22Therfore when he was risen againe from the dead, his Disciples remembred, that he said this, and they beleeved the scripture and the word that Jesus did say. 23And when he was at Hierusalem in the Pasche, upon the festival day, many beleeved in his name, seeing his signes which he did. 24But ″ Jesus did not commit himself unto them, for that he knew al, 25and because it was not needful for him that any should give testimonie of man; for he knew what was in man.✠
ANNOTATIONS.
Chap. II.
Christ with his presence honoureth and approveth Mariage.2. JESUS also was called.) By his vouchsafing to come with his to the Mariage, he approveth the custome of the faithful in meeting at honest feastes and recreations for maintenance of love, peace, and amitie among themselves: he reproveth the heresie of Tatian, Marcion, and such like condemning wedlocke: lastly (as S. Cyril saith)Cyril in 2. Jo. c. 42. he sanctifieth and blesseth the Mariage of the Faithful in the new Testament, making it a new creature in him, and discharging it of the manifold maledictions and disorders wherein it was before. By which benediction the often divorces, remariages, and pluralities of wives, and the womens servile subjection and imparitie in that case, be redressed and reduced to the primitive institution, and so Christian mariage made a Sacrament. See S. Aug. de nupt. & concup. li. 1 c. 10 & 21. li. 1 de adult. conjug. c. 8.
Our Ladies intercession.3. They have no wine.) Our Lady many wayes understood that now the time approched of manifesting himself to the world by miracles and preaching, and nothing doubted but that he would now begin at her request. Whereby we learne that Christ ordinarily giveth not his graces, but humbly asked and requested thereunto; and that his mothers intercession is more then vulgarly effectual, and that he denieth her nothing.
Translatours of holy Scriptures4. What is to me and thee?) Because this speach is subject to divers senses, we keepe the wordes of our text, left by turning it into any English phrase, we might straiten the Holy Ghosts intention to some certaine sense either not intended, or not only intended, and so take away the choise and indifferencie from the Reader, whereof (in holy Scripture specially) al Translatours must beware. Christ then may meane here, what is that, woman, to me and thee being but strangers, that they want wine? as some interpret it. Or (which is the more proper use of that kind of speach in holy writ) what have I to doe with thee? that is, why should I have respect to thy desire in this case? in matters touching my charge and the commission of my Father for preaching, working miracles, and other graces, I must not be tied to flesh and bloud. Which was not a reprehension of our Lady, or signification that he would not heare her in this or other things pertaining to Gods glorie or the good of men, for the event showeth the contrarie. But it was a lesson to the companie that heard it, and namely to his Disciples, that respect of kinred should not draw them to doe any thing against reason, or be the principal motion why they doe their dueties, but Gods glorie.
Our Lady doubteth not but Christ wil grant her petition.5. Whatsoever he shal say.) By this you see, our Lady by her divine prudence and entire familiaritie and acquaintance with al his manner of speaches, knew it was no checke to her, but a doctrine to others: and that she had no repulse, though he seemed to say his time was not yet come to worke miracles: not doubting but he would begin a litle before his ordinary time for her sake, as S. Cyril thinketh he did:li. 2. in Jo.c. 23. and therfore she admonisheth the waiters to marke wel, and to execute whatsoever Christ should bid them doe.
Profaners of Gods Church are to be punished in soul and body by the Spiritual power.15. Cast them out.) By this chastising corporally the defilers and abusers of the Temple, he doth not only shew his power, that being but one poore man he could by force execute his pleasure upon so many sturdy fellowes: but also his soveraigne authoritie over al offenders; and that not upon their soules only, as by excommunication and spiritual penalties, but so farre as is requisite for the execution of spiritual jurisdiction, upon their bodies and goods also. That the Spiritualtie may learne, how farre and in what cases, for just zeale of Christs Church, they may use and exercise both spiritually and temporally their forces and faculties against offenders, specially against the prophaners of Gods Church, according to the Apostles allusion 1 Cor. 3. If any defile the Temple of God, him wil God destroy.
