Commentary on the Pentateuch, Commentary 5 · Chapter 19
CHAP. XIX.
Verſ. 3. THou ſhalt prepare thee a way] A direct, plain, faire high-way: Such a way muſt Miniſters prepare, and pave for their people to Chriſt (the true Aſylum,) by giving them the knowledg of ſalvation, by the remiſſion of their ſins, Luk. 1, 76, 77.
Verſ. 4. Whom he hated not in time paſt] There is a paſſion of hatred. This is a kind of averſeneſs and riſing of the heart againſt a man, when one ſees him; ſo that he cannot away with him, nor ſpeak to him, nor look courteouſly or peaceably upon him; and by his good will, he would have nothing to do with him. Secondly, there is a habite of hatred; when the heart is ſo ſetled in this alienation and eſtrangement, that it grows to wiſh, and deſire, and ſeek his hurt. Both theſe muſt be mortified.
Verſ. 5. And live] So he keep within …his city of refuge, till the death of the high-prieſt. See the Note on Num. 35.25.
Verſ. 6. Whiles his heart is hot] As Nebuchadnezzars oven, viz. with anger and grief, and ſuch like paſſions; which like heavy bodyes down ſteep hills, once in motion, move themſelves, and know no ground but the bottom.
Verſ 8. And give thee all the land] From Nilus to Euphrates, Gen. 15.18. which by reaſon of their ſins he never did. Pray we with Jabez, 1 Chron. 4.10. Oh that thou wouldeſt bleſs me indeed, and enlarge my coaſt, (my heart!) and that thine hand might be with me, &c. When thou ſhalt have enlarged mine heart, ſaith David, then will I run the way of thy commandements, Pſal. 119.32.
Verſ. 11. But if any man hate his neighbour] As Cain did Abel, as Eſau Jacob, as Abſolom Amnon; as Dr. Story did Queen Elizabeth, whom he curſed daily in his grace at board: Anno 1567. Camd. Eliſab.as Tirone did the Engliſh; therefore ſtrangling ſome of his own men, for no other reaſon, but becauſe they fed on engliſh bread; howbeit he never ſpake of the Queen, but with honour: yea the profane wretch, Speed.ſtiled himſelf Couſin to God, Enemy to all the world, and Friend to the Queen of England.
Verſ. 12. And fetch him thence] From the altar to the halter, from the pallace to the gallowes, Prov. 28.17.
Verſ. 14. Thy neighbours land-mark, which they of old, &c.] Eraſmus met with an adverſary ſo ſilly, as to object unto him this text, Eraſm. in Appologiis, pag. 637.againſt the new Tranſlation of the new Teſtament. Quaſi per terminos, voces intellexiſſet Spiritus S. atque hujus legis violatae illi poſtulari poſſent, qui mutant rerum vocabula. Whereas by termes orland-marks, here are cleerly meant bounds, borders, limits, whereby every mans inheritance was fevered.
Verſ. 15. One witneſs ſhall not riſe up] Yet if this One be a faithfull witneſs, Ariſt. Rhetor. lib. 2.foreign, ſaith Ariſtotle; one faithfull witneſs, in ſome caſe, may ſuffice; in private offences, howſoever: And that our Saviour ſpeaketh of ſuch, Mat. 18.19. Baſil and others are of opinion. If thy brother (a Iew,) ſhall treſpaſs againſt thee being a Iew, right thy ſelf by degrees. Firſt, deal with him fraternally, tell him his fault, betwixt thee and him alone, verſ. 15. Secondly, deal with him legally, take with thee one or two more, verſ. 16. Thirdly, deal with him jewiſhly; tell the Church, verſ. 17. complain to the Sanhed…in. Mr. Lightſ. harmony. pag. 143.Fourthly, if he ſhall neglect to hear them, deal with him Heatheniſhly, i.e. Let him be unto thee, as a Heathen, and a Publican; make benefit of Roman Soveraignty, let Caeſars juſtice end the difference between you.
Verſ. 20. Shall hear and fear] Others woes ſhould be our warnings, others ſufferings our ſermons, yea ſtanding ſermons, 1 Cor. 10.5. to 12. Gods houſe of correction, is the ſchool of inſtruction.
Verſ. 21. Eye for eye, tooth for tooth] See the Note on Mat. 5.38.