Which things have indeed a shew of wisdom
The authors of them set up for men of wisdom, and were esteemed
such, and are often styled (Mymkx) , "wise men"; and their scholars that received
their traditions, and explained and enforced them on others,
(Mymkxh) (ydymlt) , "the disciples of the wise
men": and they pretended, that these constitutions of theirs were
"a hedge for the law", and for the honour of it, and to preserve
it, and keep men from transgressing it; and this carried in it
some appearance of wisdom: and their pretensions to it lay in the
following things,
in will worship;
being what was over and above that which was commanded by God,
and so, like the freewill offerings under the law, must be
acceptable to him; this was one of their colours, which had some
show of wisdom, religion, and zeal:
and humility:
in worshipping of angels, and not coming directly, and with
boldness, to God or Christ; or rather in subjecting themselves to
the yoke of the law, and submitting to the decrees of the fathers
and doctors of the church, who were more wise, and learned, and
knowing than they, and so had the appearance of prudence,
gentleness, and goodness:
and neglecting of the body;
by fastings and watchings, whereby they seemed to be very
religious and devout, holy and mortified persons, who kept under
their bodies, subdued their unruly appetites, and fulfilled not
the lusts of the flesh: but then this was only a show of wisdom
and godliness; there was no truth nor reality in these things;
they were only a mere form, an outside show, a mere pretence;
there was no true devotion nor religion in them: and so
not in any honour;
or to be had in any esteem; for if the rites of the ceremonial
law itself were weak and beggarly elements, much more must these
additions to it, and corruptions of it, be such; and at most only
regarded things external, that were
to the satisfying, of the flesh;
either the body, or the carnal mind, in which they were vainly
pulled up: though some consider this last clause as explanative
of the former, "neglecting of the body", or not sparing it, but
afflicting it with austerities of life; depriving it of its
proper right, what is necessary for it, not taking due care of
it, so as to satisfy nature; whereby instead of honouring, they
dishonoured it: for though the body is not to be pampered, and
the lusts of it indulged, or luxury and intemperance to be
encouraged; yet since the body is the work of God's hands, is the
habitation of the soul, and by which it performs its offices, and
is the purchase of Christ, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and
will be raised a glorious body at the last day, it ought not to
be neglected and dishonoured; but should have a sufficiency of
food and clothing, whereby it may be comfortably and honourably
nourished and supported.