A14133:175
An exposition upon the v.vi.vii. chapters of Matthew which three chapters are the key…An exposycyon vpon the v.vi.vii. chapters of Mathewe which thre chapters are the keye…
An exposition upon the v.vi.vii. chapters of Matthew which three chapters are the key and the door of the scripture, and the restoring again of Moses law corrupt by the scribes and pharisees. And the exposition is the restoring again of Christs law corrupt by the Papists. Item before the book, thou hast a prologue very necessary, containing the whole sum of the covenant made between God and us, upon which we be baptised to keep it. And after thou haste a table that leadeth the by the notes in the margents, unto all that is entreated of in the book.An exposycyon vpon the v.vi.vii. chapters of Mathewe which thre chapters are the keye and the dore of the scrypture, and the restoring agayne of Moses lawe corrupt by ye scrybes and pharyses. And the exposycyon is the restorynge agayne of Chrystes lawe corrupte by the Papystes. Item before the boke, thou hast a prologe very necessary, conteynynge the whole sum of the couenaunt made betwene God and vs, vpon whiche we be baptysed to kepe it. And after thou haste a table that ledeth the by the notes in the margentes, vnto al that is intreated of in the booke.
London? : R. Redman, 1536?
Title page typeset from the transcription.
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
For the pharisees had so interpret that law of Moses (which pertained only unto the rulers) that every private person might avenge him self, and do his adversary as much harm again as he had received of him.
For the phareseys had so enterpret that lawe of Moyses (which partayned only vnto the rulers) that euery pryuat person myght adueng hym selfe, and do his aduersary as moch harme agayne as he had receyued of hym.
Now if he that is angry have deserved that then pronounce death upon him, and he that sayeth Racha hath deserved that men should rather a council to determine some sundry and cruel death for so heinous a crime, and he that calleth his brother fool, have deserved hell what deserveth he that smiteth or avengeth him self with his own hand. Here is forbidden therefore private wrath only, and that a man avenge him self.
Nowe if he that is angry haue deserued that then pronounce dethe vpon hym, and he that sayeth Racha hath deserued that men shuld rather a councell to determyne some sundry and cruel deth for so haynouse a cryme, and he that calleth his brotherfole, haue deserued hel what deserueth he yt smyteth or aduengeth him selfe with his owne hand. Here is forboden therfore pryuate wrathe onely, and that a man aduenge hym selfe.
1To turn the other cheek is manner of speaking and not to be understand as the words sound as was to cut of the hand and to pluck out the eye. And as we command our children not only not to come nigh a brook or a water, but also not so hardy as once to look that way▪ either to look on fire or once to think on fire, which are impossible to be observed. More is spoken then meant to fear them and to make them perceive that it is earnest that we command. Even so is the meaning here that we in no wile avenge / but be prepared ever to suffer as much more / and never to think it lawful to avenge, how great so ever the injury be, for he him self turned not the other cheek, when he was smitten before the bishop, nor yet Paulus when he was buffeted before the bishop also. But ye have hard a little above.