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 25. His bloud be on us, and on, &c.]

God said Amen to

this woefull curse, which cleaves close to them and their poste∣rity, as a girdle to their loins, soaking as oil into their bones to this very day, Psal. 109. 18, 19. Thirty eight years after this fearfull imprecation, in the same place, and close by the same tribunall where they thus cried out, His bloud be on us, &c. Historians tell us, that Herod, wanting money, demanded of the Jews so much out of their treasury, as would pay for the making of a wa∣ter-course. But the Jews, supposing it a needlesse work, not only denied him, but gave many out-ragious and spitefull speech∣es, tumultuously flockt about him, and with great clamours prest upon him, even as he was in his seat. Whereupon to prevent mischief, he sent to his souldiers to apparrel themselves like Ci∣tizens, and under their gowns to bring with them a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or ponyard, and mingle themselves amongst the multitude; which they did, observing who they were that made the greatest up∣roar.* 1.1 And when Herod gave the sign, they fell upon them, and slew a great multitude. Many also, for fear of losse or danger kil∣led themselves: besides others, which seeing this massacre, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 treason among themselves, fell one upon another. What a dispersed and despised people they are ever since, exiled, as it were, out of the world, by the common consent of all Nations, for their inexpiable guilt. See my True Treasure, Chap. 7. Sect. 2. And beware by their example of wishing evil to our selves or others, as our desperate God, damn-me's do at every third word almost, and God will undoubtedly take them at their words, as he did those wretches, that wished they might die in the wil∣dernesse, Numb. 14. 28. As he did John Peters, the cruell Keep∣er of Newgate in Queen Maries daies: who commonly when* 1.2 he would affirm any thing, were it true or false, used to say, If it be not true, I pray God I rot ere I die, and he had his desire. So had Sir Gervaise Ellowaies. Lieutenant of the Tower, hang'd in our remembrance on Tower-hill, for being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the poi∣soning of Sir Thomas Overbury: who being upon the Gallows, confest it was just upon him, for that he had oft in his playing at cards and dice wished, That he might be hang'd, if it were not so* 1.3 and so. In the year, 1551. the devil in a visible shape lifted up a cursing woman into the air in Germany; and therehence threw her down, in the view of many people, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her neck. A∣nother brought her daughter to Luther, entreating his praiers for her, for that she was possessed by the devil, upon her cursing

of her. For when she had said in a rage against her daughter, In∣volet* 1.4 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 diabolus, The devil take thee, he took possession of her* 1.5 accordingly. The same Authour relateth a like sad story of a stub∣born son, cursed by his father, who wished he might never stirre alive from the place he stood in, and he stirred not for three years, &o. Cursing men are cursed men. Alterius per∣ditio tua sit cautio. Seest thou another suffer shipwrack? look to thy tackling.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, p. 30.
• * 1.2

  Act. and Mon. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.3

  Joh Manl. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 com p. 192
• * 1.4

  Ibid. 228.
• * 1.5

  Ibid 229.