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…

He showeth him greater works then these. His meaning is that the miracle which he showed in the curing of the man, was not the chiefest of the works which were given him in charge by his father. For he had only given them a small taste there, of that grace, whereof he is properly both the minister and the author: to wit, that he may restore life to the world. When he addeth that, ye may marvel, he toucheth by the way their unthankfulness, because they did contemn that so excellent a token of the power of God: as if he should say, how dull and blockish soever you be, those things which God shall bring to pass by me hereafter, shall enforce you to wonder whether you will or no. Yet it seemeth that this was not fulfilled, seeing that we know that in seeing they saw not, like as Jesaias saith also 6. 9. that there probate are blind when they behold the light of God. I answer, that Christ spake not in this place of their affection, but did only note how valiantly he would afterwards prove himself to be the son of God.

Hee sheweth him greater workes then these. His meaning is that the myracle which he shewed in the curing of the man, was not the chiefest of the workes which were giuen him in charge by his father. For he had only giuen them a small tast there, of that grace, whereof he is properly both the minister and the authour: to wit, that hee may restore life to the worlde. VVhen he addeth that, yee may maruell, hee toucheth by the way their vnthankfulnesse, because they did contemne that so excellent a token of the power of God: as if he should say, how dull and blockish soeuer you bee, those thinges which God shall bring to passe by mee hereafter, shall enforce you to wonder whether you will or no. Yet it seemeth yt this was not fulfilled, seeing that we know that in seeing they sawe not, like as Iesaias saith also 6. 9. that there probate are blind when they behold the light of God. I answere, that Christe spake not in this place of their affection, but did onely note how valiantly he would afterwardes proue himselfe to be the sonne of God.

21 For as the father. He doth here briefly set down what manner of office was given him of his father. For although he seemeth to choose one kind: yet is it a general doctrine, wherein he showeth that he is the author of life. And it containeth in it self, life, and righteousness, and all the gifts of the holy Ghost, and all the parts of our salvation. And truly it was requisite that this miracle should be such a special testimony of Christs power, that it might bring forth that common fruit: namely, that it might open the gate unto the Gospel. We must farther note after what sort Christ giveth us life. For he found us all dead: therefore it was needful that he should begin at the resurrection. Yet notwithstanding it is not superfluous that he joineth two words together: Because it were not sufficient for us to be delivered from death, unless Christ did restore life unto us fully and perfectly. Furthermore, he maketh not this life common to all men. For he saith, that he giveth life to whom he will, whereby he meaneth that he doeth vouchsafe to bestow this grace peculiarly only upon certain men, that is, the elect.