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 3. Then came unto him the Tempter]

So called, because* 1.1 he politikely feels our pulses which way they beat, and according∣ly 〈◊〉〈◊〉 us a peny-worth. He setts a wedge of gold before covetous Achan, a courtezan Cozbi before a voluptuous Zimri, a fair pre∣ferment before an ambitious Absolom: and findes well that a fit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is half a victory. So dealt his agents with those ancient 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, they were sawn asunder, they were* 1.2 tempted, saith the Apostle; to wit, with the proffers of prefer∣ment, would they but have renounced their religion, and done 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to an Idol. So the Pope tempted Luther with wealth and honour. But all in vain: he turned him to God, Et valde 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sum, saith he, me nolle sic satiari abeo, he said flat, that God should not put him off with these low things. Here was a man full* 1.3 of the Spirit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ. The tempter came to Christ, but found 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in him; that matter was not malleable. In vain shall the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 strike fire, if we finde not 〈◊〉〈◊〉: In 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 he knock at the door, if we look not out to him at the window. Let us but divorce the flesh from the world, and the devil can do us no 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Ita cave 〈◊〉〈◊〉, ut cave as 〈◊〉〈◊〉. From that naughty man my self, good Lord deliver me, said one.

If thou 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Son of God.]

As the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quarrel'd and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the Law given in Paradise, as nought, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉: so 〈◊〉〈◊〉

he here the voice from heaven, as a meer imposture. And this he did out of deep and desperate malice; for he could not be ig∣norant nor doubtfull. Neither is his dealing otherwise with us (many times) who are too ready (at his instigation) to doubt of our spirituall sonne-ship. We need not help the tempter, by holding it a duty to doubt: this is to light a candle before the de∣vil, as we use to speak. Rather let 〈◊〉〈◊〉 settle and secure this, that we are indeed the sons of God, and heirs of heaven, by passing thorow the narrow womb of repentance, that we may be born again, and by getting an effectuall faith; the property whereof is to adopt as well as to justifie, viz. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 objecti, by means of Christ the object upon whom faith laieth hold, and into whom it engraffs the believer, after an unspeakable manner. Now ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus, Gal. 3. 26. Ioh. 1. 12. who hath both laid down the price of this greatest privi∣ledge, Heb. 9. 15. Gal. 4. 5. and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it up to us by his Spirit, crying Abba Father in our hearts, what ever Satan or our own misgiving hearts objects to the contrary, Gal. 4. 6. Rom. 8. 15. Ephes. 1, 13.

Command that these 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be made bread.]

And so distrust the providence of God for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thy body in this hunger; help thy self by working a preposterous miracle. In this point 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gods providence for this present life. Satan troubled David and Jeremy, and so he doth many good souls at this day; who can sooner trust God with their souls then with their bo∣dies, and for a crown then for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 crust, as those Disciples, Matth. 16. 8.

Notes

• * 1.1

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

  Heb. 11. 37.
• * 1.3

  Melch. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.