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 39. And he went a little further]

Amat secessum ar∣dens oratio. S^t Luke saith he was violently withdrawn from them,* 1.1 about a stones cast, and there he kneeled down and prayd: for* 1.2 further he could not go, thorough earnest desire of praying to his heavenly father.

And fell on his face]

He putteth his mouth in the dust, if so be there may be hope, Lam. 3. 29. This and the like humble* 1.3 gestures in Gods service do at once testifie, and excite inward devotion.

Let this cup passe]

In the time of execution, they gave the malefactour a cup of wine mingled with myrrhe, Mark 15. 23. to stupifie his senses, and so to mitigate his pains. Hence the word Calix or cup is put here and elsewhere for death it self: which being terrible to nature, is therefore here with strong crying and* 1.4 tears deprecated by our Saviour. This was naturall in him, and not sinfull in us, so it do not degenerate into that which is carnall fear of death.

Neverthelesse not as I will, but, &c.]

Here Christ doth not correct his former request (for then there should have been some kinde of fault in it) but explicateth only on what condition he desired deliverance; and becometh obedient unto death, even the death of the crosse, Philip. 2. 8. crying out, Not as I will, but as thou wilt: which shews that he had a distinct humane will, from the will of his Father, and so was very man, as well as God. And here Aristotle, that great Philosopher, is clearly confuted.* 1.5 For he denies that a magnanimious man can be exceeding sorrow∣full for any thing that befalls him. Our Saviour (his Churches stoutest Champion,) was exceeding sorrowfull even to the death; and yet of so great a spirit, that he yeelds up himself wholly to God. Magnus est animus, qui so-Deo tradidit; pufillus & de∣gener,* 1.6 qui obluctatur, saith Seneca. He is a brave man that trusts God with all.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Luk. 22 41.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Illud 〈◊〉〈◊〉 precandi e∣um incessit, ut illum quodam∣modò 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.3

  Cartw.
• * 1.4

  Heb. 5. 7.
• * 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. E. b.
• * 1.6

  Sen. epist. 107.