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 23. And when he was come into the Temple]

Not into the Inne or victualing-house, though he had been so hungry by the way. He forgat that; the zeal of Gods house had eaten him up: it was his meat and drink to do the will of his heavenly father: this he preferred before his necessary food. And truly a man would wonder what a deal of work he did up in these three-〈◊〉〈◊〉, before his apprehension. All those Sermons and discours∣es set down by Matthew from this place to chap. 26. by Mark from chap. 11. to chap. 14. by Luke from chap. 20. to chap. 22. and by Iohn, from the 12. to 18. chap. were delivered by him in these three last daies of his liberty. He dispatched them with speed, as if he had been loth to have been taken with his task undone. To teach us to get up our work, and to work out our salvation: Not work at it only; Lazy spirits 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not to immortality. The twelve tribes served God instantly day and night, and found all they could do little enough, Act. 26. 7.

Came unto him as he was teaching]

Otiosum vel 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fa∣cilè tulissent, saith an Interpreter. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he would have been quiet or silent, they would never have questioned him. A wolf flies not

upon a painted sheep; we can look upon a painted 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with de∣light. It is your active Christian that is most spited and persecu∣ted. Luther was offered to be made a Cardinall, if he would be quiet. He answered, no, not if 〈◊〉〈◊〉 might be Pope; And defends himself thus against those that thought him (happly) a proud fool* 1.1 for his refusall. Let me be counted fool or any thing, said he, so I be not found guilty of cowardly silence. The Papists, when they could not rule him, railed at him, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him an Apostate: He confesseth the action, and saith, I am indeed an Apostate, but a blessed and holy Apostate; one that had fallen off from the de∣vil.* 1.2 They called him devil. But what said he? Prorsùs Satan est Lutherus, sed Christus vivit & 〈◊〉〈◊〉: Amen. Luther is a devil: Be it so; but Christ liveth and raigneth: that's enough for Luther: So be it.

By what authority doest thou these things?]

They saw that their kingdom would down, their trade decay, if Christ should be* 1.3 suffered thus to teach and take upon him in the Temple as a Refor∣mer.* 1.4 When Erasmus was asked by the Electour of Saxony, why the Pope and his Clergy could so little abide Luther, he answer∣ed. For two great offences, viz he had medled with the Popes tripple crown, and with the Monks fat paunches: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 illae la∣chrymae. Hence all that hatred: And hence now-adaies those Popish questions to the Professours of the truth. By what autho∣rity do 〈◊〉〈◊〉 these things? where had you your calling, your ordina∣tion? Where was your Religion before Luther? Where unto it was well answered by one once, in the Bible, where yours never was.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Inveniar sanè superbus, &c. modò impij si∣lentij non 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Epist. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  Consitetur se esse Apostaram, led beatum & 〈◊〉〈◊〉, qui 〈◊〉〈◊〉 diabolo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 non serva∣vit.
• * 1.3

  Epist ad 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.4

  Ventres & 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 coro∣nam Papae, & Monachorum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.