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 9. And the King was sorry]

Iohns innocency might 〈◊〉〈◊〉 so triumph in Herods conscience, as to force some grief up∣on

him at the thought of so soule a fact. But I rather think other∣wise, that all was but in hypocrisie. For laciviousnesse usually sears up the conscience (till the time of reckoning for all comes)* 1.1 and brings men to that dead and dedolent disposition, Ephes. 4. 19. Only this fox fains himself sorry for Iohn, as his father 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.2 himself willing to worship the Lord Christ, Matth. 2. as Ti∣berius (Herods Lord and 〈◊〉〈◊〉) would seem very sorry for those, whom, for his pleasures sake only, he put to death, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Germanicus, Drusus, &c. And as Andronicus the Greek Empe∣rour, that deep dissembler, would 〈◊〉〈◊〉 over those whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had for no cause caused to be executed, as if he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 been the most sor∣rowfull man alive. Dissimulat mentis suae malitiam 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ho∣micida.* 1.3 This cunning murtherer craftily hides his malice, saith S^t Hierom, and seeming sad in the face, is glad at heart to be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the importunate Baptist, that he may sin uncontrolled.

For the oaths sake and them which sate]

All this was but pre∣tended to his villany, and that he might have somewhat to say to the people, whom he feared, in excuse for himself. As that he be∣headed the Baptist indeed, but his guests would needs have it so, because he had promised the damosell her whole desire, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 would not otherwise be satisfied. Besides, it was his birth-day wherein it was not fit he should deny his Nobles any thing, who* 1.4 minded him of his oath, &c. But the oath was wicked, and therefore not obligatory. He should have broken it as David in like case did, 1 Sam. 25. when he swore a great oath what 〈◊〉〈◊〉 would do to Nabal. But Herod, for the avoyding of the sands, rusheth upon the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, prevents perjury by murther, not consi∣dering the rule that no man is held so perplexed between two vi∣ces,* 1.5 but that he may finde an issue without falling into a third.

And them which sate with him at meat]

These he had more respect to, then to God. An hypocrites care is all for the worlds approof and applause. They should have shew'd him his sinne, and oppose his sentence. But that is not the guise of godlesse para∣sites,* 1.6 those Aiones & Negones aulici, qui omnia loquuntur ad gra∣tiam, nihil ad 〈◊〉〈◊〉. These Court parasites and Parrots know no other tune or tone, but what will please their masters quorum etiam sputum 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as one saith: soothing and* 1.7 smoothing, and smothering up many of their foul facts, that they thereby may the better ingratiate. Principibus ideo a∣micus deest quia nihil deest: there is a wounderfull sympathy

between Princes and Parasites. But David would none of them,* 1.8 Psal. 101. and Sigismund the Emperour cuffed them out of his presence. And surely if wishing were any thing (said Henricus Stephanus) like as the Thessalians once utterly overthrew the Ci∣ty called Flattery, so I could desire, that above all other Male∣factors,* 1.9 Court-Parasites were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rooted out, as the most pe∣stilent persons in the world.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Luk. 13. 23.
• * 1.2

  Commiseraba∣tur 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.3

  Turk. Hist. fol. 50.
• * 1.4

  〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 bonos mores 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉: Est regu∣la in 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.5

  〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉 duo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quin exitus pa∣teat 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ter 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.6

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 nullum 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Attico. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Buchol
• * 1.7

  Apud 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ut 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Craesi 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.8

  In vita Al∣phon.
• * 1.9

  H. Steph Apol. pro Herodoto.