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 16. And be hold one came]

One of good rank, a Ruler, Luk. 18. 18. of good estate, for he was rich, and had great re∣venue (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, saith Luke, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, saith Matthew, he had a good title to that he had, and he lived not beside it.) He was also a* 1.1 young man, in the prime and pride of his age, and had been well bred; both for point and civility, he came congeeing to our Sa∣viour, Mark. 10. 17. And for matter of piety, he was no Sadducee, for he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after eternall life, which they denied. And

although but young, he hearkens after heaven: and though he were rich, he comes running to Christ, thorow desire of informa∣tion: whereas great men 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not to run, but to walk leisurely, so to maintain their authority. Lastly, he knew much of Gods Law, and had done much: so that he seemed to himself to want work, to be aforehand with God. Christ also looked upon him and loved him, as he was a tame creature, a morall man, and fit to live in a common-wealth.

What good thing shall I doe?]

A most needfull and difficult question, rarely moved, by rich men especially, whose hearts are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon their half-peny, as they say, whose mouthes utter no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 language but the horse leeches, Give, give. Who will shew us any good, &c? a good purchase, a good peny-worth, &c? How∣beit, by the manner of his expressing himself, this Gallant seems to* 1.2 have been a Pharisee and of that sort of Pharisees (for there were* 1.3 seven sorts of them, saith the Talmud,) which was named Quid 〈◊〉〈◊〉 facere, & faciam illud: Tell me what I should doe and I will doe it. They that know not Christ, would go to heaven by their good meanings and good doings: this is a piece of naturall Popery, that must be utterly abandoned, ere eternall life can be obtained.

That I may have eternall life]

He had a good minde to hea∣ven, and cheapens it, but was not willing to go to the price of it, that thorow-sale of all: Good desires may be found in hell∣mouth, as in Balaam, some short-winded wishes at least. The Spyes praised the land as pleasant and plenteous, but they held the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 impossible, and thereby discouraged the people. Many like well of Abrahams bosom, but not so well of Dives his door. They seek to Christ, but when he saith, Take up the Crosse and follow me: they stumble at the crosse and felt backward. Their desires 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heaven are lazy and sluggish, like the door that turnes upon the hinges, but yet hangs still on them: so these Wishers, and Woul∣ders, for all their faint and weake desires after heaven, still hang fast on the hinges of their sinnes: they will not be wrought off* 1.4 from the things of this world, they will not part with their fitnesse and sweetnesse, though it be to raigne for ever. Iudg. 9. 11. Theatinus in S ^t Ambrose would rather loose his sight then his sinne of intemperance: so many, their soules.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Matth 19. 22. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. tract.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 3.
• * 1.4

  〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉