Ver. 1. On the second sabbath after the first] Jerome saith that he asked Nazianzen what this second sabbath after the first was. Nazianzen answered, I’ll tell you that when I come next into the pulpit, for there you cannot contradict me. Ita per iocum dixit (saith Melancthon) quod hodie serio multi imitantur. [See Trapp on “Mt 12:1”]
Ver. 2. That which is not lawful] Our Saviour grants that it had not been lawful indeed, but in case of hard hunger.
Ver. 3. Have ye not read] Yes, over and over, but either understood not, or, through malice, dissembled it. Quilibet nostrum de lege interrogatus facilius quam nomini suo respondet, saith Josephus. The Jews were all very well versed in the Scriptures.
Ver. 4. See Matthew 12:3,4 Mr 2:24.
Ver. 5. See Matthew 12:3,4 Mr 2:24.
Ver. 6. And it came to pass] [See Trapp on “Mt 12:9”] [See Trapp on “Mt 12:10”] [See Trapp on “Mt 12:11”]
Ver. 11. They were filled with madness] That is, with extreme rage and anger, which is a short madness— Et rectam tollit de cardine mentem.
Ver. 12. He went out into a mountain to pray] He premiseth prayer, being to make choice of the twelve. If Eliezer prayed when to seek a wife for Isaac, Genesis 24:12-14; if Solomon prayed for wisdom, ere he set upon the temple work; if Ezra fasted and prayed ere he committed the golden and silver vessels to them that kept them, Ezra 8:21,30; should there not prayer be made for ministers ere they be set over God’s house and people?
Ver. 13. And of them he chose] [See Trapp on “Mt 10:1”]
Ver. 14. [See Trapp on “Mt 10:2”] [See Trapp on “Mt 10:3”] [See Trapp on “Mt 10:4”] [See Trapp on “Mr 3:14”] [See Trapp on “Mr 6:7”]
Ver. 15. [See Trapp on “Mt 10:2”] [See Trapp on “Mt 10:3”] [See Trapp on “Mt 10:4”] [See Trapp on “Mr 3:14”] [See Trapp on “Mr 6:7”]
Ver. 16. [See Trapp on “Mt 10:2”] [See Trapp on “Mt 10:3”] [See Trapp on “Mt 10:4”] [See Trapp on “Mr 3:14”] [See Trapp on “Mr 6:7”]
Ver. 17. And stood in the plain] And yet he delivered the same sermon (in effect) that he delivered at another time, sitting on the mount, Matthew 5:2, δις και τρις τα καλα.
Ver. 18. And they that were vexed] This was more uncomfortable and incurable than other natural diseases. Sed omnipotenti medico nullus insanabilis occurrit morbus, saith Isidore; to an Almighty physician no disease can be incurable.
Ver. 20. Blessed be ye poor] Here we have a repetition of that famous sermon on the mount, Matthew 5:6,7. [See Trapp on “Mt 5:6”] [See Trapp on “Mt 5:7”]
Ver. 21. [See Trapp on “Mt 5:4”] [See Trapp on “Mt 5:6”]
Ver. 22. And cast out your name] Ubicunque invenitur nomen Calvini, deleatur, saith the Index Expurgatorius. Persecutors proscribe true professors, tanquam nequissiraos et lucis huius usura indignos. After John Huss was burnt, his adversaries got his heart, which was left untouched by the fire, and beat it with their staves. A friar preaching to the people at Antwerp, wished that Luther were there, that he might bite out his throat with his teeth, as Erasmus testifieth. (Ep. xvi. ad obtrectat.)
Ver. 23. See Matthew 5:12. [See Trapp on “Mt 5:12”]
Ver. 24. But woe unto you that are rich] sc. In this world only, and not to Godward. [See Trapp on “Jas 5:1”] [See Trapp on “Jas 5:3”] [See Trapp on “Jas 5:3”] Every grain of riches hath a vermin of pride and ambition in it.
Ver. 25. Woe unto you that laugh now] Worldlings’ jollity is but as a book fairly bound, which, when it is opened, is full of nothing but tragedies.
Ver. 26. When all men shall speak well] What evil have I done, said Aristides, when one told him he had every man’s good word. Male de me loquunlur, sed mali, saith Seneca. Malis displicere, laudari est. When Doeg blasted Darid, he thinks the better of himself, Psalms 52:8. Latimer says he was glad when any objected indiscretion against him in his sermons; for by that he knew the matter was good, else they would soon have condemned that.
Ver. 27. See Matthew 5:44 Ro 12:20.
Ver. 28. See Matthew 5:44 Ro 12:20.
Ver. 29. That smiteth thee on the one cheek] Socrates, when one gave him a box on the ear in the market place, said, Quam molestum est nescire homines quando prodire debeant cam galea? What an odd thing it is to go abroad without a helmut.
Ver. 30. Give to every man, &c.] General Norrice never thought he had that which he gave not away. It is not lack, but love of money, that maketh men churls. Men believe not that of Martial, “ Extra fortunam est quicquid donatur egenis; Quas dederis solas semper habebis opes.” Ask them not again] Or if thou take the benefit of the law to recover them, do it without hate or heat; as tilters break their spears on each other’s breasts, yet without wrath or intention of hurt.
Ver. 31. And as ye would that men, &c.] The most part of the Turk’s civil justice is grounded upon this rule, as is above noted.
Ver. 32. See Matthew 5:46. [See Trapp on “Mt 5:46”]
Ver. 34. See Matthew 5:42. [See Trapp on “Mt 5:42”]
Ver. 35. Lend, hoping for nothing] No, not the principal, in case thy brother be not able to repay it. Thomas Tomkins, martyr, a weaver, dwelling in Shoreditch, whensoever any had come to borrow money of him, would show them such money as he had in his purse, and bid them take it; and when they came to repay it again, so far was he from usury, that he would bid them keep it longer till they were better able. (Acts and Mon.) The usurer breeding money of money to the third and fourth generation, prove like the butler’s box (saith one), which at length draws all the counters to it. Our Saviour, in the former verse, maketh him worse than other sinners, who lend to receive the like; but he lends to receive the more. To the unthankful and to the evil] An unthankful man is a naughty man; nay, he is an ugly man, Psalms 147:1.
Ver. 36. [See Trapp on “Mt 5:48”]
Ver. 37. See Matthew 7:1.
Ver. 38. Into your bosom] The Jews wore large and loose garments, so that they could bear away much in their bosoms. Hence this expression.
Ver. 39. See Matthew 15:14.
Ver. 40. See Matthew 10:24.
Ver. 41. See Matthew 7:3.
Ver. 43. See Matthew 7:16.
Ver. 44. See Matthew 12:33-35.
Ver. 45. See Matthew 12:33-35.
Ver. 46. See Matthew 7:21 Mal 1:6.
Ver. 47. See Matthew 7:24.
Ver. 48. When the flood arose] Every man is that in truth which he is in a temptation.
Ver. 49. And immediately it fell] Want of due humiliation, at first conversion, is the ground of apostasy; unless there be care to do it better afterwards, and to make up that which is yet lacking; to cast up the loose earth, ut in solido extruat, as Vitruvius adviseth his builder. (Architect, i. 5.)