Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 5:44

44 But I say unto you Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despightfully use you, and persecute you.

That this is no Counsel of Perfection (as the Papists would have it) nor any new Precept added to the Law of God (as the Socimans would have it) is plain from Prov. 25.21. where we find it commanded under the old Testament▪ Neither is it I advise you, but I say unto you, which argueth a Command. Love here doth not signify the Complacency of the Heart in an object, which is Love in the strict Sense, but be Charitable unto, do good to your Enemies, nor are we equally obliged to do good to our Enemies as to our Friends, but it is Expounded by the following Words, and to be under[illegible: 1 letter]tood. 1. Of not seeking unlawful private Revenge. Bless them that Curse you: do not return Reviling for Reviling, while they Curse, do you Bless. 2. Doing them common Offices of kindness. Rom. 12.20. If thine Enemy Hunger, feed him: if he Thirst, give him to Drink. This is a doing good to them that hate us, relieving them in their pre[illegible: 1 letter]sing Nece[illegible: 1 letter]sities 3. Doing them all the good we can for their Souls: Pray for them who Despightfully use you and Persecute you. So did our Saviour Lu. 23.43. and Stephen, Acts 7.60. so did David, Psal. 35.13, 14, 15. In the mean time we may hate those who are Gods Enemies, as such, Psal. 139.21, 22. And for such, we may seek a due Revenge of God's Honour upon them, and for our Enemies, this Precept Prohibits not the seeking of a just Satisfaction for Wrongs done unto us in a way of Publick Justice, yet not without a Mixture of Charity.

Marginal references: Luk. 6.27. Ro[illegible: 1 letter]. 12.14.; Luk. 23, 34. Acts 7.60. 1 Pet. 2.23. & 3.9.