Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 23:4

4 For they bind heavy burdens, and grievous to be born, and lay them upon mens shoulders, but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers.

Our Saviour saith the same of the Lawyers, Luke 11.46. The Burdens here mentioned, were not their Traditions and Ritual things, Christ would never have before commanded his Disciples to observe and do them, but the things truly commanded by the Law of God, especially the Ceremonial Law, called a Yoke, Acts 15.10. which (say the Apostles) neither we nor our Fathers were able to bear. They are, saith our Saviour, Riged Exactors, aed Pressers of the Law of God, upon others, but will not themselves use the least endeavours (such as the putting to of a Finger) themselves to do them. 1. He blameth them that their own Lives, no way answered their Doctrine. 2. It may be, he also blameth their too Riged pressing the Law in all the Minute things of it: There may be a too Rigorous Pressing of the Law. Good Teachers will be faithful in delivering the whole Counsel of God, yet Teaching no more than themselves will endeavour to practise, and being Conscious of Humane Infirmity, they will do it, with great Tenderness, and Compassion, joyning Law, and Gospel both together.

Marginal references: Gal. 6.13▪