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 10. And now also is the axe laid to the root of the tree.]

q. d. God is now taking aim where to hit, and how to fell you: as a man laieth his axe at that very place that he intends to to smite at) he seeth well enough that all his patience and pains* 1.1 in digging, in dunging, and in dressing you, is to no purpose.* 1.2 He comes seeking fruit from time to time, but findeth none, Luk. 13. 7. Now therefore he hath laid down his basket, and taken up his axe, as resolved to ruine you, unlesse present course be taken. Neglect not the present Now, lest ye be cut off for ever. God* 1.3 will not alway serve you for a 〈◊〉〈◊〉-stock. Since ye have a Preacher, repent or perish. Let this spring distinguish between dead and living trees.

Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit.]

So God is graci∣ously pleased to stile our poor 〈◊〉〈◊〉; in every of which* 1.4 there is something of his, as well as something of our own. That which is his, he accepts: that which is ours he pardons. But good it must be, quoad fontem, the Spirit of God: and quoad fi∣nem, the glory of God. Negative 〈◊〉〈◊〉 serves no mans tur,* 1.5 to save him from the axe. It is said of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of

the Priscillian heresie, was all the vertue that he had. The evil servant did not riot cut his talent: those reprobates, Mat. 25. robbed not the Saints, but relieved them not. Moab and Ammon* 1.6 were bastardized and banished the sanctuary to the tenth genera∣tion, for a meer omission, because they met not Gods Israel with bread and water in the wildernes: And Edom is sore threat∣ned,* 1.7 for not harbouring them when scattered by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Take we heed that live in the last age of the world, lest God hasten the calling of the Jews, and cast us off for our unfruitful∣nesse, Rom. 11.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Luk. 13.
• * 1.2

  Ultimae despe∣rationis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 est, quoties se∣curis admove∣tur radici.
• * 1.3

  Eras. Annot.
• * 1.4

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.5

  M. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ex 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 23. 4.
• * 1.7

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.