John Trapp on Matthew 24:13

Verse 13. But he that endureth] It is but a He, a single man, that holdeth out: when Many loose their love, and therewith their reward, 2 Ioh. 8. Ecebolus, AEneas Sylvius, Baldwin, Pendleton, Shaxton and many others, set forth gallantly; but tired ere they came to their journies end. Of them that verse was verefied, Principium fervet, medium tepet, exitus alget. Like the Galli Insubres, they shewd all their valour in the first encounter. Like Charles the 8. of France, of whom Guicciarden noteth, that in his expedition to Naples, he came into the field like thunder and lightning, but went out like a snuffe. Like Mandrobulus in Lucian, who the first year offered gold to his gods, the second year silver, the third nothing. Or lastly, like the lions of Syria, which as Aristotle reporteth, bring forth first five whelps, next time four, next three, and so on, till at length they become barren. So Apostates come at last to nothing, and therefore must look for nothing better then to be cast off for ever: when they that hold out and hold on their way, passing from strength to strength, from faith to faith, &c. shall be as the Sunne when he goeth forth in his strength; yea they shall shine forth as the Sunne in the kingdom of their father, Matth. 13. 43. Caleb was not discouraged by the Giants, and therefore had [illegible: 1 word] the place of the [illegible: 1 word]: so those that hold out in the way of heaven, shall be sure to have heaven. Thomas San-Paulins at Paris, a young man of eighteen years, being in the fire, was pluckt up again upon the gibbet, and asked whether he would [illegible: 1 word]? To whom he said, That he was Act. [illegible: 1 word] Mon. [illegible: 1 word]. 8, 5. in his way toward God, and therefore desired them to let him goe. [illegible: 1 word] Merchant of Paris his case was nothing so comfortable, who for jesting at the [illegible: 1 word], was by them condemned to be hanged: But he, to save his life, was content to recant, and so he did. The Friers, hearing of his recantation, commended him, saying, If [illegible: 1 word] continued so, he should be saved. And so calling upon the officers, caused them to make haste to the Gallows to hang him up, while [illegible: 1 word] was yet in a good way (said they) lest he Ibid [illegible: 1 word]. 831. fall again.