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 13. And lead us not into temptation.]

Here we beg san∣ctification, as in the former petition, 〈◊〉〈◊〉: and are taught after 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of sins, to look for temptations, and to pray 〈◊〉〈◊〉 them. Temptations are either of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (and so God tempts men) or of perdition, and so the devil. Both 〈◊〉〈◊〉 great temptations began with one strain, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Get thee 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Gen. 12. 1. Gen. 22. 2. Here God led Abraham into temptation, but he delivered him from evil: yea, he tempted him and proved him, to doe him good in his later end. His usuall way is, to bring 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 to heaven by hell-gates, to draw light cut of darknesse, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 of evil: As the skilfull Apothecary maketh of a poisonfull viper, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 triacle; as the cunning Artificer with a crooked un∣sightly tool, frameth a straight and beautifull piece of work: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the AEgyptian birds are said to pick wholsome food out of the Ser∣pents eggs: or as the Athenian Magistrates by giving to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hemlock (a poisonous herb) preserved the Common∣wealth. The devil tempts either by way of seducement, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 1. 15. or grievance, 2 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 127. In the former he excites our 〈◊〉〈◊〉, rubs the fire-brand, and makes it send forth 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sparkles, carries us away by some pleasing object, as the fish by the bait. Yet hath he only a perswading sleight, not an enforcing might: our own 〈◊〉〈◊〉 carrieth the greatest stroke. In the later (those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of buffeting or grievance, horrid and hideous thoughts of Atheisme, Idolatry, blasphemy, 〈◊〉〈◊〉,

&c.) himself, for most part, is the sole doer, to trouble us in our Christian course, and make us run heavily toward heaven. The Russians are so malicious one toward another, that you shall have a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hide some of his own goods in his house whom he hateth,* 1.2 and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 accuse him for the stealth of them. Such is the devils dealing oft times with Gods dearest children: He darts into their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 injections, and then would perswade them, that they are accessary to the act. Here our victory is, not to give place to the devil, but to resist stedfast in the faith. Which that we may, pray we alwaies with all prayer and supplication, Ephes 6. 18. pray as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Saviour did, Father keep them from the evil, or from wickednesse, Joh. 17. 15. Pray as our Saviour bids, Lead us not, &c. that is, either keep us from occasions of sinne, or carry us over them. Either preserve us from 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into sinne, or help us to rise out of sinne by 〈◊〉〈◊〉: grant us to be either innocent or pe∣nitent. Deliver us from those devoratory evils (as Tertullian calleth them,) such sinnes as might frustrate perseverance, 2 Thes. 3. 3. And from that evil or wicked one, that he touch us not, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 5. 18. that is, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 (as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 expounds it) with a deadly touch, so as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 altar us from our gracious disposi∣tion. Howbeit, sin and temptation come both under one name in this 〈◊〉〈◊〉, to warn us and teach us, that we can no further shun sinne, then we doe temptation thereunto.

For 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is the Kingdom]

That is, all soveraignty is original∣ly and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 invested in thee. Other Kings are but thy servants and 〈◊〉〈◊〉, by thee they raign, Prov. 8. 15. and of thee they 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their power, Rom. 13. 1. Where then will they appear, that say to the the King Apostata, Job. 34. 18. that send messages* 1.3 after him, saying, We will not have this man to raign over us: that* 1.4 bespeak 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as that Hebrew did Moses, Who made thee a Prince and a Judge amongst us? should they not rather send a Lamb to* 1.5 this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the earth? and bring a present to Fear? should they* 1.6 not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to his scepter, and confesse his soveraignty?

And the power.]

Some have Kingdoms, that yet want power to help their subjects: as that King of Israel that answered her,* 1.7 that had 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her childe, in that sharp famine of Samaria; where an Asses head was worth four pounds: If the Lord doe not help, whence shall I help? But the King of heaven is never at such a Non-plus, He can doe 〈◊〉〈◊〉 he will; and he will doe what∣soever is meet to be done, for the good of his servants and sup∣pliants.

Peter wanted power to deliver Christ, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 wanted* 1.8 will, but God wants neither: what a comfort's that? Let us rest* 1.9 on his mighty arm, and cast the labouring Church into his everla∣sting arms. He is able to doe more then we can ask or think, and will not fail to keep that which we have committed unto him a∣gainst that 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 2 Tim. 1. 14.

And the glory]

To wit of granting our requests. Praises will follow upon prayers obtained, Psal. 50. 15. what a man winnes by prayer, he will wear with thankfullnesse. Now who so offereth* 1.10 〈◊〉〈◊〉, he glorifieth me, saith God: And the Gentiles did not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God, neither were thankefull, Rom. 1. 21, 28. But the 24 El∣ders ascribe unto him glory and honour. And this is a most pow∣erfull* 1.11 argument in prayer, as are also the two former. And it pleaseth God well, to hear his children reason it out with him 〈◊〉〈◊〉,* 1.12 as Iacob did, and the woman of Canaan. Because by shewing* 1.13 such reasons of their requests, as our Saviour here directs us, they shew proof of their knowledge, faith, confidence, &c. And befides they doe much confirm their own faith, and stir up good affections in prayer.

Amen.]

This Hebrew word, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 remaineth untranslated in* 1.14 most languages, is either prefixed or proposed to a sentence, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it is a note of certain and earnest asseveration; or else it is affixed, and opposed, and so it is a note either of assent or assurance. Of assent; and that either of the understanding to the truth of that that is uttered, as in the end of the Creed and four Gospels; or of the will and affections, for the obtaining of our petitions, 1 Cor. 14. 16. how shall he say Amen at thy giving of thanks? Of assu∣rance next, as in this place, and many others. It is the voice of one that beleeveth and expecteth that he shall have his prayers granted. It is as much as so be 〈◊〉〈◊〉, yea, so it shall be.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 8.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Geog. pag 243.
• * 1.3

  Luk. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 14.
• * 1.4

  Exod. 2. 14.
• * 1.5

  Isa. 16. 1.
• * 1.6

  Psal. 76. 11.
• * 1.7

  2 King. 6. 17.
• * 1.8

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.9

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.10

  〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉.
• * 1.11

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 4. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.12

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 9, 10, 11, 12
• * 1.13

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 15. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.14

  〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉.