And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.
Ver. 6. And blessed is he, &c.] This he adds, as correcting the preposterous emulation of John's disciples, who stumbled also at his meanness. Howbeit our Saviour saith not, Cursed be ye for being offended in me; but, Blessed is he, &c. God's tender lambs must be gently handled. Evangelizatum, non maledictum missus es, said Oecolampadius to Farellus, who was a most excellent preacher, but over carried perhaps sometimes by his zeal for God. Laudo zelum, mode non desideretur mansuetudo, &c. I commend thine earnestness (as he there goeth on), so thou mingle it with mildness. Wine and oil are in their several seasons to be poured into men's wounds. Show thyself to be a gentle evangelist, and not a tyrannical law maker.