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 31. So the devils besought him]

For threaten him they durst not, as little as the Gadarens, vers. 34. because they found themselves over-powered. Time was when they had set upon our Saviour with 〈◊〉〈◊〉 might and malice in the wildernesse. The matter is well amended now. The same power, when he pleases, can change the note of the Tempter to us. He will tread Satan undet our feet shortly. That which Vegetius said of 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.1 〈◊〉〈◊〉 with sithes and hooks will be applyed to the devils; At first they were a terrour and after a scorn.

Suffer us to go into the herd of swine]

We may safely say, that the bristles of swine are numbred with God, saith Tertullian* 1.2 much more the haires of Saints: not one of them falls to the ground without their heavenly father. Satan desired 〈◊〉〈◊〉 have forth* 1.3 Peter to winnow: as Goliah desired to have an Israelite to com∣bate with, he could not command him. He could not make a louse, Exod. 8. 18. fire an house, Job 1. 19. drown a pigge, without di∣vine permission. Now we are more of price then many pigs be∣fore God, as that Martyr well inferred. And if a legion of devils* 1.4 had not power over an herd of hogs, much lesse have they over Christs flock of sheep; saith Tertullian.* 1.5

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 16. lib 1 cap. 24.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. de fuga.
• * 1.3

  Possumus 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 quo{que} 〈◊〉〈◊〉 as 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 deum 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 as 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 capillos.
• * 1.4

  Act. and Men. sol. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.5

  〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 ut 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 dei 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉.