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 14. He saw his wives mother laid, &c.]

A wife then Pe∣ter had, and if a good wife, she might be a singular help to him in his Ministry; As Nazianzens mother was to her husband, not* 1.1 a companion onely, but in some respects, a guide to godlinesse. S. Ambrose saith, that all the Apostles were married men, save John and Paul. And those Pope-holy hypocrites, that will not hear of Priests marriage, but hold it far better for them to have,* 1.2 and keep at home, many harlots then one wife, (as that carnall Cardinall 〈◊〉〈◊〉 defended) they might hear the contrary out* 1.3 of their own Cannon-law, where it is written, Distin. 29. Si quis discernit Presbyterum conjugatum, tanquam occasione 〈◊〉〈◊〉 offerre non debeat, anathema esto. And again Distinct. 31. Siquis vituperat 〈◊〉〈◊〉, & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cum viro suo fidelem & re∣ligiosam* 1.4 detestatur, aut culpabilem aestimat, velut quae regnum Dei* 1.5 introire non possit, anathemaesto. They might 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to Paphnu∣tius, a famous Primitive Confessour: who, though himself an* 1.6 unmarried man, mightily perswaded and prevailed with the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, that they should not decree any thing against Priests marriage: alledging, that marriage was honourable in all, and that the bed undefiled was true chastity, They might 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.7 Ignatius, scholar to S. Iohn the Evangelist, pronouncing all such as call marriage a defilement, to be inhabited by that old Dragon the devil. But there is a politike reason that makes these men deaf, to whatsoever can be said to them by whomsoever; and you shall have it in the words of him that wrote the history* 1.8 of the Councell of Trent, (a Councell carried by the Pope, with such infinite 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and craft, that the Jesuites those 〈◊〉〈◊〉,* 1.9 Commeritricitegae will even smile in the triumps of their own wits, when they hear it but mentioned, as a master-strata∣gem.) The Legates in Trent-Councell (saith 〈◊〉〈◊〉) were blamed,

for suffering the Article of Priests Marriage to be disputed, as dangerous: Because it is plain, that married Priests will turn their affections and love to wife and children: and by consequence, to their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and countrey: to that the strict dependance which the Clergy hath upon the Apostolike-sea would cease: and to grant* 1.10 Marriage to Priests, would destroy the Ecclesiasticall Hierarchy, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 make the Pope, Bishop of Rome only.

Notes

• * 1.1

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

  Act. and Mon. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 790.
• * 1.3

  Honestius est pluribus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 implicari, quam opertè 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.4

  Ibid. 1054.
• * 1.5

  Ibid. 1008.
• * 1.6

  Hist. Tripar. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 2 cap 14. Ruffin Hist. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. lib. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. cap 4.
• * 1.7

  Si quis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vocet 〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉.
• * 1.8

  I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Epist ad 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.9

  S. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Sands 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 West. rel. 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.10

  Hist. of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 680.