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 in thy name have done many wonderfull works]

By a faith of miracles, whereby a man may remove mountains, and yet miscarry, 1 Cor. 13. 2. And here such as work wonders may de∣ceive themselves in the main point of their own salvation: how much more may they deceive others in this or that particular point of doctrine? The coming of Antichrist is after the working of Satan with all power, and signes, and lying wonders, and with* 1.1 all deceavablenesse of unrighteousnesse in them that perish. Lying wonders they are called in regard not onely of the end, which is to deceave, but of the substance. For the devil cannot do a true mira∣cle, which is ever beside and against nature and second causes; 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as whereof there can be no naturall reason possibly rendred, no though it be hid from us. The devil I say, cannot do a 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

He may juggle and cast a mist. S^t Hierom writes that a certain damosell was brought to Macarius by her father, who complain∣ed that his daughter was, by witch-craft turned into a mare, Ma∣carius answered that he could see no such thing in her, nothing but humane shape; and that their eies, that thought and said so, were blinded by Satan, wherefore turning himself to prayer, he obtain∣ed, that the mist might be removed from the parents eies, and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 they saw their mistake. The like is reported of M^r Tindall the Martyr, that being at Antwerp among a company of merchants, he hindred, by his presence and prayers, a certain jugler, that he could not play his feats: so that he was compelled openly to con∣fesse,* 1.2 that there was some man there at supper, that disturbed and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 all his doings. So that a man even in the Martyrs of these daies (saith M^r Fox) cannot lack the miracles of true faith, if they were to be desired. Oye Papists (said Bainham, in the midst* 1.3 of the flame) 〈◊〉〈◊〉, you look for miracles: here now you may see a miracle: for in this fire I feel no more pain then if I were in a bed of 〈◊〉〈◊〉, it is to me as a bed of roses. But the devil is asha∣med, (saith Gretser the Jesuite) to confirm Luthers doctrine with miracles. We could tell him and his fellows, of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 recovered out of a desperate disease by Luthers prayers, which Myconius acknowledged for a miracle to his dying day. And of another young man of Wittenberg that had sold himself to the de∣vil,* 1.4 body and soul, for mony, and sealed the obligation with his own blood: But was delivered by Luthers prayers, out of the* 1.5 danger of the 〈◊〉〈◊〉, who was compelled (saith M^r Fox) at last to throw in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 at the window, and bad the young man take it unto him again. But he that now requireth miracles for the confirmation of his faith, is himself a great miracle, saith Au∣stin. 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 when they came into Canaan; as if it would* 1.6 〈◊〉〈◊〉, ye need no miracles now you have means. The wonderfull 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Luther, that man of God, amidst so many 〈◊〉〈◊〉 enemies, the publishing and carrying of his doctrine, in the space of a moneth, throughout all Germany and some forraine 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as it were upon Angels wings, the establishing of the Re∣formation to be done by so weak and simple means, yea by casuall and crosse means, against the force of so puissant and publike an 〈◊〉〈◊〉, this is that miracle which we are in these times to look for.

Notes

• * 1.1

  2 Thes. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉., 85.
• * 1.3

  〈1 line〉〈1 line〉
• * 1.4

  Act and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 sol 788.
• * 1.5

  〈1 line〉〈1 line〉
• * 1.6

  〈1 line〉〈1 line〉.