John Trapp on Mark 4

CHAP. IV.

Verse 2. He taught them many things by Parables.] MInisters must like wise fetch comparisons from things most familiar, and best known to their hearers: as the Prophets from when they have to deale with the Egyptians, from flocks and herds; when with the Arabians, from Merchandise and Navigation; when with the Tyrians and Sidonians, &c. And as our Saviour from fishing, when he dealeth with fishers: from sowing when with seedsmen, &c.

Verse 3. Hearken, behold] Christ well knew the ficklenesse of mens spirits, and how every small matter calls them off, when most earnestly set to hear: See the Note on Matth. 13. 3.

Verse 4, 5, &c.] See the Notes on Matth. 13. 3, 4, 5, &c.

Verse 8. Fruit that sprang up and increased] This is spoken in [non-Latin text not transcribed]. opposition to the thorny ground, where the thorns grow up together with the corn, and over-top it: Whereas the good ground brings forth fruit increasing, and ascending: and although it have many thorns, yet grace is superiour to corruption, and keeps it under.

Verse 11. Unto them that are without] That are in the Church, but not of the Church. Shee hath her hang-byes, that are as Wens or botches to the body.

Verse 12.] See the Note on Matth. 13, 14, &c. [non-Latin text not transcribed] alias [non-Latin text not transcribed].

Verse 16. Immediatly they receive it with gladnesse] As children run away with sweet-meats. But the new-birth is seldome without pain, and without a flux of mortification. Leap-Christians prove Apostates.

Verse 21. Is a candle brought] Or lighted, q. d. Take the benefit of the light of the Gospel, suffer it not to stand under a bed or bushell: for there is nothing hid, viz. in our hearts but it shall be opened, viz. by the power of the word most plainly. Lex, lux, the word is a curious critick, Heb. 4. 12.

Verse 24. Take heed what you hear] As the husbandman is very curious in the choyce of his seed. Verse Ibid. Shall more be given] sc. If you bring with you a [illegible: 1 word] of your former hearings. He that hears as he ought, every time he hears he grows something more rich: he picks up the Gospels pearls, and presents them to God the next time, that he may have more. The good soul cannot be without some daily comings in from Christ.

Verse 25. For he that hath to him shall be given] Grace grows by exercise, and impairs by idlenesse: As that side of the teethJohn 1. which is least used in chewing, is apt to have more rhume settle uponRom. 1. it. Though both armes grow, yet that which a man useth, is the stronger and bigger: so is it in grace. God giveth grace for grace, and his righteousnesse is revealed from faith to faith: that is, from a lesse measure to a greater. Whereas it is easie to observe an Eclipse and decay of Gods gifts in them that use them not, till at last they may say with Zedekiah, When went the spirit of God from me?

Verse 26. So is the Kingdom of God] God sows and reaps in the Church, though none observes it, and hath his fruit in due season.

Verse 27. And should sleep] Ministers must rest secure of the successe of their endeavours, having diligently done their duties. The Word may work many a year after: as they say of the Elephant, that she brings not forth till thirteen years after shee hath conceived.

Verse 28. First the blade, then the [illegible: 1 word] ] And the husbandman looks upon it with delight, in hope of an harvest: so doth God take in good part our weak beginnings, whiles we strive to better the blessing that is upon our very buds. Esay 44. 3. The first springs in the womb of grace are precious to him, Ephes. 2. 1.

Verse 30. Whereunto shall we liken, &c] The wisdome of God, the great Counsellour, seems to be at a fault for a fit expression low enough for our slow apprehension.

Verse 33. As they were able to hear] Not as he was able to have spoken. A Minister must masticate his matter as Nurses do their childrens meat, and speak to his hearers shallow capacities; or else he shall be a Barbarian to them, and they to him. He's the best Preacher saith Luther, that preacheth vulgarly, trivially, &c.

Verse 34. He expounded] He read them the riddles, as it were, [non-Latin text not transcribed]. or untied the knots. So Judg. 7. 15. We read of a dream and the interpretation, or breaking of it. A metaphor from the breaking of a Nut to get the kernell.

Verse 36. They took him] Viz. out of that part of the Ship where he had taught, into another part more convenient, where he might rest. For he had preached all that day till the evening, without taking either repast or repose, verse 1.

Verse 38. Asleep on a pillow] Neither did the noyse of the sea, nor the hurry of the seamen labouring for life, awake Christ, till his own time was come. Despaire not, if help be not at hand at first; as we desire: but awake Christ, as here, and Esay 51. 9. God hath a mighiy arme, but, it may be asleep; the Church therefore cryes three times in a verse, Awake.

Verse 39. Peace be still] That is, have done quickly: so much the ingemination imports, Gen. 41. 32.

Verse 40. Why are yee so fearfull?] Increpatio cum admiratione: [illegible: 2 words] tempestatem: [illegible: 2 words], & [illegible: 2 words]. Plut. As their, Master, carest thou not, &c. was interrogatio conquerentis & reprehendentis. But if Caesar in a tempest could bid the Barge-man be of good chear, for he carried over the fortune of Caesar, which could not miscarry; how much more might those that were upon the same bottom with Christ, have beene confident of a safe arrivall?