeth hercupo § we muft dcfii c k cnjue allthings ofChtifte* This cowfe of doanne IS diligently to bee noted. There is no- iliing that kcmeih to bee n»orc common , then thjs that cucry one o^^ *I4 ^ TheCamrntntAYte GfJi^Jo^dUnm* dothrecciuethofe things vyhich God doth oflfcivntovs, according to thcmc.iS furc"ofour faith; but there are butafcwethatthinkcthatVTCc muft bring the vcflcll offaith and of the knowledge of God, whereby wee may draw . This, that he {ayth, that no man hath fcenc God atany time, isnotoncly to bcc vn- dcrftoodc ofthc cxternall fight of the bodily eyes ; for hecgiucth vs to vndcr- ftand generally, feeing that God dwclleth in light which none can come vnto, he cannot be knowne butonely in Chrift hisliuely image. Furthermore, they doe commonly expound this pJace on this wife'. Seeing that the bare maicftieofGodishidden in it fclfejit could neuer be comprehen- ded, faueonely forafmuchasitreucaleditfelfeinGhriftc : and that therefore God was knowne to the fathers onely in Chrift. But I doe rather thinke that the Euangehit doih hceie hold on in the companion; namelyjhow^irrc better our cftatc is then the eftate ofthe fathers ; becaufe God who layd hi d before in his fccrctglory,hath now mad ehimfclfe after a fort vifible. For certainly when asChriftis calledtheimagcofGod, thatdoctbappertainc vnto the peculiar beneiitte ofthe new Teftament. SoalfothcEuangeliftnotethin this place a certaine new and vnwontcd thing, when hee fayth that the only begotten,who was in the bofomc of his father, did declare that vnto ?s, which had orhetwife bcene hidden. Therefore hee fettcthfooith the manifeftation of God which camevntovsby theGolpell, whereby hecdiftinguifhcthvs from the fathers, and hee putttthvs before them. Like as Paul alfointreateth more at large in the third and foittthof the fccond to the Corrinthians. For hefayth that there is no vaile any more as vndcr the law : but that God is fe ene plaincly in the face ofChrilK Ifany man think e it an abfurd thing the fathers Ihoulde bee dcpri- ued ofthe knowledge of God, of whom the Prophetcs doe euen at this day bearethe light before vs: I anfwere, thatthatis notfimply orprecifely deny- ed to them, which is attributted vnto vs, but that there is comparifon made (astheyriy)bctwefne the lefTer and the greater^ for theyhaddeonely little fparkles ofthe liuelyli;;ht, whofc full brightnes doth lighten vs at this day. If any man obiede that God was then feenc face to face, I^ay that that fight i$ notcompared with ours : butasGodwasthenwonttofhewehimfclfe darkly and as it were a farrc ofjthcy to whom hee appeared moreplainely doe fay that they faw him face to face. Therefore they haue refpeft vnto their time, in the mean while they faw not god, faue only as he was coucrcd with many bcughts That was a fingularvifion, and almoft more excellent then all the reft which Wofesobiayned in the mount. Exod. % \, x j. and yet God fayth plaineIy,thou Wilt not be able to fee my face, thou (haltoncly fee my backe. By which Meta- phor hee fignificlh that thcfiill time ofthe full and euidentreuelation was not yctcome. Wee mufte alfo note that the Fathers did alwaycs turne their eyes to- warde Chriftc at fuch time as rhcy were defirous to fee GOD. I doc not onely vndcrftande by this, that they did beholdGOD inhiscternall word, but alfothattheyvTcre bent with all their minde and all thcaffedion of their heart vnto the promifed rcuelation of Chrift. In which refped Chrift himfclfc fayth in the eight chapter, ^brahdmfaw my day. Furthermore, that which fuc- cpedcth by turnc, is not contrary, Thcrcfofff^^ vpOf$ the Go/pel efhhn, ^ - Thcrforcthatrcmaincthfurcandccrtainc, that God who was before inuinblc hath now appeared in Chriftc. When as he faith, that thefonne x,as ,n the Ufomt of the father^ it is tranflatcd from mcn,who aie faid to admit thofc into their bo fomcSjWithvYhomcthcy impart all thcirfccrcts Theplace of the counfcllis thcbrcft .-therefore he teacheththat the fonne did knowecuen the moftfccrtt counfelles of the fathtrr : that we may know that we hauc as it were the brcft of God opened in the Gofpel* 19. ^>dthhistheteJiimonyoflohny y»hen the le\»esftnt from HierufalernVrUjlet and LenitCy that they mi^ht aske him, wlio art thou} 20. ^nd he ronfejfed, and denied not : I fay, he confejfed. Jam not Chriff^ 21. Then they askedhm.what then} ^rtthouElias} jini]jee faid lam mt^ .4rt thou aVrophet} And he anfwered, ?(p. 2 1. Therefore they fad ynto him, voho art thou} that we ma^^iue an anfvere to thoft that fern >j : tthatfaytH thou ofthyfelfe} 2 ^ Iam{ faith hee )the royce of one cryiiig in the xtildernejfe, prepare the tcay of the Lord ^ai faid Efaias the Trophet. Ip. Andihisis theteflimome* Hitherto hath the Euangchft recited the fcrmon which lohn mide concerning Chrift . now doeth hee dcfcend vnto .1 more fa~ mous teUimony, which was giucn to the cmbafladours of the Priefte s that they n;ightcary it to lenifalcm . Therefore he faycth that lohn did flatly confcflc wherefore he was fent of God.Firft of al there may a quelhon be asked to what end the Pi iefts asked him. They do commonly thinke that becaufe they hated Ghrift they gaue a falfe kinde of honour to lohn :but they did not as then know Clirift. Othtrfomcfaythatlohnpleafcdthem better, becaufe hee was of the order and ftocke of the Priefls. But neither is this hke to be true, for (ceing that they did promileto themfelucs that through Chrill they fhould haue allprofpe- ritie, why woiildc they haue faigned to themfclues a falfc Chriftc of their ownc accord. Therforc I thinke that they were moucd with fomeothcrrearon. They had now long time wanted Prophets : I ohn came abroad fodainly & vnlooked for. Allthcirmmdeswerchftedvpwithaneipedaiion « Moreoucr, all of them thought that the comming of the Mtfjlas dreweneare . Lead that the priefts (hould feeme to wax fluggifli in their office, ifchey fliould either nc^lccft or diffemble fo great a matter, thty demanded of lohn who he ii . Therefore they did nothing craftily in the beginning : but rather being mooucd with the dcfire of their redemption, they defire to know if lohn bee Chrift e , becaufe hcebeginnethto chaunge the order thatwas vfed inthc Churche . And yet doc not I deny butthatambition to retaine their right , was of great force with them : but yet theymentnothinge leffe thentotranflate the honour whichwasChrifles, vnto another. Ncyther doe they any thingc which was vnmcete for the perfon which they did beare . For feeing that they were gouernoursofthe Church of GOD, itftoodc them vppon to fee tliat ■ nomannedidthrufthimfclfeinrafhly , that there did f^art vppe noauthour ofanynewefcde , that the vnilie of the fay th were not broken amongll the people , thatnomanHedidbiinginanynewcandforraincritcs. Tl:crcfore it appearcth that the fame of lohn was pubhfhcd abroadc , which mooucd, B 5, '^*- zS The Commentarie^^fMJe, Calume* the mindcs of all men. And this was gouerncd by the wonderful! prouidence of God, that this teiiimony might be the more famous, 20. ^ndheconfejjed. That is, he confefled plainely and without any doubt* ing or faigning. The word confe^e is taken generally in the former placCj that he declared the matter a$ ic was ♦ It is repeated againe to exprelTe the forme of the confefhon. Th:;reforc he anfwered flatly, thathe was not Chrilh II. ^rtthouElUs . Why doe they rather call him Elias then A/ofes? Be- caufe they did vndcrftand by the Prophet Malachic, that Ehas Ilioulde be as the day flarre of the 3ff/^4; when he did rife. Yet do they aske the queftion by rea- fon ofan opinion which they hadde falfly taken vpon them. For whereas they thought that the foulc of manne did flitte out of one body into another, whilefi that A/alachic the prophet fayeth, that Ehas fhoulde beefent , they ima^^ined that Elias who was in the time of Achab,(houldc come. Wherefore lohn an- fwered worthily and truly, that he was not Eiias, for hee fpeaketh accordmg.to their meaning ♦ But Chrifteoutofthe trucmterprctation of the Prophet af- firm eth that he was Elias. ^rtthou'a'Prbpbet} Erafmas doth falfly reltraine thij vnto Chrifle . For whereas the article is added ir is ofno force in this place/ and the EmbalTadours doefufficiently declare afterwardesf,that they meant an other Prophet then Chriftc, for they gather it thus. If thou be neither Chiiflc, nor Ehas, nor a Prophet. Therefore wee fee that they meant diuers pcrfons* Otherfomc doe thinke that they asked him whether he were any one of the old Prophete$:biityetI doc not like this cxpoiition . They doe rather hecreby meane the o/Kce of lohn, whether hee were ordained a Prophet of God or no* Whileft that hee denycth this, heelyeth notfor mod efties fake, but hee doeth fcpcratehimfclfe from the number of the Prophttes fincerely and from his hearte . And yet this anfwere is contrary to the title which Chriilcgiueth him. . Chnfleadorncthlohnwiththetitlcof a Prophet: yea , hee addeth that hee is more then a Prophet . But by thefc woordes hee doeth nothing elfe but purchafe crcditeand authority to his dodrinc • and doth alfo extoll the cxcellencie of the office which was cnioyned him . But John refpedeth an o- ther thinge in this place ; namely, that'hee hadde no perticularcommaunde- ment, as it was the ordmary cuftomc of the Prophetes : but he was only chriftcs crycr . This (hall appeare more plainely by a (imilmide * VVhatfoeuer thty b ee that are fent Embafladours about Hght matte rs , they haue the name and authori tie of Embaflad ours , if fo bee they haue particular thinges giucn them in charge. 5uch were all the Prophetes, who bceing furnifhed with par- ticular Prophefies, did erercifethe Prophcticall funaion . If there bee any matterof weight mhandc, and two EmbalTadours beefent , theone where- of doeth tell that he will be heerc by and by, who 111 all fpeakeofall the matter, and this latter haue the bufineflc giuen him in charge to difpatch ; f}:all not the former EmbalPage be accouiucd a portion & part of the principall EmbafTagc? So fared it with lohn, vnto whome God hadde enioyned nothinge elfe^ut to prepare Difciples for Chrifte . Andthisfcnfeis gathered out of the circum- ftance of the place and the text . For wee mult markc the conttary member, which foUowcth by and by. lam not {faith he) 4 Trofhttjont 4 yoyce crying in th& vpon the GoffeiUflohn, Cap, i ^ ^ mider»eff. Wherefore the difference dcpendeth hccreupon, that .1 voyce cry- ing that a way may be prepared for the Lordc, is not a Prophet haiiinc^ i diners funaion and fuch as is proper to him,but a Mmifler that is vnder anorhcrf'tlr t I may fofpeake) and his dodrine a preparation to heare another malhr By this raeanes although lohn was more excellent then all the Prophets yct'is he not a prophet. 2 5 . The yoyce of one cYyin^ in the ^ildernejje. Becaufe John had taken the of, fice of a teacher vpon him raihly,vn!efle he had bcene endued with a mi..iilcry* hec(heweth what his fun(flion island hec ptoueth the fame by the tcftimony of Efay, Whcrciipouicfolloweth that hce did nothing but that whicliehcewas comm.uindedby God todoe . Efay fpeaketh not onely in that place of lohn but promiling the reftoring of the Churche hee foretclkth that it fhall con c :o paiTe that thcfc ioyfull voycis fhall bee hearde^ commaunding to prcnare a way fortheLorde . And although hce mcaneth the commingofGod,'^ when hce flioul d bring back the people from the Babylonicall exile; yet the ti uc fulfillin^^ was the comming of Chrill e in the flellie* Therefore the chiefe of thofe crycr^ who foretolde thatthe Lordc drewe neerej was lohn. Furthci-more it is friuo- lous.crafcily to play the Philofophers concerning this wor Je yojce which fome doe. lohn is called a voyce^becaufc the fundion ofcrying was inioyncd him. Efay as truely calletli the mifcrable waftnefle of the church a wilderncs, which feemed, to deny a rcturnevnto the people: as if he fhouldfay that the way was iioppcdagainfl the people that r7as in captuuiie, buttheLordewculdefindea way through placeswherethercwas no way. But that vifiblewilderneswhcr-> inlohn preached, was a figure and timilitudc of the waftc WildcrntfTe, whiche t ?okc away hope of deliiicrancCjif you confidcr vppon this fimihtude, you fliall eafily fee that the words of the Piophct are not wteded- For God fo frani cd all thinges, that he fct the glafTe of this prophefie before the eyes of the people that . was aftonied with the mifcrie which they fuffercd, 2 4» Turthermore they thatveere feat wfre of theVhartfes, z 5 . Therefore they ask^d him ttndfayd ynto him,Vpby then doeji thou iaptifeyifthof* hee not Chrifle^ neithn EliaSy neither a Vro^het? 1 6. lohn anfwered them^fayingy 1 baptift in water: hut there fl and eth one (tmonTji yW' "whontyee h^ow not: 2 7. Hee it is who comming after mty rvasfreferredhefore me : nhofeJJioce latchtt I am notvpjrthieto ynloofe, a 8 ♦ Thefe thingei were dont in Bcthabara wyoW Jordan, 444 JVereoftheVharifes. He faith that they were Pharifes, who were then chiefe goucrnours in the Church; that wee may knowe that they were no con- tcmptiblcper.'onsofthccompanyeofthc Leuites^butmenne that were endued withauthoritie. For this caufc was itthatthey mooi;ed a qucflion concerning Baptifme.The common Miniftcrs would hauebeenc contented with any kiiidc ofanfwcre .• butthefe beecaufethey coulde not pricfee out tliatwluchc they woulde, doe accufe I O H Nofrathneffc bcciuTe hec dare bring in a new cu^ ^ i The Commentarie* •f M* lo. Cdluine^ \ y . W^jjy then daefi thou haptife. When they make thefc three degrees they fccmc to reafon very fitly, if thou bee neither Chrifte^ nor Elias,nor a Prophet. For it is not for eucry man to inftitute the vfe of baptifmc; All power fhoaldc hauc beenc m the hande ofihe Mefsias : they had conceiucd this opinion of£- li4s who was to come,that he lliould begin to rcftore the kingdome & Church They doe alio graunt to the Frophets of God, thatthcy may execute the fundi on which is inioyned them. Therefore they conclude that it is vnlawfuil no* ueltie, that lohn doeth baptife, feeing that hce is not inftituted of God to bee a puhhke perfon. But they arc deceiued in this, that they doc not acknowledge him to be that Ehas of whom Malachie maketh mention, although he deny that 4, J, he was that Ehas of whom they dreamed. If:. Ibaptife with water. This might hauebcenefufficient to redreflc their crrour: but that admiration vrhiche is othcrwife excellent doth nowhitprofitc the deafc . For feeing he fendeth them to Chrifte, and doth nowe fj^y plainely that hee is nor? prefent , it is hcereby euident that he is not onely appoyntcd of GO DtobceaminifterofChrirte, butthatheisthetrueElias whoisfcntto tcftifie of the rcnouation of the Church. Furthermore, the pcrfeft contradifti- on is not expreffed in this place ; becaufc the fpirituall baptifme of Chrid is not plainely (ct againft the extcrnall baptifmc of lohn : but that latter member of the baptifme of the fpirit may eafily be vnderftoode, and tfas Euangelift putteth them both downe a little after. And there be two poyntcs of this anfwere .• thac lohn did nothing but that whiche hee might lawfully doe ; beecaufe hce hith Chrifte to bee the authoarofhis baptifme in whom confifteth the truth of the fignc. Secondly, that he hath nothing but the adminiftration of the extern all iigne, and that all the force and efficacie is in the power of Chrifte alone ♦ So th.vthe defendethhis baptifme, forafmuch as the trueth thereof depcndeth vp- on another .• and in the meane Icafon hee extoUeththe digniiic of CHRIST, by takinc'fromhimfelfe the power of the fpirite, that all menne may looke vnio Chrifteaione . This is thcbeft temperature where the minifterdothfobor^ rowe all that authority whiche hee hath ofC H R I S T, that hee doth alfa re., ferre it vntohim,attributingallthingesvnto him alone . But itcameropaflc through too light an crrour, that they thought that the baptifme of lohn was contrary to ours , For lohn doth not heere dilpute of the profite and vfe of hit baptifme .- but he doth onely compare his perfon with the perfon of CHRIST. Like as at this dayc if the qucftion bee afked what is our office, and what is the office ofChrift in baptifme.-wemuftconfefTc that Chrifte alone doth performc that whiche baptifme doth rcprefcnt, and that wee hauc nothing but the bare adminiftration ofthe fignc . There is a double kinde of fpeeche vfed ia the fcripture concerning the Sacraments . For in fome placeit teacheth that it is the lauare of regeneration , that their iinnes are walhed away, that wee are in- grafted into the body of Chrifte, that our olde maa is crucified, and that wee rife againe vnto newnefle of life. And then tu'ely doth hee couple the power of Chrift with the minifterie ofman,Ms truely the mini.f er is nothmg elfe but the hand of Chnft, Therefore fuch phr.i fes doe not fhcw what ma.i giucih of him- fclfc, but what Chri^ie bringeth to paJc by the nan and the fignc as hiS inftru- menu. But becaufe wee fall eafily into fuperftition^ and fecondly) becaufc men doe vpm the Go/pel cflohn, {hdp.x: ^^ do pull to thcmfcliies the honour which they take from God,accor(Jinr to thci' natural pri(ie,thereforc to the end thefcripture may fubdue & tame this facnlc" gious pride, it doth fomtimcs diftinguidi the minilUrs from Chriflc, ns in thi* place.thatwe might know that the miniHers arc or can doe ncthmg. \/.moK he thaf : h4ptifeth in the holy ffirite, tA.rhertforelfaype.andtefiifiedthat this isthefohneof God, ^ \^.^ The nm day. It is without all doubt that John haddcrpokcn^be-^ ^O The Co mment4r$e, of M. lo. Calnine fore of the reiielation of the Mefftas .• but when Chrift was comc,he would thai his proclamation (l.ouKi bee knownc in a fhort time : and the time was now at liand wherein Chriftcflioulde make an cndeofhisminiftery: hkeasthemor- iiin? doth quickly depart, whcna« the Snnncisonccrifcn. Therefore foraf- much as he had teftiHed before to the pricftes that were fcnt, that he was nowc prefent^and was conuerfant in the middcft of the people from whome the truth and force of his baptifmc was to bee fet, the next day after he flicwed him open- ly. For thefc two things being ioyned together by the cotinuall courfe of time, are of greater force to moue their mindes* This is the fame reafon why Chtiite doth flKW hirr.felfc vnto him« Behold the Lnmbe of God, Hec declareth the prin- cipal! ofHce of Chrift briefly, butplainely *. nam.cly, that he doth re<:oncile men vnto God, by taking away the finnes of the world . Chriitebeftoweth other bcnefitcs vppon vs," but this is the chiefeit, and that whereupon the reft do dc<. pcnd, that by pacifying the wrath of Godjhe maketh vs to be accounted iuft & pure. For all the ftrearaesofgood things doe flow from this fountain e, that God doth rcceiue vs into fauour by notimputing our finnes* Therefore to the cnde that lohn may bring vs vnto Chrift e, hecb^ginnethatthefiecpardonof finnes which wc haue through him. Fuither more, in this worde (iamht) hee alludeth vnto the oldefacrifices, ofthelaw* Heehaddetodoewiththclewes , who beeing accuftomed vnto lacrifices, could no otherwifc be taught concerning the purging of finncs, then byfetting afacrifice before them « And whereas there were diucrskindeSj there is but one onely me'ntioned in this place by Synecdoche, and it is hkcly that lohn had refped vntothc PafcalUambe. To becbriefe, wee muft note, that lohn vfed this phrafe,which was more fitandforcibk to teach the Icwes. Like as wee at this day doe better vnderftand through the vfe of baptifme , of what force the remiffion of finncs is, purchafed by the death of Chriftc, when wee heare that wee are waftied and purged thereby from our filthineflc . In the mcane while feeing that the lewcs did commonly thinke (iiperftitioufly of the facrifices, he correSeth that fault by the way,tcllino them to what end all thefc did fcrue « This was the worft abufe that was in their facrifices, that they did repofe all their confidence in the (ignes. Therefore when lohn fettcth Chrift before them, he doth teftilie thathc is the lambe of God. Whereby be giueth themtovnderftand , thatallthefacrificcs which the lewesdidofferwercnot able to make fatisfadion for finnes , butthat they were onely figures, the truth whcreofwas fhcwed in Chrift himfelfc, Heputtcth ftftne in the lingular num- ber, for all manner of iniquitic : as ifhefhouldfay, thatallmanner of vnrigh- tcoufnefle which doth alienate God from men, is taken away through Chriftc, And when he fjicth the finne of the world,ht extendtththis grace generally vn<» to all mnnkinde, leaftthelewes ihouldc thinke that hee was onely fent to bee their redeemer. But we do gather heereby that all the worlde is bounde with the fame guiltmci. and becaufc all mortallmen without exception are guilty o£ vnrighteoufnefTe before God, they haue ncedeof reconciliation . Therefore when lohn fpeakcth generally of the finne of the world jhis meaning is to bring vstofomgftclinsjcojfowowncff^Jicric, and to cxhortc y$ to (ctkcfome rc- Nowe vpon theGoffettofuhn, Cap, J. 5 1 Nowcinthatthcbencfitcisoffcredvntoallmen, hisourcJuticto imbracc the fame : fo that all men may bee fully afllircd that there is nothinc that hmdc- reththtm from finding reconciliation in Chrift, iffobcittheyhaue faith to be their guide, to bring them vnto him. Furthermore, he fettcth downc the one- lywayandmeanestotakeawjyfinnes. Wee knowe, that from the bc2,inninr> of the world, when as their owne confciences did accuse them,theywcntabou1 bufily to defcnie pardon. Thence came fo many kindc$ of facrificcs , whereby they thought God waspacificd,yet were they dcceiued- I confede tnily that all corrupt rites of pacifying, " came from an holy beginning .-namely, bccaufc God had ordained facrifices to dired men vnto Chrirt. But notwuftandm^ e- iiery man had inuented to himfclfe a way of his owne, whereby to pltafe God: but John calleth vs backe vnto Chrift alone, and teuhcth vs that God is onely mcrcifull vnto ys through his Benefice ; bccaufe hee alone takcth away (ini.cs. Wherefore he ieaueth nothing for fmners to doe, but onely to flie vnto Chri(l, whereby he ouerthrowethal\ humane fatisfaaions, all furifices and redemp- tions ♦ fo thatthcy are nothing els but wicked inucntions of the Diuell, found outby craft. The word (taketh)\T\^y beexpounded two maner ofwaycs : cither that Chrift tooke that burden vpon him wherewith we wereopprcH'cd (^ as it is fayd that he bare our finnes vpon the tree ; and Efayas fay th that the corretfli- onofourpe.icewaslayd vponhim; ) or that hce doth aboliflilinnes. But be- caufe this latterdependeth vpon the foiTner,therforelrcccme them loth wil- lingly ; namely, that Chrift doth take away hnncs by bearing them. There- fore althongh fmnc do ftill remaine in vs,y et as touching the ludgcment of god it is none, becaufe it is abolilhed by the grace ofChrift, and is nor imputed vn- to vs. Neither doth that difpleafcmee, which C/;r)'/o/?ow« nottth, thatby the verbcoftheprefenttenfe is fignified the continuance.- for the ratisfa(fli6 which he once made, is alwayes of force. And he doth not fimply teach that Chriftc taketh away finne, but he fetteihdownealfo the maner how .'namely, becaufe he hath reconciled the father vnto vs by the benefitc of his dcJth. For this doili he meane by th^ word Lambe. Let vs therefore know that we arc then reconci- led to God by the grace of Chrift, if we runne vnto his death, & doe perlwade ourfclues,thathebfingfaftenedvntothecroire,isthe onely propitiatorie fa- crifice,whcrcby all ourguiltines was taken away. 30. Thisisheofvfhontlfayd, Hcc briefly comprehcndcth all things when heafKrmeththatChriftisheejWhojashefaydjWasto be preferred before him. For it followeth hereupon that lohn was nothing els but a cryer fent for h.-s fjkc whereby it is euident againe that Chiift is the Mefsias. Furthermore, he rccko- neth vp three thinges in this place. For when he fayth that the man commeth after him, hee.giucthvs to vnderftand that hee was before him in refpctlc of redeemer. Thercafonisatlength added,bccaufeChriftedoihfarreexcccdc lohn. Thercforethat honor came notbychauncc which the father oaiicfiim, kuvY^sduetohis ctcrnall Maieftic ♦ But I haiic touched this phralc a htcic btfoie. ^ *l1je Comment ATte of Mjit.CalHine. before ; namely, thathec was preferred before him, bcecaufchewasthe firll. J u .And 1 A?*w^« ^>i"* »o(, Lcaft any man fhouldc Cufpcdthat this tclii- tnonic w.is giuen cythcr foriricndniip or fauours fakc,heprcucntcththe doubt, denying that he had any other knowledge of Chrilt, fauc that which hee haddc from God Therefore the fumme is,that loha dothneithcrfpcakeof himfclfe, neither to win ne mans fauour, hut as hee was infpired by the fpinte., and com- manded otGod. I came {(^yth \K^)baptifingwith watery tint IS , Iwascnlled and ordayned vnto this fundion, that 1 might reiieale him viito Ifrr.ell. Which thine the EuangcUft expoundcih and confirmeth afterward more plainly,whillt that hcebringcth in him tcftifying, that hccknowcthChrift by the Oracle of God. Hce doth there plainclyexpreffe that he was (ent for that caufe, which iscontayncd in thewordcs,/fdmf ro^rf/^f/yfrForitisondy thecaUingofGOD which mjkcththc lawfaliminilkrs of the Church; forwhatfoeuerhec bethat trulkch in himlel:e,of what learning or eloquence foeuer he be, h« defenieth noauthoritiejbecaufchthathnotGodforhisauthour. And feeing tliat it was rcquifitethatlohnlhculdbcrentofGodjthathc might baptiie lawfully , ga. thcr hence that it is not left vnto the Wil and pleafiire of man toinflitutc Sacra- ments but thatthis right appettaineth to God alone. Like as Chrift in another place, to the end he may proue theBaptifmeof lohn, hec demaundeth whe- ther it be from heauen^ or of men. 2 1. Ifa-orthefpiriie defcendin^ UJ^ a Doue. It is an vnproper or figuratiu€ kindcoffpeech, for with what eyes coulde heefcetherpirit?Eutbecaure the Douewasacertaineandvnfallibletokenoftheprefenceof the fpirite, fhce is called the fpirit by i^fto»>m/;r, not that fl:iec isindeedethcfpiritjbut that fhec doth rcprefcnt him fo much as mans capacitic doth beare. And this tranflation is commoninthcSacraments,forwhy doth Chrift callbread his body, butbe- ^aufc the name of the thing is aptly tranflated vnto the figne ? efpeciaily where -as the figne is a true and alfo cfleftuall pledge, whereby wee may bee certified that the thing it fclfc which is fignified is peifonned vn'tovs. Yetmaycii thou not thinke that the fpirite was included vnder the Doue, who fulfillcih heauen and earth, but that he was prefcnt by his power; tliat lohn might knowethat hee did notfee that fight in vaine. Likeasvtee knowethat thcbodieofChrilt is not tyed to the breadc, but yet wee doeenioy the participation there- of. Noweheeremay aqueflionbecmooued why thcfpirite did then appearc vnder the fhapeofa Done. Wee mult alwaycs holde the proportion of the Aft. l.J* iignes with the trueth. When as the fpirite was giuen to the Apoftles, there appeared firie and clouen tongues, becaufe the preaching of the gofpell fliould be fpread abroad throughout all tongues, and flionld haue firie force. But God iBcantin this place openly toreprcfentthatmildneffeof Chrift, which Efayas mfay 42. I* commend eth Smoking fi^~xtlhail he ntt quench ^ani afhah^n reede/hal he not breaht. For the fpirit was then firft fccn to defcend vpon him,nat that he was void thcr of before, but becaufe hec was then called rnto di^nitieas it were with that folemne rite . For wee knowe that hee lay hid for the (pace of thirtic yt€re$ like coapriuate perfon : bcecaufc the time of his mamfeftation nas not yet ^pOHfhe Go/pel of lehft, Chaf.l. r ',, yet come. And when he wouldc manifcft himfelfc, hec begin tvith Baptifmc. For h€rcceiiied the fpiritc then, not fo much for himfelfc, as forhis . And for this caufc, that comming downc was vifibic, that we may know that there remainethinhim ftoreof allthofc giftcs which wee want. And this may wcc cafily gather out of the woordes of lohn Baptift. For in that hce fayc th, -^fpom whomeyoufie thefprittdtfcendingty undremaining yppon hhtjy hee it n that baptiftth withthtfpirite '. it is as much as if he (hould fayjthat the fpirite appeared lo this cndein a vifiblelhapc, and refted vpon Chnft,thathe might water all hu with hisfulnefle. I touched before briefly, what it is to baptifc with the fpintrmme- 2y, to giue baptifme his cffedj leaft it be vaine and voyde : which thmg the fpi, rite doth by his power. 3 ^. FpQti Tphom thou /halt fee, Herearifcth an hsrd queftion« For if lohn knew not Chrift why doth he refiife to fufFcr him to come to his baptifme : he would not furcly fay this to one whome he knew not, / ought rather to he baptifed of thee. Certaine doe anfwere, that he knew him fofarre, that hee receiued him as an excellent Prophet, he knew not that he was the fon of God. But this is a coldc anfwere. For euery man muft obey the calling of God without refpe<5le of per* fons» Therefore there is no dignity of man or excellencic, which ought to hin- der vs in our office. Therefore lohn had done iniury to God, and his baptifme, ifhchadfaid thustoany otherfaue onelyto thefonncofGod . Therefore it mufi needs be that he knew Chrift firft. Firft we muft note, thatweintreatcin this place of that knowledge which commeth by familiaritic and continual \h. Although therefore he knew Chrift (b foonc as he fawe him, yet doeth not this . that he may receiue vs as his gefts.For there are m.iny § do only fmchhc gofpcl a farrc ofF,&fo they fuffer Chrift to vanilh away fodainely,and that all to cfcape the whatfoeuer they had learned c occrning chrift. And althoughthey were not the made his continuaUdifciples, yet aue ftionleflc he inftruded the more fiilly itbajnisb^ihat he m^x haue ihcm wnoly addi^cd vnto him ftiortly after. vp9n the Gffftilgflohn. Caf. i ^ . - 19. ^ftiit)ffidsalmdfi. That is, it was almoft night, bccaufc it waj within two houresofthc retting of the Sunne. For thcj did then diuidc the day into twcluchourcSjWhichwcrclongerinSommcr and (horterin winter. Yctout of this circumltancc of time wegatherjihatthcfe two difciplesdefiredfo carncftly to hcarc Chriftc, and to knowc him better, that they were nothing caicfuU for their nights lodging, But wee for the moft part arc much vnlike vnto them, who driuc of without cnde, from day to day; bccaufe it is neucr commodious for vi tofbllowcChriltc. 40. ^ndreve the brother ofStmon Ttter was one of the tvo that htardof khn^ani follo'wedbim. ^i.'Heefcund his brother Simon frP\andfaidynto him^vee hautfoundthe Mefjlasy ^hich by interpreting is called Chrifie. 4 1, Therefore he brought him ynto Jeftts. Jefus beholding him faydyThou art Simon thefonne oflona, thott/halt bee called Cephas : Vfhicb is if thou expounde it, ajicne. 40. ^ndreyte, Thcdnftof the Euangelifte vnto the cndc ofthe chapter is this, that wee may-knowc how difciplcs were brought vnto Chriftc by htfe and litle. Hcerehc fpeakcthof Peter, he will fpeake afterward of Phillip and Na- llianael.In that that Andrew bringtch his brother by and by, is cxprcfl'ed the nature of faith which chokcth not the light within, but doth rather fpread it a- broade on euery fide. Andrew hath fcarce one fpatkle,and yet doth hee lighten hisbrcrtbcrtherewith.WocbeYntovsthercfor^, ifwhen we belightcnedwc doc not indciiour to make others partakers of the fame grace. Yea we may note . _ two things in Andrew, which Efayas recjuireth of the children of God.-namcly ^^^X* 4^1 that eucry man doc take his neighbour by the hand.and then that he fay; Come let vs goe vp into the mountaine of the lord,& he (hal teach vs. For Andrew rea cheth out his hand ,but in the meanc while he doth it to this end that he may be his fchoolefcllow in thefchoole of Chrift.Funhermore,wec muft note God his purpofejthat he would haue Petcrwho was about to be the far more excellent, to be brought vntothe knowledge of Chrifte, by the meancs and minifterie of Andrew.Lct none ofvs how excellent focuer he be,refufe to bee taught of him f isourinferiour4ForhefhalbcgricuoufIypuni{hcdforhischurli(hnes &pride, that wil not vouchfafetocoe vnto thrift forfcotept wherewith he difpifethma 4i« fr«7;rf««/o«n^tfeeA/tf/i»4f«TheEuangeliftturneththi$ word Mefsias into 'Greekcjihat hemight make that knownc vnto all the worlde, whiche wa^ kept clofe amongft the Ier.es. Furthermore this was the ordinary title of kings, hkc as they were annointedfolcnly.But in the meane while they were not ignorant that there was one king that (hould becannointed ofGod,vnderwhomcthcy fliould hope forperfed & eternallfehcitictefpccially feeing that they had trycd die vnflable earthly kingdoe of Dauid.Fmthermore,as god rayfed the vpbcmg brought down & opprcffed with diucrs forrows,vnto the waiting for the Mefsi- 4i,fb did he more manifefily declare vnto the that his coming drew nccre. For t he prophcfic of Daniel excelkth the rcft,& is more plain as touching the name ofchriftjfot he doth net attribute the fame vnto kings,3s do the prophets bcfor him,buthc makcthit proper vnto p redeemer only.Hereby it came to paflc ih:t when as mention was made of the Mefias.or of chrjf},thcy vnderftood non e o- thcrfaue the redeemer. Thcgrcaterwoder it is thathc was rcceiued of fo few, tvhowasfomuchdcfucdofalloicnjandmJiD^hcinouthofallmcn. $S The ConmentATte ^f M^U.Cdmne. 41. Tl}ouartSmon(Sr^. Chriftgiucth Simon a name, not (asitfallcth.ou: commonly amongft men ) accordmg to any euent that is paft, or according to that that isfeenc, butbecaufe ha was aboutto make him a ftone : firft he fayth, , Thou art Simon thefonne oflona. Hce fetteth downe ihe name of his father vn- pcrfeaiy, which iscommon enough when as names are tranflatcd into other tongues. For it (hall manifeiUy appcare out of the laft chapter,that hee was the. fonnc of lohanna or lohn. And all this is as much as if he fhould fay, that he . fhali bee p.nother mancr of pcrfon then he is now« Neither doth he make men- tion of his father for honours fake : but he afhrmeth that for all that hee came of abafeilockcjandwasofnocftimationamongltmcn.-ycclhouldethisnowhit hinder him from making a man of inuincibleforce. Therefore the Euangehfl rccitcth thisas a prophehc,that Simon had a new (irname giuen him. I meanc aprophe{ie,not Co muchbecaufe Chriftforefawcthat Peterwould beconftant in the faith^but bccaufe heforetolde what he would giue him. Therfore he fet- teth fooith with a title now, the grace wherewith he determined to induehim afterward ; for thiscaufc he faieth not, that this is his firname now, buthe de^ fcrrcthitvmiJithctime to come.Thoufhalt be called Cephas, fmh he. It is mcete that allthe godly be Peters, or ftones,that being founded in Chrifl, they may be made fie to build vp the temple of God : but hee alone is called fo, bccaufe of lingular excellency. In the meane while the Papifls arc to be laughed at, who put'^him in Chrifles ftead, that he may bee the foundation ofthe Church. A s if he & the rcfl were not founded in Chrilt. But they arc twife ridiculous whilfte that they make a llone the head. For there is extant m thcxepetitions of Grati- anius,a doltiOi canon vndcr the name oCjituicletusy which changing the Hebrew name with the Gi:eeke,& making no difference between C€^/74/e & C*;7/M,think» cth that Peter was made by thisname the head ofthe Church. Furthermore, Ct^ha is rather a Caldean then an Hebrew name : but that was the vfual kind of pronunciation after the captiuitie of Babylon. Therefore there is no doubtfull thing in the wordes of Chrift* For he promifcth Peter that which he would ne« uerhauc hoped for; and therein docth he fet forth his grace vnto all ages, thae hh former eflate can no whit hurt him, feeing that this excellent title declareth that he was madeancw man. 4 J . The next day lefus yrould goe feerth into Galilee^ and hefoundVlnlUpy andhet /aide ynto him, follow me. 4 4» ^nd VhiUip was ofBethfaida^ the citty of Andrew and Veter. 4 ^ . Thili'ip found TS^athanael^ and he faith ynto him, we hauefsund lefus thefonne ef hfeph ofT^l/f^^rtth, of rrhom Mofes writ in the law, and the prophets, 4 6» ISlathanaelfaid ynto him^Can there any good thing come out of l>{a\areth? Thil" lipfaide ynto him, come and fee. 4j* FoUowmee * For afmuch as the minde of Phillip was inflamed with this one woorde , to followc Chrifle, wecdoe thereby gather what great force there is in the woordc : but it docth not appcare in all ahkc. For God doeth call many, but without friiite, as if hce did onely ftrikc their cares with a, vainc founde . Therefore the extcrnall preaching of the woorde, is of it felfc vnfruitfull, faue onely that it doth wound the reprobate to death,that they may be madcincxcufiblc before God. gut whenas the fccret working ofthe fpirite dotk. vptH thGoffeU ofuy. C4f. T. .^ <5oth qwiclcen the fame, it muft needs be that all the ferfcs inuft fo bee ni companion : yctnotwiihflanding this calling is a fipurc of i"hc7ailmpoVin men. » Hee r^a'ofBethfaida. ItfecmethtLitthcnamc ofihisciticisput in offct purpofe,tothcendcthcgooancflcofGodmay aprcatemorcmanifelflyir.ihc three Apoltlcs. Wee kno\\ehow{],arpcly Chrilkthreatncd and curfed that Citic c!fe where, Whercfoie in that fome of that wicked and curfcd nation arc rccciucd by God into fauoiir : it is to bee accounted, as if they had bin brought out of hell. And whereas heevouchfafcih to aduance thofevntofo great dfe- nitie,whom he had deliuered out of that dcepe dungeon,that hee nialccth them Apoftlesjthat is a moft excellent benefitc, and a bcncfitc worthy to be rcmcm bred. 47. ThfWpfoundelSjithat'.acL Howfoeucrproudc mcndoedefpiCethefe .young beginnings and childhcodc of the Churche, yet it is our dutic to fc c and cfpie greater glcry of God in them, then if the cflatc of the kingdome of Cbrifl haddebecncmightie and very gorgeous from the beginning. Forweckrowc what great aboundance did fpring by and by from this httlc feed. Furthermore wee fee that there was here iw Phillip the r?me dcfirc to cdifie, that was bceforc in Andrew. We fee furthermore his modcfiie, that hcconuertcthand goeth a- bout no other thing faue only to hauc fomc to Icarne with him of the common matter of all men. »^r/;<*»«/oKw«/;e/«i.Ttappearcih hereby what a flenderpoiticnoffaith was in Phillip, that he cannot f}^eakcfourc words concerning Chrift,butheintermin« glcth two croHc errours. He maketh him the fonne of lofeph, and falfly aflivr^ neth vnto him Nazareth for his countric .• and yet notwithltanding becaufe he coucteth linceiely to profite his brother and to make Chrift knowne,God doth alowc this his diligence,and it hath airoprofpcrousfuccefle.Wemuftcueiy one ofvs do oHfcndeuour to keepe our lelucs within our bounds. Neither doth the Euangclill recite this as aihingworthiccommcndation in Phillip, that he do- cth twice difgrace Chrilf :but dcclareth that his dodrine howfoeuer it was cor- rupt and intanglcd with crrour was profitable ; bcecaule the end thereof was to haue Chrill nytherisonIythatgrofre^hypocrinetouched,whentLySn It ? Tu^- "^'"^ "^-^^ ''' ""^'^'^ '" '^''^' ^^^' confcierces bu t arorh^ kind alfo vyhich is more nward,whiles that men are fo blinded M^^^s that they doe not onely lie vnto other men, but vnto themfelues alfo T b crc fore the integntie of the heart towarde God, and rightnes towarde men doth U^akcaChnflian EutChriftdothchieflvnotethat'defceitwherofrnticris «ade.Pfal.5 2 . i Methos fignifieth m this place more then cenainely.?^hc ' mk' hnue oftentime a flmple affirmation ; butbecaufcin thisplace wee muff vnd'r ftandthccontrapoluion betweenethc thing and the bare title, he is favd to be tiucIyonndecde,whoi$indeedcfuchanoneashce isiudgedtobe 48, ^'W^oYv^T^^^t^w* ? Althoughheewouldenotfiattcrhim vet fyouldehccbehcaidofhim,thathemightpUkcoutancw<3ueftion,wheretmto Vvhil£flheanfwcicd,hecmightprouehimfeiretobctheforneofGod And NathanaclaskcthnotinvainchowcChrifle kncwe him. For the ex-^mrleof a man that is fo fincere that liee is voyd^ of all guile is very rare ; and it is one- lyprcperto God tokncwe the puritieofthe heart. Eutitlcemcththattiic an- fwere which Chnflmakethisfcarfcfitlyapplyed. For hce could not therefore -cnterintoihefecretcornersoftheheart,bcc2ufehefawNathanaeJvnder the f^gge tree ; But there is another rcafon : for like as it h proper to God to knovi men that were neuerfeene, foalfoto fee thofe that nppeare not vnto the eyes IhcreforefeemgthatNathanacldidknowethatChriflcfawehimrof after the uiannerofmennc, but by a meet cdiuine fight; hechenccmi^htgathertlat hee Ipake not according to the manner of mcnnc. Itis therefore a rrcofc taken from thinges that bee like: foritis nolcficpiopcrto Godro fccth;m;x that bee out of fight , then toiudgcofthepnritieofthc heart « n.-nhcrmorc wcemuft gaihcrapiofiiablcdoarine outof thisplace, thatChxiilcdocth/cevx ao The [ommentarie of M^U.CulHme , when wc thinke not of hi.n -and Co it muft needcs be that he bringcth vs batie a'^aine when we are turned away. °49. rhottartthefonneofGdd. ItisnomarucUxhathcc knowcththcfonnc of God by his diuinc powcr.Biit in what refpefl doth he call him the king ot !!• rael? For thefe things doe feerne not to hang together. Biii: Nathanacl hath re- CpcCt vnto a farther thing : he had already heard that he was the Media? ; vnto this dodrinc doth he adioyne the confirmation that was giuen .-and he holdeth alfo another principle, that the fonne of God fhali not come,biit oncly to {hzy% himfelfe a kinj vnto thepeopic of G 3d. Therefore he doth worthily acknow- ledge him to be the king of Ifrael, which was the fonne of God. And trudy ouc faith mufl: not only rticke in the cflcnce of Chrifte (that I may Co fpeake) but ic mud marke his power and office* For it fhoulde but a litle auaile to know who Chrift is, vnleffe this feco.id thing lliould bee added thereunto, what a one hec will be toward vs, and to what end hee was fent of his tathcr. Heereby it com- meth to padethat the Papiftcshaueonly a fliadowcd Chrift : becaufe they had a care to aoprehend the bare Eirencetyet neglefled they his kingdom which co fifteth in the power offauing. Furthermore, in that Nathanael lay th, that he i$ . the kingoflfi-aeljwholekingdomenotwithftaading.reacheth vnto the fartheft partes of the worldc, it is a confeflion limited according to the mcafure of his faith : for he was not come fo farrc as to know that hee was appoynted the king of all tlic world : or rather that the children of Abraham (houlde bee gathered together out ofall places, that all the whole world might bethelfracl of God. We to whom the largcncsofthe kingdom of Chrift is reuealed, muftleapeo- uer thefe ftraitcs. In the mcane feafon let vs exercifeour faith by the hearing of the woorde according as did Nathanael : let vs eftablifh the fame by all meancs- poflible, and let it not remaine buried, but let it breake forth. JO lefnanfvfiered. He doth not reprehend Nathanacl as though hee had becne too credulous : but rather approuing his faith with his voyce, hee promi- fcth vnto him and the reft greater arguments of confirmation. Moreouer, this was aifpeciall thing, for one man, to bee fcenevnderafigtree,ofCbrifte,who was abfentand far from that Place ; but now he bringeth a proofc, which fliuld bee common vnto all menne ; and therefore hee turncth his talke as it were abruptly from one man vnto allj* 5 I Tee fhall fee (faith hee) heauenopen, ^f,Tn my iudgementthcy erre great- ly who enquire curioufly after the time and place, when and where Nathanael and the reft fawc heaucn open. For hee doth rather note a certaine continuall thing whicliefliouldcalwaycs bee extant in hiskingdome. I confclfe that the AngcUcsdidfometimesappcare vnto the Difciples, which doe notappeareat this.day. I confelTe that there was another maner of manifeftation of the celc- ftiall £;Iory when Chrift afcci^'ied into heauen, then is nowe manifeft vnto vs? But if w£c doe well weigh chat whiche was then done,it is continually of force, for whereas the kingdomc of G O D was ftiuttc againft vs before, it was truely opened in Cbrifte. Hcercof was there a vifible figure ftic-rrd afwell to Stephen and the three difciplcs in the mount, as vnto the other difciples in theafcenti- on of Chrifte But all the fignes whereby God (hewcth himfelfe to bee prefene ^th vs,doc appcrtaiaevmo the opening of heaucn, moft ofallwhca bcc ma- VpentheGofpeloflohn, Chap, 2, 4I kethvs partakers ofhimfclfcvnto life. The other member concerningthe An. -gcIsfoUowcth. They arcfayd toafccadand Jefcendjihai they may be miniacrs of Godshbcrahtictowardevs. Therefore inthismancr ofphrafcisfetfooith themutiiall communication that is bcetwecnc God and men. And wee mull thanke Chrift for this bencfitc : bccaufc without him the Anoels are rather our vttcr enemies then our familiars, and thofc that arc dcfiioiisto hdpcvs. They arc fayd to afcend and dcfcend vpon him .• not that they minilicR to him alone but becaufe in refpcft of him, and his honor, they arc careful for the wliole bo- dy of the Church. And I do not doubt butthat he alludethvnto the ladder which Gen.i^ wa s (hewed vnto the PatriarcheTacob in fleepe, for that is truely performed in ChiiftCjWhiche that vifion did fhadowc. Finally thefumme 'it'this place is feeing that all mennc were ahants from the kingdome ofGO D, the pate of heaucn is fetrcopcn vnto vs now, that wee may bee Citizens with the Samtcs, and commpanions with the Ang dies .- and that they who are appoyntcd kee- pers of our laluation, doe come downe from bleflcd relt to helpe our miieries. Chap, 2. I A ^ ^^'* *^^^^^ ^*y ^^^ ^''''■^ ^ maria^t in Cana ofGaUUe : 4ini the mother of J~\ lefts was there, 2. ^nd lefus and hii difciples were dljo called rnte the maria^t. 5 . ^nd johen the wine had failed^ the mother of leffts faith ynto him, they haue no wine, 4* leftts faith ynto heryWoman^whathafi thou to doe with mee ? mine heare is not jfCtcome, y , His mother faith ynto the minijiersy doe that which hee {I^allfay ynto joi*. 6. ^4nd there were there fixe water pots of fioncyfet according to the purification of the lewesy containing etterj one about tvo or three frkins, 7. Jefiis faith ynto them,fiU the water pots with water, jind they filled them ypU the top. 8. jind hee faith ynto them, drav now^and carry to thegouernoi*r ofthefeafi, ^nd they hare, 9 ♦ ,^nd rphen thegou^rnour ofthefeafi hadde tafled the water that was made wine, (and he k^K^ not whence it was^ bttt the minifiers kite -pre that had drawne t he water^tht ^ouernour efthefeafi calleth the bridegrome, * I o. ^nd he faith ynto him^euery man at the firfi fetteth forth good wine:and when ^nyare drunken thenthat which is worfe : but thou hafl kfft the good wine tiUnowe, II. This beginning ofmyraclet did lefus in Cana of GalUee,and he/Jjeved his glory: and hit difciples beleeued on him^ u There rvas a mariage in Cana of Galilee. Seeing that this hvftoric contaiaeth the firft myracic that I E S V S did, wee murt giue grcatc hcedc vn- toiteuenfcr.this caufe^and for this one thingesfi'ce mull wee wcllconlider thereupon . Although (as wee {hall fee afterwarde) there bee other caulcs whichc fettefoorth the fame vnto v». Butthc minifoldccomnioJit^cUuii Diorc^ 4t The CmmcfttarU, o/M* h. Calume, more plainly appearc in procefic. TheEuAngdiafiiftnanuththep!ace,Crf«4 ofGalilec /not that which W3 s fituate towardc 5*«rf/7;4 , bctwccnc Tjre and Sydon^ and was called the gi cater in comparifon of this other) which feme doe place in the inheritance or the tribe ofZaLulon- and other feme doe afsigne itvntothetribeof^/cr. For lercme doethteftifiethateueninhis time there floode there a little towne of that name. It is to be thought that it wasneerc totheCiticof Nazareth , feeing thit the motheroflefus came thither tothe niairiage. Itfliall appeare ofihctciirth Chapter , that it was but a dayesicur- ney from Capernaum. Andalfothenighncsofthc Citie Bethfaida may bee gathered thence, in that the Euangelift fayth, that after that Chrift had bccnc three dayes in thcfe borders, there was a marriage in.Cana. It may bee alfo that there was a third not farre from Hierufalem, and yet without Galilee , but becaufel amnot ccrtainehereof,Ilcaueit. Jnd the mother of Ufns* It is to be thought that it was fome of lefushiskinsfolke that was married. For Icfus i$ here made his motherscompanion. Whereas his difciples arccalled alfojit may be thence gathered howfimply and thriftily he Uuedjbecaufeheliued together with them« But this may fceme an abfurd thing that a man being not very rich ( as may appeare by the want of wine )doth inuite fourc or Hue moe for Chrifis caufe. But amongft the poorc, bidding is more eafic and free : becaufe they arc not afraid of{h3me(asaretherich)ifthcydonotentertaintheirgeIies fo dain tily& goi-geoufly as they ought For poorc menace more retaine the old ma- ncr of mutuall communication . Yet this fcemeth to bee againc a very vnciuilc thing, that the bridcgromcfuflfereth his gefles to want wine in the middefl of the Supper. Foritisihepointofamanthatisrafhcandvnprouiuent, not to haue lo much wine as is fufficicntfor his gcftes, I anfwerejthat there isnothing told in this place, which doth not oftentimes chaunce, efpecially, where wine is not dayly vfed. Secondly, the Text doth fiiew that the banket was almoft en* tied when the wine fayled, when as they (hould haue bcenc alreadic well filled according to the cuftomc. For the gouerncur of the feafl,faith thus: other men doe fctthe worfcr wine before thofc that are drimke,butthou hafl kept thebcft till now. iVJoreouer, I doe net doubt but that all this was gouerned by the pro- uidencc of Godj that there might bea place for a myracle* J. The ntoihercflefusfayth. Heeremay a doubt arife,whctherflicc hope for fomething at her Tonnes hands, or askc fomething, feeing that he had as yet wrought no myracle* And it may be alfothat looking for no fuch thing at his handes, flieeputhiminmindetocheerevp the geflcs that were wearie, with fomefuch godly exhortation,as ihould alfo moderatethe fhame of the bride- groome which hcc might take heereby . Furthermore, I thinke that theic were wordcs of carefull pittie. For when as the holy womanne fawe that the banket might bee troubled, becaufe thofc that were bidden, thinking that they were not honorably enough cntertaincd,might murmur againtt the bride grom.e,flieedefircd fome comfort. Chryfoftome thinketh that (hee went about to purchafc fome fauourfor herfclfc and her fonnejas women vfe commonly to doe. But thisconiedureis without rcafon. But why doeth Chrill fo churhfhly giue her the rcpulfe ? I anfvyci c, that although neither ambition, neither any o- thcraftedionofthcflfih did drmehcr,yet did lliethcria offend § (lie did paflc herjbounds. In that ihc is (o^cfuU & Tone for the difcoxnmodity of another^and is ^cHrouno cure the lame by fome o.'ie meanes or othcr,this is a poynt ofcur- tehe, and it ,s to be ^rcnbc^ vnto vertuc ; but yet in the meanc (ca(on (he mi2ht haiie cnikencd the olory of Chrift by iiuruding her fclfe Althourb u c muft 'al- fo note that ChnllcfayHe thus not fo much for her lakc,asfoicrhcr$ ■ her mo- delhe and godlmeflc was greater, then that it had need of fo iharpc a reprchen^ fion. Secondly, fliee did not offend wilhnoly and wittingly. l>ut Chrill c dooth only preiicnt the danoer^leaft his mothers words Oiould be othci wife taken the was meetc, as though he wrought the n^yrade aftctwarde at her airpointmcnr. 4. JVhathafi thou to do with me rvom.ui}ln the Grcekc text it is word for word , tvhnt to thfca}nintee}Bin thismanerofphrafe doth fionifie as much anionpO. the latinirrs, as if one fliould Ciy^qtiidtibimecumhxLithxP thou to doe x^ith m??The cc oldc interpreter dcceiued many, whothoughtthat Chriadothdcnicihntlu. and his mother hadany need tocare though the wine did foile. Rut wc may CA- fily gather out ofthcfeconde member hovvefarthatwasfiomChnflc his mea- ning. For hee both taketh vpon him this cire^nnd he doth reftifie that it bc!on - oed vnto him,when hec faith that his hourc was not yet come. Tl^.ercfore wcc mufl loync both thefe things together, that Chrifl knew what hec iiad to doe .• and yet that he would do nothing in this matter at his mothers rcqucfi. Certain ly this is a notable place. For why doth he flatly dcnic his irotlier that, which hegraunted (o oftcaftetwardshberally to other whatfocucr they were. Sccod- ly, SMhy doth he (being notccntcnted withaplamercpulfc) make no more ac- count ofher then of another \vomAn,& doth notnow vouchrnfc to call her mo therrBy thefc words of chrift we fee § men are forbid by extollino the horor of this natmother fupcrftitioufly in Marie, to tranflate tfiofe things vnto litr which are proper to God.Thercforc chrift fpeakech vnto his mother on this wifc,il:at hee might deliuer vnto all ages a pcrpetuall & comon dodrine, lenft the immo- derate honour of his mother fhould darken his diuinc glory, Fu; thtrmorc, it is wi'll known howe necef^ary this admonition was .by thofc grolle and filthy fu- pciftitions which followed afterward For -(W^fvVwasmadetheqtiecnc olhea- uen, the hope/.he life, and health of the worlde. Furthermore, their mad fury went thus far.that they decked her with the things which they tooke fro Chrift, whom they left naked. Andwhenwedoecondcmncthcfe execrable blafphc- miesvtieredagainft the fonne of God, the Papifts call vs wicked and cnuious, Yeathey doe wickedly and falfly report that wc, like enemies, do impugne the honor ofthe holy virgin. As though fhcc had not fo much honor as is due vnto hcr,vnles flic be made a godde(Te:or this were for her honour,to thruft her into Chriftsplacc,being adorned withfacrilcgiousticIes^Therforc they l\o cruell imuryto>/4r)'whenas(that thcymay disfigure her with falfephrafcs)rbcy do take from god that which is his. 3i;yfco»re/f no/- 7«ffo>»tf.His meaning is,ihat hee delayed hitherto notbecaufe bethought not vpon it or cared nor font. In tiic mcane while he flicwcth that hewil c are for this matter, whe opportunitie ft, a I ferue. Therefore ns he blameth his mother becaufclhc was too tooh.iftic,fohc puttcth her in hope that he will ftiew fbm myr;icle.The holy virgin acknowlcd- geth both. For fhce doth not trouble him any .*urther.& \yhzn fliCC biddcrh the minidcrs doc whstfoeuer he ikill bid the,ftic fticweth {• rt>c hoped forCoiw ncvr thinjT.But thisdoftrine r£achethfarther,fo cftea« the Lord do:hmak-e vsw.iic & dcferrcth his helpc,hc is not therefore iluggilhjbut doth rather modcr: :e his v«orks fo^ t;hat he nuy doe all things in due fcafon. They 44 31^^ (^enrnent, ofM, Jo , C^Uwe They that VYrcfteci this flace vnto the fatall appoyntmentoftime*, are ir.orc ridiculous then that wee need to fpeakc one word in refutation o[ them* ThatisromctimescalledthehcKrcofChrid^whichwasappoyntedhimofhis father: and he will afterwardc call ihnt his timcwhiche was commodious and fit for him to fulhll his fathers commaundcments in -Lut in this place he th.Ulen- ccthvntohimfelfcheehbertieto takcandchoofc the time wherein hce will workc the myracle • 5. His tnother faith irnto thetnimfiers. Hcrcthe holy virgin fneweth a token ofthc true obedience which (Ixc did owe vnto her fonne, when as the matter did touch not humane offices hut his diuinc power. Therforc fr.cc refteth mo- dcftly vpon his anfwcre, and alfo cxhorteth other men in li' ' fort^ to obey hij commandement. 1 confefl'e indeede that the virgin (ayde thus according to the prcfent circumftance, as if (hce did denic that (hee haddeany authoritie in the TTiatter, but that Chriftcwoulde docwhatfoeuerplcafed him; yetifyoumarkc her drift, this fentence reachcth further For fhe doth firft abandon and depiiuc her felfe of the power which flicemight fccmc vniuftly to haue t.iken to hirfelhr then doth (hee acknowledge that it bclongcth wholy to Chrift,when ll»e com- maundtth them to doc that which he fliall com.maunde them. Therefore wee arc taught generally out of this place, that if we defire any thing of Chrift, we c do no ctherwifeobtaine our petitions, vnlcfic we do depend wholy vpon him, hauf refpeft vnto him,and finaIIy,doethat which hee commandeth vs. But hec fcndcthvs not vnto his mother, but doth rathcrbidvs come vnto himfelfc. 6. jind there were there water pots. According to Bttdxus his fupputation wee gather that thcfcwatcrpots were very biggc and did holdemucn.For fee- ing that a fiikin maketh fiue and twentie potles cuery one of them contained at leaft a fextaric according to the mcafure of this country .Therefore Chrift mi - niftrcd vnto them great plentie of wine ; namely, more then might fufficc an fcundrpd and fiftie men to a merie banquet. Morcouer, afwell the number ofthc water portes as thcmancr itfelfefer- ucth to the prouing of the truth ofthc myradc. If it hadde becne onely two or three bottles, many might haue fufjjeded that they had becne fetch from fomc other place Tf the turning of the waterinto wine had beene done in one vefleli c^cly, the certainrieof the myracle had not beene foplaine and euident.Therc fore itisrotinvaincthattheEuangclifte maketh mention ofthc number, nei- ther doth hec expreflfe in vaine, howe much they contained. Furthermore, this arofeoffiiperftition that fo many, and fo great vcffcls did ftandc there ♦ They had the rite of walhing out of the lawc of God : but(as the v\ orld is alwayes too muc h in external] things) the Icwes bceing not contented with the plamneffc that God appoyntcth, were alwayes toying with continuall (prinklings, and (as fuperftition is ambitious) it is not to bee doubted butthat this fcrucd alfo for Pompe;hkcaswccfee.itthisdayinpapiftric,whatthmgs focuer arefaydcto appertiine to the worfhippe of God, they are applyed vnto vaine bragging and boafting. There fore there was a double fault^firft in that they did occupie them Tclues in a feigned and fuperfluous ccremonie without the commaundement of God : fecondly, that ambition did raignc in that furniture vndcr the pretence cfrehgion. Fuiw vponthe Go/pel of lohn. Chap. 2] ^. Fmthermore,thevvickcdncneofcertainckn3ucsintimeorp^^ derfull,wlioducfthrftcthmftinwatcrpotsofafma]lquantKic,and vm-qua.1 mcafurc And cuen at this day they are not .H.amcd m (o prcat llht oftheGofpclltochalcngcfuchdcccitnsyct : thisisnottodc^^^^^^^ but boluly to mockc the blmde. And it is euidcnt that the world is bewitched of Sathan, which dothnotpcrcciueluchgrofTcmGckcs. 7 * Fillthe water pots vith water. This commaundcment tright fcemc to tlic miniflers ridiculous . for there wcs ali tady oucrmuch water .• but thus doth the Lordc vie to dealt- with vs, that his power may nppeaic to be more excellent by the vnhored for fncccHc : Althcujmmentarie,$fLM.ld.Caiukte^ The caufc ofthc forbidding wasjleaft that by beholding the wanconncs which is. there for the moft part vfcd, they fhouldc fecmc to allowe the fame* But it had bcen<; farrc better to haiic brought To much grauicie thither with them tnatthey might hauc tamed ihat Iibcrtie which froward and diflblutepcr Tons doc CTiaunt to themfeiucs in their fccrct corners. But let rather the example of Chriftc bee vnto vs a lawe, and let vs thinkc that there is nothing more pro- fitable to bee done, then that v^hich weereadc he did He* /hewed his ^lory. Be- caafchccl'hcwcdatthat time a famous and glorious token, whereby it mi^hteuidentlyappearethathc was thcfonneofGod. Forlooke how many my^ades hee fliev^'cd vnto the worldc, lo many fignes were there of his diuinc power. And then was the due time to (hewe his glory come, when he would bee knownc according to the commaundement ofhisfather. Fromwhencc wee doe alfo gather the cnde of myracles. For this faying is as much as if it had beenefayde, that Chrifte wrought this myracleto the cndehec might (hewc -forth his glory. What muft wee thinkc then of the myracles wbichc make the glory of Chnft obfcurc ? Hm difciplcs btUene on him, 1 f they were difciples, it muft nccdcs bee that they had fome faith, But whereas they had hitherto fol- ;lowed him with anvnceratinc and doubting faith, they begin then at the length to addift themfeiucs vnto him, fo that they did acknowledge him to be that 3ff/5/4J which was preached vnto them. And this was great mercifuUncf in Chrift, that hee accounted thofe his difciplcs in whomc there was fo weakc afaith. And truely this dodrincreacheth generally vnto vs all . Forthatfaith which is nowe growne vp to lome perfcd:ion, had before time her infancie:yca it is in no man fo peifeij^, but that it is neceffary for all of vs to goe forwarde in bcleeumg.So thatthofe who did alrcadic bclccue,forafmuch as they doe day ly goe forward toward the marke, they begin to bclceuc. Therefore let thofe that haue obtained the firlt fruitcs of faith, alwayes ftriue to goe forward. The fruit alio of myracles h ihewed in this place : namely ,that they muft b c referred vnto the confirmation and increafe of faith, He that wrcftcth them to any other end, corrupteth and depraueth all the whole vfe there of, Like as wc fee the Pa« piftes make boaft of their feigned myracIcs,to no other end but to ouerwhelmc taith,ani to turne away mens mindes from Chriftc vnto creatures, 11 « jifttr th ii ht went dowm to Caffernaunti and Us mother y dnd hit hrethren^ Mni hit difciples ; and hetarryed there not mdny dajes, Xj. ,/indtbeJewes Eajierdreweneer* : therefore Jefut went yppetsHieruptm lem. 1 4. ^nd hee found in tJte Temfle certaine that folde oxeny andfheepe^ gnd douesif^ money changers alfoftttingthere, I J . ^ndhauing made a whip effmall cordes, hee cafi them all out of the Temple^ "with thefheepe and oxen : and he poured eut the money of the money changers^ ^ oner- threwe the tables. 16. jindhefayd-vntothem that folde douesjhaue ttttay tbefe things hence : maf^eno$ my fathers honfe an houfe of merchandise, 17. FHrthermori^hh difcipUi imew^uii th4$ it was Written^ The TfaU offhini h^9'ho»fchatbutwtmyf* vpon theGofpcioflohn. flap. T. ^ .. Morie. And bccaulc hcpurpofcd to gather too^^^ rcrr.cmbt.ng, ^vhlch the other three did omitte, i^e fcttcth downc^hTt m wh| thisw.sdonc, vvhcrcofhcis about torpeakeForthercftalfodomaVcTcc^^^^ of this which vye reade heere that Chriftc did : but the duierfitie of t.me do th fliewthatisvvastbehlce and notthefamefaa Therefore ChnHe pureed the temple twif^of that filthy and nrophane occupying . firfte about the beolna^ of his embaflage : and fecondly, when he was about to depart out of the v^or d vnto Hisfathcr. But to the end we may vndcrftand the fumme, wee muft bucfiy difcuffc all thmges in order. In that there flood oxen, and fl.eepc,anddoues inthetempetofelI,inthatthcirfaremoneychaungersthere, itwantcdnotan honeit cloake. For they might boaft that the occupying wliic h was thc-c kert was notprophane, ; but that it did rather belong vnto the holy wordiip of cod' that euery man might haue that ready which lie would offer vnto the Lord And truly It was very commodious for godly men to haue in rcadincs all manner ob- lations.and by thismeanes not to be troubled with running hitherand thither Therefore it is a maruell that Chrift was fodifpleafed with this. Butwee muft note two reafons ; for becaufe the Prielts did abufe this buying and felling vnto gayne, & their owne couetoufncHe/uch mocking ot God was not to be'bornc With. Secondly, how foeuer mendoeexcufethcmfeiucs, yctfofooncasthey doe a little digrcfle from the commaundement of God, they arc worthy to bee reprehended, and they haue need to be correded . And for this c:ivfc chiefly did Chrift take in hand to purge the temple, hke as he doth plainely affirme that the temple of God is net aplaceof marchandize. But there may a quedion bee a$ked,why bee did not rather bcginne with do ct wjU hce haue his glory to bcfet forth in the Church. Wherein hee flicweth a manifcft token of his loue toward vs, in that he c knittcth his glory together with our lalua tion with an ynfoluble knot. ^. p Not? JO The ['oTfmentarle of M^lo.CAltiine, NovT it rcfteth that allmtn frame thcmfclues to fallow Chrift -. feeing that there is a gencrall dcdrinc fct forth vnto the vrholc bony in the example of the hcaH :asPaulteach€thRom. 15.^. Let vs not fiiffcrfo much as in vslyeth the holy temple ofGod by any me.mes tobcc defiled, yet in the nieane whjiewe n.Mlt beware th«t noman dopafie the boiindes of his vocation. We mull all of vs be zealous as was the fbnne of God . but it is not by awd by lavvfull for cuery one ofvjvtotakc ihewhippe, that wee may corrcftvicca with our hand. For wee haiicnoirhc fitne power, ncithcris the fame office enioyncd vs. 1 8 ThtrefoTt 4he UvFesMifweredyattdfayd ynto himytvhat Jlgne doefi tUufljiyv ysy betAhfc t})>u doef thfft thing* ? I ^ If fuuutj Wired andfa^d ynto tUm^ deproy tUs ttmpleyund in three da^esyjrfiit raifettyp. 20 Therefore the Icwesfayd, this tempie was hnilt tHfixe^ndfortieyetres^tind wilt thou fet it y fin three da^ei? XI But he/pak^ofthe temple of his hody, 1 % Therefore vrhenhee refe againefrom the dead, his Dipiples rentembred that he had Cayde this ynto them : and thty UUetted the Scripture^ and tht ycordes which lefni ffak^u 1 8 jyhatjigne doefl thou [hew ys f Whereas none in fo grcate a multitude noneofihecattdlfellcrS; none of the moneychangers, lavde handes vppon him and driiiehim away violently, wee may hecreby gather that they were alUmittcnofOod, fothatbeeingafraydthcy ftoode allam.ized. Therefore vnlcflc they had beene altogether blinded,this was myracle euidcnt enough^in that one, againft many, one vnarmed, againft valiant men, anvnknownman againft fo great Princes, durlt venture to doc fo great an ad. For why did they notrcfifthim, feeingthey were farre his fupcriours^faue only that their hands f.iylcd , and were as it were broken ? Yet hnue they fome caufe to askc him a qiielHon. For it is not for eucry man by and by to make an alteration if any thing be corrupt and difplcafant in the Temple. Truely, it is free for all men tocondciiine corruptions: butifapriuateperfonfet hande to takeaway the fame, hte lhallbeeaccufcdofrallinede. Becaufe they had taken itvppfora cullometolcll in the Temple, and Chrifte did takeinhande anew and vnac- cuftomed thing : they doe by good rightrequire that heeprouethat hec was fcntotCod. Forthcytake vntothem that muxitne and grounde, that it i$ notlawfullio chaunge any thingma publike adminiftration, withoutacer- tainc calling, andcommandementfromOod. But in the other theyerred,in that they would not allow the calling of Chrift, vnlefl'e hce (hewed a myracl c. Forncytherwasthatathing which the Prophetcsand other the fcruantes of G O D hadde alwayes y[tdy to (hcwe (ignes or workc wonders, neythcr did God bind himfelfc vnto this ncccfiitic. Therefore they doe wickedly appoint God a law in asking a figne. Whereas the Euangeliftfayththatthelewes did askethe quettion, without doubt hce mcaiicth by ihcmthc multitudethac ftoode there , and as it wye the whole body of the Churchc , as if ^tfpon the Gtffeilrflohn. Cof.t, 3^ liecfiiouldc fay, tkat it was not one or two that faydc thus, but the peo- ple ^ 19. Vff^r'iy this TmpU. It is an Allcgoricall kinde offpceche, and Chriftc fpakc thus darkly of fctpurpofc, bccaufe hcc thought they were not worihic of a plaine anfwcre. Like as hee doth teftifie in another place, that hcefpcakcth ./ in parables vntothofc which cannot vnderflande the fecretesot thekinodomc ^^' '^' '^ of hcaivcn. And firft hee dcnycth vnto them the figne whiche they required, cythcr bccaufe it would haucbecnefruitlefie, or cllc bccaufe he kncwcihatic wa s no fitte time. Hee did alfo fomctimes graunt fomething vnto their impor- tunate prayers. Therefore it muftneedcs bee that there was now fonic ^rcat let whiche made him refufe to doe this . Yetinthcmcane fearonheegiucth them to vndcrftande, that his power fhoulde bee approoucd and eftabhlhed by no common myMclCjIeat't they (houlde thereby excufc themfclucs , For there coulde no greater tcltimonie of C H R I S T his diuine power be dc(i- red, then his refurredion from the death . But hee doothinfinuate the fame figuratiuely : becaulchcedoothnot vouchfafc to makethemaflatte pro- mifc. To bee bricfc, hcc handclcth the vnbclccuing 2$ they deferue, and dooth alfo acquit himfelfeof all contempt. Itwas notycteuiJentthatthey wcreob- ftinate .-but Chrift knewewcll enough howe they were aflcded. But he re may thisqucftion bee asked /eeing that hee did fo many and diuers myracles, why hcc toucheth one onely in this place. I anfwere, that hee concealed all the o- thcr myracles, bcecaufc his refurrcdion alone was fufficient to floppc their mouthes withall- Secondly, bcccaufc hcc would not fc t the power of G O D before them to bee mocked and laughed at of them. For eucn for this caufe did hee fpcakc Allegorically of the glorye of his refurrcdion. Thirdly, I fay that hcc vttered that whiche was fit for his matter. Forbythcfe wordcsdoothhec (hewe that hcc haddc allauthoritie and power oucr the Temple, feeing that he is able to doe fo much in the building of the true Temple of G O D. And al- though hceappiycththiswoorde Templevnto thecircumftanceofthemattcr, yet is the bodie of C H R I S T called a Temple fitly and conueniently . E- j q^^ ^ . aery one of our bodies is called a Tabernaclejbecaufc the doth dwell therein: * but the body of Chriftc was the houfe of hisdiuinitie. For wee knowe that the Sonne of G O D didlbputvppon him our nature, that theeternallmaie- flicofG O D did dwell in the flefhe whiche hcc took c, as in a Sandua- ric. And whereas 2\[(f/?(»n«i didabufc this place that hee might proouc that one and the fame Chritt was not both God and man,it may eafily be rcfuted:for he gathered it thus, the fonne of God dwelt in the flefh as in a Temple : therefore they were two diucrs natures, fo that one and the fame coulde in no cafe bee both God and man. But this Argumentmay bceapplycd vnto men, for it fhall follow that he is not one man, whofc foulc dwelleth in thebody as in a Taber- nacle. Therefore this phrafc U foolifhly wreftcd to takeaway the vnitie ofpcr- foninChrifV. D % Furihcrmorc, 5^ Th^ Cinmentdrle, of M. lo. Calum] Furthermore, vye muft note that our bo Jics alfo are called the temples of Coi, i.Cor.^. butinanothcrrcfped. namsly,beecaufcheedwcllcth in vs by the power and 1^- grace ofhi* (|7iricc ^ but in Chnfteds-vjllcth the fulncffe of the diuinititcorpo* rally • fo that hec is in dceJc Go J reuealed in the flc(h. / x»ill ray ft ity^^Ucrc Chriftc doeth challenge to himfelfe the glory of his refiirrcdion^vrhcn asnot- withftandmg the fcripturc doath teftifie eucry where that it was the worke of Godthefithcr. But thcfetWJthiages doe hang well together , For the fcrip- turc to the ende it may feitefoorthvntovs chepower of God, dothflatlya. Tchbe this vnto the father, that hec r^yled vp his fonnc from death ; and heerc Chriftc dcclareth his diuinitie peculiarly. And Paule Rom. 8. n . rcconcilcth them both, f jr he calleth the fpiiit whom he makcth the autihour of Chrifte his refurredion, fomeiimes the fpiritof Chrift, fo'mctimes the fpirice of the father confufedly, 2o I'tfjrtiefixeyetre f The computation of i")anicll agrecth with this j^ place- For hccreckoneth feutn wecke>,which make fortie nine yeeres but be - Din*f. * 5* foj.^.t|^gl^{tyy>js ended, the temple was finilhcd. Whereas in thchyftorieof Efdras there is mention m id e of a farre more Ihorttime, although it haue fomc (lie we of contrarietie, yet is it not co.itrary to the woordes of the Prophet. Foe fofoone as the fan^luary was ercfted,they began to offer Sacrifices before Tuch time as the temple was buildcd. Aftcrwarde,rfic worke was foreflowed a long time through the (lugginmeflc of the people .• as it doth manifeftly appeare out •^oi^' i« 4- of the complaintes of /fx^ettf- Fof he fhirpely rcproueth the levves for that they were too earneftly giuen to builde their owne houfes, and did let the temple of theLordelievnfinilhed. Buttowhat ende doe they make mention of that temple, whiche Herod dcftroyed fortie yeeres beefore, or there about. For al- though the temple which they then had, was moft gorgeoufly and with great cod builte,yet did Herod finilhe it in eieht y eres contrarie to all mens expedi- tion, as lofe^hm reportethin his fifteenth bookc oiAntiq. and thelaft chapter.' It feemeth to me that they made account of the new budded tempi e,as though that oldc one had alwayes continued in the eftate wherein it wis, to the end it mjoht be had in greater eftimation, fo that they fpake according to the commo cultomc, that the temple was fcarfe budded by the fathers wi:h much a doc in - fortie fixe yeeres. Furthermore, this anfwcre flievfsth fufficienily with what minde they as* Iced afigne. For if they had becne ready reuerently to haue obeyed a Prophet fent of God, they would not fo hautily haue reieded, that which hee fpake of the approbation of his office . They will haue fometeftimonieofhisdiuinc power: in the meanc time they admit nothing which is contrary to humanne rcafon. So at this day the Papiftes requiremyracle$,not that they will giue place to the power of God . (For they are fully determined to prefcrremenne before God, and not to turnea (idea nayles breadth from that which they haue by vfe andcuftome)butleaft they feemc torch ell a^amllGod without reafon, they paynt their frowardneffc with this colour , The mindes of the infidels doe Co rage within themfclucs with fuch blinde force that they defirc to fee the hande of G O D fliCYVcd them, and yet Will they not haue it to bee the hande of Qpd . ^ x% Tmrtfir*. vpontheGoJfehfhhn. C/ip^y, ^^ ti. Therefore when he was rifenfrom death he remtmhred. This rcmembe- rancc vraslikc to the former, whereof the Euangehftmadc mctionoflate.Thc difciplcs did not vndcrflandc Chrifte nhqp hce fpake the vrordcs ; but the do- drine brought foortb frujteafterwarde in due time, which fccmcdiohaue bccnc voyde and vame. Although therefore there b e many of ihc fayines and Workcs of Chnft darke for a time, yet mult we not therefore dcfpayic, nor de- Ipifc that which nee doc not by and by vndcrftande. Wee muii markc the text that they bcleeucd the Scripture and the vTordes of ChrilK For the Euangchftc meaiicth, that by conferring the fcripimevvith thcv^ordesofChrilt they were holpen that [hey might protitc in faitn. 2 ^ . i4nd rehtn he was at lernfalem in the "Eajfer yp»n thefeafi day, rnatt^ hiUeued ypon his name feeing the myracles which he did. 1 4. Btit leffts durfi not commit himfelfe ynto themJbecaHfe ht k^ew thtm all. 2 J. ^.itherhadhe ncede that any/houUe ttjiife tfrnanfor hee knewe what vat in man* 25. Many beUemd. Hee adioyneth this narration to the other going before, ycry fitly. Chnft fl.ewcd no fuch figne as thelcvres defred . Now Iccing thai he did them no more good with many myracles,faue only that they conceiucd a cold and ihadowifli faith,this euetproueth fufficiently that they were vnwor- thytohauehimtoyecldtotheirrcqucft. Hcerc didappcarc fomefruitcofthc myraclesjbcccaufe many beclecued vppon Chrifte, and AiA io bcelccueon his name, that they did profcfie that they would follcvve hisdodrinc- {Yox^namt) is put in this place in ftccd of authoritic.)This Hmplc kindc of faith, which stos asyct weakc and feeble, might at length growe vp to be a true faith .-this might be a profitable preparation to fet forth the name of Chrifte among other. Yet is thattrue which wee fa) d, that they were farrefromthetruedefiic,toprofiteir» the workesofGod as it was meetc. But yetthis was no feigning of faith, wher- by they wculd vaunt themleluesamongcft men ; for they were pcrlwadcd that ChhlUwasfomc great Prophet ;paraduenturealfo,they did gmcvnto him the honour of the ikff/y;4;,who was at that time greatly looked for cue ry whei e.But becaufe they did not throughly vnderfliid what was the proper ofhce nfymiffias their faith was prcpoflcrou^ which did flitke in the world and earthly thingcs. Secondly, it was coide, and a pcrfwafion voyde of the carnelt affcflion of iHc heart. Fcrhypocritts doc giue their cor.fcnitothe Gofpcll,nottbatthef n^ay obey Chrift,nc:thcr that they may foHovNC God when he callcth . but bc- capfe they dare not altogether rcicd thctiutthbceingknownc, and efpecially whereas there is no caufe of refifiance. For like as they dee not make wan e a- cainftGodoftheirowneaccord, ncr yet freely fo, rofooncasthtydoerrcc perceiucthat his doiflrinc iscontrary to their wicked lul^c s.thcy arc by and by nctled, or at l^att they jeape backe from the faith which they hadde conceiucd. /4 rh&Conime»t,ofMJo,Calmne iudacmcnt Vf c muft ft^ndc. Morcoucr, this faithdid onely depend vpon myra. clesVuhid as yet taken no rootc in the Gofpell .-for (o it coulde neither be Ited. taft nor ftable.The children of God indeed are holpen w»th myraclcs that they may come to faith : but that is not yeurady to bcl.eue, when they doe marucll at the power ot God ^fo th.u they bcelceue fimply that the dodrine is true, but they docnot fubrnit the.T.Iehies throughly vnto thefame. Therefore whereas mention is made generally of faith, let vskno 'vc that there is a cerraine faith , which is oncly apprehended with the mindc, and doth afterward eafilyvanifiic am. 2. .7 away, becaule it is not faltencd in the heart. And that is the fame w.uch lames nd i6, calleth a dead faith •• but true faith doth alwayes reft vpon tnc fpmte of regene- ration. Note that the workcs of God arc not a like fruitful! in all men:for they doe brina fome vmto God : they ft r ike otherfome onely with a bhnd motion, (o thatthcy'domaikethepowerof G^d,butyet they ceale not to wander in their cogitations. , . . j-. 1 i->L -n i±. B«fr.r'*^aW;;ofc,mw/t.Whcrcascertaincdoccxpoundit,thatChrine did uke hccde of them, becaufc he knewc that they were nothoneft and faith- full tliey fecme not to meeto expreffe the Euangclifte his meaning fufficicntly , AndthatalfowhicheAugullmebringcth, concerning thofcthatarctobecm- ilruded in the piinciplesofreHgion is farre "^o" ^"^^""^^S n VX]' i' '^'^'' in my iud^ement, thcmcaningoFthe Euangclirt,that CHRIS Tdid not ac. count them as his true Difciples, butthatthey vyere contemned as friuolouf and liaht perfons. Wee muft dUigcntly note this p ace, that all they which doc profelle that they are of Chiifte are notaccounted to bee fuch m his fight. But wee muft alfoadde the reafon which followcthimmcdiatly^ bccaufe he knew aiimen . There is nothing more dangerous then hypocrific as rorothcrcau^ fes lo, bcecaufe it is a vice too too common. There is alniolt no man that doth notlikcofhimfelfc : and whiks that weedeceiue our felues with vaine flat- tciinos, wecthinkethatGodseyesdoedafleafwell asours. Buthercwcarc tauoht what oreatdifterence there is betwccnc hisiudgcment andoiirs. For heclecth clecrely thofe thinges which efcape vs ;heeconfidereth thofe thinges fromthcluddenfountatinc.thatis,thcinnermoftafr:aionofthehcartwhich blinde oa: eyes with a falfe gliftcring and brightncffe. This is that which Salo- mon faith, that GOD doth weigh in his ballance the hearts of mennc when as they doc flatter thcmfclues in their wayes. Therefore kttevsicmcmbcr, that thofe onely are the true Difciples of Chrift, whom he alloweth of, becaufc he alone is the f^iteft ludge and arbitrator in this cafe . Nowe hcere a qucftion 1$ asked whether when the Euangehflfayth that Chn^c h^ev^ all men^hzt mea- neththofeonclyofwhomcheefpakeoflate,orthisappertainethvntoallman- kindc. Some doe extend this vnto all mankindc, and thmke that in this place th- whole world ii condemned ofwickcd and vnfaithfull dislimulation . And irHelvitisatruefayino,thattherecannothin« be foundein men why Chriftc fhould vouchfafe to number them amongft his . But I fee that it dotli not agree with the text. Therefore I doe reftraice it vnto thofc that were bccfore men- tioned. But becaufc there might fome doubt arife, howe Chrifte came by this knowledoc,theEuangeliftprcuctingthisqucftio,anfvtereththatchriftdidvfeH know thofc thinos which wc knew not to be in mcn,fo that he might by good fisht iO* 21. i« vpon the G$ff€il$floh9t. Cap.t, ^ j right aifcernebctweenc men. Chrittthcrcforc.whoknowcththchearthaddc no necdc of one to tell and teach him what manner pcrfonsthefe were For he kncvT that they wei e of that nature, and aftcdion of mind, that kee miciit wot thily account them as ?.Uants to him. Whereas fomc doe askethisqucftion' Yvhcther wc may not fufpedthofe who hauc not (hewed vsfome tokcnof their honeft ie, as did Chrifl, it is nothing appertinet vnto this prefentplacc. For our eif ate is far vnlike to his.becaufc Chrift knew the very rootcs of the trcesbut wc doconelyknowc by the fiuitcs which appeare^of what nature cucry tree is. ^ Furthermore, feeing that louc ( as Paul doth teftifie) i . Cow j,4Js not fufpiti. ousjit is not lawfwll for vs t o haue a finifter fufpition of men who w e know not without a caufc. Butlcaftthatweebealwayesdeceiuedby hypocriteSj&leaft that the Church be too much layd open to their wicked deceitesand fubtiltie itispropertoChrittjtofurniftjvswiththcfpiritofdifcrction. ' * Cliap.3. t A W^ *^^«»'« wrf5 M man of the Tharifees named 2iJcod«mHS,4 rHler amonrfie th JX lewes, ^ % Thts man came ynto lejm by night ^andfaid ynto htm, 1{ahhi, xtte knowe that ihoH Oft come as a teacher from Gid^for no man can doe thefemyr at les which thou doejl fnUJfe God he with him, } lefus anf»e red andfaide ynto him^ yerilie, ferilie J fay ynto thee, ynUffe a ma» he borne againejiie cannot f(ethe hfngdome »fGod^ 4 Tiicodemmfaith ynto him, Howe can a man^vphen he ii olde be horned can he enter againe into his mothers wombe^and be horned f leff^s an/weredyperilie yeriliel fay ynto thee, ynleffe a man he borne of water and thefpiritej}e cannot enter into the k^n^dome of God, 6 That whUh is borne of Jle^j is fiefh ; and that vhichis borne of the fpirite,is fpirite, I ^nd there vas a man. The Euangelift fettcth forth rnto vs in the perfon ofNicodcmus how fraile and brittle thefaichofthofemcnncvtas, who being mooued with myrades did ofafodaincbelecueChtifte. For this man, feeing that he was by order a Pharifee,and was a ruler in his nation, (houlde haue far exceeded others: for in the common forte there raigneth hghtncirc, for the moftparte. And who woulde not haue thoughtthat this mannc who cxcellcci in learning andpradifehaddebeencagrauc.ind hcarticman ?Butic appe.ircth by the anfwere of C H R 1 5 T, that hce came altogether vnprepared to icarne the firft principles of godlincfse. Ifagouernour bee more ignorant then a childe, what muft wee thinkcofthc rifferaffe and common forte <• Andai* though this bee the intent and purpofe of the Euangelifte, tofctte bcefore vf asitwercinaglaffc, howc fewe in lerufalem were rightly difpofed to re- ««iucKhpOofpcll,ycti5thi$hiftorieveryprofit3blcforvJ , for other caufcf: I> 4 ¥4 5(^ The C^mmentarie. o/lM. Io. Caiume. and cfpeciallybeecaufewcc arc taught in it concerning thecomiot nitureof man,vv .ichiithcrightcnteranccintotherchoolc ofChrifte, witli w'lat be ginninos vvce muU bcc framed to proSte and goc forwardc in tht- celefticall do annc , For this is the fummc of the fermon which Chiiitc made- nam-ly that wtemufl btcomc ncwc men,i;-(obeit w.-cwillbccChriftcs tiiiedixiplcs Cu- bcFore wee goc any further, wee muft note out of the circumftAncc wnich the tiungdilU.-ckoncthvpinthisplAce,vvha:IcttcsdiJhinderN;codcniiisfrom rubmittinghimfelfc wholyvnto ChrilK OftbtVharifes. This wasatitlc of Honour for Nicanemus am3ngeft hi? ownr compAny:biit the Emnachft doeth not giuc him this title for honours fake, for he rather notcth that it %y:is alet and hinderance, whichc kept him from co-nming to Chrifte freely and willin<>Iv VVhcrcbywee aretaughtthatthofewhoarecxccllentinihewftrld.arefor^thc moftpartmtangled in moft wicked fnares, yea wee fee manyfofafttved that during their whole, hfe they doe once a litilc dcfirc to come vnto hcauen Wee haucelfcvvaerc taught for whatcaufc they are called Pharifees.-for they did boafteandbraggctnatthcyweiethcfolcinterprctersoftheIaw«,asifthev did vndeiftand the marrow, as it were,aad hidden meaning of thcfcripturcs and for this caufethcycahed themfeluesPW<.;>«, Althoup.h a more aiiftcre kindc of ite did purchafe vnto the Ejfene. a fame & report of holines,yct bccaufe thcv did diflcntfrom the common life and cuftomc ofmen,as did the Eremhes.thcri fore tnefed of the iWees was had in greater eftimation. Furthermore^^^^^^^^ Euangelrildorhnot only fay that Nicodcmus was byorder aPharifec,bu one of tnechiefe of his njcion. a^utuuc 2 • Hee cam: vnto lefm fy ni^n. In thisthat hcc came by ni-^ht, wc do- thereby gather that hee wastoo fcarefulI.Por his eyes were as yet blinded widl his owae gorgcoufneirc Peraduenturc (hamc did alfo hinder him. For ambiti! ous men doe thinke , that their fame is quite gone, if they doe once defcendc from their feate of mafterfKip t > the order of learne/s. Neither is itto be doub- ted but that he was puffed vppc w.th a foohlh opinion of fcnowledae . Finallv fe l^'' "J'^/^'^'^'r"^^ of himfdfc hee woulde notloofe one in he oihi haght Andyetheebringethfoorth fomc fecdeofaodhneiTeinthic that hearing that a great Prophet of God hidappeated, he do^h not contcmn^^ nornegledethedoftrmewhichcame fro^heaucn, butisfomewhatde W r ( n P 'T'' ""^'V^' ffirecameonelyfromthefearcandreucrenceof .?• ^""^'^"i^""^^^'^^°thmoouemany,toenqu,reafter neweth^noL r/ceddy, butquelbonlcfl-ereligionaadthe feelmgo?confc,encedd Nicodemus to deflre to knowe the dodrineof Chr'fte more famiLrly And alhougn K layde hid long ti^e..as though it hadde beene dead, 3 Chnft was dcad,it brought foorth fuch fruit as no man would e'ucrhauc hoped J^4^J/,...W;«.^. Thcfewordesimportasmucha^ maftcrweknowthatthouartcomeasamafterorteacher.Butforasmuchaska; nedmcnwerethencommonlycalled mafters, Nicodemus falutmoChrXa the former placcaccording to the common cuftome, doth call him ^y the com mon namc:and afterward he affirmeth that he was fct of God to be Iteacher" Andvp9tIvsprinapIcdcpcdcthalthcautborityofceachcr5;n§church.Forfei. vponthe €offehflohn. Cap. ^ ^ ^^ ing that vte muft be wife onely out of the warde of Gocf,wc muft luare none o . therfauethofe in whofe mouth God fpeak-eth. Wecmuft alfono'c thu.l though rdigion ms very much corrupted and almoft quite aboli.lcd an-oncft the lewes, yet did this w^Ar/wefiiUrerr.aine. That hee was no ImfuII teacher that came not from G O D. But hccaufe none doe rr.orc proudly and cnrclell J bragge of the title of God thcnfalfe rrophets,VTce hanc hetrc necdc of cifcrc tion whereby the fpiiires may be rryed, Thciefore Ni:odcmus addeth th^t itdo:hmamfeliI.yappeaic,thntChrifteisfcntofGod,becaure God doth more mightily bewray hispovver m him, then that it C2n bee denied that God is pre fcntwithhim. And hcetikethitfora thing which all mendoeconrdVc that God IS wont to vvorkc by his minifiei s alone, that by this meanes,hc may fcalc and confirmc the fundion whereunto he hath called them . And that no* in vainc, feeing that the Lord would al way tshnue myrades to be fealesof his do- ^rine? Moreoucr, h ce doth well in this, that hec maketh G od the on civ aut hour of myratlcs, when hcc fay th that none can doc thefcfignesvnlcflcG'O Dbcc Withhi-n. Forit isasmuch as if hec fhould affirmc, that theyarenotdoncby manne, but that the power of God rai.neth, and dooth manifcfilyappearcin them. To bee bricfc, feeing tliat there is adonblefruite of myracles, theoiic thatthey doc make a preparation vnto foith -.ft condly, that they do better con- £rme the fime, beeing conceiued out of the woordc of God : Nicodcmus had profited wellia the former partj'^ccaufc helearned by the myracles that Chrilt is a true Prophet of God. Yet this fcemcd lo be fcai fe firme enough :for Ctmo that the Prophctes doe no oihciwifc once delude the vnskillfull with their de- ceits, then if by true myracles they did proouc themfclucs to bee the rr imnci $ of God, whatdi6Ference{halltherebecbeiweenetruth and lying, if^^faithdoe depend vppon myracles. Yea Mofes doth flatly aflirme that wee ai e trycd by thismeancs, whether wee lone Godorno. Wccdoealfo wcllknowcheaJ- monirionof PeterandPaulethatihefaithfuUdoebcwareoflyinofioncs.whcr with Antichiiftefhall blmd the eyes of many. T anfwere,that thij^coramcth to p.iirethroughthciuftpermidionot God,thatthcymay bcdcceiuedhy thefub- r\ CU. It ..,^j .-^ ....^ „.j approi ^.. -...>._ „..^ •«-'"«"^ MVi.ii iut, ^L» i.' duic uciii reioyccthat his ApoiUtihip was confirmed by iigncs and myracles Therefore ^* htJwfpeuer Satan do boaft himfelfc in darkcnefl'c as Gods Ape, yet fo fooneas mens tycs are opened, and theli^ht of fpiritualldoCtjjncdoth ftiinc, myr.icJcs doe fuflkieiitly telUBe that God isprcfcnt in fuch fort as Nicodcmus /pcakecji of in this place. 5 Verity ^yerily, I fay y)ftothee In this that Chrift rcpcatcth thij \^'orJc rtnly tw.fcjitkrueth to procure atcention.For being about to fpeake ofi tlun^ of all other the moft wei^htie^ he had Je nccde to make Nicodcmus n~orc atter.tiue, who wouidcothei wife haue fct light by all this whole fpecch.thistijcrcrorejs the end ofthe double affirmation but althourh thefew rds fccnictobccf-nre fetch & tococ out of feafo,yet did chrid begin m.oft fitly at{i fame. For as Cccdc isfoweninwaftin anrmillcd grounde, lothc dodrincofthcGofpcilis^ S t the Cd mmentArte, 9/ M. \9. Calmne wen ittTalnCjVnlcne the hearer be firft tilled, and rightly framed vnto obedi- ence and docilitic. Chrift (aw the minde of Nicodemus full of chornes and choksd with many euill wcedcs, (o that there was fcarce any place left for fpiri- tuilldoftrinc, Ther^orei his exhortation wasinfteedt of plowing; to pur^e the fame, leaft any thing (hould make thedodrine vnfriiiiful[. Wherefore kt vs remember thatthis was once fbfpoken to one , thatthefcnnccf God foea kethvntovs all dayly with thefamcvoycc* For which ofvs will fay that he is voyde of wicked afFedions, fothat heehathnoncedcofanyfufh purgation? Therefore if vvce will goe forward well and profitably in the fchoole of Ichrift let vs learne to begin at this ; fnUffca man bebsrne againc. As if hee (hoaia Ay, fo long as thou haft n ot that which is the chiefeft in the kingdom c cf God I doe not much pafse for this that thou doeft acknowledge mee to be a teacher* forthisisthefirft entrance into the kingdomcofGodjthatthou become a ncvi man. And beecaufe this is a notable fcntence, itismeetethatweethiouc^hly examine enery part thereof. To fee the kjngdome of God, Doeth import as much a$ to enter into tb e kingdome cf God . as it lliall appcare anone out of the text- But th ty .1 re deceiucd that take the kingdome of God for heauen .- feeing that it doth rather fignifie the fpiiitualllifcj which is begun in this world throuoh faith and doeth grow vp dayly according as faith dothincreafe- So that the meaning hccrecfis,thatnomancantruely be gathered into the Church of God, that hee may bee reckoned amongft the chiUren of God, but he muft firft bee re- nued, Thcrforeit is by this briefly declared after what fort Chriftianitic doth begin. Ih thcfe words wee are taught, that wee arc borne as aliants, and men banifhcd from the kingdome of God, and that we doc continually diflcnt from the fame, vntillfuch time as the fecond begetting doc change vs. For the fen - tence is gcnerall, which comprehcndeth all mankindc. If Chrift haddc fayd thus vnto one, or a few, that they cannot come into heauen, vnlefTc they bee firft borne againc,wec might coniedHiethathefpeakcthonely ofcertamcper- fons : but heefpcaketh ofall men without exception. Fori: is an indefinite fen- tenc e which ii of as much force as the vniucrrall rentence,who focuer fhall not be borne againe, &c. Furthermore, by this worde home agdine^ hee doeth not meane the amending ofone part, but the renuing of the whole nature. Where- uppon it folio wcth that there is nothing in vs, but that which is corrupt. For if jibe necclTary that the whrle and tuerypartberenucd,itmuft ncedes followc that the corruption is fpread abroadc cuery where : Concerning which matter wee willfpeake fhortly after. £r4/m«5 f^:llowing c>r;7/«j hisiudgement did euill tranflate the a^uerbef^.w- then) from ahoue. Icoiifcfi'e that the lignification thereof is doubtfull amonoefl the Grecians but wceknow that Chriftdidtalke with Nicodemusin Hebrew Furthermore , there had bccne no place there for the doubtfull faying where- with Nicodemus being decerned, doth childiflily doubt of thefecond natiuitic of the flcfh.Therfore he conceiued no otherthing out of the words of Chriftc but this that a man muft be borne againe, bceforc hee can enter into the kinc- dome of God. ° 4. Ho^canneanunntheeborne, Although the manner of fpcachc which Chriftc vfcdYvajn^cxprcflcdinihelavTc andthcProphctcs, notwithflan- ~ ding tfp9fi the Goffei! ofuhn. Cap. f. .^ ding, forafmuch as there is mentition niaac cucry where in the fcriDfr/* nr nouation and it is one of the firlt principles of faith, it is manifeft wLu^^^^^ cefle the Scribes had as then, ,n the reading of the Scnpturc . It wa, not one v one mansfault to bee ignorant of this, what the grace of regeneration menr but fornfmuch as they were all almoft occupyeamfriuolousnuftesandfalln cics, that which wasthechiefeft in the doarine of godlyntflc was regkdd The hke example hauc wee in papiftneat this day. For feeing that thcy^do Jcx rie themfdues all their whole life in hiddc fpcculations, they do ro more kiow what bclonceth properly vnto the worfhippc o. God the hope of our faIuaJ;or7 vntothecxacifesofgodlynefl'e, then coblers and neatheards, doe knowihc courfeofthertarres ;yeawhileft that they dclightthcmrcluesm(}ran.emyne ries,theydoopenlycontemnethcnaturalldodrineofchcrcripture,n'svnrreetc for the degrccofamafter and teacher. It is therefore no maruell thatNicoic. mus dooth hcere as it were ftiimble at a ftrawe. For this is the iurt vence incc of Godjthat thofewho feemcto themlelues to be moft excellent and ciaund Do- aors, with whome the (implicitie of the common do^rinc is bafe ind vile nre aftonied in fmall poynts. ' " 5 Fnlejfe a rriAn be horne ofwAter. This place hath b cene diuerfly expoun, ded. For fomchaue thought that the two partes of regeneration arcdifiiad'y cxprefTcdjand that by this worde water is Hgnified the denying of the old man • and by thcfoirite they vnderltoodc the new life. Otherfomc doe thinke that it comprehendetK an hidden matching of contraries,asifChnfte did fcftcwat.r and thefpirit (namely, the pure and moyfl elements) againft thegro/lc nature ofman. So that they expound this faying Ailegorically,asthoug'i Chnltdid co- maimdvs to put offtheheauie and weightiema(rcofflcfli,and''co bee made like to water and the ayre, that we may couet vpward, or at lealt be not To much dc- prelTed toward the earth. But both thcfe opinions fecme to n.e to bee contrai ie to Chrifte his meaning, Chryfofioms (vnto whom the greater pane fubfcribeth) referreththewordcw^tcrvntoBaptilmCjfothatthelcnfefliould be€,thntwvc cnterinto the kingdome of God through baptifaie, bcccaufethcfpintof God doth regenerate v$ there. And here came in that opinion that baptilmc was ne- ceflary to the hope ofeternalUife. But admitteChriftdothlpeakein this place of Baptifme, yet the wordes are not fo to be vrged, that he includ eth faluation in the outward efigne: hut hce rather ioyncth water with the fpirite, bcecaufe heedoothteftifieandfeale vntovsbythat vifiblefigne, the newnefseO' life, which God alone doth workc in vs by his fpirite. It is true indcede that we arc driuen from 6luation by neglcding of baptifme, and I doc confcfse tiiat in thisfenfeitisneceflary : but the hope of faluation is falfly included vr.dcr the figne. And as concerning this place,! can by no meanes beperfvadcd to thinkc that Chrifte fpeakcth of baptifme, for that had bccnc out of due time. For wee muft alway es marke what was the intent and purpofc of Chri ft, wh(cliwch.. lie before declared: namely, that he intended to exhort Nicodcmus vnto newc- nefsc of life becaufe hce was not fit to receiiie t\\t Golpeli vntill he bt gan to be another man.Thcrefore it is one and a (implc fentence^that we muit bee borne «gaine, that wee may be the children of God. and that the holy fpirit is the au. thourofthisfecodbcgctting.ForwherasNicodemus did drcac of Pythagoras 111*. 6o 1%ff (/fmrnentdrU •f MM.Cakke. his regeneration, Chrift, to the end he might take from him this crrour, adacd this in ftccde of an interpretation, that it commeth not td paOc naturally that men are borne againr, neither yet that it i% necdfull that they putte on another body .- but that they are borne when as they are renucd in minde and heart, throu<'h the grace of the fpirite . Therefore hccpiittcth the fpiritc and water both for one°thing; neither ought this to fecmc hirdc or racked. For it is an vfuall maner oflpeaking in the fcripturc, when as mention is made of ihefpi- rite, to adde this woordc -tcater ovfirt,to exprcfle the force thereof. Now wc haue fomctimcs hadde this, that it is Chrift c that baptifeth with the holy fpiritc and fire : where by fire is meant nothing elfc but the fpirite, and dooth onely flicwc howe the fame doth worke in vs. And whereas hee dooth hcerc putte water firft, it skilleth not much, yea this fpeech runneth better then the other : namely, becaufe the plaine and manifcft meaning doth followe the Mataphore. As if Chnfte did fay ^ th J t no man is the child of God vntill hee bee renucd by water . and thatthis WJter is the fpirite that purgcth vs,and which bceing pow- red into vs, by his power, infpireih the power and force of the hcaucniy life, fecinothatwee arc by nature altogether dneandwythered. And totheendc ChriSe may vpbraide vnto Nicodemus his ignorance, hee doth mduce a kmdc of fpeechc vfcd in the fcnpture. For Nicodemus ought to haue acknowledged at length, that that which Chrift fayd, was taken out of the common doftrine ofchcl^rophcts. Therefore water is nothing clfe but the inward purgation and quickening of the holy fpirit. Moi-eoucr, the coniunaion is copulatiue commonly taken expohtiuely .• namely, when as the former member is expounded by thelatter. Andmore- ouer the text agreeth with mee . For when as Chrifte dooth by and by adde a xcafon, why wee muft bee borne againe, making no mention of water, hee tcacheth that the ncwnes of life whiche hee rcquircth confift eth oncly in the fpirit, whereupon it followeth that the water is not to be feparated from the fpi- ' 6. That yphichfs borne of fiffj. Hee proucih by contraries that the kingdo of God is (hut againtt vs all vnlefTc there b e an ent erancc fct open vnto vs by re generation.- For he taketh this for a thin? whiche all men confeflc to bee true, that A ce cannot enter into the kingdome of God vnleffe wc be fpirituall . But cut of the wombertc bring nothing but the carnall nature . Therefore it foU loweththat we are all banifiicd from the kingdome of God,and that being dc- priuidofiheheauenlylife,weremainevnderthebondagc of death. Further- more,recing that Chrift reafoneth inthis place that men muft be borne againe, becaiifc they src flefh onely : without doubthe comprchendeth vndcr flcih the whole man. Thereforc/Zr/J^dcthfignificinthis place, not thchody onely, but the foule alfo^and fo confcquently atl the partes thereof For the pelting popiftic diuincs doc moftfoohlhlyreftraine it vnto the part which they callfenfualljbe- caufc by this meants Chnft his argument ftiould be vnfit,that we haue need to be borne agaire, becaufc fome part of vs is corrupt.But and if the flelh be Cct a- gainft the fpirit.as that which is c orrupi againft that which is foind.that which is falfc ac-ainft f which is truc,that which is polluted againft that which is holy, that which is defiled, againil that whiche is finccrc , wcc may thence cafily ga- - tbcr vfontheGoffehfhhii. Cap.f. ^^ tlicr, that in this one wordc the whole nature of man is condemned. Therefore Chrift doth pronounce ihatour mindc and reaton arc corrupt.becaufc thev ar# carnall : that iillthc aflcaions of our heart alfo are wicked and reprobate bee caufe they alfo arc carnall. Buthceremay.iqucttion bee obicaed: Sceincthat the foulc isnot begotten of the iffue of manne, wee are not borne of flcfli in oiir principill parte* Hccrcby it came to pafTe that many did thinkc,rhat wee doc not onely take our beginning according to our body, of our parents, but that the foulcs alio arc fpread, rxtraduce.\that is, that thefatber [>e^ttt(th the fo,de of thefonneafuell as the body, )Foritfeemed an abfurde thing, that original! finnc which hath hisproperplace in the fc,«le,{houlde beefprcadeabroadcfiomo; c man into allhispoftcritic,vnldVcall fouleshad Hovvedfrom hisrou'e,asfrom af juntaine* And trnely thcwordcs ofChriltfccmetoimpoitrhusmuch at the fii ft fight, that we are therefore Hefh,becau(e wee are bornccffle/L. I anfwtr that as touching the wordes of Chrifte,this is the onely meaning thereof, that vree arc all carnall as wc are borne : and that forafmuch as wee ?re come abroad into this worlde niortall mennc, our nature lauoureth of nothing eHe but flefti. For hce doth here make a plainediftindion betwcene nature, and the fuperna- turall gift. For whereas all mankinde was corrupt in the perfon of A dam alone itcommethnotfomuchbybeegetting as by the ordinance of God -who, like aihehaddcckedv$allinoncman,fohecfpoyled vsofhisgiftes. Therefoic cucry one of v$ doeth not To much drawe vice and corruption from our parents, as wee are all corrupted togetherin Adam alone, bccaufe fofooneashce was fallen away,. God did by and by take away that whiche he had giuen mans na- ture. And alfo there arifeth another qucftion. For it is certaine that there ic- mainefomegiftesof GODmthisdegentrateandcorrupt nature.wherevpon itfolloweththatwccarcnot altogether wicked . Wee may eafily anfwcre, that the phcs whiche the Lord e hath left v$, after the fall, if they be confide- redbythemfelues, they arc worthieofprayfc : but feeing that mfedion of cuill dooth infcd all partes, there (hall no fincere thing bee founde m vs,which is voydc of all corruptibn. Whereas wee ha«e fome knowledge of God from ourbirth, whereas there is fomcaiftcrcnce ofgoodandeuiil engrauen incur confcience, whereas wee cxc ell in wit for prouiding for thislife -. and final- ly, whereas wee doe fo many way cs excell bruit beaftesjihat is of it felfe an er,. cellent thing as it commeth from God :but allthefe thinges aie polluted in vs, cuenaswinc, whi-chcbeeinginfeftedand marred with themuftinefleofthc c ukCjdoch loofc the grac c of his good taft,y ea,it is in taft both bitter and hurc- ^11. For the knowledge ofGod, which doth nowercmaine in man is nothing eircbutanhorriblefountMneofldolatric.andallfuperflition.-hisiugdcnientin f choyce and difterenceof things is partly blinde,and partly pr epoflerouSjpart- ly lame and confufcd.whatindulhtefocuervfehflue,itvaniijicthaway into va- nitie and toy cs- and the willit felfe being altogether wanton.is carried hcadlog wholyvntoeuiU- Thrreforetherercmainethnodroppeofg'-odncllcinalltlic nature of manne. Whcrehy it is manifclt that wee mull bee fraired and made filfor thekinodomeof God by the fccond begetting ; andihus nnich doc the wordes. of ChriHeiniporte, beciufc man is borne of his mothers worn be onily. €2; The^&mment^ofMJoXaiuine onel/ CjJrnall, he muft be fafhioncd againc by the rpjnt,th«t fac may be^in to ht feintuall. And thi5Word/>/Wn$ taken in th.-s place tvromanci ofrvayes name ' ly, for grace, and the cfteaof pec , For in the former place, Chriftc teache th that the fpiritc is the ondyauthourofthc pure and good natiirc.a terwardehe giucch vj to vndcrftande that acc are fpirituall, after that wee aw renucd by his power. ^ 7. MameiiHotthatIfajdynt^thee,jiumkfllfeifornt^ 8. The vinde blo^eth )»hythtT it lifieth, 4nd thou hearej? thefeunde thereof : hng thou kjt^mjinot ifpbencei:corHme(h,mr whether it gteth: fo it euery one thdt iiberotteM ^thefpirit. "^ 9 . NicodeWH f anfmredy4ttdfayd ynto him, hoxv cah theft things be} 10. lefm anfvpered, and fay de ynto him» ^rt thou 4 mafieria Ifratl, and heowefi thou not the fethinzs? I r . Ferity y yerUy I fay ynto thee, \»eefpeak^ that vee k^we •. dnd w« tej^ifie thdt yfhich wehauefeene : andyee receiue not our tefiimonie, 11. Iflhauttoldejoueofthlythingi^andyeebtleeuenoti how^villyeebeleette if I P)dl tellyoii heauenly thingtf ' 7. Marnellnot. Interpreters docwreft this place diuerswaycs. Some doe tfiinke that the groflcnefl'e of Nicodcmus, and fuch like i% touched .-as if Chrifl: fliould fay, that it is no marucll if they do not vnderftand that heauenly myftc* rie of regencration,when as they doe not vndcrfiand the reafon ofthofe things VThichearefubic<^tothcfenfes. Otherfomc doccoyne out a more fubtile but too farre fetcht a fenfc. As the blovrmg of the wind c is free, fo are we reflorcd vnto hbcrtie by the begetting of the fpirit, that bceing loofed from the yoake of finnc, wc n;ay runnc vnto God freely and ofour owne accord. Moreoucr that is altogether contrary to Chrift his meaning which ^ugujimehnnotxh that the fpirit of God is eftcftiiall ofhis ownc will Chryfoficme and Cyrillul deale bet- ter, who fay that the fimilitudc is taken from the windc, and fo they doe apply It vnro this prefcnt place. For as much nj the force thereof is felt,yct h the caiife and originall vnknownc.Formy part as I doe not much difa^ree with them fo will I indcuour to expound the meaning of Chrift more clecrely and riirely. ' I rctaine that ground that Chrift doth borrovvc a similitude of the order of nature. Nicodemus thought it to be an vncrcdible thing which hcc had heardc of regeneration and the new life .- becaufe the mcane and mancr of this reoe- ncration did fuipaflc his capacity.To the end that Chrift may take fro him tliis doubt, hec teachcth him that euen in the corporall hfe there appeareth the fin- gulerpower of God, therealon whereof ishidden. For all men haue the vital! fpirit from the ayrc : the mouing of the ayre is ielt. Yet do we not know whence it commeth, or whither it goetii. It God doc workefo mightily in thisfraile& mortall life, that wee arc compelled tomarueile athispowtr/howeabfiirdea thing is itto goe about with our mindc to meafurc and apprchendethe hidden worke of God in the celcftiall and fupernaturali life , fo that we will beleeue no more butthat which appeareth. SoPaulc, vrhcnhccijiBeighcth againflthofc whichp doc thcrcforcrc. fiif vpcHtheGoffeltcfUhn. c^f^^^ ^z that the body which is now fubicft to corruption whTn a. h fi nil h^^ '^'?^' duft.^abroughuonothing,n.ouldb^ccfoath;7w^M^ hcccallethmthc:rtccththc,rdulndre, that theydoenotconjr^^^^^ thchkepoweria acoracofvvhc.t^ Forthcfccdcfproutcthnotvnnll ^ b' ^^^I.i»4. rotten. Th.sisthatwondcrfulIw.rcdomcwhcrcoFDauulciicthout There 24- fore they arc to dull, who becing adnion.lLcd by the comiion orderofanurr' r doe not nfc hi^^her ; that they may knowe th.uthe hande cf God is farrc more miohtieinthefpirituallkmodomcofChtiit. And whereas Chria doth foi bid himtomaruell, weemnftnotfotikeit, asifhce would h:.ue vsiofct li-ht bv To excellent a worke of God, and that which rs woorihy cf chiefe adn.ir!tion • but hcc will not hauc vs fo to maruaile that oiirfaith bee hindered rhtj cby For many doe refnfc that a$ a thing vntruc which thevthinkc to bee too hard rtnd difficile. To concUide, IctvJ notdoubtbutthatwcear. fafhioncda-^-^incI v the fpiritc of God,and arc made new men, al hcu^h wcc knov\c not how tlus is done. 8. The xoinde hloweth whhbcr it lufieth. Not that the re is any will rrop-r lyinthcblalt, but bccaufe it moueth to and fro freely, and diticrily. F^r die ayrciscariedrometimesh:thcrandfo.-r.etimesthitiKr. And this makc:h more to the maiur •• bee aufe if it did run continually wich a ftraightcourfc as doth thewater, itwerelcITc tobemaruailedat. Soiseneryone. Chriaehismeanin-^ is, thatthc motion and adion of thefpiritof God doth no Idle ippcare in the T^nuingofman, thenihemoii^n of thcayre in this earthly and ext.rnall hfe ; but the manner is hidden. Therefore vyeearc vnthankeful and w.ckcd,ifwc doe not adore theincomprehcnfiblepowtrof God in the heauenly life,wherc- ofhcllieVYethvntovsfuchaneuidcntrokeninthisworld.-ifwcdo'not atnburc leflevntohiminihcrcftoringofthcfiluationofihcfoule , then hceflicweth vntovs in the defending of the elhteofthcbodie. The application ffiall bcc fomewhatmorcplaine, ifyourefolue the fcntcncc thus, fuch is the force and cfJcd of the holy fpirite, in the regenerate man. 9. How can thtfe thirties bee} Wec fee what thing fJothmofl of all hinder Nichodemiis ; whatfoeuerheeheareth , heewondrethatitasatamonfter .• becaufc he vnderftancth not the manner how it is done. So there is nothing which doth more hinder vs then our ownearrogancie: namely , beecaufcwcc will alwayes be wifcr then wc ftould : and therefore we doe with diuclifii pride reiedwhacfocueris repugnant to our reafon As though it were that theinHnirc powerof God, (hould bcc reflrayned vntofofmall a meafure. Wee may in deedc in fame meafuie enquire of the rcafon and mannerofthewoikcs of Go J lo that it be done fobcrly and reucrcntly : but Nicodcmui doth by thisobicch- onrefufeihisasafable, becaufchcethinkeih that it cannot be. VVliichthingc wee will handle more largely in the lut chapter. xo. ^rtthoudmaifterinlfraell} Becaufe Chnftfawth.'t hcc fpcnt his time and laboui in vainc in teaching a pii>ud man, hcc ^Icthtp chidi.a7. And true It 54 Tbe^ommentdrie.^lM.h.CAiukie^ trucly dodrine(Tia!ltakcnorcotc, neither bring fcorthfriiitc in fuch , vmill ^ch time as that wiade of vamc confidence ihall bee gone out of them, wherc- withthcyfwel]. Fiirthcrmore,thisismoll fitly obieded vniohimio tame his pri(icvvithall. Foi Chrift efpiethhisignoninceinihat, wherein heefccmeth to hionfelfe moft fubiilc anc^ wife. Hec thought that this was a poynt of grauity andwifedome , noitoadmitteaihingvnpofsible; beccaufe hce is fooliflilv trcdiilous, that doth beleeuc another mans wordes , before hce doc VYcll know the reafon of them. But in the mcane while Nichoderaus is to be laught at with his maiflerly countenance, for that bee doubtcth more then childilhly in the firft elements. Such doubting truely is fiUhyandfnamefulI. For what manner religion , what manner knowledge of GOD, what manner rule ofc;oodlife, what manner hope of eternallhfe ihall there bee , vnleiic wee holde that aman isrcnucdby thefpirite ofGOD ? Therefore there is an Emphajis in ihefe V9ovds,tbefethinges, For feeing that the Scripture docth eucr nowe and then inculcate this poynt of dodrinc , the firft beginners muft not bee ignorant thereof. Thcrefo.e it is intollerable thathee fliouldc bee ignorant and vnskiliullin the fame, who doth profcflc himfelfe to be a teacher in the church. X I. That which vpet k,m^ ^yree fftake. Ccrtainc doe refcrrethis vnto Chriftc and lohn Baptilt other fome fay that the plurall number is put in flcade of the lingular number. But I doe verily thinkc that Chrilt doth ioyne himfelfe with all the ProphetcSj and fpcaketh in all their perfons generally. For the Philofo- phers and other teachers, whofeworfees arc more full of words then wifedome doc oftentimes thruft in thofc toy cs which they haue inuented .-but Chrifl doth challenge this as a thing proper to him and all the feniants of GOD , that they doe one!y deliuer that dodrine which is furc and ccrtainc. For GOD doth not lend them t J bablc of thingcs which they knowe not , ordoubtfiill matters.- bmhceframeththcmin his Ichoolc , that they may teach others thofe thingcs, which they themfclues haue learned. Furthermore, as Chrift fcttcth forth vnto vs by this title the certamtie of his dodrin,fo he prefcribeth vnto all his minifters, a rule of modeftie that they doe not thruft in their ownc dreamesorconiedures . that they doe notfet abroch mens inuentions, where- in there is no foundaeffe .• but let thcni benre faithfull & true witncfTe with God Let cuery man therefore take heed what is reucaled vnto hm of Godjleaft any manpafie the bounds ofhis faith -finally, letnomannefpcakc any thing but that which he hath heard of the Lord. Furthermore, wecmuftnotethat Chrifl doth in this place confirme his doftrinewithanoathjthatitmay bcofgreaterauthoriiiewithvs . Teereciiue Ttot0urteJ}tm6nie. This is added to the endc the Gofpel may loofeno ioteofcre dite through the vnthankfulnes of men. For becaufe the truth of God i s belee- ued but of a fewe, and is rcieded cuery where of the rrorld, it is to be dcliuered from contempt: let not therefore the maieftie thereof be lefle regarded,becaufc the whole world almofl doth proudly defpife the fame, and docth obfcure it with their impietie. And although the meaning ofthefe wordes be fimple and one, yetmay wee gather a double dodrine out of this place; the firlt, that wee docooc iet light by the CofpcH^ifit haue butafcwdifciplcsvponcanb. As if Chrift ^f&nthegoJfelliffUhn, Chap. {. g. Orift flioiild fay, although you rccciuc notmy