Matthew Poole and continuators on Mark 9:50

50 Salt is good, but if the salt hath lost its saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in your selves, and have peace one with another.

We met with the former part of this Verse Matth. 5. see the Notes on v. 13. in that Text he compared his Disciples, whether Preachers or others to Salt, because by their Doctrine, and holy Life and Example, they as it were kept the▪ World sweet. I do not see why we should not so understand him speaking here, understanding by Salt Persons Salted, seasoned with the knowledge of the Doctrine of Christ, and with the fear and love of God. These are good. But if any appearing such, Apo[illegible: 1 letter]tatize, or be Lazy, and inactive, what are they good for? Or what shall season them? Have Salt in your selves, and peace one with another. Here Salt is taken in a little different Sense. In the former Sense, themselves were the Salt, here they are commanded to keep Salt in themselves. They could not have been Salt to Season others, if themselves had not first been Salted with gracious Habits of Knowledge, Faith, Love, fear of God: now saith our Saviour, Keep this Salt in your selves, let not this holy Fire dye from the Altar, take heed of losing your Savour, and have Peace one with another. It is one thing in the Nature of Salt, to Vnite and Knit the parts of the Body Salted together, so as the upholding of an Union, and Peace one with another will declare, that you have Salt in your selves. By this, (saith the Apostle) we know we are Translated from Death to Life, if we love the Brethren. In order to which Men must avoid Envy, and Emulation, and Contests for Superiority, &c. A contest of which Nature gave the first occasion of these Discourses.

Marginal references: Luke 14.34.; Rom. 12.18. Heb. 12.14.