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.

That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause]

Rashly giving way to unruly passion, and not taking reason into* 1.1 counsel, as the word here signifieth. This is a degree of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dreamt not of, and a mortall sin, though the Pa∣pists conclude it veniall from this very text, because not threatned (as calling fool) with hell-fire. But judgement, counsel, and Gehen∣na,* 1.2 note not here different punishments, but only divers degrees of the damnation of hell, which is the just hire of the least sin. There is a lawfull anger, as that of our Saviour, Mar. 3. 5. & Mat. 16. 22.* 1.3 And we are bid be 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and sin not. Now he that would be angry and not sin, must (for the matter) be angry at nothing but at sin, and that, not so much as it is an injury to us, as an offence to God.* 1.4 Next, for the measure, he must not be so transported with anger, as to be unfitted and indisposed thereby, either for prayer to God, or pity to men. Moses was very angry at the fight of the golden* 1.5 Calfe, yet could pray. Our Saviour was heartily angry at the Phari∣sees,* 1.6 but withall grieved at the hardnesse of their hearts. Jonas on* 1.7 the other side, through anger, thought to have prayed, but fell into* 1.8 a brawle with God, quarrel'd him for his kindnesse; and had little pity on so many poor Ninevites; though afterwards he yeelded to better reason, and shewed his submission, by laying his hand upon* 1.9

his mouth, and saying no more. Anger is a tender vertue (saith one) and such as, by reason of our unskilfullnesse, may be easily corrupted and made dangerous. The wrath of man (usually) worketh not* 1.10 the righteousnesse of God: nay it lets in the devil, that old 〈◊〉〈◊〉,* 1.11 and is the murderer of the heart (as here) making way to the murder of the tongue and hand. It is the match to receive the fire of contention, and the bellows to blow it up, Prov. 15. 18. Now where strife is, there is confusion, and every evil worke, not murder* 1.12 excepted.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, cedo: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cedit affectibus, a leo ut 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 non 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. in Rom. 13. 4.
• * 1.3

  Ephes. 4. 26.
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 3. 19.
• * 1.5

  Exod. 32. 19 — 31.
• * 1.6

  Mar. 3. 5.
• * 1.7

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.8

  Ionas 4. 1.
• * 1.9

  vers. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.10

  Iam. 1.
• * 1.11

  Ephel. 4. 16.
• * 1.12

  Iam. 3. 16.