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 47. What doe ye more then others?]

Singular things are expected and required of such as have received singular grace and mercy. As to be eminent in good works, to get above others,. to* 1.1 〈◊〉〈◊〉 our feet where other mens heads are. The way of the righteous 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on high, saith Solomon: he goes an higher way to worke then* 1.2 ordinary, and walkes 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, accurately, exactly: he gets even to the very top of godlinesse, as the word importeth. He knows that more then the common stint is required of him, and that he must doe that, that the world will never doe: as to be hot in religion, Rev. 3. 16, The carnal Gospeller saith, Religiosum oportet esse, non* 1.3 religentem, It is fit to be Religious, but not so consciencious. So, to be zealous of good works, Tit. 2. 14. but with discretion, saith the 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The King of Navarre told Beza, he would launch* 1.4 no further into the sea, then he might be sure to return safe to the haven. Though he shewed some countenance to religion, yet he would be sure to save himself. So, to abound in Gods work; to have a heart full of goodnesse, as those Romanes, Chap. 15. 14. a life full of good works, as Tabitha, Acts 9. 33. But this is to be* 1.5 wise overmuch, saith the flesh. Philosophandum, sed paucis. What need this waste? said Judas. It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem, to worship, said 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to the people: take a short∣er cut rather to the golden calves. They are idle, they are idle, said Pharaoh of Gods busiest servants. So, God would have his to walke precisely. This the mad world mocks at: To pluck out* 1.6 their right eyes: this is a hard saying, saith the sensualist: To offer* 1.7 violence to Gods Kingdom; Fair and softly goes farre; and its good keeping on the warm side of the hedge, saith the Polititian:

to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Gods 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as the apple of thine eyes; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 how few are 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that will not break the hedge of any Com∣mandment, so they may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a peece of foul way? Lastly, To love an enemy, doe good to them that hate us, & c. But this seems, to the most, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and impossible. What? love those that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them? 〈◊〉〈◊〉 daily rage and rail at them, with such 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as if they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 been as far as hell, for every word that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cut of their mouthes against them, &c? Love this man? Nay 〈◊〉〈◊〉 love the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 himself. They will rather die a thousand deaths, then endure such a one: If they could love him, yet they would not. They are prime Christians in these mens opinions, that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Sauls measure, I will doe thee no hurt, my son David: If they passe him by, when he is in their power, as the Priest and the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 did the wounded man: if they fall not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 upon him 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, and retaliate injuries, they have gone farre and 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉: and such a measure of charity, they hold little 〈◊〉〈◊〉 then 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 here attainable. This is the voice and guise of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. The spirit that is in us lusteth to envy, and prom∣pteth us to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 taunt with taunt, suit with suit, blow with blow, and holds them fools that doe not. But this is the wisedom from beneath, and is earthly, sensuall, devillish: whereas that* 1.8 from above, is first pure, and then peaceable, (well assured of par∣don of sinne, and peace 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God, and thence) gentle or equable* 1.9 to men, and easily perswaded, full of mercy (to an offending bro∣ther) and good fruits, (friendly expressions,) without wrangling* 1.10 or lawing, and without hypocrisie: such as can be heartily recon∣ciled, and love again without dissimulation, not in word, and in* 1.11 tongue, but in deed and in truth. Not covering a pot-sheard with silver drosse, a wicked heart with burning lips. Seven abomi∣nations* 1.12 are in such a heart, and his wickednesse shall be shewed be∣fore the whole Congregation, as Absoloms usage of Amnon. A godly man carries neither cruell hatred, a desire to hurt whom he hates, as Esau; nor simple hatred, where there is no desire to hurt,* 1.13 but a disdain to help: he forgives not only, but forgets, as Joseph, Gen. 50. 20. (For injuries remembred are hardly remitted.) And although he loves not his enemies sinnes, yet he doth their persons: striving to seal up his love, by all loving usage, both in word and deed. And herein he doth more then others; that which is singular, and in the worlds account, seraphicall: that which (in truth) is extraordinary, and above vulgar possibility, it is an high

point of Christian perfection: and let as many as are perfect, be thus minded. Benaiah was honourable among thirty, but he at∣tained not to the first three. A naturall man may be renowned for his patience and benificence; but the childe of God must herein go before all the wicked men in the world, and strive to be conformed to the first three, the blessed Trinity.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 l it. 3 14.
• * 1.2

  Ephes. 5. 15. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  Gellius.
• * 1.4

  Pelago 〈◊〉〈◊〉 non ita commissu∣rus 〈◊〉〈◊〉, quin quando liberet, pedem referre posset.
• * 1.5

  Eccles. 7. 16. Cicero.
• * 1.6

  Ephes. 5. 15.
• * 1.7

  Mat. 5. 29.
• * 1.8

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 3. 1. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.10

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.11

  Rom. 12 9. 1 Joh. 3 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.12

  Prov. 16. 23, 24, 25, 20.
• * 1.13

  Prov. 19. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. & 14. 20.