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. V.

Verse 1. As the people pressed upon him]

THis was both an argument of the truth of his humanity (that he was throng'd and thrust 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by the un∣mannerly

multitude) and a part of his passion.

Verse 2. Were washing their nets]

Though they labour∣ed last night and had taken nothing. Ferendum & speran∣dum. Hope beguiles calamity, as good company doth the way.

Verse 3. He prayed him]

Gr. He gently asked him, Will you* 1.1 be pleased to thrust out a little? See Philem. 8, 9. Posse & nolle, 〈◊〉〈◊〉 est.

Taught the people out of the ship]

Any place served him for a pulpit. So if men be desirous to hear, they will make a mat a seat, a pair of legs a 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Verse 4. Let down your 〈◊〉〈◊〉]

This is the fare he paies them, for the use of their ship. No man 〈◊〉〈◊〉 by Christ.

Verse 5. We have toyled all night, &c.]

Omnia fui, & nihil ex∣pedit,* 1.2 said Severus the Emperour. See Hab. 2. 13. Hag. 2. 6. If God stop not that hole in the bottom of the bag, all will run 〈◊〉〈◊〉.

Verse 6. And their net brake]

Yet the 〈◊〉〈◊〉 got not out: which some note for another miracle.

Verse 7. Filled 〈◊〉〈◊〉 the ships]

Here the dumb fishes do cleerly preach Christ to be the Son of God.

Verse 8. For I am a sinfull man]

Gr. A man, a sinner, a* 1.3 very mixture and compound of dirt and sin. See the like phrase, Numb. 32. 14.

Verse 9. And he was astonished]

Gr. Fear seazed upon him,* 1.4 and surrounded him, as Tacitus saith Induere pavores.

Verse 10. Thou shalt catch men]

See the Note on Matthew 4. 19.

Verse 11. They forsook all, and followed him]

They had given their names to him before, John 1. But now they see by this mira∣cle his power to provide for them, they leave all to live with him. We love to see how we shall subsist.

Verse 12. If thou wilt, thou canst]

It is a ready way to speed, to found our prayers upon the power of God.

Verse 13. I will, be thou clean]

So ready is Christ to gra∣tifie his suppliants, yea to be commanded by them, Isaiah 45. 11.

Verse 14. For a testimony unto them]

For a Bill of Indictment against them. Reprobates shall give an heavy account to God of all the means and offers of grace.

Verse 15. But so much the more]

Fame followes them that fly from it, and the contrary: as the Crocodile doth.

Verse 16. And he withdrew]

Pray, if you meane to pros∣per.

Verse 17. And the power of the Lord]

So tis, when any Ordi∣nance is afoot.

Verse 18. And behold men brought]

See the Notes on 〈◊〉〈◊〉. 8. 2, 3, &c. and on Mark 2. 3. &c.

Verse 20. Thy sins are forgiven thee]

Let our sicknesses mind us of our sins, that we may soon seek pardon.

Verse 23. Whether is easier]

q. d. Neither of either: for both are equally hard, and feisable to God alone.

Verse 36. Strange things]

〈◊〉〈◊〉 Paradoxes, things that we* 1.5 never thought to have seen: and above beleif, had we not seen them.

Verse 35. And then shall they fast]

This is fulfilled saith Bel∣larmine, in our Lent-fasts. But this was fulfilled say we, 〈◊〉〈◊〉* 1.6 Christ was crucified, and the Apostles mourned. Papists set-fasts are meer mock-fasts.

Verse 39. The old is better]

That is, milder, and so pleasan∣ter. Vetustate enim vina mitescunt, quia vetustas igneum calorem, acerbitatem, & 〈◊〉〈◊〉 e vino tollit. Age clarifies wine, and ri∣pens* 1.7 it.

Notes

• * 1.1

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

  Spartian.
• * 1.3

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

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

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

  〈◊〉〈◊〉. de 〈◊〉〈◊〉 cap. 10.
• * 1.7

  〈◊〉〈◊〉.