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. 1.

Verse. 1. Many have taken in 〈◊〉〈◊〉.]

OR, have attempted, but not effected. Hence some have concluded, that Luke wrote 〈◊〉〈◊〉 of the four Evangelists. Howbeit the common opinion is (and the most ancient copies say as much) that Matthew wrote his Gospel eight yeers 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Christ, Marke ten, Luke fifteen, and John forty two.

Verse 2. Which from the beginning were eye-witnesses]

There∣fore it may seem his Gospel was not dictated to him by Paul (who was no eye-witnesse) as some Ancients have affirmed. But if we can beleeve Tacitus or 〈◊〉〈◊〉 in things that fell out long be∣fore they were born, because we are confident of their diligence in enquiring: how much more should we beleeve Saint Luke up∣on such doubted assurance, &c?

Verse 3. Having had perfect understanding]

Or, Following them close at heels, (and as we say) hot-foot.

From the very first]

Or, from above, as inspired from heaven.

To write 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 in order]

Distinctly, and yet 〈◊〉〈◊〉, A singular praise in an Historian, for the which, Ambrose much 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 our 〈◊〉〈◊〉 above 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the other.

Verse 4. Wherein thou hast been instructed]

Which thou hast received by hear-say, or by word of mouth: and wherein thou hast been catechised, receiving the mysteries of the faith by the mi∣nistry of the voyce. And surely when we see men caring and 〈◊〉〈◊〉 how to finde out this certainty here spoken of, and not to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 led by conjecturall suppositions, but be fully perswaded as St. Luke was, and would have his Theophilus to be, then there will be some hopes that the Lords parts will increase.

Verse 5. In the dayes of Herod]

Herod a stranger, upon the death of Antigonus, last of the Maccabeans, by Augustus his fa∣vour, was made King of Judaea, and reigned 34. yeers. After 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and his sonnes death, Judaea was again reduced into a Roman Pro∣vince; and the government thereof committed unto Pontius Pi∣late, then to Petronius, after him to Foelix, Festus, Albinus and Florus, whose cruelty provoked the Jewes to rebellion and warre, to their utter overthrow.

Of the course of Abia]

According to their weekly waitings at the Altar: 1 Chron. 24. God would not have his Ministers over∣wrought, though he require them to labour according to their strength, even unto lassitude. But how thanklesse is their labour, that do wilfully over-spend themselves!

Verse 6. In all the Commandements and Ordinances]

That is, in all the duties of both the Morall and Ceremoniall Law.

Blamelesse]

Sine 〈◊〉〈◊〉, saith the Vulgar, without complaint. They neither complained of others, nor were complained of by others. As it is reported of Burleigh, Lord Treasurer in Queen E∣lizabeths reign, that he never sued any man, nor did any man ever sue him: and was therefore in the number of those few, that both lived and died with glory.

Verse 7. And they had no child]

Which was then held an heavie judgement, as that which rendred them suspected of impiety: sith Godlinesse had the promise of increase both within doores and without.

Verse 8. In the order of his course]

He took but his turn, and served but his time. God never purposed to burthen any of his creatures with devotion.

Verse 9. To burn incense]

In the incense of prayer, how ma∣ny sweet spices are burned together, by the fire of Faith, as humi∣lity, love, &c?

Verse 10. Praying without, at the time of incense]

Cant. 3. 6. the Church is said to ascend out of the wildernesse of this world with pillars of smoak, elationibus fumi, that is with affections, thoughts, desires toward heaven. And although she be black as smoak, in regard of infirmities, yet hath she a principle to 〈◊〉〈◊〉 her upwards.

Verse 11. Standing on the right side of the Altar]

As Satan stood at the right hand of Jehoshuah to molest him: So stand the Angels at our right hand, in the publick Assemblies especially to withstand him. And to signifie this, the curtains of the Taber∣nacle were wrought full of Cherubins within and without.

Verse 12. He was troubled]

But without cause: he should have been comforted rather; for his sins were covered. How will wicked men stand before Christ?

Verse 13. For thy prayer is heard]

Both for a Son, and for a Saviour.

Verse 14. Thou shalt have joy]

This is not every fathers hap∣pinesse. Many fathers are forced through greif for their un∣toward children to wish to die, as Elias did when he sat under the juniper: and as Moses did when wearied out by the people, Numb. 11. 15.

Verse 15. Great in the sight of the Lord]

Significatur sin∣gularis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 praestantia, ut Gen. 10. 9. He shalbe singularly qualified.

Verse 16. Shall he turn to the Lord]

An high honour to have any hand in the conversion of souls. They that wise others shall shine in heaven, Dan. 12. 2.

Verse 17. In the spirit and power of Elias]

There is a great a∣greement between the times of Elias and John Baptist. Herod an∣swereth to Ahab, Herodias to Jezabel, &c.

The disobedient to the wisdom of the just]

i. e. By his preaching he shall turn the hearts of the Gentiles to the Jewes, and by his Baptisme tye them up, as it were, togerher. He made them (ac∣cording to the phrase that Josephus useth of him) to convent or knit together in Baptisme.

Verse 18. For I am an old man]

Thus Reason will be encroa∣ching upon the bounds of Faith, till she be taken captive by infi∣delity.

Drive therefore Hagar out of doors.

Verse 19. That stand in the presence of God]

Ut apparitor, ab apparendo, ready prest to any service.

Verse 20. And behold thou shalt to dumb]

His tongue that so lately moved through unbelief is now tyed up. God will not passe by the well-meant weaknesses of his own, without a sensible check. He was also deaf as well as dumb: hence they made signs to him, vers. 62.

Verse 21. The people waited for Zacharias]

They would not a∣way without the blessing, prescribed to the Preists, Numb. 6. In the Councell of Agathon it was decreed, that people should not presume to go out of the Temples, before the Ministers had blessed the Congregation.

Verse 22. He could not speak unto them]

Hereupon a Divine thus descants: Tacuit pater vocis, & cessit in miraculum: Vox 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉, cedit in contradictionem. Nunquid aeque obmutescit 〈◊〉〈◊〉 & filius? Johannes & Zacharias? Nunquid & praeco 〈◊〉〈◊〉 ost? Let us lean to the Papists (saith another) Ministrorum mu∣ta officia, populi caeca obsequia, their Ministers, dumb Offices; their peoples, blind obedience.

Verse 23. Assoon as the dayes, &c.]

Zachary, though he ceas∣ed to speak, yet he ceased not to minister. Though he were dumb, yet he was not lame, but could do sacrifices, and did it. We may not straight take occasions of with-drawing our selves from the publick services.

Verse 24. And hid her selfe]

Obscurum qua id fecerit ex cau∣sa. Its hard to say wherefore she did this, saith a learned Inter∣preter: but, likely, out of modesty; and that she may make no shew, till she were sure; as also that the miracle might ap∣pear the greater.

Verse 25. Thus hath the Lord]

She saw that all her prayers, that she had haply forgot, were not lost, but laid up with God, who now sends in the blessing, that she had despaired of. The Lord oft doth things for his people that they look not for, Isaith 64. and stayes so long, that when he comes, he finds not Faith, Luke 18. 8.

Verse 26. Unto a City of Galilee]

God and his Angels can find out his hidden ones, Psal. 83. 3. in what corner of the coun∣try soever.

Verse 27. Espoused to a man]

1 The better to free her from

suspition of fornication. 2 That she might have one to provide for her, when she was with Child. 3 That the mystery of God manifested in the flesh might come to light by little and little.

Verse 28. Haile thou that art highly favoured]

A salutation, and not a prayer as Papists pervert and abuse it. And when the Ave-Mary-Bell rings, which is at Sun-rising, Noon, and Sun∣setting, all men in what place soever, house, field, street, or market do presently kneel down, and send up their united devo∣tions to heaven by an Ave-Maria. Also, where one fasteth on Friday, which they count our Lords day, many fast on Saturday, which they count our Ladies day.

Verse 29. She was troubled at his saying]

Affect not the vain praises of men, saith one. The blessed Virgin was troubled, when truly praised of an Angel. They shall be praised of An∣gels in heaven, who have eschewed the praises of men on earth.

What manner of salutation]

Cujus esset (saith one Interpreter) voluit enim probare spiritum. Qualis & quanta, saith another: Id est, quam honorifica & magnifica, ac proinde supra sortem su∣am pofita. What an honourable salutation it was, and more then she could acknowledge.

Verse 30. Feare not Mary]

We are not fit to hear, till quit of carnall affections and passions. The eare which tastes words, as the mouth doth meat, when filled with choller or other ill hu∣mours, can relish no comfort.

Verse 31. Shalt call his name Jesus]

See the Note on Matt. 1. 21. If it were such a mercy to Israel that God raised up of their Sonnes for Prophets, and of their young men for Nazarites, Amos 2. 11. What was it to Mary and in her to all mankind, that she should be mother to the Arch-prophet, to that famous Nazarite?

Verse 32. Sonne of the highest]

Answerable to the Hebrew Elion, whence 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for the sunne, cujus antiquissima veneratio, saith Beza, whom the ancients deifie.

Verse 33. And of his Kingdom there shall be no end]

St. Paul saith indeed that he shall at the end of the world deliver up the Kingdome to God the Father: not that his Kingdom shall then cease, but that form of administration only, that he now useth in the collecting and conserving of his Church.

Verse 34. How shall this be?]

This is a speech not of unbeleif, but of wonderment, as desiring also to be better in∣formed.

Verse 35. The power of the highest shall over-shadow thee]

As once he did the confused Chaos in the Creation: This very, ex∣pression was a great confirmation to the Virgins faith, and may well serve for a caution to us not to be over-curious in searching into this secret.

Verse 36. Who was called barren]

It is observed that the barren women (so called in both Testaments) had the best Chil∣dren, as Sarah, Rebecca, Rachel, Elizabeth, &c. because long held off, and much humbled. Some also have observed that the New Testament affords more store of good women then the Old.

Verse 37. For with God, &c.]

We never doubt of Gods will, but we do in some measure doubt of his power. See them both running paralell, Job 42. 2.

Verse 38. Behold the handmaid of the Lord]

Not Mall Gods maid, as a black-mouthed Blatero hath blasphemed in print, that the Puritans rudely call her.

Verse 39. Into the hill-country]

Of Juda, southward of Jeru∣salem, into the City of Hebron, Josh. 21. 9.

Verse 40. Saluted Elizabeth]

To whom she could not rest till she had imparted the good newes, and both given and re∣ceived some spirituall gift for mutuall confirmation and comfort, Rom. 1. 11, 12 Greif growes greater by concealing, joy by ex∣pression. Only the meeting of Saints in heaven can parallell the meeting of these two couzens.

Verse 41. The babe leapt in her womb]

Such comfort there is in the presence of Christ (though but in the womb) as it made John to spring. What then shall it be in heaven, think we?

Verse 42. Blessed art thou among women]

So is Jael the wife of Heber said to be, Judg. 5. 24. who yet perhaps was hardly so good a woman as Deborah, that called her so. But it was no small confirmation to the blessed Virgin, to hear the same words from Elizabeth, that she heard before from the An∣gell.

And blessed is the fruit, &c.]

Or, because blessed is the fruit of thy womb, therefore blessed art thou, &c.

Verse 43. That the mother of my Lord, &c.]

That the Lord himself should come amongst us, as he did in the flesh, and doth still by his Spirit, Oh what a mercy!

Verse 44 Leaped in my womb]

More like a suckling at the the breast (as the word signifieth) then an Embryo in the womb. The Spirit then worketh, even in unborn babes that are elect, some kind of saving knowledge of Christ, answerable to faith in those that are grown up.

Verse 45. Blessed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 she, &.]

Mary beleeved: so did not 〈◊〉〈◊〉, though a man, a Priest, aged, learned, eminent, and the message to him of more appearing possibility. This, Eliza∣beth here seems to have an eye to.

Beleeved that there shall be, &c.]

The same may be said of every beleiver. It is true also in cases ordinary: A perswasion that God will help and keep us will indeed help and keep us, Marke 9. 23.

Verse 46. And Mary said]

See the benefit of good 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and how one Christian kindleth another. As Iron sharpneth iron, so 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the face of a man his freind.

Doth magnifie the Lord]

Makes roome for him, enlargeth her thoughts of him, throwes wide open the everlasting doors, that the King of glory may come in, in State.

My spirit rejoyceth]

Tripudiat, danceth a galliard (which seemeth to come from the Greek word here used) danceth Levaltoes in God, or for God my Saviour, as the matter and ground of my joy.

Verse 48. The low estate]

Vilitatem, the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 and abject 〈◊〉〈◊〉. Cóntra Mariae 〈◊〉〈◊〉, quae 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Papicolae. Here's no mention of merit.

All generations shall call me blessed]

How much more should we with one mind and one mouth blesse. God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ? This is an honour that he much standeth upon, Rom. 15. 6.

Verse 49. He that is mighty]

〈◊〉〈◊〉 The mighty strong God.

Hath done great things for me]

No small things can fall from so great a hand. He gives life himself.

And Holy is his 〈◊〉〈◊〉]

God that is holy is to be sanctified in holinesse, Isaiah 5. 16. when men see their children especially (as here) the work of Gods hands, Isaiah 29. 23.

Verse 50. From generation to generation]

Personall goodnesse is profitable to posterity.

Verse 51. He hath shewed strength, &c.]

It appears by the whole frame of this holy song, that the blessed Virgin was well versed iu the Scripture, which she here makes so much use of in sundry passages. She was eruditionis pietatis & modestiae 〈◊〉〈◊〉, as one speaketh of the Lady Jane Gray.

He hath scattered the proud]

He by his strong Arme hath so splitted them, that they shiver into peeces: or hath made them as darts, which being among the enemies, are lost: or hath hurled them hither and thither, as the wind doth the dust of the mountains.

Verse 52. He hath 〈◊〉〈◊〉 downe the mighty]

As he did 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the proud Turk, and set up Tamberlaine a Stythian shepheard; who said that he was sent from heaven to punish Bajazets rash∣nesse; and to teach him that the proud are hated of God, whose promise is to pluck down the mighty, and raise up the lowly.

Verse 53. He hath filled the hungry]

See 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Note on Matth. 5. 6.

Verse 54. He 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉 servant]

He hath put under his hand, and raised him prostrate, taken him up at his feet. This he will not do for an evill doer: he taketh not the ungodly by the hand, Job 8. 20.

Verse 55. As he spake to our fathers]

Who lived upon rever∣sions, and dyed upon the promises, accounting them good free-hold. God keeps promise with nights and dayes, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 33. 20. 25. How much more will he, with Abraham, and his seed for ever?

Verse 56. And 〈◊〉〈◊〉 to her own house]

An honest heart is where its calling is. Such a one, when 〈◊〉〈◊〉 is abroad, is like a fish in the aire; whereinto if it leap for recreation or necessity, yet it soon returns to its own element.

Verse 57. And she brought forth a sonne]

The voice of the Lord maketh the Hindes to calve, Psal. 29. 9. though of all other bruit creatures they bring forth with great trouble, bowing themselves, bruising their 〈◊〉〈◊〉, and casting out their sorrows, Job 39. 4. 6. How much 〈◊〉〈◊〉 will 〈◊〉〈◊〉 help his dear hand∣maids?

Verse 58. The Lord 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉 great 〈◊〉〈◊〉]

And the greater,

〈◊〉〈◊〉 in her old age. Births, with those that are ancien∣ter, are with greater danger: so is the new birth in old sinners.

Verse 59. To Circumcise the child]

Infants are no innocents, they are conceived in sin, and the first sheet or blanket wherewith they are covered is woven of sin, shame, bloud and filth, Ezek. 16. 4. 6. They were Circumcised, to signifie that we had bettet be stayed, and have our skin quite stript off, then to haue it as a skin∣bottle hanging in the smoak of filthy desires, and blown full of 〈◊〉〈◊〉 motions with the breath of Satan.

Verse 60. He shall be called John]

Bucer here observeth that he that was high Preist when Salomon built the Temple, was cal∣led John: and that there was herein a sweet suitablenesse. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 vero connenit, saith he, ut quo nomine sacerdos Salomonis typici, hoc & veri vocaretur: that the Type and Truth might accord in the very name.

Verse 61. There is none of thy kindred]

There is an inbred desire in us all of immortality: we would eternize our names, and do therefore call our children, cities, lands, &c. after them, Psal. 49. 11. But they do best that get assurance that their names are written in heaven. They that depart from God shall be written in the earth, Jeremiah 17. 13. as Cains son, Lord Enoch of Enoch, Genesis 4. And those men of renown, Genesis 11. 4 were.

Verse 62. And they made signes to his father]

Who therefore seems to have been deaf (as well as dumb) because he had not hearkned to the Angels speech, but gain-saied it.

Verse 63. And he asked for a writing-table]

Tabellam sc. 〈◊〉〈◊〉, in qua olim stylo 〈◊〉〈◊〉, saith Sa. He had an excellent faculty of whom Martiall reporteth,

Currant verba licet, manus est veocior illis: Et vix lingua suum, dextra peregit opus.

Verse 64. And he spake and praised God]

And had he had as many tongues as he had hairs upon his head, he could never have sufficiently praised God for his son, but especially for his Savi∣our. See 1 Timothy 1. 15, 16, 17. Zachary beleeveth and there∣fore speaks, Psal. 116. 10. the tongue of the dumb sings, Isaiah 35. 6.

Verse 65. And feare came on all]

This was either the fear of admiration at the many strange accidents about the birth of the

Baptist; or the fear of punishment, seeing so good a man as Za∣chary so long to have suffered for his unbeleef.

Verse 66. And the hand of the Lord]

That is, his grace and blessing. He had the honour to be Legis & gratiae fibula, as Chrysologus hath it; the buckle and boundary of the Law and Gospel.

Verse 67. Was filled with the Holy Ghost, and prophecyed]

This was a plentifull amends for the late losse of his speech. See here the goodnesse of God to all his; Quibus non solum ablata resti∣tuit `sed 〈◊〉〈◊〉 concedit (saith Ambrose) Ille dudum 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Prophetat. God is better to his then their hopes.

Verse 68. Blessed be the Lord God of Israel]

This is 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Evangelicissimus, say both Bucer and Pellican. A most Evan∣gelicall Canticle.

Redeemed his people]

From the wrath of God over them; the guilt and power of sin within them; from Satan and the punish∣ment of sin without them.

Verse 69. An horne of salvation]

A Cornu-copia, or a migh∣ty Saviour, qui instar bovis cornupetae inimicos populi Dei proster∣nat atque dejiciat, that can bestir him much better then that Hee∣goate, Alexander the great, who had a notable horn between his eyes, wherewith he cast down the Ramme to the ground and stamped upon him, &c. Dan. 8. 7. Macedones tunc temporis AEgeades, id est caprini dicti sunt. Occasionem vide Justin. lib. 7. The Macedones were at that time called Goate-sprung.

Verse 70. By the mouth]

There were many Prophets, yet had they all but one mouth: so sweet is their harmony.

Verse 71. That we should be saved]

Gr. Salvation from our enemies. This properly importeth the privative part of mans happinesse, but includes the positive too.

Verse 72. To performe the mercy]

Gods love moves him to promise, his truth binds him to performe. See both these, 2 Sam. 7. 18. 21. For thy words sake, and according to thine owne heart: (that is, ex mero motu) haste thou done all these things.

Verse 73. The oath which he sware]

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a hedge, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 a man may not break: much lesse will God.

Verse 74. Might serve him]

Servati sumus ut serviamus. Christ hath therefore broke the devils yoke from of our necks, that we may take upon us this sweet yoke, and not carry ourselves as sons of Belial.

Verse 75. Before him]

The sense of Gods presence makes men conscientiously obedient to both tables of the Law. Cave, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cato, was a watch-word among the Romanes. Noli 〈◊〉〈◊〉, Deus videt, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 astant, &c. Take heed what thou doest, God beholds thee, Angels observe thee, &c.

Verse 76. And thou child]

scil. qui nunc tantillus es, in virum magnum evades: Though little, thou shalt prove great.

Thou shalt goe before the face of the Lord]

Any relation to whom ennobleth, and advanceth all worth.

Verse 77. To give knowledge]

Not by infusion, Dan. 1. 17. but by instruction. See the dignity and duty of Ministers.

Verse 78. Whereby the day-spring]

Or as Beza rendreth it, The Branch from on high, not from beneath, as other plants or branches. So the anchor of hope entreth not into the deep, but into that within the vaile, Heb. 6. 19.

Verse 79. That sit in darknesse]

This imports 1. continuance, 2. content.

To guide our feet]

The superstitious Pagans thought that their goddesse Vibilia kept them in their right way when they tra∣velled: But we have a better guide to God.

Verse 〈◊〉〈◊〉. And the child grew]

Though his meat was but course, and not so nourishing. The blessing of God is the staffe of bread: bread would no more nourish without it then a piece of earth.

Notes

• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• Camp. Elisab. fol. 495.
• Zach. 3. 1.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Antiq. lib. 18. c. 7.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Sensim sine sensu.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• Sands his Sur∣vey.
• D. Hall's Con∣templat. on the New Test.
• Staffords Fe∣male Glory.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈◊◊◊〉〈◊◊◊〉, 1 Pet. 2. 2.
• Prov. 27.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Super Deo.
• See 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉. in loc.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• Turk. Hist.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉
• Bucer. in 〈◊〉〈◊〉.
• Martial. lib. 〈◊〉〈◊〉 de Notario.
• 〈◊〉〈◊〉. de 〈◊◊〉〈◊◊〉.
• Piscat.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• Arnob. advers. Gent. lib. 4.