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.

But if the salt have lost his savour, &c.]

A loose or lazy Mini∣ster is the worst creature upon earth, so fit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 no place, as for hell: As unsavoury salt is not fit for the dung-hill, but makes the very ground barren, whereupon it is cast. Who are now devils, but they which once were Angels of light? Corruptio optimi pessima, as the sweetest wine makes the sowrest 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 flesh is resolved into the vilest earth. Woe to those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cleri, that, with Elies sonnes, cover foul sinnes under a 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1

ephod: that neither spin nor labour, with the lilies, unlesse it be in their own vineyards, little in Gods: that want either art or heart, will or skill, to the worke: being not able or not apt to teach; and so give occasion to those black-mouthed Campians, to* 1.2 cry out, Ministris eorum nihil vilius; Their Ministers are the vilest fellows upon earth; God commonly casteth off such, as incor∣rigible; for where with all shall it be salted? there is nothing in na∣ture that can restore unsavoury salt to its former nature. He will not only lay such by, as broken vessels; boring out their right eyes, and drying up their right armes, i. e. bereaving them of their for∣mer* 1.3 abilities: but also he will cast dung upon their faces, Mal. 2. 3. so that, as dung, men shall tread upon them (which is a thing not only calamitous, but extremely ignominious) as they did upon the Popish Clergy: and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 shall thanke them when he hath them in hell, for sending him so many souls, as Matthew Paris* 1.4 〈◊〉〈◊〉 us he did those in the daies of Hild brand, As for them∣selves, it grew into a proverb, Pavimentum infernirasis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 verticibus, & magnatum galeis stratum esse, that hell was paved with the shaven crowns of Priests, and great mens head peeces. God threatens to feed such with gall and wormwood, Jer. 23. 15.* 1.5

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  Campian. in 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.3

  Zech. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 17.
• * 1.4

  Literas ex in∣ferno missas commenti sunt quidam, in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 satanas om∣ni 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 gratias 〈◊〉〈◊〉 &c
• * 1.5

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. Hist. Anno D. 1072.