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…

In these words we are also taught, that we are borne as aliens, and men banished from the kingdom of God, and that we do continually dissent from the same, until such time as the second begetting do change us. For the sentence is general, which comprehendeth all mankind. If Christ had said thus unto one, or a few, that they cannot come into heaven, unless they be first borne again, we might conjecture that he speaketh only of certain persons: but he speaketh of all men without exception. For it is an indefinite sentence which is of as much force as the universal sentence, who soever shall not be borne again, &c. Furthermore, by this word borne again, he doth not mean the amending of one part, but the renewing of the whole nature. Whereupon it followeth that there is nothing in us, but that which is corrupt. For if it be necessary that the whole and every part be renewed, it must needs follow that the corruption is spread abroad every where: Concerning which matter we will speak shortly after.

In these wordes we are also taught, that we are borne as aliants, and men banished from the kingdome of God, and that we doe continually dissent from the same, vntill such time as the seconde begetting doe change vs. For the sentence is generall, whiche comprehendeth all mankinde. If Christ had said thus vnto one, or a fewe, that they cannot come into heauen, vnlesse they be first borne againe, we might coniecture that he speaketh only of certaine persons: but he speaketh of all men without exception. For it is an indefinite sentence which is of as muche force as the vniuersall sentence, who soeuer shall not be borne againe, &c. Furthermore, by this worde borne againe, he doth not meane the amending of one parte, but the renuyng of the whole nature. VVhereuppon it followeth that there is nothing in vs, but that whiche is corrupt. For if it bee necessary that the whole and euery part be renued, it must needes followe that the corruption is spread abrode euery where: Concerning which matter wee will speake shortly after.

Erasmus following Cyrillus his judgement did evil translate the adverb (anothen) from above. I confess that the signification thereof is doubtful amongest the Grecians: but we know that Christ did talk with Nicodemus in Hebrew. Furthermore, there had been no place there for the doubtful saying wherewith Nicodemus being deceived, doth childishly doubt of the second nativity of the flesh. Therefore he conceived no other thing out of the words of Christ, but this, that a man must be borne again, before he can enter into the kingdom of God.