John Trapp on Ezekiel 14:1

CHAP. XIIII.

Ver. 1. THen came certain of the Elders unto me] Rulers and chieftaines of the captives in Babylon, pretending to be far better then thoſe Elders at Jeruſalem, complained of chap. 8. but indeed no better: nay ſo much the worſe, becauſe they had loſt the fruit of all their afflictions, and were as arrant hypocrites as thoſe veteratores the Scribes and Phariſees, that came to Johns baptiſme, and to our Saviours ſermons, with evil and exulcerate minds.

Non omnes ſancti qui calcant limina Templi.

A Doeg may ſet his foot as far within the Sanctuary as a David.

And ſat before me] Demurely, and (to ſee to) devoutly. But why could they not ſtand to hear the Word of God for reverence ſake? Balac did ſo, Num. 23.18. though a King: And Eglon, though unweildy, Judg. 3.20. and a better man then they both, Conſtantine the Great, as Euſebius recordeth, and further telleth us, that being preſſed, after long time of hearing, to ſit down,De v[illegible: 1 letter]ta con[illegible: 1 letter]. with a ſtern countenance he anſwered, It were a great ſin in me not to hear with utmoſt attention, when God is speaking.