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 5. Whiles he yet spake]

But had no answer (because he deserved it not) to so foolish a proposition. Only the Father answereth for the Sonne, by the oracle out of the cloud, accor∣ding to that, I bear not witnesse to my self, but the Father that

sent me, he it is that beareth witnesse of me.* 1.1

A bright cloud over shadowed them]

As a eurtain drawn be∣twixt them and the heavenly glory; to the contemplation where∣of they were not yet sufficient. Hereby also their senses were drawn off from beholding Christs glory, to hear the voice from Heaven, which by the cloud, as by a charet, was carried into their ears with greater sound and solemnity. Non loquendum de Deo sine lumine, was a saying of Pythagoras: God may not be men∣tioned without a light.

This is my beloved Son, in Whom]

Here God maketh use of three diverse passages and places of his own book, Psal. 2. 7. Isa.* 1.2 42. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 18. 18. to teach us when we speak, to speak as the Oracles of God, to inure our selves to Scripture language. The voice also which Christ heard from heaven at his baptisme, in his first inauguration is here repeated totidem verbis in his transfigu∣ration, which was no small confirmation to him doubtlesse: as it was also to Peter and the rest, that this voice was the same in es∣fect with his and their confession of Christ in the former Chap∣ter, ver. 16. Thou art Christ the Sonne of the Living God.

In Whom I am Well pleased]

In whom I doe 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and have* 1.3 perfect and full complacency, singular contentment. And as in him, so in us thorow him, Zeph. 3. 17. he rests in his love 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his, he will seek no further; effecit nos sibi dilectos in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dilecto, he hath made us accepted in that beloved one. Here we have Gods ac∣quittance for our better security.

Hear ye him]

As the Archprophet of the Church, Deut. 18. 15. that Palmoni hammedabber, as Daniel calleth him, that ex∣cellent* 1.4 speaker, that master of speech that came out of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his father, and hath his whole minde at his fingers ends, as we say, Hear ye him, Hear none but him, and such as come in his name, and word. Haec vox [hunc audite] summam authoritatem arrogat Christo (saith Erasmus) At nunc videmus passim dormitari ad Christi doctrinam 〈◊〉〈◊〉 crassam acrudem, & concionis auribus in∣culcari quid dixerit Scotus, quid Thomas, quid Durandus &c. But what said S. Augustine? when Manicheus, contesting 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him for audience said, Hear me, Hear me: Nay, said that Father, Nec egotu, nec tume, sed ambo audiamus Apostolum, &c. Nei∣ther heare thou me, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I thee, but let us both hear Christ. Cyril saith, that in a synod at Ephesus, upon an high throne in the Temple, there lay sanctum Evangelium, to shew that Christ was both 〈◊〉〈◊〉

and President there. He is Rabbenu Doctor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Padre Cerephino, &c. And if Popish Votaries so observe there Go∣vernours, that if they command them a voyage to China or Peru, they presently set forward, to argue or debate upon their Supe∣riours Mandates they hold presumption, to disobey them, sacri∣ledge: how much more should we give this honour, audience and obedience, to Christ the Wisdom and Word of God?

Notes

• * 1.1

  Joh. 8.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Pet. 4. 11.
• * 1.3

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

  Dan. 8. 13.