Matthew — Chapter 10

1. Power.] Miracles were so necessarie to the confirmation of their doctrine beginning then to be preached, that not only Christ himselfe did miracles, but also he gaue to his Apostles power to doe them.

2. First Simon.] Peters Primacie. Peter the first, not in calling, but in preeminence. For (*as S. Ambrose saith in 2. Cor. 12.) Andrew first folowed our Sauiour before Peter and yet the Primacie Andrew receaued not, but Peter. Which preeminence of S. Peter aboue the other Apostles is so plainly signified in this word, First, by the iudgement euen of Heretikes, that Beza, not withstanding he confesseth the consent of al copies both Latin & 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 Greek then for the Latin, when it maketh against them, but at their pleasure say that al is corrupted. Beza in Annot. noui. Test. 15,6.

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 deserve their temporal liuing at their hands for whom they labour spiritually.

12. Peace be to this house.) Bishops blessing. As Christ himself vsed these words, or this blessing often, 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 use of Bishops *to giue their blessing where they come; which blessing must needes be of great grace & profit, when none but worthy Persons (as here we read) might take good thereof; and when it is neuer lost, but returneth to the giuer, when the other partie is not worthy of it. *Aug. civit. li. 22 c. 8. Leo Imp. in vit. S. Chrys. Socrat. l. 6. c. 14. It remitteth venial sinnes. Among other spiritual benefits it taketh away venial sinnes. Am. in 9. Lu.

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 & differences of damnation in Hel fire according to mens deserts. Aug. li. 4 de Bapt. c. 19.

18. Kings.) In the beginning Kings and Emperours persecuted the Church, that by the very death and bloud of Martyrs it should grow more miraculously, afterward when the Emperours and kings were themselues become Christians, they vsed their power for the Church, against 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 Christs vicar Antichrist, when their forefathers, the faithles Iewes called Christ himselfe Beelzebub.

32. Confesse me.) Confessing of Christ and his truth. See how Christ esteemeth the open confessing of him, that is of his truth in the Catholike Church. For as when Saul persecuted the Church, he sayd *him self was persecuted; so to confesse him, and his Church, is al one. Contrariewise see how he abhoreth them that deny him before men, which is not only to deny any one litle article of the Catholike faith commended to vs by the Church; but also to allow or consent to heresie by any means, as by subscribing, comming to their seruice and sermons, furthering them any way against Catholikes, and such like. Act. 9.

34. Not Peace but sword.) Christ came to breake the peace of wordlings and sinners; as when the sonne beleeueth in him, and the father doth not; the wife is a Catholike, and the husband is not. For to agree together in infidelitie, heresie, or any other sinne, is a naughty peace. This being the true meaning of Christs words, marke that the Heretikes interpret this to maintaine their rebellions and troubles which their new Ghospel breedeth. Beza in no. Test. an. 1565.

Who faidto her: What haft thou done daughter ? And the told her al things , thatthe man had doneto , her. 17. And thefaid : Behold ix meafures of barley hath he giuen me, and he {aid : Twilnot haue thee returne emptie to thy mother in law, o (ai 7 j 1 .

37. More then.) No earthly thing, nor dutie to Parents, wife, children, countrie, or to a mans owne body & life, can be any iust excuse why a man should doe, or feine himself to doe or beleeue any thing, against Christ or the vnitie and faith of his Church.

41. In the name.) Reward for hospitally, and specially for receauing an holy Person, as Prophet, Apostle, Bishop, or Priest persecuted for Christs sake. For by receauing of him in that respect as he is such an one, he shal be partaker of his merits, and be rewarded as for such an one. Whereas on the contrarie side, he that receaueth an Heretike into his house and a false Preacher, doth communicate with his wicked workes. Ep. 2 Io.