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…

But Christ began this cleansing, and daily goeth forward with the same, yet he shall not fully perform the same before the latter day: therefore John calleth us thither. But we must remember that the faithful now at this day through hope do enter into the garner of the Lord, that there at the length in deed they may have an eternal seat. And the reprobate now through their guiltiness do conceive a heat of that fire, the perfect burning whereof, they at the last day shall feel. I know that many have subtly disputed of the eternal fire, wherein the wicked shall be tormented after the judgement: but it may be gathered out of ⟨p. 122⟩many places of the scripture, that it is a metaphorical kind of speaking. For if there be appointed a real or material fire (as they call it), then must there also be added brimstone, & a fan to kindle it: because that there is mention made of them both▪ in Isaiah, chap. 30. 33. Certainly there is no other manner of fire, then worm: for if by the consent of all, it is received that there is a metaphor in the name of worm, then is the same to be thought of fire. Wherefore letting pass the speculations wherein vain men weary themselves without profit, let it suffice us to understand, that with these manner of speeches; for the rudeness of our capacity, is that horrible torment noted, which at this day can neither be conceived in mans understanding, nor expressed in words.

But Christ began this cleansing, and daily goeth forwarde wyth the same, yet he shall not fully performe the same before the latter day: therefore Iohn calleth vs thither. But we must remember that the faithful now at this day through hope do enter into the garner of the Lord, that there at the length in deede they may haue an eternall seate. And the reprobate now through their guiltinesse doe conceiue a heat of that fire, the perfecte burning whereof, they at the last day shall feele. I know that many haue subtilly disputed of the eternal fire, wherein the wicked shallbe tormented after the iudgement: but it maye be gathered out of ⟨p. 122⟩many places of the scripture, that it is a metaphoricall kind of speaking. For if there bee appoynted a reall or materiall fire (as they call it), then must there also be added brimstone, & a fanne to kindle it: because that there is mention made of them both▪ in Isaias, chap. 30. 33. Certainely there is no other maner of fire, then worme: for if by the consent of al, it is receiued that there is a metaphore in the name of worme, then is the same to be thoughte of fire. VVherefore lettinge passe the speculations wherein vaine men weary themselues without profit, let it suffice vs to vnderstand, that with these maner of speaches; for the rudenesse of oure capacitie, is that horrible torment noted, which at this day can neither be conceiued in mans vnderstanding, nor expressed in wordes.