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 16. Moreover, when ye fast.]

Fast then they must, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 even after the Lords ascension, when Gods grace and Spirit was poured upon them in all abundance, Luk. 5 35. This exercise hath still the warrant and weight of a duty, as well from precepts as ex∣amples of both Testaments, And he that blamed the Pharisees* 1.1 here for fasting amisse, will much more blame those that fast not* 1.2 * 1.3 at all, The Israelites (besides other occasionall) had their an∣nuall* 1.4 fast appointed them by God, Lev. 23. 27. It was called a day* 1.5 of Expiations or Attonements in the plurall; because of their ma∣ny and sundry sinnes they were then to bewail and get pardon for. God had appointed them sundry sacrifices for severall sinnes: But for 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as it might not be safe to confesse some sinnes to the Priest (as those that might bring them, by the Law, in danger of death) of his grace he vouchsafed them this yearly fast, for ex∣piation of their secret sinnes, and making their peace with their Maker, by a generall humiliation. Now, albeit the circumstance of time be abolished, the equity of the duty abideth, and tieth us no 〈◊〉〈◊〉 (if not more) then it did the Jews. Heathen 〈◊〉〈◊〉

practised it: so did, in their superstitious way, the AEgyptian Priests, the Persian Magi, Indian Wizzards, Priamus in Homer, &c. The Turks at this day have their solemn fasts, (as before the fatall assault of Constantinople) wherein they will not so much as taste a cup of water, or wash their mouthes with water all the day long, before the starres appear in the skie: which maketh their fasts (especially in the summer, when the daies be long and hot,) to be unto them very tedious. In the year of grace 1030.* 1.6 there arose a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Fasters, that affirmed, that to fast on Satur∣daies with bread and water (as they called it) would suffice to* 1.7 the remission of all sinnes; so that men bound themselves to it by oath. And many French Bishops voted with them: But Gerar∣dus Episcopus Cameracensis withstood and abandoned them. So great ignorance was there, even then, of the merits of Christ among the governours of the Church. The Papists slander us, that we count fasting no duty, but only a morall temperance, a fasting from sinne, a matter of meer policie: And out-brave us, as much as the Pharisees did the Disciples with their often fasting. But, as we cannot but finde fault with their fasts in that; First, They set and appoint certain fasting-daies howsoever, to be observed, upon pain of damnation, be the times clear or cloudy, &c. Secondly, They fast from certain meats only, not all; which is a meer mock-fast, and a doctrine of devils, 1 Tim. 4. 3. Thirdly, They make it a ser∣vice* 1.8 of God, yet consecrate it to the Saints. Fourthly, They make shamefull sale of it. Fifthly, They ascribe (as those older Hereticks) merit unto it, even to the meer outward abstinence, as these Pha∣risees did, and those hypocrites in Isaiah, chap. 58. 3. Now as we cannot but condemn their superstition, so neither is our forlorn oscitancy and dullnesse to this duty to be excused. God hath gi∣ven us, alate especially (many gracious opportunities of publike Humiliations, more, I think, then ever before, since the Reforma∣tion: But 〈◊〉〈◊〉, how doe many fast, at such times, for fashion, fear of Law, or of meer form; so that they had need to send, as the Pro∣phet speaketh, for mourning women, that by their cunning they may be taught to mourn, Ier. 19. 17? And for private fasting, whether domesticall with a mans family, Zech. 12. 12. 1 Cor. 7. 5. Acts 10. 30. or personall by himself, as here, Matth. 6. 17. We may 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to have dealt with it, as the Romanes with the Tar∣quines: they banished all of that name for Superbus his sake. And as the Nicopolites are said to have hated the braying of an

〈◊〉〈◊〉, that, for that cause, they would not endure the sound of 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉: So many are departed so farre from Popish fasts, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 fast not at all; and so open the mouthes of the adversaries. But acquaint thy self with this duty, thou that wouldest be 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with God. It is a fore-tast of eternall life, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in holy practises we tast the sweetnesse of that heavenly Manna, this An∣gels food, those soul-fatting viands, that makes us, for a time, to forbear our appointed food. It is a help to the understanding of heavenly mysteries, as Daniel found it, It fits us for conversion,* 1.9 Ioel 2. 12. and furthers it, Acts 9. 9. Hence it is called a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Humiliation, or of humbling the soul, Lev. 16. because God usu∣ally by that Ordinance gives an humble heart, to the which he hath promised both grace, 1 Pet. 5. 5, and glory, Prov. 15. 33. It 〈◊〉〈◊〉 out corruption, and is to the soul as washing to a room, which is more then sweeping; or as scouring to the vessel, which is more then ordinary washing. It subdues rebell-flesh, which with full∣nesse* 1.10 * 1.11 of bread will wax wanton, as Sodom, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.* 1.12 It testifies true repentance, by this holy revenge, 2 Cor. 7. 11.* 1.13 whiles we thus amerce and punish our selves, by a voluntary for∣going* 1.14 of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and commodities of life, as altogether un∣worthy, Psal. 35. 13. What shall I say more? Hereby we are dai∣ly drawn to more obedience, and love to God, faith in him, and communion with him; a more holy frame of soul, and habit of heavenly-mindednesse: Whence our Saviour, after this direction for fasting, immediatly subjoins that of laying up for our selves, treasure in heaven, ver. 19, 20. And lastly our prayers shall be hereby edged, winged, and made to soar aloft, which before flag∣ged, sainted, and as it were groveled on the ground. Therefore* 1.15 our Saviour, here, next after matter of prayer, adds this of fasting, which is a necessary adjunct of prayer (that which is extraordi∣nary especially) as that which very much fits the heart for prayer,* 1.16 and the severe practise of repentance. Hence it is, that else where, these two fasting and prayer go coupled, for most part, as Luk. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 37. Matth. 17. 21. 1 Cor. 7. 5, &c. A full belly, neither studies, nor prayes willingly. Fasting enflames prayer, and prayer 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fasting; especially, when we fast and weep, Joel 2. 13. fast and watch, watch and pray, and take heed to both, Mark. 13. 33.

Be not as the hypocrites]

For they fast not to God, Zech. 7. 5, 11, 12. but to themselves, they pine the body, but pamper the flesh,* 1.17they hang down their heads, Isa. 58. 5. but their hearts stand bolt

〈◊〉〈◊〉 within them. Their fasting is either superstitious or secure; whiles they rest in the work done, or with opinion of merit; whereas the Kingdom of heaven is not in meat and drink. And whether we eat or eat not, we are neither the more nor the lesse* 1.18 accepted of God, They fast for strife and debate, and to make* 1.19 their voices to be heard on high: Whereas secrecy in this duty, is* 1.20 the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 argument of sincerity. They loose not the bands of wic∣kednesse, nor break off their sinnes by repentance: therefore God regards not (which they repine at) but rejects their considence, and answers them according to the idols of their hearts. When they fast, saith he, I will not hear their cry, Jer. 14. 1, 2. they are not* 1.21 a button the better for all they can doe. Displeasing service proves a double dishonour; their outsidenesse is an utter abomination: they present the Great King with an empty cask, with a heartlesse sacrifice, with a bare carcasse of Religion, as the Poets feign of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Of a sad countenance]

Make not a sowre face, look not grim* 1.22 and gastly, as the word signifieth; so that one would be afraid to look on them, they doe so disfigure their faces, so wanze and wi∣ther their countenences, so deform, and (as S. Ierom rendreth it) demolish their naturall complexions; pining themselves, to make their faces pale and meager, that they may be noted and noticed for great fasters. Such a one was that Non-such Ahab, and those 〈◊〉〈◊〉 bullrushes, Isa. 58. 5. those hollow hypocrites, Ier. 14. 12. that proud Patriarch of Constantinople, that first affected the stile of Universall Bishop; and is therefore pointed at by Gre∣gory the great, as the forerunner of Antichrist: yet by his fre∣quent fasting, this proud man merited to be sirnamed Iohannes Nestentes, Iohn the Faster. Such pains men will put themselves to for a Name, so far they will trouble themselves to go to hell with credit. The Jesuits had set forth a Psalter, a little afore the* 1.23 powder plot should have been acted, for the good successe of a wicked counter-Parliament. And to increase the iniquity, with wicked Iezabel, they would colour it with a fast: yea with blasphe∣mous Rabshakeh, they would by their hypocriticall practises, bear* 1.24 the world in hand, that they came not up against us without the Lord.

That they may appear unto men to fast.]

There is a great deal of seemingnesse, and much counterfeit grace abroad. The sorce∣rers seemed to doe as much as Moses, the Pharisees to doe more,

this way, then the Disciples. But bodily exercise profiteth little. Somewhat it may get at Gods hands, as Ahab, for a temporary re∣pentance, had a temporall deliverance; such is Gods munificence, he is rich in mercy, to all that doe him any duty. But if the leaves of this 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be so medicinable, what is the fruit? If the shadow thereof be so 〈◊〉〈◊〉, what the substance? If the shell so profi∣table,* 1.25 what the kernell? Oh let us rather seek to be good, then 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to be so: lest the Lord say of our outward shews, as Iacob said of Iosephs coat, Gen. 37. 33. the coat is the coat of my sonne, some evil beast hath devoured him. So, the outward form of their fasting, praying, practising, is the form of my sonnes and daughters, but some evil spirit hath devoured them, that use it in hypocrisie. Lest men also say unto such, as John Caepocius did to Pope Innocent the third, preaching peace, and sowing discord; You speak like a God, but doe like a devil. You are fair professours,* 1.26 but foul sinners. And when the filthy sinner goes damned to hell, what shall become of the seeming Saint? As the clown said to the Bishop of Cullen praying in the Church like a Bishop, but as he was Duke, going guarded like a tyrant, Whither thinkest thou the* 1.27 Bishop shall go, when the Duke shall be damned?

They have their reward]

All they lookt after, and all they are to look for. The Eagle though she fly high, yet hath an eye to the prey below all the while. So hath the hypocrite to profit, credit, or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 other base respects, and let him take it, saith our Saviour. Non equidem invideo, miror magis.— Breath they have for breath; much good doe them with it.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 22. 12.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 9. 14, 15.
• * 1.4

  Acts 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 3.
• * 1.5

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 7 5.
• * 1.6

  Turk. Hist. fol. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 777.
• * 1.7

  Ex illa Syno. dica conclusio∣ne, seriâ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 jejunare consti∣tuerat, secta il∣la le junantium, originem suam habuisse videa∣tur. Funcc. Chronol.
• * 1.8

  Cave, ne si 〈◊〉〈◊〉 coeperis, te 〈◊〉〈◊〉 esse sanctum! 〈◊◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊◊〉, non 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, &c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, ad 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.9

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 9 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.10

  1 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 9. 27.
• * 1.11

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 16.
• * 1.12

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 32. 15.
• * 1.13

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.14

  〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉.
• * 1.15

  〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉.
• * 1.16

  Bern. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 4.
• * 1.17

  Quid 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 absti. 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 super. bia? 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.18

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 14. 17.
• * 1.19

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.20

  〈◊〉〈◊〉, 58. 4.
• * 1.21

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 san. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as duplex iniquit as,
• * 1.22

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 oculis, & subductus supercilijs 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Chemnit. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, Christus-alla∣dit ad 〈◊〉〈◊〉, quibus Mimi velati in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 prodibant, ut cum alias es∣sent 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sel∣livè, ridiculi, repraesenta 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vultum 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Chemnit.
• * 1.23

  Arch. Vsher, Gravis. quest.
• * 1.24

  Spec. bel sac.
• * 1.25

  〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉.
• * 1.26

  〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉.
• * 1.27

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.