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…

12. And the Publicans came. He doth not only generally exhort the Publicans, that they should repent, but he requireth those things, which belong to their calling. For we know that besides the general rule of the law, every one must look what the estate of life, whereunto he is called requireth. Love is generally commanded to all christians: but there follow particular duties, wherein the doctor to the Church, the magistrate or prince to the people; and again, the people to the magistrate, the husband to the wife, and again, the wife to him: and last, the children and the parents are bound the one to the other. Furthermore, because that they vexed (as it is a covetous, ravenous, and cruel kind of men) the common people with unjust exactions: the Baptist reproveth those faults, wherewith that people was most infected, forbidding that they should not exceed measure in exacting tributes: yet hereby we gather, that it is no less lawful for a Christian to gather tribute,, then it is granted to the magistrate, to lay it upon them. The same is to be thought of warfare, John commandeth not the soldiers to throw away their weapons, and to forsake their calling: but he forbiddeth under the pretence of warfare to spoil the poor people, to oppress the innocent with injuries, to go abroad after the manner of thieves, as many were wont; so in these words there is a private approbation of a politic estate. It is a frivolous cavil, that here are only delivered instructions for the rude, which are far underneath a Christian perfection. It was the office of John to make the people perfect to the Lord: and it is not to be doubted, but that wholly he applied himself faithfully in this matter. And truly they ⟨p. 119⟩defame the gospel with a sacrilegious accusation, which make it contrary to the governments of men; as if Christ should destroy that, which his heavenly father hath ordained. For without the sword the laws are dead, and there is no power nor authority in judgements. Neither hath the magistrate only need of an executioner, but also of other officers, of which number are soldiers, where peace cannot otherwise be preserved, but by their aid and hand:

12. And the Publicans came. Hee doth not onely generally exhort the Publycans, that they shuld repent, but he requireth those things, which belōg to their calling. For we know that besids the general rule of the law, euery one must looke what the estate of lyfe, whereunto he is called requireth. Loue is generally commaunded to al christians: but there folow particular dueties, wherein the doctour to the Church, the magistrate or prince to the people; and againe, the people to the magistrate, the husband to the wife, and againe, the wife to him: and last, the children and the parēts are bound the one to the other. Furthermore, because that they vexed (as it is a couetous, rauenous, and cruel kind of men) the common people with vniust exactions: the Baptist reproueth those faultes, wherewith that people was most infected, forbidding that they should not exceade measure in exacting tributes: yet hereby we gather, that it is no lesse lawfull for a Christian to gather tribute,, then it is graunted to the magistrat, to lay it vpon them. The same is to be thought of warfare, Iohn commaundeth not the soldiours to throw away their weapons, and to forsake their calling: but he forbiddeth vnder the pretence of warfare to spoyle the poore people, to oppresse the innocent with iniuries, to go abroade after the manner of theeues, as manye were woont; so in these words there is a priuat approbation of a polliticke estate. It is a friuolous cauill, that here are onely delyuered instructions for the rude, which are farre vnderneath a Christian perfection. It was the office of Iohn to make the people perfect to the Lord: and it is not to be doubted, but that wholly he applyed himselfe faythfully in this matter. And truely they