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…

13 He knew not who it was. Christ would not have the glory of so great a work to vanish away. Yet would he have it first to be known and famous, before such time as he would profess himself to be the author thereof. Therefore he withdrew himself a little, that the Jews might judge of the thing it self, with out any respect of person. Hence may we gather, that it cannot be attributed to the faith of the man that he was healed, who knoweth not his Physician when he was cured: and yet it seemeth that he did this by the direction of faith in that he took up his bed when he was commanded. For mine own part, as I do not deny that there was in him some secrete motion of faith, so I say that it doth plainly appear by the text, that he was destitute of sound doctrine, wherein he should rest, and of the pure light.

13 Hee knew not who it was. Christ woulde not haue the glory of so great a worke to vanish away. Yet woulde he haue it first to be knowē and famous, before such time as he would professe himselfe to be the authour thereof. Therefore he withdrew himselfe a little, that the Iewes might iudge of the thing it self, wt out any respect of person. Hence may we gather, that it cannot bee attributed to the faith of the man that hee was healed, who knoweth not his Phisition when he was cured: and yet it seemeth that he did this by the direction of faith in that he tooke vp his bed when he was commaunded. For mine own part, as I do not denie that there was in him some secrete motion of faith, so I say that it doth plainely appeare by the text, that he was destitute of sound doctrine, wherein he should rest, and of the pure light.

14 After this Jesus found him. These words do more plainly show, that Christ did not therefore lie hid for a time, that the memory of his benefit might perish: for he doth now come abroad of his own accord, his meaning was only to have the work first known, and then to have himself known to be the author thereof. Furthermore, this place containeth most profitable doctrine, for when Christ saith, Beh•lde thou art healed: His meaning is, that we do wickedly abuse God his benefits, unless we be moved unto thankfulness. Neither doth Christ cast that in his teeth, which he had given him: but doth only admonish the man and tell him that he was healed for this cause, that being mindful of the grace received, he might worship God his deliverer, during his whole life. Therefore as God doth instruct us unto repentance, and prick us forward with light punishments: so he doth exhort us unto the same with his goodness and clemency. Yea this is the general end aswell of our redemption, as of all Gods gifts: to have us wholly addicted and knit unto him.