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…

26 To whom thou barest witness. By this argument they go about either to make Christ inferior to John, or to make him bound to John, because he received honour of him. For they account that as a benefit, that he did adorn Christ with honourable titles: As though it was not his duty thus to praise him: yea as if this were not his principal dignity to be the son of God his crier. Therefore it was not meet that they should prefer John before Christ, because he was commended by his testimony. Whereas they say, that all men come unto him, these words proceed from perverse emulation, for they are afraid least their master be forsaken of the multitude.

26 To whom thou barest witnesse. By this argument they goe about eyther to make Christe inferiour to Iohn, or to make him bound to Iohn, because he receiued honour of him. For they account that as a benefite, that he did adorne Christ with honourable titles: As though it was not his duetie thus to prayse him: yea as if this were not his principall dignitie to be the sonne of God his cryer. Therefore it was not meete that they shoulde preferre Iohn before Christ, because he was commended by his testimonie. VVhereas they say, that all men come vnto him, these wordes proceed from peruers emulation, for they are afraid least their master be forsaken of the multitude.

27 A man cannot. Some do refer it unto Christ, as if he did accuse his disciples of wicked holdnesse against God, because they go about to take that from Christ which the father had given him. Therefore they will have this to be the meaning, that it came of God, that he was ⟨p. 74⟩preferred in so short space unto so great honour, therefore in vain do you strive to put him down whom God hath exalted with his hand. Othersome do think that it is an exclamation, whereinto he bursteth out through indignation, for that his disciples had so little profited. And truly it was a thing too absurd, to go about to make him as one of the common sort, and to make him inferior unto his minister, whom they had heard so often to be Christ. Therefore John might well enough say, that it was but lost labour to teach men, because they are deaf and dull until such time as they be renewed in mind. But I am rather of their opinion, who do expound it of John: namely, that he saith that it was not in their or his own hand to make him great, because this is the measure of us all, that we be such as God would have us to be. For if the son of God himself did not take to him honour, what man of the common sort dare desire more then is given him of the Lord? If this cogitation were deeply rooted in the minds of men, it should be sufficient to bridle ambition. Furthermore, ambition being once corrected and abolished, the plague of contentions should also be taken away. For how cometh it to pass, that every man exalteth himself more then is meet, save only because we do not depend upon God, that we may be contented with that degree which he assigneth unto us?