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.

Shall in no wise passe from the Law.]

The ceremoniall Law 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a shadow of good things to come, saith the Apostle: this good 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 was Christ. When the Sun is behinde, the shadow is before: when the Sun is before, the shadow is 〈◊〉〈◊〉. So was it in Christ, to them of old (saith one.) This Sun was behinde, and therefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Law or shadow was before. To us under the Gospel, the Sun 〈◊〉〈◊〉 before, and so now the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Law (those shadows) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 behinde, yea vanished away. Before the passion of Christ (where∣in they all determined) the ceremonies of the Law were 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dead nor deadly, saith Aquinas. After the passion, till such time 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.2 the Gospel was preached up and down by the Apostles, though* 1.3 dead, yet (for the time) they were not deadly. But since that, they are not only dead, but deadly to them that use them, as the Jews to this day. As for the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Law, it is eternall, and abideth for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in heaven, saith David. And albeit some speciall duties of* 1.4 certain Commandments shall cease when we come to heaven; yet the substance of every one remaineth. We live by the same Law (in effect) as the Saints above doe; and doe Gods will on earth, as they in Heaven. God himself cannot dispenle with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of those laws, that be morall in themselves (because he hath sin by nature, not by precept only) such are all the ten Commandments, but the fourth. The fourth Commandment (say Divines) is morall by precept, not by nature: and so, the Lord of the Sabbath may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with the literall breach of the Sabbath. Of all the morall* 1.5 Law, it is the opinion of some of our best Divines, that since the* 1.6 comming of Christ it bindeth us not, out of any fore-going 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as delivered to Moses in the mount; but as it is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the Law of nature, which is common to Jews and Gentiles: and as it was explained and confirmed by our Saviour Christ in the Go∣spel. To conclude, the ministerials of this Law shall passe away, to∣gether with this life: the substantials shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 natures, and shine therein, as in a mirrour for ever.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 10. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.3

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

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 116. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.