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.

They shall be satisfied.]

Because true desires are the breathings* 1.1 of a broken heart, which God will not despise. He poureth not* 1.2 the oil of his grace, but into broken vessels. For indeed, whole vessels are full vessels, and so this precious liquour would run over,* 1.3 and be spilt on the ground. There may be some faint desires (as of wishers and woulders) even in hell-mouth; as Balaam desi∣red to die the death of the righteous, but liked not to live their life:* 1.4 Pilate desired to know what is truth, but staid not to know it:* 1.5 That faint Chapman in the Gospel, that cheapen'd heaven of our Saviour, but was loth to goe to the price of it. These were but

fits and flashes, and they came to nothing. Carnall men care not* 1.6 to seek, whom yet they desire to finde, saith Bernard: Fain they would have Christ, but care not to make after him: as Herod had of a long time desired to see our Saviour, but never stirred out of doors, to come where he was, Luk. 22. But now, The desire of the righteous that shall be satisfied, as Solomon hath it, that shall be well filled, as beasts are after a good bait (as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Saviours word* 1.7 here signifieth.) Desires, as they must be ardent and violent, such* 1.8 as will take no nay, or be set down with silence or sad answers (whence it is that desire and zeal goe together, 2 Cor. 7. 11.) So if they be right, they are ever seconded with endeavour after the thing desired. Hence the Apostle contents not himself to say, that if there be first a willing minde, God accepts, &c. 2 Cor. 8. 12. but presently adds, Now perform the doing of it: that as there was a readinesse to will, so there may be a performance also, that is, a sincere endeavour to perform: as a thirsty man will not long for drink only, but labour after it; or a covetous man wish for wealth, but strives to compasse it. And thus to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is to attain, thus to will is to work, thus to desire is to doe the will of our hea∣venly father: who accepts of pence for pounds, of mites for mil∣lions, and accounts us as as good as we wish to be. He hath also promised, To fill the hungry with good things, to rain down righte∣ousnesse on the dry and parched ground, to fulfill the desires of them that fear him. So that it is but our asking, and his giving: our opening the mouth, and he will fill it: our hungring and his feeding, our thirsting and his watering, our open hand and his open heart. The oil failed not, till the vessels failed: neither are we staitned in God, till in our own bowels. Dear wife (saith* 1.9 Lawrence Saunders the Martyr) riches I have none to leave be∣hinde, wherewith to endow you after the worldly manner; but that treasure of tasting how sweet Christ is to hungry consciences (whereof, I thank my Christ, I doe feel part, and would feel more) that I bequeath unto you, and to the rest of my beloved in Christ; to retain the same in sense of heart alwaies. Pray, pray: I am merry, and I trust I shall be, maugre the teeth of all the de∣vils in hell. I utterly refuse my self, and resign me to my Christ,* 1.10 in whom I know I shall be strong, as he seeth needfull.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Psal. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 17.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.3

  The desire of the slothfull killeth him, &c.
• * 1.4

  Prov. 21. 25.
• * 1.5

  Mat. 19. 22,
• * 1.6

  Carnales non curant quaerere, quem tamen 〈◊〉〈◊〉 inveni∣re: cupientes consequi, sed non & sequi.
• * 1.7

  Bern.
• * 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 di∣citur de 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Nam 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 est 〈◊〉〈◊〉, out pabulum.
• * 1.9

  2 Cor. 6. 12.
• * 1.10

  Act. and Mon. fol 1361.