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 42. Unto one of these little ones]

So the Saints are called, either because but a little flock, or little in their own eyes, or lit∣tle set by in the world, or dearly respected of God, as little ones are by their loving parents.

A cup of cold water]

As having not fuell to heat it, saith Hie∣rom, nor better to bestow then Adams ale, a cup of water, yet* 1.1 desirous some way to seal up his love to poor Christ. Salvian saith, That Christ is, mendicorum maximus, the greatest beggar in the world, as one that shareth in all his Saints necessities. Re∣lieve him therefore in them: so shall you lay up in store for your selves a good foundation against the time to come; yea, you shall lay hold on eternall life, 1 Tim. 6. 19. Of Midas it is fabled, that whatever he touched, he turned into gold. Sure it is

that whatsoever the hand of charity toucheth, be it but a cup of cold water, it turns the same, not into gold, but into heaven it self. He is a niggard then to himself, that is niggardly to Christs poor. If heaven may be had for a cup of cold water. what a bodkin at the churles heart will this be one day? Surely the de∣vil will keep holy-day, as it were in hell, in respect of such

Verely, I say unto you, he shall in no wise, &c.]

By this deep asse∣veration, out Saviour tacitely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the worlds unbelief, whiles they deal by him, as by some patching companion or base bank∣rupt, trust him not at all, withoute ther ready money, or a sufficient pawn. But what saith a grave Divine? Is not mercy as sure a grain as vanity? Is God like to break, or forget? Is there not a book of remembrance written before him, which he oftner 〈◊〉〈◊〉, then Ahasuerus did the Chronicles? The Butler may forget Joseph, and Ioseph his fathers house: but God is not un∣righteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that you have ministred to the Saints, and doe minister, Heb. 6. 10.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. ad eceles Cathol. l. 4.