Ruths Recompense, Commentary on Ruth · Chapter 4 · Verse 7
Verſe 7. Now this was the manner in former time in Iſrael, concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirme all things: a man plucked off his ſhoo, and gaue it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Iſrael.
THeſe words are a declaration of a Cuſtome in Iſrael, and brought in heere to ſhew the reaſon of the Kinſman his drawing off his ſhoo in the verſe following. In this, note the antiquitie of this Cuſtome, alſo where, about what, to what end, what it was, and the ratification.
Now this was the manner in former time.] It was no new deuice, but an old cuſtome, though no where in Scripture mentioned before. In commending this Cuſtome from antiquitie, we ſee, that Antiquity hath euer beene of credit to commend a thing vntounto vsus: by this the Prophet commendethIer. 6. 16. Religion and Worſhip of God to the people; and by this preuailed the Scribes and PhariſesMat. 6. Mat. 15. with their traditions, by ſaying it was ſaid of old, and done by the Forefathers. Thus the Papiſts ſeeke to grace their ſuperſtition and wil-worſhip: for that which is of old, hath many Approuers of al ſorts, which maketh it to be of ſuch eſtimation. Seeing this is ſo, let vsus learne to know true Antiquity from counterfeit; the antiquity of truth, which is of God, and that of error, which is of the Diuell: and that which wee find to be antiquity of truth, that to vphold, and to reiect the other: ſo ſhall we approue of the truth of our Religion, as moſt ancient; and renounce Poperie, as a new nouelty, and a religion ſprung vp but of late. This ſhould alſo make vsus to be warie, and to take good heed that we aſcribe not the name of antiquity to any thing, but that which may bee proued to be ſound and orthodoxe, yea, albeit being a thing but indifferent: leſt if it bee euill, we, by attributing antiquitie thereunto, doe credit and adde confirmation vntounto it, by ſpeaking thereof as being ancient; and when we ſo informe others, when wee approue of it, and practiſe it, and inſtruct, teach, and allow our children ſo to thinke and doe, if the thing bee good and of approued antiquity, it is well done ſo to ſpeake and practiſe; but if euill, wee doe amiſſe in miſleading others, by graceing any way ſuch a thing with the credit of antiquity, when as we rather ſhould vſe all meanes to diſanull and cancell the ſame.
In Iſrael.] Old customes hauehave preuailed amongst Iohn. 18. 39.Gods people, both ciuill and religious cuſtomes, and that both good and bad. Good the godly hauehave obſerued, as did Ioſeph and Marie. Bad theLuke 2. 27, 42. people hauehave followed, ſuch as were and be addicted to the will of men, and to the examples of their forefathers, to great and learned mensIer. 44. 1. King. 17, 34. 40. practices, being led by their owne bringing vp to follow the opinion of the moſt, and not to bee guided by the Law and Precepts of God. Thus were the high places kept vp in Iudea; the golden calues worſhipped in Dan and Bethel: ſo popiſh cuſtomes hauing taken place, wee find hard to be remoued; and heatheniſh cuſtomes ſometimes among the ignorant and vulgar people are kept and obſerued in diuers things at ſome ſeaſons of the yeere: of which in this cleare Light of the Goſpell Chriſtians ſhould bee aſhamed. Some cuſtomes are not to bee condemned ſimply, but only in regard of the abuſe: as for friends to meetIud. 14. 16. and feaſt, to make a feaſt at weddings, to reioyce, to ſing, to play on inſtruments; yea, ſometime toIer. 31. 4. Eſai. 58. 13. daunce, ſo it be that the Lords Day bee not prophaned, nor made the appointed day for theſe things, as moſt commonly it hath beene: for that day is ſet apart for better ends and holy purpoſes: alſo ſo that moderation be vſed herein, as in feaſting, to auoid drunkenneſſe and gluttonie; in myrth, wanton ſongs, laſciuious ſpeeches, abuſe of Gods Name and his Word; and in dauncing, the mixt companying of men and women: for inIud. 11. 34 and 21. 21 1. Sam. 18. 6. Ier. 31. 13. Iſrael the women daunced together, and the men alone: as for the other, it is an allurement to vanity and folly, as daily experience may teach them that impudently will gaine-ſay the ſame. So then let vsus diſtinguiſh cuſtomes, and as they be good, ſo vſe them; if otherwiſe, cut them off, and ſuffer not an vngodly cuſtome to hauehave any authority, or to bee a law in thine heart: for ofttimes euill cuſtomes do ouermaſter good cuſtomes. Wherefore let Hagar bee expelled, that the promiſed ſeed may hauehave his right and place.
Concerning redeeming, and concerning changing.] Of redeeming Land, buying and ſelling, before hath beene ſpoken; heere is mention of the exchange of one for another, as Ahab offered vntounto Naboth; in which, as in the other, equity is to be obſerued. Theſe words brought in here, ſhew about what matters this ancient cuſtome was obſerued, namely, in and about matters of the world. In which they had their libertie, as wee hauehave now in theſe things, and not to bee found fault with or diſallowed; neither need men to hauehave any ſcruple in vſing them, not to call them into queſtion, when they ſee not therein any apparent impietie, or groſſe ſuperſtition.
For to confirme all things.] to wit, which was done or ſpoken touching the redemption or change. So heere is the end of the Ceremonie, for ciuill vſe, not for ſuperſtition; it was for confirmation and eſtabliſhing of the right of one vponupon another: for Custome is as a Law, binding one to another, in that which is done according to that cuſtome. It is good therefore to take heed how we ſettle a cuſtome.
A man plucked off his ſhoo, and gaue it to his neighbour.] This was the cuſtome, or the ceremonie vſed according to the cuſtome then in Iſrael about ſuch things. Seuerall countreyes hauehave ſeuerall customes. Wee deliuer vp our right, by taking vp a piece of Earth, and doe lay it vponupon the deed or writing, when wee giuegive vp our right in free-hold; in ſome places by a ſtraw in copie-hold land; ſome pull off a gloue▪ here is plucking off a ſhoo, to ſignifie by the ſhooe, his right to the land; by plucking off, his will to forgoe it; by giuing it to his Neighbour, the reſigning of his right: ſo as the ceremonie liuely ſetteth out the thing. But it will be aſked, Why was a ſhoo vſed in this? It may be, to note that the man acknowledgeth hereby, that now hee had no right to ſet his foote vponupon it without the leaue of the other; according to that with vsus, no man hauing a right, without the Owners good will, ſo much as to walke ouer another mans ground; but if hee will, he may commence a ſute againſt him de pedibus ambulandis: but ſuch extremity is vtterly void of charity, and to bee hated among Chriſtians.
And this was a testimonie in Iſrael.] This act made good the bargaine of ſale or exchange in Iſrael: for a common custome maketh ſure a thing deliuered according to that custome, where it is of force and vſe. The practice of that cuſtome ſhall teſtifie againſt them, and confirme their deed, where that cuſtome is in vſe: for many cuſtomes are in many places, and doe differ. Let therefore ſuch a cuſtome be carefully obſerued, and beware of the breach thereof.