Luke — Chapter 5

3. One ship Simons.) Peters ship. It is purposely expressed that there were two ships, and that one of them was Peters, and that Christ went into that one, and sate downe in it, and that sitting he taught out of that ship: no doubt to signifie the Church resembled by Peters ship, and that in it is the chaire of Christ, and only true preaching.

6. A great multitude of fishes.) Peters fishing. Likewise by this significatiue miracle wrought about Peters fishing, is euidently forshewed what wonderful successe Peter should haue in conuerting men to Christ, both Iewes and Gentiles: as when at one draught, that is to say, *at one Sermon he drew into his ship, which is Christes Church, a great number of men, as he did now fishes: and so continually by himself and his Successors vnto the worlds end. **Act. 2,41. 4,4.

7. Beckened to their fellowes.) Peters coadiutours. Peter had so much worke that he called for helpe and ioyned vnto him the other ship representing to vs his Copartners in the preaching of the Ghospel, and the coniunction of the Synagogue and the people of Gentilitie vnto Peters ship, that is, to the Church of Christ. Ambro. li. 4. in Luc. c. ult.

10. Thou shalt be taking men.) Peters preeminence in fishing for mens soules. That al this aforesaid did properly meane Peters trauailles to come, in the conuersion of the world to Christ, and his prerogatiue before al men therein, it is euident by Christs special promise made to him seuerally and apart in this place, that he should be made the taker of men, though to other he giueth also, as to Peters cooperatours and coadiutours, the like office. Mat. 4,19.

19. Went vp vpon the roofe.) Zeale of soules. A strange diligence in procuring corporal health of and by Christ: and an example for vs of the like or greater, to obtaine saluation of him either for our selues or our freinds, and to seeke to his Church and Sacraments with what extraordinarie paine soeuer.

20. Whose faith.) The intercession of others. Great is God (saith S. Ambrose) and pardoneth one sort through the merites of others. Therfore if thou doubt to obtaine forgiuenesse of thy great offenses, ioyne vnto thy self intercessours, vse the Churches help, which may pray for thee and obtaine for thee that which our Lord might denie to thy self. Amb. li. 5 in Luc.

24. The sonne of man in earth.) Priests do remit sinnes. By which act (*saith S. Cyril) it is cleere that the Sonne of man hath power in earth to remit sinnes; which he said both for himself and vs. For he, as God being made man and Lord of the Law, forgiueth sinnes. And we also haue obtained by him that wonderful grace. For it is said to his Disciples: **Whose sinnes you shal remit, they are remitted to them. And how should not he be able to remit sinnes, who gaue others power to doe the same? *In catena S. Thomas. **Iohn 20,23.

28. Leaving al followed him.) Forsaking al, and following Christ. The *profane Iulian charged Matthew of too much lightnes, to leaue al and follow a stranger, at one word. But indeed hereby is seen the maruelous efficacie of Christes Word and internal working, that in a moment can alter the hart of a man, and cause him nothing to esteeme the things most deere vnto him. Which he did not onely then in presence, but also daily doth in the Church. **For so S. Antonie, S. Francis, and others, by hearing only the Word of our Sauiour read in the Church, forsooke al and folowed him. *Hiero. in Mat. 9. **Athan. in vit. S. Antony. August. confes. li. 8 c. 12. Bonav. in vit. S. Francisci.