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…

33 You sent unto John. Before he uttereth the testimony of God, he urgeth them with the answer of John, which they could not justly discredit or distrust. For to what purpose served it to send unto him, unless they would stand to his words? For they do send as unto a Prophet of God: therefore they feign that his voice is unto them in steed of an oracle. And although there is another concession or grant contained in this, yet Christ doth plainly cast in their teeth, that it was nothing but malice that did hinder them and keep them back from believing. Therefore we see that this circumstance maketh much to the matter, that they sent unto John, and did ask of him as being desirous to learn, who was the Messiah: and yet they set light by his answer.

33 You sent vnto Iohn. Before he vttereth the testimonie of God, hee vrgeth them with the answere of Iohn, which they coulde not iustly discredite or distrust. For to what purpose serued it to sende vnto him, vnlesse they woulde stand to his wordes? For they doe sende as vnto a Prophet of God: therefore they feigne that his voyce is vnto them in steed of an oracle. And although there is another concession or graunt contained in this, yet Christ doth plainely cast in their teeth, that it was nothing but malice that did hinder them and keepe them backe from beleeuing. Therefore we see that this circumstance maketh much to the matter, that they sent vnto Iohn, and did aske of him as beeing desirous to learne, who was the Messias: and yet they set light by his answere.

34 I receive not witness from man. But God did not choose him in vain to be his witness: and in another place, Acts 1. 8. Christ himself affirmeth that his disciples are his witnesses. I answer, that Christ useth the testimony of John, not that he needeth it, but so far forth as it is profitable for us to have some confirmation thereby. One man borroweth testimony of another: because they cannot want that help. The estate of God and Christ is otherwise. For▪ if the Philosophers do say, that virtue needeth not the help of another, what hath man in himself, wherewith he can underprop the truth of God? And Christ addeth also immediately, that he uttered the testimony of John for their sake. Whereby he giveth them to understand that he hath not respect so much unto himself, as that he provided for men, whilst that he raiseth up preachers of his gospel, by whom he may make his will known unto us. Wherein his wonderful goodness doth also shine, whilst that he doth apply all things unto our salvation. Wherefore it standeth us upon to endeavour that he may not take pains in vain in saving us.