John Trapp on Mark 2

CHAP. II.

Verse 1. And it was noysed] THe Sun of rightcousnesse could as little lie hid, as the Sun in Heaven.

Verse 2. Many were gathered together] Erasmus observeth, that Origen, in his Sermons to the people, chideth them for nothing more, then for their thin assemblies to hear the Word, and for their carelesse hearing of that, which they ought to attend to [illegible: 1 word]. in vita Orig. operib. praefix. with utmost diligence: recte judicans, saith he, hinc osse [illegible: 2 words] profectum aut defectum.

Verse 3. Which was borne of foure] apprehensis quatuor [illegible: 2 words], vivo cadaveri [illegible: 1 word]. Wicked men are living ghosts, walking Sepulchers of themselves. Bring them to Christ that they may be cured.

Verse 5. When he saw their faith] By their works; as the goodnesse of the promised Land was known by the grapes and fruits, brought back by the Spyes. In all our good works, Christs eye is upon our faith, without which, it's impossible to please God.

Verse 6. But there were certain of the Scribes] Little do [illegible: 1 word] know when they preach, what hearers sit before them. [illegible: 1 word] fel est, quod [illegible: 1 word]. Some of our hearers carry fel in aure, as its said of some creatures, they carry their gall in their ears.

Verse 7. Who [illegible: 1 word] forgive sinnes, &c?] Man may remit the [illegible: 1 word], God only the transgression.

Verse 8. Perceived in his spirit] That is, by his Deity, as 1 Tim. 3. 16. Heb. 9. 14. Or, by his own spirit, as 1 Pet. 3. 8. not by inspiration, as 2 Pet 1. 21.

Verse 10. Hath power on earth] Christus [illegible: 1 word] divino omnia [illegible: 1 word], non injustâ aliqua virtute ac tyrannicâ. Christ did [illegible: 1 word] in his Fathers right, and not perforce.

Verse 11. I say unto thee, arise] See here our Saviours letters testimoniall, whereby he approves his authority and power to be authentick. Ye are our Epistle saith the Apostle, 1 Cor. 3. 2.

Verse 13. And he taught them] To teach us, that nothing can be better and more usefull to the Church, then wholsome teaching; which therefore our Saviour never neglected. It was grown to a Proverb at Constantinople, Better the Sun should not shine, then Chrysostome not preach.

Verse 14. And as he passed by he saw Levi] Our calling is of free grace, Ezeck. 16. 6. Esay 65. 1. The Scribes and Pharisees are let alone, and this Publican called to the work. And he arose and followed him] Leaving his gainfull trade, and following his own ignominy, ruine, death. Nihil hic disputat [illegible: 1 word] vivere debeat: faith fears no famine: Christ is an universall Good, an All in all.

Verse 15. Many Publicans and [illegible: 1 word] sate also] All at Matthewes charge; and he thought it well bestowed, to bring them to Christ. So Paul, being himself assured of salvation, could do or suffer any thing for the salvation of his poor country-men, Rom. 8. 38, 39. with Rom. 9. 1, 2.

Verse 16. They said unto his Disciples] They durst not say itHorat. de Arts. Poet. to Him: Where the hedge is lowest the beast breaks over. The Devill, as the Poet — quae desperat reniteseere posse, [illegible: 1 word]. What he hopes not to effect he never attempts.

Verse 17. He saith unto them] Though not for their sakes (for hee knew it was to no purpose) yet for his other hearers sakes, he makes Apology, Jer. 3. 14, 15. God oft gives a Pastour after his own heart, for a few that are to be converted.

Verse 18. The Disciples of John and of the Pharisoes] Beza notes that onely here and Matth. 22. 16. Luke 5. 24. is mention made in the Gospel of the Pharisees Disciples; unhappy doubtlesse in such perverse Tutors, somewhat a kin to Protagoras of whom Plato writeth that he bragged of this, that whereas he had lived threescore years, he had spent forty of them in corrupting ofPlato in Menone. youth.

Verse 19. While the Bridegroom is with them?] Christ is [illegible: 1 word] in ore, melos in aure, jubilum in corde. There cannot be but musick in his Temple.

Verse 20. Then shall they fast] Novices are not to be tied to the austerity of Religion. The Pharisees are revived in the Anabaptists, qui initiatis Christo ne risum quidem mediocrem admittunt, [illegible: 1 word]. in Mat. 9. 15. saith Calvin. Capistranus the Minorite, sent by the Pope into Germany and other Countries Anno 1453. to preach obedience to the See of Rome, gat a great deale of credit to his corrupt doctrine, by such a Pharisaicall severity. Sed tales Doctores meretur mundus suo fastidio veritatis, saith one, they that wil not receive the [illegible: 1 word] in Chronolog. truth in love, are left to the efficacy of error. 16, 17.

Verse 21. No man seweth] See the Notes on Matthew 9. 16, 17.

Verse 25. Have ye never read?] Satis salse q. d. Ignorat is adhuc, quod adeo notum & tritum. Miror ego vestram vel inscitiam, vel ignaviam. Its a shame for you, that you are yet so stupid, or so stubborn.

Verse 26. And to them that, &c.] Though meaner men [illegible: 1 word] David.

Verse 27. The Sabbath was made for man] That is, for mans safety and advantage. As he would be undone without it, hee would grow wild, and forget God: so, if it stand in the way of his safety, it is not to be observed; as if an enemy then assault us, [illegible: 1 word] Cassius. we may fight with him. Pompey could never have taken Jerusalem, but that the superstitious Jewes refused to defend themselves on the Sabbath: which when he observed, he then, on that day most feircely assaulted them and took their City.

Verse 28. Therefore the Son of man] This Lordship taking beginning in Christ, seems to be, from him, derived to all that are in Christ. As Psal. 8. 4, 5. compared with Heb. 2. 6, 7. Whatever David speaks of man, is applied to Christ, and so is proper to the Saints, by vertue of their union with Christ.