VERS. XXI.
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Ye have heard.
THAT is, ye have received it by Tradition, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 s 1.1 If they hav•• heard, that is, learned by tradition, they speak to them. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 They learned by hearing, that is, by Tradition, a saying very frequent in Maimonides.
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That it was said by them of old time.
That is, It is an old Tradition. For the particular passages of the Law, which are here cited by our Saviour, are not produced as the bare words of Moses, but as cloath∣ed in the Glosses of the Scribes; which most plainly appears above the rest, vers. 43. and sufficiently in this first allegation; where those words, Whosoever shall kill shall be guilty of the judgment, do hold out the false paint of Tradition, and as we observe in the following verses, such as misrepresents the Law, and makes it of none effect. If it be asked, why Christ makes mention of those of old time? It may be answered, that the memory of the antienter Fathers of the Traditions was venerable among the people. Reverend was the name 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 of the first good men, and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the first wise men. Therefore Christ chose to confute their Doctrines and Glosses, that he might more clearly prove the vanity of Traditions, when he reproved their most famous men. But the sense, which we have produced, is plain, and without any difficulty; as if he should say, It is an old Tradition, which hath obtained for many ages.