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.

Sitting at the receipt of custom.]

These Publicans rented the revenue of the sea and rivers, of the Romans (as now the Jews 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Turks) at a certain rate. And that they might pay their rent, and pick a living out of it, they were great gripers, and ex∣acted extreamly upon the Jews; who therefore hated them, and held them furthest off from heaven of any men. A faithfull Pub∣lican was so rare at Rome it self, that one Sabinus, for his honest managing of that office, in an honourable remembrance thereof,* 1.1 had certain images erected with this 〈◊〉〈◊〉, For the honest Publican. Of this sort of sinners was Matthew, whom Christ 〈◊〉〈◊〉 into an Evangelist: as he did Paul the persecutour in∣to an Apostle; Justin the Philosopher into a Martyr; Cyprian the Rhetorician, and (as some think) the Magician into a famous 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the Church. I was an obstinate Papist (saith Lati∣mer) as any was in England: Insomuch, that when I should be* 1.2 made Bachellour of Divinity, my whole 〈◊〉〈◊〉 went against 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Melancthon, and his opinions, &c.

Notes

• * 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ve 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  Act and 〈◊〉〈◊〉.