John Trapp on Matthew 4:18

Verse 18. [illegible: 1 word] Iesus walking by the sea of Galilee] Not for recreation sake, or to deceive the time (for he had a great multitude attending upon him to [illegible: 1 word] the Word of God, as St Luke noteth) [illegible: 1 word] as laying hold on the opportunity of calling Peter and Andrew; and, after that, [illegible: 1 word] and [illegible: 1 word] to the Apostleship. Our Saviour knew that a well chosen season is the greatest advantage of any action: which, as it is seldom found in haste, so is it too often lost in delay. The men of Issachar were in great account with1 Chron. 12. 32 David, because they had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to doe, and when to doe it. So are they in great account with the sonne of David, who regard and improve (as he did here) the season of well-doing; which they that lose are the greatest losers, and the wastfullest prodigals: For of [illegible: 1 word] other [illegible: 1 word] two may be had together: but two moments of time (how much lesse two opportunities of time?) cannot be [illegible: 1 word] together. Some are semper victuri (as Seneca saith) ever about to doe better: they stand futuring and whiling out the time so long, till they have trifled and fooled away their own salvation. Let us sit ready in the door of our hearts (as Abraham did in the door of his [illegible: 1 word]) to apprehend occasions of doingProv. 25. 11. good, as he to entertain passengers; to set a word or work upon Ecclel. 3. 11. it's wheels, that it may be as apples of gold, and pictures of silver, Job 6 [illegible: 1 word]. pleasant and profitable; for every thing is beautifull in it's season, and how forcible are right words? As the Bee (so soon as ever the Sunne breaks forth) flies abroad to gather honey and wax: So be thou ready to every good work, waiting the occasions [illegible: 1 word] 116. 16, 17 2 Cor. 6. 2. thereof, Tit. 3. 1. Now, now, saith David, and after him Paul; because (for ought we know) it is Now or Never, to day, or not at all. Opportunities are headlong, and, once past, irrecoverable,August. Ex hoc momento pendet aeternitas. God hath hanged the heaviest weights upon the weakest wires. Be quick therefore,Prov. 27. 1. and abrupt in thine obedience, Thou knowest not what a greatbellied [illegible: 1 word] quid [illegible: 1 word] vesper [illegible: 1 word]. day may bring forth: Yea, thou maist the very next hour be cut off from all further time of repentance, acceptation, and grace for ever. He saw two brethren.] He knew them and admitted them into his friendship well nigh a year before, [illegible: 1 word]. 1 39. but now calleth them from being fishers, to be fishers of [illegible: 1 word]. Peter is famous for his first draught, Act. 2. whereby he caught and brought to the Church three thousand souls. Casting their net into the sea.] God calleth men when theyVeteres Romani Agenoriam. are busie; Satan, when they are idle. For idlenesse is the hour of [illegible: 1 word] & Strenam [illegible: 2 words] pro [illegible: 2 words]. [illegible: 1 word], and an idle person the devils Tennis-ball, which he tosseth at pleasure, and sets awork as he liketh and listeth. God hath ordained that in the sweat of his brow man should eat his bread. The Hebrew hath it, In the sweat of his nose; for he must [illegible: 1 word] verò [illegible: 1 word] urbem [illegible: 1 word]. labour till the sweat runne down his nose. Which, if [illegible: 1 word] doe, God hath promised, that manus molitans, the diligent, nimble handedSpec. [illegible: 2 words]. man shall not stay long in a low place. He shall stand [illegible: 1 word] Princes, as these painfull fisher-men were to stand before theGen. 3. 19. Prince of Peace, and to be of his constant retinue. As till then,Prov. 10. 4. their busie attendance on their calling was no lesse pleasing toProv. [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 word]. Christ, then an [illegible: 1 word] diate devotion. Happy is that [illegible: 1 word], whom his Lord when he comes [illegible: 2 words] serving [illegible: 1 word] and man with his fat and [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 4 words] and [illegible: 1 word] in Iothams Iudg. 9. 9. Parable. For they were fishers.] [illegible: 3 words] us, & [illegible: 1 word] ([illegible: 1 word] Beddingf. one) sed [illegible: 1 word] in [illegible: 1 word], [illegible: 1 word] dona dedit & ministeria. Christ sends forth none to preach, but whom he gifteth: where the comfort is, that a small [illegible: 1 word] may threed a needle, and a little [illegible: 1 word] doe better in a small river, then a great [illegible: 1 word].