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 37. He that loveth father or mother.]

Levi said unto his father and his mother, I have not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him: neither did he acknow∣ledge* 1.1 his brethren, in that cause of God, nor knew his own children. If the Lord Christ call me to him, saith 〈◊〉〈◊〉, although my fa∣ther should lie in my way, my mother hang about my neck to hinder me, I would go over my father, shake off my mother, &c. Nazianzen was glad that he had something of value (to wit, his Athenian learning) to part with for Christ. Nicolas Shetterden, Martyr, in a letter to his mother, wrote thus, Dear mother em∣brace the counsel of Gods Word with hearty affection, read it with obedience, &c. So shall we meet in joy at the last day;* 1.2 or else I bid you farewell for evermore. Away from me Satan, said Rebezies a French Martyr, when Satan set before him his parents,* 1.3

to stop him in his course. And I know not by what reason, they so called them my friends (said Borthwick, a Scotch Mar∣tyr) that so greatly laboured to convert (indeed to pervert me:) neither will I more esteem them then the Midianites, which* 1.4 in times past called the children of Israel to do sacrifice to their Idols.

He that loveth son or daughter, &c.]

As did Eli, who honour∣ed* 1.5 his sons above God. This the Lord took so hainously, that he swore that this iniquity of Elies house should not be purged with* 1.6 sacrifice nor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for ever. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who brought the old Priest this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 tidings, was afterwards unhappy enough in his two sons; and succeeded Eli in his crosse, as well as his place. It can hardly be imagined, that he succeeded him in his sin, after so fair a warning. But good David was surely too fond a father, and therefore smarted in his children, whom he cockered. God will have us to hold him to be better to us then ten sons: and to bestow all our love upon him, as most worthy. What he gives us back again, we may bestow upon others; loving our friends in God, and our enemies for God. But the love of Christ must con∣strain us to part with all, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 never 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dear and near unto us,* 1.7 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his sake. M. Bradford, whiles 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was a prisoner, wrote ear∣nestly* 1.8 to his mother to pray God to make him worthy to suffer, not only imprisonment, but even very death for his truth, religion and Gospel. Femella 〈◊〉〈◊〉, a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 godly woman, un∣derstanding that her son went heavily on to his death for Christ, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him, and encouraged him, bidding him look up to heaven,* 1.9 and behold the Sun in his glory. Which when he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 done,* 1.10 Knowest thou not, my son, said she, that thou shalt shortly be in that heavenly 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and there out-shine the Sun it self? 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Hunter, the Martyrs mother, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 unto him, standing at the stake, That she was glad that ever she was so happy, as to bear such a childe, as could finde in his heart to lose his life for Christs Name sake. Then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 said to his mother, For my little pain* 1.11 which I shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which is but for a short braid, Christ hath* 1.12 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me a crown of joy: May not you be glad of that, mo∣ther? With that his mother kneeled down on her knees, saying, I pray God strengthen thee, my son, to the end: Yea, I think thee as well bestowed, as any childe that ever I bare. John Clark of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in France, being, for Christs sake, whipped three se∣verall daies, and afterward having a mark set in his fore-head,

as a note of infamy, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mother beholding it (though his fa∣ther* 1.13 was an adversary) encouraged her son, crying with a loud voice, Blessed be Christ, and welcome be these his prints and marks.

Is not worthy of me.]

viz. Because he holdeth not me worthy of more love, then his best friends. Eli, for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to please his sonnes, Moses, his wife, had like to have lost a friend of God, who had much adoe to forbear killing him, Exod. 4. 24.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Deut. 33. 9.
• * 1.2

  Act. and Mon fol. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.3

  Ibid 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.4

  Ibid 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.5

  1 Sam. 2. 29.
• * 1.6

  1 Sam. 3. 14.
• * 1.7

  Act, and Mon.
• * 1.8

  fol. 1504.
• * 1.9

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.10

  Geogr.
• * 1.11

  Act. and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.12

  sol. 1396.
• * 1.13

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ us, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. S. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉