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…

That both he that soweth. In these words Christ teacheth us, that no man shall need to complain for that the Apostles shall gather the fruit of other mens tillage. And we must note this amplification. For if the sobs & sighs of those men who complain that the fruits of their labour are given unto others, do no whit hinder but that a new possessor may reap the corn sown by another: how much more joyful ought the reapers to be whereas there is a mutual consent, mutual joy, & rejoicing. And to the end we may the better understand this place, we must note the opposition that is between the sowing & reaping. The sowing was the doctrine of the law & the prophets: for then the seed being cast into the ground, did remain as in green corn: but the doctrine of the gospel, because it bringeth men unto perfect ripeness, is fitly compared unto the harvest. For the law was far from that perfection which was at length exhibited in Christ. We do also well know the comparison that Paul maketh between childhood & manhood which tendeth to the same end.¹ Finally, forasmuch as the coming of Christ brought with it present salvation, it is no marvel if the gospel, wherein the gate of the kingdom of heaven was set open, be called the harvest of the prophetical doctrine. And yet nevertheless this hindereth no whit, but that the fathers under the law were gathered into God his barn.

That both he that soweth. In these wordes Christe teacheth vs, that no man shall need to cōplaine for that the Apostles shall gather the fruit of other mens tillage. And we must note this amplification. For if the sobs & sighes of those men who complaine that the fruites of theyr labour are giuen vnto others, do no whit hinder but that a newe possessour may reape the corne sowen by another: how much more ioyfull ought the reapers to be whereas there is a mutuall consent, mutuall ioy, & reioycing. And to the end we may the better vnderstande this place, wee must note the opposition that is betweene the sowing & reaping. The sowing was the doctrin of the law & the prophets: for then the seed being cast into the ground, did remaine as in greene corne: but the doctrine of the gospell, because it bringeth men vnto perfect ripenesse, is fitly compared vnto the haruest. For the law was far frō that perfection which was at length exhibited in Christ. VVe do also wel know the cō parison that Paul maketh betwene childhood & manhood which tēdeth to the same end.¹