John Trapp on Matthew 16:1

CHAP. XVI.

Verse 1. The Pharisees also with the Sadduces came. CAme forth, saith S. Marke, to wit out of the coasts of Magdala, [non-Latin text not transcribed] so soon as ever our Saviour arrived there, to quarr[illegible: 1 letter]ll him, and keep him from doing good. So active are the devils instruments to hinder the Kingdom of God, and the good of souls. Truth never wants an adversary; she goes seldom without a scratcht face, as the Proverbe is. The Pharisees and Sadduces, though at deadly difference betwixt themselves, yet can easily combine against Christ. So at this day, the Priests disparage the Jesuits, the Jesuits the Priests, the Priests again the Monks, the Monks the Friers, but they can all conspire against Protestants, whom they jointly persecute. Doggs though they fight never so fierce, and mutually entertear one another; yet, if a hare run by, they give over, and run after her. Martial makes mention of a hare on the Sicilian shore, that having hardly escaped the hounds that hunted her, was devoured by a sea dog; whereupon he brings her in thus complaining; In me omnis terrae que avium que maris que rapina est:Martial. Epigram For sitan & coeli, si canis astra tenet. Tempting, desired him] Or questioned him to and fro, sifted [non-Latin text not transcribed], [illegible: 3 words]. him by interrogatories, pretending to be his friends, and to seek satisfaction only. All this savours strongly of putid hypocrisie, quae ipsis domestica [illegible: 1 word] virtus, as one saith of them. Socinus didAretius. in like sort set upon Zanchius. He was, saith Zanchius, a learned Homo suit plenus diver sarum [illegible: 1 word], quas tamen [illegible: 3 words] nisi [illegible: 1 word] causâ, & [illegible: 2 words] quasi [illegible: 1 word] doceri. Zanch. [illegible: 1 word]. ad [illegible: 1 word] operi suo de [illegible: 2 words]. [illegible: 1 word]. ipsis. q. solu. man, and of unblameable conversation, but full of heresies, which yet he never propounded to me otherwise then by way of question; as seeming desirous to be better informed. By this subtle means, he drew away many, and sought to work upon Zanchius, as did also Matthaeus Gribaldus and some such others. But when they could not prevail, they brake friendship with him, and he with them, for the which he praiseth God from the bottom of his heart. Shew them a signe] Them, by all means, as more worshipfull men then the multidude, such as might merit an extraordinary signe. See here their Satanicall arrogance. So Herod would see our Saviour, that he might see a signe from him. He looked upon him no otherwise then upon some common juggler, that would sure shew him his best tricks. Thus these hypocrites here would gladly be gratified, but they were deceived.