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 40. And if any man sue thee at the Law, and take away thy coat]

Rather remit of thy right, and sit down by the losse, then suffer the trouble of a vexatious law-suit: Quiet is to be sought above 〈◊〉〈◊〉: therefore Isaac removed his dwelling so oft, when the spitefull Philistims strove with him about the wells he had 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Not but that we may take the benefit of the Law, and crave* 1.1 the helpe of the Magistrate, for preventing or punishing of wrong* 1.2 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉: as Paul sent to the chief Captain, and appealed to 〈◊〉〈◊〉.* 1.3 But this must be done, neither with a vindictive, nor a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 minde, as the manner is. Therefore after Who made 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Iudge? our Savionr presently addeth, Take heed of covetousnesse. He that complaineth of another to the Magistrate, must 1. Love his enemies. 2. Prosecute, with continuall respect, to Gods glory

and the publike gnod. 3. Use the benefit of the law with charity* 1.4 and mercy, without cruelty and extremity. 4. Use it as an utmost 〈◊〉〈◊〉, when it cannot otherwise be; lest strangers be filled with thy wealth, and thy labours be in the house of a Lawyer, and thou mourn at last (with Solomons fool) when thine estate is consu∣med upon him: there being but few such as Servius Sulpitius, of whom Tully reports, that he was not more a Lawyer then a Justicer, referring all things to moderation and equity, and not stir∣ring* 1.5 up suits, but composing them.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Acts 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉
• * 1.2

  Acts 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.3

  〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 potest. Owen. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.4

  Sordida 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quidam baud 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quosdam 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉: 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 exercent.
• * 1.5

  Colu ella Le∣guletorum 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉.