ANNOTATIONS CHAP. X.
1. Power.) Miracles were so necessarie to the confirmation of their doctrine beginning then to be preached, that not only Christ him self did miracles, but also he gaue to his Apostles power to doe them.
2. First Simon.) Peter the first, not in calling, but in preeminence,* 1.1 for (as S. Ambrose saith in 2 Cor. 12.) Andrew first folowed our Sauiour before Peter:* 1.2 and yet the Primacie Andrew receaued not, but Peter. Which preeminence of S. Peter aboue the other Apostles is so playnly signified in this word, First, by the iudgement euen of Heretikes, that Beza, notwithstanding he confesseth the consent of al copies both Latin and Greeke, yet is not ashamed to say that he suspecteth that this word was thrust into the text by some fauourer of Peters Primacie. Wherby we haue also that they care no more for the Greeke then for the Latin, when it maketh agaynst them: but at their pleasure say that al is corrupted.
9. Do not possesse.) Preachers may not carefully seeke after the superfluities of this life, or any thing which may be an impediment to their function. And as for necessaries, they deserue their temporal liuing at their hands for whom they labour spiritually.
12. Peace to this house.) As Christ him self vsed these wordes or this blessing often,* 1.3 Peace be to you, so here he biddeth his Apostles say the like to the house where they come: And so hath it been alwaies a most godly vse of Bishops* 1.4 to geue their blessing where they come. Which blessing must needes be of great grace and profite, when none but worthy persons (as here we read) might take good thereof:* 1.5 and when it is neuer lost, but returneth to the geuer, when the other partie is not worthy of it. Among other spiritual benefites it taketh away venial sinnes. Amb. in 9. Luc.
14. Shake of the dust.) To contemne the true preachers, or not to receaue the truth preached, is a very damnable sinne.
15. More tolerable.) Hereby it is euident that there be degrees and differences of damnation in Hel fyre according to mens deserts. Aug. li. •• de Bapt. c. 19.
18. Kings.) In the beginning Kings and Emperours persecuted the Churche, that by the very death and bloud of Martyrs it should grow more miraculously, afterward when the Emperours and kings were them selues become Christians, they vsed their power for the Churche, agaynst Infidels and Heretikes. Aug. ep. 48.
19. It shal be giuen.) This is verified euen at this present also, when many good Catholikes, that haue no great learning, by their answers confound the Aduersaries.
25. How much more.) No maruel therefore if Heretikes call Christes Vicar Antichrist, when their forefathers the faithles Iewes called Christ him self Beelzebub.
32. Confesse me.) See how Christ esteemeth the open confessing of him,* 1.6 that is, of his truth in the Catholike Churche,* 1.7 for as whē Saul persecuted the Churche, he sayd * him self was persecuted: so to confesse him, and his Churche, is al one. Cōtrariewise, see how he abhorreth them that deny him before men. Which is not only to deny any one litle article of the Catholike fayth cōmended to vs by the Churche: but also to allow or consent to heresie by any meanes, as by subscribing,