THE HOLY GOSPEL OF IESVS CHRIST ACCORDING TO S. MATTHEWE.


[The genealogie of Christ.]






CHAP. I.


1 That, Iesus is that Meßias, the Sauiour promised to the Fathers. 18 The natiuitie of Christ.

1 [Note: Luke 3.23. ] [Note: [1] Iesus Christ came of Abraham of the tribe of Iuda, and of the stocke of Dauid, as God promised. ] The [Note: [a] Rehearsall: As the Hebrewes vse to speake: as Genes. 5.1. The booke of the generations. ] booke of the [Note: [b] Of the ancesters of whom Christ came. ] generation of Iesvs Christ the sonne of Dauid, the [Note: [c] Which Christ is also the sonne of Abraham. ] sonne of Abraham.

2 [Note: Gene.21.2. ] Abraham begate Isaac. [Note: Gene.25.24. ] And Isaac begate Iacob. And [Note: Gene.29.35. ] Iacob begat Iudas and his brethren.

3 [Note: Gene.38.27. ] And Iudas begate Phares, and Zara of Thamar. And [Note: 1.Chron.2.5. ruth.418,19. ] Phares begate Esrom. And Esrom begate Aram.

4 And Aram begate Aminadab. And Aminadab begate Naasson. And Naasson begat Salmon.

5 And Salmon begate Booz of Rachab. And [Note: Ruth 4. 21. ] Booz begat Obed of Ruth. and Obed begat Iesse.

6 And [Note: 1.Sam.16.1. and 17.12. ] Iesse begate Dauid the King. And [Note: 2.Sam 12.24. ] Dauid the King begate Solomon of her that was the wife of Vrias.

7 And [Note: 1.King.11.43. 1.chron.3.10,11. ] Solomon begate Roboam. And Roboam begate Abia. And Abia begate Asa.

8 And Asa begate Iosaphat. And Iosaphat begate Ioram. And Ioram begate Hozias.

9 And Hozias begat Ioatham. And Ioatham begate Achaz. And Achaz begate Ezekias.

10 And [Note: 2.King.20.21. and 21.18. 1.chron. 3.13,14,15. ] Ezekias begate Manasses. And Manasses begate Amon. And Amon begate Iosias.

11 And [Note: 2.King.23.34. and 24.1,6. 2.chr.36,4,9. ] Iosias begate Iakim. And Iakim [Note: [d] That is, the captiuitie fell in the dayes of Iakim and Iechonias: for Iechonias was borne before their carying away into captiuitie. ] begate Iechonias and his brethren about the time they were caried away to Babylon.

12 And after they were caried away into Babylon, [Note: 1.Chron.3.16. ] Iechonias begate Salathiel. [Note: 1.Chron.3.17. ezra.3.2. and 5.2. ] And Salathiel begate Zorobabel.

13 And Zorobabel begate Abiud. And Abiud begate Eliacim. And Eliacim begate Azor.

14 And Azor begate Sadoc. And Sadoc begate Achim. And Achim begate Eliud.

15 And Eliud begate Eleazar. And Eleazar begate Matthan. And Matthan begate Iacob.

16 And Iacob begat Ioseph ye husbad of Mary, of whom was borne Iesvs, that is called Christ.

17 So [Note: [e] All these which are reckoned vp in this pedegree of Dauids stocke, as they begat one another orderly in their degrees. ] all the generations fro Abraham to Dauid, are fourtene generations. And fro Dauid vntil they were caried away into Babylon, fourtene generations: and after they were caried away into Babylon vntill Christ, fourteene generations.

18 ¶ Nowe the birth of [Note: [2] Christ the true Immanuel, and therefore, Iesus (that is Sauiour) is conceiued in the Virgine by the holy Ghost, as it was foretolde by the Prophets. ] Iesvs Christ was thus, When as his mother Mary was [Note: Luke 1.72. ] betrothed to Ioseph, before they came together, shee was found with childe of the holy Ghost.

19 Then Ioseph her husbande being a iust man, and not willing to [Note: Deuter.24.1. ] make her a publike example, was minded to put her away secretly.

20 But whiles he thought these things, behold, the Angel of the Lorde appeared vnto him in a dreame, saying, Ioseph, the sonne of Dauid, feare not to [Note: [f] Receiue her at her parents and kinsfolkes handes. ] take Mary thy [Note: [g] Which was promised & made sure to thee to be thy wife. ] wife: for that which is [Note: [h] Of the mothers substance, by the holy Ghost. ] conceiued in her, is of the holy Ghost.

[The wise men seeke Christ.]




21 And she shall bring [Note: [3] Christ is borne of the same virgine which neuer knew man: and is called Iesus of God him selfe, by the Angel. ] foorth a sonne, and thou shalt [Note: Luke 1.31. ] call his name Iesvs: for hee shall [Note: Acts.4.12. ] [Note: [i] Deliuer, and this sheweth vs the meaning of this name Iesus. ] saue his people from their sinnes.

22 And al this was done yt it might be fulfilled, which is spoken of the Lord by ye Prophet, saying,

23 [Note: Esai.7.14. ] Behold, a [Note: [k] There is in the Hebrew and Greeke text, an article added, to point out the woman, & set her forth plainly: as you would say, That Virgine, or a certaine Virgin. ] virgine shalbe with childe, and shall beare a sonne, & they shal call his name Emmanuel, which is by interpretation, God with vs.

24 ¶ Then Ioseph, being raised from sleepe, did as the Angel of the Lorde had inioyned him, and tooke his wife.

25 But he knew her not, [Note: [l] Th[illeg.] litle word Till, in the Hebrew tongue, giueth vs to vnderstad also, that a thing shall not come to paß in time to come: as Michol had no children Till her deathes day, 2.Sam.6.23. And in the last Chapter of this Euangelist: Beholde, I am with you Till the ende of the world. ] til she had broght forth her first borne sonne, & he called his name Iesus.


CHAP. II.


The wisemen, who are the first fruites of the Gentiles, worship Christ. 14 Ioseph fleeth into Egypt with Iesus and his mother. 16 Herod slayeth the children.

1 When [Note: Luke 2.6. ] [Note: [1] Christ a poore child, layed downe in a crib, and nothing set by of his owne people, receiueth notwithstanding a noble witnes of his diuinitie from heauen, and of his Kingly estate, of strangers which his owne also vnwittingly allowe of, although they do not acknowledge him. ] Iesvs then was borne at Bethleem in [Note: [a] For there was another in the tribe of Zabulon. ] Iudea, in the dayes of Herod the King, beholde, there came [Note: [b] Wise and learned men: It is a Persian word which they vse in good part. ] Wisemen from the East to Hierusalem,

2 Saying, Where is that King of the Iewes that is borne? for wee haue seene his starre in the East, and are come to worship him.

3 When King Herod heard this, he was [Note: [c] Was much mooued, for he was a stranger and came to the kingdome by force: and the Iewes were troubled: for wickednes is madde and raging. ] troubled, and all Hierusalem with him.

4 And gathering together all the [Note: [d] The chiefe priests, that is, such as were of Aarons familie, which were deuided into foure & twetie orders, 1.Chro.24. 5. and 2.Chr.36.14. ] chiefe Priestes and [Note: [e] They that expoud the Lawe to the people: for the Hebrewes take this worde of an other which signifieth as much as to expound and declare. ] Scribes of the people, hee asked of them, where Christ should be borne.

5 And they saide vnto him, At Beth-leem in Iudea: for so it is written by the Prophet,

6 [Note: Micha.5.2. Iohn 7.42. ] And thou Beth-leem in the lande of Iuda, art not the [Note: [f] Though thou be a small towne, yet shalt thou be very famous and noble through the birth of the Meßias, who shalbe borne in thee. ] least among the Princes of Iuda: For out of thee shall come the gouernour that [Note: [g] That shall rule and gouerne: for Kings are fitly called feeders and shepheardes of the people. ] shall feede that my people Israel.

7 Then Herod priuily called the Wisemen, and diligently inquired of them the time of the starre that appeared,

8 And sent them to Beth-leem, saying, Goe, and searche diligently for the babe: and when ye haue founde him, bring mee worde againe, that I may come also, and worship him.

9 ¶ So when they had heard the King, they departed: and loe, the starre which they had seene in the East, went before them, till it came and stoode ouer the place where the babe was.

10 And when they sawe the starre, they reioyced with an exceeding great ioy,

11 And went into the house, and founde the babe with Mary his mother, and [Note: [h] A kinde of humble and lowly reuerence. ] fell downe, and worshipped him, and opened their [Note: [i] The rich[illeg.] and costly presents, which they brought him. ] treasures, and presented vnto him giftes, euen golde, and frankincense, and myrrhe.
[Page]

[Herods crueltie. Iohn Baptist.]




12 And after they were [Note: [k] God warned and tolde them of it, when as they asked it not. ] warned of God in a dreame, that they should not go againe to Herod, ther returned into their countrey another way.

13 ¶ [Note: [2] Christ being yet scarse borne, beginneth to be crucified for vs, both in himselfe, and also in his members. ] After their departture, behold, the Angel of the Lord appeareth to Ioseph in a dreame, saying, Arise, and take the babe & his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be there til I bring thee word: for Herod will seeke the babe, to destroy him.

14 So he arose and tooke the babe and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt,

15 And was there vnto the death of Herod, that that might be fulfilled, which is spoken of the Lord by the [Note: Hose.11.1. ] Prophet, saying, Out of Egypt haue I called my sonne.

16 ¶ Then Herod, seeing that he was mocked of the Wisemen, was exceeding wroth, and sent foorth, and slew all the male children that were in Beth-leem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two yeere old and vnder, according to the time which he had diligently searched out of the Wisemen.

17 Then was that fulfilled which is spoken [Note: [l] For God speaketh by the mouth of the Prophets. ] by the Prophet Ieremias, saying,

18 [Note: Iere.31.15. ] In Rhama was [Note: [m] A voyce of lamenting, weeping and howling. ] a voyce heard, mourning, and weeping, and great howling: [Note: [n] That is to say, All that compasse about Bethlehem: for Rachel Iacobs wife, who died in childebed, was buried in the way that leadeth to this towne, which is also called Ephrata, because of the fruitfulnes of the soyle, and pletie of corne. ] Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they were not.

19 [Note: [3] Christ is brought vp in Nazareth, after the death of the tyrant by Gods prouidence: that by the very name of the place, it might plainely appeare to the world, that he is the Lords true Nazarite. ] And whe Herod was dead, behold, an Angel of the Lorde appeareth in a dreame to Ioseph in Egypt,

20 Saying, Arise, and take the babe and his mother, and goe into the land of Israel: for they are dead which sought the babes life.

21 Then he arose vp and tooke the babe and his mother, and came into the land of Israel.

22 But whe he heard yt Archelaus did reigne in Iudea in stead of his father Herod, he was afraide to go thither: yet after he was warned of God in a dreame, he turned aside into the parts of Galile,

23 And went and dwelt in a citie called Nazareth, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Prophets, which was, That hee should be called a Nazarite.


CHAP. III.


1 Iohn preacheth. 4 His apparell and meate. 5 He baptizeth. 8 The fruites of repentance. 10 The axe at the roote of the tree. 12 The fanne and the chaffe. 13 Christ is baptized.

1 [Note: Mar.1.4. luke 3.3. ] And in [Note: [a] Not when Ioseph went to dwell at Nazareth, but a great while after, about the space of 25. yeeres: for in the 30. yeere of his age was Iesus baptized of Iohn: therefore by those dayes, is ment, at that time that Iesus remained as yet an inhabitant of the towne of Nazareth. ] those dayes, [Note: [1] Iohn, who through his singular holines and rare austerenesse of life, caused all men to cast their eyes vpon him, prepareth the way for Christ folowing fast on at his heeles, as the Prophet Esai foretolde, & deliuereth the summe of the Gospel, which in short space after should be deliuered more fully. ] Iohn the Baptist came and preached in the [Note: [b] In an hilly coutrey, which was not withstanding inhabited, for Zachary dwelt there: Luk.1.40. and there was Ioabs house, 1.King.2.34. and besides these, Iehoshua maketh mention of sixe townes that were in this wildernes, cap.15 61. ] wildernes of Iudea,

2 And said, [Note: [c] The word in the Greeke tongue, signifieth a changing of our minds & hearts fro euil to better. ] Repent: for the [Note: [d] The kingdom of Meßias, whose gouernmet shalbe heauenly, & nothing but heauely. ] kingdome of heauen is at hand.

3 For this is he of whome it is spoken by the Prophet Esaias, saying, [Note: Esa.40.3. mar.1.3. luk.3.4. ioh.1.23. ] The voyce of him that crieth in the wildernes, Prepare ye the way of the Lord: [Note: [e] Make him a plaine & smooth way. ] make his pathes straight.

4 [Note: Mar.1.6. ] And this Iohn had his garment of camels heare, and a girdle of a skinne about his loynes: his meate was also [Note: [f] Locusts were a kind of meate, which certaine of the East people vse, which were therefore called deuourers of locusts, Eust.in Od.9. ] locusts and wilde hony.

5 [Note: Mar.1.5. luk.1.7. ] Then went out to him [Note: [g] The people of Ierusalem. ] Ierusalem and all Iudea, and all the region rounde about Iordan.

6 And they were baptized of him in Iordan, [Note: [h] Acknowledging that they were saued onely by free remißion and foregiuenes of their sinnes. ] confessing their sinnes.

[Christ baptized and tempted.]




7 [Note: [2] There is nothing that stoppeth vp the way of mercie and saluation against vs so much as the opinion of our owne righteousnesse doeth. ] Now when he sawe many of the Pharises, and of the Sadduces come to his baptisme, he said vnto them, [Note: Chap.12 34. ] O generations of vipers, who hath forewarned you to flee from the anger to come?

8 [Note: [3] True repentace, is an inward thing which hath it seate in the minde and heart. ] Bring foorth therefore fruite worthy amendement of life.

9 [Note: [4] The faith of the fathers, auaileth the vnbeleeuing childre nothing at all: and yet for all that, God playeth nor the lyer, not dealeth vnfaithfully in his league which he made wt the holy fathers. ] And [Note: [i] Thinke not that you haue any cause to be proude of Abraham. ] thinke not to say [Note: [k] In your hearts. ] with your selues, [Note: Iohn 8.39. actes 13.26. ] We haue Abraham to our father: for I say vnto you, that God is able euen of these stones to raise vp children vnto Abraham.

10 And now also is the axe put to the roote of the trees: [Note: Chap.7.19. ] therfore euery tree which bringeth not forth good fruit, is hewen downe, & cast into ye fire.

11 [Note: Mar.1.8. luk.3.16. ioh.1.26. act.1.5. and 2.4.& 8.17.& 19.4. ] [Note: [5] We may neither dwell vpon the signes which God hath ordeined as meanes to leade vs vnto our saluation, neither vpon them that minister them but we must clime vp to the matter it selfe, that is to say, to Christ, who inwardly worketh that effectually, which is outwardly signified vnto vs. ] In deede I baptize you with water to [Note: [l] The outward signe putteth vs in minde of this, that we must change our liues and become better, aßuring vs as by a seale, that wee are ingraffed into Christ, whereby our old man dieth, and the new man riseth vp, Rom.6. ] amendement of life, but he that commeth after me, is mightier then I, whose shoes I am not worthie to beare: hee will baptize you with the holy Ghost, and with fire.

12 [Note: [6] The triumphs of the wicked shall ende in euerlasting torment. ] Which hath his fanne in his hand, and wil [Note: [m] Will cleanse it throughly, and make a full riddance. ] make cleane his floore, and gather his wheate into his garner, but will burne vp the chaffe with vnquenchable fire.

13 ¶ [Note: Mar,1.9. luke 3.21. ] [Note: [7] Christ sanctifieth our baptisme in himself. ] Then came Iesus from Galile to Iordan vnto Iohn, to be baptized of him.

14 But Iohn earnestly put him backe, saying, I haue neede to be baptized of thee, and commest thou to me?

15 Then Iesus answering, saide to him, Let be nowe: for thus it becommeth vs to fulfill [Note: [n] All such things as he hath appointed vs to keepe. ] all righteousnes. So he suffered him.

16 And Iesus when hee was baptized, came straight out of the water. And lo, the heaues were opened vnto [Note: [o] To Iohn. ] him, & Iohn saw the Spirit of God descending like a doue, and lighting vpon him.

17 [Note: [8] Christs full consecration and authorising to the office of the mediatourship, is shewed by the fathers owne voyce, and a visible signe of the holy Ghost. ] And loe, a voyce came from heauen, saying, [Note: Coloß.1.13. 2 pet.1.17. ] This is my beloued Sonne, in whome I am [Note: [p] The Greeke worde betokeneth a thing of great account, and such as highly pleaseth a man. So then the Father saith, that Christ onely is the man, whome when he beholdeth, looke what opinion he had coceiued of vs, he layeth it cleane aside. ] well pleased.


CHAP. IIII.


1 Christ is tempted. 4 He vaquisheth the deuil with Scripture. 11 The Angels minister vnto him. 12 He preacheth repetance, & that himself is come. 18 The calling of Peter, Andrew, 21 Iames and Iohn. 23 He preacheth the Gospel & healeth the diseased.

1 Then [Note: Marke 1.11. luke 4.1. ] was [Note: [1] Christ was tempted all maner of wayes, and still ouer commeth, that we also through his vertue, may ouercome. ] Iesus led aside of the Spirit into the wildernes, to be tempted of the deuil.

2 And when he had fasted [Note: [a] Full fourtie daies. ] fourtie dayes, and fourtie nights, he was afterward hungrie.

3 Then came to him the tempter, and said, If thou be the Sonne of God, commande that these stones be made bread.

4 But he answering said, It is written, [Note: Deut.8.3. ] Man shall not liue by bread onely, but by euery worde that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

5 Then the deuil tooke him vp into the holy Citie, and set him on a [Note: [b] The battlement wherewith the flat roofe of the temple was copaßed about, that no`man might full downe: as was appointed by the Lawe, Deut.22.8. ] pinacle of the temple,

6 And said vnto him, If thou be the Sonne of God, cast thy selfe downe: for it is written, [Note: Psal.91.11. ] that he wil giue his Angels charge ouer thee, and with their hands they shall lift thee vp, lest at any time thou shouldest dash thy foote against a stone.

7 Iesus saide vnto him, It is written againe, [Note: Deut.6.16. ] Thou shalt not [Note: [c] Word for word, Thou shalt not goe on still in tempting. ] tempt the Lord thy God.


[Page 4]

[Christes preaching.]




8 Againe the deuil tooke him vp into an exceeding hie mountaine, and shewed him all the kingdomes of the world, and the glory of them,

9 And sayd to him, All these will I giue thee, if thou wilt fall downe, and worship me.

10 Then sayd Iesus vnto him, Auoyde Satan: for it is written, [Note: Deut.6.13.and 10.20. ] Thou shalt worship the Lorde thy God, and him onely shalt thou serue.

11 [Note: Mar.1.13. luke 4.13. ] Then the deuill left him: and beholde, the Angels came, and ministred vnto him.

12 ¶ [Note: Mark.1.14. luke 4.14. iohn 4.43. ] [Note: [2] When the Heraults mouth is stopped, the Lord reueileth himselfe and bringeth full light into the darkenes of this world, preaching free forgiuenes of sinnes to them that repent. ] And when Iesus had heard that Iohn was committed to prison, he returned into Galile.

13 And leauing Nazareth, went and dwelt in [Note: [d] Which was a towne a great deale more famous then Nazareth was. ] Capernaum, which is nere the sea in the borders of Zabulon and Nephthalim,

14 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the Propet, saying,

15 [Note: Esai.9.1. ] The land of Zabulon, and the land of Nephthalim by the way of the [Note: [e] Of Tiberias, or because that countrey bended toward Tyrus, which standeth vpon the sea that cutteth the midst of the world. ] sea, beyond Iordan, [Note: [f] So called, because it bordered vpon Tyrus and Sidon, and because Solomon gaue the King of Tyrus twentie cities in that quarter, 1.King.9.11. ] Galile of the Gentiles:

16 The people which sate in darkenes, sawe great light: and to them which sate in the region, and shadowe of death, light is risen vp.

17 [Note: Marke 1. 15. ] From that time Iesus began to preach, and to say, Amende your liues: for the kingdome of heauen is at [Note: [g] Is come to you. ] hand.

18 ¶ [Note: [3] Christ thinking by time, that he should at length depart from vs, euen at the beginning of his preaching, getteth him disciples after an heauenly sort, men in deede poore, and vtterly vnlearned, and therefore such as might be least suspected witnesses of the trueth of those thinges which they heard and sawe. ] And Iesus walking by the sea of Galile, sawe two brethren, Simon, which was called Peter, and Andrewe his brother, casting a net into the sea (for they were fishers.)

19 [Note: Marke 1.16. 1.cor.1.27. ] And he sayd vnto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.

20 And they straightway leauing the nets, folowed him.

21 And when he was gone forth from thence, he saw other two brethren, Iames the sonne of Zebedeus, and Iohn his brother in a ship wt Zebedeus their father, mending their nets, & he called them.

22 And they without tarying, leauing the ship, and their father, folowed him.

23 So [Note: [4] Christ assureth the hearts of the beleeuers of his spirituall and sauing vertue, by healing the diseases of the body. ] Iesus went about all Galile, teaching in [Note: [h] Their, that is, the Galileans. ] their [Note: [i] Synagogues, that is, the Iewes Churches. ] Synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the [Note: [k] Of Messias. ] kingdome, and healing [Note: [l] Diseases of all kindes, but not euery one: that is, as we say, some of euery one. ] euery sicknesse and euery [Note: [m] The worde signifieth properly, the weakenes of the stomake: but here it is taken for those diseases which make men faint and weare away, that haue them. ] disease among the people.

24 And his fame spread abroad through all Syria: and they brought vnto him all sicke people, that were taken with diuers diseases and [Note: [n] The worde signifieth properly the stone wherewith golde is tried: and by a borowed kinde of speach, is applied to all kinde of examination by torture, when as by rough dealing and torments, we goe about to drawe out the trueth of men, which otherwise they would not confeße: and in this place it is taken for those diseases, which put sicke men to great woe. ] torments, and them that were possessed with deuils, and those which were [Note: [o] Which at euery full Moone, or other changes of the Moone, are shrewdly troubled and diseased. ] lunatike, and those that had the [Note: [p] Weake and feeble men, who haue the partes of their body loosed, and so weakened, that they are neither able to gather them vp together, nor put them out as they would. ] palsey: and he healed them.

25 And there folowed him great multitudes out of Galile, and Decapolis, and Hierusalem, and Iudea, and from beyond Iordan.


CHAP. V.


1 Who are bleßed. 13 The Apostles are the salt and light of the world. 14 The citie set on an hill. 15 The candle. 16 Good workes. 19 The fulfilling of Christes commaundements. 21 What killing is. 23 Reconciliation is set before sacrifice. 27 Adulterie. 29 The plucking out of the eye. 30 Cutting off of the hand. 31 The bill of diuorcement. 33 Not to sweare. 43 To loue our enemies. 48 Perfectneße.

[The blessed.]




1 And when he sawe the multitude, he went vp into a mountaine: and when he was set, his disciples came to him.

2 [Note: [1] Christ teacheth, that the greatest ioye and felicitie is not in the comodities & pleasures of this life, but is layde vp in heauen for them that willingly rest in the good will & pleasure of God, and endeuour to profite all men, although they be cruelly vexed and troubled of the worldlings, because they wil not fashion themselues to their maners. ] And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying,

3 [Note: Luke 6.20. ] Blessed are the [Note: [a] Vnder the name of pouertie are all such miseries meant, as are ioyned with pouertie. ] poore in [Note: [b] Whose mindes and spirits are brought vnder, and tamed, and obey God. ] spirit, for theirs is the kingdome of heauen.

4 [Note: Esai.61.2,3. luke 6.21. ] Blessed are they that mourne: for they shall be comforted.

5 [Note: Psal.37.11. ] Blessed are the meeke: for they shall inherite the earth.

6 [Note: Esai.65.13. ] Blessed are they which hunger and thirst for righteousnes: for they shalbe filled.

7 Blessed are the mercifull: for they shal obteine mercie.

8 Blessed are the [Note: Psal.24.4. ] [Note: [c] Fitly is this word Pure, ioyned with the heart, for as a bright and shining resemblance or image may be seene plainely in a cleare and pure looking glaße, euen so doeth the face (as it were) of the euer lasting God, shine forth, and clerely appeare in a pure heart. ] pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peace makers: for they shal be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they [Note: 1.Cor.14.33. 1.pet.3.14. ] which suffer persecution for righteousnes sake: for theirs is the kingdome of heauen.

11 [Note: Act.5.41. 1.pet.4.14. ] Blessed shall ye be when men reuile you, and persecute you, & say all maner of euill against you for my sake, falsely.

12 Reioyce and be glad, for great is your reward in heauen: for so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you.

13 [Note: Mark.9.50. luke 14.34. ] Ye [Note: [2] The ministers of the worde especially (vnlesse they will be the most caitifes of all) must needes leade other both by worde and deede to this greatest ioy and felicitie. ] are the salt of the [Note: [d] Your doctrine must be very sound and good, for if it be not so, it shalbe nought set by, and cast away as a thing vnsauerie and vaine. ] earth: but if the salt haue lost his sauour, wherewith shall it be [Note: [e] What shall you haue to salt withall? And so are fooles in the Latine tongue called saltleße, as you would say, men that haue no salt, or sauour and taste in them. ] salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be troden vnder foote of men.

14 Ye are the [Note: [f] You shine and giue light, by being made partakers of the true light. ] light of the world. A citie that is set on an hill, cannot be hid.

15 [Note: Mar.4.21. luke 8.16. and 11.33. ] Neither doe men light a candel, and put it vnder a bushel, but on a candlesticke, and it giueth light vnto all that are in the house.

16 [Note: 1.Pet.2.12. ] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good workes, and glorifie your Father which is in heauen.

17 [Note: [3] Christ came not to bring any new way of righteousues and saluation into the world, but to fulfill that in deede which was shadowed by the figures of the Law, by deliuering men through grace from the curse of the Lawe: and moreouer to teache the true vse of obedience which the Law appointeth, and to graue in our hearts the force of obedience. ] Think not that I am come to destroy the Lawe, or the Prophets. I am not come to destroy them, but to [Note: [g] That the prophecies may be accomplished. ] fulfill them.

18 [Note: Luke 16.17. ] For truely I say vnto you, Till heauen, and earth perish, one iote or one title of the Law shall not scape, till all things be fulfilled.

19 [Note: Iames 2.10. ] [Note: [4] He beginneth with the true expounding of the Law, and setteth it against the old (but yet false) gloses of the Scribes: So farre is he from abolishing the least commandement of his Father. ] Whosoeuer therefore shall breake one of these least commandements, and teach men so, he shall be called the [Note: [h] He shal haue no place in the Church. ] least in the kingdome of heauen: but whosoeuer shall obserue and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdome of heauen.

20 For I say vnto you, except your righteousnes [Note: Luke 11.39. ] exceede the righteousnes of the Scribes and Pharises, ye shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen.

21 [Note: [5] The true meaning of the sixt commandement. ] Ye haue heard that it was sayd vnto them of the olde time, [Note: Exod.20.13. deut.5.17. ] Thou shalt not kill: for whosoeuer killeth shalbe culpable of iudgement.
[Page]

[The Lawe expounded.]




22 But I say vnto you, whosoeuer is angry with his brother vnaduisedly, shalbe [Note: [i] He speaketh of the iudgement of God, and of the difference of sinnes, & therefore applieth his wordes to the forme of ciuill iudgments, which were then vsed. ] culpable [Note: [k] Of that iudgement which was ruled by three men, who had the hearing and deciding of money matters, and such other small causes. ] of iudgment. And whosoeuer sayth vnto his brother, Raca, shalbe worthy to be punished by the [Note: [l] By that iudgmet which stoode of 23. Iudges, who had the hearing and deciding of weightie affaires, and matters of life and death: as the highest iudges of all were, to the number of 71. which had the hearing of most weightie affaires, as the matter of a whole tribe, or of an high Priest, or of a false prophet. ] Councill. And whosoeuer shall say, Foole, shalbe worthy to be punished with [Note: [m] Whereas we reade here, Hel, it is in the text it self, Gehenna, which is an Hebrew worde made of two, and is asmuch to say, as the valley of Hinnon, which otherwise the Ebrewes called Topheth: it was a place where the Israelites were wont most cruelly to sacrifice their children to false gods, whereupon it was taken for a place appointed to torment the reprobates in, Iere.7.31. ] hell [Note: [n] The Iewes vsed foure kindes of punishments, before their gouernment was taken away by Herode, hanging beheading, stoning, and burning: this is it that Christ shot at, because burning was the greatest punishment, therefore in that hee maketh mention of a iudgement, a councill, and a fire, he sheweth that some sinnes are worse then other some, but yet they are all such that we must giue an accompt for them, and shalbe punished for them. ] fire.

23 [Note: [6] The couetous Pharises taught that God was appeased by the sacrifices appointed in the lawe, which they them selues deuouted. But Christ on the contrary side denieth that God accepteth any mans offering, vnlesse he maketh satisfaction to his brother whome he hath offended: and sayth moreouer, that these stubburne and stiffnecked despisers of their brethren, shall neuer escape the wrath and curse of God, before they haue made full satisfaction to their brethren. ] If then thou bring thy gift to the [Note: [o] He applieth all this speach, to the state of his time, when as there was an altar standing in Hierusalem: and therefore they are very foolish, that gather hereupon, that we must build altars, and vse sacrifices: but they are more fooles, which drawe that no purgatorie, which is spoken of peace making an atonement one with another. ] altar, and there remembrest that thy brother hath ought against thee,

24 Leaue there thine offring before the altar, and goe thy way: first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift.

25 [Note: Luke 12.58. ] [Note: [p] Cut off all cause of enimitie. ] Agree with thine aduersarie quickly, whiles thou art in the way with him, lest thine aduersarie deliuer thee to the Iudge, & the Iudge deliuer thee to ye sergeant, & thou be cast into prison.

26 Verely I say vnto thee, thou shalt not come out thence, till thou hast [Note: [q] Thou shalt be dealt withall, to the vtmost extremitie. ] payed the vtmost farthing.

27 ¶ [Note: [7] He is taken for an adulterer before God what so euer he be, that coueteth a woman: and therefore we must keepe our eyes chaste, and all the members wee haue, yea and wee must eschewe all occasions which might moue vs to euill, howe deare soeuer it cost vs. ] Ye haue heard that it was sayd to them of olde time, [Note: Exo.20.14. rom.13.9. ] Thou shalt not commit adulterie.

28 But I say vnto you, that whosoeuer looketh on a woman to lust after her, hath committed adulterie with her already in his heart.

29 [Note: Chap.18. 8, 9. mar.9.47. ] Wherefore if thy [Note: [r] He nameth the right eye and the right hand, because the partes of the right side of our body are the chiefest, and readiest to commit any wickednesse. ] right eye cause thee [Note: [s] Worde for worde doe cause thee to offend: for sinnes are stumbling blocks as it were, that is to say, rockes which we are cast vpon. ] to offend, plucke it out, & cast it from thee: for better it is for thee, that one of thy members perish, then that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

30 Also if thy right hand make thee to offend, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for better it is for thee that one of thy members perish, then that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

31 It hath bene sayd also, [Note: Chap.19.7. deut.24.1. mark.10.4. luke 16.18. 1.cor.7.10. ] Whosoeuer shall put away his wife, let him giue her a bill of diuorcement.

32 But I say vnto you, whosoeuer shall put away his wife (except it be for fornication) causeth her to commit adulterie: & whosoeuer shal marrie her that is diuorced, committeth adulterie.

33 [Note: [8] The meaning of the third commandement, against the froward opinion and iudgement of the Scribes, which excused by othes or indirect formes of swearing. ] Againe, ye haue heard that it was sayd to them of old time, [Note: Exod.20.7. leuit.19.12. deut.5.11. ] Thou shalt not forsweare thy selfe, but shalt performe thine othes to the Lord.

34 But I say vnto you, Sweare not at all, neither by heauen, for it is the throne of God:

35 Nor yet by the earth: for it is his footestoole: neither by Hierusalem: for it is the citie of the great King.

36 Neither shalt thou sweare by thine head,

[Of loue, almes, and Prayer.]



because thou canst not make one heare white or blacke.

37 [Note: Iom.5.12. ] But let your communication be [Note: [t] Whatsoeuer you vouch, vouch it barely, and whatsoeuer you denie, denie it barely without any moe wordes. ] Yea, yea: Nay, nay. For whatsoeuer is more then these, commeth of [Note: [u] From an euill conscience, or from the deuill. ] euill.

38 ¶ [Note: [9] Hee sheweth cleane contrary to the doctrine of the Scribes, that the summe of the second table must be so vnderstood, that we may in no wise render euill for euill, but rather suffer double iniurie, and doe well to them that are our deadly enemies. ] Ye haue heard that it hath bene sayd, An [Note: Exod.21.24. leuit.24.20. deut. 19.21. ] eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.

39 But I say vnto you, [Note: Luke 6.29. rom. 12.17. 1.cor.6.7. ] Resist not euill: but whosoeuer shall smite thee on thy right cheeke, turne to him the other also.

40 And if any man wil sue thee at the law, and take away thy coate, let him haue thy cloke also.

41 And whosoeuer will compell thee to goe a mile, goe with him twaine.

42 [Note: Deut.15.8. ] Giue to him that asketh, and from him that would borowe of thee, turne not away.

43 Ye haue heard that it hath bin said, [Note: Leuit.19.18. ] Thou shalt loue thy neighbour, and hate your enemie.

44 But I say vnto you, [Note: Luke 6.27. ] Loue your enemies: blesse them that curse you: doe good to them that hate you, [Note: Luke 23.34. actes 7.60. 1.cor. 4.13. ] and pray for them which hurt you, and persecute you,

45 [Note: [10] A double reason: the one is taken of relatiues, The children must be like their father: the other is taken of comparisons, The children of God must be better, then the children of this world. ] [Note: Luke 6.35. ] That ye may be the children of your father that is in heauen: for he maketh his sunne to arise on the euill, and the good, and sendeth raine on the iust, and vniust.

46 For if ye loue them, which loue you, what rewarde shall you haue? Doe not the Publicanes euen the same?

47 And if ye be friendly to your brethren onely, what singular thing doe ye? doe not euen the [Note: [x] They that were the tolle masters, and had the ouersight of tributes and customes: a kinde of men that the Iewes hated to death, both because they serued the Romanes in those offices (whose yokefull bondage they could hardly away with all) and also because these tolle masters are for the most part giuen to couetousneße. ] Publicanes likewise?

48 Ye shall therefore be perfit, as your Father which is in heauen, is perfite.


CHAP. VI.


1 Almes. 5 Prayer. 14 Forgiuing our brother. 16 Fasting. 19 Our treasure. 20 We must succour the poore. 24 God and riches. 25 Carefull seeking for meate and drinke, and apparell, forbidden. 33 The kingdome of God and his righteousneß.

1 Take heede that ye giue not your [Note: [1] Ambition maketh almes vaine. ] almes before men, to be seene of them, or els ye shall haue no [Note: [a] This worde, Rewarde, is alwayes taken in the Scriptures for a free recompence, & therefore the schoolemen doe fondly set it to be answerable to a deseruing, which they call, merite. ] reward of your Father which is in heaue.

2 [Note: Rom.12.8. ] Therefore when thou giuest thine almes, thou shalt not make a trumpet to be blowen before thee, as the [Note: [b] Counterfeites, for Hypocrites were players that played a part in a play. ] hypocrites doe in the Synagogues and in the streetes, to be praysed of men. Verely I say vnto you, they haue their rewarde.

3 But when thou doest thine almes, let not thy left hand knowe what thy right hand doeth,

4 That thine almes may be in secret, and thy Father that seeth in secret, hee will rewarde thee openly.

5 [Note: [2] He reprehendeth two foule faultes in prayer, ambition, and vaine babbling. ] And when thou prayest, be not as the hypocrites: for they loue to stand, and pray in the Synagogues, and in the corners of the streetes, because they would be seene of men. Verely I say vnto you, they haue their rewarde.

6 But when thou prayest, enter into thy chamber and when thou hast shut thy doore, pray vnto thy Father which is in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret, shall rewarde thee openly.

7 Also when ye pray, vse no [Note: [c] Long prayers are not condemned, but vaine, needleße, and superstitious. ] vaine repetitions as the Heathen: for they thinke to be heard for their much babbling.

8 Be ye not like them therefore: for your

[Page 5]

[Of loue, almes, and Prayer. Against worldly carefulnes.]



Father knoweth whereof ye haue neede, before ye aske of him.
9 [Note: [3] A true summe and fourme of all Christian prayers. ] After this maner therefore pray ye, [Note: Luke 11.3. ] Our father which art in heauen, halowed be thy name.

10 Thy Kingdome come. Thy will be done euen in earth, as it is in heauen.

11 Giue vs this day our [Note: [d] That, that is meete for our nature for our dayly foode, or such as may suffice our nature and complexion. ] dayly bread.

12 And forgiue vs our dettes, as we also forgiue our detters.

13 And leade vs not into tentation, but deliuer vs [Note: Chap.13.19. ] from [Note: [e] From the Deuil, or from all aduersitie. ] euill: for thine is the kingdome, and the power, and the glorie for euer. Amen.

14 [Note: Mark.11.25. ] [Note: [4] They that forgiue wrongs, to them sinnes are forgiuen, but reuenge is prepared for them that reuenge. ] For if ye doe forgiue men their trespasses, your heauenly Father will also forgiue you.

15 But if ye do not forgiue men their trespasses,, no more will your father forgiue you your trespaces.

16 [Note: [5] Against such as hunt after a name of holines, by fasting. ] Moreouer, when ye fast, looke not sowre as the hypocrites: for they [Note: [f] They suffer not their first hewe to be seene, that is to say, they marre the naturall colour of their faces, that they may seeme leane & pale faced. ] disfigure their faces, that they might seeme vnto men to fast. Verely I say vnto you, that they haue their rewarde.

17 But when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face,

18 That thou seeme not vnto men to fast, but vnto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret, will rewarde thee openly.

19 ¶ [Note: [6] Those mens labours are shewed to be vaine, which passe not for the assured treasure of euerlasting life, but spend their liues in scraping together fraile and vaine riches. ] Lay not vp treasures for your selues vpon the earth, where the mothe & canker corrupt, and where theeues digge through and steale.

20 [Note: Luke 12.33. 1.tim.6.19. ] But lay vp treasures for your selues in heauen, where neither the mothe nor canker corrupteth, & where theeues neither digge through, nor steale.

21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.

22 ¶ [Note: Luke 11.34. ] [Note: [7] Men doe maliciously and wickedly put out euen the litle light of nature that is in them. ] The light of the body is the eye: if then thine [Note: [g] The iudgement of the mind: that as the body is with the eyes, so our whole life may be ruled with right reason, that is to say, with the spirit of God wherewith we are lightened. ] eye be single, thy whole body shall be light.

23 But if thine eye be wicked, then all thy body shalbe darke. Wherefore if the light that is in thee, be darkenes, howe great is that darkenesse?

24 [Note: Luke.16.13. ] [Note: [8] God will be worshipped of the whole man. ] No man can serue [Note: [h] Which be at [illeg.]arre together, for if two agree, they are as one. ] two masters: for eyther he shall hate the one, and loue the other, or els he shall leane to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serue God and [Note: [i] This worde is a Syrian worde, and signifieth all things that belong to money. ] riches.

25 [Note: Luke 12.22. philip.4.6. 1.tim.68. 1.peter 5.7. psalm.55.23. ] [Note: [9] The froward carking carefullnes for things of this life, is corrected in the children of God by an earnest thinking vpon the prouidence of God. ] Therefore I say vnto you, be not carefull for your life, what ye shall eate, or what ye shall drinke: nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more worth then meate? and the bodie then raiment?

26 Behold the foules of the [Note: [k] Of the ayre, or that liue in the ayre: for in all tongues almost this word Heauen, is taken for the ayre. ] heauen: for they sowe not, neither reape, nor carie into the barnes: yet your heauenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better then they?

27 Which of you by [Note: [l] He speaketh of care which is ioyned with thought of mind, and hath for the most part distrust yoked with it. ] taking care is able to adde one cubite vnto his stature?

28 And why care ye for raiment? Learne howe the lilies of the fielde doe growe: they [Note: [m] By labour. ] are not wearied, neither spinne:

29 Yet I say vnto you, that euen Solomon in all his glorie was not arayed like one of these.

30 Wherefore if God so clothe the grasse of the fielde which is to day, and to morowe is cast into the ouen, shall he not doe much more vnto you, O ye of litle faith?

31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eate? or what shall we drinke? or where

[Against worldly carefulnes. The broade and straite way.]



with shall we be clothed?

32 (For after all these things seeke the Gentiles) for your heauenly Father knoweth, that ye haue neede of all these things.

33 But seeke ye first the kingdome of God, and his righteousnesse, and all these things shall be ministred vnto you.

34 Care not then for the morowe: for the morowe shall care for it selfe: the day hath ynough with his owne griefe.



CHAP. VII.


1 We may not giue iudgement of our neighbour, 6 nor cast that which is holy to dogges. 13 The broade and straite way. 15 False prophets. 18 The tree and fruite. 24 The house built on a rocke, 26 and on the sande.

1 Ivdge [Note: [1] We ought to finde fault one with an other, but we must beware we doe it not without cause, or to seeme holier then they, or in hatred of them. ] not, that ye be not iudged.

2 Eor with what [Note: Luke 6.37,38. rom.2.1. 1.cor.4.3. ] iudgement ye iudge, ye shall be iudged, and with what [Note: Mark.4.24. luke 6.38. ] measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you againe.

3 And why seest thou the mote, that is in thy brothers eye, and perceiuest not the beame that is in thine owne eye?

4 [Note: Luke 6 41. ] Or howe sayest thou to thy brother, Suffer me to cast out the mote out of thine eye, and beholde, a beame is in thine owne eye?

5 Hypocrite, first cast out that beame out of thine owne eye, and then shalt thou see clearely to cast out the mote out of thy brothers eye.

6 ¶ [Note: [2] The stifnecked and stubborne enemies of the Gospel, are vnworthy to haue it preached vnto them. ] Giue ye not that which is holy, to dogges, neither cast ye your [Note: [a] A pearle hath his name among the orient brightnes that is in it: and a pearle was in auncient time in great estimation among the Latines: for a pearle that Cleopatra had, was valued at two hundred and fiftie thousand crownes: and the worde is nowe borowed from that, to signifie the most precious heauenly doctrine. ] pearles before swine, lest they treade them vnder their feete, and turning againe, all to rent you.

7 ¶ [Note: Chap.21.22. mark.11.24. luke 11.9. iohn 14.13. and 16.23. iames 1.5. ] [Note: [3] Prayers are a sure refuge in all miseries. ] Aske, and it shall be giuen you: seeke, and ye shall finde: knocke, and it shall be opened vnto you.

8 For whosoeuer asketh, receiueth: and he, that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened.

9 For what man is there among you, which if his sonne aske him bread, woulde giue him a stone?

10 Or if he aske fish, wil he giue him a serpent?

11 If ye then, which are euill, can giue to your children good giftes, howe much more shall your Father which is in heauen, giue good thinges to them that aske him?

12 [Note: Luke 6.31. iob.4.16. ] [Note: [4] A rehearsall of the meaning of the seconde table. ] Therefore whatsoeuer ye woulde that men should doe to you, euen so doe ye to them: for this is the [Note: [b] That is to say, The doctrine of the Lawe and Prophets. ] Lawe and the Prophets.

13 ¶ [Note: Luke 13.24. ] [Note: [5] Example of life must not be taken from a multitude. ] Enter in at the streight gate: for it is the wide gate, and broade way that leadeth to destruction: & many there be which goe in thereat,

14 Because [Note: [c] The way is streight and narrowe: we must passe through this rough way, and suffer, and endure, and be thronged, and so enter into life. ] the gate is streight, and the way narowe that leadeth vnto life, and fewe there be that finde it.

15 ¶ [Note: [6] False teachers must be taken heede of: and they are knowen by false doctrine and euill liuing. ] Beware of false prophets, which come to you, in sheepes clothing, but inwardly they are rauening wolues.

16 Ye shall know them by their fruites. [Note: Luke 6.44. ] Doe men gather grapes of thornes? or figges of thistles?

17 So euery good tree bringeth foorth good fruite, & a corrupt tree bringeth forth euill fruite.

18 A good tree can not bring forth euil fruite: neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruite.

19 [Note: Chap.3.10. ] Euery tree that bringeth not forth good fruite, is hewen downe, and cast into the fire.

20 Therefore by their fruites ye shall knowe them.
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[The Gentiles called.]




21 ¶ [Note: [7] Euen the best giftes that are, are nothing without godlinesse. ] Not euery one that sayeth vnto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdome of heauen, [Note: Rom.2.13. ] but he that doeth my Fathers will which is in heauen.

22 [Note: Iames 1.22. ] Many will say to me in that day, Lorde, Lorde, haue we not by thy [Note: [d] By Name here, is mens that mightie working power of God, which euery man witnesseth that calleth vpon him. ] Name prophecied? and by thy name cast out deuils? and by thy name done many [Note: [e] Properly, powers: Nowe these excellent workes wrought, are called Powers, by occasion of those thinges which they bring to passe for by them we vnderstand, howe mightie the power of God is. ] great workes?

23 And then will I professe to them, [Note: Luke 13.27. ] [Note: [f] This is not of ignorance, but because he will cast them away. ] I neuer knewe you: [Note: Psal. 6.8. ] depart from me, [Note: [g] You that are giuen to all kinde of wickednesse, and seeme to make an arte of sinne. ] ye that worke iniquitie.

24 [Note: [8] True godlinesse resteth onely vpon Christ, and therefore alwayes remaineth inuincible. ] Whosoeuer then heareth of mee these words, [Note: Luk.6.47,48. ] & doeth the same, I will liken him to a wise man, which hath builded his house on a rock:

25 And the raine fell, and the floods came, and the windes blewe, and beat vpon that house, and it fell not: for it was grounded on a rocke.

26 But whosoeuer heareth these my wordes, and doeth them not, shall be likened vnto a foolish man, which hath builded his house vpon the sand:

27 And the raine fell, and the floods came, and the windes blewe, and beat vpon that house, and it fell, and the fall thereof was great.

28 ¶ [Note: Mar.1.22. luk.4.32. ] And it came to passe, when Iesus had ended these wordes, the people were astonied at his doctrine.

29 For he taught them as one hauing authoritie, and not as the Scribes.


CHAP. VIII.


1 The Leper clensed. 5 The Centurions faith. 11 The calling of the Gentiles, 12 and casting out of the Iewes. 14 Peters mother in lawe healed. 19 A Scribe desirous to followe Christ. 23 The tempest on the sea. 28 Two possessed with deuils cured. 32 The deuils goe into swine.

1 Nowe when he was come downe from the mountaine, great multitudes followed him.

2 [Note: Mark.1.40. luke 5.12. ] [Note: [1] Christ in healing the leprous with the touching of his hand, sheweth that he abhorreth no sinners that come vnto him, be they neuer so vncleane. ] And loe, there came a Leper and worshipped him, saying, Master, if thou wilt, thou canst make me cleane.

3 And Iesus putting foorth his hand, touched him, saying, I will, be thou cleane: and immediatly his leprosie was clensed.

4 Then Iesus saide vnto him, See thou tell no man, but goe, and shewe thy selfe vnto the Priest, and offer the gift that [Note: Leuit.14.3,4. ] Moses commanded, for a witnesse to them.

5 ¶ [Note: Luke 7.1. ] [Note: [2] Christ by setting before them the example of the vncircumcised Centurion, and yet of an excellent faith, prouoketh the Iewes to emulation, and together forewarneth them of their casting off, and the calling of the Gentiles. ] When Iesus was entred into Capernaum, there came vnto him a Centurion, beseeching him,

6 And saide, Master, my seruant lieth sicke at home of the palsie, and is grieuously pained.

7 And Iesus saide vnto him, I will come and heale him.

8 But the Centurion answered, saying, Master, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come vnder my roofe: but speake the worde onely, and my seruant shall be healed.

9 For I am a man also vnder the authoritie of an other, and haue souldiers vnder me: and I say to one, Goe, and he goeth: and to another, Come, and he commeth: and to my seruant, Doe this, and he doeth it.

10 When Iesus heard that, he marueiled, and said to them that folowed him, Verely, I say vnto you, I haue not found so great faith, euen in Israel.

11 But I say vnto you, that many shall come from the East and West, and shall [Note: [a] A metaphore taken of banquets, for they that sit downe together are felowes in the banquet. ] sit downe with Abraham, and Isaac, and Iacob, in the kingdome of heauen.

[Christes pouertie.]




12 And the children of the kingdome shall be cast out into [Note: [b] Which are without the kingdome: For in the kingdome is light, and without the kingdome darkenes. ] vtter [Note: Chap.22.13. ] darkenes: there shalbe weeping and gnashing of teeth.

13 Then Iesus saide vnto the Centurion, Goe thy way, and as thou hast beleeued, so be it vnto thee, And his seruant was healed the same houre.

14 ¶ [Note: Marke 1.29. luke 4.38. ] [Note: [3] Christ, in healing diuers diseases, sheweth that he was sent of his Father, that in him onely we should seeke remedie in all our miseries. ] And when Iesus came to Peters house, he sawe his wiues mother layed downe, and sicke of a feuer.

15 And he touched her hande, and the feuer left her: so she arose, and ministred vnto them.

16 [Note: Marke 1.32. luke 4.40. ] When the Euen was come, they brought vnto him many that were possessed with deuils: and he cast out the spirits with his worde, and healed [Note: [c] Of all sortes. ] all that were sicke,

17 That it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by [Note: Esa.53.4. 1.pet.2.24. ] Esaias the Prophet, saying, He tooke our infirmities, and bare our sickenesses.

18 ¶ [Note: Luke 9.57,58. ] And when Iesus sawe great multitudes of people about him, he commanded them to goe [Note: [d] For Capernaum was situate vpon the lake of Tiberias. ] ouer the water.

19 [Note: [4] The true disciples of Christ must prepare themselues to all kind of miseries. ] Then came there a certaine Scribe, and said vnto him, Master, I will follow thee whithersoeuer thou goest.

20 But Iesus saide vnto him, The foxes haue holes, and the birdes of the heauen haue [Note: [e] Worde for word, shades made with boughes. ] nestes, but the Sonne of man hath not whereon to rest his head.

21 ¶ [Note: [5] When God requireth our labour, we must leaue off all dutie to men. ] And another of his disciples saide vnto him, Master, suffer me first to goe, and burie my father.

22 But Iesus said vnto him, Followe me, and let the dead burie their dead.

23 ¶ [Note: Mark.4.37. luke 8.23. ] [Note: [6] Although Christ seemeth often times to neglect his, euen in most extreme dangers, yet in time conuenient he asswageth all tempests, and bringeth them to the hauen. ] And when he was entred into ye ship, his disciples followed him.

24 And beholde, there arose a great tempest in the sea, so that the ship was couered with waues: but he was a sleepe.

25 Then his disciples came, and awoke him, saying, Master, saue vs: we perish.

26 And he said vnto them, Why are ye fearefull, O ye of litle faith? Then he arose, & rebuked the winds & the sea: & so there was a great calme.

27 And the men marueiled, saying, What man is this, that both the windes and the sea obey him!

28 ¶ [Note: Marke 5.1,2. luke 8.26,27. ] [Note: [7] Christ came to deliuer men from the miserable thraldome of Satan: but the worlde had rather lacke Christ, then the vilest and left of their commodities. ] And when he was come to the other side into ye countrey of the Gergesenes, there met him two possessed with deuils, which came out of the graues very fierce, so that no man might goe by that way.

29 And beholde, they cryed out, saying, Iesus the sonne of God, what haue we to do with thee? Art thou come hither to tormet vs before ye time?

30 Nowe there was, [Note: [f] On an hill, as Marke and Luke witnesse: Nowe Gedara as Ioseph recordeth booke 17. chap.13. liued after the order of the Grecians, & therefore we may not marueile if there were swine there. ] afarre off from them, a great heard of swine feeding.

31 And the deuils besought him, saying, If thou cast vs out, suffer vs to goe into the heard of swine.

32 And he said vnto them, Go. So they went out and departed into the heard of swine: and beholde, the whole heard of swine ranne headlong into the sea, and died in the water.

33 Then the heardmen fled: and when they were come into the citie, they tolde all things, and what was become of them that were possessed with the deuils.

34 And beholde, all ye citie came out to meete Iesus: and when they sawe him, they besought him to [Note: [g] Where men liue as swine, there doeth not Christ tarie, but deuils. ] depart out of their coastes.


[Page 6]

[Matthew called.]





CHAP. IX.


1 One sicke of the palsie is healed. 5 Remission of sinnes. 9 Matthewe, called. 10 Sinners. 17 Newe wine. 18 The rulers daughter raised. 20 A woman healed of a bloodie issue. 28 Two blinde men by faith receiue sight. 32 A domme man possessed is healed. 37 The haruest and woorkemen.

1 Then hee [Note: [1] Sinnes are the causes of our afflictions, & Christ onely forgiueth them if we beleeue. ] entred into a shippe, and passed ouer, and came into his [Note: [a] Into Capernaum, for as Theoph. saith, Bethleem brought him foorth, Nazareth brought him vp, and Capernaum was his dwelling place. ] owne citie.

2 And [Note: Marke 2.3. luke 5.18. ] loe, they brought to him a ma sicke of the palsie, laid on a bed. And Iesus [Note: [b] Knowing by a manifest signe. ] seeing their faith, saide to the sicke of the palsie, Sonne, be of good comfort: thy sinnes are forgiuen thee.

3 And beholde, certaine of the Scribes saide with themselues, This man [Note: [c] To blaspheme, signifieth amongst the diuines, to speake wickedly: and amongst the more eloquent Grecians, to slander. ] blasphemeth.

4 But when Iesus saw their thoughts, he said, Wherefore thinke yee euil things in your hearts?

5 For whether is it easier to say, Thy sinnes are forgiuen thee, or to say, Arise, and walke?

6 And that ye may knowe that the Sonne of man hath authoritie in earth to forgiue sinnes, (then saide he vnto the sicke of the palsie,) Arise, take vp thy bed, and goe to thine house.

7 And hee arose, and departed to his owne house.

8 So when the multitude sawe it, they marueiled, and glorified God, which had giuen such authoritie to men.

9 ¶ [Note: Marke 2.14. luke 5.27. ] [Note: [2] Christ calleth the humble sinners vnto him, but hee contemneth the proud hypocrites. ] And as Iesus passed foorth from thence, hee sawe a man sitting at the [Note: [d] At the customers table, where it was receiued. ] custome, named Matthewe, and saide to him, Followe me. And he arose, and followed him.

10 And it came to passe, as Iesus sate at meate in his house, beholde, many Publicanes and [Note: [e] The customers fellowes which were placed by the Romanes, after that Iudea was brought into the forme of a prouince, to gather the customes, and therefore of the rest of the Iewes, they were called sinners, that is to say, verie vile men. ] sinners, that came thither, sate downe at the table with Iesus and his disciples.

11 And when the Pharises sawe that, they saide to his disciples, Why eateth your master with Publicanes and sinners?

12 Nowe when Iesus heard it, hee sayde vnto them, The whole neede not a Physition, but they that are sicke.

13 But goe yee and learne what this is, [Note: Hose.6.6. chap.12.7. ] I will haue mercie, and not sacrifice: for I am not come to call the righteous, but the [Note: 1.Tim.1.15. ] sinners to repentance.

14 ¶ [Note: Marke 2.18. luke 5.33. ] [Note: [3] Against naughty emulation in matters indifferent. ] Then came the disciples of Iohn to him, saying, Why doe we and the Pharises fast oft, and thy disciples fast not?

15 And Iesus saide vnto them, Can the [Note: [f] An Hebrewe kinde of speach, for they that are admitted into the mariage chamber, are as the neerest about the bridegrome. ] children of the marriage chamber mourne as long as the bridegrome is with them? But the daies will come, when the bridegrome shall be taken from them, and then shall they fast.

16 Moreouer no man pieceth an olde garment with a piece of [Note: [g] Rawe, which was neuer put to the fuller. ] newe cloth: for that that should fill it vp, taketh away from the garment, and the breach is worse.

17 Neither doe they put newe wine into olde vessels: for then the vessels would breake, and the wine woulde be spilt, and the vessels shoulde perish: but they put new wine into newe vessels, and so are both preserued.

18 ¶ [Note: Marke 5.22. luke 8.41. ] [Note: [4] There is no euil so olde, and incurable, which Christ can not heale by and by, if hee be touched with true faith but lightly as it were with the hand. ] While hee thus spake vnto them, beholde, there came a certaine ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is nowe deceased, but come and laie thine hande on her, and shee shall liue.

19 And Iesus arose and followed him with his disciples.

20 (And beholde, a woman which was diseased

[Two blinde men.]



with an issue of blood twelue yeres, came behinde him, and touched the hemme of his garment.

21 For shee saide in her selfe, If I may touche but his garment onely, I shalbe whole.

22 Then Iesus turned him about, and seeing her, did say, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole at that same moment.)

23 [Note: [5] Euen death itselfe giueth place to the power of Christ. ] Nowe when Iesus came into the Rulers house, and saw the [Note: [h] It appeareth that they vsed minstrels at their mourning. ] minstrels and the multitude making noise,

24 He said vnto them, Get you hence: for the maid is not dead, but sleepeth. And they laughed him to scorne.

25 And when the multitude were put foorth, hee went in and tooke her by the hande, and the maide arose.

26 And this bruite went throughout all that lande.

27 [Note: [6] By healing these two blinde, Christ sheweth that he is the light of the world. ] And as Iesus departed thence, two blinde men followed him, crying, and saying, O sonne of Dauid, haue mercie vpon vs.

28 And when hee was come into the house, the blinde came to him, & Iesus saide vnto them, Beleeue yee that I am able to doe this? And they sayd vnto him, Yea, Lord.

29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it vnto you.

30 And their eyes were opened, and Iesus gaue them great charge, saying, See that no man knowe it.

31 But when they were departed, they spread abroad his fame throughout all that land.

32 ¶ [Note: Luke 11.14. ] [Note: [7] An example of that power, that Christ hath ouer the deuill. ] And as they went out, beholde, they brought to him a domme man possessed with a deuill.

33 And when the deuill was cast out, the domme spake: then the multitude marueiled, saying, The like was neuer seene in Israel.

34 But the Pharises saide, [Note: Chap.12.24. marke 3.22. luke 11.15. ] He casteth out deuils, through the prince of deuils.

35 ¶ And [Note: Marke 6.6. luke 13.22. ] Iesus went about all cities and townes, teaching in their Synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the kingdome, and healing euery sickenesse and euery disease among the people.

36 [Note: [8] Although the ordinarie pastours cease, yet Christ hath not cast off the care of his Church. ] But [Note: Marke 6.34. ] when he saw the multitude, he had compassion vpon them, because they were dispersed, and scattered abroade, as sheepe hauing no shepheard.

37 Then saide he to his disciples, [Note: Luke 10.2. iohn 4.35,36. ] Surely the haruest is great, but the labourers are fewe.

38 Wherefore pray the Lorde of the haruest, that he woulde [Note: [i] Worde for word, cast them out: for men are very slow, in so holy a worke. ] sende foorth labourers into his haruest.


CHAP. X.


1 The gift of healing giuen to the Apostles. 5 They are sent to preach the Gospel. 13 Peace. 14 Shaking off the dust. 16 Affliction. 22 Continuance vnto the ende. 23 Flying from persecution. 28 Feare. 29 Two sparrowes. 30 Heares of our head. 32 To acknowledge Christ. 34 Peace and the sword. 35 Variance. 37 Loue of parents. 38 The crosse. 39 To lose the life. 40 To receiue a preacher.

1 And [Note: [1] The Apostles are sent to preach the Gospel in Israel. ] [Note: Mar.3.13,14,15. luke 9.1,2. ] hee called his twelue disciples vnto him, and gaue them power against vncleane spirits, to cast them out, and to heale euery sickenesse, and euery disease.

2 Nowe the names of the twelue Apostles are these. The [Note: [a] The ophilact saith that Peter & Andrew are called the first, because they were first called. ] first is Simon, called Peter, and Andrewe his brother: Iames the sonne of Zebedeus, and Iohn his brother.
[Page]

[Assurance of Gods helpe.]




3 Philippe and Bartlemewe: Thomas, and Matthewe that Publicane: Iames the sonne of Alpheus, & Lebbeus whose surname was Thaddeus:

4 Simon the Cananite, and Iudas [Note: [b] A man of Kerioth. Nowe Kerioth was in the tribe of Iudah, Fosh.15.25. ] Iscariot, who also betraied him.

5 These twelue did Iesus send forth, & commaunded them, saying, Goe not into the way of of the Gentiles, and into the cities of the Samaritans enter yee not:

6 But goe rather [Note: Act.13.46. ] to the lost sheepe of the house of Israel.

7 [Note: Luke 10.9,11. ] [Note: [2] The summe of the Gospell, or preaching of the Apostles. ] And as ye goe, preach, saying, The kingdome of heauen is at hand.

8 [Note: [3] Miracles are dependaces of the woorde. ] Heale the sicke: cleanse the lepers: raise vp the dead: cast out the deuils. Freely ye haue receiued, freely giue.

9 [Note: Mark.6.8,9. Luke 9.3.& 22.35. ] [Note: [4] The ministers of the woorde must cast away all cares that might hinder them ye least wise that might be. ] Possesse [Note: [c] For this iourney, to wit, both that nothing might hinder them, and also that they might feele some taste of Gods prouidence: for at their returne backe, the Lorde asketh of them, whether they lacked any thing by the way, Luke 22.35. ] not golde, nor siluer, nor money in your girdels,

10 Nor a scrippe for the iourney, neither two coates, neither shoes, nor a staffe: [Note: 1.Tim.5.15. ] for the workeman is worthie of his [Note: [d] God will prouide you meate. ] meate.

11 [Note: [5] Happie are they that receiue the preaching of the Gospel: and vnhappie are they, that refuse it. ] And into [Note: Luke 10.8. ] whatsoeuer citie or towne ye shall come, enquire who is worthy in it, and there abide till yee goe thence.

12 And when yee come into an house, salute the same.

13 And if the house be worthy, let your [Note: [e] It is a maner of speach taken from the Hebrewes, whereby they meant all kinde of happinesse. ] peace come vpon it: but if it be not worthie, let your peace returne to you.

14 [Note: Marke 6.11. luke 9 5. ] And whosoeuer shall not receiue you, nor heare your woordes, when yee depart out of that house, or that citie, [Note: Actes 13.51. ] shake off the dust of your feete.

15 Truely I say vnto you, it shall be easier for them of the lande of Sodom and Gomorrha in the day of iudgement, then for that citie.

16 ¶ [Note: Luke 10.3. ] [Note: [6] Christ sheweth, how the ministers must behaue themselues vnder the crosse. ] Behold, I send you as [Note: [f] You shall be in great danger. ] sheepe in the middes of the wolues: be yee therefore wise as serpents, and [Note: [g] You shall not so much as reuenge an iniurie: and by the mixing of these beastes natures together, he will not haue our wisedome to bee malicious, nor our simplicitie mad, but a certeine for me of good nature as exquisitely framed of both them, as may be. ] innocent as doues.

17 But beware of [Note: [h] For in the cause of religion men are wolues one to another. ] men, for they will deliuer you vp to the Councils, and will scourge you in their Synagogues.

18 And ye shal be brought to the gouernours and Kings for my sake, in witnes to them, and to the Gentiles.

19 [Note: Marke 13.11. luke 12.11. ] But when they deliuer you vp, take no thought howe or what ye shall speake: for it shall be giuen you in that houre, what ye shall say.

20 For it is not yee that speake, but the spirite of your father which speaketh in you.

21 And the [Note: Luke 21.16. ] brother shall betray the brother to death, and the father the sonne, and the children shal rise against their parents, and shall cause them to die.

22 And yee shall be hated of all men for my Name: [Note: Marke 13.13. ] but he that endureth to the end, he shall be saued.

23 And when they persecute you in this citie, flee into another: for verely I say vnto you, yee shall not [Note: [i] Bring to an end, that is, you shal not haue gone through all the cities of Israel, and preached in them. ] goe ouer all the cities of Israel, till the Sonne of man be come.

24 [Note: Luke 6.40. iohn 13.16.& 15.20. ] The disciple is not aboue his master, nor the seruant aboue his Lord.

25 It is ynough for the disciple to bee as his master is, and the seruaunt as his Lorde. [Note: Chap. 11.24. ] If they haue called the master of the house [Note: [k] It was the Idoll of the Acaronites, which we call the god of flies. ] Beel-zebub, howe much more them of his housholde?

[To take the crosse.]




26 [Note: [l] Trueth shall not alwaies be hid. ] Feare them not therefore: [Note: Marke 4.22. luk.8.17.& 12.2. ] for there is nothing couered, that shall not be disclosed, nor hid, that shall not be knowen.

27 What I tell you in darkenesse, that speake yee in light: and what yee heare in the eare, that preach yee on the [Note: [m] Openly, & in the highest places. For the toppes of their houses were so made, that they might walke vpon them, Act.10.9. ] houses.

28 And [Note: [n] Though tyrants be neuer so raging and cruell, yet we may not feare them. ] feare yee not them which kill the bodie, but are nor able to kill the soule: but rather feare him, which is able to destroy both soule and bodie in hell.

29 Are not two sparrowes sold for a [Note: [o] The fourth part of an ounce. ] farthing, and one of them shal not fal on the ground without your Father?

30 [Note: 1.Sam.14.45. 2.sam.14.11. actes 27.34. ] Yea, and all the heares of your head are nombred.

31 Feare ye not therefore, yee are of more value then many sparowes.

32 [Note: [7] The necessitie and rewarde of open confessing Christ. ] [Note: Marke 8.38. luk.9.26.& 12.8. 2.tim.2.12. ] Whosoeuer therefore shall confesse me before men, him will I confesse also before my Father which is in heauen.

33 But whosoeuer shall denie me before me, him will I also denie before my Father which is in heauen.

34 [Note: Luke 12.51. ] [Note: [8] Ciuill dissentions followe the preaching of the Gospel. ] Thinke not that I am come to sende peace into the earth: I came not to send peace, but the sworde.

35 For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in lawe.

36 [Note: Micah.7.6. ] And a mans enemies shall be they of his owne housholde.

37 [Note: Luke 14.26. ] [Note: [9] Nothing without exception is to be preferred before our duetie to God. ] He that loueth father or mother more then me, is not worthie of me. And he that loueth sonne, or daughter more then mee, is not worthie of me.

38 [Note: Chap.16.24. marke 8.34. luk.9.23. & 14.27. ] And hee that taketh not his crosse, and followeth after me, is not worthie of me.

39 [Note: Iohn 12.25. ] He that will [Note: [p] They are saide to finde their life, which deliuer is out of danger: and this is spoken after the opinion of the people which thinke them cleane lost that die, because they thinke not of the life to come. ] finde his life, shall lose it: & he that loseth his life for my sake, shal finde it.

40 [Note: [10] God is both Authour and reuenger of his holie Ministerie. ] He that receiueth you, receiueth me: and hee that receiueth mee, receiueth him that hath sent me.

41 [Note: Luke 10.16. iohn 13.20. ] [Note: [11] We shall lose nothing that we bestowe vpon Christ. ] Hee that receiueth a Prophet in [Note: [q] As a Prophet. ] the name of a Prophet, shall receiue a Prophetes rewarde: and hee that receiueth a righteous man, in the name of a righteous man, shall receiue the rewarde of a righteous man.

42 [Note: Mar.9.41. ] And whosoeuer shall giue vnto one of these [Note: [r] Which in the fight of the world are vile & abiect. ] litle ones to drinke a cuppe of colde water onely, in the name of a disciple, verely I say vnto you, he shall not lose his rewarde.


CHAP. XI.


2 Iohn sendeth his Disciples to Christ. 7 Christes testimonie of Iohn. 13 The Lawe and the Prophets: 18 Christ and Iohn. 21 Chorazin, Bethsaida. 25 The Gospel reueiled to children. 28 They that are wearie and laden.

1 And [Note: [1] Christ sheweth by his woorkes, that he is the promised Messias. ] it came to passe that when Iesus had made an ende of [Note: [a] Of instructing them with precepts. ] commaunding his twelue disciples, hee departed thence to teache and to preach in [Note: [b] The Disciples cities, that is to say, in Galile, where manie of them were borne, act. 2.7. ] their cities.

2 ¶ [Note: Luke 7.18. ] And when Iohn heard in the prison the woorkes of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, and sayde vnto him,

3 Art thou he that shoulde come, or shal we looke for another?

4 And Iesus answering, said vnto them, Goe, and shewe Iohn, what things ye heare, and see.

5 The blinde receiue sight, and the halt doe walke: the lepers are clensed, and the deafe heare,

[Page 7]

[Christ and Iohn. Wisdome iustified.]



the dead are raised vp, [Note: Esai.61.1. luke 4.18. ] and the poore receiue the Gospel.
6 And blessed is he yt shal not be offeded in me.

7 [Note: [2] What agreement and what difference is betwixt the ministerie of the prophets, the preaching of Iohn, and the full light of the Gospel, which Christ hath brought. ] And as they departed, Iesus beganne to speake vnto the multitude, of Iohn, What went ye out into the wildernes to see? A reede shaken with the winde?

8 But what went ye out to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that weare soft clothing, are in Kings houses.

9 But what went ye out to see? A Prophet? Yea, I say vnto you, and more then a Prophet.

10 For this is he of whom it is written, [Note: Malach.3.1. luke 7.28. ] Beholde, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

11 Verely I say vnto you, among them which are begotten of women, arose there not a greater then Iohn Baptist: notwithstanding, he that is the least in the [Note: [c] In the newe state of the Church where the true glorie of God shiueth: the persons are not compared together, but the kindes of doctrines, the preaching of Iohn with the Lawe and the Prophets: and againe, the most cleare preaching of the Gospel with Iohns. ] kingdome of heauen, is greater then he.

12 And from [Note: Luke 16.16. ] the time of Iohn Baptist hitherto, the kingdome of heauen suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

13 For all the Prophetes and the Lawe [Note: [d] Thry prophecied of thinges to come, which are nowe present, and clearely and plainely seene. ] prophecied vnto Iohn.

14 And if ye will receiue it, this is [Note: Malla.4.5. ] that Elias, which was to come.

15 ¶ He that hath eares to heare, let him heare.

16 [Note: Luke 7.31. ] [Note: [3] There are none more stout and stubburne enemies of the Gospel, then they to whom it ought to be most acceptable. ] But whereunto shall I liken this generation? [Note: [e] He blameth the frowardnes of this age, by a prouerbe, in that they could be mooued neither with rough, nor gentle dealing. ] It is like vnto litle children which sit in the markets, and call vnto their fellowes,

17 And say, We haue piped vnto you, and ye haue not daunced, we haue mourned vnto you, and ye haue not lamented.

18 For Iohn came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, He hath a deuill.

19 The sonne of man came eating and drinking, and they say, Beholde a glutton and a drinker of wine, a friend vnto Publicanes and sinners: [Note: [4] That which the most part refuse, the elect and chosen embrace. ] but [Note: [f] Wise men do acknowledge the wisdome of the Gospel, whe they receiue it. ] wisedome is iustified of her children.

20 ¶ [Note: [5] The proud reiect the Gospel offered vnto them, to their great hurt and smart, which turneth to the saluation of ye simple. ] [Note: Luke.10.13. ] Then began he to vpbraide the cities, wherein most of his great workes were done, because they repented not.

21 Woe be to thee, Chorazin: Woe be to thee, Bethsaida: for if ye great workes, which were done in you, had bene done in Tyrus and Sidon, they had repented long agone in sackecloth and ashes.

22 But I say to you, It shalbe easier for Tyrus and Sidon at the day of iudgement, then for you.

23 And thou, Capernaum, which art lifted vp vnto heauen, shalt be brought downe to hell: for if the great workes, which haue bin done in thee, had bene done among them of Sodom, they had remained to this day.

24 But I say vnto you, that it shall be easier for them of the land of Sodom in the day of iudgement, then for thee.

25 [Note: Luke 10.21. ] At that time Iesus answered, and saide, I giue thee thankes, O Father, Lord of heauen and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and men of vnderstanding, and hast [Note: [g] Through the ministerie of Christ, who only sheweth the trueth of all things perteyning to God. ] opened them vnto babes.

26 It is [Note: [h] This word sheweth, that he contenteth himselfe in his Fathers counsell. ] so, O Father, because thy [Note: [i] Gods wil is ye only vule of righteousnes ] good pleasure was such.

27 [Note: Iohn 3.35. ] [Note: [6] There is no true knowledge of God, nor quietnes of mind, but onely in Christ alone. ] All things are giuen vnto me of my Father: and [Note: Iohn 6,46. ] no man knoweth the Sonne, but ye Father: neither knoweth any man ye Father, but the Sonne, and he to whom ye Sonne will reueile him.

28 Come vnto me, all ye that are wearie and laden, and I will ease you.

[Christes yoke. Mercie, sacrifice.]




29 Take my yoke on you, and learne of me that I am meeke and lowly in heart: and ye shall finde [Note: Iere.6.16. ] rest vnto your soules.

30 [Note: 1.Iohn 5.3. ] For my yoke is [Note: [k] May easily be borne. For his commandements are not grieuous, for all that is borne of God ouercommeth the worlde, 1.Iohn 5.4. ] easie, & my burden light.



CHAP. XII.


1 The disciples plucke the eares of corne. 6 Mercie, sacrifice. 10 The withered hand is healed. 12 We must doe good on the Sabbath. 22 The possessed is holpen. 25 A kingdome deuided. 31 Sinne, blasphemie. 33 The good or euill tree. 34 Vipers. 41 The Nineuites. 42 The Queene of Saba. 48 The true mother and brethren of Christ.

1 At [Note: [1] Of the true sanctifying of the Sabbath, and the abrogating of it. ] [Note: Marke 2.23. luke 6.1. ] that time Iesus went on a Sabbath day through ye corne, & his disciples were an hungred, & bega to plucke ye eares of corne & to eate.

2 And when the Pharises sawe it, they saide vnto him, Beholde, thy disciples doe that [Note: Deut.23.25. ] which is not lawfull to doe vpon the Sabbath.

3 But he said vnto them, [Note: 1.Sam.21.6. ] Haue ye not read what Dauid did when he was an hungred, & they that were with him?

4 Howe he entred into ye house of God, and did eate the [Note: [a] The Hebrewes call it bread of faces, because it stoode before the Lord all the weeke vpon the golden table appointed to that seruice, Leuit.24.6. ] shewe bread, which was not lawfull for him to eate, neither for them which were with him, but onely for the [Note: Exod.29.33. leuit.8.31.& 24.9. ] Priestes?

5 Or haue ye not read in the Lawe, how that on the Sabbath dayes the Priestes in the Temple [Note: Nomb.28.9. ] [Note: [b] When the Priests doe Gods seruice vpon the Sabbath day, yet they breake not the Law: much lesse doeth the Lord of the Sabbath breake the Sabbath. ] breake the Sabbath, and are blameles?

6 But I say vnto you, that here is one greater then the Temple.

7 Wherefore if ye knewe what this is, [Note: Hose.6.7. chap.9.13. ] I will haue mercie, and not sacrifice, ye would not haue condemned the innocents.

8 For the sonne of man is Lord, euen of the Sabbath.

9 [Note: Marke 3.1. luke 6.6. ] [Note: [2] The ceremonies of the Lawe are not against the loue of our neighbour. ] And he departed thence, and went into their Synagoue:

10 And beholde, there was a man which had his hand dried vp. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawfull to heale vpon a Sabbath day? that they might accuse him.

11 And he said vnto the, What man shall there be among you, yt hath a sheepe, & if it fal on a Sabbath day into a pit, doth not take it & lift it out?

12 How much more then is a man better then a sheepe? therefore, it is lawfull to doe well on a Sabbath day.

13 Then said he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it foorth, and it was made whole as the other.

14 [Note: [3] Howe farre, and in what respect we may giue place to the vnbrideled rage of the wicked. ] Then the Pharises went out, & consulted against him, howe they might destroy him.

15 But whe Iesus knew it, he departed thece, & great multitudes folowed him, & he healed the al,

16 And charged them in threatning wise, that they should not make him knowen,

17 That it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by Esaias the Prophet, saying,

18 [Note: Esai.42.1. ] Behold my seruant whom I haue chosen, my beloued in whom my soule deliteth: I wil put my Spirit on him, and he shall shewe [Note: [c] By iudgement is ment a set led state, because Christ was to publish true religion among the Gentiles, and to cast out superstition, which thing wheresoeuer it is done, the Lord is saide to reigne and iudge there, that is to say, to gouerne and rule matters. ] iudgement to the Gentiles.

19 He shall not striue, nor crie, neither shall any man heare his voyce in the streetes.

20 A bruised reede shall he not breake, & smoking flaxe shal he not quenche, till he [Note: [d] He shall pronounce sentence and iudgement, maugre the world and Satan, and shewe himselfe conquerour ouer all his enemies. ] bring forth iudgement vnto victorie.

21 And in his Name shall the Gentiles trust.

22 ¶ [Note: Luke 11.14. ] [Note: [4] A trueth, be it uener so manifest, is subiect to the slaunder of the wicked: yet notwithstanding it ought to be auouched stontely. ] Then was brought to him one, possessed with a deuill, both blind, & dumme, & he healed him, so yt he which was blind and dumme, both spake and saw.
[Page]

[A kingdome deuided. Of idle wordes.]




23 And all the people were amased, and saide, Is not this that sonne of Dauid?

24 But when the Pharises heard it, they saide, [Note: Chap.9 34. marke 3.22. luke 11.15. ] This man casteth the deuils no otherwise out, but through Beelzebub the prince of deuils.

25 [Note: [5] The kingdome of Christ and the kingdome of the deuill cannot consist together. ] But Iesus knew their thoughtes, and said to them, Euery kingdome deuided against it selfe, is brought to nought: and euery citie or house, deuided against it selfe, shall not stand.

26 So if Satan cast out Satan, he is deuided against himself: how shal then his kingdom endure?

27 Also if I through Beelzebub cast out deuils, by whom doe your children cast them out? Therefore they shall be your iudges.

28 But if I cast out deuils by ye Spirit of God, then is the kingdome of God come vnto you.

29 Els howe can a man enter into a strong mans house and spoyle his goods, except he first bind the strong man, and then spoile his house.

30 He that is not with me, is against me: and he that gathereth not with me, scattereth.

31 [Note: Marke 3.28,29. luke 12.10. [illeg.]iohn 5.16. ] Wherefore I say vnto you, euery sinne and blasphemie shalbe forgiuen vnto men: but the blasphemie against the holy Ghost shall not be forgiuen vnto men.

32 And whosoeuer shall speake a word against the Sonne of man, it shall be forgiuen him: [Note: [6] Of blasphemie against the holy Ghost. ] but whosoeuer shall speake against the holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiuen him, neither in this worlde, nor in the worlde to come.

33 Either make the tree good, and his fruite good: or els make the tree euill, and his fruite euil: for the tree is knowen by the fruite.

34 [Note: [7] Hypocrites at the length bewray themselues euen by their owne mouth. ] O generations of vipers, howe can you speake good things, when ye are euill? For of the [Note: Luke 6.45. ] abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

35 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth foorth good things: & an euill man out of an euill treasure, bringeth forth euill things.

36 But I say vnto you, that of euery [Note: [e] Vaine and vnprofitable trifles, which the most part of men spend their liues in. ] idle word that men shall speake, they shall giue account thereof at the day of iudgement.

37 For by thy wordes thou shalt be iustified, and by thy wordes thou shalt be condemned.

38 ¶ [Note: [8] Against froward desirers of miracles. ] [Note: Chap.16.1 luke 11.29. 1.cor.1.22. ] Then answered certaine of ye Scribes and of the Pharises, saying, Master, we would see a signe of thee.

39 But he answered and said to them, An euill and [Note: [f] Bastard, which fell from Abrahams faith, or forsooke the true worship of God. ] adulterous generation seeketh a signe, but no signe shall be giuen vnto it, saue that signe of the Prophet Ionas.

40 [Note: Ionas 1 17. ] For as Ionas was three daies & three nights in the whales belly: so shall the Sonne of man be three daies & three nights in ye heart of the earth.

41 [Note: [9] Christ teacheth by the sorowfull example of the Iewes, that there are none more miserable then they which put out the light of the Gospel, which was kindled in them. ] The men of Nineue shal rise in iudgemet with this generation, and condemne it: for they [Note: Ionas 3.5. ] repented at the preaching of Ionas: and behold, a greater then Ionas is here.

42 [Note: 1.King.10.1. 2.chro.9.1. ] The Queene of the [Note: [g] He meaneth the Queene of Saba: whose countrey is South in respect of the land of Israel, 1.King.10. ] South shall rise in iudgement with this generation, and shall condemne it: for she came from the [Note: [h] For Saba is situate in the vtmost coast of happie Arabia vpon the mouth of the Arabian sea. ] vtmost partes of the earth to heare the wisdome of Solomon: and beholde, a greater then Solomon is here.

43 ¶ [Note: Luke 11.24. ] Nowe when the vncleane spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh throughout drie places, seeking rest, and findeth none.

44 Then he saith, I wil returne into mine house from whence I came: and when he is come, he findeth it emptie, swept and garnished.

45 ¶ Then he goeth, & taketh vnto him seuen

[The parable of the Sower.]



other spirites worse then himselfe, and they enter in, and dwell there: [Note: Hebr.6.4,5. and 10.26. 2.Peter 2.20. ] and the ende of that man is worse then the beginning. Euen so shall it be with this wicked generation.

46 ¶ [Note: [10] Christ teacheth by his owne example, howe that all things ought to be set apart, in respect of Gods glorie. ] [Note: Marke 3.31. luke 8.20. ] While he yet spake to ye multitude, beholde, his mother, and his brethren stood without, desiring to speake with him.

47 Then one said vnto him, Beholde, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speake with thee.

48 But he answered, and said to him that told him, Who is my mother? & who are my brethren?

49 [Note: [11] None are more neere vnto vs, then they that are of the houshold of faith. ] And he stretched foorth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Beholde my mother and my brethren.

50 For whosoeuer shall doe my Fathers will which is in heauen, the same is my brother and sister and mother.


CHAP. XIII.


1 The parable of the Sower. 11 and 34 Why Christ spake in parables. 18 The exposition of the parable. 24 The parable of the tares. 31 Of the mustard seede. 33 Of the leauen. 44 Of the hidden treasure. 45 Of the Pearle. 47 Of the drawe net cast into the sea. 53 Christ is not receiued of his countrey men the Nazarites.

1 The [Note: Marke 4.1. luke 8.4,5. ] same day went Iesus out of the house, and sate by the sea side.

2 [Note: [1] Christ sheweth in putting forth this parable of the sower, that the seede of life which is sowen in the world, commeth not on so well in one as in an other, and the reason is, for that men for the most part, either doe not receiue it, or suffer it not to ripen. ] And great mnltitudes resorted vnto him, so that he went into a ship, and sate downe: and the whole multitude stoode on the shore.

3 Then he spake many things to them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sowe.

4 And as he sowed, some fell by the way side, and the foules came and deuoured them vp.

5 And some fell vpon stony grounde, where they had not much earth, and anon they sprong vp, because they had no depth of earth.

6 And when the sunne was vp, they were parched, and for lacke of rooting, withered away.

7 And some fell among thornes, and the thornes sprong vp, and choked them.

8 Some againe fel in good ground, & brought forth fruite, one corne an hundreth folde, some sixtie folde, and another thirtie folde.

9 He that hath eares to heare, let him heare.

10 ¶ Then the disciples came, and said to him, Why speakest thou to them in parables?

11 [Note: [2] The gift of vnderstanding and of faith is proper to the elect, and all the rest are blinded through the iust iudgement of God. ] And he answered, & said vnto them, Because it is giuen vnto you, to know the secretes of the kingdome of heauen, but to the it is not giue.

12 [Note: Chap.25.29. ] For whosoeuer hath, to him shalbe giuen, and he shall haue abundance: but whosoeuer hath not, from him shalbe taken away, euen yt he hath.

13 Therefore speake I to them in parables, because they seeing, doe not see: and hearing, they heare not, neither vnderstand.

14 So in them is fulfilled the prophecie of Esaias, which prophecie saieth, [Note: Esa.6.9. marke 4.12. luke 8.10. iohn 12.40. actes 28 26. rom.11.8. ] By hearing, ye shall heare, and shall not vnderstand, and seeing, ye shal see, and shall not perceiue.

15 For this peoples heart is waxed fat, & their eares are dull of hearing, and with their eyes they haue winked, lest they should see wt their eyes, and heare wt their eares, & should vnderstand wt their hearts, & should returne, that I might heale them.

16 [Note: [3] The condition of the Church vnder and since Christ, is better then it was in the time of the fathers vnder the Lawe. ] But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your eares, for they heare.

17 [Note: Luke 10.24. ] For verely I say vnto you, that many Prophets, & righteous men haue desired to see those things which ye see, & haue not seene them, & to heare those things which ye heare, and haue not heard them.


[Page 8]

[Of the seede sowen.]




18 ¶ [Note: Marke 4.15. luke 8.11. ] Heare ye therefore ye parable of ye sower.

19 Whensoeuer any man heareth the woorde of that kingdome, and vnderstandeth it not, that euil one commeth, and catcheth away that which was sowen in his [Note: [a] Though there bee mention made of the heart, yet this sowing is referred to hearing without vnderstanding. For whether the seede bee receiued in the heart or no, yet hee that soweth, soweth to the heart. ] heart: and this is he which hath receiued the seede by the way side.

20 And hee that receiued seede in the stonie grounde, is he which heareth the woorde, and incontinently with ioy receiueth it,

21 Yet hath he no roote in himselfe, and dureth but a season: for assoone as tribulation or persecution commeth because of the woorde, by and by he is offended.

22 And hee that receiued the seede among thornes, is hee that heareth the woorde: but the care of this worlde, and the deceitfulnesse of riches choke the word, and he is made vnfruitfull.

23 But he that receiued the seede in the good ground, is he that heareth the worde, and vnderstandeth it, which also beareth fruite, and bringeth foorth, some an hundreth folde, some sixtie folde, and some thirtie folde.

24 ¶ [Note: [4] Christ sheweth in an other parable of the euill seede mixt with the good, that the Church shall neuer be free and quit from offences, both in doctrine & maners, vntill the day appoynted for the restoring of all things doe come, and therefore the faithfull haue to arme themselues with patience and constancie. ] Another parable put hee foorth vnto them, saying, The kingdome of heauen is like vnto a man which sowed good seede in his fielde.

25 But while men slept, there came his enemie, and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his waie.

26 And when the blade was sprong vp, and brought forth fruite, then appeared the tares also.

27 Then came the seruaunts of the housholder, and sayd vnto him, Master, sowedst not thou good seede in thy fielde? from whence then hath it tares?

28 And hee said to them, Some enuious man hath done this. Then the seruants saide vnto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them vp?

29 But he saide, Nay, lest while yee goe about to gather the tares, yee plucke vp also with them the wheat.

30 Let both growe together vntill the haruest, and in time of haruest I will say to the reapers, Gather yee first the tares, and binde them in sheaues to burne them: but gather the wheate into my barne.

31 ¶ [Note: Mar.4.30. luke 13.19. ] [Note: [5] God beginneth his kingdom with verie small beginnings, to the ende that by the growing on of it beside the expectation & hope of all men, his mighty power and working may bee the more set foorth. ] Another parable he put foorth vnto them, saying, The kingdome of heauen is like vnto a graine of mustard seede, which a man taketh and soweth in his fielde:

32 Which in deede is the least of all seedes: but when it is growen, it is the greatest among herbes, and it is a tree, so that the birdes of heauen come and builde in the branches thereof.

33 ¶ [Note: Luke 13.21. ] Another parable spake hee to them, The kingdome of heauen is like vnto leauen, which a woman taketh and hideth in three pecks of meale, till all be leauened.

34 ¶ [Note: Mar.4.33,34. ] All these thinges spake Iesus vnto the multitude in parables, and without parables spake he not to them,

35 That it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Prophet, saying, [Note: Psal.78.2. ] I will open my mouth in parables, and will vtter the thinges which haue beene kept secrete from the foundation of the worlde.

36 Then sent Iesus the multitude away, and went into the house. And his disciples came vnto him, saying, Declare vnto vs the parable of the tares of that fielde.

37 [Note: [6] He expoundeth the former parable of the good and euill seede. ] Then answered he, and saide to them, He

[Parables. A Prophet without honour.]



that soweth the good seede, is the Sonne of man.

38 And the field is the worlde, and the good seede are the children of the kingdome, and the tares are the children of that wicked one.

39 And the enemie that soweth them, is the deuill, [Note: Ioel 3.15. reuel.14.15. ] and the haruest is the end of the worlde, and the reapers be the Angels.

40 As then the tares are gathered and burned in ye fire, so shal it be in the end of this world.

41 The Sonne of man shal send forth his Angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which doe iniquitie,

42 And shall cast them into a fornace of fire. There shalbe wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43 [Note: Dan.12.3. ] Then shall the iust men shine as ye sunne in the kingdome of their Father. Hee that hath eares to heare, let him heare.

44 ¶ [Note: [7] Fewe men vnderstande howe great the riches of the kingdome of heauen are, and no man can bee partaker of them, but he that redeemeth them with the losse of all his goodes. ] Againe, the kingdom of heauen is like vnto a treasure hid in ye field, which when a man hath found, he hideth it, & for ioy thereof departeth & selleth all yt he hath, and buieth that field.

45 ¶ Againe, the kingdome of heauen is like to a marchant man, that seeketh good pearles,

46 Who hauing found a pearle of great price, went and solde all that he had, and bought it.

47 ¶ [Note: [8] There are many in the Church, which notwithstanding are not of the Church, and therefore at length shalbe cast out: but the full and perfect clensing of them is deferred to the last day. ] Againe, the kingdom of heauen is like vnto a drawe net cast into the sea, that gathereth of all kindes of things.

48 Which, when it is full, men draw to lande, and sit and gather the good into vessels, and cast the bad away.

49 So shall it be at the end of the world. The Angels shall goe foorth, and seuer the bad from among the iust,

50 And shall cast them into a fornace of fire: there shalbe wailing, and gnashing of teeth.

51 ¶ [Note: [9] They ought to bee diligent, which haue not onely to be wise for themselues, but to dispence the wisedome of God to other. ] Iesus saide vnto them, Vnderstand yee all these things? They saide vnto him, Yea, Lord.

52 Then sayd hee vnto them, Therefore euery Scribe which is taught vnto the kingdome of heauen, is like vnto an householder, which bringeth foorth out of his treasure things both newe and olde.

53 ¶ And it came to passe, that when Iesus had ended these parables, he departed thence,

54 [Note: Marke 6.1. luke 4.16. ] [Note: [10] Men doe not onely sinne of ignorance, but also wittingly and willingly lay stubling blockes in their owue waies, that when God calleth them, they may not obey, and so most plainely destroy, and cast away themselues. ] And came into his owne countrey, and taught them in their Synagogue, so that they were astonied, and saide, Whence commeth this wisdome and great woorkes vnto this man?

55 Is not this the carpenters sonne? Is not his mother called Marie, [Note: Iohn 6.42. ] and his brethren Iames and Ioses, and Simon and Iudas?

56 And are not his sisters all with vs? Whence then hath he all these things?

57 And they were offended wt him. Then Iesus said to them, [Note: Marke 6.4. luke 4.24. ioh.4.44. ] A Prophet is not without honour, saue in his owne countrey, and in his owne house.

58 And he did not many great woorkes there, for their vnbeliefes sake.


CHAP. XIIII.


1 Herods iudgement of Christ. 3 Wherefore Iohn was bound, 10 and beheaded. 13 Iesus departeth. 18 Of the fiue loaues, &c. 23 Christ praieth. 24 The Apostles tossed with the waues. 27 Faith. 30 Peter in ieopardie. 36 The hemme of Christes garment.

1 At [Note: Marke 6.14. luke 9.7. ] [Note: [1] Here is in Iohn, an example of an inuincible courage, which all faithfull ministers of Gods worde ought to follow: in Herode, an example of tyrannous vanitie, pride, and crueltie, and to be short, of a courtly conscience, and of their miserable slauerie, which haue once giuen themselues ouer to pleasures: in Herodias and her daughter, an example of whorelike wantonnesse, and womanly crueltie. ] that time Herod the Tetrarche heard of the fame of Iesus,
[Page]

[Iohn Baptist beheaded.]




2 And sayde vnto his seruaunts, This is that Iohn Baptist, hee is risen againe from the deade, and therefore great [Note: [a] By woorkes, he meaneth that force and power, whereby woorkes are wrought, and not the woorkes, as is seene oft before: ] woorkes are wrought by him.

3 [Note: Marke 6.17. luke 3.19. ] For Herod had taken Iohn, and bounde him, and put him in prison for Herodias sake, his brother Philips wife.

4 For Iohn saide vnto him, It is not [Note: Leuit.18.16. & 20.21. ] lawfull for thee to haue her.

5 And when hee woulde haue put him to death, hee feared the multitude, because they counted him as a [Note: Chap.21.26. ] Prophet.

6 But when Herods birth day was kept, the daughter of Herodias daunced before them, and pleased [Note: [b] There were three Herodes: the first of them was Antipaters sonne, who is also called Ascalonius, in whose reigne Christ was borne, and he it was that caused the children to be slaine. The seconde was called Antipas, Magnus his sonne, whose mothers name was Malthaca or Martaca, and this was called Tetrarch, by reason of enlarging his dominion, when Archelaus was banished to Vienna in France. The third was Agrippa, Magnus his nephewe, by Aristobulus, and he it was that slewe Iames. ] Herod.

7 Wherefore he promised with an othe, that he would giue her whatsoeuer she would aske.

8 And shee being before instructed of her mother, sayde, Giue mee here Iohn Baptists head in a platter.

9 And the King was sorie: neuerthelesse because of the othe, and them that sate with him at the table, he commanded it to be giuen her,

10 And sent, and beheaded Iohn in the prison.

11 And his head was brought in a platter, and giuen to the maide, and shee brought it vnto her mother.

12 And his disciples came, and tooke vp the bodie, and buried it, and went, and tolde Iesus.

13 [Note: Marke 6.32. luke 9.10. ] And when Iesus heard it, hee departed thence by shippe into a desert place apart. And when the multitude had heard it, they followed him on foote out of the cities.

14 [Note: [2] Christ refresheth a great multitude with fiue loaues and two litle fishes, shewing there by that they shall want nothing, which laie all things aside, and seeke the kingdome of heauen. ] And Iesus went foorth and sawe a great multitude, and was mooued with compassion toward them, and he healed their sicke.

15 ¶ And when euen was come, [Note: Marke 6.35. luke 9.12. iohn 6.5. ] his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desart place, and the time is alreadie past: let the multitude depart, that they may goe into the townes, and bye them vitailes.

16 But Iesus saide to them, They haue no neede to goe away: giue yee them to eate.

17 Then saide they vnto him, Wee haue here but fiue loaues, and two fishes.

18 And he saide, Bring them hither to me.

19 And hee commanded the multitude to sit downe on the grasse, and tooke the fiue loaues and the two fishes, and looked vp to heauen and blessed, and brake, and gaue the loaues to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

20 And they did all eate, and were sufficed, and they tooke vp of the fragments that remained, twelue baskets full.

21 And they that had eaten, were about fiue thousande men, beside women and litle children.

22 ¶ And straightway Iesus compelled his disciples to enter into a shippe, and to goe ouer before him, while he sent the multitude away.

23 And assoone as hee had sent the multitude away, he went vp into a moutaine alone to pray: and [Note: Mar.6.45,46,47. iohn 6.16,17,18. ] when the euening was come, hee was there alone.

24 [Note: [3] We must saile euen through mightie tempests, and Christ will neuer forsake vs, so that we goe whither he hath commanded vs. ] And the shippe was nowe in the middes of the sea, and was tossed with waues: for it was a contrarie winde.

25 And in the [Note: [c] By the fourth watch is meant the time neere to day breaking: for in olde time they deuided the night into foure watches in which they scouted. ] fourth watch of the night, Iesus went vnto them, walking on the sea.

26 And when his disciples sawe him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a

[Mens traditions.]



[Note: [d] A spirit, as it is here taken, is that which a man imagineth to himselfe vainly in his mind, perswading himself that he seeth some thing, and seeth nothing. ] spirit, and cried out for feare.

27 But straight way Iesus spake vnto them, saying, Be of good comfort, It is I: be not afraide.

28 [Note: [4] By faith we tread vnder our feete euen the tempests themselues, but yet by the vertue of Christ, which helpeth that vertue, which he of his mercie hath giuen. ] Then Peter answered him, and saide, Master, if it be thou, bid me come vnto thee on the water.

29 And he saide, Come. And when Peter was come downe out of the shippe, he walked on the water, to goe to Iesus.

30 But when he sawe a mightie winde, he was afraide: and as he began to sinke, he cried, saying, Master, saue me.

31 So immediatly Iesus stretched foorth his hande, and caught him, and saide to him, O thou of litle faith, wherefore diddest thou doubt?

32 And assoone as they were come into the ship, the winde ceased.

33 Then they that were in the ship, came and worshipped him, saying, Of a trueth thou art the Sonne of God.

34 ¶ [Note: Marke 6.54. ] And when they were come ouer, they came into the land of [Note: [e] This Gennezareth was a lake nigh to Capernaum, which is also called the sea of Galile and Tiberias, so that the countrey it selfe grewe to be called by that name. ] Gennezaret.

35 [Note: [5] In that that Christ healeth the sicke, we are giuen to vnderstand, that we must seeke remedie for spirituall diseases at his handes: and that we are bound not onely to runne our selues, but also to bring others to him. ] And when the men of that place knewe him, they sent out into all that countrey rounde about, and brought vnto him all that were sicke,

36 And besought him, that they might touch the hemme of his garment onely: and as many as touched it, were made whole.


CHAP. XV.


3 The commaundements and traditions of men. 12 Offence. 13 The plant which is rooted vp. 14 Blind leading the blind. 18 The heart. 22 The woman of Chanane. 26 The childrens bread: whelps. 28 Faith, 32 4000 men fed. 36 Thankesgiuing.

1 Then [Note: [1] None commonly are more bolde cotemners of God, then they whome God appointed kepers of his law. ] came to Iesus the Scribes and Pharises, which were of Hierusalem, saying,

2 [Note: Marke 7.1. ] Why do thy disciples transgresse the tradition of the Elders? for they [Note: [a] Which they receiued of their [illeg.]sters from hand to hand, or their elders allowed, which were the gouernors of the Church. ] wash not their hands when they eate bread.

3 [Note: [2] Their wicked boldnesse in corrupting the commaundements of God, and that vpo pretence of godlines, and vsurping authority to make lawes, is here reprooued. ] But he answered & said vnto them, Why doe yee also transgresse the commaundement of God by your tradition?

4 [Note: Exod.20.12. deu.5.16. ephes.6.2. ] For God hath commanded, saying, [Note: [b] By honour is meant all kinde of duetie which children owe to their parents. ] Honour thy father and mother: [Note: Exod.21.17. leu.20.9. pro.20.20. ] and he that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.

5 But ye say, [Note: [c] The meaning is this: whatsoeuer I bestowe vpon the temple, is to thy profite, for it is as good as if I gaue it thee, for (as the Pharises of our time say) it shall be meritorious for thee, for vnder this colour of religio, they raked all to them selues, as though that he that had giuen any thing to the temple, had done the duetie of a childe. ] Whosoeuer shal say to father or mother, By the gift that is offered by me, thou maiest haue profite,

6 Though hee honour not his father, or his mother, shalbe free: thus haue ye made the commaundement of God of no [Note: [d] You made it of no power and aucthoritie as much as laie in you: for otherwise the commaundements of God stand fast in the Church of God, in despite of the world & Satan. ] aucthoritie by your tradition.

7 [Note: [3] The same men are condemned for hypocrisie and superstition, because they make the kingdome of God to stand in outward things. ] O hypocrites, Esaias prophecied well of you, saying,

8 [Note: Esai 29.13. ] This people draweth neere vnto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with the lips, but their heart is farre off from me.

9 But in vaine they worship me, teaching for doctrines, mens precepts.

10 [Note: [4] Christ teacheth vs ye hypocrisie of false teachers which deceiue our soules, is not to be borne withal, no not in indifferent matters, & there is no reason why their ordinarie vocation should blinde our eyes: otherwise we are like to perish with them. ] Then hee called the multitude vnto him, and said to them, Heare and vnderstand.


[Page 9]

[The childrens bread.]




11 [Note: Marke 7.18. ] That which goeth into the mouth, defileth not the man, but that which commeth out of the mouth, that defileth the man.

12 ¶ Then came his disciples, and saide vnto him, Perceiuest thou not, that the Pharises are offended in hearing this saying?

13 But hee answered and saide, [Note: Iohn 15 2. ] Euery plant which mine heauenly Father hath not planted, shalbe rooted vp.

14 Let them alone, they be the [Note: Luke 6.39. ] blinde leaders of the blinde: and if the blinde leade ye blinde, both shall fall into the ditche.

15 ¶ [Note: Marke 7.17. ] Then answered Peter, and said to him, Declare vnto vs this parable.

16 Then said Iesus, Are ye yet without vnderstanding?

17 Perceiue ye not yet, that whatsoeuer entreth into the mouth, goeth into the bellie, and is cast out into the draught?

18 But those thinges which proceede out of the mouth, come from the heart, and they defile the man.

19 For out of the heart [Note: Genes.6.5. and 8,21. mar.7.21. ] come euil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false testimonies, slaunders.

20 These are the things, which defile the man: but to eat wt vnwashen hands, defileth not ye man.

21 [Note: Mar.7.24,25. ] And Iesus went thence, and departed into the [Note: [e] Coastes which were next to Tyre and Sidon, that is, in that quarter where Palestina bendeth towarde Phenice, and the sea of Syria. ] coastes of Tyrus and Sidon.

22 And beholde, a woman a [Note: [f] Of the stocke of the Canaanites, which dwelled in Phenicia. ] Cananite came out of the same coasts, and cried, saying vnto him, Haue mercie on me, O Lord, the sonne of Dauid: my daughter is miserably vexed with a deuil.

23 [Note: [5] In that that Christ doeth sometimes as it were stoppe his eares against the prayers of his saints, he doeth it for his glory, and our profite. ] But hee answered her not a worde. Then came to him his disciples, and besought him, saying, Sende her away, for she crieth after vs.

24 But he answered, and said, I am not sent, but vnto the [Note: Chap.10.6. ] lost sheepe of the [Note: [g] Of the people of Israel, which people was diuided into tribes, but all those tribes came of one house. ] house of Israel.

25 Yet she came, and worshipped him, saying, Lord, helpe me.

26 And he answered, and said, It is not good to take the childrens bread, and to cast it to whelps.

27 But she said, Trueth, Lord: yet in deede the whelpes eate of the crommes, which fall from their masters table.

28 Then Iesus answered, and saide vnto her, O woman, great is thy faith: be it to thee, as thou desirest. And her daughter was made whole at that houre.

29 ¶ [Note: [6] Christ ceaseth not to be beneficiall euen there where he is contemned, and in the middest of wolues he gathereth together and fostereth his flocke. ] So Iesus [Note: Marke 9.31. ] went away from thence, and came neere vnto the sea of Galile, and went vp into a mountaine and sate downe there.

30 And great multitudes came vnto him, [Note: Esai.35.5. ] hauing with them, halt, blinde, dumme, [Note: [h] Whose members were weakened with the palsie, or by nature, for afterward it is said, he healed them. Now Christ was wont to heale in this wise, that such members as were weake, he restored to health, and yet he could easely if he had would, haue giuen them handes and feete & other members which wanted them. ] maymed, and many other, and cast them downe at Iesus feete, and he healed them.

31 In so much that the multitude wondered, to see the dumme speake, the maimed whole, the halt to goe, and the blinde to see: and they glorified the God of Israel.

32 [Note: Marke 8.1. ] [Note: [7] By doing againe this miracle, Christ sheweth that hee wil neuer be wanting to them that followe him, no not in the wildernesse. ] Then Iesus called his disciples vnto him, and said, I haue compassion on this multitude, because they haue [Note: [i] Goe not from my side. ] continued with mee already three dayes, & haue nothing to eate: and I wil not let them depart fasting, least they faint in the way.

33 And his disciples saide vnto him, Whence should we get so much bread in the wildernes, as should suffice so great a multitude!

34 And Iesus said vnto them, How many loaues haue ye? And they said, Seuen, & a few litle fishes.

[The Pharises leauen.]




35 Then he commanded the multitude to [Note: [k] Word for word, to lie downe backeward, as rowers doe when in rowing they drawe their oares to them. ] sit downe on the ground,

36 And tooke the seuen loaues, and the fishes, and gaue thankes, and brake them, and gaue to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

37 And they did all eate, and were sufficed: and they tooke vp of the fragments that remained, seuen [Note: [l] A kinde of vessell wrought with twigs. ] baskets full.

38 And they that had eaten, were foure thousand men, beside women, and litle children.

39 Then Iesus sent away the multitude, and tooke ship, and came into the partes of Magdala.


CHAP. XVI.


4 The signe of Ionas. 6 The leauen of the Pharises, 12 for their doctrine. 13 The peoples opinion of Christ. 17 Faith commeth of God. 18 The rocke. 19 The keyes. 21 Christ foresheweth his death. 24 The forsaking of ones selfe, and the croß. 25 To lose the life.

1 Then [Note: [1] The wicked which otherwise are at defiance one with another, agree well together against Christ, but do what they can, Christ beareth away the victorie, and triumpheth ouer them. ] [Note: Chap.12.38. marke 8.11. ] came the Pharises and Sadduces, and did [Note: [a] To trie whether he could doe that which they desired, but their purpose was naught, for they thought to finde some thing in him by that means, whereupon they might haue iust occasion to reprehende him: or else distrust and curiositie mooued them so to doe, for by such meanes also is God said to be tempted, that is to say, prouoked to anger, as though men would striue with him. ] tempt him, desiring him to shew them a signe from heauen.

2 But he answered, and said vnto them, When it is euening, ye say, Faire wether: for ye skie is red.

3 [Note: Luke 12.54. ] And in the morning ye say, To day shall be a tempest: for the skie is red and lowring. O hypocrites, ye can discerne the [Note: [b] The outwarde shewe and countenance as it were of all things, is called in the Hebrewe tongue, a face. ] face of the skie, and can ye not discerne the signes of the times?

4 [Note: Chap.12.39. ] The wicked generation, and adulterous seeketh a signe, but there shall no signe be giuen it, but [Note: [c] The article sheweth the notablenesse of the deede. ] that signe of the Prophet [Note: Ionas 1.17. ] Ionas: so hee left them, and departed.

5 ¶ [Note: [2] False teachers must be taken heede of. ] And when his disciples were come to the other side, they had [Note: Marke 8.14. luke 12.1. ] forgotten to take bread with them.

6 Then Iesus said vnto them, Take heede and beware of the leauen of the Pharises & Sadduces.

7 And they reasoned among themselues, saying, It is because we haue brought no bread.

8 But Iesus [Note: [d] Not by others, but by vertue of his diuinitie. ] knowing it, saide vnto them, O ye of litle faith, why reason you thus among your selues, because ye haue brought no bread?

9 Doe ye not yet perceiue, neither remember the [Note: [e] That fiue thousand men were filled with so many loaues? ] fiue loaues, when there were [Note: Cha 14.17. ioh.6.9 ] fiue thousand men, and how many baskets tooke ye vp?

10 Neither the seuen loaues when there were [Note: Chap.15.34. ] foure thousande men, and howe many baskets tooke ye vp?

11 Why [Note: [f] A demaunde or question ioyned with admiration. ] perceiue ye not that I [Note: [g] Said, for Commaunded. ] said not vnto you concerning bread, that ye shoulde beware of the leauen of the Pharises and Sadduces?

12 Then vnderstood they that he had not said that they should beware of the leauen of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharises, and Sadduces.

13 ¶ [Note: Mar.8.27. luke 9.18. ] [Note: [3] There are diuers iudgements and opinions of Christ, notwithstading he is knowe of his alone. ] Nowe when Iesus came into the coastes of [Note: [h] There were two Cesareas, the one called Stratonis vpon the sea Mediterranie, which Herod built sumptuously in the honour of Octauius, Ios.lib.15. the other was Cesarea Philippi, which Herod the great the Tetrarches sonne by Cleopatra built in the honor of Tiberius at the foote of Lebanon, Ios.lib.15. ] Cesarea Philippi, hee asked his disciples, saying, Whome doe men say that I, the sonne of man am?

14 And they said, Some say, [Note: [i] As Herod thought. ] Iohn Baptist: and some, Elias: and others, Ieremias, or one of the Prophets.

15 He said vnto them, But whome say ye that I am?

16 Then Simon Peter answered, & said, [Note: Ioh.6.69. ] Thou art that Christ, the Sonne of the liuing God.

17 [Note: [4] Faith is of grace, not of nature. ] And Iesus answered, and saide to him, [Page]

[The keyes. To take vp the crosse.]



Blessed art thou, Simon, the sonne of Ionas: for [Note: [k] By this kinde of speach is ment mans naturall procreation vpon the earth, the creature not being destroyed which was made, but deformed through sinne: So then this is the meaning: this was not reueiled to thee by any vnderstanding of man but God shewed it thee from heauen. ] flesh and blood hath not reueiled it vnto thee, but my Father which is in heauen.

18 [Note: [5] That is true faith, which confesseth Christ, the vertue whereof is inuincible. ] And I say also vnto thee, that thou art [Note: Iohn 1.42. ] [Note: [l] Christ spake in the Syrian tongue, and therefore vsed not this descanting betwixt Petros which signifieth Peter, and Petra, which signifieth a rocke, but in both places vsed this word Cepha: but his minde was that wrote in Greeke, by the diuers termination to make a difference betweene Peter who is a piece of the building, and Christ the Petra, that is the rocke and foundation: or els he gaue his name Peter, because of the confession of his faith, which is the Churches as well as his, as the olde fathers witnes, for so saith Theoph. That confeßion which thou hast made shalbe the fundation of the beleeuers. ] Peter, and vpon this rocke I will builde my Church: and ye [Note: [m] The enemies of the Church are copared to a strong kingdome, & therefore by Gates, are ment cities which are made strong with counsell and fortresses, & this is the meaning, whatsoeuer Satan can do by counsell or strength. So doth Paul, 2.Cor.10.4. call them strong holds. ] gates of hel shal not ouercome it.

19 [Note: [6] The authoritie of the Church is from God. ] And I [Note: Iob.20.21. ] will giue vnto thee the [Note: [n] A metaphore taken of stewards which cary the keyes: and here is set forth the power of the ministers of the word, as Esa.22.22.& that power is common to all ministers, as Cha.18.18, and therefore the ministery of the Gospel may rightly be called the key of the kingdome of heauen. ] keyes of the kingdome of heauen, and whatsoeuer thou shalt [Note: [o] They are bound whose sinnes are reteined, heauen is shut against them, because they receiue not Christ by faith: on the other side, how happy are they, to whom heauen is open, which imbrace Christ, and are deliuered by him, & become felow heires with him? ] binde vpon earth, shalbe bound in heauen: and whatsoeuer thou shalt loose on earth, shall be loosed in heauen.

20 [Note: [7] Men must first learne, and then teach. ] Then hee charged his disciples, that they should tell no man that he was Iesus that Christ.

21 ¶ [Note: [8] The minds of me are in time to be prepared & made ready against the stombling blocke of persecution. ] From that time foorth Iesus beganne to shewe vnto his disciples, that he must goe vnto Hierusalem, and suffer many thinges of the [Note: [p] It was a name of dignitie and not of age: and it is put for them, which were the Iudges, which the Hebrewes called Sanhedrim. ] Elders, and of the hie Priestes, and Scribes, and be slaine, and be raised againe the thirde day.

22 Then Peter [Note: [q] Tooke him by the hand and led him aside, as they vse to do, which meane to talke familiarly with one. ] tooke him aside, and began to rebuke him, saying, Master, pitie thy selfe: this shall not be vnto thee.

23 [Note: [9] Against a preposterous zeale. ] Then he turned backe, and said vnto Peter, Get thee behinde me, [Note: [r] The Hebrewes call him Satan, that is to say, an aduersarie, whom the Grecians call diabolos, that is to say, slanderer, or tempter: but it is spoken of them, that either of malice, as Iudas, Iohn 6.70. or of lightnesse and pride resist the will of God. ] Satan: thou art an offence vnto me, because thou [Note: [s] By this worde wee are taught that Peter sinned, through a false persuasion of himselfe. ] vnderstandest not the thinges that are of God, but the thinges that are of men.

24 [Note: [10] No men doe worse prouide for themselues, then they that loue themselues more then God. ] Iesus then saide to his disciples, [Note: Chap. 10.38. marke 8.34. luke 9.23. and 14.27. ] If any man will follow me, let him forsake himselfe: and take vp his crosse, and followe me.

25 For [Note: Chapter 10.39. marke 8.35,36. luke 9. 24,25,26. and 17.33. ] whosoeuer will saue his life, shall lose it: and whosoeuer shall lose his life for my sake, shall [Note: [t] Shall gaine himselfe: And this is his meaning, they that denie Christ to saue themselues, doe not onely not gaine that which they looke for, but also lose the thing they would haue kept, that is, themselues, which losse is the greatest of all: but as for them that doubt not to die for Christ, it fareth farre otherwise with them. ] finde it.

26 [Note: Iohn 12.25. ] For what shall it profite a man though he should winne the whole worlde, if hee lose his owne soule? or what shall a man giue for recompence of his soule?

27 For the Sonne of man shall come [Note: [u] Like a King, as Chap.6.29. ] in the glory of his Father with his Angels, and [Note: Psalme 62.12. rom.2.6. ] then shal he giue to euery man according to his deedes.

28 [Note: Mar.9.1. luke 9 27. ] Verely I say vnto you, there bee some of them that stande here, which shall not taste of death, till they haue seene the Sonne of man come in his [Note: [x] By his kingdome is vnderstoode the glory of his ascension, and what foloweth thereof, Ephes.4.10. or the preaching of the Gospel, Mar.9.1. ] kingdome.


CHAP. XVII.


2 The transfiguration of Christ. 5 Christ ought to bee heard. 11 Elias. 13 Iohn Baptist. 17 The vnbeliefe of the Apostles. 20 the power of faith. 21 Prayer and fasting. 22 Christ foretelleth his Passion. 24 He payeth tribute.

[Christs transfiguration. Elias. Iohn Baptist.]




1 And [Note: Marke 9.2. luke 9.28. ] [Note: [1] Christ is in such sort humble in the Gospel, that in the meane season he is Lord both of heauen and earth. ] [Note: [a] Luke reckoneth eight dayes, conteyning in that nomber the first and the last, and Matthewe speaketh but of them that were betwixt them. ] after sixe dayes, Iesus tooke Peter, and Iames and Iohn his brother, and brought them vp into an hie mountaine apart,

2 And was [Note: [b] Changed into an other hewe. ] trasfigured before them: and his face did shine as the Sunne, and his clothes were as white as the light.

3 And beholde, there appeared vnto them Moses, and Elias, talking with him.

4 Then answered Peter, and saide to Iesus, Master, it is good for vs to be here: if thou wilt, let vs make here three tabernacles, one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.

5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloude shadowed them: and beholde, there came a voyce out of the cloude, saying, [Note: Chap.3.17. 2 pet.1.17. ] This is [Note: [c] The article or the word, That seuereth Christ from other children. For he is Gods naturall sonne, we by adoption, therefore he is called the first begotten among the brethren, because that although he be of right the only sonne, yet is hee chiefe among many, in that he is the fountaine and head of the adoption. ] that my beloued Sonne, in whom I am wel pleased: heare him.

6 And when the disciples heard that, they [Note: [d] Fell downe flat on their faces and worshipped him, as? Chap.2.11. ] fell on their faces, and were sore afraide.

7 Then Iesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraide.

8 And when they lifted vp their eyes, they sawe no man, saue Iesus onely.

9 ¶ And as they came downe from the moutaine, Iesus charged them, saying, Shewe the [Note: [e] Which they saw, otherwise the word vsed in this place is properly spoken if that which is seene in a dreame. ] vision to no man, vntil the Sonne of man rise againe from the dead.

10 [Note: Marke 9.11,12. ] And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the Scribes that [Note: Mala.4.5. chap.11.14. ] Elias must first come?

11 And Iesus answered, and saide vnto them, Certeinely Elias must first come, and restore all thinges.

12 But I say vnto you that Elias is come alreadie, and they knewe him not, but haue done vnto him whatsoeuer they would: likewise shal also the Sonne of man suffer of them.

13 Then the disciples perceiued that he spake vnto them of Iohn Baptist.

14 ¶ [Note: Mar.9.14. luke 9.;8. ] [Note: [2] Men are vnworthie of Christ his goodnesse, yet notwithstanding he regardeth them. ] And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certaine man, and [Note: [f] As men that make supplications vse to doe. ] fell downe at his feete,

15 And saide, Master, haue pitie on my sonne: for he is [Note: [g] They that at certaine times of the moone are troubled with the falling sickenes, or any other kinde of disease: but in this place, we must so take it, that besides the naturall disease, he had a deuilish phrensie. ] lunatike, and is sore vexed: for oft times he falleth into the fire, & oft times into the water.

16 And I brought him to thy disciples, and they could not heale him.

17 Then Iesus answered, and said, O generation faithlesse, and crooked, how long now shall I be with you! howe long nowe shall I suffer you! bring him hither to me.

18 And Iesus rebuked the deuill, and he went out of him: and the childe was healed at yt houre.

19 [Note: [3] Incredulitie and distrust, hinder and breake the course of Gods benefits. ] Then came the disciples to Iesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out?

20 And Iesus said vnto them, Because of your vnbeliefe: for [Note: Luke 17.6. ] verely I say vnto you, if ye haue faith as much as is a graine of mustarde seede, ye shall say vnto this mountaine, Remooue hence to yonder place, and it shall remoue: and nothing shalbe vnpossible vnto you.

21 [Note: [4] The remedie against distrust. ] Howbeit this kinde goeth not out, but by [Note: [h] To giue vs to vnderstand the watchfulnes and diligence of earnest prayer, which cannot be without sobrietie. ] prayer and fasting.

22 ¶ [Note: [5] Our mindes must be prepared more and more against the offence of the crosse. ] And they [Note: Chapter 20.17. marke 9.31. luke 9.44. and 7.24. ] being in Galile, Iesus said vnto them, The Sonne of man shall be deliuered into the handes of men,

23 And they shall kill him, but the thirde day shall he rise againe: and they were very sorie.


[Page 10]

[Of tribute. Litle children.]




24 ¶ [Note: [6] In that that Christ doeth willingly obey Cesars edicts, he sheweth that ciuil policie is not taken away by the Gospel. ] And when they were come to Capernaum, they that receiued polle money, came to Peter, and sayd, Doeth [Note: [i] He denieth not, but he asketh. ] not your Master [Note: [k] Ought he not to pay? ] pay [Note: [l] They that were from twentie yeeres of age to fiftie, paied halfe a sicle of the Sanctuarie, Exod. 30.13. This was an Attick didrachme which the Romanes exacted after they had subdued Iudea. ] polle money?

25 He sayd, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Iesus preuented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? Of whome doe the Kings of the earth take tribute, or polle money? of their [Note: [m] By children we must not vnderstande subiects which pay tribute, but naturall children. ] children, or of strangers?

26 Peter sayd vnto him, Of strangers. Then said Iesus vnto him, Then are the children free.

27 Neuerthelesse, lest we should offend them: goe to the sea, and cast in an angle, and take the first fish that commeth vp, and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt finde a [Note: [n] The worde here vsed, is stater, which is in value foure didrachmes, euery drachme is about fiue pence. ] piece of twentie pence: that take, and giue it vnto them for me and thee.


CHAP. XVIII.


1 The greatest in the kingdome of God. 5 To receiue a litle childe. 6 To giue offence. 7 Offences. 9 The pulling out of the eye. 10 The Angels. 12 The lost sheepe. 15 The telling of one his fault. 17 Excommunication. 21 We must alwayes pardon the brother that repenteth. 23 The parable of the King that taketh an account of his seruants.

1 The [Note: Marke 9.34. luke 9.46. ] same time the disciples came vnto Iesus, saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdome of heauen?

2 [Note: [1] Humblenes of minde is the right way to preeminence. ] And Iesus called a [Note: [a] A childe in yeeres. ] litle childe vnto him, and set him in the mids of them,

3 And sayd, Verely I say vnto you, except ye be [Note: Chap.19.14. 1.cor.14.20. ] [Note: [b] A kinde of speach taken from the Hebrewes, and it is as much as, repent. ] conuerted, and become as litle children, ye shall not enter into the kingdome of heauen.

4 Whosoeuer therefore shal humble himselfe as this litle childe, the same is the greatest in the kingdome of heauen.

5 And whosoeuer shall receiue one such litle childe in my name, receiueth me.

6 [Note: Marke 9.42. luke 17.2. ] [Note: [2] We ought to haue great respect to our brethren be they neuer so base: and he that doeth otherwise, shalbe sharpely punished. ] But whosoeuer shal offend one of these litle ones which beleeue in me, it were better for him, that a milstone were hanged about his necke, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

7 [Note: [3] A good man can not but goe through the mids of offences, yet he must cut off all occasion of offences. ] Wo be vnto the world because of offences: for it must needes be that [Note: [c] Lets and hinderances which stop the course of good workes. The Greeke worde importeth thus much. things which we stumble at. ] offences shall come, but wo be to that man by whome the offence commeth.

8 [Note: Chap.5.29,30. marke 9.45. ] Wherefore, if thy hand or thy foote cause thee to [Note: [d] Looke afore, chap.5.29. ] offend, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life, halt, or maimed, then hauing two hands, or two feete, to be cast into euerlasting fire.

9 And if thine eye cause thee to offende, plucke it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, then hauing two eyes to be cast into hell fire.

10 [Note: [4] The weaker that a man is, the greater care we ought to haue of his saluation, as God teacheth vs by his owne example. ] See that ye despise not one of these litle ones: for I say vnto you, that in heauen their [Note: Psal.34.8. ] Angels alwayes behold the face of my Father which is in heauen.

11 For [Note: Luke.19.10. ] the Sonne of man is come to saue that which was lost.

12 How thinke ye? [Note: Luke 15.4. ] If a man haue an hundreth sheepe, and one of them be gone astray, doeth he not leaue ninetie & nine, & go into the mountaines, and seeke that which is gone astray?

13 And if so be that he finde it, verely I say vnto you, he reioyceth more of that sheepe, then of the ninetie and nine which went not astray:

[Of forgiuing offences.]




14 So is it not ye wil of your Father which is in heauen, that one of these litle ones should perish.

15 ¶ [Note: Leuit.19.7. luke 17.3. iames 5.19. ] [Note: [5] We must labour for concord, not to reuenge iniuries. ] Moreouer, if thy brother trespasse against [Note: [e] If his offence be such, that thou only knowest thy brothers offence. ] thee, goe and tell him his fault betweene thee and him alone: if he heare thee, thou hast wonne thy brother.

16 But if he heare thee not, take yet with thee one or two, that by the [Note: Deut.19 15. iohn 8.17. 2.cor.13.1. hebr.10 28. ] [Note: [f] That is, by the worde and witnes, the mouth is sometime taken for the worde or speach, Nomb.3.16. and also for a still witnes, to wit, when the matter speaketh of it selfe, as beneath, chap.21.16. ] mouth of two or three witnesses euery worde may be [Note: [g] Sure and certaine. ] confirmed.

17 [Note: [6] Hee that contemneth the iudgment of the Church, contemneth God. ] And if he [Note: [h] Word for word, doe not vouchsafe to heare, or make as though hee did not heare. ] refuse to heare them, tell it vnto the [Note: [i] He speaketh not of any kinde of policie, but of an ecclesiasticall aßemblie, for he speaketh afterwarde of the power of loosing & binding, which belonged to the Church, and hee hath regard to the order vsed in those dayes, at what time the Elders had the iudgement of Church matters in their hands, Iohn 9. 22. and 12.42. & 16.2. and vsed casting out of the Synagogue for a punishment, as we doe now excommunication. ] Church: and if he refuse to heare the Church also, let him be vnto thee as an [Note: [k] Prophane, and voyde of religion: such men, the Iewes called Gentiles: whose company they shunned, as they did the Publicanes. ] heathen man, and a Publicane.

18 Verely I say vnto you, [Note: 1.Cor.5.4. 2.thes.3.14. ] Whatsoeuer ye bind on earth, shall be bound in heauen: and [Note: Iohn 20.23. ] whatsoeuer ye loose on earth, shalbe loosed in heauen.

19 Againe, verely I say vnto you, that if two of you shal [Note: [l] This worde is translated from the body to the minde, for it belongeth properly to song. ] agree in earth vpon any thing, whatsoeuer they shall desire, it shall be giuen them of my Father which is in heauen.

20 For where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the mids of them.

21 [Note: [7] They shal finde God seuere and not to be pleased, which doe not forgiue their brethren although they haue bene diuersly and grieuously iniuried by them. ] Then came Peter to him, & said, Master, howe oft shall my brother sinne against me, and I shall forgiue him? [Note: Luke 17.4. ] vnto seuen times?

22 Iesus said vnto him, I say not to thee, Vnto seuen times, but, Vnto seuentie times seuen times.

23 Thereefore is the kingdome of heauen likened vnto a certaine King, which would take an account of his seruants.

24 And when he had begun to reckon, one was brought vnto him, which ought him [Note: [m] Here is set downe a very great summe of three score hundred thousand crownes, and a small summe of ten crownes, that the difference may be the greater, for there is no proportion betweene them. ] ten thousand talents.

25 And because he had nothing to pay, his Lord commanded him to be solde, and his wife, and his children, and all that he had, and the dette to be payed.

26 The seruant therefore fell downe, and [Note: [n] This was a ciuill reuerence which was very vsuall in the East. ] worshipped him, saying, Lorde, [Note: [o] Yeelde not too much to thine anger against me: so is God called in the Scripture, slowe to anger, that is to say, gentle, and one that refraineth the storming of his minde, Psal.86.5. patient and of great mercie. ] refraine thine anger toward me, and I will pay thee all.

27 Then that seruants Lord had compassion, and loosed him, and forgaue him the dette.

28 But when the seruant was departed, hee found one of his felow seruants, which ought him an hundred pence, & he layde hands on him, and thratled him, saying, Pay me that thou owest.

29 Then his fellow seruant fell downe at his feete, and besought him, saying, Refraine thine anger towards me, and I will pay thee all.

30 Yet he would not, but went and cast him into prison, till he should pay the dette.

31 And when his other felowe seruants sawe what was done, they were very sory, & came, and declared vnto their Lord all that was done.

32 Then his Lord called him vnto him, and sayd to him, O euil seruant, I forgaue thee all that dette, because thou prayedst me.

33 Oughtest not thou also to haue had pitie on thy fellowe seruant, euen as I had pitie on thee?

34 So his Lord was wroth, and deliuered him to the tormentours, till he should pay all that was due to him.

35 So likewise shall mine heauenly Father doe [Page]

[Diuorcement.]



vnto you, except ye forgiue from your hearts, eche one to his brother their trespasses.


CHAP. XIX.


2 The sicke are healed. 3 and 7 A bill of diuorcement. 12 Eunuches. 13 Children brought to Christ. 17 God onely good. The commandements must be kept. 21 A perfect man. 23 A rich man. 26 Saluation commeth of God. 27 To leaue all and followe Christ.

1 And [Note: Marke 10.1. ] it came to passe, that when Iesus had finished these sayings, he [Note: [a] Paßed ouer the water out of Galile into the borders of Iudea. ] departed from Galile, & came into ye coasts of Iudea beyond Iordan.

2 And great multitudes followed him, and he healed them there.

3 ¶ [Note: [1] The band of mariage ought not to be broken, vnlesse it be for fornication. ] Then came vnto him the Pharises tempting him, & saying to him, Is it lawfull for a man to [Note: [b] To sende her a booke of diuorcement, afore cap.1.19. ] put away his wife vpon euery occasion?

4 And he answered & sayd vnto them, Haue ye not read, [Note: Gene.1.27. ] that hee which made them at the beginning, made them male and female,

5 And sayd, [Note: Gene.2.24. 1.cor. 6.16. ephes.5.31. ] For this cause, shal a man leaue father and mother, and [Note: [c] The Greeke worde importeth to be glewed vnto, whereby is signified that streight knot, which is betweene man and wife, as though they were glewed together. ] cleaue vnto his wife, and they which were [Note: [d] They which were two, become as it were one: and this worde flesh, is by a figure taken for the whole man, or the body after the maner of the Hebrewes. ] two shalbe one flesh.

6 Wherefore they are no more twaine, but one flesh. Let not man therefore put asunder that, which God hath [Note: [e] Hath made them yoke folowes, as the mariage it selfe is by a borowed kinde of speach called a yoke. ] coupled together.

7 [Note: [2] Because politike Lawes are constrained to beare with some things, it followeth not by and by that God alloweth them. ] They said to him, Why did then [Note: Deut.24.1. ] Moses commaund to giue a bill of diuorcement, and to put her away?

8 He sayd vnto them, Moses, [Note: [f] Being occasioned by reason of the hardneße of your hearts. ] because of the hardnes of your heart, [Note: [g] By a politike lawe, not by the morall lawe: for this lawe is a perpetuall law of Gods iustice, the other boweth and bendeth as the carpenters Beuell. ] suffered you to put away your wiues: but from the beginning it was not so.

9 I say therefore vnto you, [Note: Chap.5.32. mar. 10.11. luke 16.18. 1.cor.7.11. ] that whosoeuer shall put away his wife, except it be [Note: [h] Therefore in these dayes the lawes that were made against adulterers, were not regarded: for they should haue needed no diuorcement, if mariage had bin cut asunder with punishment by death. ] for whoredome, and marry another, committeth adulterie: and whosoeuer marieth her which is diuorced, doeth commit adulterie.

10 Then sayd his disciples to him, If the [Note: [i] If the matter stand so betweene man and wife, or in mariage. ] matter be so betweene man and wife, it is not good to marry.

11 [Note: [3] The gift of continencie is peculiar, and therefore no man can set a Law to himselfe of perpetuall continencie. ] But he sayd vnto them, All men cannot [Note: [k] Receiue and admit, as by translation we say, that a streight and narrow place, is not able to receiue many things. ] receiue this thing, saue they to whom it is giuen.

12 For there are some [Note: [l] The worde Eunuch is a generall word, and hath diuers kinds vnder it, as gelded men and bursten men. ] eunuches, which were so borne of their mothers belly: & there be some eunuches, which be gelded by men: and there be some eunuches, which haue [Note: [m] Which absteine from mariage, & liue continently through the gift of God. ] gelded them selues for the kingdome of heauen. He that is able to receiue this, let him receiue it.

13 ¶ [Note: [4] Infants & litle children are conteined in the free couenant of God. ] [Note: Mar.10.13 luke 18.15.chap.18.3. ] Then were brought to him litle children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray: and the disciples rebuked them.

14 But Iesus sayd, Suffer the litle children, and forbid them not to come to me: for of such is the kingdome of heauen.

15 And when he had put his hands on them, he departed thence.

16 ¶ [Note: [5] They neither know themselues nor the Lawe, that seeke to be saued by the Lawe. ] [Note: Mark.10.17. luke 18.18. ] And beholde, one came and sayd vnto him, Good Master, what good thing shal I doe, that I may haue eternall life?

17 And he said vnto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, eue God: but if thou wilt enter into life, keepe ye commandemets.

18 He sayd to him, Which? And Iesus sayde, [Note: Exo.20.13. deu.5 16. rom.13.9. ] These, Thou shalt not kill: Thou shalt not

[A rich man.]



commit adulterie: Thou shalt not steale: Thou shalt not beare false witnesse.

19 Honour thy father and mother: and thou shalt loue thy neighbour as thy selfe.

20 The yong man sayd vnto him, I haue obserued all these things from my youth: what lacke I yet?

21 Iesus sayd vnto him, If [Note: [n] The yong ma did not answere truely in saying that hee had kept all the commandements: & therefore he layeth out an example of true charitie before him, to shewe the disease that lay lurking in his mind. ] thou wilt be perfite, go, sell that thou hast, & giue it to the poore, and thou shalt haue treasure in heauen, & come, and followe me.

22 And when the yong man heard that saying, he went away sorowfull: for he had great possessions.

23 [Note: [6] Rich men haue neede of a singular gift of God, to escape out of the snares of Satan. ] Then Iesus sayd vnto his disciples, Verely I say vnto you, that a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdome of heauen.

24 And againe I say vnto you, It is [Note: [o] Word for word, it is of leße labour. ] easier for a [Note: [p] Theophylact noteth that by this worde is meant a cable rope, but Caninius alleageth out of the Thalmudists, that it is a prouerb, & the word, Camel, signifieth the beast it selfe. ] camel to go through the eye of a needle, then for a rich man to enter into ye kingdome of God.

25 And whe his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amased, saying, Who then can be saued?

26 And Iesus behelde them, and sayde vnto them, With men this is vnpossible, but with God all things are possible.

27 ¶ [Note: Mark.10.28. luke 18.28. ] Then answered Peter, and said to him, Beholde, we haue forsaken all, and followed thee: what therefore shall we haue?

28 [Note: [7] It is not lost, that is neglected for Gods sake. ] And Iesus said vnto them, Verely I say to you, that when the Sonne of man shall sit in the throne of his maiestie, ye which folowed me in the [Note: [q] The regeneration is taken for that day, wherein the elect shall begin to liue a newe life: that is to say, when they shall enioy the heauenly inheritance, both in body and soule. ] regeneration, [Note: Luke 22.29. ] shal sit also vpon twelue thrones and iudge the twelue tribes of Israel.

29 And whosoeuer shal forsake houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my Names sake, he shall receiue an hundreth folde more, and shall inherite euerlasting life.

30 [Note: [8] To haue begun well, and not to continue vnto the end, doeth not onely not profite, but also hurteth very much. ] [Note: Chap.20.16. mark.10.31. luke 13.30. ] But many that are first, shalbe last, and the last shalbe first.


CHAP. XX.


1 Labourers hired into the vineyarde. 15 The euil eye. 17 He foretelleth his passion. 20 Zebedeus sonnes. 22 The cup. 28 Christ is our minister. 30 Two blinde men.

1 For the kingdome of heauen is like vnto a certaine, [Note: [1] God is bound to no man, and therefore he calleth whomsoeuer and whensoeuer he lifteth. This onely euery man ought to take heede of, and hereupon bestowe his whole endeuour, that he goe forward and come to ye marke without all stopping or staggering, and not curiously to examine other mens doings, or the Iudgements of God. ] housholder, which went out at the dawning of the day to hire labourers into his vineyarde.

2 And he [Note: [a] Word for word, fell in times it is a kinde of speach taken from song. ] agreed with the labourers for a peny a day, and sent them into his vineyard.

3 And he went out about the third houre, & sawe other standing idle in the market place,

4 And sayd vnto them, Goe ye also into my vineyard, and whatsoeuer is right, I will giue you: and they went their way.

5 Againe he went out about the sixt & ninth houre, and did likewise.

6 And he went about the [Note: [b] The last houre: for the day was twelue houres long, and the first houre began at the sunne rising. ] eleuenth houre, and found other standing idle, & sayd vnto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?

7 They sayd vnto him, Because no man hath hired vs. He sayd to them, Goe ye also into my vineyard, and whatsoeuer is right, that shall ye receiue.

8 ¶ And when euen was come, the master of the vineyard sayd vnto his steward, Call the labourers, and giue them their hire, beginning at the last, till thou come to the first.

9 And they which were hired about ye eleuenth

[Page 11]

[The penie. To flee ambition.]



houre, came and receiued euery man a penie.
10 Nowe when the first came, they supposed that they should receiue more, but they likewise receiued euery man a penie.

11 And when they had receiued it, they murmured against the master of the house,

12 Saying, These last haue wrought but one houre, and thou hast made them equall vnto vs, which haue borne the burden & heate of the day.

13 And hee answered one of them, saying, Friend, I doe thee no wrong: didst thou not agree with me for a penie?

14 Take that which is thine owne, and go thy way: I will giue vnto this last, as much as to thee.

15 Is it not lawfull for me to do as I will with mine owne? Is thine eye [Note: [c] Naught, that is to say, doest thou enuie at my goodnes towards them? for the Hebrewes by an euill eye, meane enuie, because such dispositions appeare chiefely in the eyes, as aboue chap.6.23. It is set to answere the word, single, and it is take there, for corrupt: for whereas be saide there afore, ver.22. If thine eye be single, he addeth in the 23. but if thine eye be wicked, or corrupt, the worde being the same in that place, as it is here. ] euil, because I am good?

16 [Note: Chap.19.30. and 22.14. mar.10. 31. luke 13.30. ] So the last shalbe first, and the first last: for many are called, but fewe chosen.

17 [Note: Mar.10.32. luke 18.31. ] [Note: [2] Christ goeth to ye crosse necessarily, but yet willingly. ] And Iesus went vp to Hierusalem, and tooke the twelue disciples apart in the way, and said vnto them,

18 [Note: [3] They that least ought, are the greatest persecuters of Christ. ] Beholde, wee goe vp to Hierusalem, and the Sonne of man shall bee deliuered vnto the chiefe priestes, and vnto the Scribes, and they shal condemne him to death,

19 [Note: [4] The ignominie of the crosse, is the sure way to the glory of euerlasting life. ] And [Note: Iohn 18.32. ] shall deliuer him to the Gentiles, to mocke, and to scourge, and to crucifie him, but the thrde day he shall rise againe.

20 [Note: Marke 10.35. ] [Note: [5] The maner of the heauenly kingdome is quite contrary to the earthly kingdome. ] Then came to him the mother of Zebedeus children with her sonnes, worshipping him, and desiring a certaine thing of him.

21 And he said vnto her, What wouldest thou? She said to him, Graunt that these my two sonnes may sit, the one at thy right hand, and the other at thy left hand in thy kingdome.

22 And Iesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye aske. Are ye able to [Note: [d] This is spoken by a figure, taking the cup, for that which is conteined in the cup. And againe, the Hebrewes vnderstand by this word Cup, sometime the maner of punishment which is rendred to sinne, as Psal.11.6. or the ioy that is giuen to the faithfull, as Psal.23. 5. and sometime a lot or condition, as Psal.16.5. ] drinke of the cup that I shall drinke of, and to be baptized with the [Note: [e] This is applied to afflictions, as Dauid commonly vseth. ] baptisme that I shalbe baptized with? They said to him, We are able.

23 And he said vnto them, Ye shall drinke in deede of my cup, and shall be baptized with the baptisme, that I am baptized with, but to sit at my right hande, and at my left hand, is [Note: [f] The almightines of Christ his diuinitie is not shut out by this, but it sheweth the debasing of him selfe by taking mans nature vpon him. ] not mine to giue: but it shalbe giuen to them for whome it is prepared of my Father.

24 [Note: Marke 10.41. luke 22.25. ] And when the other ten heard this, they disdained at the two brethren.

25 Therefore Iesus called them vnto him, and saide, We knowe that the lordes of the Gentiles haue [Note: [g] Somewhat sharply and roughly. ] domination ouer them, and they that are great, exercise authoritie ouer them.

26 But it shall not be so among you: but whosoeuer will be great among you, let him be your seruant.

27 And whosoeuer will be chiefe among you, let him be your seruant.

28 [Note: Philip 2.7. ] Euen as the Sonne of man came not to be serued, but to serue, and to giue his life for the ransome of many.

29 ¶ [Note: [6] Christ by healing these blinde men with an onely touch, sheweth that he is the only light of the world. ] [Note: Marke 10.46. luke 18.35. ] And as they departed from Iericho, a great multitude followed him.

30 And beholde, two blinde men, sitting by the way side, when they heard that Iesus passed by, cryed, saying, O Lorde, the Sonne of Dauid, haue mercie on vs.

31 And the multitude rebuked them, because they should holde their peace: but they cried the more, saying, O Lord, the Sonne of Dauid, haue mercie on vs.

[Christ rideth into Hierusalem.]




32 Then Iesus stoode still, and [Note: [h] Him selfe, not by other mens meanes. ] called them, and said, What will ye that I should do to you?

33 They saide to him, Lord, that our eyes may be opened.

34 And Iesus mooued with compassion, touched their eyes, & immediatly their eyes receiued sight, and they followed him.



CHAP. XXI.


1 Christ rideth on an asse into Hierusalem. 12 He casteth out the sellers. 13 The house of prayer. 19 The withered fig tree. 25 Iohns baptisme. 28 Who do the will of God. 30 Publicanes. Harlots. 33 Gods vineyard. The Iewes. 38 The sonne killed of the husbandmen. 42 The corner stone.

1 And [Note: Marke 11.1. luke 19.29. ] [Note: [1] Christ by his humilitie triumphing ouer the pride of this world, ascendeth to true glory by ignominie of the crosse. ] when they drewe neere to Hierusalem, and were come to Bethphage, vnto the mount of the Oliues, then sent Iesus two disciples,

2 Saying to them, Goe into the towne that is ouer against you, and anon yee shall finde an asse bounde, and a colt with her: loose them, and bring them vnto me.

3 And if any man say ought vnto you, say ye, that the Lorde hath neede of them, and straightway [Note: [a] He that shall say any thing to you, shall let them go, to wit, the asse and the colte. ] he will let them goe.

4 All this was done that it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Prophet, saying,

5 ¶ [Note: Esai.62.11. zac.9.9. iohn 12.15. ] Tell ye the [Note: [b] The citie of Sion. An Hebrew kinde of speach, common in the lamentations of Ieremie. ] daughter of Sion, Beholde, thy King commeth vnto thee, meeke and sitting vpon an asse, and a colte, the foale of an asse vsed to the yoke.

6 So the disciples went, and did as Iesus had commaunded them,

7 And brought the asse and the colt, and put on them their [Note: [c] Their vppermost garment. ] clothes, and set him [Note: [d] Vpon their garments, not vpon the asse and the colte. ] thereon.

8 And a great multitude spred their garments in the way: and other cut downe branches from the trees, and strawed them in the way.

9 Moreouer, the people that went before, and they also that followed, cried, saying, [Note: [e] This was an ancient kinde of crying which they vsed in the feast of Tabernacles, whe they caried boughs according as God commanded, Leuit. 23.40. And the word is corruptly made of two, for we should say, Hoshiangna, which is as much to say, as Saue I pray thee. ] Hosanna to the Sonne of Dauid, [Note: [f] Well be it to him that commeth in the name of the Lord, that is to say, whome the Lorde hath giuen vs for our King. ] Blessed be hee that commeth in the Name of the Lorde, Hosanna thou which art in the highest heauens.

10 [Note: Marke 11.11. luke 19 45. iohn 2.13. ] And when he was come into Hierusalem, [Note: [g] That is, all the men of Hierusalem were mooued. ] all the citie was mooued, saying, Who is this?

11 And the people said, This is Iesus that Prophet of Nazareth in Galile.

12 ¶ And Iesus went into the Temple of God, and cast out all them [Note: Deut.14.25. ] that solde and bought in the Temple, and ouerthrew the tables of the money chagers, & the seates of them that sold doues,

13 And said to them, it is written, [Note: Esai.56.6. ] My house shall be called the house of prayer: but [Note: Iere.7.11. mar.11. 17. luke 19.46. ] ye haue made it a denne of theeues.

14 Then the blinde, and the halt came to him in the Temple, and he healed them.

15 [Note: [2] Such as should be masters of godlines, are they that do most enuie the glory of Christ: but in vaine. ] But when the chiefe priestes and Scribes sawe the marueiles that hee did, and the children crying in the Temple, and saying, Hosanna to the Sonne of Dauid, they disdained,

16 And said vnto him, Hearest thou what these say? And Iesus said vnto them, Yea: read ye neuer, [Note: Psal.9.2. ] By the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast [Note: [h] Thou hast made most perfite. We reade in Dauid, Thou hast established or grounded, and if the matter be considered well, it is all one that the Euangelist saith, for that is stable and sure, which is most perfite ] made perfite the praise?

17 ¶ [Note: [3] Christ doeth so forsake the wicked, that yet hee hath a consideration and regard of his Church. ] So hee left them, and went out of the citie vnto Bethania, and lodged there.

18 [Note: [4] Hypocrites shall at length haue their maskes discouered, and their visards plucked from their faces. ] And [Note: Mar.11.12. ] in the morning, as he returned into the citie, he was hungrie,
[Page]

[Iohns baptisme. The parables of the Vineyarde, and mariage.]




19 And seeing a figge tree in the way, he came to it, and found nothing thereon, but leaues onely, and said to it, Neuer fruite grow on thee henceforwards. And anon the figge tree withered.

20 And when his disciples saw it, they marueiled, saying, How soone is the figge tree withered!

21 [Note: [5] How great the force of faith is. ] And Iesus answered and said vnto them, [Note: Chap. 17.20. ] Verely I say vnto you, if ye haue faith, & [Note: [i] The Greeke word signifieth a sticking or wauering of minde, so that we cannot tell which way to take. ] doubt not, ye shall not only doe that, which I haue done to the figge tree, but also if ye say vnto this mountaine, Take thy selfe away, and cast thy selfe into the sea, it shalbe done.

22 [Note: Chap.7.7. iohn 15.7. 1.ioh.5.14. ] And whatsoeuer ye shall aske in prayer, if ye beleeue, ye shall receiue it.

23 ¶ [Note: Mar.11.27,28. Luke 20.1,2. ] [Note: [6] Against them which ouerslipping the doctrine, binde the calling and vocation to an ordinarie succession, going about by that false pretext, to stoppe Christes mouth. ] And whe he was come into the Temple, the chiefe Priestes, and the Elders of the people came vnto him, as he was teaching, and saide, By what [Note: [k] Or, by what power. ] authoritie doest thou these things? and who gaue thee this authoritie?

24 Then Iesus answered and said vnto them, I also will aske of you [Note: [l] One word, that is to say, I will aske you in one word. ] a certaine thing, which if ye tell me, I likewise will tell you by what authoritie I doe these things.

25 The [Note: [m] Iohn his preaching is called by a figure, Baptisme, because he preached the baptisme of repentance, &c. Mark.1.4. acts.19.3. ] baptisme of Iohn, whence was it? from [Note: [n] From God, and so it is plainely seene, how these are set one against an other. ] heauen, or of men? Then they [Note: [o] Beat their heads about it, and mused, or layed their heads together. ] reasoned among themselues, saying, If we shall say, From heauen, he will say vnto vs, Why did ye not then beleeue him?

26 And if we say, Of men, we feare the multitude, [Note: Chap.14.5. marke 6.20. ] for all holde Iohn as a Prophet.

27 Then they answered Iesus, and said, We can not tell. And he said vnto them, Neither tell I you by what authoritie I doe these things.

28 ¶ [Note: [7] It is no newe thing to see them to be the worst of all men, which ought to shew the way of godlines to others. ] But what thinke ye? A certaine man had two sonnes, and came to the elder, and saide, Sonne, goe and worke to day in my vineyarde.

29 But he answered, and said, I will not: yet afterward he repented himselfe, and went.

30 Then came he to the second, and said likewise. And he answered, and said, I will, Syr: yet he went not.

31 Whether of them twaine did the will of the father? They saide vnto him, The first. Iesus saide vnto them, Verely I say vnto you, that the Publicanes and the harlots [Note: [p] They make haste to the kingdome of God, and you slacke: so that at least wise you should haue followed their example. Marke then that this word, goe before, is improperly taken in this place, whereas no man followeth. ] goe before you into the kingdome of God.

32 For Iohn came vnto you in the [Note: [q] Liuing vprightly, being of a good and honest conuersation: For the Heabrues vse this word, Way, for life and maners. ] way of righteousnes, and yee beleeued him not: but the Publicanes, and the harlots beleeued him, and ye, though ye sawe it, were not mooued with repentance afterward, that ye might beleeue him.

33 ¶ [Note: [8] Those men oftentimes are the cruellest enemies of the Church, to whose fidelitie it is committed: But the vocation of God, is neither tyed to time, place, nor person. ] Heare another parable, There was a certaine housholder, [Note: Esai.5.1. iere.2.21. mar.12.1. luke 20.9. ] which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, & made a winepresse therein, and [Note: [r] Made the place strong: For a tower is the strongest place of a wall. ] built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a strange countrey.

34 And when the time of the fruite drewe neere, hee sent his seruants to the husbandmen to receiue the fruites thereof.

35 And ye husbandmen tooke his seruants and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another.

36 Againe hee sent other seruants, moe then the first: and they did the like vnto them.

37 But last of all he sent vnto them his owne sonne, saying, They will reuerence my sonne.

38 But when the husbandmen saw the sonne, they saide among themselues, [Note: Chap 26.3.4. and 27. 1.iohn 11.53. ] This is the heire: come, let vs kil him, & let vs [Note: [s] Worde for word, let vs holde it fast. ] take his inheritance.

[The parables of the Vineyarde, and mariage.]




39 So they tooke him, and cast him out of the vineyarde, and slewe him.

40 When therefore the Lorde of the vineyarde shall come, what will hee doe to those husbandmen?

41 They saide vnto him, Hee will [Note: [t] A kinde of prouerbe, shewing what ende the wicked are worthy of. ] cruelly destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard vnto other husbandmen, which shall deliuer him the fruites in their seasons.

42 Iesus saide vnto them, Read ye neuer in the Scriptures, [Note: Psal.118.22. acts.4.11. rom.9.33. ] The stone which the [Note: [u] Master builders, which are chiefe builders of the house, that is, of the Church. ] builders refused, the same is [Note: [x] Began to be. ] made the [Note: [y] The chiefest stone in the corner is called the head of the corner: which beareth vp the couplings or ioynts of the whole building. ] head of the corner? [Note: [z] That matter (in that the stone which was cast away, is made the head) is the Lorde doing, which we behold and greatly marueile at. ] This was the Lordes doing, and it is marueilous in our eyes.

43 Therefore say I vnto you, The kingdome of God shalbe taken from you, and shalbe giuen to a nation, which shall bring foorth the [Note: [a] They bring foorth the fruites of the kingdome of God, which bring foorth the fruites of the spirit, and not of the flesh, Gal.5. ] fruites thereof.

44 [Note: Esai 8.14. ] And whosoeuer shall fall on this stone, he shalbe broken: but on whomsoeuer it shal fall, it will [Note: [b] As chaffe vseth to bee scattered with the winde, for hee vseth a word which signifieth properly, to separate the chaffe fro the corne with winnowing, and to scatter it abroade. ] dash him a pieces.

45 And when the chiefe Priestes and Pharises had heard his parables, they perceiued that hee spake of them.

46 [Note: [8] The wicked can do nothing, but what God will. ] And they seeking to laye handes on him, feared the people, because they tooke him as a Prophet.


CHAP. XXII.


2 The parable of the marriage. 9 The calling of the Gentiles. 11 The wedding garment, faith. 16 Of Cesars tribute. 23 They question with Christ touching the resurrection. 32 God is of the liuing. 36 The greatest commandement. 37 To loue God. 39 To loue our neighbour. 42 Iesus reasoneth with the Pharises touching the Messias.

1 Then [Note: Luke 14.16. reuel.19.9. ] [Note: [1] Not all the whole company of them that are called by the voyce of the Gospel, are the true Church before God: for the most part of them had rather folowe the commodities of this life: and some doe most cruelly persecute those that call them: but they are the true Church, which obey when they are called, such as for the most part they are, whome the world despiseth. ] Iesus answered, and spake vnto them againe in parables, saying,

2 The kingdome of heauen is like vnto a certaine King which maried his sonne,

3 And sent foorth his seruants, to call them that were bidde to the wedding, but they woulde not come.

4 Againe hee sent foorth other seruants, saying. Tell them which are bidden, Beholde, I haue prepared my dinner: mine oxen and my fatlings are [Note: [a] The word here vsed is commonly vsed in sacrifices, and is by translation vsed for other feastes also: For feastes and banquets were wont to be begonne with sacrifices. ] killed, and all thinges are readie: come vnto the mariage.

5 But they made light of it, and went their wayes, one to his farme, and another about his marchandise.

6 And the remnant tooke his seruants, and intreated them sharpely, and slewe them.

7 [Note: [2] A dreadfull destruction of them that contemne Christ. ] But when the King heard it, he was wroth, and sent foorth his warriers, and destroyed those murtherers, and burnt vp their citie.

8 Then saide hee to his seruants, Truely the [Note: [b] The mariage feast. ] wedding is prepared: but they which were bidden, were not worthy.

9 [Note: [3] God doth first call vs, when we thinke nothing of it. ] Go ye therefore out into the high wayes, and as many as ye finde, bid them to the mariage.

10 So those seruantes went out into the hie wayes, and gathered together all that euer they found, both good and [Note: [c] The generall calling offereth the Gospell to all men: but their life is examined that enter in. ] bad: so the wedding was furnished with ghestes.

11 [Note: [4] In the small nomber which come at the calling, there are some castawayes which doe not confirme their faith with newnesse of life. ] Then the King came in, to see the ghestes,

[Page 12]

[The Sadduces question.]



and sawe there a man which had not on a wedding garment.
12 And he sayd vnto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither, and hast not on a wedding garment? And he was [Note: [d] Worde for word, haultered, that is to say, hee helde his peace, as though he had had a bridle or an haulter about his necke. ] speachlesse.

13 Then sayd the King to the [Note: [e] To them that serued the ghestes. ] seruants, Binde him hand and foote: take him away, and cast him into vtter darkenes: [Note: Chap.8.12. and 13.42. and 25.30. ] there shalbe weeping and gnashing of teeth.

14 [Note: Chap.20.16. ] For many are called, but fewe chosen.

15 ¶ [Note: Marke 12.13. luke 20.20. ] Then went the Pharises and tooke counsell how they might [Note: [f] Snare him in his wordes or talke. The Greeke worde is deriued of snares which hunters lay. ] tangle him in talke.

16 And they sent vnto him their disciples with the [Note: [g] They which with Herod made a newe religion, patched together of the heathenish and of the Iewish religion. ] Herodians, saying, Master, we knowe that thou art true, & teachest the way of God [Note: [h] Truely and sincerely. ] truely, neither carest for any man: for thou considerest not the [Note: [i] Thou art not moued with any appearance and outward shewe. ] person of men.

17 [Note: [5] The Christians must obey their Magistrates, although they be wicked and extortioners, but so farre forth as the authoritie that God hath ouer vs may remaine safe vnto him, and his honour be not diminished. ] Tell vs therefore, how thinkest thou? Is it lawfull to giue [Note: [k] The worde that is vsed here, signifieth a valewing and rating of mens substance, accoding to the proportion whereof they paied tribute in those prouinces, which were subiect to tribute, and it is here taken for the tribute is selfe. ] tribute vnto Cesar, or not?

18 But Iesus perceiued their wickednes, and sayd, Why tempt ye me, ye hypocrites?

19 Shewe me the tribute money. And they brought him a [Note: [l] Before, Chap.17.24. there is mention made of a didrachme, and here, of a peny, where as a didrachme is more by the seuenth part then a peny: so that there seemeth to be a iarre in these two places: but they may easily be accorded thus: The peny was payed to the Romanes for tribute, according to the proportion they were rated at, the drachme was payed of euery one to the Temple, which also the Romanes tooke to themselues when they had subdued Iudea. ] peny.

20 And he sayde vnto them, Whose is this image and superscription?

21 They sayd vnto him, Cesars. Then sayd he vnto them, [Note: Marke 12.17. luke 20.25. rom.13.7. ] Giue therefore to Cesar, the things which are Cesars, and giue vnto God, those things which are Gods.

22 And when they heard it, they marueiled, and left him, and went their way.

23 ¶ [Note: [6] Christ voucheth the resurrection of the flesh against the Sadduces. ] [Note: Marke 12.18. luke 20.27. acts 23.8. ] The same day the Sadduces came to him (which say that there is no resurrection) and asked him,

24 Saying, Master, [Note: Deut 25.5. ] Moses sayd, If a man die, hauing no [Note: [m] Vnder which name are daughters also comprehended, but yet as touching the familie and name of a man, because hee that left daughters was in no better case, then if he had left no children at all, (for they were not reckoned in the familie) by the name of children are Sonnes vnderstoode. ] children, his brother shall marie his wife by the right of alliance, and raise vp seede vnto his brother.

25 Nowe there were with vs seuen brethren, and the first maried a wife, and deceased: and hauing none yssue, left his wife vnto his brother.

26 Likewise also the second, and the third, vnto the seuenth.

27 And last of all the woman died also.

28 Therefore in the resurrection, whose wife shall she be of the seuen? for all had her.

29 Then Iesus answered, and sayd vnto them, Ye are deceiued, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.

30 For in the resurrection they neither marie wiues, nor wiues are bestowed in mariage, but are as the [Note: [n] He sayth not that they shalbe without bodies, for then they should not be men any more, but they shalbe as Angels, for they shall neither marie nor be maried. ] Angels of God in heauen.

31 And concerning the resurrection of the dead, haue ye not read what is spoken vuto you of God, saying,

32 [Note: Exod 3.6 marke 12.27. ] I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Iacob? God is not the God of the dead, but of the liuing.

33 And when the multitude heard it, they were astonied at his doctrine.

34 ¶ [Note: Marke 12.28. ] [Note: [7] The Gospel doeth not abolish the precepts of the Lawe, but doeth rather confirme them. ] But when the Pharises had heard,

[The greatest commandement.]



that he had put the Sadduces to silence, they assembled together.

35 And [Note: [o] A Scribe, so saith Mar.12.28. now what a Scribe in, looke Chap.24. ] one of them, which was an expounder of the Lawe, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,

36 Master, which is ye great commaundement in the Lawe?

37 Iesus sayd to him, [Note: Deut.6.5. ] Thou shalt loue the Lorde thy God with all thine heart, with all thy [Note: [p] The Hebrew text readeth, Deut. 6.5. with thine heart, soule, & strength: and in Mark.12.30. and Luke 10.27. we reade, with soule, heart, strength, and thought. ] soule, and with all thy minde.

38 This is the first and the great commaundement.

39 And the second is like vnto this, [Note: Mar.12.31. rom.13.9. gala.5.14. iames 2.8. ] Thou shalt loue thy [Note: [q] An other man. ] neighbour as thy selfe.

40 On these two commandements hangeth the whole Lawe, and the Prophets.

41 ¶ [Note: [8] Christ proueth manifestly that he is Dauids sonne according to the flesh, but otherwise, Dauids Lord, and very God. ] [Note: Mark.12.35. luke 10.41. ] While the Pharises were gathered together, Iesus asked them,

42 Saying, What thinke ye of Christ? [Note: [r] Of whose stocke or familie? for the Hebrewes call a mans posteritie, sonnes. ] whose sonne is he? They sayd vnto him, Dauids.

43 He sayd vnto them, How then doeth Dauid in spirit call him Lord, saying,

44 [Note: Psal.110.1. ] The Lord sayd to my Lorde, Sit at my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footestoole?

45 If then Dauid call him Lord, howe is he his sonne?

46 And none could answere him a worde, neither durst any from that day foorth aske him any moe questions.



CHAP. XXIII.


2 Howe the Scribes teaching the people the Lawe of Moses behaue themselues. 5 Their Phylacteries, and Frnges. 7 Greetings. 8 We are brethren. 9 The Father. 10 The seruant. 13 To shut the kingdome of heauen. 14 To deuoure widowes houses. 15 A Proselyte. 16 To sweare by the Temple. 23 To tythe mynt. 25 To clense the outside of the cup. 27 Painted sepulchers. 33 Serpents, vipers. 37 The Henne.

1 Then spake Iesus to the multitude, and to his disciples,

2 [Note: [1] We ought to heare whatsoeuer any wicked teachers teache vs purely out of the worde of God, yet so that we eschewe their euil maners. ] Saying, The [Note: Nehe.8.4. ] Scribes and the Pharises [Note: [a] Because God appointed the order, therefore the Lord would haue his worde to be heard euen from the mouth of hypocrites and hirelings. ] sit in Moses seate.

3 [Note: [b] Prouided alwayes, that they deliuer Moses his doctrine which they professe, which thing the Metaphore of the seate sheweth, which they occupied as teachers of Moses his learning. ] All therefore whatsoeuer they bid you obserue, that obserue and doe: but after their workes doe not: for they say, and doe not.

4 [Note: Luke 11.46. act.15.10. ] [Note: [2] Hypocrites for the most part are most seuere exactors of those things, which they them selues chiefly neglect. ] For they binde heauie burdens, & grieuous to be borne, and lay them on mens shoulders, but they themselues will not moue them with one of their fingers.

5 [Note: [3] Hypocrites are ambitious. ] All their workes they doe for to be seene of men: for they make their [Note: [c] It was a thread, or ribband of blewe silke in the frindge of a corner, the beholding whereof made them to remember the lawes and ordinances of God: and therefore was it called a phylacterie, as ye would say, a keeper, Nom. 15.38. deut.6.8. which order the Iewes afterwarde abused, as they doe nowe a dayes, which hang Saint Iohns Gospels about their necks: a thing condemned many yeeres agoe in the Councill of Antioch. ] phylacteries broad, and make long [Note: [d] Worde for worde, Twisted taßels of thread which hanged at the nethermost hemmes of their garments. ] the [Note: Nom.15.38. deut.22.12. mark.12.38. ] frindges of their garments,

6 [Note: Luke 11.43. and 20.46. ] And loue the chiefe place at feastes, and to haue the chiefe seates in the [Note: [e] When aßemblies and councils are gathered together. ] assemblies,

7 And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, [Note: [f] This worde Rab, signifieth one that is aboue his fellowes, and is as good as a number of them: and we may see by the repeating of it, howe proude a title it was. Nowe they were called Rabbi, which by saying on of hands were vttered and declared to the world to be wise men. ] Rabbi.
[Page]

[Christ reproueth the ambition, couetousnes, and hypocrisie of the Pharises.]




8 [Note: Iames 3.1. ] [Note: [4] Modestie is a singular ornament of Gods ministers. ] But be not ye [Note: [g] Seeke not ambitiously after it: for our Lord doeth not forbid vs to giue the Magistrate and our Masters the honour that is due to them, Augstinus de sermone verbi Domini ex Matth.cap.11. ] called, Rabbi: for [Note: [h] He seeemeth to allude to a place of Esai, chap.54. 13. and Iere.31.34. ] one is your doctour, to wit, Christ, and all ye are brethren.

9 And [Note: Malac.1.6. ] call no man your [Note: [i] He shooteth at a fashion which the Iewes vsed, for they called the Rabbins our fathers. ] father vpon the earth: for there is but one, your father which is in heauen.

10 Be not called [Note: [k] It seemeth that the Scribes did very griedily hunt after such titles, whome verse 16. he calleth blinde guides. ] doctors: for one is your doctor, euen Christ.

11 But he that is greatest among you, let him be your seruant.

12 [Note: Luke 14.11. and 18.14. ] For whosoeuer [Note: [l] He seemeth to allude to the name of the Rabbins, for Rab signifieth one that is aloft. ] will exalt himselfe, shall be brought lowe: and whosoeuer will humble himselfe, shalbe exalted.

13 ¶ [Note: [5] Hypocrites can abide none to be better then them selues. ] Wo therefore be vnto you, Scribes and Pharises, [Note: [m] Christ when he reproueth any man sharpely, vseth this worde, to giue vs to vnderstande that there is nothing more detestable then hypocrisie and falshoode in religion. ] hypocrites, because ye shut vp the kingdome of heauen before men: for ye your selues go not in, neither suffer ye them that would [Note: [n] Which are euen at the doore. ] enter, to come in.

14 [Note: Marke 12.40. luke 20.47. ] [Note: [6] It is a common thing amongst hypocrites, to abuse the pretence of zeale to couetousnes and extortion. ] Wo be vnto you, Scribes and Pharises, hypocrites: for ye deuoure widowes houses, euen [Note: [o] Word for worde, vnder a colour of long praying. And this worde, Euen, noteth a double naughtines in them: the one, that they deuoured widowes goods: the other, that they did it vnder a colour of godlines. ] vnder a colour of long prayers: wherefore ye shall receiue the greater damnation.

15 Wo be vnto you, Scribes and Pharises, hypocrites: for ye compasse sea and [Note: [p] The drye part: nowe that part of the earth is called drie, which the Lord hath giuen vs to dwell vpon. ] land to make one of your profession: and when he is made, ye make him two folde more the childe of hell, then you your selues.

16 Wo be vnto you blinde guides, which say, Whosoeuer sweareth by the Temple, it is nothing: but whosoeuer sweareth by the golde of the Temple, he [Note: [q] Is a detter. Sinnes are called in the Syrian tongue, Debtes, and it is certaine that Christ spake in the Syrian tongue. ] offendeth.

17 Ye fooles and blinde, whether is greater, the golde, or the Temple that [Note: [r] Causeth the golde to be counted holy, which is dedicate to an holy vse. ] sanctifieth the golde?

18 And whosoeuer sweareth by the altar, it is nothing: but whosoeuer sweareth by the offering that is vpon it, offendeth.

19 Ye fooles and blinde, whether is greater, the offering, or the altar which sanctifieth the offering?

20 Whosoeuer therefore sweareth by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon.

21 [Note: 1.King.8.13. 2 chro.6.2. ] And whosoeuer sweareth by the Temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein.

22 [Note: Chap.5.34. ] And he that sweareth by heauen, sweareth by the [Note: [s] If heauen be Gods throne, then is he no doubt aboue all this world. ] throne of God, and by him that sitteth thereon.

23 ¶ [Note: [7] Hypocrites are carefull in trifles, and neglect the greatest things of purpose. ] [Note: Luke 11.42. ] Wo be to you, Scribes and Pharises, hypocrites: for ye tithe mynt, & annyse, & cummyn, & leaue the weightier matters of the law, as iudgement, and mercy and [Note: [t] Faithfulnes in keeping of promises. ] fidelitie. These ought ye to haue done, and not to haue left the other.

24 Ye blinde guides, which straine out a gnat, and swallowe a camell.

25 ¶ [Note: [8] Hypocrites are too much carefull of outwarde things, and the inward they vtterly contemne. ] Wo be to you, [Note: Luke 11.39. ] Scribes and Pharises, hypocrites: for ye make cleane the vtter side of the cup, and of the platter: but within they are ful of briberie and excesse.

26 Thou blinde Pharise, cleanse first the inside of the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be cleane also.

27 Wo be to you, Scribes and Pharises, hypocrites: for ye are like vnto whited tombes, which appeare beautifull outward, but are within full of dead mens bones, and all filthines.

[Christ reproueth the ambition, couetousnes, and hypocrisie of the Pharises.]




28 So are ye also: for outwarde ye appeare righteous vnto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisie and iniquitie.

29 ¶ [Note: [9] Hypocrites when they goe most about to couer their wickednes, then doe they by the iust iudgement of God, shame themselues. ] Wo be vnto you, Scribes & Pharises, hypocrites: for ye build the tombes of the Prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,

30 And say, If we had bene in the dayes of our fathers, we would not haue bene partners with them in the blood of the Prophets.

31 So then ye be witnesses vnto your selues, that ye are the children of them that murthered the Prophets.

32 [Note: [u] A prouerbe vsed of the Iewes, which hath this meaning, Go ye on also, and follow your ancesters, that at length your wickednes may come to the full. ] Fulfill ye also ye measure of your fathers.

33 O serpents, the generation of vipers, howe should ye escape the damnation [Note: [x] Looke Chap.5. verse 22. ] of hell!

34 [Note: [10] Hypocrites be cruell. ] Wherefore beholde, I send vnto you Prophets, and wise men, and Scribes, and of them ye shall kill and crucifie: and of them shall ye scourge in your Synagogues, and persecute from citie to citie,

35 [Note: [11] The ende of them which persecute the Gospel, vnder the pretence of zeale. ] That vpon you may come all the righteous blood that was shed vpon the earth, [Note: Gene.4.8. ] from the blood of Abel the righteous, vnto the blood of Zacharias the sonne of [Note: [y] Of Ioiada, who was also called Barach-Iah, that is, bleßed of the Lord. ] Barachias, [Note: 2.Chro.24.22. ] whome ye slewe betweene the Temple and the altar.

36 Verely I say vnto you, all these things shall come vpon this generation.

37 [Note: [12] Where the mercy of God was greatest, there was greatest wickednes and rebellion, and at length the most sharpe iudgements of God. ] [Note: Luke 13.34. ] Hierusalem, Hierusalem, which killest the Prophets, and stonest them which are sent to thee, how often would I haue [Note: [z] He speaketh of the outward ministerie, and as hee was promised for the sauing of this people, so was he also carefull for it, euen from the time that the promise was made to Abraham. ] gathered thy children together, as the henne gathereth her chickins vnder her wings, and ye would not!

38 Beholde, your habitation shalbe left vnto you desolate,

39 For I say vnto you, ye shall not see mee henceforth till that ye say, Blessed is he that commeth in the Name of the Lord.


CHAP. XXIIII.


2 The destruction of the Temple. 4 The signes of Christes comming. 12 Iniquitie. 23 False Christes. 29 The signes of the ende of the world. 31 The Angels. 32 The fig tree. 37 The dayes of Noe. 42 We must watch. 45 The seruant.

1 And [Note: Marke 13.1. luke 21.5,6. ] Iesus went out, and departed from the Temple, and his disciples came to him, to shewe him the building of the Temple.

2 [Note: [1] The destruction of the citie and especially of the Temple is foretolde. ] And Iesus sayd vnto them, See ye not all these things? Verely I say vnto you, [Note: Luke 19.44. ] there shall not be here left a stone vpon a stone, that shall not be cast downe.

3 And as he sate vpon the mount of Oliues, his disciples came vnto him apart, saying, Tell vs when these things shall be, and what signe shalbe of thy comming, and of the ende of the world.

4 [Note: [2] The Church shall haue a continuall conflict with infinite miseries and offences, and that more is, with false prophets, vntill the day of victorie and triumph commeth. ] And Iesus answered, and sayd vnto them, [Note: Ephes.5.6. col.2.18. ] Take heede that no man deceiue you.

5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and shall deceiue many.

6 And ye shall heare of warres, and rumours of warres: see that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to passe, but the [Note: [a] That is, when those things are fulfilled, yet the ende shall not come. ] end is not yet.

7 For nation shal rise against nation, & realme against realme, and there shalbe famine, and pestilence, and earthquakes in [Note: [b] Euery where. ] diuers places.

8 All these are but ye beginning of [Note: [c] Worde for worde, of great torments, like vnto women in trauaile. ] sorowes.

9 [Note: Chap.10.17. luke 21.12. iohn 15.20. and 16.2. ] Then shal they deliuer you vp to be afflicted,

[Page 13]

[False Christes. The signes of the ende of the worlde.]



and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations for my Names sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shal betray one another, and shall hate one another.

11 And many false prophets shall arise, & shall deceiue many.

12 And because iniquitie shalbe increased, the loue of many shalbe colde.

13 [Note: 2.Thess.3.13. 2.tim.2.5. ] [Note: [3] The Gospel shalbe spread abroade, rage the worlde and the deuill neuer so much: and they which doe constantly beleeue, shall be saued. ] But he that endureth to the ende, he shalbe saued.

14 And this [Note: [d] Ioyfull tydings of the kingdome of heauen. ] Gospel of the kingdome shalbe preached through the whole [Note: [e] Through all that part that is dwelt in. ] world for a witnes vnto all nations, and then shall the end come.

15 ¶ [Note: [4] The kingdome of Christ shall not be abolished when the citie of Hierusalem is vtterly destroyed, but shalbe stretched out euen to ye end of ye world. ] When ye [Note: Marke 13.14. luke 21.20. ] therefore shall see the [Note: [f] The abomination of desolation, that is to say, which all men detest and cannot abide, by reason of the foule and shamefull filthinesse of it: and he speaketh of the Idoles that were set vp in the Temple, or as other thinke, he meant the marring of the doctrine in the Church. ] abomination of desolation spoken of by [Note: Daui.9.27. ] Daniel the Prophet, set in the holy place (let him that readeth consider it.)

16 Then let them which be in Iudea, flee into the mountaines.

17 Let him which is on the house top, not come downe to fetch any thing out of his house.

18 And he that is in the fielde, let not him returne backe to fetch his [Note: [g] This betokeneth the great feare that shall be. ] clothes.

19 And woe shalbe to them that are wt childe, and to them that giue sucke in those dayes.

20 But pray that your flight be not in the winter, neither on the [Note: Actes 1.12. ] [Note: [h] It was not lawfull to take a iourney on the Sabbath day, Iosep. booke 13. ] Sabbath day.

21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not from the beginning of the worlde to this time, nor shalbe.

22 And except [Note: [i] Those thinges which befell the people of the Iewes in the 34. yeeres, when as the whole land was wasted, and at length the citie of Hierusalem taken, and both it and their Temple destroyed, are mixed with those which shall come to passe before the last coming of our Lord. ] those dayes should be shortened, there should no [Note: [k] The whole nation should vtterly be destroyed: and this worde Flesh, is by a figure taken for man, as the Hebrues vse to speake. ] flesh be saued: but for the elects sake those dayes shalbe shortened.

23 [Note: Marke 13.21. luke 17.23. ] Then if any shall say vnto you, Loe, here is Christ, or there, beleeue it not.

24 For there shall arise false Christes, and false prophets, and [Note: [l] Shall openly lay foorth great signes for men to beholde. ] shall shewe great signes and wonders, so that if it were possible, they should deceiue the very elect.

25 Beholde, I haue tolde you before.

26 Wherefore if they shall say vnto you, Beholde, he is in the desert, goe not forth: Beholde, he is in the secret places, beleeue it not.

27 For as the lightning commeth out of the East, and is seene into the West, so shall also the comming of the Sonne of man be.

28 [Note: Luke 17.37. ] [Note: [5] The onely remedie against the furious rage of the world, is to be gathered and ioyned to Christ. ] For wheresoeuer a dead [Note: [m] Christ, who will come with speede, and his presence will be with a maiestie, to whom all shall flocke euen as Eglis. ] carkeis is, thither will the Egles be gathered together.

29 [Note: Mark.13.24. luk.21.25. esai.13.10. eze.32.7. ioel 2.31. and 3.15. ] [Note: [6] Euerlasting damnation shalbe the ende of the securitie of the wicked, and euerlasting blisse, of the miseries of the godly. ] And immediatly after ye tribulations of those dayes, shall the sunne be darkened, and the moone shall not giue her light, & the starres shall fal fro heauen, & ye powers of heaue shalbe shake.

30 And then shall appeare the [Note: [n] The exceeding glory and maiestie, which shall beare witnes, that Christ the Lorde of heauen and earth draweth neere to iudge the world. ] signe of the Sonne of man in heauen: and then shall all the [Note: [o] All nations, and he alludeth to the dispersion which we reade of, Gen.10. and 11. or to the deuiding of the people of Israel. ] kinreds of the earth [Note: [p] They shall be in such sorow, that they shall strike themselues: and it is transferred to the mourning. ] mourne, [Note: Reue.1.7. dan.7.13. ] and they shall see the Sonne of man [Note: [q] Sitting vpon the cloudes, as he was taken vp into heauen. ] come in the cloudes of heauen with power and great glorie.

31 [Note: 1.Cor.15.52. 1.thes.4.16. ] And he shall send his Angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect, from the [Note: [r] From the foure quarters of the worlde. ] foure windes, and from the

[The signes of the ende of the worlde.]



one ende of the heauens vnto the other.

32 [Note: [7] If God hath prescribed a certaine order to nature, much more hath he done so to his eternal iudgemets, but the wicked vnderstand it not, or rather make a mocke at it: but the godly doe marke it, and waite for it. ] Now learne the parable of the figge tree: when her bough is yet [Note: [s] When his tendernes sheweth that the sap which is the life of the tree, is come from the roote into the barke. ] tender, & it putteth foorth leaues, ye knowe that sommer is neere.

33 So likewise ye, when ye see all these things, know yt the kingdom of God is nere, eue at ye doores.

34 Verely I say vnto you, this [Note: [t] This age: this word Generation or Age, being vsed for the men of this age. ] generation shal not passe, till all these things be done.

35 [Note: Mark.13.31. ] [Note: [8] The Lord doth nowe begin the iudgement, which he will make an ende of in the latter day. ] Heauen and earth shall passe away: but my wordes shall not passe away.

36 [Note: [9] It is sufficient for vs to knowe that God hath appointed a latter day for the restoring of all things: but when it shall be, it is hidden fro vs all, for our profite, that we may be so much the more watchfull, that we be not taken, as they were in olde time in the flood. ] But of yt day and houre knoweth no man, no not the Angels of heauen, but my father only.

37 But as the dayes of Noe were, so likewise shall the comming of the Sonne of man be.

38 [Note: Luke 17.26. gene.7. 1.pet.3.20. ] For as in the dayes before the flood, they did [Note: [u] The word which the Euangelist vseth, expresseth the matter more fully then ours doth: for it is a word which is proper to bruite beastes: and his meaning is, that in those dayes men shall be giuen to their bellies like vnto bruite beasts: for otherwise it is no fault to eate and drinke. ] eate and drinke, marrie, and giue in mariage, vnto the day that Noe entred into the Arke,

39 And knewe nothing, till the flood came, and tooke them all away, so shall also the comming of the Sonne of man be.

40 [Note: [10] Against them that perswade, themselues that God will be mercifull to all men, and doe by that meanes giue ouer themselues to sinne, that they may in the meane while liue in pleasure voyde of all care. ] [Note: Luke 17.36. ] Then two shall be in the fieldes, the one shalbe receiued, and the other shalbe refused.

41 [Note: [x] The Greeke women and the Barbarians did grind & bake. Plut. booke Proble. ] Two women shalbe grinding at ye mill: the one shalbe receiued, and the other shalbe refused.

42 [Note: [11] An example of ye horrible carelessenes of men in those things wherof they ought to be most careful. ] [Note: Mark.13.35. ] Watch therefore: for ye knowe not what houre your master will come.

43 [Note: Luke 12.39. 1.thess.5.2. reue.16.15. ] Of this be sure, that if the good man of the house knewe at what watch the thiefe would come, he woulde surely watch, and not suffer his house to be digged through.

44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in the houre that ye thinke not, will the Sonne of man come.

45 [Note: Luk.12.42. ] Who then is a faithfull seruaunt and wise, whom his master hath made ruler ouer his household, to giue them meate in season?

46 Blessed is that seruant, whom his master when he commeth, shall finde so doing.

47 Verely I say vnto you, he shall make him ruler ouer all his goods.

48 But if that euil seruant shal say in his heart, My master doth deferre his comming,

49 And begin to smite his fellowes, & to eate, and to drinke with the drunken,

50 That seruaunts master will come in a day, when he looketh not for him, and in an houre that he is not ware of,

51 And will [Note: [y] To wit, from the rest, or will cut him into two partes, which was a most cruell kinde of punishment: wherewith as Iustine martyr witnesseth, Esay the Prophet was executed by the Iewes: the like kind of punishment we reade of, 1.Sam.15.33. and Dan.3.29. ] cut him off, & giue him his portion with hypocrites: [Note: Chap.13.42. and 25.30. ] there shalbe weeping, and gnashing of teeth.



CHAP. XXV.


1 The virgins looking for the Bridegrom 13 We must watch. 14 The talents deliuered vnto the seruants. 24 The euil seruat. 30 After what sort the last iudgement shalbe. 41 The cursed.

1 Then [Note: [1] We must desire strength at Gods hand, which may serue vs as a torche while we walke through this darkenesse, to bring vs to our desired end: otherwise if we become slouthfull and negligent as wearie of our paines and trauell, we shall be shut out of the doores. ] ye kingdome of heauen shalbe likened vnto tenne virgins, which tooke their lampes, and [Note: [a] The pompe of brideales was wont for the most part to be kept in the night seasons, and that by damsels. ] went foorth to meete the bridegrome.

2 And fiue of them were wise, & fiue foolish.
[Page]

[The virgins, and Talents.]




3 The foolish tooke their lampes, but tooke none oyle with them.

4 But the wise tooke oyle in their vessels with their lampes.

5 Nowe while the bridegrome taried long, all [Note: [b] Their eyes being heauy with sleepe. ] slumbred and slept.

6 And at midnight there was a crie made, Behold, the bridegrome commeth: goe out to meete him.

7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lampes.

8 And the foolish said to the wise, Giue vs of your oyle, for our lampes are out.

9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so, lest there will not be ynough for vs and you: but goe ye rather to them that sell, and bye for your selues.

10 And while they went to bye, the bridegrome came: and they that were readie, went in with him to the wedding, and the gate was shut.

11 Afterwards came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to vs.

12 But he answered, and said, Verely I say vnto you, I knowe you not.

13 [Note: Chap.24.42. Mar.13.35. ] Watch therfore: for ye know neither the day, nor the houre, when the sonne of man will come.

14 [Note: Luke 19.12,13. ] [Note: [2] Christ witnesseth that there shal be a long time, betweene his departure to his father, and his comming againe to vs, but yet notwithstanding that, he will at that day take an account not onely of the rebellious and obstinate, how they haue bestowed that which they receiued of him, but also of his houshold seruants, which haue not through slouthfulnes employed those gifts which he bestowed vpon them. ] For the kingdome of heauen is as a man that going into a strange countrey, called his seruants, and deliuered to them his goods.

15 And vnto one he gaue fiue talents, & to an other two, and to another one, to euery man after his own [Note: [c] According to the wisedome and skill in dealing, which was giuen them. ] habilitie, & straightway went fro home.

16 Then he that had receiued the fiue talents, went and occupied with them, and gained other fiue talents.

17 Likewise also, he that receiued two, he also gained other two.

18 But he that receiued that one, went & digged it in the earth, and hid his masters money.

19 But after a long season, the master of those seruants came, and reckoned with them.

20 Then came he that had receiued fiue talents, and brought other fiue talents, saying, Master, thou deliueredst vnto me fiue talents: behold, I haue gained with them other fiue talents.

21 Then his master saide vnto him, It is well done good seruant and faithfull, Thou hast bene faithfull in litle, I will make thee ruler ouer much: [Note: [d] Come & receiue the fruite of my goodnes: nowe the Lords ioy is doubled, Iohn 15.11. that my ioy may remaine in you, and your ioy be fulfilled. ] enter into thy masters ioy.

22 Also he yt had receiued two talents, came, and said, Master, thou deliueredst vnto me two talents: behold, I haue gained two other talets more.

23 His master saide vnto him, It is well done good seruant, and faithfull, Thou hast bene faithfull in litle, I will make thee ruler ouer much: enter into thy masters ioy.

24 Then he which had receiued the one talent, came, & said, Master, I knewe that thou wast an hard man, which reapest where thou sowedst not, and gatherest where thou strawedst not:

25 I was therefore afraide, and went, & hid thy talent in the earth: behold, thou hast thine owne.

26 And his master answered, & said vnto him, Thou euill seruant, and slouthfull, thou knewest that I reape where I sowed not, and gather where I strawed not.

27 Thou oughtest therefore to haue put my money to ye [Note: [e] Tablemates which haue their shoppe bulkes or tables set abrode, where they let out money to vsurie. ] exchangers, & then at my comming should I haue receiued mine owne with vantage.

28 Take therefore the talent from him, and

[The last Iudgement.]



giue it vnto him which hath tenne talents.

29 [Note: Chap.13.12. marke 4.25. luke 8.18. and 19.26. ] For vnto euery man that hath, it shall be giuen, and he shall haue abundance, and from him that hath not, euen that he hath, shalbe taken away.

30 Cast therefore that vnprofitable seruant into vtter [Note: Chap.8.12. and 22.13. ] darkenes: there shalbe weeping and gnasshing of teeth.

31 ¶ [Note: [3] A liuely setting foorth of the euerlasting iudgement which is to come. ] And when the Sonne of man commeth in his glory, and all the holy Angels with him, then shall he sit vpon the throne of his glorie,

32 And before him shalbe gathered all nations, & he shal seperate them one from another, as a shepheard separateth the sheepe from ye goates.

33 And he shall set the sheepe on his right hand, and the goates on the left.

34 Then shall ye king say to them on his right hand, Come ye [Note: [f] Blessed and happie, vpon whom my Father hath most aboundantly bestowed his benefites. ] blessed of my father: take the inheritance of the kingdome prepared for you from the foundation of the world.

35 [Note: Esa.58.7. ezech.18.7. ] For I was an hungred, and ye gaue me meate: I thirsted, and ye gaue me drinke: I was a stranger, and ye tooke me in vnto you.

36 I was naked, & ye clothed me: I was [Note: Ecclus.7.35. ] sicke, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came vnto me.

37 Then shall the righteous answere him, saying, Lord, when sawe we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or a thirst, and gaue thee drinke?

38 And when sawe we thee a stranger, and tooke thee in vnto vs? or naked, & clothed thee?

39 Or when sawe we thee sicke, or in prison, and came vnto thee?

40 And the King shall answere, and say vnto them, Verely I say vnto you, in as much as ye haue done it vnto one of the least of these my brethre, ye haue done it to me.

41 Then shal he say vnto them on ye left hand, [Note: Psal.6.8. chap.7.23. luke 13.27. ] Depart from me ye cursed, into euerlasting fire, which is prepared for the deuill and his angels.

42 For I was an hungred, and ye gaue me no meate: I thirsted, and ye gaue me no drinke:

43 I was a stranger, & ye tooke me not in vnto you: I was naked, & ye clothed me not: sicke, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

44 Then shall they also answere him, saying, Lord, when sawe we thee an hungred, or a thirst, or a stranger, or naked, or sicke, or in prison, and did not minister vnto thee?

45 Then shall he answere them, and say, Verely I say vnto you, in as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me.

46 [Note: Daniel 12.2. iohn 5.29. ] And these shall goe into euerlasting paine, and the righteous into life eternall.


CHAP. XXVI.


3 The consultation of the Priestes against Christ. 6 His feete are anoynted. 15 Iudas selleth him. 26 The institution of the supper, 34 and 69 Peters deniall. 38 Christ is heauie. 47 He is betrayed with a kisse. 56 He is lead to Caiaphas. 64 He confesseth himsefe to be Christ. 67 They spet at him.

1 And [Note: Marke 14.1. luke 22.1. ] [Note: [1] Christ witnesseth by his voluntarie going to death, that he will make full satisfaction for the sinne of Adam, by his obedience. ] it came to passe, when Iesus had finished all these sayings, he saide vnto his disciples,

2 [Note: [2] God himselfe and not men, appointed tee time that Christ should be crucified in. ] Ye know that after two dayes is ye Passeouer, and the Sonne of man shalbe deliuered to be crucified.

3 [Note: Iohn 11.47. ] Then assembled together the chiefe Priests, and the Scribes, and the Elders of ye people into the hall of the high Priest called Caiaphas:


[Page 14]

[Ointment powred on Christ.]




4 And consulted together that they might take Iesus by subtiltie, and kill him.

5 But they sayd, Not on the [Note: [a] By this woorde Feast, is meant the whole feast of vnleauened bread: the first and eight day whereof were so holy, that they might do no maner of woorke therein, though the whole companie of the Sanhedrin determined otherwise: And yet it came to passe through Gods prouidence, that Christ suffred at that time, to the end that all the people of Israel might be witnesses of his euerlasting sacrifice. ] feast day, least any vprore be among the people.

6 ¶ [Note: Marke 14.3. iohn 11.2. ] [Note: [3] By this sudden woorke of a sinnefull woman, Christ giueth the ghestes to vnderstande of his death, and buriall which was nigh: the sauour whereof shall bring life to all sinners which flee vnto him. But Iudas taketh an occasion hereby to accomplish his wicked purpose and counsell. ] And when Iesus was in Bethania, in the house of Simon the leper,

7 [Note: [b] For these things were done before Christ came to Hierusalem: and yet some thinke that the Euangelistes recite two histories. ] There came vnto him a woman, which had a [Note: [c] These boxes were of alabaster, which in olde time men made hollowe to put in oyntments: for some write, that alabaster keepeth oyntment without corruption, Plinie, booke 13. Chap.1. ] boxe of very costly oyntment, and powred it on his head, as he sate at the table.

8 And when his [Note: [d] This is a figure called Synecdoche: for it is saide but of Iudas that hee was mooued thereat, Iohn 12.4. ] disciples sawe it, they had indignation, saying, What needed this [Note: [e] Vnprofitable spending. ] waste?

9 For this oyntment might haue bene solde for much, and bene giuen to the poore.

10 [Note: [4] We ought not rashly to condemne that, which is not orderly done. ] And Iesus knowing it, sayde vnto them, Why trouble yee the woman? for shee hath wrought a good woorke vpon me.

11 [Note: Deut.15.11. ] [Note: [5] Christ who was once anoynted in his owne person, must alwaies be anoynted in the poore. ] For yee haue the poore alwayes with you, but me shall yee not haue alwaies.

12 For [Note: [f] In that shee powred this oyntment vpon my bodie, shee did it to burie me. ] in that shee powred this oyntment on my bodie, shee did it to burie me.

13 Verely I say vnto you, wheresoeuer this Gospel shall bee preached throughout all the worlde, there shall also this that shee hath done, be spoken of for a memoriall of her.

14 ¶ [Note: Marke.14.10. ] Then one of the twelue, called Iudas Iscariot, went vnto the chiefe Priestes,

15 And said, What will ye giue me, and I will deliuer him vnto you? and they appoynted vnto him thirtie pieces of siluer.

16 And from that time, he sought opportunitie to betraie him.

17 ¶ [Note: Marke 14.12. luke 22.7. ] [Note: [6] Christ verely purposing to bring vs into our countrey out of hande, and so to abrogate the figure of the Lawe, fulfilleth the Lawe, neglecting the contrary tradition and custome of the Iewes: and therewithall sheweth that all things shall so come to passe by the ministerie of men, that the secrete counsell of God shall gouerne them. ] Nowe [Note: [g] This was the fourtenth day of the first moneth: and the first day of vnleauened breade shoulde haue ben the fiftenth, but because this daies euening (which after the maner of the Romanes was referred to the day before) did belong by the Iewes maner to the day following, therefore it is called the first day of vnleauened bread. ] on the first day of the feast of vnleauened bread the disciples came to Iesus, saying vnto him, Where wilt thou that we prepare for thee to eate the Passeouer?

18 And he said, Goe yee into the citie to such a man, and say to him, The master saieth, My time is at hande: I will keepe the Passeouer at thine house with my disciples.

19 And the disciples did as Iesus had giuen them charge, and made readie the Passeouer.

20 [Note: Lu.22.14. ] So when the Euen was come, hee [Note: [h] Because the Lawe appoynted them to be shod, and haue their slaues in their handes, as though they were in hast, thereby it is to be gathered, that they sate not downe whe they did eat the Passeouer, but stoode, for otherwise when they went to meate they put off their shoes: therefore he speaketh here in this place, not of the Passeouer, but of the Supper, which was celebrated after that the Passeouer was solemnely done. ] sate downe with the twelue.

21 And as they did eate, he sayde, [Note: Mar.14.18. ioh.13.11. ] Verely I say vnto you, that one of you shall betraie me.

22 And they were exceeding sorowfull, and began euery one of them to say vnto him, Is it I, Master?

23 And hee answered and sayde, [Note: Psal.41.9. ] Hee that [Note: [i] That is to say, whom I vouchsafed to come to my table, alluding to the place, Psal.41.10. which is not so to be vnderstoode, as though at the self same instant that the Lord spake these wordes, Iudas had had his hand in the dish (for that had bene an vndoubted token) but it is meant of his tabling and eating with him. ] dippeth his hande with me in the dish, hee shall betraie me.

24 Surely the Sonne of man goeth his way,

[The Lords Supper.]



as it is written of him: but woe be to that man, by whom the Sonne of man is betrayed: it had bene good for that man, if hee had neuer bene borne.

25 Then Iudas [Note: [k] Whose head was about nothing els but to betray him. ] which betraied him, answered and sayde, Is it I, Master? He sayde vnto him, Thou hast sayd it.

26 ¶ [Note: [7] Christ minding forthwith to fulfil the promises of the old couenant, instituteth a newe couenant with newe signes. ] [Note: 1.Cor.11.24. ] And as they did eate, Iesus tooke the bread, and when he had [Note: [l] Marke saith, Had giuen thankes: and therefore blessing is not a consecrating, with a coniuring kinde of murmuring and force of wordes: and yet the bread and the wine are changed, not in nature but in qualitie, for they become vndoubted tokens of the bodie and blood of Christ, not of their owne nature or force of words, but by Christ his institution, which must be recited and laide forth, that faith may finde what to lay hold on, both in the word & in the elements. ] blessed, he brake it, and gaue it to the disciples, and sayd, Take, eate: [Note: [m] This is a figuratiue speache, which is called Metonymia: that is to say. the putting of one name for another: so calling the bread his body, which is the signe and sacrament of his body: & yet notwithstanding it is so a figuratiue and changed kind of speach, that the faithful doe receiue Christ in deede with all his giftes (though by a spiritual meanes) & become one with him. ] this is my bodie.

27 Also he tooke the cuppe, and when he had giuen thankes, he gaue it them, saying, Drinke ye [Note: [n] Therefore they which tooke away the cuppe from the people, did against Christ his institutio. ] all of it.

28 [Note: [o] To wit, this cup or wine, is my blood sacramentally, as Luke 22.20. ] For this is my blood of the [Note: [p] Or, Couenant, that is to say, whereby the newe league and couenant is made, for in making of leagues, they vsed powring of wine, and sheading of blood. ] Newe Testament, that is shedde for many, for the remission of sinnes.

29 I say vnto you, that I will not drinke henceforth of this fruit of the vine vntil that day, when I shal drinke it new with you in my Fathers kingdome.

30 And when they had sung [Note: [q] When they had made an ende of their solemne singing, which some thinke was sixe Psalmes, beginning at the 112. to the 117. ] a Psalme, they went out into the mount of Oliues.

31 ¶ [Note: [8] Christ being more carefull of his disciples, then of himselfe, forewarneth them of their flight, and putteth them in better comfort. ] [Note: Mar.14.27. iohn 16 32.& 18.8. ] Then saide Iesus vnto them, All yee shall be offended by me this night: for it is written, I [Note: Zach.13.7 ] wil smite the shepheard, and the sheepe of the flocke shalbe scattered.

32 But [Note: Mar.14.28 and 16.7. ] after I am risen againe, I will go before you into Galile.

33 But Peter aunswered, and sayde vnto him, Though that al men should be offended by thee, yet will I neuer be offended.

34 [Note: Iohn 13.38. mar.14.30. ] Iesus sayde vnto him, Verely I say vnto thee, that this night, before the cocke crow, thou shalt denie me thrise.

35 Peter saide vnto him, Though I should die with thee, I will in no case denie thee. Likewise also sayd all the disciples.

36 ¶ [Note: Lu.22.39. ] [Note: [9] Christ hauing regarde to the weakenesse of his disciples, leauing all the rest in safetie, taketh wt him but three to be witnesses of his anguish, and goeth of purpose into ye place apoynted to betray him in. ] Then went Iesus with them into a place which is called Gethsemane, & said vnto his disciples, Sit ye here, while I goe, and pray yonder.

37 And hee tooke vnto him Peter, and the two sonnes of Zebedeus, and began to waxe sorowfull, and [Note: [r] The worde which he vseth, signifieth great sorowe, and marueilous and deadly griefe: which thing, as it betokeneth the trueth of mans nature, which shunned death as a thing that entred in against nature, so it sheweth that though Christ were voide of sinne, yet hee susteined this horrible punishment, because he felt the wrath of God kindled against vs for sinnes, which hee reuenged and punished in his person. ] grieuously troubled.

38 [Note: [10] Christ a true man, going about to suffer the punishment which was due vnto vs, for forsaking of God, is forsaken of his owne: hee hath a terrible conflict with the horrour and feare of the curse of God: out of which he escaping as conquerour, causeth vs not to bee any more afraid of death. ] Then sayde Iesus vnto them, My soule is very heauie, euen vnto the death: tarie yee here, and watch with me.

39 So hee went a litle further, and fell on his face, and praied, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, [Note: [s] Let it passe mee, and not touche me. ] let this [Note: [t] That is, which is at hande, and is offered and prepared for mee: a kinde of speache which the Hebrewes vse, for the wrath of God, and the punishment he sendeth: aboue, Chap.20.22. ] cup passe from me: neuerthelesse, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

40 [Note: [11] An example of the carelessenes of man. ] After, hee came vnto the disciples, and founde them a sleepe, and sayde to Peter, What? coulde yee not watch with me one houre?
[Page]

[Iudas betraieth Christ.]




41 Watch, and praie, that yee enter not into tentation: the spirit in deede is readie, but the flesh is weake.

42 Againe he went away the second time, and praied, saying, O my Father, if this cuppe can not passe away from mee, but that I must drinke it, thy will be done.

43 And he came, and founde them a sleepe againe, for their eyes were heauie.

44 So he left them and went away againe, and praied the third time, saying the same woordes.

45 Then came he to his disciples, and said vnto them, Sleepe henceforth, & take your rest: behold, the houre is at hand, and the Sonne of man is giuen into the hands of sinners.

46 [Note: [12] Christ offereth himselfe willingly to be taken, that in so obeying willingly, hee might make satisfaction for the wilfull fall of am. ] Rise, let vs goe: beholde, hee is at hande that betraieth me.

47 [Note: Marke 14.43. luke 22.47. iohn 18.3. ] And while hee yet spake, loe Iudas, one of the twelue, came, and with him a great multitude with swordes and staues, [Note: [u] Sent from the high Priestes. ] from the high Priests and Elders of the people.

48 Now he that betraied him, had giuen them a token, saying, Whomesoeuer I shall kisse, that is he, laie holde on him.

49 And forthwith he came to Iesus, and sayd, God saue thee, Master, and kissed him.

50 [Note: [13] Christ is taken that we might bee deliuered. ] Then Iesus sayde vnto him, [Note: [x] Christ reprehendeth Iudas tauntingly, and rebuketh him sharpely, for he knewe well ynough for what cause he came. ] Friende, wherefore art thou come? Then came they, and laide hands on Iesus, and tooke him.

51 And behold, one of them which were with Iesus, stretched out his hand, & drewe his sworde, and strooke a seruaunt of the high Priest, and smote off his eare.

52 [Note: [14] Our vocation must be the rule of our zeale. ] Then sayde Iesus vnto him, Put vp thy sworde into his place: [Note: Gen.9.5. reuel.13.10. ] for all that [Note: [y] They take the sword to whom the Lord hath not giue it, that is to say, they which vse the sword, and are not called to it. ] take the sworde, shall perish with the sworde.

53 [Note: [15] Christ was taken, because he was willing to bee taken. ] Either thinkest thou, that I can not now pray to my Father, and he will giue me moe then twelue legions of Angels?

54 [Note: [z] By this questioning, hee answereth a slye obiection, for they might haue asked him, why he did not in this his great extremitie of danger, call to his Father for aide: but to this he answereth by a question. ] Howe then shoulde the [Note: Isai.35,10. ] Scriptures bee fulfilled, which say, that it must be so?

55 The same houre sayde Iesus to the multitude, Ye be come out as it were against a thiefe, with swordes and staues to take mee: I sate daily teaching in the Temple among you, and yee tooke me not.

56 But all this was done, that the Scriptures of the Prophets might be fulfilled. [Note: Verse 31. ] Then all the disciples forsooke him, and fled.

57 ¶ [Note: Marke 14.53. luke 22.54. iohn 18.14. ] [Note: [16] Christ being innocent is condemned of the high Priest for that wickednesse whereof we are guiltie. ] And they tooke Iesus, and led him to [Note: [a] From Annas to Caiaphas, before whome the multitude was assembled, Iohn 18.13. ] Caiaphas the hie Priest, where the Scribes and the Elders were assembled.

58 And Peter followed him a farre off vnto the hie Priestes [Note: [b] The woorde here vsed, signifieth properly an open large roume before an house, as we see in Kings palaces and noble mens houses: we call it a court, for it is open to the aire, and by a figure Synecdoche, is taken for the house it selfe. ] hall, and went in, and sate with the seruants to see the ende.

59 Nowe [Note: Marke 14.55. ] the chiefe Priestes and the Elders, and all the whole councill sought false witnesse against Iesus, to put him to death.

60 But they founde none, and though many false witnesses came, yet founde they none: but at the last came two false witnesses,

61 And saide, This man saide, [Note: Iohn 2.19. ] I can destroie the Temple of God, and build it in three daies.

62 Then the chiefe Priest arose, and sayde to him, Answerest thou nothing? [Note: [c] Howe commeth is to passe that these men witnesse against thee? ] What is the matter that these men witnesse against thee?

63 But Iesus helde his peace. Then the chiefe Priest answered, and saide to him, I charge thee sweare vnto vs by the liuing God, to tell vs, If thou be that Christ the Sonne of God, or no.

[Peters deniall.]




64 [Note: Chap.16.27. rom.14.10. 1.thessal.4.14. ] Iesus saide to him, Thou hast saide it: neuerthelesse I say vnto you, [Note: [d] This word distinguisheth his first comming from the latter. ] hereafter shall ye see the Sonne of man, sitting [Note: [e] Sitting with God in like and equall honour at the right hand of his power, that is, in greatest power: for the right hand signifieth amog the Hebrewes, that that is mightie and of great power. ] at the right hande of the power of God, and come in the [Note: [f] Cloudes of heauen. Looke afore, Chap.24.30. ] cloudes of the heauen.

65 Then the hie Priest [Note: [g] This was an vsuall matter among the Iewes: for so were they bounde to doe, when they heard any Israelite to blaspheme God, and it was a tradition of their Talmude in the booke of the Magistrates, in the title, of the foure kindes of death. ] rent his clothes, saying, Hee hath blasphemed, what haue wee any more neede of witnesses? beholde: nowe yee haue heard his blasphemie.

66 What thinke yee? They answered, and said, He is guiltie of death.

67 [Note: Esai.50.6. ] Then spet they in his face, and buffeted him, and other smote him with roddes,

68 Saying, Prophecie to vs, O Christ, Who is he that smote thee?

69 ¶ [Note: Marke 14.60. luke 22.55. iohn 18.29. ] [Note: [17] Peter by the wonderfull prouidence of God, appointed to be a witnesse of al these things, is prepared to the example of singular constancie, by the experience of his owne incredulitie. ] Peter [Note: [h] That is, without the place where the Bishop sate, but not without the house, for afterward he went from thence into the porche. ] sate without in the hall, and a maide came to him, saying, Thou also wast with Iesus of Galile:

70 But hee denied before them all, saying, I wote not what thou saiest.

71 And when hee went out into the porche, another maide sawe him, and sayde vnto them that were there, This man was also with Iesus of Nazareth.

72 And againe he denied with an oth, saying, I knowe not the man.

73 So after a while, came vnto him they that stoode by, and sayde vnto Peter, Surely thou art also one of them: for euen thy speache bewraieth thee.

74 Then began hee to [Note: [i] He swore, and cursed himselfe. ] curse himselfe, and to sweare, saying, I knowe not the man. And immediately the cocke crewe.

75 Then Peter remembred the wordes of Iesus, which had sayde vnto him, Before the cocke crowe thou shalt denie me thrise. So he went out, and wept bitterly.


CHAP. XXVII.


2 He is deliuered bounde to Pilate. 5 Iudas hangeth himselfe. 19 Pilates wife. 20 Barabbas is asked. 24 Pilate washeth his handes. 29 Christ is crowned with thorne. 34 Hee is crucified, 40 Reuiled. 50 He giueth vp the ghost. 57 He is buried. 62 The souldiers watch him.

1 VVhen [Note: Marke 15.1. luke 22.66. iohn 18.28. ] the morning was come, all the chiefe Priests, and the elders of the people tooke counsell against Iesus, to put him to death,

2 And led him away bounde, and deliuered him vnto Pontius Pilate the gouernour.

3 ¶ [Note: [1] An example of the horrible iudgement of God as wel against them which sell Christ, as against them which buy Christ. ] Then when Iudas which betraied him, sawe that hee was condemned, hee repented himselfe, and brought againe the thirtie pieces of siluer to the chiefe Priestes, and Elders,

4 Saying, I haue sinned, betraying the innocent bloud. But they sayde, What is that to vs? see thou to it.

5 And when hee had cast downe the siluer pieces in the Temple, hee [Note: [a] Out of mens sightes. ] departed, and went, [Note: Actes 1.18. ] and hanged himselfe.

6 And the chiefe Priestes tooke the siluer pieces, and sayde, It is not lawfull for vs to put them into the [Note: [b] The treasure of the temple. ] treasure, because it is the price [Note: [c] Of life & death. ] of bloud.

7 And they tooke counsell, and bought with them a potters fielde, for the buriall of [Note: [d] Strangers and ghestes, whome the Iewes coulde not abide to be ioyned vnto, no not after they were dead. ] strangers.

8 Wherefore that field is called, [Note: Actes 1.19. ] The field of bloud, vntill this day.

9 (Then was fulfilled that which was spoken

[Page 15]

[Christ condemned, and crucified.]



by [Note: [e] Seeing this prophecie is read in Zach.11.12.it cannot be denied but Ieremies name crept into the text, either through the printers fault, or by some others ignorance: it may be also that it came out of the margine, by reason of the abbreviation of the letters, the one being iou, the other zou, which are not much vnlike: But in the Syrian text the Prophets name is not set downe at all. ] Ieremias the Prophet, saying, [Note: Zacha.11.12. ] [Note: [f] The Euangelist doeth not follow the Prophets wordes, but his meaning, which he sheweth to be fulfilled. ] And they tooke thirtie siluer pieces, ye price of him that was valued, whom they of ye children of Israel valued.
10 And they gaue them for the potters fielde, as the Lord appointed me.)

11 ¶ [Note: [2] Christ holdeth his peace when he is accused, that we may not be accused: acknowledging our guiltines, and therewithall his owne innocencie. ] [Note: Mark.15.2. luke 23.3. iohn 18.33. ] And Iesus stood before ye gouernour, and the gouernour asked him, saying, Art thou that King of the Iewes? Iesus said vnto him, Thou sayest it.

12 And when he was accused of the chiefe Priestes, and Elders, he answered nothing.

13 Then saide Pilate vnto him, Hearest thou not howe many things they lay against thee?

14 But he answered him not to one worde, in so much that the gouernour marueiled greatly.

15 [Note: [3] Christ is first quitted of the same iudge, before he be condemned, that we might see how the iust died for the vniust. ] Nowe at the feast, the gouernour was wont to deliuer vnto the people a prisoner whom they would.

16 And they had then a notable prisoner, called Barabbas.

17 When they were then gathered together, Pilate said vnto the, Whether will ye yt I let loose vnto you Barabbas, or Iesus which is called Christ?

18 (For he knewe well, that for enuie they had deliuered him.

19 Also when he was set downe vpon the iudgement seate, his wife sent to him, saying, Haue thou nothing to do with that iust man: for I haue suffered many things this day in a dreame by reason of him.)

20 [Note: Marke 15.11. luke 23 18. iohn 18.40. actes 3.14. ] But the chiefe Priestes and the Elders had persuaded the people that they shoulde aske Barabbas, and should destroy Iesus.

21 Then the gouernour answered, and said vnto them, Whether of the twaine will ye that I let loose vnto you? And they said, Barabbas.

22 Pilate said vnto them, What shal I do then with Iesus, which is called Christ? They all said to him, Let him be crucified.

23 Then saide the gouernour, But what euill hath he done? Then they cryed the more, saying, Let him be crucified.

24 [Note: [4] Christ being quit by the testimonie of the Iudge himselfe, is notwithstanding condemned by the same to quit vs before God. ] When Pilate saw that he auailed nothing, but that more tumult was made, he tooke water and [Note: [g] It was a maner in olde time, when any man was murthered and in other slaughters, to wash their hands in water to declare them selues guiltlesse. ] washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the [Note: [h] Of the murder, an Hebrewe kinde of speache. ] blood of this iust man: looke you to it.

25 Then answered all the people, and saide, [Note: [i] If there be any offence committed in slaying him, let vs and our posteritie smart for it. ] His bloud be on vs, and on our children.

26 Thus let he Barabbas loose vnto them, and scourged Iesus, and deliuered him to be crucified.

27 ¶ [Note: Marke 15.16. iohn 19.2. ] Then the souldiers of the gouernour tooke Iesus into the common hall, and gathered about him the whole band,

28 [Note: [5] Christ suffereth that reproche which was due to our sinnes, notwithstanding in the meane time by the secret prouidence of God, he is intituled King by them which did him that reproch. ] And they stripped him, and [Note: [k] They cast a cloke about him, and wrapped it about him, for it lacked sleeues. ] put about him a [Note: [l] Iohn and marke make mention of a purple robe, which is also a very pleasant redde. But these prophans and malepert sawsie souldiers clad Iesus in this aray to mocke him withall, who was in deede a true King. ] skarlet robe,

29 And platted a crowne of thornes, and put it vpon his head, and a reede in his right hand, and bowed their knees before him, and mocked him, saying, God saue thee King of the Iewes,

30 And spitted vpon him, and tooke a reede, and smote him on the head.

31 Thus when they had mocked him, they tooke the robe from him, and put his owne rayment on him, and led him away to crucifie him.

32 [Note: Mar.15.21. luk.23.26. ] And as they came out, they found a man

[Christ condemned, and crucified.]



of Cyrene, named Simon: him they [Note: [m] They compelled Simon to beare his burdensome crosse, whereby it appeareth that Iesus was so sore handled before, that he fainted by the way, & was not able to beare his crosse through: for Iohn writeth that he did beare the crosse, to wit, the beginning. ] compelled to beare his crosse.

33 [Note: Marke 15.22. iohn 19.17. ] [Note: [6] He is led out of the citie, that we may be brought into the heauenly kingdome. ] And when they came vnto the place called Golgotha, (that is to say, the place of dead mens skulles)

34 [Note: [7] Christ found no cofort any where, that in him wee might be filled with all comfort. ] They gaue him vineger to drinke, mingled with gall: and when he had tasted thereof, he would not drinke.

35 ¶ [Note: [8] He is made a curse, that in him we may be blessed: he is spoyled of his garments, that we might be enriched by his nakednes. ] And when they had crucified him, they parted his garments, and did cast lottes, yt it might be fulfilled, which was spoken by the Prophet, [Note: Psal.22.18. marke 15.24. ] They deuided my garments among them, and vpon my vesture did cast lottes.

36 And they sate, and watched him there.

37 ¶ [Note: [9] He is pronounced the true Messias, euen of them of who he is reiected. ] They set vp also ouer his head his cause written, THIS IS IESVS THE KING OF THE IEVVES.

38 ¶ [Note: [10] Christ began then to iudge the worlde, when after his iudgement he hung betwixt two theeues. ] And there were two theeues crucified wt him, one on the right hand, & another on the left.

39 [Note: [11] To make ful satisfaction for vs, Christ suffereth and ouercommeth, not onely the torments of the body, but also the most horrible torments of ye mind. ] And they yt passed by, reuiled him, wagging their heades,

40 And saying, [Note: Iohn 2.19. ] Thou that destroyest ye Temple, & buildest it in three dayes, saue thy selfe: if thou be ye Sonne of God, come downe fro ye crosse.

41 Likewise also the hie Priests mocking him, with the Scribes, and Elders, and Pharises, said,

42 He saued others, but he cannot saue him selfe: if he be ye King of Israel, let him now come downe from ye crosse, and we will beleeue in him.

43 [Note: Psal.22.9. ] He trusted in God, let him deliuer him nowe, if he will haue him: for he saide, I am the Sonne of God.

44 The selfe same thing also ye [Note: [n] This is spoken by the figure Synecdoche, for there was but one of them that did reuile him. ] theeues which were crucified with him, cast in his teeth.

45 [Note: [12] Heauen it selfe is darkened for very horror, & Iesus crieth out from the depth of hel, & in the meane while he is mocked. ] Now from ye sixt houre was there darkenesse ouer all the land, vnto the ninth houre.

46 And about ye ninth houre Iesus cryed with a loud voyce, saying, [Note: Psal.22.1. ] Eli, Eli, lamasabachthani? yt is, My God, my God, why hast thou [Note: [o] To wit, in this miserie: And this crying out is proper to his humanitie, which notwithstanding was voyde of sinne, but yet it felt the wrath of God, which is due to our sinnes. ] forsaken me?

47 And some of them that stoode there, when they heard it, said, This man calleth [Note: [p] They allude to Elias name, not for want of vnderstanding the tongue, but of a prophane impudencie and sausines, and he repeated those wordes, to the ende that this better harping vpon the name, might be vnderstoode. ] Elias.

48 And straightway one of them ran, & tooke [Note: Psal.69.22. ] a spondge, and filled it with vineger, and put it on a reede, and gaue him to drinke.

49 Other said, Let be: let vs see, if Elias wil come and saue him.

50 [Note: [13] Christ after he had ouercome other enemies, at length prouoketh & setteth vpo death it selfe. ] Then Iesus cryed againe with a loude voyce, and yeelded vp the ghost.

51 [Note: [14] Christ when he is dead, sheweth himself to be God almighty eue his enemies confessing ye same. ] And behold, [Note: 2.Chr.3.14. ] the [Note: [q] Which deuided the holiest of al. ] vayle of the Temple was rent in twaine, from the top to the bottome, and the earth did quake, & the stones were cloue.

52 And the [Note: [r] That is to say, the stones claue in suder, & the graues did open themselues to shew by this token, that death was ouercome: & the resurrectio of the dead followed the resurrectio of Christ, as appeareth by the next verse following. ] graues did open themselues, and many bodies of the Saintes, which slept, arose,

53 And came out of the graues after his resurrection, and went into the holy citie, and appeared vnto many.

54 When the Centurion, and they that were with him watching Iesus, saw the earthquake, and the thinges that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truely this was the Sonne of God.

55 ¶ And many women were there, beholding him a farre off, which had folowed Iesus from Galile, ministring vnto him.

56 Among whom was Marie Magdalene, and [Page]

[Christ is buried.]



Marie the mother of Iames, & Ioses, and the mother of Zebedeus sonnes.

57 ¶ [Note: [15] Christ is huried, not priuilie or by stealth, but by the Gouernours consent by a famous man, in a place not farre distant, in a newe sepulchre, so that it cannot be doubted of his death. ] [Note: Marke 15.42. luke 23.50. iohn 19.38. ] And when the euen was come, there came a riche man of Arimathea, named Ioseph, who had also himselfe bene Iesus disciple.

58 He went to Pilate, & asked ye body of Iesus. Then Pilate commanded ye body to be deliuered.

59 So Ioseph tooke the body, and wrapped it in a cleane linnen cloth,

60 And put it in his new tombe, which he had hewen out in a rocke, and rolled a great stone to the doore of the sepulchre, and departed.

61 And there was Marie Magdalene, and the other Marie sitting ouer against the sepulchre.

62 ¶ [Note: [16] The keeping of the sepulchre is committed to Christes owne murderers, that there might be no doubt of his resurrection. ] Nowe the next day that followed the Preparation of the Sabbath, the hie Priestes and Pharises assembled to Pilate,

63 And said, Syr, we remember that that deceiuer saide, while he was yet aliue, Within three dayes I will rise.

64 Command therefore, that the sepulchre be made sure vntill the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steale him away, and say vnto the people, He is risen from the dead: so shall the last errour be worse then the first.

65 Then Pilate saide vnto them, Ye haue a [Note: [s] The souldiers of the garison which were appointed to keepe the Temple. ] watch: goe, and make it sure as ye knowe.

66 And they went, and made the sepulchre sure with the watch, and sealed the stone.



CHAP. XXVIII.


1 The women goe to the sepulchre. 2 The Angel. 9 The women see Christ. 18 He sendeth his Apostles to preach.

1 Now [Note: Marke 16.5. iohn 20.11. ] in [Note: [1] Christ hauing put death to flight in the sepulchre, riseth by his owne power, as straightway the Angel witnesseth. ] the [Note: [a] At the going out of the Sabbath, that is, about day breake after the Romanes count, which recken the naturall day, fro the sunne rising to the next sunne rising: and not as the Hebrewes, which count from euening to euening. ] end of the Sabbath, when the first day of ye weeke [Note: [b] When the morning of the first day after the Sabbath began to dawne: and that first day is the same, which we nowe call Sunday, or the Lordes day. ] began to dawne, Marie Magdalene, and the other Marie came to see the sepulchre,

2 And behold, there was a great earthquake: for the Angel of the Lorde descended from heauen, and came and rolled backe the stone from the doore, and sate vpon it.

3 And his [Note: [c] The beames of his eyes, and by the figure Synecdoche, for the countenance. ] countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snowe.

4 And for feare of him, the keepers were astonied, and became as dead men.

[Christes resurrection.]




5 But the Angel answered, & said to the women, Feare [Note: [d] The worde (Ye) is spoken with force to confirme the women, nowe that the souldiers were afraide. ] ye not: for I know that ye seeke Iesus which was crucified:

6 He is not here, for he is risen; as he saide: come, see the place where the Lord was laid,

7 And go quickly, & tel his disciples yt he is risen fro ye dead: & behold, he goeth before you into Galile: there ye shall see him: loe, I haue told you.

8 So they departed quickly from the sepulchre, with feare and great ioye, and did runne to bring his disciples worde.

9 [Note: [2] Christ appeareth himselfe after his resurrection, and sending the women to his disciples, sheweth that he hath not forgotten them. ] And as they wet to tel his disciples, behold, Iesus also met the, saying, God saue you. And they came, and tooke him by the feete, and worshipped him.

10 Then said Iesus vnto them, Be not afraide. Goe, and tell my brethren, that they goe into Galile, and there shall they see me.

11 ¶ [Note: [3] The more the sunne shineth, the more are the wicked blinded. ] Nowe when they were gone, beholde, some of the watch came into the citie, & shewed vnto the hie Priestes all ye things that were done.

12 And they gathered them together with the Elders, and tooke counsell, and gaue large money vnto the souldiers,

13 Saying, Say, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept.

14 And if this matter [Note: [e] For it was to be feared, that it would be brought to the Gouernours eares. ] come before the gouernour to be heard, we will perswade him, and so vse the matter that you shall not neede to care.

15 So they tooke the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is noysed among the Iewes vnto this day.

16 ¶ [Note: [4] Christ appeareth also to his disciples, when he maketh Apostles. ] Then ye eleuen disciples wet into Galile, into a mountaine, where Iesus had appointed the.

17 And when they sawe him, they worshipped him: but some douted.

18 And Iesus came, and spake vnto them, saying, [Note: Hebr.1.2. chap.11.27. iohn 17.2. ] All power is giuen vnto me, in heauen, and in earth.

19 [Note: Mark.16.15. ] [Note: [5] The summe of the Apostleship, is the publishing of the doctrine receiued of Christ throughout all the world, and the ministring of the Sacraments: the efficacie of which things, hangeth not of the ministers, but of the Lorde. ] Go therefore, & teach all nations, baptizing them [Note: [f] Calling vpon the name of the Father, the Sonne, and the holy Ghost. ] in the Name of the Father, and the Sonne, and the holy Ghost,

20 Teaching them to obserue all things, whatsoeuer I haue commanded you: and lo, [Note: Iohn 14.16. ] I am with you [Note: [g] For euer: and this place is meant of the maner of the presence of his spirite, by meanes whereof he maketh vs partakers both of himselfe and of all his benefites, but is absent from vs in body. ] alway, vntill the ende of the worlde, Amen.