these things vvas stroken sad because he vvas very riche ✠verse 24 And IESVS seeing him stroken sad said Hovv hardly shal they that haue money enter into the kingdom of God ✠verse 25 For it is easier for a camel to passe through the eie of a nedle then for a riche man to enter into the kingdom of God ✠verse 26 And they that heard said And vvho can be saued ✠verse 27 He said to them The things that are impossible vvith men are possible vvith God ✠verse 28 And Peter said Loe vve haue left al things and haue folovved thee ✠verse 29 Vvho said to them Amen I say to you There is no man that hath leaft house or parents or brethren or vvife or children for the kingdom of God ✠verse 30 and shal not receiue much more in this time and in the vvorld to come life euerlasting ✠verse 31 * And IESVS tooke the Tvvelue and said to them Behold vve goe vp to Hierusalem and al things shal be consummate vvhich vvere vvritten by the Prophets of the sonne of man ✠verse 32 For he shal be deliuered to the Gentiles and shal be mocked and scourged and spit vpon ✠verse 33 and after they haue scourged him they vvil kil him and the third day he shal rise againe ✠verse 34 And they vnderstoode none of these things and this vvord vvas hid from them and they vnderstoode not the things that vvere said ✠verse 35 And it came to passe vvhen he drevv nigh to Iericho a certaine blinde man sate by the vvay begging ✠verse 36 And vvhen he heard the multitude passing by he asked what this should be ✠verse 37 And they told him that IESVS of Nazareth passed by ✠verse 38 And he cried saying IESVS sonne of Dauid haue mercie vpon me ✠verse 39 And they that vvent before rebuked him that he should hold his peace But he cried much more Sonne of Dauid haue mercie vpon me ✠verse 40 And IESVS standing commaunded him to be brought vnto him And vvhen he vvas come neere he asked him ✠verse 41 saying Vvhat vvilt thou that I doe to thee but he said Lord that I may see ✠verse 42 And IESVS said to him Do thou see thy faith hath made thee vvhole ✠verse 43 And forthvvith he savv and folovved him magnifying God And al the people as they savv it gaue praise to God ⊢ ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XVIII 8. Shal he finde faith The Luciferians and Donatists vsed this place to excuse their fall from the Church as our Aduersaries novv doe saying that it vvas decaied in faith vvhen they forsooke it To vvhom vve answer as S. Hierom and S. Augustin answered them that Christ saith not that there should be no faith leaft in earth but by this maner of speache the insinuateth that at the later day in the great persecution of Antichrist faith should be more rare and the faithful among so many wicked not so notorious specially that perfect faith containing deuotion trust and affection toward God which our Maister so praised in certaine vpon whom he wrought miracles and by force vvhereof mountaines might be moued vvhich is rare euen vvhen the Church florisheth most CHAP. XIX In Ieriche he lodgeth in the house of Zachaus a Publicane and against the murmuring Iewes openeth the reasons of his so doing 11 He shevveth that the last day should not be yet 15 and whas then in the iudgement he vvil doe both to vs of his Church as vvel good as bad 47 and also to the reprobate Ievves 29 Being nevv come to the place of his Passion he entreth vveeping and foretelling the destruction of blinde Hierusalem vvhich triumph as their Christ 4◠He shevveth his zeale for the house of God and teacheth therein euery day 47 The rulers would destroy him but for feare of the people verse 1 AND entring in he vvalked through Iericho ✠verse 2 And behold a man named Zachaeus and this vvas a Prince of the Publicans and he riche ✠verse 3 And he sought to see IESVS vvhat he vvas and he could not for the multitude because he vvas litle of stature ✠verse 4 And running before he ″ vvent vp into a sycomore tree that he might see him because he vvas to passe by it ✠verse 5 And vvhen he vvas come to the place IESVS looking vp savv him and said to him Zachaeus come dovvne in hast because this day I must abide in thy house ✠verse 6 And he in hast came dovvne and receiued him reioycing ✠verse 7 And vvhen al savv it they murmured saying that he turned in to a man that vvas a sinner ✠verse 8 But Zachaeus standing said to our Lord Behold the halfe of my goods Lord I giue to the poore and if I haue defrauded any man of any thing ″ I restore fourefold ✠verse 9 IESVS said to him That this day saluation is made to this house because that he also is the sonne of Abraham ✠verse 10 * For the Sonne of man is come to seeke and to saue that vvhich vvas lost ⊢ ✠verse 11 They hearing these things he added and spake a parable for that he was nigh to Hierusalem and because they thought that forthvvith the kingdom of God should be manifested ✠verse 12 He said therfore * A certaine noble man vvent into a farre countrie to take to him self a kingdom and to returne ✠verse 13 And calling his ten seruants he gaue them ten poundes and said to them Occupie til I come ✠verse 14 And his citizens hated him and they sent a legacie after him saying Vve vvil not haue this man reigne ouer vs. ✠verse 15 And it came to passe after he returned hauing receiued his kingdom and he commaunded his seruants to be called to vvhom he gaue the money that he might knovv how much euery mā had gained by occupying ✠verse 16 And the first came saying Lord thy pound hath gotten ten poundes ✠verse 17 And he said to him Vvel fare thee good seruant because thou hast been faithful in a litle thou shalt haue povver ouer ten cities ✠verse 18 And the second came saying Lord thy pound hath made fiue poundes ✠verse 19 And he said to him And be thou ouer fiue cities ✠verse 20 And an other came saying Lord loe here thy pound vvhich I haue had laid vp in a napkin ✠verse 21 for I feared thee because thou art an austêre man thou takest vp that thou didst not set dovvne and thou reapest that vvhich thou didst not sovv ✠verse 22 He saith to him By thine ovvne mouth I iudge thee naughtie seruant Thou didst knovv that I am an austere man taking vp that I set not dovvne and reaping that vvhich I sovved not ✠verse 23 and vvhy didst thou not giue my money to the banke and I comming might certes vvith vsurie haue
me meate thirstie and you gaue me drinke c. Therfore doeth Christ say here It is not mine to giue because he is lust and wil not giue it to euery man without respect of their deserts yea nor alike to euery one but diuersly according to greater or lesser merits as here S. Chryso maketh it plaine when our Sauiour telleth them that although they suffer martyrdom for his sake yet he hath not to giue them the two cheefe places See S. Hiero. Vpon this place and li. 2 adu Iouin c. 15. This also is a lesson for them that haue to bestow Ecclesiastical benefices that they haue no carnal respect to kinred c. but to the worthines of the persons 〈◊〉 As the sonne of man Christ him self as he was the Sonne of man was their and our Superiour and * Lord and Maister notwithstanding his humility and therfore it is pride and haultinesse which is forbidden and not Superiority or Lordship as some Heretikes would haue it CHAP. XXI Being now come to the place of his Passion he entereth with humility and triumph together 12 Sheweth his zeale for the house of God ioyned with great maruels 15 And to the Rulers he boldly defendeth the acclamations of the children 〈◊〉 He â—urseth also that fruitles leaâ—â—e tree 23 auoucheth his power by the witnes of Iohn 28 and foretelleth his in two parables their reprobation with the Gentils vocation for their wicked deserts 42 and consequently their irreparable damnation that shal ensue therof verse 1 AND vvhen they drevv nigh to Hierusalem and vvere come to Beth-phagee vnto Mount-oliuet then IESVS sent tvvo disciples ✠verse 2 saying to them Goe ye into the tovvne that is against you and immediatly ″ you shal finde an asse tied and a colt vvith her loose them bring them to me ✠verse 3 and if any man shal say ought vnto you say ye that our Lord hath neede of them and forthvvith he vvil let them goe ✠verse 4 And this vvas done that it might be fulfilled vvhich vvas spoken by the Prophet saying ✠verse 5 Say ye to the daughter of Sion Behold thy king commeth to thee meeke sitting vpon an asse and a colt the fole of her that is vsed to the yoke ✠verse 6 And the disciples going did as IESVS commaunded them ✠verse 7 And they brought ″ the asse and the colt and laide their garments vpon them and made him to sit thereon ✠verse 8 And a very great multitude spred their * garments in the vvay and others did cut boughes from the trees and stravved them in the vvay ✠verse 9 and the multitudes that vvent before and that folovved cried saying ″ Hosanna to the sonne of Dauid blessed is he that commeth in the name of our Lord. ⊢ Hosanna in the highest ✠verse 10 And vvhen he vvas entred Hierusalem the vvhole citie vvas moued saying who is this ✠verse 11 And the people said This is IESVS the Prophet of Nazareth in Galilee ✠verse 12 And * IESVS entred into the temple of God and cast out al that sold and bought in the temple and the tables of the bankers and the chaires of them that sold pigeons he ouerthrevve ✠verse 13 and he saith to them It is vvritten My house shal be called the ″ house of prayer but you haue made it a denne of theeues ✠And there came to him the blinde and the lame in the temple and he healed them ✠verse 15 And the cheefe priestes Scribes seeing the maruelous things that he did and the children crying in the temple saying Hosanna to the sonne of Dauid they had indignatioÌ„ ✠verse 16 and said to him Hearest thou vvhat these say And IESVS said to them Very vvel haue you neuer read That out of the ″ mouth of infants and sucklings thou hast perfited praise ✠verse 17 And leauing them he vvent forth out of the citie into Bethania and remained there ⊢ ✠verse 18 And in the morning returning into the citie he vvas an hungred ✠verse 19 * And seeing a certaine figtree by the vvay side he came to it and found nothing on it but leaues only and he saith to it Neuer grovv there fruite of thee for euer And incontinent the figtree vvas vvithered ✠verse 20 And the disciples seeing it marueled saying Hovv is it vvithered incontinent ✠verse 21 And IESVS ansvvering said to them Amen I say to you * if you shal haue faith and stagger not not only that of the figtree shal you doe but and if you shal say to this mountaine Take vp and throvv thy self into the sea it shal be done ✠verse 22 And al things vvhatsoeuer you shal aske in prayer ″ beleeuing you shal receiue ✠verse 23 And vvhen he vvas come into the temple there came to him as he vvas teaching the cheefe Priests and auncients of the people saying * ″ In vvhat povver doest thou these things and vvho hath giuen thee this povver ✠verse 24 IESVS ansvvering said to them I also vvil aske you one vvord vvhich if you shal tell me I also vvil tel you in vvhat povver I doe these things ✠verse 25 The Baptisme of Iohn vvhence vvas it from heauen or from men But they thought vvithin them selues saying ✠verse 26 If vve shal say from heauen he vvil say to vs vvhy then did you not beleeue him but if vve shal say from men vve feare the multitude for al hold Iohn as a Prophet ✠verse 27 And ansvvering to IESVS they said We knovv not He also said to them Neither do I tel you in vvhat povver I doe these things ✠verse 28 But vvhat is your opinion A certaine man had tvvo sonnes and comming to â— the first he said Sonne goe vvorke to day in my vineyard ✠verse 29 And he ansvvering said I vvil not But aftervvard moued vvith repentance he vvent ✠verse 30 And comming to the other he said likevvise And he ansvvering said I goe Lord and he vvent not ✠verse 31 Which of the tvvo did the fathers vvil They say to him The first IESVS saith to them AmeÌ„ I say to you that the Publicans and vvhoores goe before you into the kingdom of God ✠verse 32 For Iohn came to you in the vvay of iustice and you did not beleeue him but the publicans and vvhoores did beleeue him but you seeing it neither haue ye had repentance aftervvard to beleeue him ✠verse 33 An other parable heare ye A man there vvas an housholder vvho * planted a vineyard and made a hedge round about it and digged in it a presse and builded a tovvre and let it out to husbandmen and vvent forth into a strange countrie ✠verse 34 And vvhen the time of fruites drevve nigh he sent his seruants to the husbandmen to receiue the fruites
vvhiles he ″ blessed them he departed from them and vvas caried into heauen ✠verse 52 And they adoring vvent backe into Hierusalem vvith great ioy ✠verse 53 and they vvere alvvaies in the temple praising and blessing God ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XXIIII 30. Tooke bread The Fathers in diuers places take this to be meant of the B. Sacrament Author operis imperf ho. 17. S. Augustine li. 39 de consensu Euang. c. 25 ser 140 de temp ep 59 ad Paulinum q. 1◠Paulinus him self in the next epistle before that among S. Augustines Venerable Bede also vpon this place Theophylacte vpon this place And that it should be meant of the holy Sacrament the forme of solemne taking the bread into his handes blessing it breaking it and reaching it to his disciples exceding proper to the consecration and common to none other vulgar benediction nor any where vsed but in Christs miraculous multiplying the loaues and the singular effecte in notifying Christ vnto them do proue And if it be the Sacrament as it is most probable then is it an euident example and vvarrant of ministration in one kinde 46. Penance to be preached He shevved vnto them out of the Scriptures not onely the things that were now accomplished in himself but also that were yet to come about his Church as where it should begin to vvit at Hierusalem and hovv farre it should goe to vvit to al nations that he might not suffer vs saith S. Augustine to erre neither in the bridegrome nor in the bride For this maketh manifestly against al Heretikes and Schismatikes that set vp nevv churches in particular countries dravving the people from the foresaid onely true Church vvhich from Hierusalem so grovveth ouer al nations til the end of the vvorld come 50. Blessed them Christ our high priest prefigured specially therein by Melchisedec often gaue his blessing to his somtimes by vvordes as Peace be to you somtimes by imposing his handes and now here by lifting vp his hands ouer his Disciples as it vvere for his farewel In vvhat forme the Scripture doth not expresse but very like it is that in forme of the crosse as Iacob the Patriarch blessed his nephewes for signification of Christs benediction for now the crosse began to be glorious among the faithful and the Apostles as it is most certaine by the fathers vvhich call it an ancient tradition vsed that signe for an external note of benediction Yea S. Augustine saith in Ps 30. Conc. 3 that Christ him self not without cause would haue his signe to be fixed in our foreheads as in the feate of shame fastnes that a Christian man should not be ashamed of the reproche of Christ and what forme can a Christian man vse rather to blesse him self or others then that which was dedicated in Christs death and is a conuenient memorial of the same Howsoeuer it be that the Bishops and Priests of Gods Church blesse with an external signe no man can reprehend being warranted by Christs owne example and action †THE ARGVMENT OF S. IOHNS GOSPEL S Iohns Gospel may be diuided into foure partes The first part is of the actes of Christ before his solemne manifestation of himselfe vvhile Iohn Baptist vvas yet baptizing Chap. 1. 2. 3. 4. The second of his Actes in Iurie hauing novv begonne his solemne manifestation in Galilee Mat. 4 12 the second Easter or Pasche of his preaching Chap. 5. For of the first pasche we had in the first part chap. 2 13 And the pasche of the Iewes was at hand And that feast vvhereof vve haue in this second part chap. 5 1 After this there was a festiual day of * the Iewes is thought of good Authors to be the feast of Pasche The third part is of his Actes in Galilee and in Iurīe about the third Pasche and after it cap. 6 to the 12. For so vve haue chap. 6 4 And Pasche the festiual day of * the Iewes was at hand The fourth part is of the fourth pasche vvhich vve haue in the end of the chap. 11 55 And the pasche of * the Iewes was at hand that is to say of the Holy vveeke of his Passion in Hierusalem chap. 12. vnto the end of the booke By vvhich diuision it is manifest that the intent of this Euangelist vvriting after the other three vvas to omit the Actes of Christ in Galilee because the other three had vvritten them at large and to reporte his Actes done in Iurie vvhich they had omitted And this he doth because Iurie vvith Hierusalem and the Temple beeing the principal parte of the Countrey there abode the principal of the Ievves both for authoritie and also for learning in the lavv or knovvledge of the Scriptures and therfore that vvas the place vvhere our Lord IESVS finding in the Head it selfe and in the leaders of the rest such vvilful obstinacie and desperate resistance as the Prophets had foretold did by this occasion much more plainely then in Galilee both say and proue at sundry times euen euery yere of his preaching himselfe to be the CHRIST that had bene so lōg promised vnto them expected of them the same CHRIST to be not onely a man as they imagined but also the natural consubstantial coëternal Sonne of God the Father vvho novv had sent him Therfore these vvere the vvordes and deedes that serued best the purpose of this Euangelist being to shevv the glorie excellencie of this person IESVS that thereby the Gētils might see hovv vvorthily Hierusalem the Ievves vvere reprobated vvho had refused yea crucified such an one and hovv vvel to their ovvne saluation themselues might doe to receiue him and to beleeue in him For this to haue bene his purpose him selfe declareth in the end saying These are written that you may beleeue that IESVS is CHRIST the Sonne of God and that beleeuing you may haue life in his name And herevpon it is that S. Hierome vvriteth thus in his life Iohn the Apostle whom IESVS loued very much the sonne of Zebedee the brother of Iames the Apostle whom Herod after our Lords Passion beheaded last of al wrote the Gospel at the request of the Bishops of Asia against Cerinthus and other Heretikes and specially against the assertion of the Ebionites then rising who say that Christ was not before MARIE Wherevpon also he was compelled to vtter his Diuine Natiuitie Of his three Epistles and of his Apocalypse shal be said in their ovvne places It folovveth in S. Hierome that In the Second persecution vnder Domitian fourtene yeres after the persecution of Nero he was exiled into the ile Patmos But after that Domitian was slaine and his actes for his passing crueltie repealed by the Senate vnder Nerua the Emperour he returned to Ephesus and there continuing vnto the time of Traiane the Emperour he founded and gouerned al the Churches of Asia and
he cried vvith a loude voice Lazarus come forth ✠verse 44 And forthvvith he came forth that had been dead bound feete and handes vvith vvinding bandes and his face vvas tied vvith a napkin IESVS said to them Loose him and let him goe ✠verse 45 Many therfore of the Ievves that vvere come to Marie and Martha and had seen the things that IESVS did beleeued in him ⊢ ✠verse 46 And certaine of them vvent to the Pharisees and told them the things that IESVS did ✠verse 47 The cheefe priests therfore and the pharisees gathered a councel and said Vvhat doe vve for this man doeth many signes ✠verse 48 If vve let him alone so al vvil beleeue in him and the Romanes vvil come and take avvay our place and nation ✠verse 49 But one of them named Caiphas being the high priest of that yere said to them You knovv nothing ✠verse 50 neither doe you cōsider that it is expedient for vs that one man die for the people and the vvhole natiō perish not ✠verse 51 And this he said not of him self but ″ being the high priest of that yere he prophecied that IESVS should die for the nation ✠verse 52 and not only for the nation but to gather into one the children of God that vvere dispersed ✠verse 53 From that day therfore they deuised to kil him ✠verse 54 IESVS therfore vvalked no more openly among the Ievves but he vvent into the countrie beside the desert vnto a citie that is called Ephrem and there he abode vvith his Disciples ⊢ ✠verse 55 And the Pasche of the Ievves vvas at hand and many of the countrie vvent vp to Hierusalem before the Pasche to sanctifie them selues ✠verse 56 They sought IESVS therfore and they communed one vvith an other standing in the temple Vvhat thinke you in that he is not come to the festiual day And the cheefe Priests Pharisees had giuen cōmaundemēt that if any man should knovv vvhere he vvas he should tel that they might apprehend him ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XI 31. Being the high Priest Maruel not that Christ preserueth his truth in the Church as wel by the vnworthy as the worthy Prelates thereof the giftes of the Holy Ghost folowing their Order and office as we see here in Caiphas and not their merites or person And if this man being many waies wicked and in part an vsurper and the Law and Priesthod being to decline and to giue place to Christs new ordinance had yet some assistance of God for vtterance of truth which him self meant not nor knew not how much more may we be assured that Christ wil not leaue Peters Seate * whose faith he promised should neuer falle though the persons which occupie the same were as il as the blasphemous and malitious mouthes of Heretikes do affirme CHAP. XII The Rulers dealing as if he hid him self 1 he cōmeth to Bethania ◠Where by occasion of Iudas the theefe murmuring at Marie Magdalens costly deuotion he foretelleth his death 12 From thence though they did novv intend to kil Lazarus also he rideth openly into Hierusalem the people because he had raised Lazarus confessing with their acclamations that he is Christ 20 Where certaine Gentils desiring to see him 22 he foretelleth the conuersion of the vvhole vvorld from the Diuel to him to be novv instant as the effect of his death vpon the Crosse 28 The Father also ansvvering from heauen to his prayer made to that purpose 37 yet after al this the Ievves continevv incredulous as Esay prophecied of them 42 though many beleeued but vvere ashamed to confesse him 44 Wherevpon he shevveth that it is glorious before God and saluation to them selues to beleeue in him and confesse him and damnable to despise him verse 1 IESVS therfore sixe daies before the Pasche came to Bethánia vvhere Lazarus vvas that had been dead vvhom IESVS raised ✠verse 2 And they made him a supper there and Martha ministred but Lazarus vvas one of them that sate at the table vvith him ✠verse 3 Marie therfore tooke a povvnd of ointement of right spikenard pretious and anointed the feete of IESVS and vviped his feete vvith her heare and the house vvas filled of the odour of the ointmēt ✠verse 4 One therfore of his disciples Iudas Iscariote he that vvas to betray him said ✠verse 5 ″ Vvhy vvas not this ointment sold for three-hundred pence and giuen to the poore ✠verse 6 And he said this not because he cared for the poore but because he vvas ″ a theefe and hauing the purse caried the things that vvere put in ✠verse 7 IESVS therfore said Let her alone that she may keepe it for the day of my burial ✠verse 8 For the poore you haue alvvaies vvith you but me you shal not haue alvvaies ✠verse 9 A great multitude therfore of the Ievves knevv that he vvas there and they came not for IESVS only but that they might see Lazarus vvhom he raised from the dead ⊢ ✠verse 10 But the cheefe Priests deuised for to kil Lazarus also ✠verse 11 because many for him of the Ievves vvent avvay and beleeued in IESVS ✠verse 12 And on the morovv a great multitude that vvas come to the festiual day vvhen they had heard that IESVS commeth to Hierusalem ✠verse 13 they tooke the boughes of palmes and vvent forth to meete him and cried Hosanna blessed is he that commeth in the name of our Lord the king of Israel ✠verse 14 And IESVS foūd a yong asse and sate vpon it as it is vvritten ✠verse 15 Feare not daughter of Sion behold thy king commeth sitting vpon an asses colt ✠verse 16 These things his disciples did not knovv at the first but vvhen IESVS vvas glorified then they remembred that these things had been vvritten of him and these things they did to him ✠verse 17 The multitude therfore gaue testimonie vvhich vvas vvith him vvhē he called Lazarus out of the graue and raised him from the dead ✠verse 18 For therfore also the multitude came to meete him because they heard that he had done this signe ✠verse 19 The Pharisees therfore said among them selues Doe you see that vve preuaile nothing behold the vvhole vvorld is gone after him ✠verse 20 And there vvere certaine Gentiles of them that came vp to adore in the festiual day ✠verse 21 These therfore came to Philippe vvho vvas of Bethsaida of Galilee and desired him saying Sir vve are desirous to see IESVS ✠verse 22 Philippe commeth and telleth Andrevv Againe Andrevv Philippe told IESVS ✠verse 23 But IESVS ansvvered them saying The houre is come that the Sonne of man shal be glorified ✠verse 24 Amen amen I say to you vnles the graine of vvheate falling into the ground die it self remaineth alone but if it die it
their coastes ✠verse 51 But they * shaking of the dust of their fecte against them came to Icónium ✠verse 52 The disciples also vvere replenished vvith ioy and vvith the holy Ghost ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XIII 2. As they vvere ministring If vve should as our Aduersaries do boldly turne vvhat text vve list and flee from one language to an other for the aduantage of our cause vve might haue translated for ministring sacrificing for so * the Greeke doth signifie and so Erasmus translated yea vve might haue translated Saying Masse for so they did and the Greeke Fathers here of had their name Liturgie vvhich Erasmus translateth Masse saying Missa Chrysostomi But vve keepe our text as the translators of the Scriptures should do most religiously 2. Separate me Though Paul vvere taught by God him self and specially designed by Christ to be an Apostle and here chosen by the Holy Ghost together vvith Barnabas yet they vvere to be ordered consecrated and admitted by men Vvhich vvholy condemneth al these nevv rebellious disordered spirites that chalenge and vsurpe the office of preaching and other sacred actions from heauen vvithout the Churches admission 3. Fasting Hereof the Church of God vseth and prescribeth publike fastes at the foure soléue times of giuing holy Orders vvhich are our Imber daies as a necessarie preparatiue to so great a vvorke as S. Leo declareth by this place naming it also an Apostolical tradition See S. Leo Ser. 9 de ieiuniâ— 7 mensis Calixtus ep 1. to 1. Conc. Conc. Magunt c. 34. 35. to 3. And this fasting vvas not fasting from sinne nor moral or Christian temperance as the Protestants ridiculously affirme for such fasting they vvere bound euer to keepe but it vvas abstinence for a time from al meates or from some certaine kindes of meates vvhich vvas ioyned vvith praier and sacrifice and done specially at such seasons as the Church prescribed of al together as in Lent the Imber daies Friday Saturday and not vvhen euery man list as Aërius and such Heretikes did hold S. August har 53. 3. Imposing hands Because al blessings and consecrations vvere done in the Apostles time by the external ceremonie of imposition of hands diuers Sacraments vvere named of the same specially Confirmation as is noted before and holy Ordering or consecrating Bishops Priests and Deacons and Subdeacons as vve see here and els vvhere In vvhich though there vvere many holy vvordes and ceremonies and a very solemne action yet vvhatsoeuer is done in those Sacraments is altogether called Imposition of hands as vvhatsoeuer vvas done in the vvhole diuine mysterie of the B. Sacrament is named fraction of bread for the Apostles as S. Denys Eccl. bier c. 1 in fine vvriteth purposely kept close in their open speaches and vvritings vvhich might come to the hands or eares of Infidels the sacred vvordes and actions of the Sacraments And S. Ambrose saith in 1 Tim. c. 4. The imposition of the hand is mystical vvordes vvherevvith the elected is conformed and made apt to his function receiuing authoritie his conscience bearing vvitnes that he may be bold in our Lordes steed to offer sacrifice to God And S. Hierom The imposition of hand is the Ordering of Clerkes Which is done by praier of the voice and imposition of the hand And this is in some inferior orders also but Paul and Barnabas vvere ordered to a higher function then inferior Priests euen to be Bishops through out al Nations 4. Sent of the Holy Ghost Vvhosoeuer be sent by the Church are sent of the Holy Ghost though in such an extraordinarie sort it be not done Vvhereby vve see hovv far the Officers of our soules in the Church do passe the temporal Magistrates vvho though they be of Gods ordinance yet not of the Holy Ghosts special calling CHAP. XIIII Naxt in Iconiâ—â— they preach vvhere many being conuerted of both sortes the obstinate Ievves raise persecution 6 Then in the tovvnes of Lycaâ—niÌ„a vvhere the Heathen first seing that Paul had healed one borne lame are hardly persuaded but they are Gods 18 but aftervvard by the instigation of the malitious Ievves they stone Paul leauing him for dead 20 And so hauing done their circuite they returne the same vvay confirming the Christians and making Priests for euery Church 2â— And being come home to Antioche in Syria they report al to the Church there verse 1 AND it came to passe at Iconium that they entred together into the synagogue of the Ievves and so spake that a very great multitude of Ievves and of the Greekes did beleeue ✠verse 2 But the Ievves that vvere incredulous stirred vp and incensed the hartes of the Gentils to anger against the brethren ✠verse 3 A long time therfore they abode dealing confidently in our Lord vvho gaue testimonie to the vvord of his grace graunting signes and vvonders to be done by their handes ✠verse 4 And the multitude of the citie vvas deuided and certaine of them in deede vvere vvith the Ievves but certaine vvith the Apostles ✠verse 5 And vvhen the Gentils and the Ievves vvith their princes had made an assault to vse them contumeliously and to stone them ✠verse 6 vnderstanding it they fled to the cities of Lycaónia Lystra and Derbé and the vvhole countrie about and there they vvere euangelizing ✠verse 7 And a certaine man at Lystra impotent of his feete sate there lame from his mothers vvombe that neuer had vvalked ✠verse 8 This same heard Paul speaking Vvho looking vpon him and seeing that he had faith for to be saued ✠verse 9 he said vvith a loud voice Stand vp right on thy feete And he leaped vvalked ✠verse 10 And the multitudes vvhen they had seen vvhat Paul had done lifted vp their voice in the lycaónian tongue saying Gods made like to men are descended to vs. ✠verse 11 And they called Barnabas Iupiter but Paul Mercurie because he vvas the cheefe speaker ✠verse 12 The Priest also of Iupiter that vvas before the citie bringing oxen garlands before the gates vvould vvith the people ″ sacrifice ✠verse 13 Vvhich thing vvhen the Apostles Barnabas Paul heard renting their coates they leaped forth into the multitudes crying ✠verse 14 and saying Ye men vvhy doe you these things Vve also are mortal men like vnto you preaching to you for to conuert from these vaine things to the liuing God that made the heauen and the earth and the sea and al things that are in them ✠verse 15 vvho in the generations past suffred al the Gentils to goe their ovvne vvaies ✠verse 16 Hovvbeit he left not him self vvithout testimonie being beneficial from heauen giuing raines and fruiteful seasons filling our hartes vvith foode gladnes ✠verse 17 And speaking these things they scarse appeased the multitudes from sacrificing to them ✠verse 18 But there came in certaine Ievves from Antioche
in Asia For he hastened if it vvere possible for him to keepe the day of â— Pentecost at Hierusalem ✠verse 17 And sending from Milétum to Ephesus he called the Auncients of the Church ✠verse 18 Vvho being come to him and assembled together he said to them You knovv * from the first day that I entred into Asia in vvhat maner I haue been vvith you al the time ✠verse 19 seruing our Lord vvith al humilitie and teares and tentations that did chaunce to me by the conspiracies of the Ievves ✠verse 20 Hovv I haue vvithdravven nothing that vvas profitable but that I preached it to you taught you openly and from house to house ✠verse 21 testifying to Ievves and Gentils penance tovvard God and faith in our Lord IESVS CHRIST ✠verse 22 And novv behold being bound by the spirit I goe to Hierusalem not knovving vvhat things shal befall me in it ✠verse 23 but that the Holy Ghost through out al cities doth protest to me saying that bands and tribulations abide me at Hierusalem ✠verse 24 But I feare none of these things neither doe I make my life more pretious theÌ„ my self so that I may coÌ„suÌ„mat my course ministerie vvhich I receiued of our Lord IESVS to testifie the Gospel of the grace of God ✠verse 25 And novv behold I doe knovv that you shal no more see my face al you through vvhom I haue passed preaching the kingdom of God ✠verse 26 Vvherefore I take you to witnesse this present day that I am cleere from the bloud of al. ✠verse 27 For I haue not spared to declare vnto you al the counsel of God ✠verse 28 Take heede to your selues and to the vvhole flocke vvherein the Holy Ghost hath placed you bishops to rule the Church of God vvhich he hath purchased with his ovvne bloud ✠verse 29 I knovv that after my departure there vvil â— rauening vvolues enter in among you not sparing the flocke ✠verse 30 and out of your ovvne selues shal arise men speaking peruerse things to dravv avvay disciples after them selues ✠verse 31 For the vvhich cause be vigilant keeping in memorie that for three yeres night and day I ceased not vvith teares to admonish euery one of you ✠verse 32 And novv I commend you to God and to the vvord of his grace vvho is able to edifie and to giue inheritance in al the sanctified ✠verse 33 No mans siluer and gold or garment haue I coueted ✠verse 34 Your selues knovv that for such things as vvere needful for me and them that are vvith me these hands haue ministred ✠verse 35 I haue shevved you al things that so labouring you must receiue the vveake and remember the vvord of our Lord IESVS because he said â— It is a more blessed thing to giue rather then to take ✠verse 36 And vvhen he had said these things falling on his knees he praied vvith al them ✠verse 37 And there vvas great vveeping made of al and falling vpon the necke of Paul they kissed him ✠verse 38 being sorie most of al for the vvord vvhich he had said that they should see his face no more And they brought him going vnto the shippe ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XX. 16. Pentecost Though the Apostles might desire to come to the Ievves Festiuities by reason of the general concourse of people to the same the better to deale for their saluation and â—o spred the Gospel of Christ yet it is like that they novv kept solemly the Christian Pentecost or vvhitsontide for memorie of the Holy Ghost and that S. Paul vvent to that Feast of the Christians rather then the other of the Ievves And Ven. Bede saith here The Apostle maketh hast to keepe the fifteth day that is of remission and of the Holy Ghost For that the Christians already kept the eight day that is the Sunday or our Lordes day and had altered already the ordinarie Sabboth into the same it is plaine by the Scriptures 1 Cor. 16 2. Apoc. 1 10. and by antiquitie Iustin Mart. Apolog. 2 ad Anton. Pium in fine And it is as like that they changed the Ievves Pasche and Pentecost as that specially vvhen it is euident that * these Festiuities be kept by Apostolike tradition and approued by the vse of al auncient Churches and Councels â—9 Rauening vvolues The gouernours of the Church are foretold of the great danger that should fall to the people by vvolues that is to say by Heretikes vvhose cruelty tovvard the Catholikes is noted by this terme They be knovveÌ„ by the forsaking the vnitie of the Church vvhereof they vvere before by going out and dravving many disciples after them and by their peruerse doctrine Such vvolues came aftervvard in deede in diuers ages Arius Mâ—cedonius Nestorius Eutyches Luther Caluin great bloudsucking vvolues and vvasters of the flocke of Christ 35. More blessed to giue Among many other infinite goodly things and speaches vvhich Christ spake and be not vvritten in the Gospels this sentence is one vvhich S. Paul heard of some of the Apostles daily conuersant vvith him or els learned of Christ him self or of the Holy Ghost And it signifieth that vvhereas the vvorld commonly counteth him happie that receiueth any benefite as almes either temporal or spiritual yet in deede he that giueth or bestovveth is more happie Vvhich if the vvorld did vvel consider men vvould giue almes faster then they do if it vvere but for their ovvne benefite CHAP. XXI From MileÌ„tum going on his iourney 4 he can not be dissuaded neither as Tyre 8 nor at Caesarea in both vvhich places the Holy Ghost reueled hovv he should be handled in Hierusalem 10 the Prophet Agabuâ— expresly foretelling that the Ievves there should deliuer him to the Gentils 15 but to Hierusalem he coÌ„meth vvhere being vvelcome to the Christians and namely to Iames the Bishop and to the Priests vvhile he goeth about to satisfie the Christian Ievves there vvho had been misinformed of him as if he had taught it to be vnlawful for the Iewes to keepe Moyses Lavv 27 he is inuaded by the infidel Ievves and ready to be murdered by them vntil the Romane souldiars do rescue him verse 1 AND vvhen it came to passe that vve sailed being caried from them vvith a straight course vve came to Cóos and the day folovving to Rhodes and from thence to Pátara ✠verse 2 And when vve had found a ship that passed ouer to Phoenîce going vp into it vve sailed ✠verse 3 And vvhen vve vverâ— in the sight of Cypres leauing it on the left hand vve sailed into Syria and came to Tyre for there the ship vvas to discharge her lode ✠verse 4 And finding disciples vve taried there seuen daies vvho said to Paul by the Spirit that he should not goe vp to Hierusalem ✠verse 5 And the daies being expired departing vve vvent forvvard al bringing vs on
peaceably was a great fault as for one Catholike to draw an other for mere trifles before secular or heretical Officers is a very vnchristian part 7. A fault He forbade not al iudgements of controuersies but onely signified that it was a fault and that it proceded of some iniuries done one to an other and imperfections that they so molested one an other and that it had been more agreeable to Christian perfection and charitie rather to tolerate and suffer a smal iniurie then to draw his fellow to iudgement and seates CHAP. VII That maried folke may aske their debt and must pay it though it be better for them to conteine 8 as also for the vnmarried and vvidovves to continevv single though they may marrie 10 That the married may not depart from one an other nor in any case marrie an other during the life of the former 12 vnles it be from one that is vnbaptized vvhich yet he dissuadeth 17 counseling also euery one to be content vvith his state vvherein he vvas Christened 25 Virginitie is not commaunded but counseled as the better and more meritiorious then Mariage 39 as also vvidovvhod verse 1 AND concerning the things vvhereof you vvrote to me It is good for a man not to touch a vvoman ✠verse 2 But because of fornication let euery man haue ″ his ovvne vvife and let euery vvoman haue her ovvne husband ✠verse 3 ″ Let the husband render his dette to the vvife and the vvife also in like maner to her husband ✠verse 4 The vvoman hath not povver of her ovvne body but her husband And in like maner the man also hath not povver of his ovvne body but the vvoman ✠verse 5 Defraude not one an other except perhaps by consent for a time that you may ″ giue your self to praier ' and returne againe together lest Satan tempt you for your incontinencie ✠verse 6 But I say this ″ by indulgence not by commaundement ✠verse 7 For I vvould al men to be as my self but euery one hath ″ a proper gift of God one so and an other so ✠verse 8 But I say to the vnmaried and to vvidovves it is good for them if they so abide euen as I also ✠verse 9 But ″ if they doe not conteine them selues let them marie For it is ″ better to marie then to be burnt ✠verse 10 But to them that be ioyned in matrimonie not I giue commaundement but our Lord * that the vvife depart not from her husband ✠verse 11 and if she depart ″ to remaine vnmaried or to be recōciled to her husband And let not the husband put avvay his vvife ✠verse 12 For to the rest ″ I say not our Lord. If any brother haue a vvife an infidel and she consent to dvvel with him let him not put her avvay ✠verse 13 And if any vvoman haue a husband an infidel and he consent to dvvel vvith her let her not put avvay her husband ✠verse 14 For the man an infidel is sanctified by the faithful vvoman and the vvoman an infidel ″ is sanctified by the faithful husband otherwise your children should be vncleane but novv they are holy ✠verse 15 But if the infidel depart let him depart for the brother or sister is not subiect to seruitude in such but in peace hath God called vs. ✠verse 16 For how knowest thou woman if thou shalt saue thy husbād or how knowest thou man if thou shalt saue the vvoman ✠verse 17 But to euery one as our Lord hath deuided as God hath called euery one so let him vvalke and as in al Churches I teach ✠verse 18 Is any man called being circumcised let him not procure prepuce Is any man called in prepuce let him not be circumcised ✠verse 19 Circumcision is nothing and prepuce is nothing but the obseruation of the commaundements of God ✠verse 20 Euery one in the vocation that he vvas called in it let him abide ✠verse 21 Vvast thou called being a bondman care not for it but and if thou canst be made free vse it rather ✠verse 22 For he that in our Lord is called being a bondman is the franchised of our Lord. likevvise he that is called being free is the bondman of Christ ✠verse 23 You vvere bought vvith price be not made the bōdmen of men ✠verse 24 Euery brother ' vvherein he vvas called in that let him abide before God ✠verse 25 And as concerning virgins a commaundement of our Lord I haue not but ″ counsel I giue as hauing obteined mercie of our Lord to be faithful ✠verse 26 I thinke therfore that this is good for the present necessitie because it is good for a man so to be ✠verse 27 Art thou tied to a vvise seeke not to be loosed Art thou loose from a vvife seeke not a vvife ✠verse 28 But if thou take a vvife thou hast not sinned And ″ if a virgin marie she hath not sinned neuerthelesse ″ tribulation of the flesh shal such haue but I spare you ✠verse 29 This therfore I say brethren the time is short it remaineth that they also which haue vviues be ″ as though they had not ✠verse 30 and they that vveepe as though they vvept not and they that reioyce as though they reioyced not and they that bye as though they possessed not ✠verse 31 and they that vse this vvorld as though they vsed it not for the figure of this vvorld passeth avvay ✠verse 32 But I vvould haue you to be vvithout carefulnes He that is without a vvife is ″ careful for the things that pertaine to our Lord how he may please God ✠verse 33 But he that is vvith a vvife is careful for the things that pertaine to the vvorld hovv he may please his vvife and he is deuided ✠verse 34 And the vvoman vnmaried the virgin thinketh on the things that pertaine to our Lord that she may be holy both in body and in spirit ⊢ But she that is maried thinketh on the things that pertaine to the vvorld hovv she may please her husband ✠verse 35 And this I speake to your profit not to cast a snare vpon you but to that vvhich is honest that may giue you povver vvithout impediment to attend vpon our Lord. ✠verse 36 But if any man thinke that he seemeth dishonoured vpon his virgin for that she is past age and if it must so be let him doe that he vvil He sinneth not if she marie ✠verse 37 For he that hath determined in his hart being settled not hauing necessitie but hauing povver of his ovvne vvil and hath iudged this in his hart to keepe his virgin doeth vvel ✠verse 38 Therfore both he that ioyneth his virgin in matrimonie doeth vvel he that ioyneth not doeth better ✠verse 39 * A vvoman is
the kingdom of God neither shal corruption possesse incorruption ✠verse 51 Behold I tel you a mysterie Vve shal al in deede rise againe but vve shal not al be changed ✠verse 52 In a moment in the tvvinkling of an eie at the * last trompet for * the trompet shal sound and the dead shal rise againe incorruptible and vve shal be changed ✠verse 53 For this corruptible must doe on incorruption this mortal doe on immortalitie ✠verse 54 And vvhen this mortal hath done on immortalitie then shal comme to passe the saying that is vvritten Death is svvallovved vp in victorie ✠verse 55 Death vvhere is thy victorie Death vvhere is thy sting ✠verse 56 And the sting of death is sinne and the povver of sinne is the Lavv. ✠verse 57 But thankes be to God that hath giuen vs the victorie by our Lord IESVS Christ ⊢ ✠verse 58 Therfore my beloued brethren be stable vnmoueable abounding in the worke of our Lord alvvaies knovving that your labour is not vaine in our Lord. ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XV. â—â— Vvith me God vseth not man as a brute beast or a blocke but so vvorketh in him and by him that free wil may concurre in euery action vvith his grace vvhich is alvvaies the principal The heretikes to auoid this concurrence in vvorking labouring translate vvhich is vvith me vvhere the Apostle rather saith vvhich laboureth vvith me â—â— Let vs eate and drinke S. Ambrose applieth these vvordes to our Christian Epicurians that taks avvay fasting and deny the merite thereof Hovv can vve be saued saith he if we vvash not avvay our sinnes by fasting seeing the scriptures say fasting and almes deliuer from sinne Vvhat are these nevv maisters then that exclude al merite of fasting is not this the very voice of the heathen saying Let vs eate and drinke to morovv vve shal die li. 10. epist ep 82. CHAP. XVI He prescribeth an order for their contributing to the Christians at Hierusalem 3 promising to come vnto them 10 Of Timotheâ— and of Apollos comming thither 13 and so vvith exhortation and diuers commendations he endeth verse 1 AND concerning the collections that are made for the saincts as I haue ordeined to the Churches of Galatia so doe ye also ✠verse 2 In the first of the Sabboth let euery one of you put a part vvith him self laying vp vvhat shal vvel like him that not vvhen I come then collections be made ✠verse 3 And vvhen I shal be present vvhom you shal approue by letters them vvil I send to carie your grace into Hierusalem ✠verse 4 And if it be vvorthie that I also goe they shal goe vvith me ✠verse 5 And I vvil come to you vvhen I shal haue passed through Macedonia for I vvil passe through Macedonia ✠verse 6 And vvith you perhaps I vvil abide or vvil vvinter also that you may bring me on my vvay vvhithersoeuer I goe ✠verse 7 For I vvil not novv see you by the vvay for I hope that I shal abide vvith you some litle time if our Lord wil permit ✠verse 8 But I vvil tarie at Ephesus vntil Pentecost ✠verse 9 For a great doore and euident is opened vnto me and many aduersaries ✠verse 10 And if Timothee come see that he be vvithout feare vvith you for he vvorketh the vvorke of our Lord as also I. ✠verse 11 Let no maÌ„ therfore despise him but coÌ„duct ye him in peace that he may come to me for I expect him vvith the brethren ✠verse 12 And of brother Apollo I doe you to vnderstand that I much intreated him to come to vnto you vvith the brethren at all it vvas not his minde to come novv but he vvil come vvhen he shal haue leisure ✠verse 13 Vvatch ye stand in the faith doe manfully be strengthened ✠verse 14 Let al your things be done in charitie ✠verse 15 And I beseeche you brethren you knovv the house of Stéphanas and of Fortunátus that they are the first fruites of Achaia haue ordeined them selues to the ministerie of the saincts ✠verse 16 that you also be subiect to such and to euery one that helpeth and laboureth with vs. ✠verse 17 And I reioyce in the presence of Stephanas and Fortunatus and Achaicus because that vvhich you vvanted they haue supplied ✠verse 18 For they haue refreshed both my spirit and yours Knovv them therfore that are such ✠verse 19 The churches of Asia salute you Aquila and Priscilla vvith their domestical church salute you much in our Lord. ✠verse 20 Al the brethren salute you Salute one an other in a holy kisse ✠verse 21 The salutation vvith mine ovvne hand Paules ✠verse 22 If any man loue not our Lord IESVS Christ be he anáthema Maranatha ✠verse 23 The grace of our Lord IESVS Christ be vvith you ✠verse 24 My charitie be vvith you al in Christ IESVS Amen ⧠THE ARGVMENT OF THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS FOR the time vvhen this Epistle vvas vvritten looke the Argument of the epistle to the Romanes to vvit about the eightenth yere after his conuersion our Lordes passion because in the 11 chapter he maketh mention of 14 yeres not only after his Conuersion as to the Galatians but also after his rapte vvhich seemeth to haue bene when he vvas at Hierusalem Act. 9 26. foure yeres after his Conuersion Gal. 1 18 in a traunce or excesse of minde as he calleth it Act. 22 17. Is vvas vvritten at Troas it is thought and sent by Titus as vve reade chap. 8. It is for the most part against those false Apostles vvhom in the first part of the first to the Corinthians be noted or rather spared but novv is constrained to deale openly against them to defend both his ovvne person vvhich they sought to bring into contempt making vvay thereby to the correption of the Corinthians and vvithall to mainteine the excellencie of the Ministerie and Ministers of the nevv Testament aboue vvhich they did magnifie the Ministerie of the old Testament bearing themselues very high because they vvere Ievves Against these therefore S. Paule auoucheth the preeminent povver of his Ministerie by vvhich povver also he giueth a pardon to the incestuous fornicator vvhom he excommunicated in the last Epistle seeing novv his penance and againe threateneth to come excoÌ„municate those that had greuously sinned and remained impenitent Tvvo chapters also he interposeth of the couÌ„tributions to the church of Hierusalem mentioned in his last exhorting them to doe liberally and also to haue all in areadines against his comming THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PAVL TO THE CORINTHIANS CHAP. I. By his troubles in Asia he comforteth them and against his Aduersaries the false apostles of the levves alleageth to them the testimonie of his ovvne and also of their conscience 17 ansvvering them
vve haue time let vs vvorke good to al but ″ especially to the domesticals of the faith ⊢ ✠verse 11 See vvith vvhat maner of letters I haue written to you vvith mine ovvne hand ✠verse 12 Vvhosoeuer vvil please in the flesh they force you to be circumcised only that they may not suffer the persecution of the crosse of Christ ✠verse 13 For neither they that are circumcised do keepe the Lavv but they vvil haue you to be circumcised that they may glorie in your flesh ✠verse 14 But God forbid that I should glorie sauing in the crosse of our Lord IESVS Christ by vvhom the vvorld is crucified to me and I to the vvorld ✠verse 15 For in Christ IESVS neither circumcision auaileth ought nor prepuce but ″ a nevv creature ✠verse 16 And vvhosoeuer shal folovv this rule peace vpō them and mercie and vpon the Israël of God ✠verse 17 From hencefurth let no man be troublesome to me for I beare the markes verse 18 of our Lord IESVS in my body The grace of our Lord IESVS Christ be vvith your spirit brethren Amen ⊢ ANNOTATIONS CHAP. VI. 6. Communicate The great duety respect that vve ought to haue to such as preach or teach vs the Cath. faith and not in regard onely of their paines taken vvith vs and vvel-deseruing of vs by their doctrine but that vve may be partakers of their merites vve ought specially to do good to such or as the Apostle speaketh cōmunicate vvith them in al our temporal goods that vve may be partakers of their spiritual See S. Augustine li. 2. Euang. quaest q. 8. 10. Especially In giuing almes though vve may do vvel in helping al that are in necessitie as farre as vve can yet vve are more bound to succour Christians then Ievves or Infidels and Catholikes then Heretikes See S. Hierom q. 1. ad Hedibiam 15. A nevv creature Note vvel that the Apostle calleth that here a nevv creature vvhich in the last chapter he termed faith vvorking by charitie 1 Cor. 7 19 the obseruatiō of the cōmaundemēts of God Vvhereby vve may learne that vnder the name of faith is conteined the vvhole reformation of our soules and our nevv creation in good vvorkes and also that Christian iustice is a very qualitie condition and state of vertue and grace resident in vs and not a phantastical apprehension of Christes iustice only imputed to vs. Lastly that the faith vvhich iustifieth ioyned vvith the other vertues is properly the formal cause and not the efficient or instrumental cause of iustification that is to say these vertues put together being the effect of Gods grace be our nevv creature and our iustice in Christ ⧠THE ARGVMENT OF THE EPISTLE OF S. PAVL TO THE EPHESIANS OF S. Paules first comming to Ephesus and short abode there vve reade Act. 18. And immediatly Act. 19. of his returning thither according to his promise vvhat time he abode there three moneths speaking to the Ievves in the Synagogue Act. 19. v. 8. and aftervvard apart from them because they vvere obstinate tvvo yeres in a certaine schoole so that al that dvvelt in Asia heard the vvord of our Lord Ievves and Gentiles Act. 19. v. 10. The vvhole time himself calleth three yeres in his exhortation at Milétum to the Cleargie of Ephesus Act. 20. v. 31. After all this he vvriteth this Epistle vnto them from Rome as it is said being then prisoner and in chaines and that as it seemeth not the first time of his being in bonds there vvhereof vve reade Act. 28 but the second time vvhereof vve reade in the Ecclesiasticall Stories aftervvard because he saith in this Epistle c. 6. v. 21. Tychicus vvil certifie you of al things vvhom I haue sent to you Of vvhom againe in the 2. to Tim. c. 4. v. 12. he saith Tychicus I haue sent to Ephesus And the said 2. Epistle to Timothee no doubt vvas vvritten very litle before his death for in it thus he saith I am euen novv to be sacrificed the time of my resolution is at hand 2. Tim. 4 6. In the three first chapters he commendeth vnto them the grace of God in caling of the Gentiles no lesse then the Ievves and making one blessed Church of both Vvherein his intention is to moue them to perseuêre for othervvise they should be passing vngratefull and specially not to be moued vvith his trouble vvho vvas their Apostle knovving belike that it vvould be a great tentation vnto them if they should heare soone after that he vvere executed therfore also arming them in the end of the Epistle as it vvere in complete harnesse In the other three chapters he exhorteth them to good life in all pointes and all states as it becommeth Christians and afore all other things that they be most studious to continue in the vnitie of the Church and obedience of the pastors thereof vvhom Christ hath giuen to continue and to be our stay against all Heretikes from his Ascension euen to the full building vp of his Church in the end of the vvorld THE EPISTLE OF PAVL TO THE EPHESIANS CHAP. I. He magnifieth the grace of Gods eternal predestination and temporal vecation 11 both of the Ievves 13 and also of the Ephesians being Gentils 13 for vvhose excellent faith and charitie he reioyceth and continually praieth for their increase that they may see more cleerly the greatnes both of the inheritance in heauen and also of Gods might vvhich helpeth them therevnto 20 an example of vvhich might they may behold in the supereminent exalting of Christ verse 1 PAVL an Apostle of IESVS Christ by the vvil of God to al the saincts that are at Ephesus and to the faithful in Christ IESVS ✠verse 2 Grace to you and peace from God our father and our Lord IESVS Christ ✠verse 3 Blessed be God and the Father of our Lord IESVS Christ vvhich hath blessed vs in al spiritual blessing in coelestials in Christ ✠verse 4 as he chose vs in him before the constitution of the vvorld that vve should be holy and immaculate in his sight in charitie ✠verse 5 Vvho hath predestinated vs vnto the adoption of sonnes by IESVS Christ vnto him self according to the purpose of his vvil ✠verse 6 vnto the praise of the glorie of his grace vvherein he hath gratified vs in his beloued sonne ✠verse 7 In vvhom vve haue redemption by his bloud the remission of sinnes according to the riches of his grace ✠verse 8 Vvhich hath superabounded in vs in al vvisedō and prudence ✠verse 9 that he might make knovven vnto vs the sacrament of his vvil according to his good pleasure vvhich he purposed in him self ✠verse 10 in the dispensation of the fulnes of times to perfit al things in Christ that are in heauen and in earth in him ✠verse 11 In vvhom vve also are called by lot predestinate