Commentary on the Gospels and Acts, Commentary 3 · Chapter 6
CHAP. VI.
Verse 1. On the second Sabbath after the first]
JErom saith, that he asked Nazianzen what this second Sabbathforeign. after the first was? Nazianzen answered, I'le tell you that, when I come next into the pulpit, for there you cannot contradict me. It a perjocum dixit (saith Melanchthon) quod hodie serio …. See the Note on Matt. 12. 1.
Verse 2. That which is not lawfull]
Our Saviour grants that it had not been lawfull indeed, but in case of hard hunger.
Verse 3. Have ye not read?]
Yes, over and over: but either understood not, or, through malice, dissembled it. Quilibet nostrum de lege interrogatus facilus quam nomen suum respondet, saith Josephus. The Jewes were all very wel versed in the Scriptures.
Verse 6. And it came to passe]
See the Notes on Matthew 12. 9, 10, 11, &c.
Verse 12. He went out into a mountain to pray]
He premiseth prayer being to make choise of the twelve. If Eleazar prayed when to seek a wife for Isaac, Gen. 24. If Salomon prayed for wisdom, ere he set upon the Temple-work. If Ezra fasted and prayed, ere he committed the golden and silver vessels to them that kept them, Ezra 8. 21. 30. Should there not prayer be made for Ministers, ere they be set over Gods house and people?
Verse 13. And of them he chose]
See Notes on Matthew …. 1.
Verse 20. Blessed … ye poor]
Here we have a repetition of that famous Sermon in the Mount, Matt. 5. 6, 7. See the Notes there.
Verse 22. And cast out your name]
Ubicunque invenitur … Calvini, deleatur, saith the Index expurgatorius. Persecutors proscribe true professours, tanquam nequissimos & lucis hujus usurâ indignos. After Joh. Husse was burnt, his adversaries got his heart which was left untoucht by the fire, and beat it with their staves.Epist. …. 16. ad …. A Frier preaching to the people at Antwerp, wished that Luther were there, that he might bite out his throat with his teeth, as Erasmus testifieth.
Verse 25. Woe unto you that laugh now]
Worldlings jollity is but as a Book fairly bound: which, when its opened, is full of … but tragedies.
Verse 26. When all men shall speak well]
What evill have I done said Aristides, when one told him he had every mans goodSen. de …. …. word? Male de me loquuntur; sed mali saith Seneca. Malis …, … est. When Doeg blasted David, he thinks the better of himself, Psal. 52. 8. Latymer sayes, he was glad when anySerm last afore King Edward. objected indiscretion against him in his Sermons: for by that, he knew the matter was good; else they would soon have condemned that.
Verse 29. That smiteth thee on the one cheek]
Socrates, when one gave him a box on the ear in the market-place said, Quam molestum est nescire homines quando prodire debeant cum galea? What an odde thing it is to go abroad without a head-peice.
Verse 30. Give to every man, &c.]
Generall Norrice never thought he had that, that he gave not away. It is not lack, but love of mony that maketh men churles.
Ask them not again]
Or if thou take the benefit of the Law to recover them, do it without hate or heat: as Tilters break their spears on each others breasts, yet without wrath, or intention of hurt.
Verse 31. And as ye would that men, &c.]
The most part… … Travels. of the Turks Civill Justice is grounded upon this Rule as is above noted.
Verse 35. Lend, hoping for nothing]
No not the principall, in case thy brother be not able to repay it. Thomas Tomkins Martyr a Weaver dwelling in Shore-ditch, whensoever any had come to borrow mony of him, would shew them such mony as he had inActs and Mon. …. …. his purse, and bid them take it: And when they came to repay it again, so far was he from Usury, that he would bid them keep it longer, till they were better able.
To the unthankfull, and to the evill]
An unthankfull man is a naughty man: nay, he is an ugly man, Psal. 147. 1.
Verse 38. Into your bosome]
The Jewes ware large and loose garments, so that they could bare away much in their bosomes. Hence this expression.