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 23. Which art exalted unto heaven]

viz. In the abun∣dance of the means of grace, many times called the Kingdom of heaven: for as the harvest is potentially in the seed, so is eternall life potentially in the ordinances. God sends up and down the world to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 salvation. Hence that phrase, My salvation is gone forth: Hence, they that reject the word preached, are said to judge themselves unworthy of everlasting life, Acts 13. 46. Hence, while Israel was without a teaching Priest, they are said to have been without the true God, 2 Chron. 15. 3. Hence the Psalmist makes the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that come out of Sion, to be better then any other that come out of heaven and earth, Psal. 134 3.

Shalt be brought down to hell]

With a violence, with a ven∣geance. As Ahashuerosh said of Haman, that so much abused his favour, Hang him on the gallows that is 50 cubits high: so shall God say of such: Plunge them into hell much deeper then others, that whiles they were on earth, set so light by my grace, though it even kneeled unto them, wooing acceptance. 2 Cor. 5. 20.

It would have remained untill this day.]

But God rained down hell from heaven upon them, and turned them into ashes saith Pe∣ter,* 1.1 yea their fire burnt to hell saith Iude. Some footsteps of it are* 1.2 yet to be found in the place, as Iosephus relateth: and something also may be read of it in Tacitus and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Both S. Peter and* 1.3 S. Iude say, they were set forth for an example. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 perditio tua fit cautio. Let their destruction be our instruction; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hea∣then* 1.4 Herodotus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 up in judgement against us, who said, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the coals and ashes of Troy burnt by the Greeks, were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 set before the eyes of men, for an example of this rule, that Na∣tionall and notorious sins, bring down nationall and notorious

plagues from a sin-revenging God.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 2. 6.
• * 1.2

  Jude 7.
• * 1.3

  De 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.