A commentary or exposition upon the four Evangelists, and the Acts of the Apostles: wherein the text is explained, some controversies are discussed, divers common places are handled, and many remarkable matters hinted, that had by former interpreters been pretermitted. Besides, divers other texts of Scripture which occasionally occur are fully opened, and the whole so intermixed with pertinent histories, as will yeeld both pleasure and profit to the judicious reader. / By John Trapp M. A. Pastour of Weston upon Avon in Gloucestershire.

Verse 10. And Ezechias begat Manasses]

Who degenerates into his grandfather Ahaz, as the kernell of a well-fruited plant doth, sometimes, into that crab or willow, which gave the ori∣ginall to his stock. This man was (till converted) as very a Non∣such in Judah, as Ahab was in Israel; Yet no King of either Iudah or Israel reigned so long as he. It was well for him that he lived so long, to grow better: As it had been better for Asa to have died sooner, when he was in his prime. But they are met in heaven, I doubt not: whither, whether we come sooner or later, happy are we.

And Manasses begat Amon]

Who followed his father in sin, but not in repentance. And thou his son, ô Belshazzar, hast not* 1.1 humbled thine heart, though thou 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all this: But hast lifted up thy self against the Lord, &c. It is a just presage and desert of ruine, not to be warned. This was a bloody Prince, therefore lived not out half his daies. Q. Maries raign was the shortest of any since the Conquest, Richard the third onely excepted: Yet she was non natur â, sed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 arte ferox, say some.

And Amon begat Iosias]

Of whom that is true, that S. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 writes of another, In brevi vitae 〈◊〉〈◊〉 virtutum multa replevit: Or as M. Hooker speaketh of K. Edward 6. He departed soon, but lived long: for life consists in action: In all these is the life of my spirit, saith Hezekiah, Isa. 38. 15, 16. but the wan∣ton

widow is dead while she liveth, 1 Tim. 5 6. That good King* 1.2 lived apace, and died betime, being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Orbis, as Titus was called: and Mirabilia mundi, as Otho: having at his death (as it is said of Titus) one thing onely to repent of, and that was his rash* 1.3 engaging himself in a needlesse quarrell, to the losse of his life, and the ruine of that state. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Epaminondas was once slain, his countreymen were no longer famous for their valour and victories, but for their cowardise and calamities. When Augustine departed this world, we feared, saith one, the worlds ruine, and were ready* 1.4 to wish that either he had never been borne, or never died. When God took away Theodosius, he took away with him almost all the peace of that Church and State: So he did of this, with Josiah,* 1.5 that heavenly spark, that plant of renown, that precious Prince,

Qui Regum decus, & invenum flos, spes{que} bonorum,* 1.6 Deliciae saecli, & gloria gentis 〈◊〉〈◊〉.* 1.7

as Cardanus sang of our English Iofiah, K. Edward the sixth.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ban. 5. 22.
• * 1.2

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 se unius 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rei paenitere dixit.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 autem quid 〈◊〉〈◊〉 non 〈◊〉〈◊〉, nec 〈◊〉〈◊〉 certó no∣vit. Dio in Tito.
• * 1.4

  Nec 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 sed cladibus infig∣nes Nea 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.5

  Orbis 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 timueramus.
• * 1.6

  Paterculus.
• * 1.7

  Par. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.