Reader
The Sum of the Four Evangelists · Henrich Bullinger

The Sum of the Four Evangelists, Matthew

❧The Summe of the Goſpell by Saint Matthew.

MATTHEW ſetteth forth in the firſt chapter the kinred and parentage of Chriſt the Lord,The firſt chapter. From the firſt verſe vntounto the 18. ſhewing of whō he was deſcēded true man after the fleſh & according to the oracles of the Prophetes.bFrom the 18. verſe vntounto the end of the chapter. VntoUnto the declaration of his ſtocke he ioyneth his concepcion and natiuitie, prouing that Chriſt the Lord was purely conceiued of the holy Ghoſt, and not of the ſeede of Ioſeph, and borne of the pure Virgine Marie. *The ſecond chapter.cThe ſūme of the whole chapter.Then hee ſheweth that this Chriſt was borne for the Iewes and the Gentiles: and that the Iewes care not much for Chriſt, but the Gentiles diligently ſeeke him, finde him, and worſhippe him.dFrom the 1. verſe to the 3. For God, to declare by ſome famous appearaunce and notable ſhewe this myſtery of ſaluation giuen to the worlde, immediately after the incarnation of the Lorde ſtirreth vp Eaſterne men, euen the*The great learned and wiſe men amōg the Perſians were called Magi. Magies, that is to ſaye chiefe and wiſe men, who iourneying from the Eaſt by the prouocation of a ſtarre, come to Hieruſalem to ſeeks the king and redeemer of the worlde, where when as by their plaine reporte it was made knowen, that the Meſſias the king of Iſrael was borne,eIn the 3. ver. king Herode beeyng afraidefIn the 4. ver. calleth together all the wiſe men of the Iewes, and commaundeth them to ſearche diligentlye the oracles of the Prophetes touching the birth and countrie of the Meſſias. gFrom the giver. vntounto ye 8.They aunſwere foorthwith that the captayne of Iſrael ſhoulde be borne in Bethlehem a citie of Iurie.hFrom the 8. ver. vntounto the 11 Therefore the wiſe men take their iourney to Bethlehem,iIn the 11. ve. where they finde the Lorde his*Maſshiah in Hebrue, is as much to ſay as Annoynted in Engliſh. Meſſias very poore and of ſmall reputation, yet, doe they reuerētly worſhip him, & honour him with myſticall preſentes, and witneſſe by this their deede, firſt that this child, although he ſeeme to be of contemptible conditiō, is the Lorde of all men, and the king and deliuerer both of the Iewes & Gentiles: ſecondly that the ſame ought to bee woorſhipped and honoured of all men.kFrom the 16. ver. vntounto the 19 The meane ſeaſon that olde ſerpent the Deuill practiſeth his ancient artes. For hee ſtirreth vp Herode the king of the Iewes, to deſtroye Chriſt the true king of Iſrael in the beginning of his grouth. Therefore the cruell and ambitious tyrant through crueltie not hearde of before filleth the coaſtes of Bethlehem with the moſt innocent blood of infantes, if by chaunce in this ſlaughter of infantes, beeyng two yeeres olde or vnderunder, hee might deſtroye the king of Iſrael alſo:lFrom the 12. ver. vntounto the 16 but this abhominable and wicked hope deceiued that moſte vile and filthye wretche. For the Lord is conueyed by the counſell of the Angell of the Lorde into Egypt,mFrom the 19 ver. vntounto the end of the chapter. where hee laye hidde vntill the vengeance of GOD had deſtroyed that wicked murtherer.nThe myſticall ſenſe of the 2. Chapter. whiche thinges were forewarning tokens of the kingdome of Chriſt, and of the affaires to come of the Church, wherin Chriſt ye only ſaluation, the appoynted king ouer all the worlde, is alway aſſaulted of the wicked, and yet doeth hee the meane while woorke the ſaluation of the faythfull, and by ſuffering continually obteineth the victorie: and yet ſo, that the Godlye notwithſtanding are exerciſed with continuall temptations and afflictions to their owne profite and glorye.oA briefe argumēt of the third and fourth chapter. The third and fourth Chapter ſette forth vntounto thee, reader, a clearer and plainer manifeſtation of our Lorde Ieſus Chriſte the Sauiour of the worlde. For the Father doth not now ſhew his Sonne to a fewe and to certayne choſen for the purpoſe, or by one or two reuelations, as hetherto wee ſawe hee did: but made him knowen to all the worlde, and that by innumerable and moſte euident demonſtrations and proofes, and propoſed him to bee beholden moſt manifeſtlye with all his treaſures.The 3. chap. pFrom the firſt verſe vntounto the thirtienth.For firſt hee calleth foorth Iohn the ſonne of Zacharie the prieſt, the verye Helias promiſed in the Prophetes, a man of moſt holye life, and of verye greate authoritie emong the people of the Iewes, and maketh him his meſſenger to preache the comming of his ſonne into the fleſhe, and too prepare the mindes of all men, that they might bee the more readye to receiue Chriſt, when hee came. Therefore this Helias (Iohn the Baptiſt) commeth forth, and exhorteth all men to repentaunce, and to prepare themſelues for the Lord againſt his comming.*In the 2. chap. For he addeth expreſſely, that the kingdome of heauen is at hande,iWhat is meāt by the kingdome of heauen. that is to ſaye, that that time approched, yea was preſent, wherein GOD by his Prophetes had promiſed, that hee woulde powre foorth by his Sonne all the treaſures of his grace and giftes vppon men, and that hee woulde raigne in them.*In the 6. ver. VntoUnto this doctrine hee addeth the famous and holy Sacrament of Baptiſme, whereby hee might repreſent euen viſibly the myſteries of GOD, to the woorſhippers of GOD, and geather together into one bodye the faithfull people, and graffe them into Chriſt.qIn the verſe. And then the heauenly father calleth forth alſo his own ſonne forth of Galilee, where he lay hidde hitherto, into Iurie, that, becauſe the mindes of the common people ſeemed now ſufficiently prepared by the baptiſt to receiue Chriſt, he himſelf might come foorth in open view now, declaring & ſhewing himſelf to the world no longer by the teſtimonie of others, but by his own doctrine, and by his owne vertues. Therefore the Lorde commeth into Iurie vntounto Iordane, where Iohn taught and baptiſed into Chriſte, and hee alſo is baptiſed of Iohn.

rIn the 14. & 15. verſe.Moreouer the Baptiſt acknowledgeth forthwith the Sauiour of the world, and therefore witneſſeth in moſt manifeſt woordes, that this verie ſelfe ſame is the Sonne of GOD, the lambe of GOD, whiche ſhoulde take awaye the ſinnes of the worlde, of whom hitherto hee ſpake, for whom hee commaunded all men to wayte, and now repeating the very ſelfe ſame thing feruently, he ſendeth all men to Chriſt onelyonly.ſIn the 16. ve. Furthermore ye heauēly father addeth hereunto from heauen his honourable and ſtrange witneſſe. For after that the heauens were opened, and the holy Ghoſt was lighted vppon the head of Chriſte in the viſible likeneſſe of an heauenly doue, hee ſaieth, as it were poynting foorth his finger toward Chriſt,tIn the 17. ve. and alſo adding thereunto a moſt cleere voyce, This is my dearelie beloued Sōne, yea and ſo thorowly beloued, that for his ſake onelyonly, I am nowe thorowly pleaſed and reconciled to the worlde, wherewith for their ſinnes I was moſte greeuouſly offended.*The 4. chap. vFrom the 1. ver. vntounto ye 12.And hee, after ſo excellent a teſtimonie did not foorthwith preache him ſelfe, and ſette foorth himſelfe to bee beholden and inioyed of all men, but entering into the barries, or wreaſtling place of moſt ſtrong temptations, wherein Adam fighting vnhappely was ſubdued, hee nowe the ſecond Adam, contending more happelye, both conquereth Satan the cōquerour, and taught vsus alſo to conquere him being conquered:xFrom the 12 ver. vntounto ye 18. and nowe beyng conquerour, commeth foorth at the laſt with greate authoritye, as the Lorde of the Deuill, and of all thinges, and promiſeth his woorſhippers life, and euerye good thing, yea and the kingdome of heauen alſo, preaching the grace of GOD, and the forgiueneſſe of ſinnes, and exhorting all men to the amendement of lyfe.

yFrom the 18. verſe vntounto the 23.Furthermore that wee might vnderſtande, that this promiſing of life, and preaching of grace doeth not onelye pertayne to the men of that age, but alſo vntounto all men, whiche ſhoulde come after, euen to the ende of the world, hee chooſeth to him ſelfe Diſciples, whom hee might appoynt witneſſes in the worlde of all thinges, which he ſpake and did, and whom hee might thorowely teache the myſterye of lyfe, that they beeyng perfectlye inſtructed, might commende bothe by liuely voyce and by writinges liuing for euer, the treaſures of the grace of God, beſtowed through Chriſte vppon all the worlde and in all ages, and that they might as it were diſtribute the ſame. zFrom the 23. verſe to the end of the chapter.He addeth heereunto notable and greate benefites, in curing by his vertue and power all diſeaſes, although vncurable.aThe vſe of the Miracles of Chriſt. For ſo doeth hee declare vntounto vsus all, not onelye in woordes, but alſo euen by his vertue and power, that hee is euen ſuche, as his doctrine ſetteth him foorth, that is to ſay, the Sauiour of the worlde, whiche both is willing and able to ſaue them whiche woorſhippe him: and therefore they alſo ought to committe themſelues by fayth to him onelye.bA briefe remē brance of the contentes of theſe two chapters before going. Theſe bee the holye and wholeſome documentes, whiche thou learneſt in theſe two chapters, ſo that the verye maieſtie and profite of ſo greate a matter may cauſe thee to bee ſtudious and diligent, except thou bee altogether a ſtocke.cA briefe repetition of the fourth chapter. Emong other thinges, whiche Matthewe hath ſette foorth vntounto vsus in this fourth chapter before goyng hee hath giuen vsus a certaine taſte of the ſermons of the doctrine of Chriſte touching repentaunce, and forgiueneſſe of ſinnes, that is to ſaye, of the myſterye of the Goſpell and grace of GOD, I meane of the acknowledging and confeſſing of our ſinnes, and of the turning from our ſinnes to the liuing GOD, through the faith of Ieſus Chriſt, whereby wee obtayne remiſſion of our ſinnes and euerlaſting life, ſo many of vsus as beleeue with all our heartes:dA briefe argument of the 5.6 and 7. chapters. nowe the ſame Authour Matthewe goeth forwarde and expoūdeth in the three chapters folowing other chiefe places alſo of the doctrine of Chriſt, not vſing now his accuſtomed briefeneſſe, that is to ſay, regeſtring only the ſumme of the Lorde his talke, but ſetting foorth at large, Chriſte his whole ſermon, euen as it was made by himſelfe, that wee might thereby iudge more certainely and rightly of all the doctrine of Chriſt, and that after repentance and remiſſion of ſinnes, beeing two chiefe pointes of our religion, wee might alſo more fully vnderſtande other verye excellent places of Chriſtian religion.eThe qualitie of Chriſt his Sermon. The oration or ſermon of Chriſte is ſpent in teaching and expounding, and in ſome places alſo in giuing of preceptes, beeyng therefore diuers and made of diuers matters.*The 5 chap. fFrom the 1. ver. vntounto ye 17.For firſt hee diſputeth plainely of the true bleſſedneſſe or happineſſe, ſhewing in what thinges it doth conſiſt, and in the meane ſeaſon priuily confuting the fooliſhe and corrupt opinions of the common people touching the true felicitie.gFrom the 17. ver. vntounto the end of the chapter. Then hee commeth to purge the lawe. For the Phariſees had corrupted it with their traditions, and made it obſcure with their falſe expoſitions. Therefore hee ſheweth manifeſtly by certayne examples taken foorth of the lawe, whiche is the naturall ſenſe of the lawe, and what the lawe of GOD requireth of vsus, ſetting foorth with all the difference of true and counterfaite righteouſneſſe.*The 6. chap. hA briefe argument of ye firſt part of the 6. chap. From ye 1. ver. vntounto the 19And becauſe hee reaſoned of righteouſneſſe, and emonge all the woorkes of righteouſneſſe the moſte excellent are almes, or mercifulneſſe, or bountifulneſſe, alſo prayer or a feruent talking with God, and faſting, or the chaſtiſing of the bodye, and of our fleſhe, therefore our Lorde purgeth theſe woorkes of righteouſneſſe, or exerciſes of godlineſſe, from hypocriſie, wherewith the Phariſees had polluted them, reſtoring them to their auncient and naturall beautie,iFrom the firſt verſe vntounto ye 5. and ſhewing moſte woorthily howe wee ſhoulde geue our almes aright,kFrom the 5. verſe vntounto the 16. howe wee ſhoulde praye truelye,lFrom the 16. verſe vntounto ye 19 and howe wee ſhoulde faſt religiouſly.mA briefe reaſon of the treatiſe againſt couetouſnes in the end of the chapter. Herevppon forſomuche as it is moſte manifeſt, that none other affection doeth ſo greatelye withdrawe vsus from all godlineſſe and righteouſneſſe, as the deſire of hauing, and the ouermuche curious carefulneſſe for meate, drynke, and cloth, and other thinges needefull. nFrom the 19 verſe vntounto the end of the chapter.Therefore in the fourth place hee diſſwadeth vsus by his graue ſpeache from couetouſneſſe, and plucketh vp aptlye ouermuche carefulneſſe, that is to ſaie, wicked miſtruſt, foorth of the heartes of his ſeruauntes, and ingraffeth agayne fayth towardes GOD, and a faithfull deſire of religion and righteouſneſſe.*The ſeuēth chapter. oFrom the 1. verſe vntounto the 7.Afterwardes ſignifiyng with greate faithfulneſſe and diligence, that the raſhe iudgement of men touching other men, I meane backebyting and ſclaundering, ought to bee auoyded, he teacheth vsus to vſe our tongue moderately and rightly. For there ſpringeth no leſſe troubles foorth of the abuſe of the tongue, than foorth of couetouſneſſe and the deſire of hauing.pFrom the 7 verſe vntounto the 12. Moreouer becauſe all theſe thinges are made perfect in vsus by diuine vertue through the benefite of grace, not through our owne ſtrength, therefore the Lorde doeth exhorte, profitably and in place, his worſhippers to faithfull prayers, whereby they maye craue, that ſtrength may be giuen them of God, leaſt at any time they faint in doing their dutie. Beſides this he maketh moſt cleare and moſt large promiſes, promiſing that hee will heare the prayers of the faithfull, ye therby he may the more kindle & inflame in ye godly the deſire to pray.qIn the 12. verſe. And drawing into a briefe ſumme all theſe thinges hitherto moſt plētifully propoſed, he ſaith: All things, whatſoeuer ye would that mē ſhould doe to you, do ye euen ſo to thē, for this is the law & the Prophets rIn the 13. & 14. verſes.Thē propoſing two wayes, and ſhewing the manner, the reaſon, and the end of both the wayes, hee exhorteth vsus all to enter into that way, which indeede is the ſtraighter and rougher, but yet leadeth vsus in vntounto life euerlaſting.ſFrom the 15. verſe vntounto the 21. Againe becauſe hee had ſpokē of the way, through the which men goe to deſtruction, hee giueth diligent warding foorthwith, leaſt any where the godly ſhoulde bee ledde out of the way to their deſtruction, by the practiſes and deceiptfulneſſe of falſe Prophetes, whom he paynteth foorth in their colours, leaſt they ſhould deceiue the ſimple with their goodlie ſhewe, and leaſt the godly ſhould be plucked from the way of truth into the incumbrances of hereſies, and vntounto their vtter ruine.tFrom the 21. verſ. vntounto the 24. At the laſt concluding this moſt diuine ſermon, he ſheweth plainelye in the laſt place, that none outward ſhew doth profite any man to the making perfect of godlineſſe,vFrom the 24. verſe vntounto the end of the chap. therefore hee giueth vsus to vnderſtande that it is not ſufficient for the obtayning of godlineſſe and euerlaſting life, to heare and vnderſtande the worde of GOD, or to bragge with loftie woordes, except wee expreſſe the ſame alſo by the moſt holy woorkes of faith and vertues: and this doeth hee declare by a feyned narration or a verye proper parable, and ſetteth it foorth before all mens eyes, exhorting euerye one of vsus to the true ſtudie of true godlineſſe, whiche hath the continuing and moſte ſweete fruite of euerlaſting life.xThe concluſiō of the expoſition of the ſermon. And this is the argument and ſumme of all the oration, whiche our Lorde and ſauiour Chriſte made to all people in the mountaine. Thereof Saint Auguſtine ſaith: It appeareth that this ſermon conteyneth perfectlye all thoſe preceptes wherewith Chriſtian life is inſtructed. Auguſtine.yMatthevv his purpoſe in the 3. chap. laſt before goyng.Matthewe hath recited in the three chapters before goyng the whole ſermon of Chriſte, that hee might geue vsus a taſte, and as it were geather together the ſumme of all the doctrine of Chriſte,zHis purpoſe in the 2. chapters folowing. and in theſe two chapters following hee ſetteth foorth plainlye the vertue and the exceeding great power of Chriſte, by geathering together verye many his myraculous benefites, and propoſeth the ſame power beeyng ſo ſette foorth to bee diligentlye conſidered of all menaThe vſe of the miracles of Ieſus Chriſt. that thereby all the worlde maye geather that Ieſus Chriſte is the liuing, true, and almighty ſonne, of the liuing and almightie GOD: and that hee is not onelyonly almighty, but that hee is alſo moſt bountifull, whiche came to conuert, to heale, and to ſaue ſinners. This doth he proue, I ſay, moſt euidently by the moſt diuine and moſt ſtrange miracles wrought by Chriſt, whereof this is the ſumme.*The eight chapter. bFrom the 1. verſe vntounto ye 5.Firſt he cleanſeth the Leper, which made ſute vntounto him.cFrom the 5. verſe vntounto the 14. Then he reſtoreth to life and perfect health a certayne Centurion his ſeruaunt, beeyng readie to giuegive vp the Ghoſt foorthwith, and as it were dead.dIn the 14. & 15. verſe. After this hee healeth Saint Peter his wiues mother lying ſicke of a feuer:eFrom the 16. verſe vntounto the 19. and to bee briefe cuteth all the infirmities of all.

fFrom the 23. verſe vntounto the 28.Moreouer rebuking the very Sea, beyng a moſt barbarous Element, and raging with cruel tempeſts, he made it more calme than any oyle.gFrom the 28. verſe vntounto the end of the chapter. Straight way after he draweth vntounto him by his hid vertue, two poſſeſſed with Deuils, who breaking into peeces all their boltes and chaines, were verye troubleſome to paſſengers, and could not be kept in order by the ſkill or ſtrength of any, foorth of theſe miſerable creatures hee caſteth a whole legion of diuels and reſtoreth them to their firſt health.

*The 9. chap.hFrom the 1. ver. vntounto the 9.Furthermore, hee ſo deliuered from a moſt greeuous diſeaſe, a man ſicke of a palſie lying in a bedde, not a man, but more truly ye miſerable carkaſſe of a man, that foorthwith hee ſtanding on his feete walked luſtily, which hetherto was borne of others, and to make ſhorte, he him ſelfe bare his bed ſtronglie on his ſhoulders, whereby whileſt he was ſicke he was ſtaied vp.iIn the 9. ver. And then is Leui (otherwiſe called Matthew) called to repentance,kFrom the 10. ver. vntounto the 14 and alſo a great hope is opened vntounto ſinners, which turne to Chriſte.lFrom the 20. ver. vntounto ye 23. After theſe things were thus done, the incurable diſeaſe of the woman, which was pittifully diſeaſed with an iſſue of blood, is cured.mIn the 18. & 19. ver. & from the 23. ver▪ vntounto the 27. Alſo Iairus his daughter, which was dead, is called back to life.nFrom the 27 ver. vntounto the 32 And two blinde men receiue their ſight,oFrom the 32. ver. vntounto the 35. and a certaine man in very miſerable plight is deliuered from a dumbe Diuel.pIn the 35 ver. Neither wrought he theſe few myracles only, but going through all cities and villages, and preaching the Goſpell of the kingdome, he healed all ſickneſſes and all diſeaſes among the people.qwhat we muſt learne by theſe myracles. By all theſe myracles Matthew the apoſtle declareth vntounto vsus, & proueth as it were by moſt ſtrōg & vnrefutable arguments & teſtimonies, that Chriſte is the true ſonne of the true God, the Lorde of all thinges, I meane of all elements, of all diſeaſes and afflictiōs, of all ſinnes, of the Diuell, and of death it ſelfe: and that therefore hee came into this worlde, that hee might make vsus the Lordes of all thinges, and the ſonnes of God, namely if wee receiue him with true faith.rThe maner of Matthew his writing. Therefore Matthew his purpoſe is, not only to deſcribe by the deedes of Chriſt, the vertue of Chriſt, and that he is the bountifull and liberall beſtower of all good things, but alſo to paint foorth their faith and all their maners which receiued the benefites of Chriſt.ſWhat wee muſt learne of them, vponupon whō Chriſt wrought his myracles. For of them, as of liuely examples, we learn what maner of faith ours ought to bee, and howe wee ſhould behaue our ſelues; that we may be made partakers of the benefites of God, that is to ſay, howe wee may become the ſonnes of God, and the Lordes of thinges, whō neither ſinne, nor death, nor the diuel himſelfe can hurt, if wee following their examples, doe thoſe thinges, which they did.tCertaine points omitted purpoſely in the narration before going. Now he intermedleth among theſe myracles certaine things in the 8. Chapter touching thevIn the 8 chap. the 11. and 12. ver. & the 19.20.22. & 22. verſe. calling to the faith of the Goſpell, and in the 9. chapter concerningxIn the 9. cha. From the 14. vntounto the 18 ver. faſting, and certaine other things, which alſo make to the ſetting foorth of the vertue of faith, and of the power and gentleneſſe of the Lord.yThe deedes and words of Chriſt. And it is a very euident and familiar kinde of doctrine to teach by hiſtorie or examples, that is to ſay, rather by deedes then by wordes: therfore the three firſt Euangeliſtes doe more often handle the doings of Chriſt then declare his ſayings. And in deede Chriſte ſeemeth vntounto vsus to bee much more liuely, when he worketh myracles than when he teacheth. For although his doctrine had a diuine efficacie and force alſo, yet do his deedes after a ſort excel, exerciſing and approuing that which is taught. Let no man therfore contemne ye former Euangeliſtes in cōpariſon of Iohn, becauſe he ſeemeth to be more often occupied &. more diligēt in opening the wordes of Chriſt: whoſe wordes alſo hauehave their maieſtie: for the holy Ghoſt hath directed the mindes and pennes of all the Euangeliſts to this purpoſe, that wee might hauehave, foorth of foure authours of ſufficient credite, a moſt certaine & vndoubted hiſtorie of al the words and deedes of Chriſt.zWhat order Matthew vſeth It appeareth alſo by thoſe thinges, which hauehave beene handeled hitherto, that Matthew in the beginning vſed a naturall order, and ſomewhat after an artificial, & that he goeth forward now chiefly in this order, becauſe it is moſt fitte to teach by. For he ſeemeth to hauehave a care, not ſo much to ſet foorth faithfully that which was ſaid & done by the Lorde, as to place eueryevery thing in his owne place and order, and fitly to teach by fitte order, and chiefly to moue the mindes of the hearers, yea and to ingraffe moſte deepely Chriſt, and faith in Chriſt.aA briefe rehearſall of thoſe thinges whiche Matthew hath hādled hitherto. Hitherto Matthew hath reported a certain abridgement of all ye doctrine of Chriſt the Lord, wherby he plentifully inſtructed his worſhippers in true godlineſſe: heerevnto he hath ioyned certaine of his greateſt miracles, euen diuine and wonderfull workes, whereby he hath declared that he is the mightie and gentle Lorde of all things, which can make thē alſo, that ſtick vntounto him by true faith, Lordes of ſinne, of death, of Satan, and of all things els. In this buſineſſe hee had choſen to himſelfe witneſſes, whom hitherto he made both be holders and hearers of all his matters, as well of his ſayings, as of his doings: to this ende verily, that they might afterwardes bring foorth into all the world the charge of common ſaluation, now conceiued & laid vp in their mindes.bFrom the 36. ver. vntounto the end of the chapter. And now they ſeemed ſufficiently inſtructed in the rudiments and principles of faith and of Chriſtiā religiō, therfore it was conuenient yt they ſhold be furder exerciſed therin, and by the meanes thereof prepared to greater matters:*The 10. chap. cFrom the 1. ver. vntounto the 7.and therefore they are ſent foorth of the Lorde him ſelfe to preach the Goſpell now to the people of Iſrael only,dFrom the 7. ver. vntounto the 16 and are inſtructed in certaine commandements. For the Lord doth diligētly preſcribe what they ought to do, & what their office is:eIn the 16.17 & 18. verſes. And he ſheweth thē alſo what they ſhall ſuffer, yea how perilous a thing it is to be a miniſter of the worde in a corrupt & vnthankfull age.fFrom the 19. verſe vntounto the end of the chapter. Therefore he cōforteth his diſciples worthily & finely with furniſhed talk, teaching them how they ought to continue conſtātly in all aduerſities in true godlines, & to ouercome all euils.*The 11. cha. gIn the 1. ver.Afterward Matthew ſheweth, how the Lorde Ieſus himſelf, who only is cōmended & inioyned to the true preachers of God his worde to be preached by thē, diſcloſed himſelf, & made himſelfe knowne to be the true Mesſias, ye only expected ſaluatiō of the world: which verily is the firſt & moſt ſure foundatiō of all the Lord his preaching.hFrom the 2. ver. vntounto the 16 In the ſame place alſo is ſet foorth the prayſe of Iohn the Baptiſt, that is to ſay a moſt cleere exā ple of a very good miniſter, propoſed to al thoſe, which are deſirous to doe their duty aright.iFrom the 16. ver. vntounto the 25 And foorthwith is adioyned an excellent exāple of a ſermon of the Lord. Firſt, how he rebuked the ſtubborne vnbeliefe of his own nation, & left a paterne of accuſation & reproofe to his miniſters.kIn the 25. & 26. ver. Then how he preached the kingdome of God to men of a better hope.lIn the 27. ver He ſhewed that he hath the power of all things, & that hee is the fountaine of all goodneſſe, which cānot bee drawē drie, which is willing & deſirous to be drawē,mIn the 28.29. & 30. ver. and therefore he inuiteth all men vntounto him, and promiſeth to graunt reſt vntounto all mē, in what diſtreſſe ſo euer they be.*The 12. cha. nFrom the 1. verſe vntounto the 9.Then doth hee diligently handle the queſtiō of the religious keping of ye Sabboth, & admoniſhing by the way yt boūtifulnes and the inwarde worſhipping of God, is more allowed of God, than the outwarde keeping of the Saboth. oFrom the 9. verſe to the 14.Moreouer yt bountifulnes, which lately he cōmended, he ſheweth to a certaine miſerable mā very greatly afflicted wt a withered hād, which he reſtored to him ſound.pFrom the 14. verſe vntounto the 22. And becauſe he could ſoften the hardnes of the people of the Iewes neither by any benefits, nor by any myracles, forſomuch as they did oftētimes cōſpire againſt him, he departeth frō thē for a time, practiſing nothing more bitter or more ſharpe againſt them, if peraduenture they might be ouercome with gentlenes & lōg ſuffering, preſcribing by ye very ſame deed of his a forme to his miniſters, what they ſhould do alſo in the like caſes and wt ſuch maner of men. But hee ſhrinketh not from his office, hee leaueth not off to doe good, neither forſaketh hee the vndertaken defence of the trueth, yeeldyng no whit at all in theſe points to his enemies.qIn the 22. & 23. verſes. Therefore he deliuereth from the Diuell one poſſeſſed with a Deuill, which was brought vntounto him, being blinde and dumbe, & reſtoreth vntounto him the vſe of his tongue and of his eyes:rIn the 24. verſe. and becauſe the Phariſees did detract this diuine deed, aſcribing it to the working by the Diuell,ſFrom the 25. ver. vntounto the 30 the Lord taketh vpō him the defence of the truth, & proueth by moſt ſtrong argumēts, yt his myracles, workes, yea and all his doings were wrought by the power of God & not of the Diuell, and that therefore the kingdome of heauē was now come. And here doth he againe moſt plainely ſet forth that, which lately wee ſaid was the chiefe point of our religiō, namely, that Ieſus is Chriſt.tFrō the 30. ver. vntounto the 46 And foorthwith hādeling his aduerſaries, as they deſerued, hee rebuketh thē moſt grauely. For he ſheweth at large their want of belief, or rather their vngodlines, & declareth what ſhall become of the contēners of the kingdom of God.vFrom the 46 ver. vntounto the end of the Chapter. Laſtly he putteth backe his mother & his couſins, which were deſirous to ſpeake with him, by a ſomewhat hard anſwere, ſignifiing therby, yt the leaſt muſt not be yelded to carnall affectiōs, ſo oft as the affaires of the kingdome of God are in handeling.xA briefe repetition of the 3. chapters laſt before going. In the three chapters laſt before going, Matthew hath intreated of the Miniſters of God his worde, and of certaine chiefe pointes of our religion:yThe matter bandeled in the 2. chapters following. and nowe doeth there followe a more plentifull treatiſe of the woorde of GOD, of the vertue, fruite, and price thereof: which is fitly knitte to the matter before going. For the miniſterie of the worde of God is occupied in the verie word of God. And this treatiſe is ſet foorth in parabolicall ſpeaches and ſimilitudes, that at the leaſt by this meanes the mindes of the godly might be ſtirred vp to the ſearching forth of the trueth and myſteries of God.*The 13. cha. zFrom the firſt verſ. vntounto ye 24.And the firſt parable, propoſed touching him which ſowed ſeede in the fielde, ſheweth that there be diuers kindes of hearers of God his worde, and that God doth not allowe all the hearers of his worde, but them onelyonly, in whom the ſeede proſpereth vntill it bring forth due fruite.aFrom the 24 verſ. vntounto ye 31. Forthwith by an other parable, that is to ſay by the ſimilitude of the tares, hee pointeth forth as it were with the finger an other fault alſo and plague of tilled land, teaching in the meane ſeaſon, howe good ſeede may be preſerued ſounde.bIn the 31.32 &. 33. verſes. In the 34. and 35. verſes is ſhewed the cauſe why Ieſus ſpake by ſimilitudes. From the 36 vntounto the 44. verſe chriſt repoundeth the parable of the tares. After this by two other ſimilitudes, taken from the graine of muſtarde ſeede and from leuen, hee ſheweth howe great the power of the worde of God is, and howe euidently it worketh in them by whome it is receiued, although it ſeeme to the worlde vile and contemned.cIn the 44, 45 and 46. verſes. In the fourth place by two other ſimilituds, propoſed touching a treaſure hidde in the fielde, and a moſt precious pearle, he ſignifieth that the price of God his worde is ſo great, that in compariſon hereof we ought to contemne all thinges in the worlde, although they bee neuer ſo precious, yea that we ought, with the very loſſe of all our goodes, to prouide vsus the worde of God.dFrom the 47 verſe vntounto ye 51 Againe in ſetting forth the ſimilitude of the net caſt into the ſea, he ſheweth plainely what ſhal become of them eſpecially, which intermedle them ſelues in the aſſembly of the godly, and yet are hypocrites and counterfeite godlineſſe, teaching the meane while that wee muſt not lightly condemn any forthwith, but leaue eueryevery one to his owne iudge.eIn the 51 and 52. verſes. When as he had ſet foorth theſe things after this maner, he commaundeth his miniſters alſo diligently to way the ſimilitudes, and for the playner ſetting forth of the trueth, and of the glorie of the kingdome of GOD, and for the profite of the Churche, to vſe all the kindes of elocution and apt ſpeach.fFrom the 53. verſe vntounto the end of the chapter. And although the Lord taught in ſuch ſort, that no man was able to accuſe either his faithful dealing or his diligence, yet was he litle regarded and accepted of his cuntrey men, which contemned and laughed to ſcorne the heauenly doctrine of godlineſſe. But he bare this with a valient minde, giuing an example to all his miniſters, that they may alſo take the matter paciently, if the world alſo litle regard them.*The 14. cap gFrom the firſt verſe vntounto the 13And then doth Matthewe forthwith ſette foorth the wonderfull example of that very good man Iohn the Baptiſt, who alſo was very euill rewarded of Herode for his faithful ſeruice, being moſt pitifully beheaded of him.hFrom the 13 verſe vntounto the 22. After this he fed in the wilderneſſe by his diuine power a great multitude of men, which wt merueylous feruentnes thirſted the preaching of the word: ſhewing by ye miracle, yt the faithful folowers of ye word of God ſhall want nothing at any time, eſpecially of thoſe thinges whiche are neceſſarie and not ſuperfluous. And by the ſame fact he taught his diſciples to helpe the faithfull people hauing neede.iFrō the 22. verſe vntounto the ende of ye chap. Laſtly he deliuereth his diſciples, which were in perill of the ſtormes of the ſea and of a great tempeſt, and whiche looked for nothing els but moſt preſent death: declaring ſo vntounto his, that hee is hee, which can deliuer all from all perils, and can ſaue al men by his power and grace, chiefely the miniſters of his worde. Therefore if the cruell and fearefull example of Iohn did any whitte terrifie them, theſe two great and goodly benefites of God do confirme and comfort them againe.*The 15. cha. kFrom the 1. ver. vntounto ye 21.VntoUnto the treatiſe of the word of God is fitly ioyned by Matthewe the diſputation touching the traditions of men, or the ordinances and conſtitutions of Fathers, as contrary to the worde of God. Chriſt teacheth vsus manifeſtly to contemne them, if they tend to the contumelie, derogation, and contempt of God his worde. And becauſe the Phariſees the patrons and defenders of mens traditions, were offended at this wholeſome doctrine of the Lord, the Lord ſheweth foorthwith, that no accomptes at all ought to bee made of ſuch kinde of offence, and of ſuch kinde of men: declaring the meane ſeaſon, that man is not defiled with outwarde thinges, but rather with thoſe euill thinges, which proceede out of the cloſets of the harte.lFrom the 21. verſe vntounto the 29. After that withdrawing himſelfe from thoſe indurate and vnthankefull men, hee departed into the cuntrey of the Gentiles, where forthwith a woman of Syropheniſſa being indued with a moſt ſtrong faith made a moſt earneſt requeſt vntounto him: in whome there is ſet foorth moſt manifeſtly both a merueylous example of true faith, and alſo the effect therof. For after the reproofe of falſe doctrine, which is the mother of falſe faith, there is ſet foorth with great diligence in theſe 15, 16, and 17 chapters, as was alſo in the 8, and 9 chapters, true faith in the Lorde, and the true nature of faith, and alſo in the ſame are opened the chiefeſt articles of our faith.mFrom the 29. verſe vntounto the ende of the chapter. Moreouer returning againe into Galilee, he feedeth againe the common people, which followed him, ſhewing by this benefite alſo, that it is hee, which can feede both the ſoule and the bodie, and that therefore this foode muſt bee ſought for by faith only and moſt earneſtly at ye hands of the ſhepheard Chriſt.*The 16. chapter. nFrom the firſt verſe vntounto ye 5.Afterwardes he repelleth and putteth backe the Phariſees requiring a ſigne, whereby he might proue himſelfe to be ye Meſſias, by ſhewing them the ſigne of his death & of his reſurrection:oFrom the 5. verſe vntounto the 13. then doth he commande his diſciples to beware of the doctrine of the Phariſees & Sadduces: ye which thing althoug hee had taught in the beginning of ye 15. chapt. yet both he here ſpeake of it againe in the 16 chapter, as a matter very neceſſary for ye Church.pFrom the 13. verſe vntounto the 21. After that returning to the commendatiō of faith, he layeth ye foundation of fayth, buildeth the Church vponupon the foundation, and pointeth forth as it were with the finger, whiche is the true faith of the Catholike Church, & which is the true and right confeſſion, ſhewing alſo howe the ſame may be planted.qFrom the 21 verſe vntounto the end of the chapter. Where vntounto hee forthwith adioyneth a moſt manifeſt doctrine of his paſſion and reſurrection, alſo of the deniyng of one his ſelfe and of the bearing of his croſſe after Chriſt, and of the iudgement to come, that is to ſay, of the greateſt articles of our faith, and of the holy duety of Chriſtians, a doctrine altogether pertayning to the perfectneſſe of faith.*The 17. chapter. rFrom the 1. ver. vntounto ye 14.Againe leaſt any ſhould be offended at this ſorowful doctrine ful of labours & paines touching the bearing of the croſſe, Matthewe adioyneth here vntounto immediatly the glorious tranſformation of Chriſt the Lorde in the mountaine, whereby he partly gaue vsus a taſt of what ſort he ſhoulde be in his glorie, and what the maner of the glory to come is, whiche is prepared for thē, whiche faithfully and paciently beare the croſſe of Chriſt: and partly he ſheweth alſo moſt euidently, that he is very Chriſt promiſed in the lawe and the prophetes, that hee might confirme the faith of all which beleeue in him. And hee propoſed thoſe thinges ſo manifeſtly to his diſciples, that they did nowe plainely vnderſtande, that Ieſus was Chriſt, and that therfore they did moue the queſtion of the coming of Helias the meſſenger of the Meſſias, where vntounto the Lord anſwering forthwith, affirmed plainely that hee was ye Meſſias, & that Iohn Baptiſt was Helias. sFrom the 14 verſe vntounto the 19.Laſtly he reſtored a certaine Lunatike man vntounto his father, which made ſute for him, declaring againe by the ſame benefit, that he is the king of his people, and the conquerour of the Diuell:tFrom the 19 verſe vntounto the 22. ſhewing alſo howe great the power of faith is, and howe greate the euill of vnbeleefe is, concluding that by temperance and abſtinence proceeding from a true faith, the force of the Deuill is chiefely broken.vIn the 22. and 23. verſes And herunto doth he forthwith adioyne the preaching and forſhewing of his death and paſſion, not without great and plentifull fruite.xWherof Matthew intreated laſt, and wherof he ſpeaketh next Faith in the Lorde Ieſus beyng well taught, and the true knoweledge of the kingdome of the Sonne of God being well obtayned, whereof Matthewe hath hitherto intreated at large, he paſſeth nowe wiſely to thoſe thinges, which almoſt ſtande in the outwarde conuerſation of man, and which notwithſtanding perteyne to the kingdome of Chriſt.yFrom the 24 verſe vntounto the ende of the cha. Of the whiche kinde the queſtion concerning the Magiſtrate is: What Chriſtians owe vntounto him? The Lorde ſheweth therefore by his owne example, what wee ought to doe herein rightly.*The 18. cha. zFrom the 1. ver. vntounto ye 7.Like vntounto this is the queſtion touching eccleſiaſticall preheminence: Who ſhould be the greateſt in the kingdome of heauen? Here the Lorde withdraweth the mindes of his diſciples from ambition and from the diſputations rayſed touching the primacie and chiefe authoritie, and teaching thē moſt diligently humilitie.aFrom the 7. verſ. vntounto ye 15. Then doth he adioyne herevnto a profitable admonition for the auoyding of offence:bIn the 15. and 16. verſes where he intreateth alſo of brotherly admonition,cFrom the 17. verſe vntounto the 21. of reprouing offenders openly, anddFrom the 21. verſe vntounto the ende of the chapter. of forgiuing a treſpaſſe, wherein grauely perſwading all men, hee ſetteth foorth a moſt goodly parable concerning the ſame matter.*The 19. cha. eFrom the firſt verſ. vntounto ye 10.Hauing finiſhed theſe thinges, he diſputeth of diuorſe: he reſtoreth and reformeth the olde and holy inſtitution of holy matrimonie:fIn the 10.11 & 12. verſes. he reciteth the kindes of chaſte menne, ſhewing that ſingle life is the ſingular gift of God.gIn the 13.14 and 15. verſes. And becauſe mariage was ordeyned of God cheefly for the procreation of children, he ſheweth next after the reſtitution of mariage, how children are eſteemed of God.hFrom the 16 verſe vntounto the 21. He bringeth forth alſo the example of a certaine young man, to teach vsus therby, that it belongeth to yong men alſo to ſeeke the kingdome of God, and that God his deſire is, yt youth be well brought vp. And there is ſhewed, which is the way to heauen:iFrom the 21. ver. vntounto ye 27. Alſo what the vſe of riches is, and with what minde we muſt poſſeſſe earthly wealth.kFrō the 27. verſe vntounto the ende of ye chap. Moreouer by occaſion of the Lordes talke, there riſeth nowe an other diſputation about the rewarde of vertues, and how modeſtly they ought to thinke of them ſelues, which looke for rewardes.*The 20 chap lFrom the 1. verſe vntounto the 17.And that he might faſten this more deepely in the mindes of all men, he vſeth the ſimilitude of a man that was an houſholder, which hired labourers into his vineyard, whereby hee toucheth the Iewes ſecretly, and doth ſomewhat ſhadow forth the receiuing of the Gentiles.mIn ye 17.18. and 19. verſes. Againe leaſt any, being puffed vp with pride by the name of rewarde, ſhould ſuppoſe that he is iuſtified by his own works, the Lord preacheth diligently of his own death and reſurrection, that we may vnderſtand that we are iuſtified thereby.nFrom the 20 verſe vntounto the 24 And although he oftē repeted theſe things with great grauitie, yet doth ye fleſh, aſpiring cōtinually to honors, ſeeke not thoſe thinges which are of God, but which are of men. For the mother of zebedee his children, her ſonnes not beeing ignorant thereof, aſketh cheefe authoritie of the Lord for her ſonnes.oIn the 24. verſe. Herevpon the other diſciples enuie them, and contend among themſelues ſharply and moſt ambitiouſly.pFrom the 25. vntounto the 29. But the Lord reduceth al their mindes to humilitie, drawing out that ſame moſt hurtefull poyſon with moſt euident argumentes.qFrom the 29 verſe vntounto the ende of the chapter. Laſtly he reſtoreth ſight to the blinde, which craued the merciemercy of God, to this ende, that he might declare by all meanes, that he came into the worlde to helpe and ſaue men.rWherof Matthew ſpake before, and wherof he intreateth nowe. Matthew deſcribed laſt before, what the Lorde did hitherto in Galilee, and in his iourney from Galilee, as hee went vp to Hieruſalem, and nowe doth he ſhewe what he did in the holy and royall Citie it ſelfe.

And the nearer hee draweth to his croſſe and death, the more liuely doeth hee ſhew his wholeſome ſtrength, & moſt holily ſetteth forth his worthy power & grace. *The 21. cha.sFrom the 1 verſe vntounto the 8.For entering nowe into the holy citie with a very newe and humble pompe, hee ſheweth moſt clearely that he is the verye kinge and deliuerer of Iſrael looked for.tFrom the 8. verſe vntounto the 12. Hee is receyued with wyllyng mindes and honourably of the common people, that we alſo may learne therby to receiue the Lord truely and religiouſly.vFrō the 12. verſe vntounto the 17. And he did in the temple offices very kinglike & prieſtlike, whereat the Phariſees & prieſts almoſt burſt in ſunder for ſpite & hatred.

For firſte purging the temple from filth, & reforming ye holy worſhipping of God, he thruſt the byers and ſellers out of the temple: then takyng care for the poore, he healeth the ſicke.xIn the 17. verſe. And when theſe things were happily accompliſhed he goeth forth of the citie,yIn the 18, & 19. verſes. and curſeth ye figge tree, which brought forth no fruite, which forthwith withering, ſhadowed forth by a certaine token, what was imminent to ye holy citie.zIn the 20, 21 & 22. verſes. Although the Lord by occaſion thereof doth teache his diſciples true fayth, and commende vntounto them faithfull prayers.aFrom the 23 verſe vntounto the 28. And returnyng to the temple, as belonged vntounto his princely office, hee taught diligently, and ſharpely contended with the enemies of true religion. For whereas they aſked, by what authoritie ye Lorde did thoſe thinges, which he did, hee brydleth them with a contrary queſtion, yea he doeth moſt grauely accuſe them of diſloyalty and impenitent life.bFrom the 28 ver. vntounto the 33 For vntounto this purpoſe doeth he bring foorth a parable framed touching two ſonnes, comparing his enemies vntounto Publicanes and harlottes, that he might ſhewe, that theſe were more religious and more bleſſed thē they.cFrom the 33 verſe vntounto the ende of the cha. Here vntounto doth he forthwith adioyne an other ſimilitud of an houſholder, whiche let out his vineyarde to huſbande men or farmers, whereby he doeth liuely paynt foorth the benefites of God and the peuiſh and ſhameleſſe vnthankefulnes of the people of the Iewes, whoſe puniſhmēt foorth with hee ſheweth, namely that the Iewes ſhould be caſt off, and that ye Gentiles ſhoulde bee receiued into their place.*The 22. chap dFrō the firſt verſe vntounto the 15.And vntounto the ſame purpoſe alſo perteyneth the ſimilitude, whiche hee put forth touching them that were bydden to the wedding, ſharpely reprouing the diſobedience and vnbeleefe of the nation of the Iewes, for ye which they were to be cut off and to be forſaken.eFrō the 15. verſe vntounto the 23. Theſe things being finiſhed, Matthewe goeth forewarde, and ſetteth forth plainely certaine graue, ſharpe, and profitable queſtions or diſputations handeled betweene the Lord and the lawyers. Firſt of this: whether tribute ought to be paied to Caeſar? fFrom the 23 verſe vntounto the 34.Then, whether the dead riſe againe, and howe they riſe againe?gFrom the 34 verſ. vntounto ye 41. Moreouer, what the chiefeſt commaundement in the Lawe is: what the ende and matter of the lawe and of the Prophetes is?hFrō the 41. verſe vntounto the end of the chap. Afterwardes, how Chriſt, for ſo much as he is the ſonne of Dauid, after ye fleſhe, can be alſo his Lord? All theſe thinges doth our Lord in reſpect of his prieſtly office expounde moſt religiouſly, moſt learnedly, moſt plainely, and greatly to the profite of the faithfull.

*The 23. chapiFrom the 1. ver. of the chap. end of the ſame.Laſtly, when as hee ſawe the Phariſees and the reſt of the rulers of the people to be altogether blinde, indurate, and vncurable, hee inuayeth moſt ſharply againſt them, accuſing them of moſt greeuous and vnruly offences: hee addeth the puniſhment of their miſchiudus deedes, & the moſt terrible deſtruction of the people and of the citie. Al theſe things did our Lord openly, with great authority in the tēple, inſtructing his Church hereby profitably, diuerſly, & in many pointes.kA remembrance of thoſe thinges which hauehave bin ſpoken of before. Our Lord hath hitherto by the way and yet often ſpoken of the ouerthrowe of the people of the Iewes and of the citie Hieruſalem: wherein he comprehended both the caſting off of the Iewes out of the felowſhip of God, and alſo the prophanation of the temple, of the prieſthood, and of all ye woorſhipping, after the ceremonial law *The 24. cha.lFrō the firſt verſe vntounto the 42.▪ And becauſe theſe things ſeemed ſtrāge and incredible, namely that God woulde prophane and forſake that people deſcended from holy parents, and that place, and that worſhipping, & that holy preiſthoode, he doth more fully expounde vntounto his diſciples, which inquired there of, the iudgement and deſtinie hanging ouer the people and citie, liuely deſcribing, what wonderfull matters and ſtrange tokens, what troubles, calamities, and miſeries ſhoulde go before that deſtruction: and of what maner, how cruell, horrible, and fearefull that ruine ſhould be. Forthwith by occaſiō of the deſtruction of the citie, he reaſoneth alſo of ye deſtruction of the world, or of the finiſhing of ye world, & of ye glorious comming of the ſonne of man to iudgement: mFrō the 42. verſe vntounto the ende of ye chap.exhortyng all men to ſober and diligent watchfulnes, propoſing rewardes to the watchfull, and threatning puniſhment to the ſlouthful & ſleepie.*The 25 chap nFrō the firſt verſe vntounto the 31.Which things forthwt he plainly ſheweth by moſt comely and moſt plentifull ſimilitudes, handeling as well the partes of the watchfull as of the ſleepie.oFrō the 31. verſe vntounto the 46. Laſtly Matthewe adioyneth a deſcription, or as if it were a certayne figure of the iudge to come, and of his laſte iudgement: wherin ye laſt ſentence is pronounced by the ſame iudge againſt al man kinde, ioyful to the good, but moſt ſorowfull to ye euil. For this matter is thus concluded:pIn the laſt ver of the chapter. And theſe ſhall go away into euerlaſting paine: but the righteous into life eternal. qA briefe argument of that which foloweth.After all theſe things there is placed, as the finiſhing & the moſt perfect accompliſhing of al our ſaluation, the moſt holy, & moſt profitable hiſtorie of the paſſion & redemption of Chriſt the Lord: wherein he fully executeth all ye offices as wel of a prieſt, as of a king, and in a briefe ſūme doth propoſe his greateſt force to be beholden of al men. For he teacheth diligently both by al his wordes and by al his deedes, hee inſtituteth his famous ſacrament, hee prayeth moſt feruently, hee ſacrificeth for ſinne, hee purgeth ſinners, he deliuereth, he pitieth, hee defendeth his ſeruants, and he treadeth downe and puniſheth the wicked, ſhewing eueryevery where incredible humilitie, and declaring ſometime no ſmall glory, when as all the elements, being troubled at his death, ſhewed moſt plaine tokens as it were of their great ſorrowe. Matthew handeleth all theſe things in a goodly order, & in a pure, plaine, and liuely ſtile.*The 26. chap. rIn the 1. & 2 verſes.For firſt hee ſheweth the time wherein he ſuffered, and propoſeth the ſūme of his paſſion.ſFrom the 3. ver. vntounto the 1… Then he deſcribeth ſome cauſes of the Lorde his death, proceeding partly from the enuie & malice of the Prieſtes againſt Chriſt, and partly from the couetouſneſſe and horrible treaſon of Iudas, which ſold his Lorde to the Senate of Biſhops.tFrō the 17. ver. vntounto the 26 Hauing finiſhed the cauſes, he commeth vntounto the deſcription of his laſt ſupper: wherein aboue all things he foreſheweth his Diſciples both his death, and alſo that hee ſhould bee both betrayed and ſold of his owne: Moreouer he prouoketh by many meanes the mind of Iudas the traitour to repentance: but in vaine.vFrom the 26 ver. vntounto the 30 After this he inſtituteth in it the renowmed Sacrament of his body and blood, the remembrāce of his death, wherein we may ſee the briefe ſumme of our ſaluation & of all godlines.xIn the 30. ver. When as hee had ſupped, hee went out with his diſciples vntounto the mount of Oliues,yIn the 31. and 32. verſes. In the way he foreſheweth the great offence, wt ſhold riſe among his diſciples becauſe of him. zIn the 33.34 and 35. verſes.But they being bolde enough and raſh enough, and not acknowledging enough their owne infirmitie, do promiſe conſtancie and great faith, Peter ſpecially, vntounto whome notwithſtanding the Lorde foretelleth his moſt filthie fall.aIn the 36.37 and 38. verſes. In the garden of the mount of Oliues he is merueilouſly vexed, and pitifully tormented with the feare of death.bIn the 39. verſe. In the meane ſeaſon he prayeth earneſtly and conſtantly, commiteing both himſelfe and all his buſineſſe to God and to his holy will.cFrom the 40. verſe vntounto the 47. Then doth he diligently waken his Diſciples beeing a ſteepe:dIn the 47. verſe. and whileſt hee was occupied therein, Iudas the traitour commeth, bringing with him a rowte of moſt wicked and moſt filthie varlets:eIn the 48. & 49. verſes. foorthwith he kiſſeth his maſter, and with a kiſſe betraieth his Lord to his moſt wicked enemies.fIn the 50. verſe. For the chiefe Prieſtes ſeruāts fal vpō ye Lord, take him, bind him, & oppreſſe him.gFrom the 51. ver. vntounto the 55 In the mean ſeaſon Peter fighteth vnhappily for his maſter, and is ſtayed by his maſter:hIn the 55. verſe. who alſo foorthwith ſharpely reproueth the open, greeuous, and moſt wicked reproch of the chiefe Prieſtes ſeruants then offered vntounto him.iIn the 56. ver And whileſt theſe things were thus in doing, all the Diſciples flie from the Lorde.kIn the 57. & 58. verſes. But hee is brought away to Caiphas the high Prieſt into the conſiſtorie.lIn the 59.60 and 61. verſes Two thinges were chiefly handeled there. The Lorde is accuſed before the Prieſtes and the counſell, falſe witneſſes are brought foorth,mFrom the 62 ver. vntounto the 65 the Lorde his cauſe is handeled moſt vniuſtly,nIn the 65. and 66. verſes and at the laſt hee is condemned,oIn the 67. & 68. verſes. buffetted, and moſt vnworthily ſpit vponupon.pFrom the 66. verſe vntounto the end of the chapter. And withal the filthie and ſhamefull denying of Peter is plentifully deſcribed.*The 27 cap. qIn the 1 and 2. verſes.And when as the ſentence of condemnatiō was pronounced againſt him, he is brought forthwith from the Prieſtes, and foorth of the Conſiſtorie or hall of the high prieſt, into the iudgemente Hall, vntounto Pontius Pilate the Romane Deputie, vntounto whome hee is deliuered as the moſte wicked of all men, and as one hauing deſerued a moſt vile death.rIn the 3.4. and 5. verſes. The meane while Iudas the traitour examining himſelfe more deepely, and waying his moſte cruell and wicked offence more rightly, goeth into the temple, reſtoreth the traiterous money to the Prieſtes, deſpaireth & moſt horribly hangeth himſelfe.ſFrom the 6. ver. vntounto the 11 The Prieſts wt the bloodie money buie the potters field to burie ſtrāgers in.tFrom the 11. ver. vntounto the 27 Moreouer Pontius Pilate the deputie of the Romans inquireth diligently the cauſe, and the chiefe pointes of the accuſation laide againſt the Lorde by the Prieſtes: and he vnderſtandeth foorthwith, that the enuie of the Prieſtes was the cauſe: therefore hee both pronounceth him innocent, and iudgeth, that hee ought to bee ſet fully at libertie: whereupon hee tryeth ſundrie and many wayes to let him looſe, which had committed none euill. The prieſtes are moſt wickedly earneſt to the contrary, they accuſe, they vrge, they lye, they threaten, yea and they perſwade and prick forward the common people, and at the laſt they ouercome the iudge being weeried with their importunate cries, to let them do with the Lord what they liſt, and to deliuer him to his ſouldiers to be crucified.vFrom the 27 ver. vntounto the 35 The ſouldierrs therefore moſt cruelly and moſt vnworthily whippe the ſonne of God with ſcourges, they crowne him with a crowne of thornes, they worſhip him in contempt, they laugh at him, and ſpit vponupon him: then they lay his croſſe vponupon his ſhoulders, and leade him being halfe dead vntounto the place of execution.xFrom the 35. ver. vntounto the 45 There they crucifie him in the middeſt betweene two moſt wicked theeues, they part his garments as a certaine ſpoile, and ſetting all pitie and curtiſie aſide, they mock him ſuffering moſt bitter torments, as thoogh he had bin deceiued of his hope in God.yFrom the 45. ver. vntounto the 51. But he, in ſo many & ſo great reproches and torments, continuyng conſtantly in perfect faith and patience, and ſacrificyng moſt holyly for the ſinnes of all the worlde, cryeth to God the father, vntounto whome alſo, at the laſt yeelding vp the Ghoſte, be committeth his moſt holy ſoule.zFrom the 51. ver. vntounto yt 54. And foorthwith, after hee had giuen vp the Ghoſte, the vaile in the temple of Hieruſalem is rent in two peeces, and certaine ſtrange wōders are wrought both in heauen and earth:aIn the 54, 55 & 56. verſes. wherewith the Centurion an Heathen being moued, doth openly witneſſe, that this Ieſus, although hee were crucified, was the true ſonne of God.bFrom the 57 verſe vntounto ye 62 After this Ioſeph of Arimathea, a mā of very great credit & dignitie, commeth to Pilate, and intreateth, yt the body of Ieſus might be giuen to him, that he might bury it. Pilate graunteth it willingly, therefore the body of the Lorde is buried moſt worthilie.cFrom the 62 verſe vntounto the end of the chapter. Moreouer ye chief of the Iewes fearing that the Lord would riſe againe, requeſt alſo of Pilate that a band of ſouldiers might bee giuen them to watch the ſepulchre: whē they had receiued this bande, they beſet the graue moſt ſtrōgly, & leaſt there might be any deceit wrought, they ſeale the ſtone or couer of ye ſepulchre, namely that they might reteine & ſtay the liuing Lord among the dead.dThe matter conteined in the laſt Chapter. Mathew deſcribeth in this laſt chapter the glorious reſurrectiō of Ieſus Chriſte the Lord frō the dead.*The 28. cha. eIn the 1. and 2. verſes.The Angell of the Lord cōmeth downe frō heauē, he rolleth backe the ſtone frō the dore of the graue, ye earth ſhaketh wt an earthquake, & the glorious body of the Lord reſtored to life cō meth out forthwith.fIn the 3. & 4. verſes. Moreouer becauſe ye angel did ſhine like lightning, the keepers being amaſed, wtſtand not the Lord riſing againe, but think it beſt to prouide for thē ſelues by fleeing away.gIn the 5.6. & 7. verſes. The mean while come the womē to ſee ye ſepulchre, bringing with thē the ſweet odours, which they had prepared. VntoUnto thē appeareth the foreſaid angel of the Lord, & teacheth thē that Chriſt was riſen in deed, cōmanding them to depart forthwt, & to report the reſurrection to the diſciples.hIn the 8.9. & 10. verſes. Whileſt they were going their way, ye Lord himſelf met thē, ſhewing himſelf plainly vntounto thē reſtored to life, & cōmanding thē to declare his true reſurrectiō vntounto his diſciples.iIn the 11. verſe. Whileſt theſe things were in doing, thoſe ſouldiers ye keepers of the ſepulchre, whō lately we ſaid left their ſtāding & fled, came into the citie, & declared to ye chiefe Prieſtes thoſe things, which they had ſeen, how ye Angell came down frō heauen, & rolled backe the ſtone: how Chriſt came forth aliue again, & how bright & fearful ye forme of ye angel was.kFrom the 12 ver. vntounto the 16 At wt newes yt prieſts & phariſees being aſtonied & raging, bribed the ſouldiers wt money, who lying, as they were taught, ſpread abrode among the common people this fooliſhe reporte, that whileſt they ſlept, forſooth the diſciples came and ſtole his body foorth of the Sepulchree.lIn the 16.17 & 18. verſes. But the Lorde Ieſus offering himſelfe to be beholden moſt manifeſtly of his Diſciples in Galilee, confirmeth them in the truth of faith.mIn the 19. & 20. verſes. And becauſe all thinges which hytherto hauehave beene declared in this booke concerning the doctrine, the deedes, the death and the reſurrection of Chriſt, doe perteine to the common ſaluation of all mankinde, therefore he ſendeth forth his Diſciples as meſſengers into al the worlde, commaunding them to baptiſe and to preach the Goſpell to eueryevery creature, promiſing the meane while that hee, although in body he go vp to heauen, will bee with his, and with his holy Churche continually and vntounto the ende of the worlde.

Heere endeth the Summe of the Gopell by Saint Matthewe.