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 17 From that time Jesus began to preach.]

So he had done before John was imprisoned, John 2. and 3. but now more freely and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, more manifestly, and all abroad, as when the day-starre hath done his devoir, the Sun 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out to the* 1.1 perfict day.

And to say, Repent]

Both for sinne by contrition, and from* 1.2 sinne by conversion. Change your mindes and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, your constitution and conversation, from worse to better: Recover* 1.3 your lost wits with the Prodigall (who repenting is said to come to himself) and become 〈◊〉〈◊〉 after your folly. Pull down the very frame of the old man, unmake your selves, as S^t 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath* 1.4 it, 1 Pet. 2. 24. Undoe what you had done before, and be ye 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.5 * 1.6 and metamorphosed by the renewing of your 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.7 For, Except a man be born again, not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉,* 1.8 from above, but a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 time (as Nicodemus understood our Saviour) except he goe over all again that is past, rejecting it as unprofitable, and begin anew, he cannot see the Kingdom of God; where old things are past, all things are become new, 2 Cor. 5. 17. a whole new creation.

For the kingdom of heaven is at hand.]

See what is said to this whole verse, Chap. 3 2. For this was the summe and sub∣stance of the Baptists, our Saviours, and his Apostles Sermons; and had need to be daily pressed and preached, sith it is our pensum diurnum, the first and continuall work of Gods Spirit in the faithfull, who because they cannot wash their hands in innocency, wash them in tears: and by renewing their repentance, work and wear out all brackish and sinfull dispositions, as sweet water will doe the salt sea, coming into it: as wine or honey casteth out the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as fast as it ariseth. Christ biddeth us as oft to pray, For∣give us our trespasses, as we pray, Give us this day our daily* 1.9 bread. He not only waits for repentance from the wicked, but would also have his dearest children daily meet him, condemning themselves, Luk. 13. 5. If ye repent not also more and more, when ye see the examples of Gods wrath upon others, ye shall likewise perish. Besides, some sins are past in time that are not past in deed,

if we dwell not in the undoing and reversing of them, Ezra 10. 11, 12. and 9. 15. They were to begin anew their repent∣ance, because they had not considered their marrying of strange wives.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Prov. 4.
• * 1.2

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

  〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 post.
• * 1.4

  Luk 〈◊〉〈◊〉 17.
• * 1.5

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

  Rom. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2.
• * 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.8

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 3. 3.
• * 1.9

  2 Pet. 3. 9.