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…

36 I have a greater testimony. After that he hath showed that the Jews had wickedly corrupted the gift of God in the person of John, he doeth now the second time repeat, that which he had said, that he had no need of mans testimony, as if he were not sufficient of himself. Although according to his custom he reclaimeth them unto the father, because he ⟨p. 127⟩saw that they did despise him. For the works which the father hath given me. He bringeth forth two things whereby he was proved to be the son of god. The father, saith he, doth testify by miracles that I am the son of God: and before I came into the world he gave me a sufficient testimony in the holy scriptures. Let us always remember his drift. He will be acknowledged to be the promised Messiah, that he may be heard. Therefore he doth now prove that he was such a one indeed as the scripture speaketh of. The question is, whether miracles be sufficient to prove that or no, seeing the Prophets had wrought the like. I answer, that the signs which God showed by hands of the prophets, reached no farther then unto the end for which they were appointed: namely, that they might show that they were the ministers of God, who could have authority by no other means: but God meant more highly to extol his son. And this purpose of God is to be accounted the end of miracles. Therefore unless being possessed with wickedness, they had shut their eyes of their own accord, Christ might have made it plain unto them by the power of his signs, who and what a one he was.

36 I haue a greater testimonie. After that he hath shewed that the Iewes had wickedly corrupted the gift of God in the person of Iohn, he doeth now the second time repeat, that which he had said, that he had no need of mans testimonie, as if he were not sufficient of himselfe. Although according to his custome he reclaimeth them vnto the father, because hee ⟨p. 127⟩saw that they did despise him. For the workes which the father hath giuen mee. He bringeth foorth two thinges whereby he was proued to bee the son of god. The father, saith he, doth testifie by myracles that I am the sonne of God: and before I came into the world he gaue me a sufficient testimonie in the holy scriptures. Let vs alwayes remember his drift. He wil be acknowledged to be the promised Messias, that hee may bee hearde. Therefore he doth now proue that he was such a one indeed as ye scripture speaketh of. The question is, whether myracles bee sufficient to proue that or no, seeing the Prophetes had wrought the like. I answere, that the signes which God shewed by hands of the prophets, reached no farther then vnto the end for which they were appointed: namely, that they might shew that they were the ministers of God, who coulde haue authoritie by no other meanes: but God meant more highly to extoll his sonne. And this purpose of God is to bee accounted the ende of myracles. Therefore vnlesse being possessed with wickednesse, they had shut their eyes of their owne accord, Christ might haue made it plaine vnto them by the power of his signes, who and what a one hee was.