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…

3 The multitude sate. It may be that the sick folks laid in the porches to ask alms, when the people went that way, which went into the temple to worship. And they were also wont to buy sheep there, which they would offer in sacrifice. In the mean while God did heal some number of them every feast day, that by this means he might set forth the worship appointed in the law, and the holiness of the temple. Notwithstanding this may seem an absurd thing, that (seeing we do not read that there was any such thing done at such time as religion did most of all flourish, yea, seeing that miracles were wrought only extraordinarily in the Prophets time) the power and grace of God did appear more plainly in miracles then they were wont, when things were so decayed and almost utterly brought to confusion. I answer, that in my judgement there were two causes: for seeing that the spirit which dwelt in the Prophets was a sufficient witness to testify Gods presence, religion had no need of any other confirmation at that time. For the law was established by signs more then needed, and God ceased not to confirm the commandment which he had given by innumerable testimonies. But when the time of Christ his coming drew near, because they were destitute of Prophets, their state was most miserable, and they were sore tempted on every side, they had need of this extraordinary help, least they should think that they were utterly forsaken of God, and being thus discouraged should utterly have fainted & fallen away. For we know that Malachi was the last of the prophets, and therefore he concludeth his doctrine thus, chap. 4. 4. That the Jews may remember the law given by Moses, until Christ appear. For it seemed to God a profitable thing, to let them be destitute of Prophets for a season, to the end they might more earnestly desire Christ, and receive him with greater reverence when he was revealed. In the mean while least that the temple should want testimony, and the sacrifices, and all the worship from whence salvation should come unto the world, the Lord retained the Jews by this gift of healing, that they might know that it was not in vain that they were separated from other nations by God himself.

3 The multitude sate. It may bee that the sicke folkes laide in the porches to aske almes, when the people wēt that way, which went into the temple to worship. And they were also wont to buy sheepe there, whiche they would offer in sacrifice. In the meane while God did heale some number of them euery feast day, that by this meanes he might set foorth the worship appointed in the lawe, and the holinesse of the temple. Notwithstanding this may seeme an absurd thing, that (seeing we do not reade that there was any such thing done at such time as religion did most of all florishe, yea, seeing that myracles were wrought only extraordinarily in the Prophetes time) the power and grace of God did appeare more plainely in myracles then they were wont, when thynges were so decayed and almost vtterly brought to confusion. I aunswere, that in my iudgement there were two causes: for seeing that the spirite which dwelt in the Prophetes was a sufficient witnesse to testifie Gods presence, religion had no need of any other confirmation at that time. For the law was established by signes more then needed, and God ceased not to confirme the commaundement which hee had giuen by innumerable testimonies. But when the time of Christ his comming drew neere, because they were destitute of Prophetes, their state was most miserable, and they were sore tempted on euery side, they had need of this extraordinarie helpe, least they shoulde thinke that they were vtterly forsaken of God, and being thus discouraged should vtterly haue fainted & fallen away. For we know that Malachie was the last of the prophets, and therefore he concludeth his doctrine thus, chap. 4. 4. That the Iewes may remēber the law giuē by Moses, vntil Christ appeare. For it seemed to God a profitable thing, to let them be destitute of Prophetes for a season, to the ende they might more earnestly desire Christ, and receiue him with greater reuerence when he was reuealed. In the meane while least that the temple shoulde want testimonie, and the sacrifices, and al the worship from whence saluation shoulde come vnto the worlde, the Lorde retained the Iewes by this gift of healing, that they might knowe that it was not in vaine that they were separated from other nations by God himselfe.