Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 5:47

47 And if you salute you brethren only, what do you more than others? do not even the publicans so?

Reason obligeth you, who expect a reward from God for what you do, to do something more than those who know of no such reward; or at least live in no Expectation of any such thing, and you who Condemn others as great Sinners, and Men not worthy of your Converse, ought to do something by which you may outdo those whom you so Conde[illegible: 1 letter]n, both in Offices of Piety towards God, and Charity towards Men. But if you only shew kindness to your Relations, and to your Country-men, you do no more than those whom you look upon as Heathens, and the worst of Men, who act only from the Light and Law of Nature and know of no reward God hat[illegible: 1 letter] to give, nor live in any such Expectation of it. By loving here is me[illegible: 1 letter]nt doing good Offices, either for the Souls, or Bodies of others. By Saluting is meant Common Offices of kindness, such as inquiring of our Neighbours Health, wishing the[illegible: 1 letter] well, &c. The Publicans were Civil Officers appointed by the Romans, to gather up Publick Taxes and Revenues, the Chief Commi[illegible: 1 letter]sioners were Knights and Gentlemen of Rome, who either let out these Revenues to others, or imployed others under them in the Collecting of them, these thus employed were some Iews (such were Matthew and Zacheus) some Romans. These (as is ordinary) made their own Markets, and exacted of the People, upon which Accounts they were exceeding odious: and therefore ordinarily in Scripture we shall find Publicans and Sinners put together, Chap. 9.11. & 11.19. and they are joyned with Harlots, Ch. 21.32. and the Pharisee in his Justification Gloried, he was not as that Publican, Lu. 18.11. Those who Condemn others, ought to take care that they be better than others.