John Trapp on Mark 8

CHAP. VIII.

Verse: 1. The multitude being very great.] YEt not so great as the five thousand before fed with fewer loaves, and more leavings: To teach us, that Gods blessing, and not the muchnesse of meat, feeds and satisfies.

Verse 2. I have compassion, &c.] See the Notes on Matthew 15. 32, 33, 34, &c.

Verse. 3. They will faint] Their sine [illegible: 1 word] will be loosened, as it useth [non-Latin text not transcribed]. to fare with men in fainting fits. Physitians sometimes let bloud usque ad deliquium animae: so doth God; as he did David often. See the Note on Matth 15. 32.

Verse 4. With bread] That is, with the coursest fare. [illegible: 1 word] opponit panem libis & placentis. Lib. 1. Ep. 10. Bread is used for homely provision.

Verse 5, 6, 7, &c.] See the Notes on Matth. 15. 34, 35, 36.

Verse 12. And he sighed deeply] His heart was straightned (as [non-Latin text not transcribed] the word signifies) and would have burst, but for a vent. Expletur lachrymis egeriturque dolor. Ezek. 9. 4. So those marked mourners sighed and cried for others, who were altogether insensible of their own miseries. So Habacuc trembled and quivered for the Chaldeans calamities, cap. 3. 16.

Verse 13. And he left them] See the Notes on Matthew 16. 1, 2.

Verse 15. Of the leaven of Herod] Of the Sadduces saith Matthew: to the which Sect some conceive that Herod had now joyned himself, the better to still the noise of his conscience, by making himself beleeve there was no judgement to come.

Verse 18. Do ye not remember?] All's loft that is not well laid up in this pot of Mannah, the sanctified memory, 1 Cor. 15. 2.

Verse 19, 20.] See the Note on Matth. 16. 10, 11, &c.

Verse 21. How is it that yee do not understand?] It is very ill taken when we improve not experiments. Of all things God can least abide to be forgotten.

Verse 23. He took the blind man by the hand] He could have delivered him to his friends, to lead him; but he did it himself, as holding it an honour, a pleasure, to do men in misery any office of curtesie. And led him out of the town] Either that the miracle he wrought might be the lesse noticed: or as holding the inhabitants unworthy to behold it. All Israel might see [illegible: 1 word] go towards the Rock of Rephidim, none but the Elders might see him strike it. Their unbeleif made them unworthy this priviledge: so might their unthankfulnesse the men of Bethsaida. Wo to thee [illegible: 1 word]. It is no small favour of God to make us witnesses of his great works.

Verse 25. He saw every man clearly] Procul & dilucidè, longè [non-Latin text not transcribed] [illegible: 1 word]. When we come to heaven we shall see as we are seen, who now see but as in a glasse obscurely, as old men do thorough Spectacles, 1 Cor. 13.

Verse 26. Neither go into the town] Christ would not vouchsafe such an ungratefull people the benefit of one more Preacher, though never so mean. This was a greater judgement upon them, then if he had turned some other way that arme of the sea that brought so much wealth into their town.

Verse 27, 28. See the Note on Matth. 16. 13.

Verse 29. Thou art the Christ] This was much in few. Here is not Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock, &c. Which if either Saint Mark or Saint Peter had esteemed (as Papists now do) the foundation of the Christian Church, it had not been here omitted (as Beza well observeth) sith it goes for currant among the Ancients, that Saint Mark wrote this Gospel at Saint Peters mouth.

Verse 31. And after three dayes] That is, within three dayes, or on the third day.

Verse 34. Whosoever will come after me] See the Notes on Mat. 10. 38. and Mat. 16. 24. Take up his Crosse] It is but a delicacy that men dream of toJoh. de Polemar. [illegible: 1 word]. in Concil. [illegible: 1 word]. ap. Binnium. divide Christ and his Crosse. Every Christian must be a Crucian, said Luther; and do somewhat more then those Monks that made themselves woodden Crosses, and carried them on their backs continually, making all the world laugh at them.

Verse 35. For whosoever will save his life] As that revolting [illegible: 1 word], Host to Philbert [illegible: 1 word] Martyr, slaine by his enemy upon a private quarrell. As those Angrognians that yeelded to the PapistsAct. & Mon. fol. 835. that came against them, and were more cruelly handled by them then their neighbours that continued constant in the truth. As Denton the Smith of Welle in Cambridgshire, that could not burnIbid. 873. for Christ, and was afterwards burned in his own house. As West Ibid. 1558. that was Chaplaine to Bishop Ridly, who refusing to dye in Christs cause with his Master, said Masse against his conscience, and sooneIbid. 1570. after pined away for sorrow. If I shrink from Gods truth (said Doctor Taylor Martyr) I am sure of another manner of death then had Judge Hales: who being drawn for fear of death, to doIbid. 1382. things against his conscience, did afterwards drowne himselfe.

Verse 36. For what shall it profit a man] And yet many do as Shimei that to seek his servants, lost himself. And as Jonas, that was content to be cast into the Sea, that the Ship with her lading might come safe to shore.

Verse 38. In this adulterous & sinfull, &c.] The worse the times are, the better we should be. Stars are most needed in a dark night. We may as well, saith Zuinglius, Adaram Jovis aut Veneris adorare, ac sub Antichristo fidem occultare. Antichrists limbs have their mark in their hand, which they may shew or hide at pleasure: but Christs members have their mark in their foreheads only. Davids parents and brethren came down to him, to the cave of Adullam though to their great danger, 1 Sam. 22. 1. Onesiphorus was not ashamed of Pauls chain at Rome, 2 Tit. 1. When he commeth in the glory] David going against Goliah took only his sling, and a few stones; but when against Nabal, he marched better appointed. So Christ came at first in a mean condition: but when he comes again to judgement, he shall march furiously, attended with troops of Saints and Angels.