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 sow not, neither do they reap, &c.]

They take no care, nor 〈◊〉〈◊〉 any to care for them, as Geese, Hens, and other tame pullen; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 yet they are provided for, we see. And oh that we would see, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 our Saviour here enjoyns us, and behold not only the fowls of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ayr, but the clouds above them, and other heavenly bodies! 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one asked 〈◊〉〈◊〉, where he could be safe and at quiet? 〈◊〉〈◊〉 coelo, said he. And to Pontanus the Chancellour of Saxony,* 1.1 〈◊〉〈◊〉 propunds to be viewed and weighed by him, that most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 arch-work of heaven, resting upon no posts nor pillars, and yet* 1.2 〈◊〉〈◊〉 fast for ever and ever, meerly upheld by the mighty hand* 1.3 of God. The clouds also, as thin as the liqour contained in them; 〈◊〉〈◊〉, saith he, how they hang and move, though weighty with their burden; they salute us only, or rather threaten us, and vanish we know not whether. These things would be thought on, that God may be the better rested on. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not ye of doubtfull minde,* 1.4. saith our Saviour, live not in carefull suspense, hang not as meteors in the ayr, betwixt heaven and earth, uncertain whether to keep* 1.5 your standing, or sall to the ground, to trust God, or otherwise as* 1.6 you can, to make sure for your selves. Meteors are matters that few men can tell what to make of. Aristotle himself 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that he knew little of many of them. And as little can the distrust∣full person 〈◊〉〈◊〉, what to make of those infinite projects, and discour∣ses in the ayr, that he 〈◊〉〈◊〉 frames for the compassing of his desires. When, he needs but either to look up to the birds, or down to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and learn, that if God feed and cloath them without 〈◊〉〈◊〉 their care and pains, surely he will much more provide for his people that rely upon him, and with their reasonable pains and moderate care do 〈◊〉〈◊〉 his providence. Shall the great house∣keeper of the world, water his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, prune his plants, fodder his cattle, and not feed and cloath his children? Never think it. God

provided for the necessity and comfort of the unrèasonable 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ere he made them: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 for the beasts, and light for all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and moving creatures, and all for 〈◊〉〈◊〉, for the man in 〈◊〉〈◊〉 especially. Compare P 〈◊〉〈◊〉 8. 45. with Heb. 2. 6, 7, &c. and it 〈◊〉〈◊〉 appear, that whatsoever is spoken there of man is applied to Christ; and so is proper to the Saints, by 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of their union with Christ. In which respect, saith one, they are more 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.7 then heaven, Angels, or any creature: and shall these want food and raiment?

Notes

• * 1.1

  Scultet. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  In Epist.
• * 1.3

  Non deciden∣tes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 velut 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 nobis 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉. Luth.
• * 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.5

  Luk 12 29. explained.
• * 1.6

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 volunt, quod 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉, & quasi 〈◊〉〈◊〉 te∣neant. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 de 〈◊〉〈◊〉 eorum 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 vero alt∣quo modo 〈◊〉〈◊〉 gisse Magir. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.7

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.