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 15. But if ye will not, &c.]

This is a matter much to be observed, therefore so often inculcated. Iudgement without mer∣cy,* 1.1 shall be to them that shew no mercy. There's but a hairs bredth betwixt him and hell, that hath not his sins pardoned in heaven. Such is the case of every one that doth not from his heart forgive his offending brother, Mat. 18. 35. or that saith, I will forgive the fault, but not forget the matter, or affect the person. Men must for∣bear one another, and forgive one another, as Christ forgave them; and that if any man have a quarrel against any, Col. 3. 13. for* 1.2 else what thanks is it? The glory of a man is to passe by 〈◊〉〈◊〉.* 1.3 It is more comfortable to love a friend, but more honou∣rable to love an enemy. If thou reserve in thy minde any peece of the wrong, thou provokest and daily prayest God to reserve for thee a peece of his wrath; which burneth as low as the nether∣most* 1.4 hell. Neither will it help any, to do as Latimer reporteth of some in his daies, who being not Willing to forgive their enemies,

would not say their Pater-noster at all: but insteed thereof, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 our Ladies. Psalter in hand; because they were perswaded, that* 1.5 by that, they might obtain forgivenesse of their fins of favour, with∣out putting in of so hard a condition as the forgivenes of their ene∣mies into the bargain.

Neither will your Father forgive your tresp 〈◊〉〈◊〉]

And if 〈◊〉〈◊〉 doe not, who can give pardon or peace, saith he in Iob? The Rhe∣mists talke much of one that could remove mountains, God only can remove those mountains of guilt that lye upon the soul. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 may forgive the trespasse, God only the transgression. Against 〈◊〉〈◊〉, thee only have I sinned, saith David: And, to the Lord 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.6 God belongeth mercies and forgivenesses, saith Daniel. Ministers* 1.7 remit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ministerially as Nathan did; God only 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and by his own power. If the Son set us free, we are free indeed, Who shall lay any thing to the charge of Gods pardoned ones? It is God that justifieth. Or as S. Austin readeth the words inter∣rogatively, shall God that justifieth? No verily: that were to dot and undoe: he keepeth no back-reckonings. Fear not therefore, though the Devil or his imps, or our own misgiving 〈◊〉〈◊〉 con∣demn us: as the prisoner careth not though tha goaler or his fel∣low-prisoners condemn him, so long as the Judge acquitteth him.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Jam. 2. 13.
• * 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.3

  Prov. 19. 11.
• * 1.4

  Deut. 32. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. Serm
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 51. 4.
• * 1.7

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 9. 9.