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 39. He that findeth his life shall lose it]

This is a strange expression, a riddle to the world, a seeming contradiction; such* 1.1 as naturall reason can never reconcile. But if the paradoxes of the Stoicks might be proved, much more may those of the Gospel. He that findeth his life, that is, redeemeth it with the forfeiture of his faith, with the shipwrack of his consci∣ence makes a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bargain, makes more haste then good speed; whiles in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from death as farre as he can, he runnes to it as fast as he can. Christ will kill him with death,

〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2. 23. and sentence him, as an apostate, unto double 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

He that loseth his life for my sake, &c.]

For else all's lost: sith it is not poena, but causa that makes a Martyr. Christ and the thieves were in the same condemnation: Samson and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the same destruction, by the downfall of the house: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 poena, dissimilis causa, saith Augustine. Martyrdom is a crown, as old age, if it be found in the way of righteous∣nesse. One Martyr cried out, Blessed be God that ever I was born to this happy hour. To another, when it was said, Take* 1.2 〈◊〉〈◊〉; it is an hard matter to burn: Indeed, said he, it is for* 1.3 him that hath his soul linked to his body, as a thiefs foot in a pair of fetters.

Shall finde it]

For the line of his lost life shall be hid in the endlesse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Gods surest mercies. The passion-daies of the Martyrs, were therefore anciently called, Natalilia 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the birth daies of salva∣tion, the day-break of eternall brightnes. Those poor seduced souls* 1.4 that lost theirlives in the holy Wars, as they called them, and were perswaded that thereby they made amends to Christ for his death, were much to be pittied.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.2

  Iulius Palmer.
• * 1.3

  Act. and Mon.
• * 1.4

  Hist. of holy∣Warre.