Original Douay–Rheims AnnotationsMark 7

Common.

Common and unclean is all one. For the Jews were commanded by the Law to eat certain kinds of meats only, and not all indifferently: and because these were separated from other meats, and as it were sanctified to their use, they called the other common and profane: and because the Law calleth those clean and these unclean, thereof it is, that unclean and common is all one, as in this Chapter often, and Act. 10.

Precepts of men.

^[1] Men's ordinances which be repugnant to God's commandments, be here condemned: as all observations not edifying nor profitable to the fulfilling of God's commandments, be vain and superfluous: as many observations of the Pharisees were then, and the like traditions of Heretics be now. For howsoever they brag of Scriptures, all their manner of administration and ministry is their own tradition and invention without all Scripture and warrant of God's word. ^[2] But the traditions of the Apostles and Ancients, and all the precepts of holy Church we are commanded to keep, as things not prescribed by man, but by the Holy Ghost. Act. 15. 28. 41. 2. Thessal. 2, 15.

• 1 Commandments of men.
• 2 Traditions.

Gift.

To give to the Church or Altar is not forbidden, ^◦ but the forsaking of a man's parents in their necessity, pretending or excusing the matter upon his giving that which should relieve them, to God or to the Altar, that is impious and unnatural. And these Pharisees teaching children so to neglect their duties to their parents, did wickedly.

• ◦ Duty to parents.

Nothing entering into a man.

As these words of our Saviour do not import, that the Jews then might have eaten of those meats which God forbade them: no more do they now, that we Christians may eat of meats which the Church forbiddeth us ^◦. And yet both then and now all meats are clean, and nothing entering into a man, defileth a man. For neither they then, nor we now abstain, for that any meats are of their nature abominable, or defile the eaters, but they for signification, we for obedience and chastisement of our bodies.

• ◦ Abstinence from certain meats.

Spitting.

^◦ Not only by Christ's word and will, but also by ceremony and by application of external creatures which be holy, miracles are wrought; as by Christ's spittle, which was not part of his person, being a superfluity of his body, but yet most holy. Theophyl. in 7. Marci.

• ◦ Christ's spittle worketh miracles.

Ephphetha.

^◦ The Church doth most godly imitate and use these very words and ceremonies of our Saviour in the Exorcisms before Baptism, to the healing of their souls that are to be baptized, as Christ here healed the bodily infirmity and the disease of the soul together. Ambros. li. 1. de Sacram. c. 1.

• ◦ Exorcisms and other ceremonies in Baptism.