15 When Jesus therefore perceived that they would come and take him by force, to make him a king, he departed again into a mountain himself alone.



Ver. 15. Take him by force] Superstition will needs obtrude upon Christ will worship, whether he will or no, and despite him with seeming honours, as the Lycaonians would needs have stolen a sacrifice upon Paul and Barnabas; and the savages of Nova Albion upon Sir Francis Drake and his company, at their parting with them. They had set it on fire ere we were aware, saith he; we laboured by all means to withhold or withdraw them, but could not prevail, till at length we fell to prayers and singing of psalms, whereby they were allured immediately to forget their folly, and leave their sacrifice unconsumed, suffering the fire to go out; and imitating us in all their actions, they fell a lifting up their hands and eyes to heaven as they saw us to do.