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.

And when thou hast shut thy door]

So to shut out distractions, which yet will grow upon us, doe what we can. For though the spirit is willing to wait upon God, all the while of the duty, yet the flesh is weak. It being but partly mortified, draws away 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 thoughts many times; and putteth us to S^t Pauls complaint, When I would doe good evil is present with me. Satan also will be jogging and interrupting us; and will needs be talking to us when we are most busily speaking to God, as the Pythonisse troubled S^t Paul, as he went to praier, Act. 16 16. Worldly things like∣wise are so naturall to us, and so near our senses, heavenly things are so supernall and supernaturall, that we cannot without watch∣ing our senses, and travell of soul, stay our spirits long upon them.* 1.2 For help herein: S. Augustine 〈◊〉〈◊〉 us, that the ancient Christ∣ans of AEgypt were wont to use only short and pithy praiers and ejaculations: such as was that of Elias, when he contended with the Priests of Baal, charging God (in two words) with the care of his 〈◊〉〈◊〉, of his truth, and of his glory. Many other helps there are for the curing and casting out (in a comfortable 〈◊〉〈◊〉) these by-thoughts; these birds that would rob Abraham of his sa∣crifice; these swarms of AEgypt, that our hearts 〈◊〉〈◊〉 be as so ma∣ny Goshens; these creeping things 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as David hath it. This among the rest, that our Saviour here presenbeth, to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into a secret place, as Abraham did into his 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at Beersheba* 1.3 planted for the purpose (though that was afterwards abused by the Heathens, and therefore forbidden the Israelites, Deut. 12. 3) 〈◊〉〈◊〉 had his Oratory in the fields, where he praied with deep me∣ditation or soliloquie, as the word there signifieth, Rebeceah upon the strugling of the babes, went to enquire of the Lord, Gen. 25. 22. that is, she went to some secret place to pray, and receive

some revelation from God, say Calvin, Musculus, Mercer, others. Jacob had visions of God, when he was all alone upon the way: Elias praid under the Juniper, our Saviour in the garden of Geth∣semane,* 1.4 and many times in the mount: Cornelius in some cor∣ner of his house, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 on the leades, where also he fell into an extasie or trance, and saw heaven open. His soul was separated (after a sort) from his body for the time, whilest he was talking with God, he was so transported and carried out of himself, ut 〈◊〉〈◊〉 esset paenè nescia carnis, as S. Jerome testifieth of certain devout women of his time. For the place we pray in, no matter how mean it be, so it be secret. Where there is a Jeremy, a Daniel,* 1.5 〈◊〉〈◊〉, a dungeon, a Lions den, a whales-belly are goodly oratours. Shut the door to thee, remembring the weaknesse of thy flesh and the malice of the devil, watching how. to distract thee. Co∣venant with thy senses, and binde them to the good abearance all the while: look God full in the face, as David did, Psal. 57. 7. call in, and concenter thy thoughts, as men doe the Sun-beams into a burning glasse: serve God with thy spirit, as Paul did, Rom. 1. 9. say, All that's within me praise his holy name. Have thy heart at thy right hand, with Solomons wise-man, lay Gods charge upon it to attend upon him: when it roves and wanders, call it in, and* 1.6 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it; judge and shame thy self for thy distractions, and strive to doe better, so shall they never be imputed unto thee. To be* 1.7 wholly freed from them, is a priviledge proper to the estate of per∣fection.* 1.8 Some diseases will not be cured near home, but men must repair to the Bath, or City for help. This infirmity is not to be heal∣eo, till we come to heaven. No shutting of the door will doe it, nor any thing else, till the everlasting doors be opened unto us, till we* 1.9 enter in by the gates into the City of the living God.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Rom. 7. 21.
• * 1.2

  Fratres 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 & 〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉 uti vo 〈◊〉〈◊〉, ne per 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, & 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 intentio
• * 1.3

  Gen. 21. 33.
• * 1.4

  Acts 9, 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Act. 10 10. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 a 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, cum Deo colloqui∣tur. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.5

  If ye will not hear me 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me to my prison a∣gain among my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and froggs, which will not 〈◊〉〈◊〉 me while I talk 〈◊〉〈◊〉 my 〈◊〉〈◊〉 God. Pe∣ter 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.6

  Act. and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. fol. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.7

  Psal. 13. 2.
• * 1.8

  Eccles. 7.
• * 1.9

  Rev. 21.