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…

Therefore it is no marvel that the holy virgin asketh a question of that she knoweth not▪ But that some do imagine of her words, that she had made a vow of perpetual virginity, it is over weak & altogether absurd: For then very unfaithfully had she done in that she suffered her self to be bestowed on a husband, and so making a mock of God, had despised his holy ordinance of matrimony. Although that in Popery there had crept in a barbarous tyranny in this matter of matrimony, yet they never durst go so far, as to permit the wife without the consent of the husband to vow• continency. Furthermore, it is a childish invention to imagine a kind of Monkery amongst the Jews. Yet that objection is to be answered, that the virgin had respect unto the time to come, & therefore should signify that she should not dwell together with her husband. But this conjecture is probable & plain, that the greatness, or rather the majesty of the matter did so strike the virgin, that she had all her senses tied & bound with admiration. When she heareth that the Son of God shall be borne, she considereth a matter not common, & this is the ⟨p. 28⟩reason why she excludeth the knowledge of man. Thus being amazed, she crieth out, how can this be? Therefore doth God so gently pardon her, and so lovingly and favourably answer her: because that having Gods works in admiration, she did reverently and soberly demand how that could come to pass, which she was persuaded to be far above the common and accustomed course of nature. Furthermore, this question was not against faith. Because that it arose rather of an admiration, then of distrust. The holy Ghost shall come upon thee. The Angel doth not so set the manner, as it had been needful he should have done, that would satisfy the curiosity of many: But he calleth the Virgin simply to consider the power of the holy Ghost, that with silence and quietly, she might resign her self wholly over unto him. The word To come upon, doeth signify that this is an extraordinary work, where the means of nature do want. And the next part of the sentence is added to expound the former. The power of the most high shall overshadow thee. For the spirit is as it were the essential power of God, through whose work he showeth and exerciseth himself, as well in the governance of the world as in miracles.

Therfore it is no maruell that the holy virgin asketh a question of that shee knoweth not But that some do imagine of her words, that shee had made a vow of perpetuall virginitie, it is ouer weake & altogether absurde: For then very vnfaithfully had shee done in that shee suffred her selfe to be bestowed on a husband, and so making a mocke of God, had despised his holy ordinance of matrimonie. Although that in Poperie there had crept in a barbarous tyrannie in this matter of matrimony, yet they neuer durst go so farre, as to permit the wife without the consent of the husband to vow continencie. Furthermore, it is a childish inuention to imagine a kinde of Monkerie amongst the Iewes. Yet that obiection is to be answered, that the virgine had respect vnto the time to come, & therefore should signifie that she should not dwel together with her husband. But this cōiecture is probable & plaine, that the greatnes, or rather the maiestie of the matter did so strike the virgin, that shee had all her senses tied & bound with admiration. VVhē she heareth that the Son of God shalbe borne, she considereth a matter not common, & this is the