John Trapp on Matthew 16:3

Verse 3. Can ye not discerne the signe of the times? The men of Issachar were in great account with David, because they had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to doe, 1 Chron. 12. 32. A prudent man foreseeth an evil, and hideth himself, Prov. 22. 3. He foreseeth it; not by divination, or starregazing, but by a judicious collection and connection of causes and [illegible: 1 word]: as, if God be the same that ever, as holy, just, powerfull, &c. If sin be the same that ever, as foul, loathsome, pernicious, &c. then such and such events will follow upon such and such [illegible: 1 word]. As God hath given us signes and fore-tokens of a tempest, so he hath also of an ensuing judgement, and blames those that take not notice thereof; sending them to school to the stork and swallow, Jer 87. If Elias see but a cloud as a hand, arising from Carmel, he can tell that a great store of rain will follow, that the whole heaven will anon be covered. Finer tempers are [illegible: 1 word] sensible of change of weather. Moses, as more acquainted with God, spies his wrath at first setting out: so might we have done ere it came to this, and have redeemed a great part of our present sorrows, had we had our eyes in our heads, Eccles. 2. 14 had we not been of those wilfull ones, who seek straws to put out their eyes withall, as Bernard hath it, or that wink for the nonce, saith [illegible: 1 word] Qui [illegible: 1 word] quaerunt unde oculos [illegible: 2 words] Bern. Martyr, that they may not see, when some unsavoury potion is ministred unto them.