John Trapp on Mark 5

CHAP. V.

Verse 2. A man with an unclean spirit] GRaecè. In an unclean spirit, quod eum spiritus quasi inclusum [non-Latin text not transcribed]. [illegible: 1 word]. So the flesh is called the old man, as if it were the wholeBeza. of a naturall man: and the Devill is said to work effectually in such, Ephes. 2. 2. See the Note on Mark 1. 23.

Verse 3. Who had his dwelling among the Tombs] The buriallplaces of the Saints were anciently thought to have a kind of holinesse in them. Hence grew that superstition of meeting and praying together at the Saints Sepulchers; and afterwards of praying for them, and to them. Which to foment the Devill usually haunted such places, there to play his pranks.

Verse 4, 5, 6.] See the Notes on Matth. 8. 28.

Verse 7. I adjure thee by God] Exemplum horrendum impudentiae sceleratorum spirituum, saith Beza. To adjure one, is to take an oath of him for our own security. An oath is not rashly to be undertaken, but by a kind of necessity, when it is exacted. Hence the Hebrew Nishbang is a passive, and signifieth To be sworn, rather then to swear.

Verse 9. My name is Legion] That is, a multitude. A [illegible: 1 word] was commonly among the Romans saith (Isidore) six thousand armed souldiers. So many Devils were gotten in one poor man. Let us in him see, what the best of us have deserved: and, sith we have escaped, offer a Passe over each for himself.

Verse 11. Nigh unto the Mountains] All this Country was full of hills (intercursantibus montibus Galaad) and mountaines of Gilead.

Verse 13. Jesus gave them leave] If Christ condescended to the Devils, though to the losse of others, will he not hear us? Into the Sea] So that standing pool in Gadaris is called, which,Strabo Geog. lib. 16. Strabo saith, is of such a naughty nature, that if beasts taste of it they shed their hair, nails, hoofs or horns.

Verse 15. They come to Jesus] And, amazed with the miracle, they expostulate not an injury; but acknowledging him Lord of all, they beg him to be gone, lest they should sustain further losse by him: The Devill shall have his dwelling again in themselves rather then in their pigges (as that martyr phrasedBradford. it) they will rather lose Christ then their porket. And in his right mind] Sanguis medici factus est medicina phrenetici. The Surgions bloud was the sick mans salve.

Verse 17. And they began, &c.] See the Note on Mat. 8. 34.

Verse 19. Tell how great things, &c.] This was all the fee Christ lookt for, for his cures. Words seem to be a slender and slight recompence: but Christ (saith Nazianzen) calleth himself the Word.

Verse 20. Began to publish in Decapolis] A great mercy to them to have such a Preacher sent amongst them. Bethsaida was denied this favour, Mark 8. 26.

Verse 22, 23, 24.] See the Notes on Matth. 9. 18. &c.

Verse 25. And a certain woman] This History fell out fitly, that Jairus might be confirmed, and the different degrees of faith in severall Saints, the better discerned.

Verse 26. And had spent all that she had] Physitians are manyPlaut. of them crumenimulgae, & fordida poscinummia. They call their drugs [non-Latin text not transcribed], gifts: yet we pay dear for them. Jurisconsultorum idem status & Medicorum: Damna quibus licito sunt aliena lucro. Hi morbos aegrorum, agrorum litibus illiOwen. [illegible: 1 word]. Dant patienter opem, dum potiantur opum. Howbeit their greedy desire of money seldome prospereth with them. Dicis te medicum, nos te plus esse fatemur:Mendico sc. Ibid. Una tibi plus est littera quam medico.

Verse 28. If I may but touch] See the Note on Mat. 9. 21.

Verse 30. That vertue had gone out of him] As heat goeth out of the Sun into the ayre, water, earth, earthly bodies, and yet remains in the Sun; so here. Salienti aquarum fonti undas si tollas, nec exhauritur, nec extenuatur, sed dulcescit: [illegible: 1 word], etiam docendi officio, dulcedinem [illegible: 1 word], non sentiat minutias. A fountain is not drawn dry, but cleared: so skill is not lost by communicating it to others, but increased.

Verse 32. And he locked round about] He confuted the rashnesse of his Disciples, not with words, but looks. We may more fitly sometimes signifie our dislike of sin by frowns, then by speeches. As the North-wind drives away rain, &c.

Verse 34. Daughter, thy faith, &c.] They that can shame themselves to honour Christ, shall receive much settlement, and inward satisfaction.

Verse. 35. Thy daughter is dead] Christ commonly reserves his holy hand for a dead lift.

Verse 40. See the Note on Matth. 9. 24. &c.

Verse 43. That no man should know it] Lest he should be too soon known and acknowledged by the people. But when he knew that he was shortly to die, he openly restored to life Lazarus, and the Widows son. Every thing is beautifull in its season.Eccles. 3.