John Trapp on Matthew 18:1

CHAP. XVIII.

Verse 1. At the same time] VVHen he, by paying tribute, had been teaching them humility and modesty, they most unseasonably discover their folly and ambition: so another time, after he had been washing their feet, and giving them the Sacrament, Luk. 22. See in them the pravity, the canker of our natures, and what cause God had to complain, Hos. 7. 1. When I would have healed Israel, then the iniquity of Ephraim was discovered, as if it had been on purpose to spite me, and spet venom in my face. Came the Disciples,] Peter also with the rest, vers. 21. though [illegible: 1 word] will needs have it otherwise (as if he were now at [illegible: 1 word]) [illegible: 1 word] he shall bear no part of the blame: take heed of that, that [illegible: 1 word] sin, Hos 12. 8. Who is the greatest] Quarunt non quaerenda, saith Aretius: they should rather have enquired how to get into heaven, then who should be highest in heaven. Ridiculum illud est, initia ignorare, & ultima rimari. But they [illegible: 1 word] of a distribution of honours and offices (as once in the daies of David and Solomon) a worldly [illegible: 1 word], like the Kingdoms of the earth; as afterwards the Church was, and still is transformed by Antichrist into the image of the beast, that is, of the Roman Empire: yet they call it the kingdom of heaven, because they had heard Christ many times call it so. In the Kingdom of heaven] i. e. In the state and condition of the Church Christian. So to this day among the Jews the Kingdom of the Messiah is called Malcuth hashamajim, the Kingdom of heaven: and rightly so: for, 1. [illegible: 1 word] King is heavenly. 2. He [illegible: 1 word]. hath heaven for his throne, whence he puts forth his power. 3. His Subjects are heavenly minded, and trade for heavenly commodities. 4. Their countrey is heaven, though their commoration be a while upon earth, where they are pilgrims and strangers. 5. The government of this Kingdom is wholly heavenly and [illegible: 1 word].