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.

In whom I am well pleased]

The beloved, in whom he hath made us accepted, Eph. 1. 6. Gods Heptsibah, so the Church is called, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 62. 4. the dearly beloved of his soul, Jer. 12. 7. Or (as the Se∣ptuagint* 1.1 render it) his beloved soul, over whom he rejoyceth, as the bridegroom over his bride, Isa. 62. 5. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he will rest in his* 1.2 love, as abundantly well pleased, he will joy therein with singing. So well thinketh God of his Son Christ, and of us thorow him; as* 1.3 some of the Ancients rendered this word, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, In quo 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.4* 1.5 sensi. So (after Irenaeus) Tertullian, Cyprian and Augustine in∣terpret* 1.6 it. And yet, as well as he thought of his only Son, he spa∣red him not, but delivered him up for us all, Rom. 8 32. whereupon S^t Bernard thus cries ont, O quantum dilecti, prae quo filius ipse 〈◊〉〈◊〉 non dilectus, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 neglectus? God so loved his Son, that* 1.7 he gave him all the world for his possession, Psal. 2. but he so lo∣ved* 1.8 the world, as he gave Son, and all, for its redemption. One* 1.9 〈◊〉〈◊〉 this an 〈◊〉〈◊〉, an excesse of love, a miracle of mercy, a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 without a sicut. God 〈◊〉〈◊〉 loved the loved, so infinitely, so 〈◊〉〈◊〉, so incomprehensibly, as that there is no similitude in nature, whereby to expresse it. Abraham (Gods friend) shewed his love to him, in not withholding his only Son Isaac: but what was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Christ? or what was Abrahams love to Gods? He did that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and voluntary, that Abraham would never have done, but upon a command. Besides, Isaac was to be offered up after the manner of holy sacrifices; but Christ suffered, after the manner of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. And yet further, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was in the hand of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and compassionate father: but Christ died by the wicked hands of barbarous and blood-thirsty enemies; that thereby he might 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the enmity, and reconcile us to God: so making peace, and pa∣ving* 1.10 us a new and living way, with his blood, to the throne of grace,* 1.11 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he hath made us accepted in the beloved, Ephes. 1. 6. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 saw the features of his friend Ionathan, in lame Mephibosheth, and therefore loved him. He forgave Nabal at Abigals interces∣sion: and was pacified toward 〈◊〉〈◊〉, at 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iacobs house, for Iosephs sake: Shall not God do us much more for Jesus sake? Ioseph was well pleased with his brethren, when they brought Benjamin: Bring but the childe Jesus in our

arms (as, Simeon did, and as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 did the King of Persines childe) and he cannot but smile upon us. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he never so much displeased before, yet upon the sight of this his wellbeloved Son, in whom he is well pleased, all shall be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and quiet, as the sea was, when once Ionas was cast into it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.2

  Dedi 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 meam.
• * 1.3

  Vulg r.
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 3 17.
• * 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.6

  Graecis dicun∣tur celebres, & de 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 est opi∣nio. Eralm.
• * 1.7

  De temp.
• * 1.8

  Joh. 3. 16.
• * 1.9

  Ephe. 3 18, 15.
• * 1.10

  Ephe. 2. 15, 16.
• * 1.11

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.