The Sum of the Four Evangelists, John
¶The ſumme of the Goſpell by Saint Iohn.
THey,The 1. chap. The reaſon of the entrance into the Goſpel by Iohn. which will expound any thing by certaine reaſon and with great profite, place before their expoſition a propoſition, a marke, or a Summe of the whole matter to bee expounded, vntounto the which the auditours bending the ſharpeneſſe of wit, and all their vnderſtanding, may knowe wherevnto all things tende, which are ſpoken, and what the vſe of them is.bWhat Iohn handeleth in his Goſpell. Iohn the Apoſtle therefore about to expounde ye matters of Chriſt the Lorde, that is to ſay, his wordes and deedes, and all the myſterie of our redemption, placeth before his hiſtorical narration a propoſition, plentifully opened, & containing in effect theſe things.cIn the 1. and 2. verſes. The word of God, that is to ſay, the ſonne of God, Ieſus Chriſt our Lorde, of whom I minde to ſpeake, was with God from euerlaſting, and is very God,dIn the 3. ver. by whom all thinges were made,eIn the 4.5.7 and 8. verſes. the ſame by his owne nature is the life & the light.fIn the 9. ver. And becauſe wee, by our humane nature, and through the fault of ſinne, bee darkeneſſe & the ſlaues of death, the worde, or ſonne of God deſcended frō heauen, came into the world, was incarnat and made man, that through his life and light, the Iewes chiefly, vntounto whome the Mesſias was peculiarly promiſed, might liue and bee illuminated.gIn the 10. & 11. verſes. But becauſe they caſt him off, not beeing willing to beleeue the life and light giuen them,hIn the 12.13 & 14. verſes. therefore he gaue power to all men which receiue Chriſte with a true faith, of what nation, ſexe, age, or conditiō they be, to become the ſonnes of God, that is to ſay, heires of life and of all heauenly good things, and the very fellow heires of Chriſt, which is the truth, the grace, the redemption, and the fulneſſe, or the conſummation of all beleeuers, in whom only the faithfull hauehave all thinges, which do pertaine to godlineſſe and life.iThe ſumme of the Goſpell. This is the ſumme of all the narration of the Goſpell: Namely, that through faith in Chriſte our ſinnes bee forgiuen, and that euerlaſting life is beſtowed vponupon vsus.kIn the 6. ver. and from the 15 vntounto the 19. VntoUnto this head Iohn coupleth ye very body of the Euangelicall narration or hiſtorie, beginning his hiſtorie at the preaching & teſtimonie of Iohn the Baptiſt, as alſo the other three Euangeliſtes did.lFrom the 19. ver. vntounto the 35 And hee teacheth of what maner were his teſtimonies, priuate, publike, and giuen to the verie meſſengers of Ieruſalem, all verely of one kinde, namely ſuch as taught, that Ieſus Chriſt is true God and man, ſente into the worlde for ſinners, to ſaue them which beleeue in him, & that therefore we muſt beleeue in Chriſt.mIn the 35.36. & 37. ver. Therefore doth he alſo ſend his Diſciples vntounto him, and conſecrateth them to Chriſt the Lord, ſhewing vndoubtedly by the very deede it ſelfe, that all his doctrine tendeth here vntounto, that wee may beleeue Chriſt the onelyonly Sauiour of all the world.nWhy the Euangeliſt briefly finiſheth the hiſtory of the Baptiſt, and ſpeedily commeth to the hiſtory of Chriſte himſelfe. And becauſe the Baptiſt preached Chriſt only, & in him only ſheweth all the points of godlineſſe & life, paſſing ouer the matters of ye Baptiſt, Iohn the Euangeliſte maketh haſt to deſcribe the very matters of Chriſt,oThe 38.39 and 40 verſes. and declareth firſt how he receiued them, which by the prouocation of Iohn the Baptiſt folowed him:pIn the 41. ver alſo what the ſtudies and workes of the faithfull be, namely to bring very many vntounto Chriſt.qFrom the 42. verſ. vntounto ye 51. There is briefly handeled the calling of certaine of the diſciples, in whoſe examples we may learne, how men are called to the faith of the Goſpell, and what maner of men they ought to bee, which muſt bee inſtructed in the doctrine of the Goſpell.rIn the laſt verſe. The Lorde inſtructeth his Diſciples by words and ſignes. By plaine wordes, witneſſing that hee is to them, which beleeue, the ladder and gate to a bleſſed life.*The 2 chap. xFrom the firſt ver. vntounto ye 13.Furthermore hee ſheweth a worthie ſigne at a marriage, turning water into wine, that by that deede hee might declare his power, that it is hee, which by his woorde can doe what hee will, that they may boldly leane vntounto him, which truſt in him. And theſe thinges did hee as it were priuately amongſt his acquaintance and familiar freendes. yFrom the 13 ver. vntounto the 18.But hee came not to be made knowen in ſome one place only to a fewe, but in all Iurie, yea and to all the worlde, therefore hee goeth to Hieruſalem the chiefe citie and head of the countrey, and maketh himſelfe knowen to all men by a very great deede, and very fit for his purpoſe. For whereas hee was come into the worlde the king, and Prieſt, and Mesſias of all the faithfull in the worlde, and becauſe it appertained to the Mesſias to purge religion from corruption, and to deliuer his from tyrannie and ſuperſtition, hee went ſtraight wayes into the holy temple, and caſt foorth of it the buyers & ſellers, purging religion, and ſo ſhewing himſelfe to bee the expected Mesſias. zIn the 18. ver▪But the rulers of religiō tooke this thing very greeuouſly, requiring a ſigne, whereby hee might proue, that he was hee, whome hee tooke vponupon him to be.aFrom the 19. ver. vntounto the 22 Hee reaſoneth of his death and reſurrection, although ſomewhat cloſely.bIn the 22 ver And not a fewe beleeued the Lorde,cIn ye 23. ver. but ſome againe cloked their faith, following rather ye corrupt affection of their minde, than the motion of the holy Ghoſt,dIn the 24. & 25. verſes vntounto whom the Lord would not therefore commit himſelfe, becauſe hee was not ignorant of the counſels and cogitations of their heartes, and kept himſelfe for better affayres. Theſe thinges are handeled in the two firſt Chapters.eWhat the Euangeliſt treateth of. The Apoſtle doth diligently handle thoſe thinges, which the Lorde Ieſus ſpake and did in the beginning of his preaching, that he might ſo rightly informe the iudgemente of the Church, to think very wel of Chriſtiā religion, & of the principles therof, ye which, as els where often, ſo here alſo, are wont for the moſt part to bee very harde.fWhat went before. Hee ſhewed laſt before, what Ieſus did publikely and openly in the temple of God, and what he reaſoned of among the common people, what hee ſpake and did,gWhat followeth. and now wil he ſhew a certaine priuate thing.*The 3. chap. hIn the 1, 2. & 3. verſes.For the Lord vſeth priuate conference with Nicodemus a Doctour of the Law,iThe ſumme of the Lord his talke with Nicodemus. whom he inſtructeth ſoundly, fully, and ſimply in the foundation, as they call it, and in the firſt principles, knitting together the whole method of ſincere doctrin, andkIn the 3. verſe. teaching, that he, which deſireth to enter into the kingdome of God, muſt needes firſt be borne anewe. Becauſe our nature and our firſt natiuitie hath in it ſelf no light or life.lFrom the 4, ver. vntounto the 13 Moreouer yt this new birth conſiſteth in the renouation of the holy Ghoſt, by whoſe meanes he which is to be ſaued knoweth, that there is nothing in the ſtrength of man, which can deſerue iuſtification and bleſſed life,mIn the 13, 14, & 15. ver. that thoſe things are prouided by an others deſeruing, namely by Ieſus Chriſt,nIn the 16. verſe. whom the grace & louelove of God, & no deſert of ours, gaue vntounto vsus, yea and gaue him to ye moſt ſhamefull death of ye croſſe, that eueryevery one, which beleeueth in him, ſhould not periſh, but ſhould hauehave euerlaſting life.oFrom the 17. ver. vntounto ye 22. There he teacheth that true faith in Chriſt worketh good woorkes: and contrarily that incredulitie and want of faith is ye cauſe of all vngodlineſſe, yea of damnation it ſelfe.pFrom the 22 verſe vntounto ye 26 Theſe things being finiſhed, the Apoſtle handeleth forthwith the queſtion touching purifying, ſprong vp after the matters before goyng.qFrom the 27 verſ. vntounto the end of the chap. By occaſion whereof hee reporteth the fift and moſt plaine teſtimonie of Iohn the Baptiſt, whereby hee witneſſeth, that the faithfull are fully purged through the grace of Chriſt. And that he is the true Meſſias, in whom the Father hath giuen to the world, whatſoeuer appertayneth to true ſaluation, and that therefore they which beleeue in Chriſt are ſaued, & contrarily that they which beleeue not are damned.rWhat followeth. VntoUnto theſe things he knitteth, by a marueilous & a moſt wiſe deuiſe, an other, and a new conference, and the ſame priuate alſo, betweene the Lorde and a woman of Samaria. ſWhat went before.He receiued and inſtructed in the third chapter Nicodemus, a famous man, a Iewe, learned, and a man of holineſſe not to be deſpiſed:tThe matter cōtained in the 4. chap. but now he receiueth & inſtructeth an obſcure woman, a Gentile, vnlearned, and verye greately defiled with heynous faultes, to this ende, leaſt any ſhoulde gather by the former example, that the Lorde came into the worlde to ſaue the godlie onelie. For hereby we do vnderſtand, that he was borne to ſaue ſinners alſo, and that not only the Iewes, but the Gentiles alſo, yea and the very Samaritanes. The conferēce hath in it much pleaſātneſſe & ſweetneſſe. The Lorde inſinuateth himſelfe into the minde of the ſinfull woman merueilouſly: notwithſtāding he goeth about 2. thinges chiefly.*The 4. chap. vFrom the 1. ver vntounto the 20Firſt he ſheweth, that he is the fountayne of goodneſſe, and of all graces, of the whiche whoſoeuer drinke, may bee moſte plentifully ſatiſfied.xIn the 20.21, and 22, verſes. Then hauing confuted the falſe woorſhipping of GOD,yIn the 23. and 24, verſes. hee teacheth which is the true woorſhipping:zIn the 15, 26 & 27. verſes. and therewithall he profeſſeth by a moſt manifeſt confeſſion, that hee is the true Meſſias. aIn the 28, 29, & 30. ver.Foorthwith the ſinfull woman becommeth a preacher of the grace of GOD. For ſhee calleth foorth the Sycharenes or Sychimites to meete the Lorde the king or the Meſſias. bFrom the 31 ver vntounto the 39The meane while the Lord diſputeth among his diſciples of the calling of the Gentiles & of ye Apoſtleſhip to ye Gētiles.cFrom the 39. ver vntounto the 43 Verily the Samaritanes receiue ye Lord.dIn ye 43, 44, & 45. verſes. But the Iewes, eſpecially ye citizēs of ye towne of Nazareth, do deſpiſe & caſt him off:dFrom the 46 ver. vntounto the end of the chapter. Wherwith the Lord is ſo little offended, yt he is nothing at all leſſe bountifull vntounto the euill deſeruing Iewes. For going to Cana a citie of Galilee, he reſtoreth to health the ſeruant of a certayne ruler beeing at the very poynt of death, prouing by that woorthie deede, that hee can ſaue their life, whiche put their truſt in him, beeyng the authour of life and of all goodneſſe.eWhat went before. The notable inſtructions and diſputations of Chriſt the Lord in true Chriſtian religion hitherto had with Nicodemus and the woman of Samaria, were as it were priuate.fWhat followeth. In the two next chapters follow publike benefites of the ſame Chriſt our Lorde, which miniſter occaſion of publike diſputations, verye notable, the which diſputations doe handle the ſame, that is to ſay, the greateſt pointes of our faith.*The 5. cha. gFrom the 1 ver. vntounto the 10The one benefite he doeth to a man beyng pitifully afflicted many yeres with a moſt greeuous diſeaſe, whō he healeth moſt louingly.hFrom the 10 ver. vntounto the 17 But becauſe he had done this vponupon the Sabboth day, the Phariſees ſclaunder the benefite, and accuſe the benefactor of breaking the ſabboth.iIn the 17. ver The Lorde defending his owne cauſe, ſheweth, as it were by the example of his father the eternal God, that he brake not the Sabboth.kIn the 18. ver. Forth of the which anſwere they pike a new matter of accuſatiō laying vntounto the Lorde his charge ye crime of treaſon againſt God, and of blaſphemie againſt God.lFrom the 19. ver. vntounto the 40 Whervpon he prooueth by many, and the ſame moſt liuely and moſt euident arguments, that God is his father, and that he is the ſonne of God by nature, and equall with the father in all things, being the true, the liuing, and eternall God. mFrom the 40. verſe vntounto the 44.Notwithſtanding in the end of his demonſtration he falleth to chide or to expoſtulate the matter with the Iewes,nIn the 44 verſe. and he openeth the cauſes of mans infidelitie and treacherie, namely the deſire of glorie, of riches, and of pleaſure,oIn the 45, 46, & 47 ver. ioyning hereunto fearefull threatninges, that God the reuenger will once vndoubtedly moſt ſharpely puniſhe them.*The 6. chap. pFrom the 1. ver. vntounto the 14The other benefite is moſt publike. For hee maketh a marueilous, and a verie kinglike feaſt, vntounto certayne thouſandes of men in the wilderneſſe, declaring thereby moſt manifeſtly, that he is that ſonne to be honoured of the bleſſed GOD, by whoſe vertue and prouidence all liuing thinges are fedde and nouriſhed.qIn the 14. verſe. Nowe the people not vnderſtanding the iuſt ende of ſo great a benefite, according to their groſſeneſſe, are willing to create the Lorde the king of Iſrael.rIn the 15. ver But the Lorde, whiche was not come to raigne in humilitie, vppon the earth, or in the countreye of the Iewes onelie, or to receiue a kingdome of men, but to bee a king, crowned by GOD the Father him ſelfe, glorious, heauenlye, in heauen and in all the earth together, and of all creatures viſible and inuiſible, departeth▪ and hideth him ſelfe in a mountayne alone.ſIn the 16, 17 and 18. ver. The diſciples, not knowing where the Lorde laye hidde, or whether hee was fledde, goe by ſhippe to Capernaum: tIn the 19. ver.Whom the Lorde following walked vppon the waues of the Sea, as vppon the mayne lande,vIn the 20, 21. ver. and holpe them being in perill in the lake,xThe vſe of the myracle. ſetting foorth vntounto them by this proofe his diuine power.yIn the 22, 23 & 24. ver. The nexte day the common people followe him alſo in ſhippes,zIn the 25. verſe. miniſtring occaſion vntounto him by their woordes, to reaſon openlie in the ſchoole of Capernaum touching the abridgement and ſumme of our religion,aFrom the 26 ver vntounto the 30 namelie that hee is the true ſonne of GOD, ſent downe from heauen from the father, to giuegive life vntounto al mankinde, and to conſerue them in life, in that hee was incarnate for vsus, in that hee offered his fleſhe and his blood vntounto the death for vsus, that eueryevery one, whiche beleeueth in him, maye hauehave life euerlaſting.bFrom the 30 ver. vntounto ye 34 And hee propoſeth this chiefe myſterye of our faith by the continuall ſimilitude of bread or meate, and of drinke, of eating and alſo of drinking, beeyng hidde in an allegorie, that both ſpirituall thinges might more rightlye bee conceiued by the ſimilitude of bodily thinges, and alſo that they might the more firmely ſticke in the mindes of men.cIn the 34 verſe. But when as the Capernaites vnderſtood theſe thinges the wrong way and groſſely,dFrom the 35. ver. vntounto the 66. the Lorde expoundeth him ſelfe moſte clearely, declaring plainly, what hee meant by that kynde of ſpeache.eIn the 66. verſe. And when as not a fewe forſooke him,fIn the 67. verſe. hee aſketh thoſe his diſciples, whom hee had called to the office of Apoſtleſhippe, whether they alſo purpoſed to forſake him.gFrom the 68 ver. vntounto the end of the chapter. But bleſſed Peter in the behalfe of all the Apoſtles made a right confeſſion in all poyntes, and comprehending all the ſumme of a true fayth, leauing it to the Churche, that ſhee alſo in all troubles and hereſies maye ſo goe on to confeſſe Chriſt.hA briefe rehearſall of the ſumme of the 2. laſt chap. Thou haſt therefore in theſe two laſt chapters, two miracles, the thirde and fourth, whiche Ieſus did, and whiche Iohn hath deſcribed: alſo two chiefe poyntes of our faith, moſte copiouſly and learnedly handeled, both that Ieſus is true GOD, of one ſubſtaunce with the Father, and alſo that the ſame Ieſus is true man, the foode of the ſoule, and the conſeruation and life of euerye parte of euerie man whiche truſteth in him with a true faith.iWhat went before. Iohn hath hitherto plainely ſette foorth the abridgement, ſumme, and ſcope of all the doctrine of the Goſpell,kWhat followeth. and nowe doeth hee ioyne heereunto certayne peculiar poyntes touching the doctrine and doctors of the Goſpell,*The 7. chap. lFrom the 1. ver. vntounto the 14What their duetie is:mIn the 14, 15, & 16. verſ. what their doctrine ought to bee:nIn the 17, and 18. ver. how doctrines may bee prooued and knowen, whether they bee of GOD:oFrom the 19 ver. vntounto the 25 that Chriſt the Lorde committed none offence againſt the doctrine of the lawe:pIn the 25, 26 & 27. verſes. alſo howe the doctrine of the trueth beeyng publiſhed is receiued of the worlde, and howe great troubles are rayſed for the Goſpell, whileſt the worlde goeth about to oppreſſe and cut of the Goſpell, by hands, by threatninges, and by murder.qFrom the 28. ver. vntounto the 33 And yet in theſe troubles the Lorde goeth on notwithſtanding with a bolde courage, bearing witneſſe with the trueth,rFrom the 33 ver. vntounto the 37 admoniſhing alſo what euilles are kept in ſtore for the deſpiſers of the Goſpel,ſIn the 37, 38, and 39, verſes. and inculcating the ſame kynde of doctrine continuallye, to witte, from whence ſaluation commeth, euen from the onelye Sonne of GOD, if wee beleeue in him, and what the force of faith is.tIn the 40, & 41. verſes. As the godlye doe with greate deſire receyue and imbrace this doctrine,vIn ye 41, 42, & 43. verſes. ſo are the wicked more and more incenſed thereby, indeuouring with tauntes to deface it, and by all meanes to oppreſſe it,xFrom the 44 ver. vntounto the end of the chapter. but the power of God is not ouercome of the weakeneſſe of men, whiche without GOD alwayes commeth to nothing, and vaniſheth awaye mocked and ſhamefully confounded.*The 8. chap. yFrom the 1 ver. vntounto the 12After theſe thinges Iohn putteth downe a notable example of the goodneſſe and merciemercy of GOD, whereby we maye vnderſtande, howe Ieſus is the fountayne of the water of life, watering the thirſtie to euerlaſting life.zIn the 1…. ver. Againe vnderunder the couer of a certayne other ſimilitude, comprehending the ſumme of ſoūd doctrine, hee teacheth, that hee is the light and Sauiour of all the worlde:aIn the 13, 19 22, & 25. ver. whiche doctrine of the truth the brawling Iewes indeuouring to pollute, cauill muche.bFrom the 14 ver. vntounto the 31 But the Lorde doeth maynetayne and confirme the ſayde doctrine grauely and firmely,cIn the 21 vir denouncing puniſhment to the contentious,dIn the 14, and 15 ver Alſo in the 19, and 22. ver. opening with all the cauſes of contention and of errour,eFrom the 14. ver. vntounto the 31 and declaring often times moſt clearely that hee is the Sauiour of the worlde, whiche can ſaue them, that beleeue in him, and whiche can condemne them that beleeue not in him: that his doctrine is certayne, and infallible, the whiche by repeating often times hee doeth inculcate. For this muſt be retayned firmely in all contentions.
fIn the 31, & 32. verſes.Moreouer he inſtructeth more fully the faithfull and holy, whiche beleeued him, what they ſhoulde doe, howe they ought to continue in the knowen trueth, and what the freedome of the Sonnes of GOD is.gFrom the 33 ver. vntounto the 48 Hee confuteth againe the wicked bragging of the Iewes, boaſting themſelues to bee the ſonnes of God, and the ſeede of Abraham. hIn the 39 verFor the Lord teacheth, who bee the true ſonnes of Abraham, iIn the 42, & 43. ver.what the diſpoſition of the ſonnes of GOD,kIn the 44, & 45. verſ. and of the Deuill is, alſo what the drift and woorkes of the deuill are,lIn the 46, & 47. verſes. and that the hearing of God his woorde is the moſte euident marke of the Sonnes of GOD.mIn the 48 ve The Iewes receiue this faithfull and notable diſputation of the Lorde with tauntes,nIn the 49, 50, & 51. ver. vntounto whome the Lorde propoſeth a newe the ſumme of the true and ſounde doctrine, namely that the ſaluation and the life of the worlde is not obtayned, but onelyonly by fayth in Ieſus Chriſt,oFrom the 52 verſe vntounto the 57. yea and that Abraham him ſelfe liued by fayth in Ieſus Chriſt the Sonne of GOD.pFrom the 57 verſ. vntounto the end of the chap. At the whiche doctrine, as at extreame blaſphemye, they beeyng ſtirred vp, catche vp ſtones, to puniſhe forſooth ye blaſphemer: but he withdrew him ſelfe forth of the troubleſome company.qA neceſſary point of doctrine to be learned in theſe 2. chap. Nowe this whole diſputation of theſe two chapters doe furniſhe vsus with a moſte beautifull example of a thing moſte neceſſarye, namely howe wee ought in all troubles, perſecutions, threatnings, diſputations, bralles, reproches, and tauntes of this worlde, to hauehave an eye onelye to Chriſte, and to the infallible worde of his Goſpell, as to the onelye ſhippe-mans ſtarre in the tempeſtuous Sea, and to continue faithfull in him moſte conſtantly.rWhat followeth. The Apoſtle deſcribeth moſte plentifullye and moſte elegantly heereafter the fifte miracle of the Lorde, or benefite beſtowed vponupon a certayne blinde man.ſThe vſe of the myracle. Whereby the Lorde Ieſus as by a liuely deede, confirmeth and declareth that, whiche hee lately propoſed to all the people in the temple, namely, that hee is the light of the world, whiche came to lighten and quicken all beleeuers.*The 9. chap. tFrom the 1. ver. vntounto the 8.For nowe by giuing ſight to him that was borne blinde, he ſignifieth and prooueth manifeſtly by the thing it ſelfe, that hee is the giuer of light.vIn the 39, 40, & 41. verſ. Yea a little before the ende of the hiſtorie, extending this his deede moſte largely to all men, hee addeth: I am come vntounto iudgement in this worlde, that they whiche ſee not, might ſee: and that they whiche ſee, might bee made blinde: which is as it were the ſtate, where vntounto wee maye referre the whole hiſtorie.xFrom the 8. ver. vntounto the 35 The meane whyle, as vppon a certayne ſtage, is ſette foorth to the ſhewe, a ſharpe contention of the godly and vngodlye, about the matter of religion, and the trueth of the confeſſion of the Goſpell.yIn the 13, 15 16, 17, 18, 19, 24, 26, 28, 29 34, & 40 verſ. Heere are alſo paynted foorth the manners and diſpoſitions, not onelyonly of the enimies of the woorde of GOD,zIn the 9, 11, 12, 15, 17.20 25, 27, 30, 31, 32, & 33, verſes. but of ſimple Chriſtians alſo, whoſe duetie, francke confeſſion,aIn the 36. & 38. verſes and increaſe of fayth are heere deſcribed.bThe application of the hiſtorie before goyng. Therefore thou ſhalt ſee, as in a certayne liuely picture, the counſels and indeauours of the wicked, whereby they perſecute the trueth, darken it, and indeuour to oppreſſe it. Thou ſhalt ſee their maruellous ſlineſſe, their wrath, and enuie not to bee pacified, and their extreeme crueltie. Thou ſhalte ſee agayne ye faithfulnes, ſimplicitie, ſinceritie, patience, conſtancie, and trueth conquering in all thinges, which alwayes ouercommeth by giuing place.*The 10. cha. cFrom the 1. verſe vntounto the 19.After theſe thinges hee accuſeth greatlie the blynde and vnfaithfull ſhepheardes of the people of the Iewes: and with all hee ſheweth, that hee is that true ſhephearde, whiche quickeneth his ſheepe with his death, redeemeth them by his power and care from all euilles, and refreſheth them with wholeſome foode. And in theſe thinges he ſetteth foorth the example of the beſt ſhephearde for all faithfull ſhepheardes, inſtructing them what becommeth them, and what their duetie is: but chiefly hee inculcateth that, whiche hee vſeth to vrge euerye where, that hee is the Sauiour of the worlde, whiche giueth life to the faithfull through his death.dIn the 19, 20 & 21. ver. But there riſeth a newe buſineſſe and a newe diſſention about this doctrine, ſome wilfully cauellyng at the propoſed truth, and other no whitte the leſſe mayntayning and defending the ſame.eIn the 22, 23, & 24, ver. In the feaſt of the dedication the aduerſaries propoſe a queſtion to the Lorde, whereby they might take a newe occaſion to cauill. They demaunde: whether hee bee Chriſte, that bleſſed ſonne of almightie GOD, that is to ſay, the Meſſias? and if hee bee, that hee woulde confeſſe it openlye, plainely, and manifeſtly.fFrom the 25 ver. vntounto the 31 Therefore the Lorde Ieſus profeſſeth, and not onelye profeſſeth, but alſo prooueth, that hee is Chriſte the bleſſed, the ſonne of the bleſſed God.gIn the 31 ver. By the whiche profeſſion they beeyng rather prouoked, then inſtructed, are willing to ſtone Ieſus as a blaſphemer.hFrom the 32 ver. vntounto the 39 But hee reaſoning friendly with them, ſheweth that hee is the ſonne of GOD in deede, and that hee ſinned not at all againſt the maieſtie of his father.iIn the 39, & 40. verſ. But becauſe no reaſons can preuayle with the groſſe, inflexible, and blinde aduerſaries, leauing them agayne, and paſſing ouer Iordane, he returned vntounto that place, where Iohn firſt beganne to baptiſe.kIn the 41 ver There he found not a few obedient ſheep.lIn the laſt ver For manie beleeued on Ieſus there.mWhat wēt before & what followeth. Hetherto wee hauehave hearde greate and diuine thinges, and yet there follow after a ſorte greater and more diuine thinges,*The 11. cha. nFrom the 1. ver vntounto the 46and before all the reſt, the rayſing agayne by Chriſte of Lazarus, hauing layne nowe foure dayes in the graue and ſtinking.oWhy Chriſt wrought this myracle. The laſt day of Chriſte the Lorde approched, wherein he offered him ſelfe, for the ſaluation of men, to GOD the father, to bee an odour of a good ſmelling ſauour. And the nearer hee drewe vntounto his death, the more plainelye doeth the force and fruite of the Lorde his death ſhewe it ſelfe.pWhat we may learne by this myracle. Certaynelie the Lorde ſheweth moſte manifeſtlie by this his ſixte laſt ſigne or miracle, that hee is the life of all the worlde, who although hee dyed vppon the croſſe, yet can hee ſaue the ſoules of the faithfull in death, and rayſe vp the dead. And becauſe this thing is harde to bee beleued of fleſhe and mans reaſon, this hiſtorie is handeled both plentifully, and exactly, yea and euidently, ſo that thou maieſt thinke, that thou beholdeſt all thinges with viewe of eye. In the meane ſeaſon in Martha and Marye wee are taught, what manner of faith ours ought to bee. And the myndes of the Godlye are confirmed through all the hiſtorye agaynſt the feare of death, the offence of the Croſſe is mittigated and vtterlie taken awaye,qFrom the 46 ver. vntounto the end of the chapter. and the cauſe of the hatred and enuie of the Prieſtes or Senatours of the people of Iſrael is declared, wherewith they beeing blinded conſulte to kill Chriſte. That conſultation is touched in fewe, but yet in euident words.*The 12. cha. rIn the 1, 2, 3, and 4. ver.Now heereunto pertaineth the feaſt ſolemniſed in Bethanie, sFrom the 5. ver. vntounto the 12in the deſcription whereof, the cauſe is ſhewed whereby Iudas being moued, purpoſed to ſell and betray Ieſus to the Prieſtes.tThe Euangeliſts purpoſe in the reſt, which followeth. In thoſe things, whiche followe, Iohn handeleth thoſe matters, whereby the glory and vertue of Chriſte appeared & ſhone oftentimes moſt cleerely to the people of Iſrael:vFrom the 12. ver. vntounto the 19 & firſt, where as he entred into the citie wt regal pompe, hee declareth, that he is the king & the deliuerer of the people of God, whome the Prophetes foreſhewed to come.xIn the 19. ver This, greeued the Phariſees, who beeing ouerwhelmed with the greatneſſe, power, and euidencie of Chriſt his doings, are cōſtrained to deſpaire of their owne matters.yIn the 20, 21 & 22. ver. Hereunto this alſo is added, yt the Greekes or Gentiles came to Ieruſalem from coū tries very farre diſtant to ſee and ſalute Ieſus.zFrom the 23. ver. vntounto the 27 Whereby ye Lord taketh occaſiō to ſpeake of his death, of the fruite thereof, and of the great and farre exceeding glory following his death immediately.aIn the 27, and 28, ver. Alſo he prayeth, that the father would ſet foorth his glory.bIn the 28 and 29 ver. An oracle is giuen from heauen anſwering to the prayers of the Lorde.cFrom the 30 ver. vntounto the 34. Therevpon the Lorde teacheth agayne moſt cleerely, what fruite ſhall come vntounto the faithfull through his death.dIn the 34, verſe. Nowe when the people here upon moued a queſtion, touching the eternitie of the Mesſias, eIn the 35, and 36. ver.Hee exhorteth them to faith.fIn the 37. verſe. The Iewes notwithſtanding continue in their vnbeliefe,gFrom the 38. ver. vntounto ye 44. the which thing Iohn proueth that Eſaias foreſhewed.hFrō the 44. verſe vntounto the end of the chap. But to confirme the weake in faith, the Lord maketh a moſt vehement Sermon, wherein hee gathereth a briefe rehearſall of his doctrine, hytherto publikely propoſed.iWhat went before. S. Iohn hitherto hath ſet foorth thoſe things, which the Lorde ſpake and did, priuately and publikely, before his Paſſion, among thoſe which were familiar with him, and in the preſence of all the common people, as well by diſputing as by preaching, both maintaining and deliuering to the Church the moſt full and perfect doctrine of the Goſpell:kWhat followeth. but in thoſe thinges, which followe, hee deſcribeth certaine ſecrete and myſticall, as well ſayings as doings of the Lorde, which hee ſpake and did, in that his laſt and myſticall Supper, before his Diſciples. Heere all thinges burne and glitter with a certaine diuine brightneſſe. For heere all the myſteries of our faith, and of the kingdome of God are propoſed and opened, and the moſt daintie banket of the ſoule and ſpirite, is moſt liberally furniſhed and ſet foorth by the Sonne of God himſelf to the Church, ſo that the faithfull hearer diligently conſidering theſe things, may ſeeme to heare not a humane, but a very diuine voyce, and not to be at any earthly ſupper, but being admitted into heauē it ſelfe, to bee a gueſt at God his table. Notwithſtāding paſſing ouer thoſe thinges, which the other three Euangeliſts handeled both diligently and plētifully touching this laſt ſupper, Iohn ſetteth foorth moſt fully thoſe thinges, which hytherto were not committed to writing, leaſt the Church of Chriſt ſhould want any thing, but that it might hauehave a moſte full Hiſtorie of the affayres of her Sauiour.*The 13. cha. lIn the firſt verſe.Therefore in the beginning ſpeaking ſomewhat in maner of a Preface,mFrom the 2 ver. vntounto the 12 hee bringeth in foorthwith the Lorde waſhing the Diſciples feete,nFrom the 12. ver. vntounto the 18. and commending by that deede, with certaine wordes added thereunto, both humilitie, and the duties of charitie, expounding alſo the effect or fruite of his paſſion.oFrom the 18 verſe vntounto the 30. After theſe things is placed a diligent and profitable diſputation of Iudas his treaſon.pIn the 30. ver When as Iudas was departed foorth of the holy banket of the holy Apoſtles, that hee might gather togeather cutters, which might take Ieſus,qIn the 31, & 32. verſes. Ieſus vnderſtood that his laſt houre now approched, he ſeeth alſo that his diſciples, beeing oppreſſed with great ſorowe, are diuerſly tempted and greeued,rFrō the 33. verſe vntounto the end of the chap. therefore hee maketh a worthie oration vntounto them with great deliberation, that hee might thereby comforte his Diſciples, and admoniſhe them and fully inſtruct them in all his matters. For this are they wont to doe, which are at the point of death, namely to cōfort theirs, to inſtruct thē in diuers thinges, & grauely to warne them. For in ſuche manner the Lorde maketh a large and a moſt profitable oration vntounto his Diſciples heere put downe in writing vntounto the 17. Chapter, which for the more plaineneſſe wee hauehave deuided into two partes. The former part is comprehended in the latter end of thesFrom the 33 verſe 13 Chapter, and in the 14. Chapter throughout. The latter part is contained in the 15. and 16. Chapters. But the Oration or Sermon of the Lorde is diuers, neither is it referred to any one, and certaine marke, except thou reſpect conſolation & inſtruction. For all thinges tend herevnto, that the Diſciples of Chriſte be not troubled, and that they may vnderſtande the myſteries of Chriſte, and know what they ſhoulde doe.tIn the 31, 32 and 33. verſes of the 13. chapter. And firſt hee intreateth of his death, which becauſe it ſeemed vntounto the worlde to bee ſhamefull and infamous, hee teacheth, that both the father and the ſonne is glorified through his death.vIn the 34. & 35. ver. Then becauſe he muſt leaue them, leaſt they ſhoulde bee ignorant howe to behaue themſelues, and what lawes they ſhoulde keepe one with another, hee doth not ouercharge them with many preſcriptions, but commendeth vntounto them charitie only.xIn the 36. & 37. ver. Notwithſtanding heere the Lordes talke is broken of a litle, through the bolde bragge of Saint Peter, yIn the 36.37, & 38. ver.which the Lorde cooling, goeth forwarde in his purpoſe,*The 14. cha. zIn the 1 ver.and profeſſeth openly that hee is very God, that hee may ſtay vp the faith of his Diſciples, wherein is the ſureſt foundation of comfort.aFrom the 2. ver. vntounto the 8. He addeth that hee therefore departeth hence and dyeth, that hee may open the way for vsus into heauen.bFrom the 8, ver. vntounto the 15 Afterwardes he ſheweth Philip and the reſt more fully, that hee is in all thinges coequall and of one ſubſtance with the Father: yea and that the Father cannot be knowen but by the Sonne.cIn the 15. ver And nowe alſo hee exhorteth them to keepe his commaundements faithfully:dIn the .16 and 17. verſes. and promiſeth an other comforter.eFrom the 18. ver. vntounto the 25 Moreouer hee vſeth many reaſons, whereby hee may both comfort their ſorowefull mindes, & ſtirre them vp to the vehemente ſtudie of godlideſſe.fFrom the 25 ver. vntounto the 30 And heereupon hee reaſoneth more plentifully of the comforter, or holy Ghoſt,gIn the 30 and 31, ver. and ſaith moſt plainely that he muſt ſhortly be deliuered into the handes of ſinnefull men: but yet ſo that the world ſhoulde bee ſaued thereby.hWhat went before. Hauing finiſhed the former part of the Lorde Ieſus Oration made after the Supper vntounto his beloued Diſciples,iWhat followeth. wee come nowe to the latter part, which ſeemeth to bee ſpoken in the iourney towarde the mount of Oliues, and is comprehended in the 15. and 16. Chapters.kHow this which foloweth, agreeth with that which went before. And it agreeth with thoſe thinges, which went before in this maner: The Lorde had oftentimes ſaide, that hee muſt departe foorth of this worlde to the Father, the meane while leaſt the Diſciples ſhoulde ſuppoſe, that they ſhoulde vtterly bee forſaken, hee added, that hee with the father and the holy Ghoſt woulde come vntounto them, and abide with them, if they continue in keeping his preceptes.*The 15 cha. lFrom the 1. ver. vntounto the 9.Now as it were repeating ye ſame thing, & after a ſort inlarging the ſame by bringing in the moſt elegant ſimilitude of the vine & of the branches, he reaſoneth moſt plainely of his remaining, that I may ſo tearme it, or of his preſence in the Church, yea and of the true Communion of Chriſte and his Saintes, I meane, in that hee remaineth wholy in vsus, by his ſpirite, by his power, and by his euident operation, if wee by faith and by louelove remaine in him.mFrom the 9. verſ. vntounto 14. And verily for this cauſe he intreateth more copiouſly of brotherly louelove.nIn the 14, & 15. verſes. And by the way he reaſoneth of the worthineſſe of the faithfull, whome hee calleth friendes, and not ſeruants.oIn the 16. ver Againe leaſt they ſhould be proude, he addeth, that this is beſtowed vponupon them through the free election of God, which hath choſen them, that they may go and bring foorth plentifull fruite.pFrom the 17 ver. vntounto ye 26. But the Diſciples began foorthwith to feele, what perilles they ſhoulde bee in, and therefore were they not a little afraide of themſelues. The Lorde therefore confirming their mindes, reaſoneth much and diuerſly of the croſſe and of ſuffering,qIn the 26 and 27, ver. and promiſeth again the comforter, which ſhoulde ſtirre them vp, incourage, and confirme them in troubles & perſecutions.*The 16. cha. rFrom the 1. ver. vntounto the 16▪Moreouer, hee diſputeth with muche profite many things concerning ye effects and ſtrength of the comforter, ſhewing howe the holy ghoſt being giuen ſhoulde recompence his corporall preſence, which after his death ſhoulde be no whitte at all profitable vponupon earth, howe by him he woulde prepare his Church in the world, and raigne in it.sFrom the 16 ver. vntounto ye 20. And yet doth he agayne put them in remembraunce that hee muſt firſt die,tIn the 20 ver. and that herevpon his diſciples ſhoulde be oppreſſed with great ſorowe: whom forthwith rayſing vp againe by cō forting them, he aſſureth them yt their ſorrowe ſhall not be long: but that the ioy, which ſhall riſe of his reſurrection, and folowe their ſorrow, ſhall be euerlaſting.vIn the 21, and 22, ver. And this doth he declare by the ſimilitude of a woman trauailing.xFrom the 23 ver. vntounto ye 28. Moreouer leaſt they ſhoulde bee ouermuche ſorrowefull through the departing of his bodie into heauen, hee promiſeth his diſciples, that he will teach them all the ſecretes of the kingdome of God by his ſpirite, and that hee will giuegive them whatſoeuer they ſhall aſke in his name, that is to ſay, in the name of Chriſt:yIn the 28 verſe. and with all he gathereth into a briefe ſumme the whole matter of our redemption, deſiring to faſten this deepe in their hearts.zIn the 29 & 30 verſes. The which things when as the diſciples receiued with great reioycing, and commended, profeſſing, that they did now beleeue, and plainly vnderſtand, that he was the ſonne of God,aIn the 31, and 32 ver. he fortelleth them, that they ſhall forthwith forſake him, and eueryevery one prouide for him ſelfe by fliyng away.bIn the laſt ver. And in the end, concluding his whole talke continued hitherto from the thirtienth Chapter, and ſignifiyng whereunto all things muſt be applied, hee ſaith: Theſe wordes hauehave I ſpoken vntounto you, that in mee you might hauehave peace, for in the worlde yee hauehave tribulation: but bee of good cheare, I hauehave ouercome the worlde. cWhat went before & what foloweth.After that our Lorde Ieſus Chriſt had partlie comforted his diſciples by theſe verie diuine ſermōs, and partly informed and inſtructed them againſt the ſtorme of euilles imminent, becauſe he had purpoſely warned them, that they muſt not put their truſt in any humane thinges, but in the helpe of God, he doth moreouer teach by his owne example, that in their afflictions the looke no whither els, but to the Father of heauē.dFrom the 1. ver. vntounto the 6. *The 17. cha.Now therefore preparing him ſelfe to ſuffer his paſſion, he beginneth it with making his prayers vntounto the father, vntounto whom firſt hee commendeth himſelfe,eFrom the 6, ver. vntounto the 20 then his Apoſtles,fFrom the 20 ver. vntounto the end of the chap. laſtly all, whiche beleeue the doctrine of the Apoſtles, beſeeching him, that hee woulde glorifie him, and that hee woulde guide the Apoſtles, and the Churche of the faythfull, through this moſt vnpure worlde, in the ſtudie of the trueth, of godlineſſe, and of charitie, and that he woulde ioyne them vntounto him for euer.*The 18. cha. gIn the 1.Hauing finiſhed his prayer, he goeth vntounto the mount of Oliues, entring into a garden, where hee might commende him ſelfe agayne to God by his prayers.hIn the 2. & 3. verſes. The meane while trayterous Iudas had gathered togither a bande of moſt wicked varlettes, and approcheth the innocent.iFrom the 4. ver. vntounto ye 10. The Lord, that he might ſhewe that hee ſuffered of his owne accorde and willingly, and that he was omnipotent, although hee ſuffered him ſelfe to bee chayned, ouerthroweth often times the bande in the graden, and afterwardes committeth hym ſelfe voluntarily vntounto the wicked to be bound. kIn the 10, and 11 verſes.There Peter fighteth vnhappily enough, and was rebuked of his maiſter.lIn the 12.13 and 14 ver. They bring the Lorde foorthwith to Annas the high prieſt, and from him to Caiphas, becauſe he was placed that yere in the chiefe dignitie of prieſthood.mIn the 19 ver Inquiſition is made touching the doctrine of Ieſus,nIn the 20, and 21, ver. and whileſt he went about to anſwere,oIn the 22.23, & 24 ver. he is moſt vnworthily beaten of a ſeruant of the high prieſts.pIn the 15, 16 17, and 18. verſes, alſo in the 25, 26, and 27. verſes. Whileſt theſe things were in doing, Peter denieth & abiureth the Lorde moſt ſhamefully.qIn the 28, verſe. Chriſte is lead from the high prieſtes court ſtraight wayes vntounto the deputies common hall of iudgement, becauſe he ſeemed worthie of death.rFrom the 29 ver. vntounto the 38 He is accuſed before Pilate, and the chiefe pointes of the accuſation are diſcuſſed,tIn the 38. and 39 verſes. but Pilate finding no fault in him, goeth about by cunning too ſet him at libertie.vIn the laſt ver. Which when it fell out vnluckely,*The 19. chap xFrom the 1 ver. vntounto the 6.he bringeth him torne with whips, and crowned with a crowne of thornes, foorth vntounto the common people a beaſt of many heades.yIn the 6. ver. They crie out together, that he may be crucified.zFrom the 7, ver. vntounto the 12 But Pilate inquiring of many things,aFrom the 12 ver. vntounto ye 16 yet at the laſt ouercome with the wicked outcries of the Iewes,bIn the 16 ver deliuereth Ieſus to be crucified. He is receiued of the ſouldiers,cIn the 17 ver. and led foorth into a place named of dead mens ſkulles vntounto execution.dIn the 18 ver▪ There is he lifted vp vponupon a croſſe in ye middeſt betweene two theeues.eFrom the 19 ver. vntounto the 23 The title or cauſe of his death is put vponupon the croſſe by Pilate not without great reaſoning and controuerſie.fIn the 23, and 24, ver. Moreouer the ſouldiers parte the Lordes garmentes, and caſt lottes for his coate, which was without ſeame, vnderunder the croſſe.gIn the 25, 26, & 27 ver. The Lorde from the croſſe committeth his mother to Iohn: hIn the 28 verHee thirſteth,iIn the 29 ver and refuſeth to drinke vineger offered him in a ſponge,kIn the 30 ver. and witneſſing holily that all things were finiſhed, and that the ſacrifice was perfect, hee gaue vp his ghoſt to God the father.lIn the 31, and 32 ver. Afterwardes the legges of the theeues are broken,mIn the 33▪ and 34. ver. Ieſus his ſide is opened, blood and water guiſheth out of it.nIn the 35, 36 & 37 ver. Iohn which ſawe it, doth holily witneſſe the truth,oFrom the 38 ver. vntounto the end of the chap. And laſtly come godly & deuout men, whiche take downe the dead bodie of the Lorde from the croſſe, and ſpice it moſt honeſtly, and burie it.pWhat followeth, Iohn, in this laſt part of his Goſpell, rekoneth vp, with great truſt and diligence, the moſt manifeſt teſtimonies and proofes of the glorious reſurrection from the dead of our Lord Ieſus Chriſt, whereby he ſheweth fully and plainely, that hee roſe againe frō the dead truely wt his true & liuely body. He was not very carefull touching the maner of the reſurrection, & concerning the natural order of the reuelations. For he ſawe that the other Euangeliſts had plentifully handled & plainely enough ſet ye forth therfore he ſetteth forth the moſt choſen proofes:*The 20. cha. qIn the 1 ver. and from the 11. vntounto the 18And in the beginning he ſheweth, howe hee ſhewed him ſelf aliue to Marie Magdalen. For Marke alſo ſaith:rMarke chap. 16 ver. 9. When Ieſus was riſen early, the firſt day after the Sabboth, he appeared firſt to Marie Magdalen, out of whō he had caſt ſeuen deuils. sIn the 2 and 18 verſe.Nowe ſhee declareth to the apoſtles forthwith what ſhe had ſeene:tFrom the 3 ver. vntounto the 11 two of the whiche running to the ſepulchre, finde by certaine ſignes & tokens, yt ſhee had reported no vaine matter.vIn the 19 and 20. verſes. Now the Lord himſelfe, being willing to ſhewe manifeſtly his manifeſt reſurrection to the ten diſciples gathered together, commeth into the middeſt of them, & ſheweth them openly his hands and ſide marked with the prints of ye wounds, prouing ſo the trueth of his true reſurrectiō.xIn the 21, 22. & 23 ver. Forthwith he committeth and inioyneth ye apoſtles the miniſterie of preaching ſaluation & redemption, putting thē in truſt with the kayes of the kingdome of heauē.yIn the 24. ver Whē theſe thinges were in doing, ye reſt of ye diſciples being aſſēbled in one place, Thomas onelyonly was away,zIn the 25 ver vntounto whom returning ſhortly afterwardes, ye diſciples reioycing greatly, report yt they had ſeene the Lord. He ſuſpecting that they had bin deluded by ſome phantaſme, denieth, yt hee will beleeue, except he beholde the body of Ieſus openly with his owne eyes, yea and handeling it with his handes, touche the truth of his body.aIn the 26. & and 27. verſes Therefore after eight dayes, when as all ye eleuen diſciples were come togither againe into one place, the Lord Ieſus is preſent againe, and offereth himſelfe moſt manifeſtly to Thomas, both to be beholden of his eyes, & to be handled of his hands,bFrom the 28. verſe vntounto the end of the chap. who being ouercome with the euidencie & truth of the matter, crieth out, that hee doth nowe acknowledge and worſhip Chriſt for his Lord & God.cWhere theſe things were done. And theſe things were done in the very citie of Hieruſalem, and about the verye graue of the Lord: the which although they might ſuffice fully to confirme the faith of the reſurrection,*The 21. chap dFrom the 1 ver. vntounto the 15yet doeth Iohn adde a certaine notable proofe, whereby he declared in Galilee, that he was riſen from ye dead, by dyning alſo wt his diſciples. For the Lord had promiſed, as well by his priuate promiſe, as by ye promiſes of Angels, that it ſhoulde come to paſſe, yt they ſhoulde ſee him in Galilee.eIn the 15, 16 and 17 ver. And vntounto this reuelatiō Iohn ioyneth ye talke which ye Lord had wt Simō Peter immediatly after dinner, whō he reſtored to his miniſterie,fIn the 18, & 19 verſes. foretelling him his ſorowfull deſtenie.gFrō the 20 ver. vntounto the 24 Peter merueiling what ſhould become of Iohn, heareth yt eueryevery one ought to looke vntounto his own calling.hIn the 24, & laſt verſe of the chapter. Laſtly Iohn, making a proteſtation, yt he hath deſcribed ye matters of our lord Ieſus very faithfully, ſhutteth vp the hiſtorie of the truth of the Goſpell.
Here endeth the ſumme of the Goſpell by Saint Iohn.
FINIS.
End of the text · Henrich Bullinger, The Sum of the Four Evangelists (1582)