John Trapp on Matthew 3:1

CHAP. III.

Verse 1. In those daies came Iohn the Baptist.] WHom Chrysologus fitly calleth, [illegible: 1 word] legis & [illegible: 1 word], the bond or buckle of both Testaments. He standeth, as that Angel, with one foot on the sea (the law) and with the other footRevel. 10. [illegible: 1 word]. on the land (the Gospel.) Preaching in the wildernesse of Iudea,] A place, wherein we finde six cities with [illegible: 1 word] villages, Josh. 15. 61. But called a wildernesse, because more thinly inhabited. In which sense we may say of Germany, that Acheldama or field of bloud, and many other once rich and fertile countries, that they are become a wildernesse, warre being a tragedy that alway [illegible: 1 word] eth the stage whereon it is acted: but for the wickednesse of them that dwell therein [illegible: 1 word] 107 [illegible: 1 word]. it is, that a [illegible: 1 word] full land is turned into [illegible: 1 word] wildernesse, saith David. [illegible: 1 word] est [illegible: 3 words]. And the Heathen [illegible: 1 word] saith little [illegible: 1 word], when he tels us that the ruine and rubbish of Troy, are set by God before the eyes ofHerodot. [illegible: 1 word], for an example of that rule, that, Great [illegible: 1 word] have great punishments. Now alterius perditio sit tua cautio, saith an Ancient,Isidor. soliloq Not to be warned by others, is a sure presage of ruine. Scipio beheld and bewail'd the downfall of Rome, in the destruction of Carthage. And when Hannibal was beleaguering Saguntum in Spain, the Romans were as sensible thereof, as if he had been thenLiv. beating upon the wals of their Capitoll. A storm, oft-times, begins in one place, and ends in another. When the sword rides circuit (as a Judge) it is in commission, Ezek. 14. 17. Ier. 47. 6, 7. And, When I begin (saith God) I will make an end, 1 Sam. 3. 12. We cannot but fore-see a storm, unlesse we be of those in Bernard, who seek straws to put out their eyes withall. If we Qui [illegible: 2 words], [illegible: 4 words] [illegible: 1 word]. break not off our sins by repentance (that there may be a lengthening of our tranquillity) a removall of our Candleslick may be as certainly fore-seen and fore-told, as if visions and letters were sentDan. 4. 27. us from heaven, as once to the Church of Ephesus. God may well say to us, as to them of old, Have I been a wildernesse unto Jer. 2. 31. Israel, a land of darknesse? Or, as Themistocles to his Athenians, Are ye weary of receiving so many benefits by one man? Bona à tergo formosissima. Our sins have long since sollicited an utter dissolution and desolation of all; and that we should be made aJer. 49. 2. & 25. 9. heap and a hissing, a waste and a wildernesse: Quod Deus ave[illegible: 1 letter]tat.