John Trapp on John 5:4

Verſe 4. For an Angel [illegible: 1 span].] The [illegible: 1 span] of this pool was granted to the Jews, par[illegible: 4 letters] [illegible: 1 span] the true worſhip of God under the perſecution of [illegible: 1 span] the fail of prophecie a partly to retain them in their religion[illegible: 1 letter] courſe of [illegible: 2 letters]crificing to the true God, againſt the ſcoffs of the Romans. (that were now their Lords.) Such a vertue being given to that water, wherein their Sacrifices were wont to be waſhed. See a [illegible: 1 word] ſoveraign bath then this, Zech. 13.1. an ever-flowing, and over-flowing fountain, not for one at once, as here, but for all that come, they may waſh and be clean, waſh and be whole.

At a certain ſeaſon,] Once a year only, ſaith Tertullian. Others (more probably) at all their great feaſts, Semel quotannis. Tert. when the people met out of all parts at Ieruſalem, taking [non-Latin text not transcribed] diſtributively, as Matth. 27.15.

Troubled the water] Not in a viſible ſhape, likely; but as it appeared, by a viſible troubling of the waters, and a miraculous healing of the diſeaſed. But, that troubled waters ſhould doe cures was the greater wonder: ſith holy-wels (as they call them) and waters that heal, are commonly moſt calm and clear. It was a witty alluſion hereunto of him that ſaid, Angels trouble the clear ſtream of Juſtice at certain times.