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 2. And he opened his mouth.]

This phrase is not su∣perfluous (as some may conceit) but betokeneth free and full discourse, Ephes. 6. 19. of some weighty and important matter, Psal. 78. 26. uttered with great alacrity of spirit, and vehemency of speech.

And taught them, saying,]

He taught them sometimes (saith Theodoret) when he opened not his mouth, sc. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; by his holy life and wonderous works. A mirrour for Ministers, who as they should open their mouths with wisdom (Heaven ne∣ver opened in the Revelation, but some great matter followed) so their lips should be consonant to the tenour of their teaching, a very visible Comment on the audible word. Timothy must be a stamp, a standard, a patern, a president to the believers, both in* 1.1 word and conversation. Aaron must have both bels and pomegra∣nates* 1.2 on his vesture. And Ministers should (as Gideons souldi∣ers) carry trumpets of sound doctrine in one hand, and lamps of good living in the other. There should be a happy harmony, a constant consent between their lips and their lives, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that their doctrine and conversation may run parallel, as Isidor saith in one place; or (as he hath it more emphatically in another) 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, that their preaching may have life put into it by their practice. Nolite (saith one) magis eloqui magna, quam vivere. Vivite concionibus,

concionamini moribus: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉: Sic vocalissimi eritis praecones, etiam cum ta∣cetis. Speak not, but live Sermons, preach by your practice: the life of teaching is the life of the teacher.

Notes

• * 1.1

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

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 4. 12.