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…

37. She went not out of the Temple. It is an hyperbolical kind of speech, yet the sense of it is plain, that Anna was almost continually in the Temple. Luke addeth that she worshipped God with fastings & continual prayers, whereof we gather that she frequented not the temple, as if with this bare going thither she would discharge her duty, but also that she used other exercises of godliness. But it is worthy to be noted, that one and the same rule is not: here prescribed to all: neither ought these things be drawn into a general example, which are here praised in this widow woman, for it behooveth us wisely to discern what appertaineth to every mans calling: for foolish emulation hath filled the world with Apes, while superstitious men do more greedily then wisely snatch unto themselves, whatsoever they hear praised in the Saints, as though that as there are distinct degrees of orders, so there were not also a choice to be had of works, that every one might answer to his several calling. That which is here spoken of Anna, Paul doth especially restrain to widows, therefore married folks shall do very preposterously, if they should frame their life after an unlike example: yet there remaineth a doubt, that Luke seemeth to establish part of the worship of God in fastings. But it is to be noted, that of those works which belong to the worship of God, some are required simply, and (as they say) are necessary of themselves, and there are others which are to be referred to this end, that they might serve those former. Prayers do properly appertain to the worship of God: and fasting is an inferior aide, which is no otherwise approved of God, but as it helpeth ⟨p. 94⟩the endeavour and zeal of praying: for the rule is to be holden, that the offices of men are to be esteemed by the right and lawful end. The distinction also is to be hold, that god is directly worshipped with prayers and not with fastings, but in consideration of that which followeth. And it is not to be doubted but this holy woman used her fastings, to lament for the calamity of the Church that then was.

37. Shee went not out of the Temple. It is an hyperbolical kind of speach, yet the sence of it is plaine, that Anna was almoste continuallye in the Temple. Luke addeth that shee worshipped God with fastings & continuall prayers, whereof we gather that she frequented not the temple, as if with this bare going thither shee woulde discharge her duetie, but also that shee vsed other exercises of godlinesse. But it is woorthy to be noted, that one and the same rule is not: heere prescibed to all: neyther ought these things be drawen into a generall example, whiche are heere praised in this widowe woman, for it behooueth vs wisely to discerne what appertaineth to euery mannes calling: for foolish emulation hathe filled the worlde with Apes, while superstitious menne doe more greedily then wisely snatche vnto themselues, whatsoeuer they heare praised in the Saintes, as thoughe that as there are distincte degrees of orders, so there were not also a choise to be had of woorkes, that euery one mighte answere to his seuerall calling. That whiche is heere spoken of Anna, Paule doth especially restraine to widowes, therefore maryed folkes shal doe very preposterously, if they shoulde frame their life after an vnlike example: yet there rēmaineth a doubte, that Luke seemeth to establish part of the worship of God in fastings. But it is to be noted, that of those workes which belong to the worshippe of God, some are required simply, and (as they saye) are necessarye of themselues, and there are others which are to be referred to this end, that they might serue those former. Praiers doe properly appertaine to the worshippe of God: and fasting is an inferiour aide, which is no otherwise approued of God, but as it helpeth