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 9. For I am a man.]

But thou Lord art more then a man: for the Centurion here makes comparison with our Savi∣our, both in respect of his person, and of his power, as of the lesse with the greater. For his person, he saith not, For I also* 1.1 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a man, such as thou art, (as the vulgar here corruptly renders it) But I am a man, a meer man; Thou art God also, very God. And for his power, though subject to another, have souldiers at my beck and check, how much more hast thou, who art over all, an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 power over sicknes and death? The palsy. or as some say, the Epilepsy was anciently called Morbus sacer, or

the holy disease. For the Priests, to enrich themselves, per∣swaded the superstitious people, that this disease, as being sud∣dain, hidden, and for most part incurable, was an immediate hand of God, and could be cured by none but Priests. The medi∣dicines they gave, were much like that of the French Mounte∣bank, who was wont to give in writing to his patients, for cu∣ring all diseases, these following verses;

Si vis curari de morbo nescio quali,* 1.2 Accipias herbam, sed qualem nescio, nec quam: Ponas nescio quo, curabere nescio quando.

They are thus Englished by one.

Your pain, I know not what, doe not fore slow, To cure with herbs, which 〈◊〉〈◊〉 I 〈◊〉〈◊〉 not know.* 1.3 Place them, (well 〈◊〉〈◊〉) I know not where, and then You shall be perfect whole, I know not when.

And I say to this man 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and he goeth, &c.]

King Ferdinands 〈◊〉〈◊〉, being conducted into the camp of the Turks, won∣dered* 1.4 at the perpetuall and dumb silence of so great a multitude: the Souldiers being so ready and attentive, that they were no o∣therwise commanded, then by the beckning of the hand, or nod of their Commanders. Tamerlan, that warlike Scythian, had* 1.5 his men at so great command, that no danger was to them more dreadfull, then his displeasure.

And to my servant, doe this and he doeth it.]

Such a servant is every Saint to his God; at least in his desire and endeavour. Such a Centurion also is he over his own heart, which he hath at his right hand, as Salomon saith: that is, ready prest to obey God in all parts and points of duty. There were seven sorts of Pharisees:* 1.6 And one was Pharisaeus, Quid 〈◊〉〈◊〉 facere, & faciam illud: So they would needs be called. But the true Christian onely is such 〈◊〉〈◊〉 one in good earnest, as the Pharisee pretends to be.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  Becan. sum: theol. part 1. cap. 16.
• * 1.3

  Answer to D. Coale.
• * 1.4

  Turk. Hist. sol 715.
• * 1.5

  Ibid. 216.
• * 1.6

  Talmud. tract. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. cap 3.