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 15. If thy brother shall trespasse]

As trespasse he will, for it must needs be that offences come, vers. 7. such is humane 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Two flints may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 smite together, and not fire come out, as two or more men converse together, and not trespasses in one kind or other fall out. A Heathen could say, Non amo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nisi offendam: for so, I shall know whether he love me or no, by his forbearing of me. And Augustine saith Qui desinit 〈◊〉〈◊〉, desinit amare. He that ceaseth to bear with me, ceaseth to love me. Here therefore our Saviour, after he had deterred his from doing wrong, instructeth them how to suffer wrong. If it be not considerable, it must be dissembled. As if it be, Go and tell him] 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Get thee gon to him presently, lest else the sore* 1.1 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and thou hate him in thy heart: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not, he should come to me, &c. but get thee to him with speed. Lech lecha, as God said to Abraham, up and be packing: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not to strain courtesie with him, when both have haste: but seek peace and ensue it; it is best to be first in a good matter. Remember, said Aristippus to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (with whom he was fallen out) that though I were the el∣der* 1.2 mao, yet I first sought to thee. Verily, said 〈◊〉〈◊〉, thou 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not only an elder, but a better man then I: for I was first in the quarrell; but thou art first in seeking reconciliation.

Tell him his fault.]

Gods little ones are so to be loved, as not to

be let alone in their trespasses: but freely and friendly admonish∣ed, that they may see their sinne, and amend their way, as Denki∣us did when admonished by Oecolampadius. He being a learned man held this heresie, that no man or devil should be damned eter∣nally,* 1.3 but all saved at last, &c. But, being withall an humble man, he repented; being converted by Oecolampadius in whose presence he died at Basil of the plague, but piously, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dom. 1528.

Thou hast gained thy brother]

To God and thy self; and if to God, to thy self surely for ever, as Philemon, (how much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Onesimus?) to Paul, to whom they therefore owed themselves* 1.4 also. S^t Anthony Kingston thus spake to M^r Hooper a little be∣fore his Martyrdome: I thank God that ever I knew you, for God did appoint you to call me being a lost childe. For by your good admonitions and wholsome reproofs, whereas I was before both an adulterer and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, God hath brought me to for∣fake* 1.5 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the same.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Levit. 19. 17.
• * 1.2

  Nae 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 vir me longe melior es, &c. Plutar. de 〈◊〉〈◊〉. ira. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. l b. 2.
• * 1.3

  〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉
• * 1.4

  Philem. 19.
• * 1.5

  Act and Mon.