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 1. The Pharisees also with the Sadduces came.

CAme forth, saith S. Marke, to wit out of the coasts of Mag∣dala,* 1.1 so soon as ever our Saviour arrived there, to quar∣r••ll him, and keep him from doing good. So active are the devils instruments to hinder the Kingdom of God, and the good of souls. Truth never wants an adversary; she goes seldom without a scratcht face, as the Proverbe is. The Pharisees and Sadduces, though at deadly difference betwixt themselves, yet can easily com∣bine against Christ. So at this day, the Priests disparage the Je∣suits, the Jesuits the Priests, the Priests again the Monks, the Monks the Friers, but they can all conspire against Protestants, whom they jointly persecute. Doggs though they fight never so fierce, and mutually entertear one another; yet, if a hare run by, they give over, and run after her. Martial makes mention of a hare on the Sicilian shore, that having hardly escaped the hounds that hunted her, was devoured by a sea dog; whereupon he brings her in thus complaining;

In me omnis terrae{que} avium{que} maris{que} rapina est:* 1.2 For sitan & coeli, si canis astra tenet.

Tempting, desired him]

Or questioned him to and fro, sifted* 1.3 him by interrogatories, pretending to be his friends, and to seek satisfaction only. All this savours strongly of putid hypocrisie,

quae ipsis domestica 〈◊〉〈◊〉 virtus, as one saith of them. Socinus did* 1.4 in like sort set upon Zanchius. He was, saith Zanchius, a learned* 1.5 man, and of unblameable conversation, but full of heresies, which yet he never propounded to me otherwise then by way of question; as seeming desirous to be better informed. By this subtle means, he drew away many, and sought to work upon Zanchius, as did also Matthaeus Gribaldus and some such others. But when they could not prevail, they brake friendship with him, and he with them, for the which he praiseth God from the bottom of his heart.

Shew them a signe]

Them, by all means, as more worshipfull men then the multidude, such as might merit an extraordinary signe. See here their Satanicall arrogance. So Herod would see our Saviour, that he might see a signe from him. He looked upon him no otherwise then upon some common juggler, that would sure shew him his best tricks. Thus these hypocrites here would gladly be gra∣tified, but they were deceived.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.2

  Martial. Epi∣gram
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉.
• * 1.4

  Aretius.
• * 1.5

  Homo suit ple∣nus diver sarum 〈◊〉〈◊〉, quas tamen 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 nisi 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cau∣sâ, & 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 quasi 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doceri. Zanch. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. ad 〈◊〉〈◊〉 operi suo de 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. ipsis. q. solu.