A harmony upon the the three Evangelists, Matthew, Mark and Luke with the commentary…A harmonie vpon the the three Euangelists, Matthew, Mark and Luke with the commentarie…

Fear not Zechariah. It is to be noted, that the glory of GOD is so fearful to the godly, that they are not altogether devoured of fear: but only they are thrown down from their vain boldness, that they might humbly look upon him. As soon therefore as GOD hath vanquished the pride of the flesh in his faithful, with his outstretched hand, he raiseth them up again. He dealeth otherwise with the reprobate. For às oft as they are drawn to the judgement seat of God mere desperation overwhelmeth them. And God doth give again this, as a just reward unto their vain pleasures, in the which they have made them selves drunken to wantonness of sinning. Wherefore this comfort is to be embraced of us, in that the Angel doth uphold Zechariah, that it is not to be feared, where God is present with us. For they deceive them selves much, who, that they might enjoy peace, do hide them from the face of GOD, seeing we should seek peace at him.

Feare not Zacharias. It is to be noted, that the glory of GOD is so fearfull to the godlye, that they are not altogether deuoured of feare: but onelye they are throwne downe from their vaine boldenesse, that they might humbly looke vppon him. Assoone therefore as GOD hath vanquished the pride of the flesh in his faythfull, with his outstretched hande, he rayseth them vppe againe. Hee dealeth otherwise with the reprobate. For às oft as they are drawen to the iudgement seate of God meere desperation ouerwhelmeth them. And God doth giue againe this, as a iust rewarde vnto their vaine pleasures, in the which they haue made them selues dronken to wantonnes of sinning. VVherefore this comfort is to bee imbraced of vs, in that the Angell dooth vppholde Zachary, that it is not to be feared, where God is present with vs. For they deceyue them selues much, who, that they might enioy peace, doe hyde them from the face of GOD, seeing wee shoulde seeke peace at him.

Thy prayer is heard. Zechariah might seem to have done amiss, and contrary to the trade of his office, if he entering into the holy place in the name of all the people, as a private man should pray for the obtaining of offspring. For the priest taking upon him to be a common person, should be as it were forgetful of him self, and should pray for the common safeguard of the congregation. If we shall say, that it was not inconvenient, that Zechariah having performed his chiefest part of prayer, should then secondly have some private consideration of him self, it were not an unapt answer. But it is scarce probable, that Zechariah should then have prayed for the obtaining of a Son, whereof he was past hope by the old age of his wife. Neither is there any certain moment of time gathered of the words of the Angel. Wherefore simply I interpret, that his desire was now heard, which long before he had poured out before GOD. Furthermore, the desire of having offspring (so there be no excess) is godly and holy, as may be gathered out of scripture, which esteemeth this not in the last place mong the blessings of God.