Deuteronomy 17

Deuteronomy 17:1

VVHerein is blemish] Chap. 15. 21. Leviticus 22:20. Malachi 1:8. & 14.

Deuteronomy 17:2

or woman] Shewing that the crime cannot be excused by the frailtie of the person: for both sexes are obliged to Gods holy prohibitions and precepts, and his justice and mercy are upon the same grounds indifferently distributed to both, Galatians 3:28.

Deuteronomy 17:3

bost of heaven] See Annot. on Gen. 2. vers. 1.

not commanded] Whereby he condemneth all Religion and Service of God, which God hath not commanded: and withall in this expression there is a Figure called Liptcte or Litoles, whereby more is meant then spoken: as by not commanded is to be understood forbidden: and not simply forbidden, but with severe comminations, as in the second Commandement, and in the fourth verse of this Chapter. Chap. 4. 19. * Leviticus 10:1. Jer. 7. 31, 32. & 19. 5.

Deuteronomy 17:5

• unto thy gates] For there was the place of publique judicature; and the offender condemned there was the readier for his execution, which was done without the gates of the Citie, whether the death were by stoning, (as here, and Act. 7.) or by crucifying, as that of our blessed Saviour, or any other. * Chap. 22. 24.

shalt stone him] See Annot. on Chap. 13. vers. 9.

Deuteronomy 17:7

first upon him] Laid on his head as avowing the guilt of that man, or throwing stones at him to put him to death. See Annot. on Chap. 13. 9. Leviticus 24:14.

all the people] To signifie their common consent to maintain Gods honour and true religion, and their detestation of such impietie against him.

so shalt thou put] To sacrifice sinners to publique justice, is the means to obtaine mercy for the preservation of them that survive. * Vers. 12. & Chap. 13. 5. & 19. 19. & 21. 21. & 22. 24. & 7.

Deuteronomy 17:8

between blood and blood] That is, betwixt the guilt of wilfull murder, and casuall man-slaughter; or, betwixt bloodshed by violence, and blood to be shed by justice: or, betwixt blood and blood, may be betwixt kindred and kindred, wherein justice must put a difference betwixt guilt and innocence, if the partie be never so neere in alliance or kindred.

plea and plea] Pleading for and against in the same cause: some accusing, and some denying.

stroke and stroke] Whether it be of malignitie or casualty.

God shall choose] For the pitching of his Tabernacle, or building his Temple.

Deuteronomy 17:9

Judge] Who shall give Sentence as the Priests counsell him by the Law of God, in matters of Religion, or the Ceremoniall Law; but in civill controversies there were civill Magistrates, who were to heare and determine betwixt partie and partie; yet so, that if there were a scruple, or case of conscience which made the Judge doubtfull what to determine, he was to consult with the Priest, Psal. 122. 2 Chron. 19. 8, &c. Numbers 27:21.

Deuteronomy 17:11

sentence of the law] The Judge was not to give what Sentence pleased himselfe, but according to the Law: and if the Case were such as was not already ruled by the Law, God was to be consulted with, and resolution to be made by his direction. See Leviticus 24:12. Numbers 15:34. Deuteronomy 24:8. Ezekiel 44:24. Deuteronomy 21:5.

Deuteronomy 17:12

unto the Priest] While the Priest bringeth warrant from God for the Sentence which he passeth in the Cause of man, Ezek. 44. 23, 24. he that contumaciously disobeyeth him, disobeyeth God, Luke 10:16. Matthew 10:14. The case is alike, if the just Sentence of a competent Judge be contemned in secular affaires.

Deuteronomy 17:15

not set a stranger] Not one of another Nation or Religion, lest he change true Religion into Idolatry, and bring thee both into slavery and sinne, Chap. 1. 13. Jeremiah 30:21.

Deuteronomy 17:16

not multiply horses] Not affect to be Master of too many horses, lest that should occasion him or his people to have too much to doe with the idolatrous Egyptians, to goe or send his Courtiers to Egypt, where there was great store of such cattell, 1 king. 10. 26. 28. the abundance whereof might occasion too much confidence in their in their number and strength. See Esa. 31. 1. 17. 15.

hath said] Not in expresse words, but implicitely, and by consequence, when he shewed himselfe much offended at those, who would have made them a Captain to lead them backe into Egypt, Numbers 14:4. 11.

that way] He speaketh not of any particular way, but of that way (which soever it is) which leadeth unto Egypt: for in this case the matter of moment lyeth not in the journey, but in the end of it.

Deuteronomy 17:17

multiply wives] If Kings may not, much lesse may their Subjects; since it is of more moment that they have children then inferiour persons, and though the Patriarchs had more wives then one at once, it was not according to the first institution of marriage. See Annot. on Genesis 4:19. It was never allowed by God, though for a time tolerated, upon reasons which concerne not our times. And this might the rather be forbidden to a King, because of the power of his example upon the manners of his people.

greatly multiply] That is, immoderately addict himselfe to multiply gold or silver: for covetousnesse is a mischievous sinne in a man of great power, in a King especially, since it will for reward attempt, admit, and uphold any wickednesse; and oppose and suppresse any good man or good cause. Esa. 2. 7.

Deuteronomy 17:18

he shall write] Or, cause to be written, as 2 Samuel 7:13.

a copy of this Law] Of this fist Booke of Moses out of that Originall record, which was kept in the Sanctuary, Chap. 31. 26. 2 Kings 22:8. or, of the whole Law. Philo writeth that the King ought to write it with his own hand: but by whomsoever it was written he must diligently read in it; notwithstanding the multiplicitie and greatnesse of the affaires of his kingly office, 1 Samuel 10:25.

Deuteronomy 17:19

read it] Joshua 1:8. Psalms 119:98. Chap. 31. 11.

Deuteronomy 17:20

not lifted up] Not so lifted up above his Subjects, as to forget they are Brethren, but to make his Government rather loved by lenitie, then feared or hated by rigour, 1 Kings 12:7. Daniel 5:20.