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. John 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. John Baptist) which Priesthood was to sacrifice Calves to God. S. John to an Egle, because he beginneth with the Divinitie 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. John Baptist. Wherefore S. John the Evangelist writing after them al, doth omit his doings in Galilee (save onely one, which they had not written of al, the wonderful bread which he told the Capharnaites he could and would give, Jo. 6.) and reporteth first, what he did whiles John Baptist as yet was preaching and baptizing: then, after Johns imprisoning, what he did in Jurie every 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 have been upon Twelfth day, what time he was beginning to be about 30 yeare old, Luke 3.) unto his passion, are numbred three months and three yeares, in which there were also 4 Easters.
The Argument of S. Matthewes Gospel.
S. Matthewes Gospel may be well divided into five partes. The first parte, as touching the Infancie of our Lord Jesus: 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. unto the 19.
The fourth, of his comming into Jurie, toward of his Passion: chap. 19. and 20.
The fifth, of the Holy weeke of his Passion in Hierusalem: chap. 21 unto the end of the booke.
OF S. Matthew we have 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 twelve Apostles. And out of them againe he was chosen (and none but he and S. John) to be one of the foure Evangelistes. Among which four also, he was the first that wrote, about 8 or 10 yeares after Christes Ascension.
