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…

39 They believed because of the woman's words. Here the Evangelist declareth how forcible the woman's words were amongest her citizens. Whereby it appeareth that they did not a little hope for, and desire the coming of the Messiah. And this word believed doth signify in this place unproperly that they were stirred up with the woman's words to acknowledge Christ to be a Prophet. This is as it were the beginning of faith, when as mens minds are prepared to receive doctrine. Such an entrance unto faith, is in this place▪ honourably called faith, that we may know how greatly God esteemeth the reverence of his word, seeing that he vouchsafeth to give so great honour unto their readiness to be taught, who were not as yet thoroughly taught. And that faith doth show it self in this, that they are desirous to go forward: for which cause they desire to have Christ to stay with them.

39 They beleeued because of the womans wordes. Heere the Euangelist declareth how forcible the womans wordes were amongest her citizens. VVhereby it appeareth that they did not a little hope for, and desire the comming of the Messias. And this worde beleeued doth signifie in this place vnproperly that they were stirred vp with the womans woordes to acknowledge Christe to be a Prophet. This is as it were the beginning of faith, when as mens mindes are prepared to receiue doctrine. Such an enterance vnto faith, is in this place▪ honourably called fayth, that we may knowe howe greatly God esteemeth the reuerence of his worde, seeing that hee vouchsafeth to giue so greate honour vnto their readinesse to bee taught, who were not as yet througly taught. And that faith doth shew it self in this, that they are desirous to go forward: for which cause they desire to haue Christe to stay with them.

41 Many moe believed. It appeareth by the success that Christ did not show himself to be more easy to be entreated then became him, for we see how fruitful these two days were which he granted to stay with them at their request. By which example we are taught that we must never loiter, so often as we may spread abroad the kingdom of God. And if so be it we be afraid least that our facility be subject to false tales, or be oftentimes unprofitable, let us ask of Christ the spirit of counsel to direct us. The word believed is put in in this place in another sense: because it doth not only signify that they were prepared unto faith, but also endowed with true faith.