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 28. For this is my blood]

This cup is my blood, viz. in a Sacramentall sense; as before the bread is said to be Christs bo∣dy:* 1.1 If the words of Christ when he said, This is my body, did change the substance, then belike, when Christ said, This cup is my blood, the substance of the cup was likewise changed into his blood, said Shetterden the Martyr to Archdeacon Harpfield. And you can no more enforce of necessity (said another Martyr) from the words of Christ the changing of the bread and wine into his body and blood, then the wives flesh to be the naturall and reall flesh of her husband, because it is written, They are not two but one flesh. Besides whereas it is forbidden that any should eat or drink blood, The Apostles notwithstanding took and drank of the* 1.2 cup, &c. And when the Sacrament was administred, none of them all crouched down, and took it for his God. Quandoqui∣dem Christiani manducant Deum quem adorant, said Averroes the Arabian, sit anima mea cum Philosophis. Sith Christians eat their God, I'll have none.

Which is shed]

That is, shall shortly be shed. But all is de∣livered and set down in the present tense, here and elsewhere in this businesse: Because to faith (which at this Sacrament we should chiefly actuate and exercise) all things are made present,

whether they be things to come (as to these Disciples) or things past, as now to us. A communicant must call up his faith, and bespeak it as Deborah did her self, Judg. 5. 12. Awake, awake Deborah, utter a song. Ascend up to heaven in the act of recei∣ving, and fetch down Christ: lean by faith upon his blessed bo∣some, cleave to his crosse, suck hony out of this rock, and oyle* 1.3 out of the flinty rock, Deut. 32. 13. & intra ipsa redemptoris vulnera figite linguam, as Cyprian expresseth it. Let faith have her perfect work: sith she is both the hand, mouth, and stomack of the soul.

For remission of sinnes]

This includes all the benefits of the new covenant, all the purchase of Christs passion, sweetly sealed up to every faithfull receiver. Christ instituted his holy supper, tanquam 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a soveraign preservative or purga∣tive,* 1.4 saith Ignatius. And by this Sacrament we are fenced and and strengthned against the devil and all his assaults, saith 〈◊〉〈◊〉, so that he shunneth us, as if we were so many lions spet∣ting fire at him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Act. and Mon. 1615.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. de 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dom.
• * 1.4

  It a ut nos sugi∣at tanquam fi leones ignem exspuentes 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.