Matthew Poole and continuators on Mark 7:16

16 If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear.

The addition of these Words, If any Man hath ears to hear, let him hear, con[illegible: 1 letter]irm what I observed before, that our Saviour look't upon what he said as a truth of very great moment, and with all as such a Notion which carnal hearts and superstitious Persons, had no Ears to hear. This great Truth was. That a Man in the sight of God. (For of such defilement he alone speaketh) could be defiled by nothing but what came from within him. How easily would a Popish Doctor have answered this, doth not Disobedience to the Churches commands, come from within us, our Saviourtherefore must be understood of such things as come from within, in disobedience to the Commands of God, such are those which he mentioneth, v. 21.22. for all things that come from within, do not defile the Man. And it is true, that a Disobedience to the Commands of any Power, whither Civil or Ecclesiastical is a thing which cometh from within and difileth a Soul, if it be a disobedience in such things, which God hath given them, a Power to Command, but if not, the case is otherwise.

Marginal references: M[illegible: 1 letter]tth. 11.15.