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 favourer of Peters Primacie. Beza in Annot. novi. Test. 1556.Wherby we have 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.
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 living at their hands for whom they labour spiritually.
Bishops blessing.12. Peace to this house.) As Christ himself used 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 * Aug. civit. li. 22. c. 8.
Leo Imp. in vit.
S. Chrys. Socrat. l. 6. c. 14.* to give 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 never lost, but returneth to the giver, when the other partie is not worthy of it. 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 receave the truth preached, is a very damnable sinne.
15. More tolerable.) Hereby it is evident, 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 themselves become Christians, they used their power for the Church, against Infidels and Heretikes. Aug. ep. 48.
19. It shal be given.) This is verified even at this present also, when many good Catholikes, that have no great learning, by their answers confound the Adversaries.
25. How much more.) No marvel therefore if Heretikes call Christs vicar Antichrist, when their forefathers, the faithles Jewes called Christ himselfe Beelzebub.
Confessing of Christ and his truth.32. Confesse me.) 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 Act. 9.* 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 us by the Church; but also to allow or consent to heresie by any means, as by subscribing, comming to their service and sermons, furthering them any way against Catholikes, and such like.
34. Not peace but sword.) Christ came to breake the peace of wordlings and sinners; as when the sonne beleeveth 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.
37. More then.) No earthly thing, nor dutie to Parents, wife, children, countrie, or to a mans owne body & life, can be any just excuse why a man should doe, or feine himself to doe or beleeve any thing, against Christ or the unitie and faith of his Church.
41. In the name.) Reward for hospitally, and specially for receaving an holy Person, as Prophet, Apostle, Bishop, or Priest persecuted for Christs sake. For by receaving 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 receaveth an Heretike into his house and a false Preacher, doth communicate with his wicked workes. Ep. 2. Jo.
Chap. XI.
