John Trapp on Matthew 20:22

Verse 22. Ye know not what ye ask] Ye ask and misse, becauseJam 4. 1. ye ask [illegible: 1 word]. A prayer for things not lawfull, begs nothing but a deniall, as Moses did, in praying to enter into the land, Deut. 3. 25. as Job did in that peevish request of his that God wouldJob 6. 8, 9. let loose his hand and cut him off; as the Disciples did in that over-curious enquiry, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore the Kingdome Act. 1. 6, 7, 8. to Israel? Our Saviour answers, that that's not fit for them to know. But a better thing he could tell them, that they should shortly after be clothed which the holy Ghost. God sometimes in much mercy crosseth the prayers of his poople, as he did Davids for the childes life, who if he had lived, would have been but a standing monument of Davids shame. Was it not better for him to have a Solomon? The Saints have their praiers out, either in money or moneys-worth: provided they bring lawfull petitions and honest hearts. Are ye able to drink of the cup, &c.] Afflictions are frequently set forth by this metaphor of a cup, taken say some, from an ancient custom that the father of the family should give to each under his charge a cup fit for his use, according to his bignesse: Or, as others think, from the manner of feasts, whereat the Symposiarch, or ruler of the feast, as he is called, Ioh. 2. prescribed what and how much every man should drink. And to be baptized with the baptisme] Or plunged over head and ears in the deep waters of affliction. Of these we may [illegible: 1 word] as one doth of the Spa waters, that they are more wholesome then pleasant. Ever since Christ cast his crosse into them, as Moses did that tree, Exod. 15. 25. the property of them is altered, the waters healed. They say unto him, we are able] In your own conceit at least, not else. For these two Disciples as they knew not what they asked, so they knew not what they answered. And yet Maldonat hath the face to defend them in it, as if they here [illegible: 1 word] their alacrity rather then betrayed their precipitancy: Sed exitus [illegible: 1 word] probavit: they shewed their valour at Christs apprehension.