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…

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.

41 Many moe beleeued. It appeareth by the successe that Christe did not shew himselfe to bee more easie to be intreated then became him, for wee see how fruitfull these two dayes were which hee graunted to stay with them at their request. By which example wee are taught that we must neuer loyter, so often as wee may spread abroade the kingdome of God. And if so be it we be afraid least that our facilitie be subiect to false tales, or be oftentimes vnprofitable, let vs aske of Christ the spirite of counsell to direct vs. The worde beleeued is put in in this place in another sense: because it doth not only signifie that they were prepared vnto faith, but also endowed with true faith.

42 Because of thy saying. Although I have followed Erasmus his translation, because the word speech which the old interpreter hath, is barbarous, yet are the readers to be admonished that the word (lalia) hath the same signification amongest the Grecians which (loquentia) hath amongest the Latinists. And the Samaritans do seem to boast that they had now a surer stay, then that which was in the woman's tongue, which is wont for the most part to be vain. We believe. He doeth ⟨p. 102⟩better express what manner of faith theirs was: namely, conceived of the very word of God: so that they may boast that they have the son of God to be their master, as he truly is he alone upon whose authority they may safely rest. He is not now present openly, that he may speak unto us mouth to mouth: yet by whomsoever we chance to hear him, our faith can lean unto none but unto him alone, neither cometh y knowledge, whereof mention is made, from any other. For the word that cometh from mortal man may fill and satisfy the ears: but it shall never establish the mind in the quiet hope of salvation, so that he may worthily boast that he knoweth who hath heard. Therefore this is the principal thing in faith, that we know that it is Christ who speaketh by his ministers: secondly, that we give him the honour due unto him: that is, that we doubt not but steadfastly believe that he is faithful and true, so that trusting to so sure an author, we may safely lean unto his doctrine. But whereas they say that Jesus is the saviour, of the world, & Christ, without doubt they had that by hearing. Whereby we gather that the sum of the Gospel was delivered more familiarly unto them by Christ in two days, then it was hitherto to Jerusalem. And Christ did testify that the salvation which he brought was common to all the world to the end they might the better understand that it did appertain unto them also. Neither did he call them unto the participation of the grace of salvation as lawful heirs: but he taught that he came to admit strangers into god his family, & to bring peace unto those that were a far of.