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 8. Again the devil taketh him.]

This Master-fly 〈◊〉〈◊〉, though beaten away once and again, yet returns to the same place. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 how 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he is in renuing his temptations after a flat repulse. He sollicits and sets upon our Saviour again (as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wife did upon Joseph, for all his many 〈◊〉〈◊〉) and is not* 1.1 only importunate, but impudent. Stand we therefore still upon* 1.2 our guard, and look for no ease here. The Roman Captains, when they had once triumphed, took their ease ever after. So did not Cato, and is therefore highly commended. So may not we, if ever we will be approved, as good souldiers of Jesus Christ.* 1.3 Our whole life is a continuall warfare, and we must look for the continuall hail-shot, hel-shot of Satanicall assaults and suggestions. When Xerxes fought against theGreeks, The sea was full of ships (saith the Oratour) the earth of souldiers, the air of arrows. So fares it with the Saints under Satans batteries: no truce, but continuall* 1.4 conflict. Ever since those two strong men fought, there is no* 1.5 more peace. S. Paul sounds the alarm, Arm, Arm, take the whole armour of God, and be ever in your harnesse. And S. Peter gives the reason, Because your adversary the devil, as a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 lion, walketh, and watcheth, night and day, seeking whom 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may devour. For our encouragement, as the devil is, Leo 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, a roaring li∣on; so is Christ, Leo de tribu 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, the lion of the Tribe of Iudah, that delivereth us, and maketh us more then Conquerours; holding the crown of glory over our heads (as we are sighting) with this inscription, Vincenti 〈◊〉〈◊〉, To 〈◊〉〈◊〉

that 〈◊〉〈◊〉, will I give, &c. Fight therefore and faint not: your 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉〈◊〉, your armour is of proof. Get on both those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (as the girdle of truth, brest-plate of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, shoes of peace and patience, shield of faith, helmet of 〈◊〉〈◊〉) and those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of offence; as the sword of the Spirit, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. And then resolve, with that aged Citizen of Exe∣ter in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Edward the 6. time; who when the Town was besieg∣ed,* 1.6 〈◊〉〈◊〉, That he would feed on the one arm, and fight with the other, before he would consent to yeeld the City to the seditious. It is said of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the siege of Byrrachium, that he so long resisted Pompeys* 1.7 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that he had 220. darts sticking in his shield, and lost one of his eyes, and yet gave not over, till Caesar came to his rescue: And of S^r Thomas Challoner (who died, anno 1566.) that he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in his younger time under Charles the 5. in the expedition* 1.8 of Algier; where being ship wreckt, after he had swum till his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and his arms failed him, at the length catching hold of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with his teeth, he escaped, not without the losse of some of his teeth. The like (and somewhat more) is reported of Cy∣negiras* 1.9 the Athenian in the Persian warres. These did thus for a corruptible crown, or temporary honour; what should not we* 1.10 doe for an eternall? 1 Cor. 9. 25. Hold out, and hold fast that thou hast, that no man take thy crown from thee. Be of Queen* 1.11 Elizabeths disposition, who provided for warre, even when she had most perfect peace with all men. Gods Spirit sets up a stand∣ard in the Saints, Isa. 59. 19. And stronger is he that is in you, then he that is in the world. That old serpent hath his head so bruised and crusht by Christ, that he cannot now so easily thrust in his mor∣tall sting, though he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it never so often, unlesse we dally with him and lay our selves open, unles we tempt Satan to tempt us, by inconsideration, security, or venturing on the occasion. Vitanda est glacies. si nolis cadere. He that tastes of the broth, will have a minde* 1.12 to the meat. The Nazarites might not only not drink wine, but forbear to eat of the grape, whether moist or dried.

〈◊〉〈◊〉 an exceeding high mountain.]

Whether mountains were* 1.13 made at first, or cast up by the flood, there are that dispute. I thinke, made at first. Yet is the earth round (as an apple is, not∣withstanding some knots and bunches in it.) And, that, being 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and so, naturally apt for motion (as the heavens are) it stands firm and unmoveable, Eccles. 1. 3. this is admirable. God hath hang'd it upon nothing, saith Iob, in the midst of the hea∣ven;* 1.14

〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Archimedes his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 poized with it's own 〈◊〉〈◊〉. But why took he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Saviour into so high a mountain? That he might thence have the sairer prospect: And perhaps in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of God, taking up Mosos into the Mount. The 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 be Gods ape, that he may, by counterfeiting the like to God, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his holy Ordinances into disgrace. Thus the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 their sacrisices, washings, tithes, oracles, &c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and others tell us, that the Temple of Diana at Ephesus, and her 〈◊〉〈◊〉 therein, were made of Cedar. So for Christ bruising the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 head, Satan hath set up Hercules, killing the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. Which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 who seeth not plainly to have been hatcht in 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Poets, in an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 imitation of God, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his oracle? The like may be said of the fable of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his wife, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 snatcht from him, for looking back 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 which was made out of the story of Lots wife: So their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with his ten labours, was the Scripture 〈◊〉〈◊〉. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 King of AEgypt, and Priest of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (who was helped from heaven by his God against Senacherib King of 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.15 that invaded him) who could it be else, but Hezekiah King of 〈◊〉〈◊〉? 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 (operum Dei Momus) per AEgyptios hoc* 1.16 〈◊〉〈◊〉, ut 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 editum vilesceret, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, & tanti operis gloria ad 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 rediret. Thus the devil attempted by his AEgyptians to transfer the glory of a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 miracle upon himself.

And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him all the Kingdoms of the earth]

In their 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.17 and bravery. A bewitching sight, doubtlesse, and would have moved much with a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 heart. But here the devils fire 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon wet tinder, and therefore took not. Gain and glory? rule and riches? Quis nisi mentis inops, &c. Set but a wedge of gold 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (that could stay the course of the Sun) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 stay 〈◊〉〈◊〉 from lusting and laying hold on it. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Asse 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 fast enough 〈◊〉〈◊〉 preferment. And Zimri will have his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 though he die for it. These three Enchantresses, The 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life; Pleasure, 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.18 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (the worldly mans Trinity) whom have they 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, befooled, bebeasted? S. Iohn sheweth that a man may be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mortified, a father, and yet wondrous subject to 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 world. Of the which, neverthelesse, we may say (as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the people) 'tis wholly set upon wickednesse: Or, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sometimes 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of an Historian, Both the words and shews

of it are full of fraud. It promiseth (as the devil here) great 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but 〈◊〉〈◊〉, pro the sauro carbones, in stead of mines, cole-pits. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Forbisher, in his voiage to discover the Straits, being 〈◊〉〈◊〉 up and down with foul weather, snows and unconstant 〈◊〉〈◊〉, returned home, having gathered a great quantity of stones, which he thought to be minerals. From which, when 〈◊〉〈◊〉 could be drawn neither gold nor silver, nor any other me∣tall,* 1.19 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 seen them cast forth (saith M. Camden) to mend the 〈◊〉〈◊〉-waies. How oft do the devil and the world give men 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and serpents in stead of fish and bread, even the bread of 〈◊〉〈◊〉,* 1.20 that proves gravell in the teeth? How oft are they disap∣pointed that hunt after lying vanities, and so for sake their own mer∣cies,* 1.21 as Ionas freely acknowledged, for it had like to have cost 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉〈◊〉? What got Balaam by running after his wages* 1.22 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, but a sword in his ribs? Achan by his wedge, but 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 about his ears? Iudas by his thirty pieces, but the hal∣ter about his neck? Cranmer by his subscription, but such a* 1.23 wretched condition, as that there was left him neither hope of better, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 place of worse, as Cole could say in a Sermon, at his recantation? Many of the Romish runnagates, that run thither for preferment, what little respect have they often times, and as little content in their change? Roffensis had a Cardinals hat sent him, but his head was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 off, before it came. Allin had a Cardinals hat, but with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 thin lining (means, I mean, to support his state) that he was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 called the starvelling Cardinall. Stapleton was made Professour of a petty University, scarce so good as one of our free∣schools in England. Saunders was starved. William Rainolds was 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to a poor vicarage under value. On Harding his 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.24 bestowed a Prebend of Gaunt, or to speak more properly, a* 1.25 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Prebend. Many others get not any thing, so that they wish themselves at home again; and sometimes return in the same 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in which they went.

And the glory thereof]

wherewith he hoped to dazle our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 eyes (those windows of the soul) and so to imprison his af∣fections. But he mistook himself. This heavenly Eagle had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 irretertum, nothing moved with these tempting objects. But 〈◊〉〈◊〉 many are there (alas) that have died of the wound of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉? that have fallen by the hand of this vile strumpet, the world? who by laying forth her two fair brests of profit and plea∣sure, hath cast down many wounded, as Solomons harlot, Prov. 7. 26.

And by the glistering of her pomp and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, hath 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉; as the going fire leads men into hedges and ditches:* 1.26 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, which when she cannot over take the 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, doth with her 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 and 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, so that they have no power to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 away till she have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them to death.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. l 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 victus 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉. Ita 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 he 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 who 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 7, 8 Christ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 est 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 & 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 nostras. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Genes. 32.
• * 1.6

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 K Ed. 6 〈◊〉〈◊〉 S. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. p. 62.
• * 1.7

  Der 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 yl∣vam. Lucan.
• * 1.8

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.9

  Trogus. Herod.
• * 1.10

  Revel. 3.
• * 1.11

  Camdens Eliz. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 164.
• * 1.12

  Numb. 6. 3.
• * 1.13

  Psal. 90 2.
• * 1.14

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 26. 7.
• * 1.15

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.16

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.17

  〈1 line〉〈1 line〉
• * 1.18

  〈1 line〉〈1 line〉
• * 1.19

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 89.
• * 1.20

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 17.
• * 1.21

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2. 8.
• * 1.22

  Numb. 31. 8.
• * 1.23

  Adeo ut 〈◊〉〈◊〉 spem 〈◊〉〈◊〉, nec locum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fortunae re∣liquerit. Ut jam nec 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mori, nec vive∣re inhonestè li∣ceret. Melch. Adam.
• * 1.24

  D Featleys.
• * 1.25

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. ex∣ploded.
• * 1.26

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.