CAP. XXI.* 1.1
Of the order of the Gospells.
NOw we will forwardes, and entreate of the vndoubted wrytinges of this Apostle. And* 1.2 firste let there be no staggering at his Gospell, which is well knowne of all the Chur∣ches vnder heauen. Why it was of olde placed the fourthe, after the other three, it shall thus appeare. The diuine & holy men, namely the Apostles of Christ, leading a passing pure life, hauing their mindes be decked with euery kinde of vertue, vsed, rude and simple speache, yet of a diuine and forcible power, which they had receaued of Christ, neither knewe they, nether en∣deuored they to publish the doctrine of their ••••ister, with curious paynting of wordes: but vsing* 1.3 the demonstration of the holy spirite which wrought with them, and the onely power of Christ, which brought miracles to perfection, they shewed the knowledge of the kingdome of heauen to the whole worlde, being nothing carefull at all for the writinge of bookes. And this they brought to passe being occupied with a greater worke, and in maner exceeding the strength of man. Paul the mightiest of all the rest, in the setling of wordes, and best armed with the power of perfect sen∣ses, wrote but very short epistles, whereas he might haue layd downe infinite thinges, yea and se∣cretes,* 1.4 being rapt vnto the thirde heauen, and behoulding celestiall things, yea brought into pa∣radyse it selfe, and there thought worthy to heare secrete mysteries. neyther were the rest of the Disciples of our Sauiour, namely the tvvelue Apostles, and the seuenty, with other innumerable, ignorant and vnskilful herein. And yet of al these the Disciples of our Sauiour, Matthew, & Iohn, wrote gospels. Who (as report goeth) were constrained therunto. for Matthew, when he had first* 1.5 preached vnto the Hebrevves, & now passing vnto other people, wrote his Gospell in his contrey language, supplying by writing in his absence, y• which was desired in his presence. When Mark and Luke had published their gospels▪ Iohn (say they) in all y• space preached without writing, but at length was moued to write for this cause. It is reported that when the bookes of the three E∣uangelistes were through out the worlde, and come into his handes, he allowed them, and yelded of them a true testimonye, wishing that the declaration of such thinges had bene printed in their bookes, which were done at the first preaching of Christ. the Reader may perceaue these three Euangelistes to haue onely sett forth the doinges of our Sauiour, one yeare, after the impryson∣ment, and captiuitye of Iohn the Baptist, which may be gathered by the beginning of their histo∣ries. for after the xl. dayes fasting, and the annexed temptation, Matthewe sheweth the time of* 1.6 the beginning of his historye, saying: VVhen he had hearde that Iohn vvas taken, he returned from Iudaea into Galilee And Marke likewise: after that (sayth ••e) Iohn vvas taken, Iesus came* 1.7 into Galilee. And Luke also before he had mentioned the doings of Iesu, obseruing the same man∣ner:* 1.8 Herode (saythe he) proceeding in his haynous offences, shutt vp Iohn in prison. Iohn the Apostle beinge for these causes entreated, wrote the tyme passed ouer of the former Euange∣listes with sylence, and therein the Actes of our Sauiour, namely which went before the impri∣sonment of Iohn, which he partly signified, writing thus: this vvas the first of the miracles vvhich* 1.9 Iesus did: partly with all mentioning the doinges of Iohn the Baptist, who as then baptized in ••∣non, by Salem. which is euident, when he sayth: for as yet Iohn vvas not cast into prison. Iohn* 1.10 then in his Gospell, deliuereth such thinges as were done of Christ, before the co••••i••••ing of Iohn. the other three, beginne with the mention of Iohns imprysonment, vnto him that reco••••yleth