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. I.

Verse. 1. The beginning of the Gospel, &c.]

THe History of our Saviours life and death, Saint Mark is recorded to have written at the re∣quest of the Romans: In the Latin tongue say* 1.1 some (who pretend to have seen the Originall Copie at Venice) but its more likely in Greek, a tongue (then) very well known to the Romans also. He begins with Johns Ministry, passing over Christs birth and private life for brevity sake (as it may seem) though Papists feign many idle relations thereof, and so expose us to the jears of Jewish and Turkish miscreants. There are that make Mark an Epitomator of Matthew. But forasmuch as he neither begings like Matthew, nor keeps the same order, but relateth some things that 〈◊〉〈◊〉 hath not, and other things much larger then Matthew hath them; judicious Calvin thinks* 1.2 that he had not seen Saint Matthews Gospel, when he wrote his

(as neither had Saint Luke seen either of them:) but that, being acted by the same spirit, they agree so harmoniously and happily; an undoubted argument of the Divinity of the Scripture, which therefore a Greek Father 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, every way suta∣ble* 1.3 to its self.

Verse 2. As it is written in the Prophets]

Esay and Malachi: so that there was no cause why that dead Dog Porphyry should here bark and blaspheme, as if this testimony should be falsely fa∣thered on all the Prophets, when Esay only was the Author of it.

Behold I send my Messenger before thy face]

Malachi saith, Before my face, in the person of Christ: to show that He and the Father are One.

Verse 3. The voyce of one crying]

Here Mark begins the Go∣spel, at the preaching of the Baptist, which the Authour to the Hebrewes begins at the preaching of Christ. Heb. 2. 3. But that is onely to prove that so great was our Saviours glory in his Mi∣racles that it matcheth, yea surpasseth that of the Angels, those Mi∣nisters of the Law.

Verse 4. John did `Baptise in the Wildernesse]

Like as at the promulgation of the Law, the people were commanded to wash their garments, and sanctifie themselves: so at the first publicati∣on of the Gospel, to wash their hands, and cleanse their hearts; and, in testimony of profession thereof, to beleeve and be baptised for remission of sins.

Verse. 5. All the Land of Judaea]

That is, a great sort of them: but John quickly grew stale to them, John 5. 35. Principi∣um fervet, medium tepet, exitus alget. Weak-Christians easily fall off.

Verse 6. And John was clothed, &c.]

Elias also was a rough hairy man. Those Worthies, of whom the world was not wor∣thy, wandered about in Sheeps skins and Goats skins, Heb. 11. but they were like the Ark, Goats hair without, but pure Gold within: or like Brutus his staffe, Cujus intus 〈◊〉〈◊〉 aurum corneo* 1.4 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cared for a better out-side,* 1.5 then a rugge-gown girt close about him, yet his inside was most rich.

He did eat Locnsts]

Good meat (to those there at least) though course, and easily come by. Tartarians eat the carrion-carcasles of Horses, Camels, Asses, Cats, Dogs, yea when they stink, and* 1.6 are full of Magots; and hold them as dainty, as we do Venison.

Verse 7. I am not worthy]

So Jacob cryed out of old: So the Centurion, Matth. 8. So the Prodigall, Luke 15. So Peter, Luke 5. 8. So Augustin, Domine, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dignus quem tu diligas. I am not worthy of thy love, Lord.

Verse 9. In those dayes]

When the people flocked so fast to John; that they might not mistake him for the Messias, and that his Baptisme might be the more famous.

Verse 10. He saw the Heavens opened]

The visible Heavens: so that the Baptist saw something above the Stars: So did Stephen; so could Christ when he was upon the earth. It is a just wonder that we can look up to so admirable an height of the starry-sky,* 1.7 and that the eye is not tyred in the way: Some say it is five hun∣dred years journey to it. Other Mathematicians tell us, that if a stone should fall from the eighth Sphere, and should passe every day an hundred miles, it would be 65 years or more, before it would come to ground.* 1.8

Verse 11. In whom I am well pleased]

And in him with us,* 1.9 whom he hath made gracious or Favourites in him the beloved One, Ephes. 1. 5.

Verse. 12. The spirit driveth him]

That is, suddenly carrieth him (who was most 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to go) as that legall scape-Goat, Num. 16. into the Wildernesse; and there permitted him to be tempt∣ed, but supported him under the temptation, that he came safe off again. Sancti 〈◊〉〈◊〉 nequaquam 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, sed toti 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 imperio. The Saints are as gods. Beck & Check.

Verse 13. And was with the wild beasts]

Unhurt by them: as Adam was in the state of integrity. These fell creatures saw in Christ the perfectimage of God; and therefore 〈◊〉〈◊〉 him as their Lord, as they did Adam before his fall, See Job 5. 21, 22.

Verse 14. Jesus came into Galilee]

To decline Herods rage. And whereas it may seem 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 Saviour herein 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a wrong course, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Herod was Governour of 〈◊〉〈◊〉; we must know, that the Pharisees were the men that delivered up John to Herod, Mat. 17. 11, 12. And that, but for them, there was no great 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of Herod.

Verse 15. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉, The time is fulfilled]

These were* 1.10 foure of our Saviours Sermon-heads. The Prophets of old were wont to set down some short notes of their larger discourses to the people, and 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 them to the doores of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Temple, till

the people had read them. And then they were taken down by the Preists, and laid up for the use of posterity.

Verse 16, 17, 18, 19, 20.]

See the Notes on Matth. 4. 18. &c.

Verse 21. He entred into the Synagogue, and taught]

This is no∣ted as remarkable in Saint Mark, that he often inculcateth that our Saviour taught.

Verse 22. And they were astonished]

If it could be said of Dr.* 1.11 Whitaker, that no man ever saw him without reverence, or heard him without wonder; How much more of Christ, sith grace was poured into his lips? Psal. 45. 2.

As one that had authority]

Seest thou a Preacher deliver the Word with singular authority (as Paul, we beleeve therefore we speak) esteem him very highly for the works sake. The Corinthians are checkt, for that they were unruly, and would raign without Paul, 1 Cor. 4.

And not as the Scribes]

Frigidly and jejunly. Didst thou beleeve thy self, thou wouldst never plead thy clients cause so coldly and carelesly, said Cicero to his adversary.

Verse 23. With an unclean spirit]

Gr. In an unclean spirit. An un∣regenerate* 1.12 man is in maligno positus, as St. John saith of the world. He is inversus decalogus: whole evill is in man, and whole man in* 1.13 evill, till at last (without grace) he be satanized and transformed into a breathing Devill. By reason of the inhabitation of unclean spirits, our spirits have in them Trenches Cages, Forts and strong∣holds of Satan, 2 Cor. 10. 4.

Verse 24. What have we to do with thee?]

Not to do with Christ, and yet vex a servant of Christ? Could the Devill so mis∣take him, whom he confessed? It is an idle misprision, to sever the sense of an injury done to any of the members, from the head.

Thou Jesus of Nazareth]

Though the Devils confessed Christ to be the Holy one of God, yet they call him Jesus of Nazareth; to nourish the errour of the multitude that thought he was born there, and so, not the Messias. Neither did the Devils cunnning fail him herein, as appears, John 7. 44.

Art thou come to destroy us?]

Before the time: such is the in∣finite goodnesse of God, that he respits even wicked men and spi∣rits, the utmost of their torments.

I know thee who thou art]

This he spake, not to honour Christ,

but to deingrate him, as commended by so lying a spirit. Lau∣dari ab illaudato, non est laus, saith Seneca.

The holy one of God]

Some rest in praysing the Sermon, and speaking fair to the Preacher. The Devill here did as much to Christ, to be rid of him. So did Herod. Mark. 6. 20.

Verse 25. Hold thy peace]

Capistrator, be thou haltered up, or* 1.14 muzzled. Christ would not hear good words from an evill mouth. High words become not a fool, saith Salomon. The Lepers lips should be covered according to the Law.

Verse 26. And when the unclean spirit had torn him]

So he will serve all that he is now at inne with, as Braford hath it. You are the* 1.15 Devils birds (saith he to all wicked ones) whom when he hath well fed, he will broach you, and eat you, chaw you and champ you, world without end, in eternall woe and misery.

And cried with a loud voyce]

But said nothing: according to verse 25.

He came out of him]

With as ill a will goes the worldlings soul* 1.16 out of his body. God tears it out, as Job somewhere hath it, death makes forcible entry.

Verse 27. For with authority]

As he taught, so he wrought with* 1.17 authority. The same word is used verse 22.

Verse 30. Sick of a fever]

Which the Greeks denominate of* 1.18 the heat that is in it: the Germans of the cold. See the Note on Matth. 8. 14.

Verse 32. When the Sun did set]

And the Sabbath was ended; for till then many held it not lawfull.

Verse 34. Suffered not the Devils to speak]

For what calling had they to preach the Gospel?

Verse 35. And in the morning, &c.]

The fittest time for prayer, or any ferious businesse. Therefore not only David, Psalme 5. verse 3. and other Saints, but also hea∣thens chose the morning cheifely for Sacrifice: as Nestor in Homer, the Argonauts in Apollonius. The Persian Magi sang Hymnes to their gods at break of day, and worshipped the rising Sunne. The Pinarii and Politii sacrificed every mor∣ning and evening to Hercules, upon the great Altar at Rome, &c.

Verse 38. Let us go into the next Townes]

The neighbouring* 1.19 Burroughs, such as were between a City and a town. Though secret

prayer were sweet to our Saviour, yet he left it to preach and profit many.

Verse 40. Beseeching him, &c.]

Morbi 〈◊〉〈◊〉 officina, saith Ambrose. We are best, when we are worst, saith another. There∣fore* 1.20 King Aluored prayed God to send him alwayes some 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Verse 41. Touched him]

Impensae gratiae & bonitat is signum & 〈◊〉〈◊〉, saith Calvin. And so it is of his infinite goodnesse, that he will touch our menstruous 〈◊〉〈◊〉, take at our hands our polluted performances.

Verse 45. Could no more openly enter]

For presse of people, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 was so frequented, that he was forced to withdraw.

Notes

• * 1.1

  Euseb. Hist. Eccles. l. 2. c. 15 ex Clemente. Widman stad. Epist 〈◊〉〈◊〉 dic. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Test. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.2

  Calvin. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.3

  Nazianz.
• * 1.4

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.5

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 comp. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.6

  Peach. Vally.
• * 1.7

  Burton of Me∣lancholy.
• * 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.9

  Gratificavit. vu'gat.
• * 1.10

  Calvin. in I∣saiam.
• * 1.11

  D. Hall's Epist. 〈◊〉〈◊〉: cad. 1. Ep. 7.
• * 1.12

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.13

  1 John 5. 19.
• * 1.14

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.15

  Serm. of Rep. p. 70.
• * 1.16

  Job 27. 8.
• * 1.17

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.18

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.19

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.20

  Camden.