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…

18. The spirit of the Lord upon me. This is therefore said, that we might know that Christ aswell in himself, as in his ministers doth not the work of man, or any private business, but that he was sent of God to restore the salvation of the Church. For he testifieth that he doth nothing by the motion and counsel of man, but all things by the government of the spirit, that the faith of the godly might be grounded upon the authority and power of God. That clause that next followeth, Because he hath anointed me, is added to expound the former. For many do falsely boast that they have the spirit of God, when they are without the gifts of the spirit. But Christ by the anointing, as by the effect proveth that he is endued with the spirit of God. Then he showeth to what end he was endued with the grace of the spirit: namely, that he might preach to the poor: whereby we gather, that whosoever are sent of God to preach the Gospel, ought first to be endued with necessary gifts, that they may be able to discharge so great an office. Wherefore they are indeed to be laughed at, which under the pretence of the calling of God, do usurp the place of Pastors, when they are most unapt to execute the office: as the horned bishops in popery, when they are more ignorant then any Asses, yet they proudly cry out, that they are the Vicars of Christ, and that they only are the lawful governors of the Church. It is also expressly said, that the Lord doth anoint his servants: because that the true and effectual preaching of the Gospel doth not consist in windy eloquence, but in the celestial power of the spirit: as Paul sayeth. 1. Cor. 2. 1. & 4.

18. The spirit of the Lord vpon me. This is therfore said, that we might know that Christ aswel in himself, as in his ministers doth not the work of mā, or any priuate busines, but that he was sent of God to restore the saluation of the Church. For he testifieth that he doth nothing by the motion and counsell of man, but al things by the gouernment of the spirit, that the faith of the godly might be grounded vpon the aucthoritie and power of God. That clause that next followeth, Because he hath annoynted mee, is added to expound the former. For many do falsly boast that they haue the spirit of God, whē they are without the gifts of the spirit. But Christ by the annoynting, as by the effect proueth that hee is endued with the spirit of God. Then hee sheweth to what end hee was endued with the grace of the spirit: namely, that he might preach to the poore: whereby we gather, that whosoeuer are sent of God to preach the Gospell, ought first to be endued with necessary giftes, that they maye be able to discharge so great an office. VVherefore they are indeede to be laughed at, which vnder the pretence of the calling of God, doe vsurpe the place of Pastors, when they are most vnapt to execute the office: as the horned bishops in poperie, when they are more ignorant then any Asses, yet they proudlye cry out, that they are the Vicars of Christe, and that they only are the lawful gouernours of the Church. It is also expresly said, that the Lord doth annoynt his seruauntes: beecause that the true and effectuall preaching of the Gospell dooth not consist in windy eloquence, but in the celestiall power of the spyrite: as Paule sayeth.