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. VI.

Verse 3. Is not this the Carpenter?]

SEe the Note on Matthew 13. 55.

Verse 5. He could do there no mighty work]

He could not, because he would not. Note here the venernous nature of infide∣lity, that transfuseth, as it were, a dead palsie into the hands of omnipotency, disabling Christ, in a sort, to do such a man good. Christ by his absolute power can do all things: by his actuall pow∣er he can do no more then he will do.

Verse 6. And he marvelled]

Unbeleife must needs be a mon∣strous sin, that puts Christ to the marvell.

Verse 8. Save a stasse.]

Such a one as may ease and releive you, not such as may curb and hinder you, Matth. 10. 10. So that seem∣ing contradiction is assoyled.

No money in your purses]

Gr. No brasse in your girdles. The* 1.1 most usuall materiall of money among the Roman Princes was seldome gold or silver, most times brasse, sometimes leather, Co∣rium 〈◊〉〈◊〉 publicâ 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as Seneca hath it. The like is said to have been used here in England, in the times of the Barons Wars. And why not? sith Opinion sets the price upon these outward

good things; and Anno 1574. the Hollanders, then being in their* 1.2 extremities, made mony of past-board.

Verse 12. That they should repent]

This must be done; or men are utterly undone. Aut poenitendum aut pereudum. Hence Repentance is so pressed and preached in both Testaments. Exod. 23. 20. with 33. 2. 3, 4. Immediately after God had given the Law (by the rules and threats whereof God the Father was to proceed, saith One) and after they had transgressed it, he could not go along with them, for he should destroy them: but his An∣gel, that is Christ, he would send with them; who also would destroy them, if they turned not and repented according to the rules of his Law, the Gospel.

Verse 13. And anointed with oyl many, &c.]

By the misunder∣standing of this text, and that Jam. 5. 14. Pro pastoribus habuit* 1.3 Ecclesia unguentarios, et pigmentarios; qui hoc 〈◊〉〈◊〉 miser as oviculas non tantum ungerent, sed etiam emungerent. This oyl in the text was used, not as a medicine, but as a sign and symbol of that power of miraculous 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Verse 14. For his name was spred]

By miracles, as by wings the Gospel quickly spred far and neer. Eusebius saith that the* 1.4 Gospel spred at first, through the world, like a Sun 〈◊〉〈◊〉. When* 1.5 〈◊〉〈◊〉 first stirred, it was carried through the Christian world, as on Angels wings. This was that miracle, which 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 these last times, are to look for.

Verse 16.]

See the Notes on Matt. 14. 2, 3, &c.

Verse 19. Herodias had a quarrell against him]

Gr. Hung o∣ver* 1.6 him, as highly displeased at him, and waiting an occasion to be even with him. 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, they that follow truth close at heeles, may have their 〈◊〉〈◊〉 struck out, though she be a good mistrisse. Tange 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉. As wild beasts can∣not endure fire, so neither can carnall hearts fervency and plain∣dealing.

Verse 20. 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉]

Holinesse is majesticall. 〈◊◊◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊◊◊〉 because holy. He honoureth his Saints in the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of their greatest enemies.

He did many 〈◊〉〈◊〉]

〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 some copies have it, He doubted in many things: he was often set at a stand, and knew not how* 1.7 to ward off the dry-blows of the word, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 which way to look, it came so close to him.

Verse 21 Made a supper]

The ancients took a light dinner usually, and therefore called it Prandium quasi perendium: at sup∣per they feasted more freely, and therefore called it 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, because then their daies-work was done.

Verse 22. Came in and danced]

With immodest gesticulati∣ons* 1.8 and trippings on the toe, wherewith the old fornicator was so inflamed, that he swore she should have any thing of him.

Verse 23. To the halfe of my Kingdom]

What was his whole kingdom to the life of that precious man, of whom the world was not worthy? Shortly after, he was turned out of his king∣dom, and (its to be feared) out of Gods too.

Verse 24. And she went forth]

The men and women dined not together. In Barbary, tis death for any man to see one of the Zeriffes concubines.

Verse 26. And for their sakes that sate with him]

Sic plerique, malum iter ingressi, post cum se errare resciscant, non desciscunt 〈◊〉〈◊〉, ne leves videantur: sui dicti domini, ut dicunt, esse vo∣lunt.* 1.9 Some, rather then be worse then their words, will vio∣late their consciences.

Verse 31. Rest a while]

God would not have the strength of his people to be exhausted in his service: but that respect be had to the health of their bodies, as to the welfare of their 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Therefore the Priests of the Law took their turns of serving in the order of their course, as Zacharias, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 1. 8. And the Ministers of the Gospel are allowed to drink a little Wine for their healths sake as Timothy. Those that neglect their bodies, must reckon for it. Coloss. 2. 23.

Verse 33. Ran afoot thither]

That is, they came thither by land, not by sea; whither on foot or a 〈◊〉〈◊〉: for many of* 1.10 them were not able to foot it, as being weak, lame, maymed, &c.

Verse 34. They were as Sheep, &c]

They were all slaves to the Romans, and many of them lame and diseased: but nothing troubled Christ so much as this, that they wanted Pastours and Teachers. They that are without a teaching Preist, are said to be without God in the world, 2 Chron. 15. 3.

Vcrse 35. And when the day was now farre spent]

Beza ren∣ders it, Cum jam multus dies esset. Our forefathers had a say∣ing

The Summers day is never so long, But at length' twill ring to even-song.

Verse 37. Shall we go and buy, &c.]

q. d. Yes: a likely 〈◊〉〈◊〉 surely: Where's your mony? have we two-hundred pence to cater for such a company? It is Interrogatio cum admiratione, atque adeo cum ironia quadam conjuncta, saith Beza. A question not without a jear.

Verse 40. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 downe in rankes]

Gr. rankes, rankes; that is,* 1.11 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by rank, as rowes or borders of beds in a garden. Ordinatim 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in Ecclesia faciendae. Church-work is to be done decently, and in order.

Verse 48. Would have passed by them]

Either the more to try them, or rather to spare them: because he foresaw they would be further frighted else.

Verse 50. It is I]

I with an Emphasis: q. d. It is I; not a* 1.12 Spirit. A concise kind of speech, importing his haste to comfort them. He comes leaping over the mountaines of Bether, all 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and impedements.

Notes

• * 1.1

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

  Hist. of 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.3

  〈◊〉〈◊〉 Confess.
• * 1.4

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

  Euseb l. 2. c. 3.
• * 1.6

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

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 multum 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.8

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈◊〉〈◊〉, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 more.
• * 1.9

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• * 1.10

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 ubi{que} opponun∣tur. Scultet.
• * 1.11

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Hebrais∣mus, ut Exod. 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 14.
• * 1.12

  Cant. 2. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.