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.

CHAP. X.

Verse 1. And, as he was wont, he taught]

PRaedicationis officium 〈◊〉〈◊〉 quisquis ad Sacerdotium accedit.* 1.1 It was death for the High-Priest to enter the Holy-place, or to come abroad, without his bells and pomegranates. Saint Mark is much in setting forth Christs forwardnesse to teach.

Verse 4. Moses suffered to write]

Not commanded. There is difference between a permission and a precept, properly so called. See the Note on Matth. 19. 7. Non statim probat De∣us quod permittit. God approves not presently whatsoever hee permits.

Verse 11. Whosoever shall put away his wife]

Annon columnae 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Lutherus, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 errarunt, & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 se dederunt, cum illud 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 dede∣runt* 1.2 〈◊〉〈◊〉 illi & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Principi Philippo Lantgravio, ut 〈◊〉〈◊〉 adhue priore legitima 〈◊〉〈◊〉 uxore, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 alteram, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 est adulteram? saith Zanchy: Luthor and his fellow-Divines were shamefully out in licensing the Lantgrave to put away his law∣full wife, and marry another.

Verse 12. And if a woman have put away]

No such thing was permitted by Moses, but usurped by the women of those licen∣tious times. Among Turkes the women may sue a divorce; but* 1.3 only then when her husband would abuse her against nature.

Verse 14. For of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 kingdome of God]

As oft therefore as we see an infant, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 us think that a teacher is given us of God. Psal. 131. 1, 2.

Verse 19. Defraud not]

Doe no man injury either by force 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. This seems to be an abstract of all the other fore-men∣tioned commandements.

Verse 21. Loved him]

As a 〈◊〉〈◊〉 man, and fit to live in a civill society. Or hee loved him, that is, hee pitied him, as a

self-deceiver: like as we pity moderate Papists.

Verse 22. Went away grieved]

Which hee would not have done, if he had loved God and his neighbour, as he professed to doe.

Verse 24. For them that trust in riches]

As most rich men doe, thinking themselves simply the better and the safer for them. This blab is soon blown up.

Verse 27. With God all things are possible]

This place is much pleaded by the Papists for their fiction of Transubstantiation. I tell thee (said Bonner to Philpot) that God by his omnipotency* 1.4 may make himself to be this Carpet, if he will.

Verse 30. Brethren, and sisters, and mothers]

Mothers he can∣not receive in kind, when once dead; but God will be to his better then ten mothers: Communion with him shall yeeld more comfort, then all outward comforts can. He can also make Jona∣than more loving to David then any wife, and the Kings of Mo∣ab and Ammon to be his foster-parents. This made Hermannus* 1.5 Archbishop of Cullen to reform his Church, using therein the aid and advice of Martin Bucer: Wherefore he was deposed by the Emperor, which he patiently suffered. Zech. 10. 6. They shall be as if I had not cast them off, and I will heare them. God will one way or other make up his peoples losses: they shall have it a∣gain either in money, or moneys-worth. Ne excrucier ob 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.6 & argentum: 〈◊〉〈◊〉 enim es mihi omnia, said Paulinus Nolanus,* 1.7 when the Town was taken by the Barbarians. Let not my losses trouble me, Lord; for thou art mine exceeding great reward.

Verse 32. Jesus went before them]

As most willing of his way, though he went now to suffer. Shew we like forwardnesse, and say, I am in prison till I am in prison.* 1.8

Verse 35. Whatsoever we shall desire]

One said he could have what he would of God: And why? but because he would ask nothing, but what was agreeable to the will of God. Fiat vo∣luntas mea, said Luther in a certain prayer; but then falls off sweetly, Mea voluntas, Domine, quia tua. One saith of Luther, Vir iste potuit quod voluit apud Deum: That man can doe what* 1.9 he will with God.

Verse 39. Ye shall indeed drink of the cup]

But not of that bitter cup of his Fathers wrath, which he drank off in his passion. Only the Saints fill up that which is behind of the sufferings of Christ, Colos. 1. 24. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.

Yee shall be baptized]

And come out of the waters of afflicti∣on with as little hurt as a babe doth out of the water in baptisme, by the help of divine grace.

Verse 42. They which are accounted to rule]

All earthly rule∣domes are but shewes and shadowes, to that of God. Qui vi∣dentur* 1.10 imperare: They doe but seem to rule.

Verse 46. Blind Bartimaeus]

Named and celebrated in the Gospel, when many mighty Monarchs are utterly forgotten, or else lie shrouded in the sheet of shame.

Verse 48. The more a great deale]

True faith works its way through many obstacles, as the clouded sun doth.

Verse 50. And he casting away his garment]

Though a beggar, he stood not upon the losse of his coat; but for joy of his calling 〈◊〉〈◊〉 it from him. So Joh. 4. 28. Heb. 12. 1.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Greg. in 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. epist. dedicat.
• * 1.3

  Blunts 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.4

  Act. & Mon.
• * 1.5

  Act. & Mon. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 815.
• * 1.6

  Aug 〈◊〉〈◊〉 civit.
• * 1.7

  Dei. lib. 1. c. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.8

  Act. & Mon.
• * 1.9

  Melch. Adam.
• * 1.10

  Oi 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.