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…

Zechariah of the course of Abia. It is known by sacred history, that the families of the Priests were divided by David into certain orders. In the which thing David attempted nothing against the commandment of the law, GOD did appoint the priesthood to Aaron and his Sons, the rest of the Levites he appointed to lesser offices: In that thing nothing was altered of David: but his device was partly to beware least any thing should be done tumultuously among the people: And partly to prevent ambition, and also to bring to pass, that a few should not take all the charge unto them selves, and the greater part sit idle at home. And in that distribution Abia, the Son of Eleazar possessed the eight place. Zechariah therefore was of the priestly stock, and also of the posterity of Eleazar, who succeeded his father in the high Priests office. But how Elizabeth, when that she was of the daughters of Aaron could be cosine to Mary, I will show in his place. ⟨p. 6⟩And Luke doth mention the stock of Elizabeth for honours sake: for it was lawful for Zechariah, according to the law, to take unto him to wife, a daughter of a Levite, of the common sort: Of this equal wedlock therefore it doth appear, that this man was not despised in his degree.

Zacharias of the course of Abia. It is knowne by sacred hystorie, that the familyes of the Priestes were deuided by Dauid into certaine orders. In the which thing Dauid attempted nothing against the commaundement of the lawe, GOD did appoynt the priesthoode to Aaron and his Sonnes, the rest of the Leuites he appoynted to lesser offices: In that thing nothing was altered of Dauid: but his deuice was partely to beware least any thing should be doone tumultuously among the people: And partely to preuent ambition, and also to bring to passe, that a few should not take all the charge vnto them selues, and the greater parte sitte ydle at home. And in that distribution Abia, the Sonne of Eliazar possessed the eight place. Zachary therefore was of the priestly stocke, and also of the posteritie of Eleazar, who succeeded his father in the hygh Priestes office. But how Elizabeth, when that she was of the daughters of Aaron could be cosine to Mary, I will shewe in his place. ⟨p. 6⟩And Luke dooth mention the stocke of Elizabeth for honours sake: for it was lawefull for Zachary, according to the lawe, to take vnto him to wife, a daughter of a Leuite, of the common sort: Of this equall wedlock therfore it doth appeare, that this man was not despisedin his degree.