John Trapp on Matthew 14:3

Verse 3. For Herod had laid hold [illegible: 1 word] Iohn] If Iohn touch Herads white fin (And who will stand still to have his eyes pickt out?) Iohn must to prison, without bail or mainprise; and there not only be confined, but bound [illegible: 1 word] a [illegible: 1 word], as a stirrer up of sedition ( [illegible: 3 words] qui [illegible: 2 words], as [illegible: 1 word]. Lipsius noteth upon Tacitus.) Neither bound only, but beheaded without any law, right, or reason, as though God had known George Marsh in a certain letter. nothing at all of him, as that Martyr expresseth it. All this befell the good Baptist, for telling the truth. Veritas odium parit. If Act and [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]. conscience might but judge, how many of our hearers would be found to have an Herods heart towards their faithfull Ministers? Were there but a sword (of authority) in their hand, as he said to [illegible: 1 word]. 22. 29. his Asse, they would surely slay them. They would deal by them no better then Saul did by David, 1 Sam. 18. 10. whiles he was playing upon his harp to ease Sauls distracted minde, he cast a [illegible: 1 word] at him. The most savoury salt (if they can doe withall) must be cast out, and trodden under foot; as Calvin and other faithfull Ministers were driven out of Geneva at the first: whereupon [illegible: 5 words]. he uttered these gracious words. Truly, if I had served men, I had been ill rewarded: but it is well for me that I have served him who never [illegible: 1 word] his, but will approve himself a liberall paymaster, a [illegible: 1 word] rewarder. And put him in prison] Having first laid hold upon all the principles in his own head, that might any way disturb [illegible: 1 word] course in [illegible: 1 word], and locked them up in restraint, according to that Rom. 1. 18. wicked men [illegible: 1 word] the truth, that is, the light of their own consciences (which is as another Iohn Baptist, a Prophet from [illegible: 2 words] à [illegible: 3 words]. God) this they imprison in unrighteousnesse, and become fugitives from their own hearts, as Austin hath it. For Herodias sake, his brother, &c.] Quam vulpinando [illegible: 1 word] at, as one phraseth it: And he had her not only for his wife, [illegible: 3 words]. but for his [illegible: 1 word]: for she ruled him at her pleasure, as Iezabel did Ahab: of which wretched couple it is said, that Reginaerat Rex, Rex vero [illegible: 1 word]. But [illegible: 1 word] never goes well when the [illegible: 1 word] crowes. [illegible: 1 word]. How many have we known, whose heads have been broken with [illegible: 1 word] 497. their own rib? Satan hath found this bait to take so [illegible: 1 word], that [illegible: 1 word] never changed it since he crept into Paradise. And it is remarkeable, that in that first sentence against man, this cause is expressed, Because thou obeyedst the voice of thy wife. Gen. 3.