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.

Have we not prophecied in thy Name]

A man may preach pro∣fitably to others and yet himself be a cast-away, 1 Cor. 9. vlt. 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 confirmed Saunders, and afterward turned tippet himself. Harding a little afore King Edward 6. died, was heard openly in his Sermons in London to exhort the people with great vehe∣mency after this sort; that if trouble came, they should never shrink from the true Doctrine of the Gospel which they had re∣ceived, but take it rather for a triall sent of God, to prove them whether they would abide by it or no. All which to be true, saith M^r Fox, they can 〈◊〉〈◊〉 that heard him, and be yet alive: who al∣so fore-seeing the plague to come, were then much confirmed by his words. In Q. Maries daies he turned Apostate and so conti∣nued, notwithstanding an excellent letter of the Lady Jane Dud∣ley written to him, while he was prisoner: wherein she stirrs him up to remember the horrible history of Julian of old, and the la∣mentable case of Spira a late, and so to returne to Christ; who now stretcheth out (saith she) his armes to receive you, ready to fall upon your neck and kisse you, and last of all to feast you with the dainties and delicacies of his own precious blood: which un∣doubtedly, if it might stand with his determinate purpose, he* 1.2 would not let to shed again rather then you should be lost. And so she goes on most sweetly: sed surdo fabulam, she lost her sweet* 1.3 words: as likewise did William wolsey the Martyr upon 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.4 the Smith of Wells in Cambridge-shire, and some others, upon

M^r West Chaplain to Bishop Ridley: who refusing to die in Christs cause with his Master, said Masse against his conscience. B. Lati∣mer, in a Sermon afore K. Edward, tells of one who fell away from the known truth, and became a scorner of it, yet was after∣ward touched in conscience for the same. Beware of this sinne, saith he, for I have known no more but this that 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Joan∣nes Speiserus, Doctor of Divinity and preacher at Ausborough in Germany, Anno 1523. began to teach the truth of the Gospel, and did it so effectually that diverse common harlots were conver∣ted, and betook themselves to a better course of life. But he af∣terward* 1.5 revolted again to the Papists, and came to a miserable end.* 1.6 The like is reported of Brisonettus Bishop of Melda, a town of France ten miles from Paris. And who doubts but Iudas the traytour was a great preacher, a caster out of devils, and doer of many great works in Christ Name, as well as other of the disci∣ples? Nicodemus was nothing to him. He, (saith one) was a night-professour only, but Iudas in the sight of all. He was a slow* 1.7 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Iudas a forward preacher. Yet at last when Iudas be∣trayed Christ in the night, Nicodemus faithfully profest him in the day. Therefore will Christ confesse him before God, Angels and men, when Iudas shall hear, avaunt, thou worker of iniquity, I know thee not. Neronis (Quantus artifex pereo?) quadra∣bit in te peritum et periturum. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in labris Suada, sed et fibris Gratia; quae sola verè flexanima Suada, et medulla Suadae pene∣trantissima.* 1.8 Summoperè cavendum divino praeconi, ne dicta, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, erubescant. Let not the preacher give 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the lie, by a life unsutable to his Sermons.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Act and 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  Act. and Mon. fol 1292.
• * 1.3

  Ibid 1557.
• * 1.4

  Ibid 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.5

  Scultet Anual. pag. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.6

  Ibid.
• * 1.7

  Dike of 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.8

  D. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ep ad 〈◊〉〈◊〉.