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 46. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 when he had found one pearl, &c.]

Of farre greater price then that precious Adamant, that was found about Charles Duke of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, slain in battel by the Swissors at Nants Anno 1476. This Adamant was first sold by a souldier that found it, to a Priest for a crown: the Priest sold it for two* 1.1 crowns: Afterwards it was sold for 7000 〈◊〉〈◊〉, then for 12 thousand duekets, and last of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thousand duckets, and set into the Popes triple-crown, where also it is to be seen at this day. Christ is a commodity farre more precious: surely he is better then rubies, saith Solomon, and all the things that may be* 1.2 desired, are not to be compared unto him. No mention shall be* 1.3 made of corall or of pearls: for the price of wisdome (this essen∣tiall Wisedome of God) is above rubies. Pearls are bred in shel∣fishes

of a celestiall humour or 〈◊〉〈◊〉: So was Christ by heaven∣ly* 1.4 influence in the Virgins womb. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 vitreum? 〈◊〉〈◊〉 verum 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉? Christ is to be sought and bought with any pains, at any price. We cannot buy this gold too dear. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the jewell of the world, was farre more precious, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Merchants known so much, then all the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and myrrhs they transported. So is Christ; as all will yeeld that know him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Alsted. Chronol. pag. 309.
• * 1.2

  Prov. 8 11.
• * 1.3

  Job 28. 18.
• * 1.4

  Tertul.