Matthew Poole and continuators on Mark 6:29

29 And when his disciples heard of it they came and took up his corps, and laid it in a tomb.

We meet with this History in Matth. 14. to which I refer the Reader, having the[illegible: 1 letter]e taken in the most considerable things in the Relation of the same thing by Matthew or Mark. Mark calleth him Herod the King, whom Mark and Luke called Tetrarch. Herod was Tetrarch of Galilee, but under that Title he exercised a Regal Power within his Province. The whole History teacheth us several things. 1. The Notion of a faithful Minister. He is one that dareth to tell the greatest Persons of what they do contrary to the plain Law of God. 2. It also teacheth us the Malice of Souls Debauched with Lust. It was not enough for Herodias to have Iohn in Prison, where he could do her no great Prejudice, she must also have his Head cut off. 3. The ill Influence of Corrupt Persons in Princes Courts. Herod had in his Government appeared no cruel Bloody Man. Our Saviour in great quiet Preached the Gospel, and wrought Miracles for the Confirmation of it within Herods jurisdiction, in Galilee we find no inquiry made by Herod after him, no calling him in Question, and for Iohn the Baptist he did not only Tolerate him, but brought him to his Court, Reverenced him as a just, and holy Man, did many things upon his Instructions, heard him gladly, but by the Influence of Herodias (his Courtiers being at least silent in the Case) he is prevailed with, to put him to Death. 4. The Arts likewise of these Persons are observable, they take the advantage, of his Jollity on his Birth-day, when in the Excess of Mirth, it was likely he would be more easie and complying to grant their Requests. 5. We may also from hence learn the Mischief of Rash Oaths, and general Promises, especially when they flow from Souls Ignorant of the Law of God, for had Herod understood any thing of that, he could not have thought that his Oath could have been the Bond of Iniquity, or obliged him to any sinful Act. 6. We may also understand the Mercy of God to that People, who are Governed by Laws, whose Lives and Liberties do not depend upon the Will of any. 7. Lastly, we may observe how far Men may go, and yet be far enough from any saving Grace. They may have a Reverence for Godly Ministers, they may hear them gladly, they may do many things. The Hypocrite hath some principal Lust in which he must be gratifyed, and cannot bear a reproof as to that.