Matthew Poole and continuators on Matthew 7:12

12 Therefore all things whatsoever you would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets.

Most interpreters think the Term therefore here redundant, as some such little P[illegible: 1 letter]rt[illegible: 1 letter]cles o[illegible: 1 letter]ten are in holy writ, for it is hard to make out this to be a proper inference from the Premises▪ This precept containeth in it the Sub[illegible: 1 letter]tance of all that is to be found in the Books of the Law, and the Prophets which concerneth us in re[illegible: 1 letter]erence to others, the Sum or the Second Table, which requireth only Iustice, and Charity. Christ doth not say, this is all the Law and the Prophets, but this is the Law and the Prophets. There is no man but would have others deal justly with him in giving him what is his own, whether Honour or Tribute, or Estate, &c. neither taking, nor withholding his own from him. Nor is there any but if he [illegible: 2 letters]ood in need of it, would desire the Charitable help of another, or a Charitable Remission from him of what he might in Exact Justice require. Do ye (saith our Saviour) the same unto them. And indeed this is but a Confirmation of the light and Law of Nature, no more but what Men would do, if they would harken to the Light within them. And without this in vain do Men pretend to Religion, as our Saviour teacheth, Mar. 7.9, 10, 11, 12, 13. which makes some think that our Saviour by this reflects upon the Pharisees, who laid all their Religion upon Ceremonies, and some Ritual Performances in ob[illegible: 1 letter]ervance of their Traditions, and omitted the weightyer things of the Law, Iudgment, Mercy and Faith, Math. 23.23.

Marginal references: Luk[illegible: 1 letter] 6 3▪; Chap [illegible: 2 letters] [illegible: 2 letters] Rom. 13 [illegible: 2 letters] 10.