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 20. Except your righteousnesse shall exceed the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Scribes and Pharisees]

And yet they went far, 1. In works of piety, for they made long prayers, &c. 2. In works of charity, for they gave much almes. 3. In works of equity, for they tithed 〈◊〉〈◊〉, anise and cummin. 4. In works of courtesie; for they invited Christ often, &c. They were the most exact and* 1.1 accurate sect of that religion, as S^t Paul (who once was one of* 1.2 them) beareth them witnesse. And so carried away the heart of* 1.3 the people, that there was no holy man that was not tearmed a 〈◊〉〈◊〉. And therefore among the seven kindes of Pharisees in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Talmud (whereof one sort was Pharisaeus Quid debeo fa∣cere,* 1.4 & faciam illud, such a one was he, Luk. 18. 18.) they make* 1.5 Abraham a Pharisee of love, Job a Pharisee of fear, &c. Yea, it was commonly conceited among the Jews, that if but two of all the world were to go to heaven, the one should be a Scribe, and the o∣ther a Pharisee. And what high opinions they nourished of them∣selves, may be seen in that proud Pharisee, Luk. 18. Like unto whom, how many civil Justiciaries are there amongst us? who if they can keep their Church, give an alms, bow their knee, say their prayers, pay their tythes, and, once a year, receive the Sacrament (it matters not how corrupt hearts, how filthy tongues, how false hands they bear) can thanke God for their good estate to God∣ward, and take up their seats, as it were, in heaven afore-hand. But our Saviour sayes nay to it in this text; yea, sets a double bolt* 1.6 upon heaven gates, to keep out such. And when they shall come* 1.7 knocking and bouncing, with Lord, Lord, open unto us, he shall say, discedite, depart ye: or as once he did to their fellow-Pharisees,)* 1.8 〈◊〉〈◊〉 are they which justified your selves before men; that God knew* 1.9 your hearts. And you shall now know (to your small comfort)

that that which is highly esteemed amongst men, is abomination in the sight of God. Civility rested in, is but a beautifull abomination, a smooth way to hell. The world highly applauds it, because somewhat better then outragious wickednesse; as a cab of doves∣dung was sold in Samaria's famine at a very dear rate, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.2

  Acts 26. 5.
• * 1.3

  〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 sum: i. e. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sentio.
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 tract, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. cap. 3.
• * 1.5

  Goodwins Heb. Antiq. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 49.
• * 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.7

  Ye 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.8

  Matth. 7.
• * 1.9

  Luk. 16. 15.