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…

31 He that cometh fr•m above. He showeth by another similitude how much Christ differeth from the rest▪ and how far he excelleth all other. For he compareth him to a king, or chief captain, who speaking out of an high Tribunal or judgement seat, is to be heard for the reverence of his government: and he teacheth that it is sufficient for him, if he speak out of a low settle. He saith that Christ came from above, not only because he is God, but because there appeareth nothing in him but that which is heavenly and full of majesty. In the second member the common translation hath but once, that is of the earth: but the Greek books do agree together in the other reading. I suspect that the repetition (which they thought was superfluous) was razed out by unlearned men. But it is as much as if he should say, he which is of the earth, smelleth of his beginning, & according to the estate of his nature abideth in the earthly order. Therefore he affirmeth that this is proper to Christ alone to speak from on high, because he came down from heaven. But here may a question be asked, whether John came not also from heaven, as touching his calling and function, and that therefore the Lord was to be heard speaking by his mouth. For he seemeth to do injury to the heavenly doctrine which he delivereth. I answer, that this is not spoken simply, but by way of comparison. If the ministers be considered apart, they speak as from heaven with great authority, that which God commandeth them: but so soon as they begin once to be set against Christ, they must be no body any longer. So the Apostle unto the Hebrews 12. 25. comparing the law and the gospel together, saith: Seeing that they escaped not free, who despised him that spake upon earth, take heed that ye despise him not which is from heaven. Therefore Christ will be acknowledged in his ministers, but so that he remain Lord alone, and that they be contented with the degree of servants: especially when the matter cometh once to a comparison, he will be so distinguished that he may be chief.

31 Hee that commeth fr•m aboue. Hee sheweth by another similitude how much Christe differeth from the rest▪ and howe farre he excelleth all other. For he compareth him to a king, or chiefe captaine, who speaking out of an high Tribunall or iudgement seate, is to be hearde for the reuerence of his gouernment: and he teacheth that it is sufficient for him, if he speake out of a lowe settle. He saith that Christ came from aboue, not onely because he is God, but because there appeareth nothyng in him but that which is heauenly and full of maiestie. In the seconde member the common translation hath but once, that is of the earth: but the Greeke bookes doe agree together in the other reading. I suspect that the repetition (which they thought was superfluous) was rased out by vnlearned men. But it is as much as if he should say, hee which is of the earth, smelleth of his beginning, & according to the estate of his nature abideth in the earthly order. Therefore hee affirmeth that this is proper to Christe alone to speake from on high, because he came downe from heauen. But heere may a question be asked, whether Iohn came not also from heauen, as touching his calling and function, and that therefore the Lorde was to be hearde speaking by his mouth. For hee seemeth to doe iniurie to the heauenly doctrine which he deliuereth. I answere, that this is not spoken simply, but by way of comparison. If the ministers be considered apart, they speake as from heauen with great authoritie, that which God commaundeth them: but so soone as they begin once to be set against Christe, they must be no body any longer. So the Apostle vnto the Hebrewes 12. 25. comparing the law and the gospell together, saith: Seeing that they escaped not free, who despised him that spake vpon earth, take heede that yee despise him not which is from heauen. Therefore Christe will be acknowledged in his ministers, but so that hee remayne Lorde alone, and that they be contented with the degree of seruaunts: especially when the matter commeth once to a comparison, he will be so distinguished that he may be chiefe.