John Trapp on Matthew 23:16

Verse 16. Ye blinde guides which say] His watchmen are blinde, [non-Latin text not transcribed] was an old complaint, Isa. 56. 10. Which that it is a foul fault theVbi Tsaddi est majusculum. Rabbines have there noted from one letter (in the Originall) ofBuxtor. Tiber. the word rendered Watchmen, bigger then his fellows. How many are there that thrust into the Ministery, wanting both heart and art to teach the people? These lead their flocks to the pits brink, wherein if they perish, themselves lie lowermost. Whosoever shall swear by the gold of the Temple] So by the gift on the altar, vers. 18. these, they taught, were tied: the other [illegible: 1 word] for a summe of money be dispensed with, that swore by the Temple, or the altar. Not so those that swore by the gold of the Temple, that is, decicated to the Temple, or by the gift on the altar: for these oaths brought these blinde guides in commodity, which the swearer was forced presently to pay down. The people also were hereby made more free and forward to offer gold for the Temple, sacrifices for the altar; because they were made believe, that those presents were more precious then either Temple or altar. Pretty devices these were to get money; and are they [illegible: 1 word] still practised by Papists? Philip Brasier was abjured in Henry Act. and Mon. the eighths time, for saying, That when any cure is done the Priests do noint the Images, and make men believe the Images do sweat in labouring for them. The rood of Grace, and bloud [illegible: 1 word] Hails is not orious. Our Lady of Loretto hath her Churches so Sands his relat. stuffed with vowed presents and memories, that they are fain to hang their cloysters and Church-yards with them. They teach the people, that as they may sooner go to Christ by S. Dominick then by S. [illegible: 1 word]: so to swear by holy reliques, and in swearing to lay hand on them, is a more binding oath, then to swear by God, laying hand on the Bible.