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 34. And without a parable spake he not, &c.]

A sin∣gular judgement of God upon them for their contumacy and con∣tempt of the Gospel: So is it now upon many people, that God taketh sometimes from their most illuminate teachers; clearnesse and perspicuity of expression, for a punishment of their unthank∣fullnesse and rebellion against the light. Theeves and malefectors that affect darknesse (because the light discovers their evil deeds) are worthily cast into a dark dungeon: so here, Ezekiel, by the just judgement of God upon them, was no more understood by his hearers, then if he had spoken to them in a strange language.* 1.1 Heraclitus, for his obscurities, was called the Dark Doctour, and it seems he affected it; for he oft commanded his schollers to de∣liver themselves darkly. A minister is studiously to shun obscuri∣tie* 1.2 in his doctrine. But if neverthelesse he prove obscure and hard to be understood, let the people see a hand of God in it, and rather accuse their own impiety, then the preachers inability.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ab 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dictu est 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.2

  Ad hos etiam 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, cum it. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 eslo. Ioh. Bodin. Eructabo vel Palam proso∣quar