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
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
according as the children of Israel vvere commaunded by God to separate them selues from the Schismatikes Corè Dathan and Abiron and their tabernacles by these vvordes Depart from the tabernacles of the impious men and touch ye not those things vvhich pertaine to them lest you be envvrapped in their sinnes CHAP. VII He procedeth to exhorte them to puritie and to receiue him into their charitie 3 Which lest they should thinke he speaketh to accuse them he commendeth them highly both for their behauiour tovvard Titus and for their penance vvhich they had done vpon his other epistle verse 1 HAVING therfore these promisses my deerest let vs cleanse our selues from al inquinatiō of the flesh and spirit persiting sanctification in the feare of God ✠verse 2 Receiue vs. Vve haue hurt no man vve haue corrupted no man vve haue circumuented no man ✠verse 3 I speake not to your cōdemnation for I said before that you are in our hartes to die together and to liue together ✠verse 4 Much is my confidence vvith you much is my glorying for you I am replenished vvith consolation I do excedingly abound in ioy in al our tribulation ✠verse 5 For also vvhen vve vvere come into Macedonia our flesh had no rest but vve suffered al tribulatiō vvithout combats vvithin feares ✠verse 6 But God that comforteth the humble did comforte vs in the comming of Titus ✠verse 7 And not only in his comming but also in the consolation vvhervvith he vvas comforted among you reporting to vs your desire your vveeping your emulation for me so that I reioyced the more ✠verse 8 For although I made you sorie in an epistle it repenteth me not albeit it repented me seing that the same epistle although but for a time did make you sorie ✠verse 9 Novv I am glad not because you vvere made sorie but because you vvere made ″ sorie to penance For you vvere made sorie according to God that in nothing you should suffer detriment by vs. ✠verse 10 For the sorovv that is according to God vvorketh penance vnto saluation that is stable but the sorovv of the vvorld vvorketh death ✠verse 11 For behold this very thing that you vvere made sorie according to God hovv great carefulnes it vvorketh in you yea defense yea indignation yea feare yea desire yea emulation yea reuenge in al things you haue shevved your selues to be vndefiled in the matter ✠verse 12 Therfore although I vvrote to you not for him that did the iniurie nor for him that suffered but to manifest our carefulnes that vve haue for you before God ✠verse 13 therfore vve are comforted But in our consolation vve did the more aboundantly reioyce vpon the ioy of Titus because his spirit vvas refreshed of al you ✠verse 14 And if to him I gloried any thing of you I am not cōfounded but as vve spake al things to you in truth so also our glorying that vvas to Titus is made a truth ✠verse 15 and his bovvels are more aboundantly toward you remembring the obedience of you al hovv vvith feare and trembling you receiued him ✠verse 16 I reioyce that in al things I haue confidence in you ANNOTATIONS CHAP. VII 9. Sorie to penance The sorovv vvhich a man taketh for vvorldly losses or any temporal aduersitie is not here commended but that vvhich is and ought to be in al men for their sinnes past vvhich is called here Sorovv tovvardes God and for penance othervvise called Contrition and is a thing excedingly requisite and much praised the fruites vvhereof are these that the Apostle reckeneth vvorking saluation Vvhich doctrine is farre distant from Luthers and Caluins and such vvicked Libertines that teach contrition to be al together a meanes to make sinnes either hypocrites or to put them in despaire CHAP. VIII By the example of the poore Macedonians he exhorteth them to contribute largely vnto the Church of Hierusalem 7 and by praising of them 9 and by the example of Christ 14 and by their ovvne spiritual profite in being partakers of that Churches merites 16 and by commending the collectors that he sendeth verse 1 AND vve doe you to vnderstand brethren the grace of God that is giuen in the churches of Macedonia ✠verse 2 that in much experience of tribulation they had aboundance of ioy their very deepe pouertie abounded vnto the riches of their simplicitie ✠verse 3 for according to their povver I giue them testimonie and aboue their povver they vvere willing ✠verse 4 vvith much exhortation requesting vs the grace and communication of the ministerie that is done tovvard the saincts ✠verse 5 And not as vve hoped but their ovvne selues they gaue first to our Lord then to vs by the vvil of God ✠verse 6 in so much that vve desired Titus that as he began so also he vvould perfit in you this grace also ✠verse 7 But as in al things you abound in faith and vvord and knovvledge al carefulnes moreouer also in your charitie tovvard vs that in this grace also you may abounde ✠verse 8 I speake not as commaunding but by the carefulnes of others approuing also the good disposition of your charitie ✠verse 9 For you knovv the grace of our Lord IESVS Christ that for you he vvas made poore wheras he vvas riche that by his pouertie you might be riche ✠verse 10 And in this point I giue counsel for this is profitable for you vvhich haue begōne not only to doe but also to be willing from the yere past ✠verse 11 but novv perfourme ye it also in deede that as your minde is prompt to be vvilling so it may be also to perfourme of that vvhich you haue ✠verse 12 For if the vvil be prompt it is accepted according to that vvhich it hath not according to that vvhich it hath not ✠verse 13 For not that other should haue ease and you tribulation but by an equalitie ✠verse 14 Let in this present time your ″ aboundance supplie their vvant that their aboundance also may supplie your vvant that there be an equalitie ✠verse 15 as it is vvritten He that had much abounded not and he that had litle vvanted not ⊢ ✠verse 16 And thankes be to God that hath giuen the self same carefulnes for you in the hart of Titus ✠verse 17 for that he admitted in deede exhortation but being more careful of his ovvne vvil he vvent vnto you ✠verse 18 Vve haue sent also vvith him the brother vvhose praise is in the Gospel through al the churches ✠verse 19 not only that but also he vvas ordeined of the churches fellovv of our peregrination for this grace vvhich is ministred of vs to the glorie of our Lord and our determined vvil ✠verse 20 auoiding this lest any man might reprehend vs in this fulnes that is ministred of vs. ✠verse 21 For
call canons precepts and decrees of holy Church CHAP. III. Because he could not come himself as he desired he sent Timothes 6 At vvhose returne novv vnderstanding it as they stand still stedfast notvvithstaÌ„ding al those persecutions he reioyceth excedingly to praying that he may see them agaiÌ„st 12 and for their increase in 〈◊〉 verse 1 FOR the vvhich cause forbearing no longer it pleased vs to remaine at Athens alone ✠verse 2 And vve sent Timothee our brother the minister of God in the Gospel of Christ to confirme you and exhort you for your faith ✠verse 3 that no man be moued in these tribulations for your selues knovv that vve are appointed to this ✠verse 4 For euen vvheÌ„ vve vvere vvith you vve foretold you that vve should suffer tribulatioÌ„s as also it is come to passe you knovv ✠verse 5 Therfore I also forbearing no loÌ„ger sent to knovv your faith lest perhaps he that tempteth hath tempted you our labour be made vaine ✠verse 6 But now * Timothee coÌ„ming vnto vs froÌ„ you reporting to vs your faith charitie and that you haue a good remeÌ„brance of vs alvvaies desiring to see vs as vve also you ✠verse 7 therfore vve are coÌ„forted brethreÌ„ in you in al our necessitie tribulation by your faith ✠verse 8 because novv vve liue if you stand in our Lord. ✠verse 9 For vvhat thankes giuing can vve render to God for you in al ioy vvherevvith vve reioyce for you before our God ✠verse 10 night and day more aboundantly praying that vve may see your face and may accomplish those things that vvant of your faith ✠verse 11 And God him self and our Father and our Lord IESVS Christ direct our vvay to you ✠verse 12 And our Lord multiplie you and make your charitie abound one to an other tovvard al men as vve also in you ✠verse 13 to coÌ„firme your hartes vvithout blame in holinesse before God and our Father in the comming of our Lord IESVS Christ vvith al his Sainctes Amen CHAP. IIII. He exhorteth them to liue as he taught them and namely to absteine from al fornicatioÌ„ 9 to loue one an other 11 to meddle onely vvith their ovvne matters 12 to behaue them selues vvel tovvard the Infidels 13 Touching their frendes departed he comforteth them shevving that they shal meate againe as the Resurrection and be vvith Christ for euer verse 1 FOR the rest therfore brethren vve desire beseeche you in our Lord IESVS that as you haue receiued of vs hovv you ought to vvalke and to please God as also you doe vvalke that you abounde more ✠verse 2 For you knovv vvhat precepts I haue giuen to you by our Lord IESVS ✠verse 3 For this is the vvil of God your sanctificatioÌ„ that you abstaine from fornication ✠verse 4 that euery one may knovv to possesse his vessel in sanctification and honour ✠verse 5 not in the passion of lust as also the Gentiles that knovv not God ✠verse 6 and that no man ouergot nor circumuent his brother in businesse because our Lord is reuenger of al these things as vve haue foretold you haue testified ✠verse 7 For God hath not called vs into vncleannesse but into sanctification ⊢ ✠verse 8 Therfore he that despiseth these things despiseth ″ not man but God vvho also hath giuen his holy Spirit in vs. ✠verse 9 But concerning the charitie of the fraternitie vve haue no neede to vvrite to you ✠for * your selues haue learned of God to loue one an other ✠verse 10 Yea and you doe it tovvard al the brethren in al Macedonia But vve desire you brethreÌ„ that you abouÌ„d more ✠verse 11 that you employ your indeuour to be quiet that you doe your ovvne businesse vvorke vvith your ovvne handes as we haue coÌ„maunded you ✠verse 12 and that you vvalke honestly tovvard them that are vvithout and neede nothing of any mans ✠verse 13 And vve vvil not haue you ignorant brethren concerning them that ″ sleepe that you be not sorovvful as also others that haue no hope ✠verse 14 For if vve beleeue that IESVS died and rose againe so also God them that haue slept by IESVS vvil bring vvith him ✠verse 15 For this vve say to you in the vvord of our Lord * that vve vvhich liue vvhich are remaining in the aduent of our Lord shal not preuent them that haue slept ✠verse 16 For our Lord him self in commaundement and in the voice of an * Archangel and in the troÌ„pet of God vvil descend from heauen and the dead that are in Christ shal rise againe first ✠verse 17 Then vve that liue that are left vvithal shal be taken vp vvith them in the cloudes to meete Christ into the aire and so alvvaies vve shal be vvith our Lord. ✠verse 18 Therfore coÌ„fort ye one an other in these vvordes ⊢ ANNOTATIONS CHAP. IIII. 8. Not man but God He that despiseth the Churches or her lavvful Pastors preceptâ— offendeth no lesse then if he contemned Gods expresse commaundements For they be of the holy Ghost and are not to be counted among the commaundements of men onely 13. Sleepe Some Heretikes peruersly inferred of this that the foules did sleepe til the day of iudgement vvhere it is meant of the bodies onely CHAP. V. To talke of the time of the Resurrection it not necessarie but to prepare our selues against that time so sedaine and so terrible to the vnprepared 12 He beseecheth the â—aietie to be obedient 14 and the Clergia to be vigilant vvith many short precepts mee verse 1 AND of the times and momentes brethren you neede not that vve vvrite to you ✠verse 2 For your selues knovv perfectly that the day of our Lord shal so come as * a theefe in the night ✠verse 3 For vvhen they shal say peace securitie then shal sodaine destruction come vpon them as the paines to her that is vvith childe and they shal not escape ✠verse 4 But you brethren are not in darknesse that the same day may as a theefe ouertake you ✠verse 5 For al you are the children of light and children of the day vve are not of the night nor of darknesse ✠verse 6 Therfore let vs not sleepe as also others but let vs vvatch and be sober ✠verse 7 For they that sleepe sleepe in the night they that be drunke be drunke in the night ✠verse 8 But vve that are of the day are sober * hauing on the breast-plate of faith and charitie and a helmet the hope of saluation ✠verse 9 For God hath not appointed vs vnto vvrath but vnto the purchasing of saluation by our Lord IESVS Christ ✠verse 10 vvho died for vs that vvhether vve vvatch or sleepe vve may liue together vvith him ✠verse 11 For the
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
vvhich is giuen vs. ⊢ ✠verse 6 For vvhy did Christ vvhen vve as yet vvere vveake according to the time die for the impious ✠verse 7 For scarse for a iust man doth any die for perhaps for a good man durst some man die ✠verse 8 But God commendeth his charitie in vs because vvhen as yet vve vvere sinners Christ died for vs. ✠verse 9 Much more therfore now being iustified in his bloud shal vve be saued from vvrath by him ✠verse 10 For if vvhen vve vvere enemies vve vvere recoÌ„ciled to God by the death of his Sonne much more being reconciled shal vve be saued in the life of him ✠verse 11 And not only this but also vve glorie in God through our Lord IESVS Christ by vvhom novv vve haue receiued reconciliation ✠verse 12 Therfore as ″ by one man sinne entred into this vvorld and by sinne death and so vnto al men death did passe in vvhich al sinned ✠verse 13 For euen vnto the Lavv sinne vvas in the world but sinne was not imputed when the law was not ✠verse 14 But death reigned from Adam ″ vnto Moyses euen on them also that sinned not after the similitude of the preuarication of Adam vvho is a figure of him to come ✠verse 15 But not as the offence so also the gift for if by the offence of one many died much more the grace of God and the gift in the grace of one man IESVS Christ hath abounded vpon many ✠verse 16 And not as by one sinne ' so also the gift for iudgemeÌ„t in deede is of one to condemnatioÌ„ but grace is of many offences to iustificatioÌ„ ✠verse 17 For if in the offeÌ„ce of one death reigned by one much more they that receiue the aboundance of grace and of donation of iustice shal reigne in life by one IESVS Christ ✠verse 18 Therfore as by the offence of one vnto al men to condemnation so also by the iustice of one vnto al men to iustification of life ✠verse 19 For as by the disobedience of one man many vvere made sinners so also by the obedience of one many shal be made iust ✠verse 20 But the Lavv entred in that sinne might abound And vvhere sinne abounded grace did more abound ✠verse 21 that as sinne reigned to death so also grace may reigne by iustice to life euerlasting through IESVS Christ our Lord. ANNOTATIONS CHAP. V. 1. Let vs haue Vvhether vve read Let vs haue peace as diuerse also of the Greeke Doctors Chrysost Orig. Theodor. Oâ—â—um Theophyl doe or We haue peace it maketh nothing for the vaine securitie and infallible certaintie vvhich our Aduersaries say euery man ought to haue vpon his presumed iustification by faith that him self is in Gods fauour and sure to be saued peace tovvards God being here nothing els but the sincere rest tranquillitie and comfort of minde and conscience vpon the hope he hath that he is reconciled to God Sure it is that the Catholike faith by vvhich and none other men be iustified neither teacheth nor breedeth any such securitie of saluation And therfore they haue made to them selues an other faith vvhich they call Fiduciaâ— quite vvithout the compasse of the Creede and Scriptures 2. Accesse through faith Iustification implieth al grace and vertues receiued by Christes merites but the entrance and accesse to this grace and happy state is by faith because faith is the ground and first foundation to build on and port to enter into the rest Vvhich is the cause that out lustification is attributed to faith namely in this Epistle though faith it self be of grace also 4. Probation hope This refelleth the errour also of the Protestants that vvould haue our hope to hold only on Gods promises and not a vvhit on our doings Vvhere vve see that it standeth and is strengthened also vpon patience and constancie and good probation and trial of our selues in aduersities and that so grounded vpon Gods promises and our ovvne doing it neuer confoundeth 5. Charitie is povvred Charitie also is giuen vs in our first iustification and not only imputed vnto vs but in deede invvardly povvred into our hartes by the Holy Ghost vvho vvith and in his giftes grace is bestovved vpon vs. for this Charitie of God is not that vvhich is in God but that vvhich he giueth vs as S. Augustine expoundeth it li. de Sp. lit c. 32. Vvho referreth this place also to the grace of God giuen in the Sacrament of Confirmation de bapt cont Donat. li. â— c. 16. 12. By one man sinne entred By this place specially the Church of God defendeth and proueth against the old Heretikes the Pelagians that denied children to haue any original sinne or to be baptized for the remission thereof that in and by Adam al be conceiued borne and constituted sinners Which no lesse maketh against the Caluinists also that affirme ChristiaÌ„ mens children to be holy from their mothers vvombe And the same reason vvhich S. Augustine deduceth li. â— c. â— 9. de pec meritis out of this text to proue against the said Pelagians that the Apostle meaneth not of the general imitation of Adam in actual sinnes serueth against Erasmus and others inclining rather to that nevv exposition then to the Churches and fathers graue iudgement herein Cone Mileuitanum c. 2. 14. vnto Moyses Euen in the time of the Lavv of nature vvhen men knevv not sinne and therfore it could not by mans iudgement be imputed and in the time of Moyses Lavv vvhen the commaundement taught them to knovv it but gaue them no strength nor grace to auoid it sinne did reigne and therevpon death and damnation euen til Moyses inclusiuè that is to say euen til the end of his Lavv. And that not in them onely vvhich actually sinned as Adam did but in infants vvhich neuer did actually offend but onely vvere borne and conceiued in sinne that is to say hauing their natures defiled destitute of iustice and auerted from God in Adam and by their descent from him Christ onely excepted being conceiued vvithout mans seede and his mother for his honour and by his special protection as many godly deuouâ— men iudge preserued from the same 20. That sinne might abound That here hath not the signification of causalitie as though the Lavv vvere giuen for that cause to make sinne abound but it noteth the sequele because that folovved thereof and so it came to passe that by the prohibition of sinne sinne increased by occasion vvhereof the force of Christes grace is more amply and aboundantly bestovved in the nevv Testament CHAP. VI. He exhorteth vs novv after Baptisme to liue no more in sinne but to vvalke in good vvorkes because there vve died to the one and rose againe to the other 14 grace also giuing vs sufficient strength 16 and vvere made free to the one and seruants to the other 21
and read as him self telleth li. 8 Confesâ—e 12. CHAP. XIIII Like a moderator and peacemaker betvvene the firme Christians vvho vvere the Gentils and the infirme vvho vvere the Christian Ievves hauing yet a scruple to cease from keeping the ceremonial meâ—tes and daies of Moyses Lavv be exhorteth the Ievv 〈◊〉 to condemne the Gentil vsing his libertie and the Gentil againe 〈◊〉 to condemne the â—â—rupulous â—ew but rather to abstaine from vsing his libertie and them offending the Ievv 〈◊〉 be an occasions vnto him of aposting verse 1 AND him that is vveake in faith take vnto you not in disputations of cogitatioÌ„s ✠verse 2 For one beleeueth that he may ″ eate al things but he that is vveake let him eate ' herbes ✠verse 3 Let not him that eateth despise him that eateth not and he that eateth not let him not iudge him that eateth for God hath taken him to him ✠verse 4 Vvho art thou that iudgest an other mans seruant To his ovvne Lord he standeth or falleth and he shal stand for God is able to make him stand ✠verse 5 For one iudgeth ″ betvveene day and day and an other iudgeth euery day let euery one abound ″ in his ovvne sense ✠verse 6 He that respecteth the day respecteth to our Lord. And he that eateth eateth to our Lord for he giueth thankes to God And he that eateth not to our Lord he eateth not and giueth thankes to God ✠verse 7 For none of vs liueth to him self no man dieth to him self ✠verse 8 For whether vve liue we liue to our Lord or vvhether we die we die to our Lord. Therfore vvhether vve liue or vvhether vve die vve are our Lords ✠verse 9 For to this end Christ died and rose againe that he may haue dominion both of the dead and of the liuing ✠verse 10 But thou vvhy iudgest thou thy brother or thou vvhy doest thou despise thy brother For * vve shal al stand before the iudgement seate of Christ ✠verse 11 For it is vvritten Liue I saith our Lord that euery knee shal bovve to me and euery tongue shal confesse to God ✠verse 12 Therfore euery one of vs for him self shal render account to God ✠verse 13 Let vs therfore no more iudge one an other but this iudge ye rather that you put not a stumbling blocke or a scandal to your brother ✠verse 14 I knovv and am persuaded in our Lord IESVS Christ that nothing is coÌ„mon of it self but to him that supposeth any thing to be coÌ„mon to him it is common ✠verse 15 For if because of meate thy brother be greeued novv thou vvalkest not according to charitie * Do not vvith thy meate destroy him for vvhom Christ died ✠verse 16 Let not then our good be blasphemed ✠verse 17 For the kingdom of God is ″ not meate and drinke but iustice and peace and ioy in the holy Ghost ✠verse 18 for he that in this serueth Christ pleaseth God and is acceptable to men ✠verse 19 Therfore the things that are of peace let vs pursue and the things that are of edifying one tovvard an other let vs keepe ✠verse 20 Destroy not the vvorke of God for meate * Al things in deede are cleane but it is il for the man that eateth by giuing offence ✠verse 21 It is good not to eate flesh and not to drinke vvine nor that vvherein thy brother is offended or scandalized or vveakened ✠verse 22 Hast thou faith ″ haue it vvith thy self before God Blessed is he that iudgeth not him self in that vvhich he approueth ✠verse 23 But ″ he that discerneth if he eate is damned because not of faith for ″ al that is not of faith is sinne ANNOTATIONS CHAP. XIIII 2. Eate al things By similitude of vvordes the simple are soone deceiued and Heretikes make their vauntage of any thing to seduce the vnlearned There vvere diuers meates forbidden in the Lavv of Moyses and for signification made and counted vncleane vvhereof the Ievves might not eate aâ— al as porke hare conny and such like both of fishes foules and beasts a great number Christ discharged al them that became Christians after his Passion of that obseruance and al other ceremonies of the old Lavv Notvvithstanding because diuers that vvere brought vp in the Lavv had a religion and conscience sodenly to foresake their former maner the Apostle here admonisheth such as bestronger and 〈◊〉 instructed in the case to heare vvith the vveaker sort that being Christians could not yee finde in their hartes to eate and vse the meates forbidden by God in the Lavv as on the other side he vvarneth the vveake that vvould not eate not to take offence or scandal at them that did eate vvithout scruple any of the irregular or forbidden meates in the Lavv nor in any vvise to iudge or condemne the eater but to commit that to God and finally that neither nother should condemne the other for eating or not eating Now the Protestants foÌ„ndly apply al this to the fastes of the Church and differences of meates in the same as though the Church did forbid any meate vvholy neuer to be eaten or touched or made any creatures vncleane or othervvise prescribed any abstinence then for chastising of mens bodies and seruice of God It is a great blindnesse that they can put no difference betvvixt Christes fast of fourtie daies Mat. 4. Iohns abstaining from al delicate meates and drinkes Mat. 11. the vvidovv Annes Luc. â— 1â— the Nazareites Num. 6. the Recabites Ierem. 15 14. the Niniuities Ion. 3. S. Paules 2 Cor. 11 27. S. Timothees 1 Tim. 5 23. Iohns Disciples and Christs Disciples fast Mat. 9 14. 15. which he said they should keepe after his departure from them and the ceremonial distinction of creatures and meates cleane and vncleane in the old Lavv. of vvhich it is euident the Apostle treateth in al this chapter of none other at al. Therfore vvhen the Protestants by the vvordes of this place vvould proue that vve be either made free from fasting and from obeying the Churches commaundement or folovving Christes example in that matter or that the obseruers of Christian fastes be vveake in faith ought not in any vvise coÌ„demne of sinne the breakers of the prescribed fastes of the holy Church they doe abuse ignorantly or vvilfully the Apostles vvordes and discourse 5. Betvvene day and day By the like deceite they abuse this place against the Holy-daies of Christ and his B. mother and Saincts vvhich concerneth onely the Ievves festiuities and obseruation of times vvhereof in the Epistle to the Galatians c 4. 10. 6. Euery one in his ovvne sense The Apostle doth not giue freedom as the Churches enemies vvould haue it that euery man may doe or thinke vvhat he list but in this matter of Iudaical obseruation of daies and meates that for a time onely til the
vve prouide good things * not only before God but also before men ✠verse 22 And vve haue sent vvith them our brother also vvhom vve haue proued in many things often to be careful but now much more careful for the great confidence in you ✠verse 23 either for Titus vvhich is my fellovv and coadiutor tovvard you or our brethren Apostles of the churches the glorie of Christ ✠verse 24 The declaration therfore vvhich is of your charitie and our glorying for you declare ye tovvard them in the face of the churches ⊢ ANNOTATIONS CHAP. VIII 14. Aboundance supply He meaneth that such as abound in vvorldly riches should communicate for supply of other their brethrens necessities vvhatsoeuer they may that on the other side they vvhom they helpe in temporals may impart to them againe some of their spiritual riches as praiers and other holy vvorkes and graces vvhich is a happie change and entercourse for the vvelthy men if they could see it And this place proueth plainely that the fastings and satisfactorie deedes of one man be auailable to others yea and that holy Sainctes or other vertuous persons may in measure and proportion of other mens necessities and deseruings allotte vnto them as vvel the supererogation of their spiritual vvorkes as these that abound in vvorldly goods may giue almes of their superfluities to them vvhich are in necessitie Vvhich enterchange and proportion of things the Apostle doth euidently set dovvne CHAP. IX He procedeth exhorting them to the foresaid contribution 3 to verifie his commending of them 6 and to do it liberally that so they may merite the more and God be the more praised verse 1 FOR concerning the ministerie that is done ″ tovvard the sainctes it is superfluous for me to vvrite vnto you ✠verse 2 For I know your prompt minde for the which I glorie of you to the Macedonians That Achaia also is ready from the yere past and your emulation hath prouoked very many ✠verse 3 But I haue sent the brethren that the thing vvhich vve glorie of you be not made voide in this behalfe that as I haue said you may be ready ✠verse 4 lest vvhen the Macedoniās shal come vvith me and finde you vnready vve that vve say not ye may be ashamed in this substance ✠verse 5 Therfore I thought it necessarie to desire the brethren that they vvould come to you and prepare this blessing before promised to be ready so as a blessing ″ not as auarice ✠verse 6 And this I say he that ″ sovveth sparingly sparingly also shal reape and he that sovveth in blessings of blessings also shal reape ✠verse 7 Euery one as he hath determined in his hart not of sadnes or of necessitie ✠for God loueth a cheereful giuer ✠verse 8 And God is able to make al grace abound in you that in al things alvvaies hauing al sufficiencie you may abound vnto al good vvorkes ✠verse 9 as it is vvritten He distributed he gaue to the poore his iustice remaineth for euer ✠verse 10 And he that ministreth seede to the sovver vvil giue bread also for to eate vvil multiplie your seede and vvil augmēt the increases of the fruites of your iustice ⊢ ✠verse 11 that being enriched in al things you may abound vnto al simplicitie vvhich worketh by vs thankes-giuing to God ✠verse 12 Because the ministerie of this office ″ doth not only supplie those things that the Saincts vvant but aboundeth also by many thankes-giuings in our Lord ✠verse 13 by the proofe of this ministerie glorifying God in the obedience of your confession vnto the Gospel of Christ and in the simplicitie of communicating vnto them and vnto al ✠verse 14 and in their praying for you being desirous of you because of the excellēt grace of God in you ✠verse 15 Thankes be to God for his vnspeakeable gift ANNOTATIONS CHAP. IX 7. Tovvard the Saincts By the Apostles earnest and often calling vpon the Corinthians to giue almes for relieuing the faithful in distresse the Pastors of Gods Church may learne that is specially pertaineth to their office to be procters for holy men in prison pouertie and al other necessitie specially vvhen their vvant commeth for confession of their faith 5. Not at auarice The couetous man that parteth vvith his peny painefully and vvith sorovv as though he lost a limme of his body is noted and cheereful ready voluntarie and large contribution is commended 6. Sovveth sparingly Almes is compared to seede for as the seede throvven into the ground though it seme to be cast avvay yet is not lost but is laid vp in certaine hope of great encrease so that vvhich men giue in almes though it seeme to be cast avvay and to perish in respect of the giuer yet in deede it is most fruitful the benefite thereof manifoldly returning to him againe Vvherevpon the Apostles cōclusion is cleere that according to the measure of the almes or seeding vvhich is more or lesse in respect of the vvil and abilitie of the giuer the encrease and aboundance of haruest that is of grace and glorie shal ensue See S. Augustine in Psal 49 circamed q. 4. ad Dulcitium 1◠Doth not onely supply Vvhen almes are giuen specially to holy men not onely the giuers obtaine great benefite thereby and the vvantes of others be supplied but God also by the receiuers continual praiers and thankes giuing therfore is excedingly honoured so that charitie bestovved in this sort is an acte of Gods vvorship and of religion CHAP. X. Against the false Apostles graunting the infirmitie of his person he doth notvvithstanding set out the povver of his Apostleship 〈◊〉 reprehending them also for chalenging to them selues the praise of other mens labours verse 1 AND I Paul my self beseeche you by the mildenes and modestie of Christ vvho in presence in deede am humble amōg you but absent am bold on you ✠verse 2 But I beseeche you that being present I neede not be bold by that confidence vvhervvith I am thought to be bold against some vvhich thinke vs as though vve vvalke according to the flesh ✠verse 3 For vvalking in the flesh vve vvarre not according to the flesh ✠verse 4 For the ″ vveapons of our vvarfare are not carnal but mightie to God vnto the destruction of munitions destroying counsels ✠verse 5 and al loftinesse extolling it self against the knovvledge of God and bringing into captiuitie al vnderstanding vnto the obedience of Christ ✠verse 6 and hauing in a readinesse ″ to reuenge al disobediēce vvhen your obedience shal be fulfilled ✠verse 7 See the things that are according to appearance If any man haue affiance in him self that he is Christs let him thinke this againe vvith him self that as he is Christs so vve also ✠verse 8 For and if I should glorie somevvhat more of our povver vvhich our Lord hath
during al eternitie 31. That is in Babylon The Protestants shevv them selues here as in al places vvhere any controuersie is or that maketh against them to be most vnhonest and partial handlers of Gods vvord The auÌ„cient fathers namely S. Hierom in Catalogo de scriptoribus Ecclesiasticis verbo Marcus Eusebius li. 2 c. 14 hist Oecumenius vpon this place and many moe agree that Rome is meant by the vvord Babylon here also as in the 16 and 17 of the Apocalypse saying plainely that S. Peter vvrote this Epistle at Rome vvhich is called Babylon for the resemblance it had to Babylon that great citie in Chaldaea vvhere the Ievves vvere captiues for magnificence Monarchie resort and confusion of al peoples and tongues and for that it vvas before Christ and long after the seate of al Ethnike superstition idolatrie the slaughter house of the Apostles other Christian men the Heathen Emperours theÌ„ keeping their cheefe resideÌ„ce there See S. Leo Ser. 1. in Nati Petri Pauli This being most plaine and coÌ„sonant to that vvhich folovveth of S. Marke vvhom al the Ecclesiastical histories agree to haue been Peters scholer at Rome and that he there vvrote his Gospel yet our Aduersaries fearing hereby the sequele of Peters or the Popes supremacie at Rome deny that euer he vvas there or that this Epistle vvas vvritten there or that Babylon doth here signifie Rome but they say that Peter vvrote this Epistle at Babylon in haldaea though they neuer reade either in Scriptures or other holy or profane historie that this Apostle vvas euer in that tovvne but see their shameles partiality here Babylon say they is not taken for Rome because it vvould folovv that Peter vvas at Rome c. but in the Apocalypse vvhere al euil is spoken of Babylon there they vvill haue it signifie nothing els but Rome and the Romane Church also not as the fathers interprete it the temporal state of the Heathen Empire there So do they folovv in euery vvord no other thing but the aduantage of their ovvne heresie See the Annotation vpon the last of the Romans v. 16. and vpon the 17 of the Apocalypse v. 5. And as for their vvrangling vpon the supputation of the time of his going thither and the number of yeres that he vvas there the diuersitie that seemeth to be in the Ecclesiastical vvriters concerning the same read B. Fisher and other that substantially ansvver al such cauils And if such contentious reasoning might take place vve should hardly beleeue the principal things recorded either in Ecclesiastical histories or in the Scriptures them selues Concerning the time of Christs fleing into Aegypt of the comming of the Sages to adore him yea of the yeres of his age time of his death al auÌ„cient vvriters do not agree and concerning the day of his last supper and institution of the holy Sacrament there is diuersitie of opinions Shal vve therfore inferre that he neuer died and that the other things neuer vvere Can the Heretikes accord al the histories that seeme euen in holy Scripture to haue contradiction Can they tel vs certainely vvhen Dauid first came to Saul and the like doubt they vvhether the vvorld vvas euer created because the count of the yeres is diuers Do they not beleeue that Paradise euer vvas because no man knovveth vvhere it is and such other like things infinite to rehearse Vvhich vvhen they vvere done vvere plaine and knovven things in the vvorld and novv for vs to call them to an account after so many yeres ages and vvorldes is but sophistication and plaine infidelitie And this sect of the Protestants standing onely vpon destruction and negatiues dealing vvith our religion euen as Iulian Porphyrie and Lucian did it is an easie thing for them to bestovv their time in picking of quarels THE SECOND EPISTLE OF PETER THE APOSTLE CHAP. I. Hovv much God hath done for them making them Christians 5 and that they againe must doe their part not hauing onely faith but al other vertues also and good vvorkes that so they may haue the mâ—re assurance to enter into the kingdom of heauen 13 And that he is so careful to admonish them knovving that his death is as hand knovving also most certainely the â—â—â—ming of Christ by the vvitnes of the Father him self as also by the Prophets Concerning vvhom he vvarneth them that they folovv not priuate spirites but the holy Ghost speaking nevv in the Church verse 1 SIMON PETER seruant and Apostle of IESVS Christ to them that haue obtained equal faith vvith vs in the iustice of our God and Sauiour IESVS Christ ✠verse 2 Grace to you and peace be accomplished in the knovvledge of God and Christ IESVS our Lord ✠verse 3 as al things of his diuine povver vvhich pertaine to life and godlines are giuen vs by the knovvledge of him vvhich hath called vs by his ovvne propre glorie and vertue by vvhom he hath giuen vs most great and pretious promises that by these you may be made partakers of the diuine nature fleeing the corruption of that concupiscence vvhich is in the vvorld ✠verse 5 And you employing al care minister ye in your faith vertue and in vertue knovvledge ✠verse 6 and in knovvledge abstinence and in abstinence patience and in patience pietie ✠verse 7 and in pietie loue of the fraternitie and in the loue of the fraternitie charitie ✠verse 8 For if these things be present vvith you abound they shal make you not vacant nor vvithout fruite in the knovvledge of our Lord IESVS Christ ✠verse 9 For he that hath not these things ready is blinde and groping vvith his haÌ„d hauing forgotten the purging of his old sinnes ✠verse 10 Vvherfore brethren labour the more that â— by good vvorkes you may make sure your vocation and election for doing these things you shal not sinne at any time ✠verse 11 For so there shal be ministred to you aboundantly an entrance into the euerlasting kingdom of our Lord and Sauiour IESVS Christ ✠verse 12 For the vvhich cause I wil begin to admonish you alvvaies of these things and you in deede knovving being confirmed in the present truth ✠verse 13 But I thinke it meete as long as I am in this tabernacle to stirre you vp by admonition ✠verse 14 being certaine that the laying avvay of my tabernacle is at hand according as our Lord IESVS Christ also signified to me ✠verse 15 And I vvil doe my diligence you to haue often â— after my decease also that you may keepe a memorie of these things ✠verse 16 For not hauing folovved vnlearned fables haue vve made the povver and â—presence ' of our Lord IESVS Christ knovven to you but made beholders of his greatenesse ✠verse 17 For * he receiuing from God his father honour and glorie this maner of voice comming dovvne to him from the magnifical glorie This is