John Trapp on Matthew 23:3

Verse 3. All therefore whatsoever] Not their traditions, superstitions, and corrupt glosses upon the Law, but whatsoever they teach that is agreable to truth: so long as they sit close to Moses chair, and keep it warm, as it were, hearken to them. Gods good gifts are to be acknowledged and improved even in the worst, as David made Sauls epitaph, 2 Sam. 1. though the devil preached his funerall, 1 Sam. 28. 19. But do not ye after [illegible: 1 word] works] If Ministers do well, saith Chrysostom, it is [illegible: 1 word] own gain, if they say [illegible: 1 word], it is [illegible: 1 word]. Take [illegible: 5 words]. thou what thine own is, and let alone what is another mans. Sylla and K. Richard the third commanded others, under great penalties, to be vertuous and modest, when themselves walked the [illegible: 1 word] contrary way. A deformed painter may draw a goodly [illegible: 1 word] quod tuumest, [illegible: 1 word] alienum. picture, a stinking breath, sound a mighty blast, and he that hath but a bad voice, shew cunning in descant. A blinde man may bear [illegible: 1 word]. a torch in a dark night, and a harp make musick to others, which it self is not sensible of. Posts set for direction of [illegible: 1 word] by the highway-side, do point out the way which themselves go not: And signe-posts [illegible: 1 word] the travellour there is wholesome diet or warm lodging within, when themselves remain in the storms without. Leud preachers are like spirie-steeples, or high-[illegible: 1 word], which point up to heaven, but presse down to the center. For they say, and do not] They had tongues which spake by the talent, but their hands scarce wrought by the ounce; like that ridiculous actour at Smyrna, who pronouncing ô caelum, ô heaven,Of this actour, [illegible: 1 word] chafing said [non-Latin text not transcribed]. pointed with his finger toward the ground: so these Pharisees had the heaven commonly at their tongues end, but the earth continually at their fingers-end. In a certain battel against the Turks, there was a Bishop that thus encouraged the army. Play the men fellow-souldiers, to day; and I dare promise you that if ye dye fighting, ye shall sup to night with God in heaven. Now after the battel was begun, the Bishop withdrew himself: And when some of the souldiers enquired among themselves what was become [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 word]. com. p. [illegible: 1 word]. of the Bishop; and why he would not take a supper with them that night in heaven, others answered, Hodie sibi jejunium indixit, ideo que non vult nobiscum in caelo caenare. This is fastingday with him, and therefore he will eat no supper, no not in heaven. Epictetus was wont to say, that there were many Philosophers [non-Latin text not transcribed], &c. [illegible: 1 word] ap Di. onem. (we may say, Divines) [non-Latin text not transcribed], as far as a few words would go. But is religion now become a word? goodnesse a name (as Brutus once cryed out?) Should it be said of holinesse, as it was once in another place, Audivimus famam; Iob. 28 22. [illegible: 2 words]. we have heard the fame thereof with our ears, and that's all? The foolish Virgins were found with their sic dicentes, but the good servants shall be found with their sic facientes. Christ wasIob. 1. 16. full of grace, as well as truth. John Baptist was both a burning and shining light. Origens teaching and living were said to be both one. That's the best Sermon [illegible: 1 word], that's digg'd out of a [non-Latin text not transcribed]. [illegible: 1 word] Quod [illegible: 1 word] &. gessit. [illegible: 1 word]. ep [illegible: 1 word]. mans own brest, when he practiseth what he preacheth, non [illegible: 1 word] solum praedicans sed exemplis, as Eusebius testifieth of Origen, and Mr Gataker of Mr Stock. As the want hereof [illegible: 1 word] Campian to write Ministris corum nibil vilius, their [illegible: 1 word] are most base.