ANNOTATIONS CHAP. VII.
5. Built a Synagogue.) As at that time to found a Synagogue, vvas acceptable to God, and procu∣red the praiers of the faithful people for vvhose vse it vvas made:* 1.1 so novv much more in the nevv Testament, to build a Church Monasterie, College, or any like vvorke for the honour and seruice of God, is grateful to him and procureth the praiers of the good people for vvhose vse such things be founded.
44 Into thy house.] An exceding approbation of the extraordinary vvorkes and signes of ex∣ternal deuotion,* 1.2 vvhich seeme to carnal men (though othervvise faithful) to be often superfluous or not acceptable. This Simon vvas perhaps of a good vvil, and therfore (as diuers others did els vvhere) inuited Christ to his house, not of curiositie or captiousnes, as some other did: but of affe∣ctiō, as it may seeme by Christs familiar talke vvith him. Notvvithstanding his duties tovvardes him vvere but ordinary, but the anointing, vvashing, kissing, vviping of his feete in such sort as the vvo∣man did, vvere further signes of more then vulgar loue: such as is in deuout men or vvomen that goe on pilgrimage and kisse deuoutly the holy memories of Christ and his Saincts. Vvhich is no more but an exteriour expressing of their affection, and that they loue much, as euery vulgar christian man doth not.
50 Thy faith.] The remission of her sinnes being attributed before to charitie, is novv also said to come of her faith.* 1.3 Vvhereby you may knovv that it commonly procedeth of both, and of hope also, though but one named. Because vvhen there be diuers causes concurring to one effect, the scrip∣tures commonly name but one, and that especially vvhich is most proper to the purpose and time▪ not excluding the other. And therfore his vvorking miracles vpon any person, is attributed to the faith of them on vvhom or at vvhose desire they be done. Because he vvrought his miracles to in∣duce al men to beleeue in him, and therfore specially required faith at their hands, and namely be∣fore other things, vvhether they did beleeue that he vvas able to doe that vvhich they asked at his hands: vvithout vvhich it had ben rather a mockrie and tentation of him, then a true desire of be∣nefite at his hands.