Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 3:7

7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees, and Sadduces come to his Baptism, he said unto them, O Generation of Vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come.

We shall often meet with the mention of these Pharisees, and Sad[illegible: 2 letters]ces: We will therefore inquire here a little more largely concerning them. There were three more eminent Religious Sects amongst the Iews. The Essenes of whom we read nothing in Holy-writ, their main Doctrine was Fate, they ascribed all things to it. The two others are here mentioned, and often, in other parts of the New Testament, we read of the Pharisees and Sadduces: The latter were most acceptable to the great Men amongst the Iews, the former were more Popular, and acceptable to the People. The Sadduces, were directly opposite to the Essenes, they ascribed nothing to Fate, but maintained the Liberty and Power of mans Will in the most Extravagant height, they denyed the Immortality of the Soul, the Resurrection, Angels, &c. all which the Pharises owned, this we may learn from Acts 23.8. where Paul wrought his own Escape by setting these two Factions on quarrelling about these Points. In short these were no better then Athiests (for what must they be less that deny Spirits, and the Resurrection?) The Pharisees as to their Doctrine, were much more sober, they owned Spirits, and the Resurrection, and tho they held much of the Freedom of, and a Power in mans Will; yet they also ascribed much to the Providence and Grace of God: They were the Interpreters of the Law, and as Mr. Calvin thinks, had their Name from thence, not from their dividing and separating themselves from others (as some think) they spent much of their time in Fasting and Prayer, but, 1. They held a Righteousness by the Works of the Law, to be our Righteousness, for which we are accepted of God. 2. They made a very jejune Interpretation of the Law, as may appear from our Saviours Correcting it, Chap. 5. 3. They held many unwritten Traditions of equal Force with the Law of God. 4. Fourthly, they were very Hypocrites in their Practice, neglecting the weighty things of the Law, making long Prayers for a Pretence for their wickedness, and doing all they did, but to be seen of men. Some of these Sadduces and Pharisees, came to Iohn's Baptism, and no wonder, for Mar. 6.20. Herod observed him, heard him, did many things, and heard him gladly, but Luk. 7.30. it is said the Pharisees were not Baptized of him. It is like they came out of Curiosity [He said unto them, O Generation of Vipers] the very Language which Christ used to them, Chap. 12.34. and 23.33. The Viper to which he compareth them, is the worst and most dangerous of Serpents: We need give no Account of the Baptists treating them so roughly, because our Saviour justifieth the term by applying it to them. Corrupt Teachers are the worst of Men, and of all orders of Sinners, fewest of them Repent and have their Hearts changed [who hath warned you to flee from the Wrath to come] what comes in your mind, who think there is no Resurrection, no Hell, or who think you are so righteous that you need fear none, to do any thing that might testifie you are afraid of Wrath to come.

Marginal references: Luk. 3.7.; Rom. 5.5▪ 1 Thes. [illegible: 1 span]