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 4. Jesus answered and said, &c.]

Our Saviour rated them not, chased them not away from his presence, though zealously* 1.1 affecting their master, but not well, (Joh. 3.) and envying for his* 1.2 sake. The man of God must not strive, but be gentle, apt to teach, patient: In meeknesse instructing those that oppose them∣selves, &c. Frier Alphonsus a Spaniard, reasoning with Bradford* 1.3 the Martyr, was in a wonderfull rage, and spake so high, that the whole house rang again, chasing with om & cho, &c. So that if

Bradford had been any thing hot, one house could not have held them.

Go and shew John what things, &c.]

He gives them a reall testimo∣ny, an ocular demonstration. This was the ready way to win upon them, who might have suspected a simple assertion, not se∣conded with such undeniable arguments. Let our lives as well as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lips witnesse for us: Vivite concionibus, concionamini moribus, saith one. Nos non eloquimur magna, sed vivinous, said the Church of old. This is the way to slaughter envy it self, and to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the hearts of the righteous.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Gal. 4 17.
• * 1.2

  2 Tim. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 24.
• * 1.3

  Act. and Mon