Matthew to a Man, because he beginneth with the pedegree of Christ as he is man. S. Marke to a Lion, because he beginneth with the preaching of S. Iohn Baptist, as it were the roaring of a lion in the wildernes. S. Luke to a Calfe, because he beginneth with a priest of the Old Testament (to wit, Zacharie the father of S. Iohn Baptist) which Priesthood was to sacrifice Calues to God. S. Iohn to an Egle, because he beginneth with the Diuinitie of Christ, flying so high as more is not possible.
The first three do report at Large what Christ did in Galilee, after the imprisonment of S. Iohn Bapist. Wherefore S. Iohn the Euangelist writing after them al, doth omit his doings in Galilee (saue only one, which they had not written of al, the wonderful bread which he told the Capharnaites he could and would giue, Io. 6.) and reporteth first, what he did whiles Iohn Baptist as yet was preaching and baptizing: then, after Iohns imprisoning, what he did in Iurie euery yeare about Easter. But of his Passion al foure do write at large.
Where it is to be noted, that from his baptizing (which is thought to haue been vpon Twelfthday, what time he was beginning to be about 30 yeare old, Luk. 3.) vnto his passion, are numbred three monethes and three yeares, in Which there were also 4 Easters.
The Argument of S. Matthewes Ghospel.
S. Matthewes Ghospel may be wel diuided into fiue partes. The first parte, as touching the Infancie of our Lord Iesus: Chap. 1. and 2.
The second, of the preparation that was made to his manifestation: chap. 3. and a piece of the 4.
The third, of his manifesting of him selfe by preaching and miracles, and that in Galilee: the other piece of the 4. chap. vnto the 19.
The fourth, of his comming into Iurie, toward of his Passion: chap. 19. and 20.
The fifth, of the Holy weeke of his Passion in Hierusalem: chap. 21. vnto the end of the booke.
Of S. Matthew we haue Mat. 9. Mar. 2. Lu. 5. How being before a Publican, he was called of our Lord, and made a Disciple. Then Luk. 6. Mar. 3. Mat. 10. How out of the whole number of the Disciples he was chosen to be one of the twelue Apostles. And out of them againe he was chosen (and none but he and S. Iohn) to be one of the foure Euangelistes. Among which foure also, he was the first that wrote, about 8. or 10. yeares after Christes Ascension.
