John Trapp on Matthew 26:74

Verse 74. Then began he to curse and swear] This he had [illegible: 1 word], belike, of the ruffianly souldiers, with whom usually, [illegible: 1 word] are but expletives, and horrible oathes, interjections of speech. But though Israèl play the [illegible: 1 word], yet why should Judah [illegible: 2 words]. [illegible: 1 word] offend? come not ye to [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1 word] goe ye up to Bethaven, nor swear The Lord [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 word] [illegible: 1 word] once such an oath, and it was enough of that once, 1 Sam. 25 22. But Peter swears and forswears again and again, and that after warning: as Aaron went down aud did that in the valley, which [illegible: 1 word] forbidden in the mount, and then excuseth it by his fear of the [illegible: 1 word]. That [illegible: 2 words] is the mother of many sinnes, [illegible: 1 word] lying especially Zeph. 3. 13. and [illegible: 1 word] too, to save the life. But [illegible: 1 word] dye then lye; and better bear then swear. We may not break the [illegible: 1 word] of any commandment to avoid any peece of foul way, but go in a right line to God. Quas non oportet mortes praeligere, quod non supplicium potiùs ferre, imò in quam profundam in ferni [illegible: 1 word] non [illegible: 1 word], quàm [illegible: 2 words] attestari, saith holy Zuinglius in his third epistle? What should not a man [illegible: 1 word] rather then sinne? And immediately the cock crew] Gallicinium complevit Christi vaticinium. The cock proved a preacher to Peter. Despise not the Minister though never so mean: it is the foolishnesse of preaching that must bring men to heaven. Cocks call men out of their beds, and therehence have their name in the Greek tongue. [non-Latin text not transcribed] [illegible: 1 line]. They constantly keep the law of crowing at set times that nature hath enjoyned them: they cry loud and thick against a storm. So do faithfull Ministers, when gotten upon their battlements: they clap their own sides first, and then constantly call up others. [illegible: 1 word] cry aloud, and spare not, but lift up their voice like a trumpet, to tell Judah of their sinnes, &c. The roaring lion of hell trembleth at their note: and the worlds Sybantes cannot bear their disturbances, and therefore wish them banished. [illegible: 1 word] wisedome is justified of her children, and (though fierce before and untameable,) yet now a little childe shall lead them, Isa 11. 6.