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 32. For after all these things doe the Gentiles seek.]

With* 1.1 whom if you should symbolize in sins, or not exceed in vertue, it were a shame to you. They studiously seek these things, they seek them with all their might; as being without God in the world, and* 1.2 therefore left by him to shift for themselves. When we ob∣serve a young man toiling and moiling, running and riding, and not missing a market, &c. we easily guesse and gather that he is* 1.3 fatherlesse and friendlesse, and hath none other to take care for him. Surely this immoderate care is better beseeming infidels* 1.4 that know not God, but rest wholly upon themselves, and their own means, then Christians, who acknowledge God most wise and all-sufficient to be their loving father. As we differ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Heathens in profession, so we should in practice: and a grosse bu∣sinesse it is, that Jerusalem should justifie Sodom, and it should be said unto her, Neither hath Samaria committed half af thy sinnes, but thou hast multiplied thine abominations more then they, Ezek. 16. 51. Such as have hope in this life only, what marvell if 〈◊〉〈◊〉 labour their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to make their best of it. Now many of the poor Pagans believed not the immortality of the soul, and those few of them that dreamt of another life beyond this, yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of it very 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and scarce believed themselves. Socrates the wisest of* 1.5 Heathens spake thus to his friends at his death: the time is now come that I must die, and you survive: but whether is the better of these two, the gods only know, and not any man living; that's mine opinion. But we have not so learned Christ; neither must we do as Heathens and alients from the Common-wealth of 〈◊〉〈◊〉: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 now in Christ 〈◊〉〈◊〉, we who sometimes were farre* 1.6 off, are made nigh by his bloud, and have an accesse through him by one spirit, to the 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

For your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 things.]

Not with a bare barren notionall knowledge, but with a fatherly tender care to provide for his own in all their necessi∣ties: which who so doth not, he judgeth him worse then an in∣fidel. We need not be carefull of our maintenance here in our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and none-age, nor yet for our eternall inheritance, when we come to full age. We are cared for in every thing that we need, and that can be good for us. Oh happy we, did we but know our happiness! How might we live in a very heaven upon earth, could we but live by faith, and walk before God with a perfect heart? He made himself known to be our gracious and

〈◊〉〈◊〉 father before we were born. And did we but seriously consider who kept and fed us in our mothers womb, Psal. 22. 9, 10. when neither we could shift for our selves, nor our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 do ought for us, how he filled us two bottles with milk, against we 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 the light, bore us in his arms as a nursing-father, Numb. 11. 13. fed us, clothed us, kept us from fire and water, charged his Angels with us, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all windes to blow good to us, Cant. 4. 16. all creatures to serve us, Hos, 2. 21, 22, 23. and all occurrences to work together for our good, how could* 1.7 〈◊〉〈◊〉 but be confident? Why art thou so sad from day to day? and what is it thou 〈◊〉〈◊〉 or needest? Art not thou the Kings sonne said Jonadab to Amnon, say I to every godly Christian. Profane* 1.8 〈◊〉〈◊〉 could go to his father for a childes portion; so could the Pro∣digall, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a 〈◊〉〈◊〉; and had it. Every childe of God shall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a Benjamins portion here, and at length power over all 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Revel. 2. 26. and possession of that new heaven and new earth; wherein dwelleth righteousnesse, 2 Pet. 3. Either 〈◊〉〈◊〉 disclaim God for your Father, or else rest confident of his fatherly provision.

Certa mihi spes est quod vitam qui dedit, idem* 1.9 Et velit, & possit suppedit are cibum.

God that giveth mouths, will not fail to give meat also.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉.
• * 1.2

  A 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and busie kinde of enquiry is 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. z.
• * 1.5

  〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 meli 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Dij immortales 〈◊〉〈◊〉: hominem quidem arbitror soire ne 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Plato & 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.6

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2. 16, 18
• * 1.7

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 8. 18.
• * 1.8

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 13. 4.
• * 1.9

  〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉.