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. III.

Verse 1. There was a man there, &c.]

A Fit object inciteth and should elicite our bounty. Where God sets us up an Altar, we should be ready with our Sacri∣fices, with such Sacrifice God is well pleased, Heb. 13. 16.

Verse. 2. And they watched him]

So carnall men do still* 1.1 watch and pry into professors and their conversation, 1 Pet. 3. 2. curiously observing what they may catch and carp at. But it is a brave thing to thrattle envy, to stop an 〈◊〉〈◊〉 mouth, to deny them occasion to blaspheme, as Christ did; to lead convincing lives, as* 1.2 Bradford and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 did, whom neither their friends could suffici∣ently praise, nor their foes find any thing to fasten on.

Verse 3. Stand forth]

That the miracle might be notified, and God the more glorified. It is a dishonour to a parent to hang his picture in a dark corner: so here, we should show forth the ver∣tues of him who hath called us, 1 Pet. 2. 9.

Verse 4. To do good or to do evill]

Not to do good then, as there is opportunity, is to do evill. Qui non, cùm potest, servat, occidit. Non faciendo nocens, sed patiendo fuit, it is said of the Emperour Claudius. Not robbing only, but the not releiving of the poor, was the rich mans ruine, Luke 16. passive wickednesse is taked in some of the Churches, Rev. 2. & 3.

To save life]

Gr. soule, for man, and man for the body of man.* 1.3 So Psal. 16. Thou wilt not leave my soule in the grave, that is, my body, as Piscator senseth it.

Verse 5. With anger, being greived]

A sweet mixture of sin∣lesse passions. It is difficult to kindle, and keep quick the fire of zeal* 1.4 without all smoke of sin.

Verse 6. With the Herodians]

Whom yet they hated in their hearts; but they can easily comport and comply to do Christ a mischief; as concerning that Christ pertained to Herods 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Verse 8. From beyond Jordan]

This Country by Josephus is* 1.5 called Peraea, as Ultrajectum in Germany.

Verse 9. Lest they should throng him]

Gr. afflict him, presse, or pinch him, as they did: a peice of his passion, verse 10.

Verse 10. As many as 〈◊〉〈◊〉 plagues]

Gr. stripes, scourgings.* 1.6 Whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth with lesser and lighter affli∣ctions,

and scourgeth every sonne, &c. with hard and heavie* 1.7 judgements, as plagues, banishments, persecutions, &c. Oh the* 1.8 bloudy wailes that God hath left on the back of his best chil∣dren!

Verse 11. Thou art the Son, &c.]

The matter is well amended since Satans first on-set upon Christ. Then it was, If thou be the Son of God. The same power, when he listeth, can change the note of the Tempter to us.

Verse 13. And calleth unto him whom he would]

Nec volentis, nec volantis, sed Dei miserantis, as a Nobleman, after Paul, gave it for his Motto. It is not in him that willeth nor in him that runneth, though he run as fast as a bird can flie: but in God that sheweth mercy.

Verse 14. That they should be with him]

As his houshold ser∣vants, more happy herein then those of Salomon. Christ hath ma∣ny retainers, few fast and faithfull servants that follow him in the regeneration. There are those that will wear his livery, but serve themselves.

Verse 16. And Simon he sirnamed Peter]

Not now, but after that famous confession of his, Matth. 16.

V. 17. Boanerges]

Syr. Benai-regeschi, filii fragoris. Naz. saith* 1.9 they were so called for the bignesse of their voyce. Farellus was famous for his loud speaking: when the envious Monks rang the Bells to drown his voyce as he was preaching at Metis, ille 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ad ravim usque vocem intendit, nec vinci se à strepitu ullo passus* 1.10 est. But there may be a great deale of force in a low language. Basill was said to thunder in his preaching, lighten in his life. Hie∣rom was called Fulmen Ecclesiasticum, Athanasius Magues & Ada∣mas. A Loadstone for his sweetnesse, and an Adamant for his stout∣nesse. The Apostles had fiery tongues, but yet cloven. Barnabas and Boanerges, The son of Consolation and of Thunder make a good mixture. The good Samaritan poures in wine to search the sores, and oyle to supple them. Discretion must hold zeal by the heel, as Jacob did his brother: these two must be as the two Lions that supported Salomons Throne. He that hath them, may be a Moses for his meeknesse, and a Phineas for his fervour. It was a good caution that Oecolampadius gave Farellus, E∣vangelizatum,* 1.11 non maledictum missus, &c. laudo zelum, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 non desideretur mansuetudo, &. Thou art sent, not to raile, but to reveale holy truths in meeknesse of wisdome.

Verse 18. And Bartholomew]

See the Note on Matthew 10. 3.

Verse 19. And they went into the house]

But could not rest* 1.12 in the house: for a demoniack was brought home to him, and the multitude met to hear, and Christ gratified them, with the neglect of himself. Now to all his he saith, as Abimelech did to his souldiers, What yee have seen me do, make haste and do* 1.13 as I have done.

Verse 21. They went out to lay hold on him]

Some read, to lay hold on the multitude, as madde because fo eager and ear∣nest, that they left not our Lord liberty for his necessary re∣pose and repast. But if it be meant of Christ, his mother also may seem to have been in the common errour, Uerse 31.

Verse 22. By the Prince of Devils, &c,]

A devilish blasphe∣my, occasioned perhaps, by the former calumny of his kinsmen. What advantages make our adversaries of our smaller differen∣ces? Every subdivision is a strong weapon in the hand of the con∣trary party.

Verse 23, 24, 25, &c.

See the Note on Matth. 12. 25, 26.

Verse 29. Hath never forgivenesse]

and yet Bellarmine teach∣eth, that the sin against the holy Ghost may be forgiven, Lib. 2. de poenitentia cap. 16. But it may be he was of their opinion* 1.14 that taught here in England in the reign of Henry 3. that to question the Popes sanctions, was the sinne against the holy Ghost.

Verse 31. Then came his brethren]

Here the Evangelist re∣turneth to the History he had begun to set forth, verse 21.

Verse 33. Who is my mother, &c.]

Bishop Ridley is likewise* 1.15 said to have been very kind to his kinsfolks, yet not bearing with them any otherwise then right would require.

Notes

• * 1.1

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

  Act. and Mon
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. simul dolens.
• * 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• * 1.7

  Heb 12. 6.
• * 1.8

  Non vulgares morbi sed sae∣viores, & 〈◊〉〈◊〉, qui quasiclamitant 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• * 1.9

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• * 1.10

  Melch. Adam. in vita 114.
• * 1.11

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. Epist.
• * 1.12

  Matth. 12. 22.
• * 1.13

  Judge 9 48.
• * 1.14

  Dan. Hist. of Engl. fol. 163.
• * 1.15

  Acts & Mon. fol. 1559.