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CHAP. VII.
1. THen came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the Scribes, which came from Jerusalem.
2. And when they saw some of his disciples [eat bread with [note a] defiled (that is to say, with unwashen) hands,] they found fault.
[Paraphrase] 2. take their dinner, their meat without using the ce••••••∣mony of wathing their hands before it,
3. For the Pharisees and all the Jews, except they wash their* 1.1 hands [note a] † 1.2 oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the Elders.]
[Paraphrase] 3. doe not ear any meat, and this in obedience to an ordinance made by their Praedecessors, not recorded in the Scripture of the old ••estament.
4. And when they come from the [note b] * 1.3 market, except they [note c] wash, they eat not: many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups and pots, brazen vessels, and† 1.4 tables.]
[Paraphrase] 4. And when they come from the market or hall of judgment, or any the like mixt assemblies, they wash their hands solemnly, (for fear they may have been defiled there) before they eat. And in thir mat∣ter of washing, many other ordinances there are, which they think themselves bound to observe, as laws divine, as the washing of cups to drink in, of pots containing somewhat above a pint, of brazen vessels (when carthen vessels, if defiled, were to be broken) and also of beds, on which they did eat then, as now on tables.
5. Then the Pharisees and Scribes asked him, Why [walk not thy disciples accord∣ing to the tradition of the Elders, but] eat bread with unwashen hands?
[Paraphrase] 5. observe not thy disci∣ples the ordinances of our progenitors, which forbid to
6. He answered and said unto them [Well hath Isaias prophecyed of you hy∣pocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is farre from me.
7. Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the* 1.5 traditions of men.
8. For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups, and many other such like things ye do.]
[Paraphrase] 6, 7, 8. you are the very sort of hypocrites of which Isaiah prophecyed c. 30. 13. men that professe great strict∣nesse in performances toward God, and practise in some ex∣ternal things more then God commands them, and impose these upon others as the commands of God, when they are only humane ordinances: As for the inward purity of heart and actions, to which all Gods laws of washings, &c. all the ceremonial law of legal uncleannesses did referre, being but the shadow to pourtray the true substantial purity of the heart, and soul, the fountain of actions, they take no care of them, transgresse against this substantial part of religion in the foulest manner, and spend all their time in these external superfluities, washing of pots, &c. the ordinances of their Rabbins only.
9. And he said unto them,† 1.6 Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.]
[Paraphrase] 9. And he said unto them, Is not this fair worship and serving of God, to reject all the prime commands of God, the most considerable parts of religion, and act directly contrary to them, and satisfie and content your selves with some external performances, which are not at all commanded by God, but only by your selves or your Rabbins?
10. For Moses said, Honour thy father and thy mother, and, whoso* 1.7 curseth fa∣ther or mother, let him die the death.
[Paraphrase] 10. Exed. 20. 12. and Exo. 21. 17. see Note on Mar. 15. b.
11. But ye say [If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me, he shall be free.]
[Paraphrase] 11. If when a mans pa∣rents want any thing which the son hath, (and so is bound by nature and the fifth commandment to give it them) he can tell them that he hath taken an oath, to relieve them, he shall be free from the obligation of the fifth commandment. See Note on Mat. 15. c.
12. And ye suffer him no more to doe ought for his father or mother.
13. Making the word of God of none e••••ect through your tradition, which ye have delivered,] and many such like things doe ye.
[Paraphrase] 13. And so by this inven∣tion of yours, ye free a man from any obligation of honoring or succouring his parents when he hath no minde to it.
14. And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand,
15. There is nothing from without a man that entring into him can defile him, but things which come out of him those are they which defile a man.]
[Paraphrase] 15. As for your question v. 5. about washing, know this, that the true and real pollutions, which God would have all men to avoid, are not those which come from the meats and drinks, and such external things, but those of wicked thoughts and words and actions, those are the great defilements principally aimed at in the legal prohibitions, and forbidden by them.
16. If any man hath eares to hear, let him hear.]
[Paraphrase] 16. Take notice of what I say, though it be contrary to the rules of purity, as they are understood and practised by you, for this is a Reformation, that I am sent to work in your law.
17. And when he was entred into the house from the people, his disciples asked him concerning the parable.
18. And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Doe ye not perceive that [whatsoever thing from without] entreth into a man, it cannot defile him?
[Paraphrase] 18. meats, drinks, &c. whatsoever
19. Because it entreth not into his heart, but into the belly, and goeth out into the draught, purging all meats.]
[Paraphrase] 19. Because his heart, or soul being the principal part of him, and that which alone is capable of defilement, all sin being an act of his will and choise, the meats which we take in, en∣ter only into the stomach and belly, not into the heart, and being taken in, if there be any polluted part in them, that is voided and carried out in the draught, and by the purging out those dregs, all meats are made clean and nutritive.
20. And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth a man.]
[Paraphrase] 20. But as in the law of Moses it is observable that the excrements and whatsoever (almost) comes out of a man, polluted all it touched, Deut. 23. 13.
21. For from within, out of the heart of men proceed evil* 1.8 thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murthers,
22. Thefts,‖ 1.9 covetousnesse, wickednesse, deceit, lasciviousnesse, an evil eye, † 1.10 blasphemy, pride, [note d] foolishnesse.]
[Paraphrase] 21, 22. So thereby is sig∣nified, that all defilements of the man are those that come from within him, having their beginning from mens wicked will and choice, such are evil machinations, or conspracies, (see Note on Mat. 15. e.) adulteries, fornications, homicides, thefts, inordinate lusts (see Note on Rom. 1. h.) villanies, cheating, effeminacy, envy, and covetousnesse, calumniatings, haughtinesse, or despising of others, foolish vain-glorious boasting.