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 25. And Jesus knew 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thoughts]

That they bla∣sphemed in this sort, out of the devillish venom of their hearts fully possest by Satan, who drew them 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this unpardonable sin, which himself every day, nay every moment committeth. As one that had fallen into that sin, wished that his wife and chil∣dren, and all the world might be damned together with him: So doth the devil out of his deep and desperate malice to mankinde, draw some into this sin, that he may drown them in the same de∣struction with himself.

And said unto them]

He could, as he did oft no doubt, have answered them with silence, or punished them with contempt, committing his cause to him that judgeth righteously. He could have turned them off, as one did his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 adversary with, 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 linguae, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 aurium Dominus: But inasmuch as Gods glory was* 1.2 highly concerned, and his cause might have suffered, if this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 calumny had not been confuted. Our Saviour makes a most grave apology in the behalf of his doctrine and mira∣cles, which he maintains and makes good by many demonstrative arguments.

Every Kingdom divided against itself]

Divide & impera, saith Machiavel. Make division and get dominion. Every subdivisi∣on,* 1.3 saith another, is a strong weapon in the hand of the adverse party. Where strife is (saith the Scripture) there is confusion, as* 1.4 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Pollux, if they appear not together, it presageth a* 1.5 storm. Sicollidimur frangimur, If we clash we cleave, said the two earthen pots in the fable, that were swimming down the stream together. The daughter of division is 〈◊〉〈◊〉, saith 〈◊〉〈◊〉. This the Jesuites know, and therefore doe what* 1.6 they can to keep up the contentions 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Lutherans and the Calvinists. This the Turks know, and therefore pray to God,

to keep the Christians at variance. Discord was the destruction of our Ancestours, as Tacitus testifieth, who was here in this Island with his father-in-law Agricola, and saw it. And the Lord Rich in his speech to the Justices of England, in Edward the sixths raign, could say; Never forraign power could yet hurt, or in any part prevail in this realm, but by disobedience and disorder in themselves. That is the way wherewith God will plague us, if he minde to punish us. And so long as we* 1.7 doe agree among our selves, and be obedient to our Prince,* 1.8 and to his godly orders: we may be sure that God is with us, and that forraign power shall not prevail against us, nor hurt us.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Tacitus.
• * 1.2

  Seneca.
• * 1.3

  Hist. of Counc. Trent.
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 3. 16.
• * 1.5

  Omne 〈◊〉〈◊〉 est 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. Medit. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 2. cap. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.7

  Act. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mon.
• * 1.8

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 186.