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 1. And seeing the multitudes,]

AS sheep without a shepherd, or as corn ripe and ready, fal∣ling, as it were, into the hands of the harvest-man. The children cried for bread, and there was none to break it.* 1.1 His eye therefore affected his heart, and out of deep commi∣seration,

He went up into a mountain.]

This Mount was his pulpit, as the whole Law was his Text. It is said to be in the Tribe of Neph∣thali,* 1.2 and called Christs mount to this day. As Moses went up into a Mount to receive the Law: so did Messias to ex∣pound it, and so must we to contemplate it. Sursum corda. Winde we up our hearts, which naturally bear downward, as the poyes of a clock.

And when he was set,]

Either as being weary, or as intending a longer Sermon. This at his first onset upon his office, and that at his last (when he left the world, and went to his Father, Joh. 14. 15, 16, 17.) being the longest and liveliest that are recorded in the Gospel. He preached (no doubt) many 〈◊〉〈◊〉, many hours together. But as his miracles, so his oracles are no more of them

written, then might suffice to make us believe, and live through* 1.3 his name: As the Prophets of old, after they had preached to the people, set down the summe of their Sermons, the heads only, for the use of the Church in all ages: So did the Apostles record in their day-books, the chief things in our Saviours Sermons, out of which* 1.4 they afterwards (by the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and guidance of the Spirit of God) framed this holy history.

His Disciples came unto him]

To sit at his feet, and hear his word. Among the Jews the Rabbi sate, termed 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉' or the 〈◊〉〈◊〉;* 1.5 the scholar 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, or one that lieth along in the dust, a token of the scholars humility, subjecting himself even to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of his teacher. Thus Mary sate at Jesus feet, and heard his word. Thus all Gods Saints are said to sit at his feet, every one to re∣ceive* 1.6 his Word. Thus Paul was brought up at the feet of* 1.7 Gamaliel, a great Doctour in Israel. And this custome it* 1.8 is thought Saint Paul laboured to bring into the Christian Church, 1 Cor. 14.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Lam. 4. 4.
• * 1.2

  Hist, of holy warre, f. 31.
• * 1.3

  Joh 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.6

  Luk. 10 39.
• * 1.7

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 3.
• * 1.8

  Act. 22 2.