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…

Now seeing that it sufficiently appeareth that the Son of God, under the name of Jesus is commended unto us as the author of salvation, we will sift more nearly the Angels words. He shall save (sayeth he) his people from their sins: first this is to be observed, that they of themselves were lost, whom Christ was sent to save: and namely he is called the Saviour of the Church. If they whom GOD hath joined so near unto himself, are drowned in death and destruction, until Christ restore them life: then what shall we say of strangers, to whom there was never any hope of life appearing. Wherefore it is to be concluded, while salvation in Christ is rejected, that all mankind is subject to destruction. But the cause of destruction is with all to be noted: for the celestial judge doeth not pronounce the curse against us rashly and without a cause. Therefore the Angel witnesseth that we perished and were holden oppressed under the miserable yoke of damnation, for that by our sins we were estranged from life, whereby the corruption and wickedness of our nature is revealed unto us, for if any man were perfect and able to live a righteous life, he might be without Christ the deliverer: but all, without the exception of any one, have need of his grace. Therefore it followeth that they are all the servants of sin, and are destitute of the true righteousness. Here again we gather; what manner and way it is that Christ useth in saving, that is, that he delivereth us from sins.

Nowe seeing that it sufficiently appeareth that the Sonne of God, vnder the name of Iesu is commended vnto vs as the authour of saluation, we will sifte more neerely the Aungelles woordes. Hee shall saue (sayeth hee) his people from their sinnes: first this is to be obserued, that they of themselues were lost, whome Christ was sent to saue: and namely hee is called the Sauiour of the Churche. If they whome GOD hathe ioyned so neare vnto hymselfe, are drowned in death and destruction, vntill Christ restore them life: then what shall wee saye of straungers, to whome there was neuer anye hope of life appearing. VVherefore it is to bee concluded, while saluation in Christe is reiected, that all mankinde is subiecte to destruction. But the cause of destruction is with all to bee noted: for the celestiall iudge doeth not pronounce the cursse against vs rashly and wythout a cause. Therefore the Aungell witnesseth that wee pearished and were holden oppressed vnder the miserable yoke of damnation, for that by our sinnes wee were estraunged from life, whereby the corruption and wickednesse of our nature is reuealed vnto vs, for if any manne were perfecte and able to liue a righteous life, hee might be without Christ the deliuerer: but all, without the exception of any one, haue neede of hys grace. Therefore it foloweth that they are all the seruauntes of sinne, and are destitute of the true righteousnesse. Heere againe wee gather; what maner and way it is that Christ vseth in sauing, that is, that hee deliuereth vs from sinnes.