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.

Which have made themselves Eunuches.]

Not gelded them∣selves, as Origen and some others in the Primitive times, by mistake of this text. (So Tertullian tells of Democritus, that he pulled out* 1.1 his own eyes, because he could not look upon women and not lust 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them: wherein he did but publish his extreme folly to the* 1.2 whole City, saith he) Nor yet tyed themselves by vow to perpe∣tuall continency, out of a superstitious opinion of meriting heaven thereby, as the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of old, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Clergy now: But live single, that they may serve God with more freedom, fighting a∣gainst fleshly lusts (that fight against the soul) with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 spirituall weapons, Meditation, Prayer, Abstinence, &c. which are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 through God to the pulling down of Satans strong holds set up in the heart. Hence the Hebrew, Syriack, Chaldee and Arabick render this text, Qui castr ârunt animam suam, which have gelded their 〈◊〉〈◊〉. And the truth is, there they must begin, that will doe any thing in this kinde to purpose. Incesta est, & fine stupro, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 stu∣prum cupit, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Seneca. And S. Pauls virgin must be holy both in body, and in spirit, 1 Cor. 7. 34.

Notes

• * 1.1

  In 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  Ioseph. lib. 2. de 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, cap. 6.