First, 3. he promiseth rewards, 13. and he layeth before the Apostles their offices. 17. Secondly, he protesteth unto us that we must keep the commandments, and that more exactly then the Scribes & Pharisees, whose justice was counted most perfect; but yet that it was unsufficient, he sheweth in the precepts of 21. Murder, 27. Adultery, 31. Divorce, 33. Swearing, 38. Revenge, 42. Usury, 43. Enemies.First, 3. he promiseth rewardes, 13. and he layeth before the Apostles their offices. 17. Secondly, he protesteth vnto vs that we must keep the commandements, and that more exactly then the Scribes & Pharisees, whose iustice was counted most perfit; but yet that it was vnsufficient, he sheweth in the precepts of 21. Murder, 27. Adouterie, 31. Diuorce, 33. Swearing, 38. Reuenge, 42. Vsurie, 43. Enemies.
The Sermon of Christ upon the Mount, containing the pattern of a Christian life, in these three chapters following.
And seeing the multitudes, he went up into a mountain, and when he was set, his Disciples came unto him:AND seeing the multitudes, he * went vp into a mountaine, and when he was set, his Disciples came vnto him:Videns autem Jesus turbas, ascendit in montem, et cum sedisset, accesserunt ad eum discipuli ejus,
2and opening his mouth he taught them, saying,and opening his mouth he taught them, saying,et aperiens os suum docebat eos dicens :
3Blessed are the poor in Spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.Blessed are the poore in Spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of Heauen.Beati pauperes spiritu : quoniam ipsorum est regnum cælorum.
4Blessed are the meek: for they shall possess the land.Blessed are the meeke: for they shal possesse the land.Beati mites : quoniam ipsi possidebunt terram.
5Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.Blessed are they that mourne: for they shal be comforted.Beati qui lugent : quoniam ipsi consolabuntur.
6Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after justitiam: righteousness, being just and righteous before God; the inherent justice the chapter's annotation defends, not mere fairness or a legal verdict: for they shall have their fill.Blessed are they that hunger and thirst after iustice: for they shal haue their fil.Beati qui esuriunt et sitiunt justitiam : quoniam ipsi saturabuntur.
7Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.Blessed are the merciful: for they shal obtaine mercie.Beati misericordes : quoniam ipsi misericordiam consequentur.
8Blessed are the clean of heart: for they shall see God.Blessed are the cleane of hart: for they shal see God.Beati mundo corde : quoniam ipsi Deum videbunt.
9Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shall be called the children of God.Blessed are the peace-makers: for they shal be called the children of God.Beati pacifici : quoniam filii Dei vocabuntur.
10Blessed are they that suffer persecution for justice: for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven.Blessed are they that suffer persecution for iustice: for theirs is the kingdom of Heauen.Beati qui persecutionem patiuntur propter justitiam : quoniam ipsorum est regnum cælorum.
11Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that malum: is evil, is wicked is against you, untruly, for my sake:Blessed are ye when they shal reuile you, and persecute you, & speake al that naught is against you, vntruly, for my sake:Beati estis cum maledixerint vobis, et persecuti vos fuerint, et dixerint omne malum adversum vos mentientes, propter me :
12be glad and rejoice, for your reward is very great in Heaven. For so they persecuted the Prophets, that were before you.be glad & reioyce, for your reward is very great in Heauen. For so they persecuted the Prophets, that were before you.gaudete, et exsultate, quoniam merces vestra copiosa est in cælis. Sic enim persecuti sunt prophetas, qui fuerunt ante vos.
13You are the salt of the earth.You are the * salt of the earth.Vos estis sal terræ. Quod si sal evanuerit, in quo salietur ? ad nihilum valet ultra, nisi ut mittatur foras, et conculcetur ab hominibus.
14But if the salt lose his (si sal) evanuerit: its savour or active strength, the property that makes it salt, not moral excellence, wherewith shall it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast forth, and to be trodden of men.But if the salt leese his vertue, wherewith shal it be salted? It is good for nothing any more but to be cast forth, and to be troden of men.Vos estis lux mundi. Non potest civitas abscondi supra montem posita,
15You are the light of the world. A city cannot be hid, situated on a mountain.You are the light of the world. A citie cannot be hid, situated on a mountaine.neque accendunt lucernam, et ponunt eam sub modio, sed super candelabrum, ut luceat omnibus qui in domo sunt.
16Neither do men light a candle and put it under a bushel, but upon a candlestick, that it may shine to all that are in the house.Neither do men light a * candel and put it vnder a bushel, but vpon a candelstike, that it may shine to al that are in the house.Sic luceat lux vestra coram hominibus : ut videant opera vestra bona, et glorificent Patrem vestrum, qui in cælis est.
17So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.So let your light shine before men, that they may see your good workes, and glorifie your Father which is in Heauen.Nolite putare quoniam veni solvere legem aut prophetas : non veni solvere, sed adimplere.
18Do not think that I am come to break the Law, or the Prophets. I am not come to break, but to fulfil.Doe not thinke that I am come to breake the Law, or the Prophets. I am not come to breake, but to fulfil.Amen quippe dico vobis, donec transeat cælum et terra, jota unum aut unus apex non præteribit a lege, donec omnia fiant.
19For assuredly I say unto you, till Heaven and earth pass, one jot, or one apex: a tiny stroke or accent mark distinguishing one letter from another shall not pass of the Law, till all be fulfilled.For assuredly I say vnto you, til Heauen and earth passe, one iot, or one tittle shal not passe of the Law, til al be fulfilled.Qui ergo solverit unum de mandatis istis minimis, et docuerit sic homines, minimus vocabitur in regno cælorum : qui autem fecerit et docuerit, hic magnus vocabitur in regno cælorum.
20He therefore that shall break one of these least commandments, and shall so teach men, shall be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But he that shall do and teach, he shall be called great in the Kingdom of heaven.He therfore that shal * breake one of these least commandements, and shal so teach men, shal be called the least in the Kingdom of Heauen. But he that shal doe and teach, he shal be called great in the Kingdom of heauen.Dico enim vobis, quia nisi abundaverit justitia vestra plus quam scribarum et pharisæorum, non intrabitis in regnum cælorum.
21For I tell you, that unless your justice abound more than that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shall not enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.For I tel you, that vnles your iustice abound more then that of the Scribes and Pharisees, you shal not enter into the Kingdom of Heauen.Audistis quia dictum est antiquis : Non occides : qui autem occiderit, reus erit judicio.
22You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kill. And whoso killeth, shall be in reus erit: liable to, subject to the penalty of, not exposed to peril or risk to judgement.You haue heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not kil. And whoso killeth, shal be in danger to iudgement.Ego autem dico vobis : quia omnis qui irascitur fratri suo, reus erit judicio. Qui autem dixerit fratri suo, raca : reus erit concilio. Qui autem dixerit, fatue : reus erit gehennæ ignis.
23But I say to you, that whosoever is angry with his brother, shall be in danger of judgement. And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of a concilio: the high court, the judicial tribunal of the Sanhedrin, not a deliberative or church assembly. And whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be guilty of the Hell of fire.But I say to you, that whosoeuer is angrie with his brother, shal be in danger of iudgement. And whosoeuer shal say to his brother, Raca, shal be in danger of a councel. And whosoeuer shal say, Thou foole, shal be guiltie of the Hel of fire.Si ergo offers munus tuum ad altare, et ibi recordatus fueris quia frater tuus habet aliquid adversum te :
24If therefore thou offer thy gift at the Altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath aliquid: aught, anything against thee,If therfore thou offer thy guift at the Altar, and there thou remember that thy brother hath ought against thee,relinque ibi munus tuum ante altare, et vade prius reconciliari fratri tuo : et tunc veniens offeres munus tuum.
25leave there thy offering before the Altar, and go first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy gift.leaue there thy offering before the Altar, and goe first to be reconciled to thy brother: and then coming thou shalt offer thy guift.Esto consentiens adversario tuo cito dum es in via cum eo : ne forte tradat te adversarius judici, et judex tradat te ministro : et in carcerem mittaris.
26Be at agreement with thy adversary cito: quickly, in good time, without delay, while thou art in the way with him; lest perhaps the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.Be at agreement with thy aduersarie betimes, whiles thou art in the way with him; lest perhaps the aduersarie deliuer thee to the iudge, and the iudge deliuer thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.Amen dico tibi, non exies inde, donec reddas novissimum quadrantem.
27Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not go out from thence till thou repay the last farthing.Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not goe out from thence til thou repay the last farthing.Audistis quia dictum est antiquis : Non mœchaberis.
28You have heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not commit adultery.You haue heard that it was said to them of old: Thou shalt not commit adouterie.Ego autem dico vobis : quia omnis qui viderit mulierem ad concupiscendum eam, jam mœchatus est eam in corde suo.
29But I say to you, that whosoever shall see a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart.But I say to you, that whosoeuer shal see a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adouterie with her in his hart.Quod si oculus tuus dexter scandalizat te, erue eum, et projice abs te : expedit enim tibi ut pereat unum membrorum tuorum, quam totum corpus tuum mittatur in gehennam.
30And if thy right eye scandalizat: cause thee to stumble or fall into sin, give thee occasion of sin, not shock or socially disgrace thee thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee. For it is expedient for thee that one of thy limbs perish, rather than thy whole body be cast into Hell.And if thy right eye * scandalize thee, plucke it out, & cast it from thee. For it is expedient for thee that one of thy limmes perish, rather then thy whole body be cast into Hel.Et si dextra manus tua scandalizat te, abscide eam, et projice abs te : expedit enim tibi ut pereat unum membrorum tuorum, quam totum corpus tuum eat in gehennam.
31And if thy right hand scandalize thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is expedient for thee that one of thy limbs perish rather than that thy whole body go into Hell.And if thy right hand scandalize thee, cut it of, and cast it from thee: for it is expedient for thee that one of thy limmes perish rather then that thy whole body goe into Hel.Dictum est autem : Quicumque dimiserit uxorem suam, det ei libellum repudii.
32It was said also, whosoever shall dismiss his wife, let him give her a bill of divorcement.It was said also, * whosoeuer shal dismisse his wife, let him giue her a bil of diuorcement.Ego autem dico vobis : quia omnis qui dimiserit uxorem suam, excepta fornicationis causa, facit eam mœchari : et qui dimissam duxerit, adulterat.
33But I say to you, whosoever shall dismiss his wife, excepting the cause of fornication, maketh her to commit adultery: And he that shall marry her that is dismissed, committeth adultery.But I say to you, whosoeuer shal dismisse his wife, excepting the cause of fornication, maketh her to commit aduoutrie: And he that shal marie her that is dismissed, committeth adoutrie.Iterum audistis quia dictum est antiquis : Non perjurabis : reddes autem Domino juramenta tua.
34Again you have heard that it was said to them of old, Thou shalt not commit perjury: but thou shalt perform thy oaths to our Lord.Againe you haue heard that it was said to them of old, * Thou shalt not commit periurie: but thou shalt performe thy othes to our Lord.Ego autem dico vobis, non jurare omnino, neque per cælum, quia thronus Dei est :
35But I say to you not to swear at all: neither by heaven, because it is the throne of God: neither by the earth, because it is the footstool of his feet: neither by Jerusalem, because it is the city of the great King.But I say to you not to sweare at al: neither by heauen, because it is the throne of God: neither by the earth, because it is the foote-stole of his feete: neither by Hierusalem, because it is the citie of the great King.neque per terram, quia scabellum est pedum ejus : neque per Jerosolymam, quia civitas est magni regis :
36Neither shalt thou swear by thy head, because thou canst not make one hair white or black.Neither shalt thou sweare by thy head, because thou canst not make one heare white or blacke.neque per caput tuum juraveris, quia non potes unum capillum album facere, aut nigrum.
37Let your talk be, yea, yea: no, no: and that which is over and above these, is of evil.Let your talke be, yea, yea: no, no: and that which is ouer & aboue these, is of euil.Sit autem sermo vester, est, est : non, non : quod autem his abundantius est, a malo est.
38You have heard that it was said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.You haue heard that it was sayd, * An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.Audistis quia dictum est : Oculum pro oculo, et dentem pro dente.
39But I say to you not to resist evil: but if one strike thee on thy right cheek, turn to him also the other:But I say to you not to resist euil: but if one strike thee on thy right cheeke, turne to him also the other:Ego autem dico vobis, non resistere malo : sed si quis te percusserit in dexteram maxillam tuam, præbe illi et alteram :
40and to him that will contend with thee in judicio contendere: go to law with thee, sue thee at court, and take away thy coat, let go thy cloak also unto him,and to him that wil contend with thee in iudgement, and take away thy coate, let goe thy cloke also vnto him,et ei, qui vult tecum judicio contendere, et tunicam tuam tollere, dimitte ei et pallium :
41and whosoever will force thee one mile, go with him other (alia) duo: two more.and whosoeuer wil force thee one mile, goe with him other twayne.et quicumque te angariaverit mille passus, vade cum illo et alia duo.
42He that asketh of thee, give to him: and to him that would borrow of thee, turn not away.He that asketh of thee, giue to him: and * to him that would borow of thee, turne not away.Qui petit a te, da ei : et volenti mutuari a te, ne avertaris.
43You have heard that it was said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy.You haue heard that it was sayd, * Thou shalt loue thy neighbour, & hate thine enemie.Audistis quia dictum est : Diliges proximum tuum, et odio habebis inimicum tuum.
44But I say to you love your enemies, do good to them that hate you: and pray for them that persecute and abuse you:But I say to you loue your enemies, doe good to them that hate you: and pray for them that persecute and abuse you:Ego autem dico vobis : diligite inimicos vestros, benefacite his qui oderunt vos, et orate pro persequentibus et calumniantibus vos :
45that you may be the children of your father which is in heaven, who maketh his sun to rise upon good and bad, and raineth upon just and unjust.that you may be the children of your father which is in heauen, who maketh his sunne to rise vpon good & bad, and rayneth vpon iust and vniust.ut sitis filii Patris vestri, qui in cælis est : qui solem suum oriri facit super bonos et malos : et pluit super justos et injustos.
46For if you love them that love you, what reward shall you have, do not also the Publicans this?For if you loue them that loue you, what reward shal you haue, do not also the Publicans this?Si enim diligitis eos qui vos diligunt, quam mercedem habebitis ? nonne et publicani hoc faciunt ?
47And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more, do not also the ethnici: the gentiles, the pagan nations this?And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more, do not also the Heathen this?Et si salutaveritis fratres vestros tantum, quid amplius facitis ? nonne et ethnici hoc faciunt ?
48Be you perfect therefore, as also your heavenly Father is perfect.Be you perfect therfore, as also your heauenly Father is perfect.Estote ergo vos perfecti, sicut et Pater vester cælestis perfectus est.
Annotations
10For justice. Heretics and other malefactors sometime suffer willingly and stoutly: but they are not blessed, because they suffer not for justice. For (saith St. Augustine) they cannot suffer for justice, that have divided the Church, and, where found faith or charity is not, there cannot be justice. Cont. ep. Parm. l. 1. c. 9. Ep. 50. Ps. 4. Conc. 2. And so by this scripture are excluded all false Martyrs, as St. Augustine often declareth, and St. Cyprian de Unit. Eccl. nu. 8.
12Reward. In Latin and Greek the word signifieth very wages, and hire, due for works, and so presupposeth a meritorious deed.
13The light. This light of the world, and city on a mountain, and candle upon a candlestick, signify the Clergy, and the whole Church, so built upon Christ the mountain, that it must needs be visible, and cannot be hid nor unknown. St. Augustine cont. Fulg. Don. c. 18. l. 16. cont. Faust. c. 17. And therefore, the Church being a candle not under a bushel, but shining so all in the house (that is in the world), what shall I say more (saith St. Augustine) than that they are blind which shut their eyes against the candle that is set on the candlestick? Tract. 1. in ep. John.
17Your light. The good life of the Clergy edifieth much, and is God's great honour: whereas the contrary dishonoureth him.
20One of these. Behold how necessary it is, not only to believe, but to keep all the commandments, even the very least.
21Your justice. It is our justice, when it is given us of God. St. Augustine in Ps. 30. De Sp. & lit. c. 9. So that Christians are truly just, and have in themselves inherent justice, by doing God's commandments: without which justice of works no man of age can be saved. St. Augustine de fid. & oper. c. 16. Whereby we see salvation, justice, and justification, not to come of only faith, or imputation of Christ's justice.
23Hell of fire. Here is a plain difference of sins, some mortal, that bring to Hell, some less, and less punished, called venial.
24Gift at the altar. Beware of coming to the holy altar or any Sacrament out of charity. But be first reconciled to thy brother, and much more to the Catholic Church, which is the whole brotherhood of Christian men.
33Excepting the cause of fornication. This exception is only for that this one cause a man may put away his wife for ever: but not that he may marry another, as it is most plain in St. Mark and St. Luke, who leave out this exception, saying: Whosoever dismisseth his wife and marrieth another, committeth adultery. See the Annot. Luke. But if both parties be alive and the same fault, then can neither of them so much as divorce or put away the other.
33Committeth adultery. The knot of Marriage is a thing of so great a Sacrament, that not by separation itself of the parties it can be loosed, neither lawful for the one part nor the other, to marry again upon divorce. St. Augustine de bo. Coniug. c. 7.
35Not to swear. The Anabaptists here, not following the Church's judgement, but the bare letter (as other Heretics in other cases) hold that there is no oath lawful, no not before a judge: whereas Christ speaketh against rash and usual swearing in common talk, when there is no cause.
39Not to resist evil. Here also the Anabaptists gather of the letter, that it is not lawful to go to law for our right: as Luther also upon this place held, that Christians might not resist the Turk. Whereas by this, as by that which followeth, patience only is signified, and a will to suffer more, rather than to revenge. For neither did Christ nor St. Paul follow the letter, by turning the other cheek. John 18. Acts 23.