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 12. Rejoyce and be exceeding glad.]

Leap and skip for* 1.1 joy, as wantonizing young cattle use to doe in the spring, when every thing is in its prime and pride. Thus George Roper, at his comming to the stake, fet a great leap. So soon as the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was about him, he put out both his arms from his body, like a rood, and so stood stedfast (the joy of the Lord being his strength) not plucking his arms in, till the fire had consumed and burnt them* 1.2 off. So, Doctour Tailour going toward his death, and comming within a mile or two of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (where he was to suffer) he leapt* 1.3 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a frisk or twain, as men commonly doe in dancing.* 1.4 Why, M. Doctour, quoth the Sheriff, how doe you now? He answered, well, God be praised, good M. Sheriff: never better:

for now I know I am almost at home. I lack not past two stiles to goe over, and I am even at my 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. Likewise 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.5 White, going to the stake, whereas before he was wont to goe stooping, or rather crooked through infirmity of age, having a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 countenance, and a very feeble complexion, and, withall very soft in speech and gesture; now he went and stretcht up himself bolt upright, and bare withall a most pleasant and comfortable countenance, not without great courage and audacity, both in* 1.6 speech and behaviour. It were easie to instance the exceeding great joy of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Act. 5. 41. who went from the Councel, rejoycing that they were so farre honoured, as to be dishonoured for the Name of Jesus; which Casaubon calleth, Elegantissimum 〈◊〉〈◊〉. So Bradford, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 forgive me (saith he) mine un∣thankfulnesse for this exceeding great 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that, among so ma∣ny* 1.7 thousands, he chuseth me to be one in whom he will suffer. And in a letter to his mother; For Christs sake I suffer, saith he, and therefore should be merry and glad. And indeed, good mo∣ther, so I am, as ever I was: yea, never so merry and glad was I, as now I should be, if I could get you to be merry with me, to thank God for me, and to pray on this sort, Ah, good Father, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vouchsafe that my son, being a grievous sinner in thy sight, should finde this favour with thee, to be one of thy sons Ca∣ptains, and men of warre, to fight and suffer for his Gospels sake: I thank thee, and pray thee in Christs Name, that thou wouldst forgive him his sins and unthankfulnesse, and make him worthy to suffer, not only imprisonment, but even very death for thy truth, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Gospels sake, &c. Whether Bradfords mother did* 1.8 thus or no, I know not: but William Hunters mother (that suf∣fered under Bonner) told him that she was glad that ever she was so happy, as to bear such a childe, as could finde in his heart to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his life for Christs Name sake. Then William said to his mo∣ther,* 1.9 For my little pain which I shall suffer, which is but for a lit∣tle braid, Christ hath promised me a crown of joy: may not you be glad of that, mother? With that his mother kneeled down on her knees, saying, I pray God strengthen thee, my sonne, to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉: yea, I thinke thee as well bestowed, as any childe that ever I bare. For indeed (as M. Philpot the Martyr said) to die for* 1.10 Christ, is the greatest promotion, that God can bring any in this vale of misery unto: yea so great an honour, as the greatest An∣gel* 1.11 in heaven is not permitted to have. This made John Clerks

mother of Melda in Germany (when she saw her sonne whipt and branded in the fore-head for opposing the Popes Indulgences, and calling him Antichrist) to hearten her sonne, and cry out, Vi∣vat Christus ejus{que} insignia: Blessed be Christ, and welcome be these marks of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Constantinus a Citizen of Rhone (with three other) being, for defence of the Gospel, condemned to be burn∣ed, were put into a dung-cart, who thereat rejoycing, said, that they were reputed here the excrements of the world; but yet their* 1.12 death was a sweet odour to God. When the chain was put about* 1.13 Alice Drivers neck, Oh, said she, here is a goodly neckerchief,* 1.14 blessed be God for it. Algerius Christs prisoner thus dated his let∣ter,* 1.15 From the delectable Orchyard of the Leonine prison. And,* 1.16 I am in prison till 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be in prison, said Saunders. And indeed, said* 1.17 Bradford, I thank God more of this prison, then of any parlour, yea then of any pleasure that ever I had, for in it I finde God, my most sweet God alwaies. After I came into prison (saith Robert Glover, Martyr, in a letter to his wife) and had reposed my self there a while, I wept for joy and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my belly-full, musing much of the great mercies of God, and, as it were, thus saying to my self; Lord, who am I, on whom thou shouldst bestow this* 1.18 great mercy, to be numbred among the Saints that suffer for thy Gospel sake? And I was carried to the Cole-house, saith M. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, where I and my six fellows doe rouse together in the straw, as 〈◊〉〈◊〉, we thank God, as others doe in their beds of down. And, in another letter; I am now in the Cole-house, a dark and* 1.19 ugly prison, as any is about London: but my dark body of sinne hath well deserved the same, &c. And, I thank the Lord, I am* 1.20 not alone, but have six other faithfull companions, who in our* 1.21 darknesse doe cheerfully sing hymns and praises to God, for his great 〈◊〉〈◊〉. We are so joyfull, that I wish you part of my joy, &c. Good brethren (saith William Tims, Martyr) I am* 1.22 kept alone, and yet, I thank 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he comforteth me, past all the comfort of any man; for I was never 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Christ. You shall be whipt and burned for this gear, I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (〈◊〉〈◊〉 one M. Fo∣ster to John Fortune, Martyr) To whom he replied: If you knew how these words rejoyce mine heart, you would not have spoken them. Why, quoth Foster, thou fool, dost 〈◊〉〈◊〉 rejoyce in whipping? Yea, said Fortune, for it is written in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and Christ saith, Ye shall be whipt for my Names sake. And since the time that the sword of tyranny came into your hand, I

heard of none that was whipt: Happy were I, if I had the maid∣en-head* 1.23 of this persecution. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Walsey was so desirous to glorifie God with his suffering, that being wonderfull sore tor∣mented in prison with tooth-ach, he feared nothing more, then* 1.24 that he should depart before the day of his execution (which he called his glad-day) were come. Anthony Person with a 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.25 countenance embraced the stake, whereat he was to be burned, and kissing it, said: Now welcome mine own sweet wife, for this day shall thou and I be married together in the love 〈◊〉〈◊〉 peace of God. Lawrence Saunders took the stake, to which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 should be chained* 1.26 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his arms, and kissed it, saying, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the crosse of Christ; Wel∣come everlasting life. Walter Mill, Scot, being put to the stake, ascended gladly, saying, Introibo altare Dei. Iohn Noyes, Mar∣tyr,* 1.27 took up a fagot at the fire, and kissed it, and said, Blessed be* 1.28 the time that ever I was born to come to this. Denly sang in the* 1.29 * 1.30 fire at Uxbridge, so did George Carpenter the Bavarian Martyr:* 1.31 so did Wolfgang us Schuh, a Germane, when he entred into the* 1.32 place heaped up with fagots and wood, he sang, Laetatus sum in his quae dicta sunt mihi, in domum Domini ibimus. Two Austin Monks at Bruxelles, anno 1523. (the first among the Lutherans that suffered for religion) being fastened to the stake to be burnt, sang, Te Deum, and the Creed. Others clapt their hands in the* 1.33 flames, in token of triumph; as Hawks and Smith; and five Mar∣tyrs* 1.34 burnt together by Bonner. Bainham at the stake, and in the* 1.35 midst of the flame (which had half consumed his arms and his* 1.36 legs) spake these words, O ye Papists, behold ye look for mira∣cles: here you may see a miracle: For in this fire I feel no more pain, then if I were in a bed of down: but it is to me as a bed of roses. Now what was it else whereby these Worthies (of whom the world was not worthy) quenched the violence of the fire, and out of weaknesse were made strong? Was it not by their heroicall and impregnable faith, causing them to endure, as seeing him that is invisible, and having respect, as Moses, to the recompence of re∣ward? Heb. 11. 26, 27.

For great is your reward in heaven.]

God is a liberall pay∣master, and no small things can fall from so great a hand as his.* 1.37 Oh that joy! ô my God, when shall I be with thee? said a dying Peer of this Realm. So great is that joy, that we are said to enter* 1.38 into it, it is too full to enter into us. Elias, when he was to enter* 1.39 into it, feared not the fiery charrets that came to fetch him,

but through desire of those heavenly happinesses, waxed bold a∣gainst* 1.40 those terrible things, At{que} hoc in carne adhuc vivens (it is S. B 〈◊〉〈◊〉 observation) and this he did, whiles he was as yet in the flesh. For he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 oculum in metam (which was Ludovicus Vives his Motto) his eye upon the mark, He prest forward to∣ward* 1.41 the high prize, with Paul; and looking thorow the terrour of* 1.42 the fire, saw heaven beyond it: and this made him so valiant, so violent for the Kingdome. A Dutch Martyr, feeling the flame* 1.43 to come to his beard; Ah, said he, what a small pain is this to be* 1.44 compared to the glory to come. Hellen Stirk, a 〈◊〉〈◊〉-woman, to her husband at the place of execution spoke thus, Husband, re∣joyce; for we have lived together many joyfull daies: but this day in which we must die, ought to be most joyfull to us both, because* 1.45 we must have joy for ever: Therefore I will not bid you good night; for we 〈◊〉〈◊〉 suddenly meet within the Kingdome of hea∣ven. The subscription of Mistresse Anne Askew to her 〈◊〉〈◊〉,* 1.46 was this: Written by me Anne Askew, that neither wisheth for death, nor feareth his might, and as merry as one that is bound toward heaven. Oh how my heart leapeth for joy (said M. Philpot) that I am so near the apprehension of eternall life. God forgive me mine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of so great 〈◊〉〈◊〉. — I have 〈◊〉〈◊〉 much joy of the reward prepared for me, most wretched sinner, that though I be in place of darknesse and mourning, yet I cannot lament, but, both night and day, am so joyfull, as though under no crosse at all: yea in all the daies of my life, I was never so merry, the Name of the Lord be praised there∣fore for ever and ever; and he pardon mine unthankfulnesse.* 1.47 The world wondereth (saith he in another place) how we can be so merry, in such extreme misery: but our God is omnipotent, which turneth misery into felicity. Believe me, there is no such joy in the world, as the people of Christ have under the crosse, I* 1.48 speak by experience, &c. To this joy all other being compared, are but mournings, all delights sorrows, all sweetnesse sowre, all beauty filth, and finally all things counted pleasant, are 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Great then, we see, is their reward in earth, that suffer for Christ: they have heaven afore-hand, they rejoyce in tribulation, with joy unspeakable and glorious, they have an exuberancy of* 1.49 joy, such as no good can match, no evil over-match. For though I tell you (said M. Philpot in a letter to the Congregation) that I am in hell, in the judgement of this world, yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉, I feel,

in the same, the consolation of heaven. And this lothsome and horrible prison, is as pleasant to me, as the walks in the Garden in* 1.50 the Kings bench. What will it be then, when they shall have crowns on their heads, and palms in their hands, when they shall come to that generall Assembly, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 12. 23. and have all the* 1.51 Court of heaven to meet and entertain them, When they shall fol∣low the Lamb wheresoever he goeth, Revel. 14. 4. and have pla∣ces given them to walk among those that stand by, Zech. 3. 7. that* 1.52 is, among the Seraphims (as the Chaldee Paraphrast expound∣eth it) among the Angels of heaven; Alusively, to the walks and galleries that were about the Temple? Majora certamina, majora sequuntur praemia, saith Tertullian. Quisquis volens 〈◊〉〈◊〉 famae meae, nolens addit mercedi meae, saith Augustine. The more we suffer with and for Christ, the more glory we shall have with and from Christ.

For so persecuted they the Prophets which were before you,]

* 1.53

Your betters sped no better: Strange not therefore at it, start not for it. Persecution hath ever been the Saints portion. How early did Martyrdome come into the world? The first man that died,* 1.54 died for religion. And although Cain be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to his place, yet I would he were not still alive in his sons and successours, who hate their brethren, because they are more righteous, Et 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉* 1.55 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 rubentem circumferunt, as one speaketh. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that is not to be wished; or at least, it is, Magis optabile quam opinabile, that ever a Prophet shall want a persecutour, while there is a busie devil, and a malicious world. The Leopard 〈◊〉〈◊〉 said so to hate man, that he sleeth upon his very picture, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doth the devil and his imps, God and his image. The Tigre is said to be enraged with the smell of sweet odours: so are the wic∣ked of the world with the fragrancy of Gods graces. Noah rose* 1.56 up and condemned them by his contrary-〈◊〉〈◊〉, and therefore under-went a world of calamities. Puritan Lot was an eye-sore to the sinfull Sodomites, and is cast out, as it were by an ostracisme. His father Haran, the brother of Abraham, died before his fa∣ther* 1.57 Terah, in Ur of the Caldees. The Hebrews tell us that he was cruelly burnt by the Caldees, because he would not worship* 1.58 the fire, which they had made their god. How 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was Mo∣ses* 1.59 made (as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 among the Romans) to plead for his life? And although Davids innocency triumphed in Sauls conscience,* 1.60 yet could he not be safe, but carried his life in his hand continually,

as he complaineth in that hundred and nineteenth Psalm; which was made (as is thought) in the midst of those troubles, out of his own observations and experiments. As for the Prophets that came after, which of them have not your fathers slain? saith our Saviour to the Pharisees; whom hebids (by an Irony) to fill up the measure of their fathers, and fore-telling that they shall deal so by the Apostles (whom he there calleth, according to the cu∣stome of that Countrey, Prophets, Wise-men and Scribes.) He* 1.61 demandeth of those serpents and brood of vipers, how they can e∣scape those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and hoards of wrath they have been so long in 〈◊〉〈◊〉? They had a little before delivered up Iohn Baptist to Herod, and did unto him whatsoever they would, Matth. 17. 11, 12. Thereupon our Saviour departed out of Iudea into Galilee, as Iohn the Evangelist hath it, lest he should suffer the same things from them. For though Herod were Tetrarch of Galilee, and therefore it might seem a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 way for our Saviour to keep from thence (after Iohn was beheaded) and to continue in Iudea; yet foras∣much as he was but their slaughter-slave (as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was to the rest of the Bishops of those daies) Christ knew, that if he did decline their fury, there was no such cause to fear Herod. Therefore when some of the Pharisees (pretending good will to him) bad him pack thence, for else Herod would kill him: he replied, Goe* 1.62 tell that fox, that I know both my time and my task, which he* 1.63 would be doing at to day and to morrow (that is, as long as he listed) without his leave. And the third day (when his hour was once come) he should be sacrificed: but it must be in Ieru∣salem, and by the Pharisees: for it befell not a Prophet to perish out of Ierusalem. There it was that Stephen was stoned, Iames* 1.64 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the sword, Peter imprisoned, and destined to destru∣ction, Paul whipt and bound, many of the Saints punished oft in every Synagogue, and compelled by the high-Priests authority, either to blaspheme, or flee to strange Cities, as appeareth in ma∣ny places of the Acts, or rather passions of the Apostles: for none (out of hell) ever suffered harder and heavier things then they. See what S. Paul 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of himself, and think the like of the rest, 2 Cor. 6. 5.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 & Psal. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ficat 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 pecudes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 8.
• * 1.4

  Act. and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. fol 1629.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 1386
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1415.
• * 1.7

  Ibid 1484.
• * 1.8

  Ibid. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.9

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.10

  Ibid. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.11

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.12

  Act. and Mon.
• * 1.13

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.14

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 1858.
• * 1.15

  Ibid 857.
• * 1.16

  Ibid. 1358.
• * 1.17

  Ibid. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.18

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 1553.
• * 1.19

  Ibid. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.20

  To the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.21

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.22

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 726.
• * 1.23

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 41.
• * 1.24

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.25

  Ibid. 1123.
• * 1.26

  Ibid. 1632.
• * 1.27

  Ibid 1162.
• * 1.28

  Ibid. 1831.
• * 1.29

  Ibid 1530.
• * 1.30

  Scultet. Annal.
• * 1.31

  Decad 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1. 0.
• * 1.32

  Act and 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.33

  Ibid. 1444.
• * 1.34

  Ibid 1544.
• * 1.35

  Ibid 1688.
• * 1.36

  Ibid. 940.
• * 1.37

  The L. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.38

  Stock at his 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.39

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 25. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.40

  Contra horren∣da audax fuit, & eum gaudio, flammeos cur∣rus 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.41

  Basil.
• * 1.42

  Phil. 3. 14.
• * 1.43

  Act and Mon.
• * 1.44

  sol. 813.
• * 1.45

  Ibid. 1154.
• * 1.46

  Ibid 1. 30.
• * 1.47

  Ibid. 1670.
• * 1.48

  Ibid. 1668.
• * 1.49

  1 Pet. 1. 8,
• * 1.50

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1663.
• * 1.51

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.52

  Zech. 3. 7. expound.
• * 1.53

  〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉.
• * 1.54

  Act. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 25.
• * 1.55

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.56

  〈◊◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊◊〉 —
• * 1.57

  No, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, & 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.58

  Gen. 11. 28.
• * 1.59

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Perse 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.60

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 l. 119. 109.
• * 1.61

  Mat. 23. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 33, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.62

  Luk 13 31, 32, 33.
• * 1.63

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, qui pro Christo sangui∣nem suderunt.
• * 1.64

  Bez.