Page:The New Testament of Iesvs Christ faithfvlly translated into English, ovt of the authentical Latin, diligently conferred with the Greek, & other Editions in diuers languages.pdf/168

Rh unto Simon: Doest thou see this woman? I entred ″ into thy house, water to my feet thou didst not give; but she with teares hath watered my feet, and with her haires hath wiped them. Kisse thou gavest me not; but she since I came in, hath not ceased to kisse my feete. With oile thou didst not anoint my head; but she with ointment hath anointed my feet. For the which I say to thee: Many sinnes are forgiven her, because she hath loved much. But to whom lesse is forgiven, he loveth lesse. And he said to her: Thy sinnes are forgiven thee. And they that sate togeather at the table began to say within them selves: Who is this that also forgiveth sinnes? And he said to the woman: ″ Thy faith hath made thee safe, goe in peace.✠

ANNOTATIONS. VII.

5. Built a Synagogue.) As at that time to found a Synagogue, was acceptable to God, and procured the prayers of the faithful People for whose use it was made: so now much more in the new Testament, to build a Church, Monasterie, College, or any like worke for the honour and service of God, is grateful to him and procureth the prayers of the good People for whose use such things be founded.

44. Into thy house.) An exceeding approbation of the extraordinary workes and signes of external devotion, which seeme to carnal men (though otherwise faithful) to be often superfluous or not acceptable. This Simon was perhaps of a good wil, and therfore (as divers others did elswhere) invited Christ to his house, not of curiositie or captiousnes, as some other did: but of affection, as it may seeme by Christs familiar talke with him. Notwithstanding his duties towards him were but ordinary. But the anointing, washing, kissing, wiping of his feet in such sort as the woman did, were further signes of more then vulgar love: such as is in devout men or women that goe on pilgrimage and kisse devoutly the holy memories of Christ and his Saints. Which is no more but an exteriour expressing of their affection, and that they love much, as every vulgar christian man doth not.

50. Thy faith.) The remission of her sinnes being attributed before to charitie, is now also said to come of her faith. Whereby you may know that it commonly proceedeth of both, and of hope also, though but one named. Because when there be divers causes concurring to one effect, the scriptures commonly name but one, and that especially which is most proper to the purpose and time, not excluding the other. And therfore his working miracles upon any person, is attributed to the faith of them on whom or at whose desire they be done. Because he wrought his miracles to induce al men to beleeve in him; and therfore specially required faith at their hands, and namely before other things, whether they did beleeve that he was able to doe that which they asked at his hands: without which it had been rather a mockrie and tentation of him, then a true desire of benefit at his hands. Rh