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 11. All men cannot receive this saying]

Nor may we simply pray for the gift of continency, but with submission, sith it

〈◊〉〈◊〉 not simply necessary to salvation: but only of expediency: in∣asmuch 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he that can keep himself unmarried, hath little else to care for but how he may please the Lord, and attend upon his* 1.1 work without distraction, sitting close at it (as the Greek word* 1.2 signifies) and not taken off by other 〈◊〉〈◊〉. An instance whereof was clearly to be seen in George Prince of Anhalt, whose family is said to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 been 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Academia, Curia, a Church, an University and a Court; whose sanctity and chastity in the single 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to his dying day was such, that Melancthon publikely deli∣vered it of him, that he was the man, that of any then alive, might most certainly expect the promised reward of eternall life: But* 1.3 this is not every mans happinesse: and where it is, the pride of vir∣ginity, is no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 foul a sin then impurity, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Augustin. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a single man and a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the Primitive Church 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that the marriage-bed undefiled was true chastity.* 1.4 Those Popish votaries, that boasted so much of the gift of conti∣nency in themselves, and exacted it of others, have (for a punish∣ment of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 arrogance and violence) been oft given up to noto∣rious filthinesse: as the Cardinall of Cremona, after his stout re∣plying in the Councel of London against Priests marriage, was* 1.5 shamely taken, the night following, with a notable whore. 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.6 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Canterbury, a great enemy to Priests mar∣riage, for all his gay shew of Monkish virginity and single life, had* 1.7 a son called 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Monachus Cadonensis, whom he so gladly pre∣ferred to be Abbot of S^t Albons. D ^r Weston (〈◊〉〈◊〉 in the* 1.8 disputation at Oxford against Cranmer, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and Ridly, who also 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 upon them, inveighing against Cranmer, for* 1.9 that he had been, sometimes a married man,) was not long after ta∣ken in adultery, and for the same was by Cardinall Poole put from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his spirituall livings.

Save they to whom it is given]

Maldonate the Jesuite saith, it is given to any one that is but willing to have it, and asketh it of God: and that, because Marriage is given to all that are willing to it. But this is 1 False for our Saviour excepts Eunuchs. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Incon∣sequent,* 1.10 because the gift of Marriage proceeds 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a principle of nature, but continency from a speciall indulgence: which they that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not, are required to marry for a remedy, And yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 most injuriously 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some to marry at any time, as there Clergy, all at some times: and that, not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 of conveniency, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Notes

• * 1.1

  1 〈◊〉〈◊〉 7 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  Ex 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 boc 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.4

  Congressum 〈◊◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. lib 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 11.
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mon. 1065.
• * 1.7

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1062.
• * 1.8

  Ibid 1326.
• * 1.9

  Ibid. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.10

  1 Cor. 7.