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.

And, lo, the heavens were opened unto him]

As he was pray∣ing; for prayer is the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of heaven, wherewith we may take out of Gods treasury plentifull mercy for our selves and others. He 〈◊〉〈◊〉 possibly be poor, that can pray, Rom. 10. 12. One said of the Pope, that he could never want money, so long as he could hold 〈◊〉〈◊〉 pen in his hand; of the faithfull Christian it may safely be affirm∣ed, He cannot want any good thing, while he can call to God for it. If he can finde a praying heart, God will finde a pitying heart, and a supplying hand. Now, he is worthily miserable that will not make himself happy by asking. The Ark and the Mercy-seat were never separated. God never said to Israel, Seek ye me in vain: The* 1.1 hand of faith never knockt at Heaven gates, but they were opened, and the Spirit, descended, though not so visibly as here, at the bap∣tisme of our Saviour, nor a voice heard so audibly from Heaven as then, yet, as truly and effectually to the support of the poor sup∣pliant: Who while he prayeth in the holy Ghost, Jude 20. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 new supplies of the Spirit, Phil. 1. 19. and is sweetly, but secretly,* 1.2 sealed up thereby to the day of redemption.* 1.3

Notes

• * 1.1

  Isa. 45. 19.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1. 13.