John Trapp on Matthew 2:16

Verse 16. Then Herod when he saw that he was mocked] He had mocked them, and yet takes it ill to be mocked of them, to have his own measure: He never takes notice of this, that God usually maketh fools of his enemies; lets them proceed, that they may be frustrated; and when they are gone to the utmost reach of their tedter, pulls them back to their task, with shame. Was exceeding wroth, and sent forth and [illegible: 1 word]] In their anger they slew a man, saith Jacob of his two sons, Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce, &c. Gen. 49. 6, 7. It is indeed the fury of the unclean spirit, that old manslayer, a very beast within the he art of a [illegible: 1 page] [illegible: 1 page] [illegible: 1 page] [illegible: 1 page] man; a short [illegible: 1 word], as we see in Saul, whom the Devil [illegible: 1 word] by this passion, Ephes. 4. 17. in Lamech, who slew a man in his [illegible: 1 word], andGen [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]. boasted of it: as Alexander Phereus consecrated the Javeling wherewith he slew Polyphron: in David, who swore a great oath what he would do to Nabal, by such a time: And when Uzziah [illegible: 1 word] Chron. 15. 2. was smitten, for his carting the Ark, how untowardly spake he? (so did [illegible: 1 word] too) as if the fault were in God, (doggs in a chafe [illegible: 1 word] bark at their own masters.) Lastly, in Theodosius at Thessalonica, where being enraged at the slaughter of certain Judges, [illegible: 1 word] by sedition, he did to death at hand of seven thousand men. Anger [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] non [illegible: 2 words], [illegible: 3 words] esse [illegible: 1 word] quod suaserit, & [illegible: 1 word], Horat begins in rashnesse, abounds in transgression, Prov. 29. 22. ends in repentance. Jonathan therefore rose from the table in fierce anger, 1 Sam. 20. 34. and to prevent further mischief, went into the field to shoot: And Ahashuerosh, to slake the fire of his wrath conceived against Haman, walked into his garden, ere he pronounced any thing against him, Esth. 7. 7. All the children] His own son also: which Augustus Caesar Melius est [illegible: 1 word] esse [illegible: 3 words], Macrob. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 word]. hearing of, said, It were better be Herods swine then his son. So Philip King of France, ventured his eldest son twice in the wars against those ancient Protestants, the Albigenses, at the siege of Tholouse. And Philip K. of Spain, [illegible: 1 word] his eldest son Charles cap 4. to be murdered by the cruell [illegible: 1 word], because he seemed to favour [illegible: 1 word]. Lutherans: For which, that mouth of blasphemy, the Pope [illegible: 2 words]. gave him this panegyr, Non pepercit filio [illegible: 1 word], sed dedit pro nobis, He [illegible: 1 line]. spared not his own son, but gave him up for us. According to the time which he had diligently enquired] Some thinke, the wise men came before the Purification, but [illegible: 1 word] will have it well-nigh two years after. [illegible: 1 word] was curious in the search, that he might make sure work: but God [illegible: 1 word] him. I kept the ban-dogs at staves-end (saith Nicol. Shetterden, Martyr) not as thinking to escape them, but that I would see the foxes leapHieron Catina. above ground for my bloud, if they can reach it, &c.