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.

Of these stones to raise up children to Abraham.]

This he could doe, though he will not. And yet he doth as much as this, when he takes the stone out of the heart: when of carnall he makes us a people created again, Psal. 102. 18. when cut of a hollow person (one as empty and void of heart, as the hollow of a tree is of 〈◊〉〈◊〉) is fetcht out heart of oak, and of a wilde asse-colt-born,* 1.1 is made a man: See both these similitudes, Job 11. 12. It was a* 1.2 strange change that Satan mention'd and motion'd to our Saviour of turning stones into bread. But nothing so strange as turning stony hearts into hearts of flesh. This is a work of Gods Almigh∣ty power, the same that he put forth in raising Christ from the dead, Ephes. 1. 19. (where the Apostle, the better to set forth the matter, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a six-fold gradation in the Originall) and in creating the world, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 51. 10. 2 Cor. 5. 17. The Prophet I∣saiah* 1.3 tels us, That he plants the heavens, and laies the foundation of the earth, that he may say to Zion, Thou art my people. And al∣though* 1.4 mans heart be an emptinesse, as in the Creation, as herbs in Winter, or as a breathlesse clod of earth, yet that hinders not, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Prophet.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Job 11. 12.
• * 1.2

  expounded.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 51. 16.
• * 1.4

  Isa 42. 5, 6.