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…

17 And Jesus answered them, my father worketh until this time, and I work. 18 For this cause therefore the Jews sought the rather to kill him, because he did not only break the Sabbath, but did also call God his father, making himself equal with God. 19 Therefore Jesus answered, and said unto them, verily, verily I say unto you, the son can do nothing of himself: save that which he shall see the father do, which things when he doth, the son doth these in like sort.

17 And Iesus answered them, my father worketh vntill this time, and I worke. 18 For this cause therefore the Iewes sought the rather to kill him, because he did not only breake the Sabboth, but did also call God his father, making himself equall with God. 19 Therefore Iesus answered, and said vnto them, verily, verily I say vnto you, the son can doe nothing of himselfe: saue that which he shall see the father do, which things when he doth, the sonne doth these in like sort.

17 My father. We must mark what manner of defence Christ useth. He doth not answer, that the law concerning the keeping of the Sabbath was temporal, and such as was now to be abrogated but doth rather say that he had not broken the Sabbath: because this is a work of God. It was indeed a shadowish ceremony, whereof Christ made an end by his coming, as Paul teacheth, Col. 2. 16. 17. But the state of this present cause consisteth not in that. For men are only commanded to rest from their own works: therefore circumcision which is a work of God, and not of men, is not contrary to the Sabbath▪ Christ standeth upon this point, that the holy rest is not troubled with the works of God, which rest was commanded in the law of Moses. And by this reason he doth not only excuse his own fact, but his also that bare his bed, for it was an appurtenance and as it were a part of the miracle: because it was nothing else but an approving of the same. Secondly, if thanksgiving and the preaching abroad of the glory of God be, to be reckoned among the works of God, it was no breaking of the Sabbath with foot and hand to set forth the grace of God. Yet Christ doth chiefly speak of himself, with whom the Jews were more offended. In the mean while he doth testify that the health which he restored to the sick man is a testimony of his divine power. He affirmeth that he is the son of God, and that the manner of working is common to him and his father. I do not now at large dispute what was the use of the Sabbath, & for what causes it was commanded. As touching this present place, the religion of the Sabbath is so far from breaking and hindering the course of the works of God, that it doth rather grant place to them alone. For why doth the law command men to rest from their own works: save only that they may apply all their senses being empty and free, to consider upon the works of God? Therefore he is a wicked overthrower of the law, and also a false interpreter, who doth not grant unto the works of God a free kingdom in the Sabbath. If any man do object that the example of God is set before men, that they may rest the seventh day: the answer is easy, that men are not like unto God in that point, because he kept holy day, but because that ceasing from the troublesome actions of this world, they do aspire unto the heavenly rest.